bhurst99

Aug. 22, 2012 When Bryan Hurst hung up the phone, Ralph Wilson knew immediately Hurst had failed. "They won't do it," Hurst said. The disappointment was evident on his face. "That's unfortunate but there's no point in dwelling on it," said Wilson, the Buffalo Bills owner. The Washington Redskins had been offering their middle linebacker Lorenzo Alexander for trade to teams around the league. If there had been one thing that had been painfully clear in the Buffalo Bills preseason it was that their existing linebackers couldn't stop the run. They had allowed 142 yards against Minnesota and 125 against Washington. It was no surprise to Hurst. The Bills couldn't stop the run last year, the run the year before and -- for all Hurst knew -- the past decade. They needed Lorenzo Alexander. They needed him like a fish needs water. But the Redskins had rejected the Bills offer of defensive tackle Dwan Edwards. "If we can't stop the run .." Hurst didn't need to say more. Every coach from pee-wee football to the NFL knew if you couldn't stop the run you couldn't win. "This is a passing league now. It's more important we have good defensive backs and great schemes," offered Wilson. Hurst shook his head. "There's no scheme invented that can make our linebackers look decent." "You have to be positive. You're the leader of this team," said Wilson. "Nick Barnett led our linebackers last game with three tackles. Three tackles! That just isn't going to cut it," said Hurst. "Why did I hire you if that's the attitude you're going to have?" Wilson glared across the room at Hurst. "You promised me a playoff team when you took this job and less than a month later you're already saying we can't do it." Hurst knew his criticisms had gone too far. "We're going to make the playoffs, Mr. Wilson. But there's a difference between making the playoffs and having a legitimate shot at the Superbowl." Hurst sat down across from Wilson. "You're in charge here," Hurst continued. "I'm only here to give you advice on personnel decisions. But I'm not going to tell you what you want to hear. I'm here to tell you the truth. Our linebackers are terrible." "Okay," Wilson relented. "We need to cut six players this week to get down to the roster maximum of 59 players. We'll cut one of the linebackers but I think we should give the rest a chance against Pittsburgh this week." Great, thought Hurst. Pittsburgh never shied away from the running game. The Steelers would further expose how inept the Bills linebacking corps were and more importantly, how Wilson needed to listen to Hurst's advice. Football was about power -- the ability to dictate the game to your opponents on your terms, to push them back into their end zone, to punish their mistakes. Without the power to make personnel decisions Hurst couldn't see how that was going to happen. Hurst was the one who was going to be pushed with this roster. Opponents were going to march the ball down his throat and he would wear the failure of each loss. He had to have more control, he had to wrestle the roster decisions from this senior citizen. But that wasn't going to happen today. "Now let's get to the rest of the cuts," said Wilson.

Bad news. Clowney was looking pretty good in pre-season.

England vs Uruguay, World Cup Second Group Game [VIDEO] [/VIDEO]

Looks like Spain is in dangers of getting out of the group.

England vs Italy, World Cup Group Game One [VIDEO] [/VIDEO]

Northern Ireland tied Brazil. What is going on?

England's Goal Scorers -- World Cup Qualifying

Turkey vs England, World Cup Qualifier, Game 10 [VIDEO] [/VIDEO]

England vs Austria, World Cup Qualifier, Game Nine [VIDEO] [/VIDEO]

Glad, the English FA came to their senses and extended my contract. Now if you'll excuse me I have a World Cup to get into England into.

What in the world?!? What is there to review? I have England on the cusp of making the World Cup! First in our group with just two games remaining.