LGB

it can't be a love fest all the time, but when you see "Bills Fans" get out of line and fight (like in the upper deck...tumbling down the stairs...), they get thrown out...

I have been on a couple of Bills boards and there has always been users that get out of line. Some boards can and will ban your account without warning. Rather than a moderated list which would require a huge effort, maybe banning is the way to go?

Some fans who have witnessed NFL playoffs in WNY would like to see the next generation join in on the fun, so the last 10 years have been difficult. Cowherd seems filled with himself at times, but covers a lot of football. There is not much down in the lower ninth ward anymore...whole neighborhoods gone and until they fix the levee system or build up the ground level there, moving back in might not be such a good idea.

As long as there have been performances (on the field or on the stage), there have been critics. Trying to encourage better performances for some is not just about showing up at the venue blindly cheering on the home town. There is a difference between being negative to just be negative and those who would like to see/buy a better product. The Bills have a 66-94 record since 2000 so it is not unreasonable to expect some negativity. If a post looks negative, you have the option of not reading it. This, of course is probably what the Bill's marketing department would like you to do (only happy thoughts). Constructive criticism is not bad and it would be great if there weren't any haters in the world. But if nobody ever said anything negative, DJ would still be coaching the Bills.

Colin Cowherd on ESPN radio mentioned a list of the top 10 stubborn sports fans on askmen.com. The Cleveland Brown's fans were listed as the number one most stubborn. Cowherd mentioned that teams that have an active and opinionated fan base like NYC generally field winning teams like the Yankees. He said teams that fill the stadium, don't criticize and buy all the team gear in support of a sub-par performing team are just enabling bad performances (marketing sheep for slaughter). I was half expecting to see the Buffalo Bill's fans on the list because of our 10 year stellar attendance record in support of a 66-94 record with no playoffs during that time, but going to Bills games isn't always about winning or we would not have had as many sell-outs during this time and most fans probably do not mind being called "stubborn". "Sports fans have a unique sense of loyalty, especially when that loyalty is misplaced on an undeserving team. If you're a fan of one of these teams, you're stubborn. Loyalty is important in marriages and mafia. For sports fans, it’s a weakness. Many enthusiasts are committed to their team come hell or high water, but their teams don’t reciprocate. Instead, fans are left cheering for colors, mascots and memories instead of a successful on-field winning product. While some front offices are to blame, fans who blindly cheer for their team regardless of their attempts to win a championships or not are simply stubborn."

That was an interesting article on Edgerson (my Grandfather used to tell me stories about games at the "Rockpile"). Hey, just wondering if there might be a chance that Van "fasten your seatbelt" Miller makes the WOF? From the Bill's inception as an AFL team in 1960 to 1971, and again from 1977 to the time of his retirement in 2003, Miller was the longest-tenured commentator with one team (37 years) in pro football history.

There is a nice feature on this site (under My Controls> Options > Manage Ignored Users) that can help reduce the chance that you might read something from the small number of users who have made visiting forums like this less enjoyable. It is kind of like rolling up your window when the car next to you goes a little overboard to make sure that you can hear their music.

Yea, I am glad we loaded up on chances because the percentages are so much in our favor... yea, what a terrible thing it would be to have too much talent and have to say goodbye to these players...it must be time for a scooby-snack...

Not to say that great players have not come from less than historically powerhouse football programs, but you might wonder about the level of competition at some of the programs listed below? Spiller, C.J. RB, Clemson Troup, Torell DT, UCF Carrington, Alex DE, Arkansas State Easley, Marcus WR, UConn Wang, Ed OT Va., Tech Moats, Arthur DE, James Madison Batten, Danny DE, South Dakota State Brown, Levi QB, Troy Calloway, Kyle OT, Iowa John Destin, CB, Tulsa Naaman Roosevelt, WR, Buffalo Donald Jones, WR, Youngstown St. Joique Bell, RB, Wayne State Stephan Virgil, CB, Virginia Tech Brett Johnson, S, Cal Antonio Coleman, DE/OLB, Auburn David Nelson, WR, Florida Dominique Harris, S, Temple Sean Allen, C/G, ECU Jorge Guerra, OL, TAMUK Cordaro Howard, OL, Georgia Tech Kyle Mutcher, OC, Weber State Here is the next set of dates for OTAs Buffalo Bills Rookie minicamp: May 7-9. OTAs: May 25-27, June 1-3, June 8-10, June 15-17, June 21-22. Voluntary minicamp: June 4-6. Mandatory minicamp: June 23-25. Pre-season Games: August 13 Buffalo Bills at Washington Redskins 7:30 PM August 19 Buffalo Bills vs. Indianapolis Colts (Toronto) 7:30 PM August 28 Buffalo Bills vs. Cincinnati Bengals 6:30 PM

I agree that you can't really judge Brohm based on two NFL appearances.

...wasn't that the same thing that was said about Bills offensive line coach Jim McNally?

yea, it was a bad throw, but TO probably should have come back to the ball or become the DB on that play.

Brown and Brohom behind Fitz to start the season...TE is damaged goods (2 concussions in two years) and they will likely send to the curb. If TE stays, it won't be for long behind a line that will not be improved right away. I agree Brown is the safest of the four and might be 'their guy' to groom unless they decide to enter the Mallet/Locker sweepstakes next year.

he only the 6th running back in NFL history to reach the 2,000 yard mark 1984 - Eric Dickerson - 2,105 yards 2003 - Jamal Lewis - 2,066 yards 1997 - Barry Sanders - 2,053 yards 1998 - Terrell Davis - 2,008 yards 2009 - Chris Johnson - 2,006 yards 1973 - O.J. Simpson - 2,003 yards (that is pretty good football company - and he also had over 500 yards receiving last year)

you're right that 7 million was a risk even though CJ ran a 4.2 at the combine (that put him in the first round -24th overall), but look what philly just did with Kolb under the same 30 percent rule that that applies to CJ "On Thursday afternoon, the team emphasized that point even more by extending the former University of Houston star's contract. However, without a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the players and owners, and due to the complexities of the "30 percent rule", Kolb's contract was extended for just one season, but the deal includes roughly $12.26 million in guaranteed money, a league source told Scout.com." "The 30 percent rule restricts base salary growth for more than 30 percent from year to year for renegotiated contracts completed during an uncapped year. Option and roster bonuses are prohibited within the 30 percent rule, so it's very difficult to renegotiate deals with years left. The remaining option to get Kolb's contract up to speed with the rest of the top starters in the NFL was to give him a large signing bonus. Signing bonuses are excluded from the 30 percent rule. The guaranteed money in the extension, as expected, comes in the form of a $10.7 million signing bonus".

Duke Preston knows how to get to RWS...but the Bills will likely not get serious until they see what they have with Bell coming off a torn ACL...here is what rotoworld has posted: The Bills plan to keep fifth-round pick Ed Wang at left tackle, where he played as a college senior at Virginia Tech. "He's got size. He's got intelligence and he's got left tackle ability," said GM Buddy Nix. "He can pass protect." Bills quarterbacks will be in trouble no matter if Wang or Demetrius Bell wins the left tackle job. Bell is coming off a torn ACL. Wang lacks ideal length (6'4", 33 3/4" arms). It's early, but Buffalo looks like the favorite for the 2011 No. 1 overall pick.

guess if I were in CJ's shoes or in a profession where 300+ lb lineman were throwing all there body weight at me and my legs, I would want to make money while I am still able to make it...you can't blame the guy for trying to make as much as he can after leading the league in rushing (after his guaranteed money, he is making about minimum wage in the NFL), but he did sign his contract - so it will be interesting to see how much Spiller signs for and if there isn't some way of structuring the deal based on performance (let's hope Spiller turns out to be the next Chris Johnson on the field).

Peters, once voted to the Pro-Bowl, felt he out-performed his contract and held out for more money. It is very possible that the leading rusher in the NFL last year might hold out as well because he has clearly out-performed his contract. BTW - Johnson, if he does not hold out, should be right at the top with AP for RB draft selection in 2010 Fantasy Football.

6'6' and 300 lbs...maybe the Raiders will try him as Fullback since he already knows the play-book and presumably can run the option.

The Titans could come up with a deal that is largely bonus-based, but who knows how much the final number could be. The "30 percent rule" limits the growth of base salaries of renegotiated existing contracts in the uncapped year. As a result, the Titans would probably have to pay Johnson guaranteed signing bonus money in the $40 million to $50 million range as part of a market-rate extension because the base salary he could earn would be restricted. Johnson, drafted 24th overall in 2008, made $385,000 in 2009 when he rushed for a league-leading 2,006 yards. He'd only be able to make an additional $115,000 in base salary as part of a 30 percent raise in a renegotiated deal, and could only receive a 30 percent annual pay raise from there each year. Johnson is scheduled to make $550,000 in 2010, the third year of his original $12 million contract. In January at the Pro Bowl, Johnson told The Tennessean he'd like to be the highest-paid offensive player in the NFL.

The Titans could write him a new contract...or he could be traded like Peters was if he sits out.

Looks like the Titans might have the same problem that the Bills did with Jason Peters and it will be interesting to see if the Titans let this drag on like the Bills did. Chris Johnson, who became the NFL’s leading rusher with over 2,000 yards (plus 500 receiving yards) stated at the end of last year he wanted more money. Johnson still has three years left on the $12 million contract he signed in 2008 that featured $7 million guaranteed. But his base salary for 2010 doesn’t even put him close to being one of the best paid players on the Titans, let alone the NFL. Johnson is due $550,000 for 2010. To put this in perspective, Lee Evans earned about 9 million dollars last year for 612 receiving yards - only about 100 yards more Chris Johnson's 503 receiving yards as a RB.

yea, it looks like the SI list is incomplete. Russell was a first round pick, showed up at camp out of shape and overweight...hey we have a player like that...McCargo previously showed up out of shape and overweight...in fact the Bills fined him for having so many donuts, but he is still on the team - so maybe there is still hope for Russell yet? Russell is expected to attend the Raiders minicamp tomorrow.

"JaMarcus Russell was reported to have shown up to training camp in March 2010 weighing close to 300 pounds". Wow, wonder if he can play tackle?

Thanks Fred! Should we wait until 2012 to buy tickets? Are you running for office?