Why the plunge?: While the offense has its hitormiss moments, the blame for the most disappointing Bills season in recent memory falls squarely on the defense. A former NFL general manager told me that new coordinator Dave Wannstedt shouldn shoulder all the criticism because he trying to run a 43 defense with what is still predominantly 34 personnel. That includes the rocky transition for secondyear defensive tackle Marcell Dareus from onegap to twogap responsibilities.The Garda, with Cormac Bane in fine form, was the better side throughout. The result was never in doubt despite a spirited fightback from the Mayo side in the second half. Bane scoring exploits made the difference between the teams.

The players union also has been proactive, forming its own committee and pushing the league to revamp its concussion committee which resulted in the resignation last week of cochairmen Ira Casson and David Viano. An Oct. 28 hearing before the House Judiciary Committee probing lon