Never NEVER Give-up

A little late to this party, but a few thoughts . . . If the official line is that Whaley made the call after discussing it with the Pegulas and Rex - as they say this is how they make all their decisions - AND Tim Graham tweets that it was Whaley going rogue - - Graham owes us a story with a little more meat. His tweet is nothing more than rabble-rousing - causing trouble with no explanation. Graham's sources? Really? The local guys NEVER break a story! It took Jay Glazer from California to tell us Tyrod would be starting!! The local guys should be living at OBD, but they never seem to get the scoop. The're known for their puff pieces about individual players - those "getting-to-know-you" pieces. Frustrating. We have no reason to distrust what the Bills official line is. As far as Freddy's charge that he never felt Whaley was dealing straight with him...we can also assume it's true. Did you ever play football? 50 + guys, a dozen coaches - you never like all of them and in fact, you hate a few of them. Maybe they don't like each other and the handing down of the decision by Whaley was a little callous. I believe it. But I also believe it was a tough decision. Whaley has no desire to bring on a tempest if he can avoid it. This was a decision that was going to be made between now and next year. We were always going to hate to hear that Fred was leaving. But he's 34 (a younger 34, but still 34) his performance dipped last year (as did the O-Line's). They brought in Bryce Brown vs a 4th rounder, If they waited until next year to cut Fred, then at that time, they'd need to go find a RB, Brown would be gone (my opinion) and so would the 4th rounder. It was getting to be too expensive to keep a "short-timer" like Fred. (I agree w/Lurker & Kelly th Dog - posts above)

Cleveland needs a RB. But I'd look for a contender to pick him up. Belechek loves him. The Colts? Seahawks? Cowboys? My guess is Cowboys or Pats.

I am no expert and am not sure who should be our QB. That could be a good thing because the QBs are playing well or a bad thing if the coaches are not happy with their performance. I saw an NFL Network show with James Lofton as a guest tonite (Tues nite). EJ has a 117 QBR - more than 20 pts better than the other 2 QB's. I'm pulling for EJ, but in reality I'm pulling for the coaches to get it right!! Also, if all of the QB's are substandard in the coaches eyes, I hope the Bills trade for someone's #2-3 QB to come in and play for us. Or, hopefully as cuts are made and rosters take their final shape, someone will become available or come free like Mettenberger (sp) in Tenn or Garoppalo (sp) in NE.

NOW they nominate him!?!?!? Damn! Snake deserved better!!

Disgusting. Real class guy it seems. Geeze, he better run it like Cookie!!

Lost my job after buying seasons tickets this year for the first time since 1986. Great seats: Jim Kelly Club, section 211, row 10 - under cover, 45-50 yard line. Unfortunately, to keep them, I need to sell a few games' tickets and I do not know how to do that. NFL Ticket Exchange? StubHub? Anyone out there who can give me some tips and pitfalls to avoid? I would appreciate any help you could provide. Thanks!

Yohoo, lose the attitude. My point is you don't need to wait until a guy has 30+ starts (JP/Trent) before you know if he's going to be great, good or an also-ran. There's no doubt that EJ's the guy until we find someone better (if we look). But if he were THE GUY, we'd all see that something special (je ne sais quoi). A special spark, determination, physical talent - arm (accuracy and zip), head for the game - I don't see any of that in EJ - he's average, just OK - aspiring to the middle of the pack in the NFL. By the way "Over 20 ...", race has ZERO to do with it!

EJ needs to stop finessing his passes. He throws like he's at the egg toss at a company picnic. He needs to just sling it.

He slid early, but it's no big deal. Regardless, I have seen enough and realize he is not "THE GUY" for us. I remember when Jim Kelly played his first game for the Bills - we lost to the Jets that day, but I remember watching him and thinking "this guy's got IT!" Kelly was so refreshing. I remember Joe Dufek, Vince Ferragamo and Bruce Mathison - none of them had "IT" and it was readily apparent. Then it was Todd Collins & AVP - nope - didn't have it. The we signed Flutie & traded for Rob Johnson. Flutie was magic, but so small he scared the coaches. Johnson looked the part but was lacking. Flutie was very close to having "IT". Then came Bledsoe but the game passed him by - the statue couldn't handle the rush up the middle. On to Kelly Holcomb & JP Losman - neither had it. Then it was Trent Edwards and Fitz. Edwards was a shell of himself after getting concussed vs the Cards, came back & beat the Chargers and was never the same again - that was sad & weird. Fitz was a great guy, but to be honest he was approx 8-8 - best he could do, he didn't have it either. Now we have EJ and we're ALL pulling for him - but he just doesn't have it. He aspires to the middle, he'll win some, and he'll lose too many to help the Bills win it all. He's just like Fitz, not as good as Flutie. When I saw the following guys play, I knew they had "IT", even though some were on miserable teams - Kelly, Marino, Elway, Luck, Aikman, Peyton Manning - all were special, you could just tell. Around the same time we had Kelly, the Jets had O'Brien & Ryan, O'Brien wasn't bad, but he couldn't compare to Kelly. Eason was with the Pats - but even though he helped them to a Super Bowl - you could tell he wasn't in the same league. I NEVER worried about the Pats & Jets in the late 80's & early 90's. You had to worry about Marino - but because they never had a decent RB behind him, he was like, 5-17 against Kelly. The Bills were the best then. Back to EJ, we can hope all we want, pull like hell for the guy, but do you honestly see the "IT" factor in the guy. And I don't mean how he handles himself - I know he's a good guy and has charisma; he's just not a great QB. We may get to 8-8 or 9-7, but I don't think we will be perennial winners with him. I hope the Bills keep their eyes open for someone with the "IT" factor, I am sure we'll be riding EJ until he's found. And the Bills will aspire to the middle, 8-8, #15 in your power rankings, 2nd place behind the Eastern Conf team with the best QB - Brady for now. By the way, does Tannehill scare you - not really; if he does it's because you really don't have faith in EJ. Geno Smith - nope. He's the same as EJ - will only do as well as the team around him. The Bills may do OK in the division this year because if you take away the QB's, the Bills have the best team/roster. Brady gives the Pats an edge and neither Tannehill nor Gino can help their teams enough. Aspiring to the middle - that's what we have with EJ, Possible winning seasons, but not good enough because he doesn't have "IT" like Kelly, Marino, Elway, etc, etc.

I always thought Orton never got a fair shot. He was great in college. Played in Chicago and gave them a 9-7 record & an 18TD/12Int (79.6 QBR) in 2008. Then Mgmt there, thinking not only that Cutler was better, but that he was elite, traded Orton to Denver where he put up 21TD/12Int (86.8 QBR) & an 8-8 season. In 2010, the wheels came off in Denver, they drafted Tebow and fired Josh McDaniels DURING the season and oh yeah, they had the worst defense in the league, surrendering 6200+ yds and 29+ points per game - not the QB's fault. Wanting to avoid a QB controversy, they released Orton who went to KC, then Dallas in back-up rolls. So he was an ascending player in Chicago, got traded. Was an ascending player in Denver, team blew-up and he was sent packing. Did fine in back-up rolls for 3 years w/ QBRs of 81, 137 and 85 in 2011-2013. Dallas wanted to retain him, but he grew tired of the back-up roll and "retired". John Clayton said if you look at the Patriot and Bills rosters (EXCLUDING QB's) - the Bills arguably have a more talented team. I like EJ, but THIS team, with the right leadership on offense, is ready to win now. I think Orton gives us this chance.

I always thought Orton never got a fair shot. He was great in college. Played in Chicago and gave them a 9-7 record & an 18TD/12Int (79.6 QBR) in 2008. Then Mgmt there, thinking not only that Cutler was better, but that he was elite, traded Orton to Denver where he put up 21TD/12Int (86.8 QBR) & an 8-8 season. In 2010, the wheels came off in Denver, they drafted Tebow and fired Josh McDaniels DURING the season and oh yeah, they had the worst defense in the league, surrendering 6200+ yds and 29+ points per game - not the QB's fault. Wanting to avoid a QB controversy, they released Orton who went to KC, then Dallas in back-up rolls. So he was an ascending player in Chicago, got traded. Was an ascending player in Denver, team blew-up and he was sent packing. Did fine in back-up rolls for 3 years w/ QBRs of 81, 137 and 85 in 2011-2013. Dallas wanted to retain him, but he grew tired of the back-up roll and "retired". John Clayton said if you look at the Patriot and Bills rosters (EXCLUDING QB's) - the Bills arguably have a more talented team. I like EJ, but this team, with the right leadership on offense, is ready to win now. I think Orton gives us this chance.

1st - A HUGE Thank You for the locker room bulletin board!!! Isn't it funny, regarding the Bills, USAtoday sez: Sammy Watkins needs time to adapt. So will defense, which lost Jairus Byrd and is changing scheme. Again. (3-13) Regarding the Dolphins who need to replace 4 of their 5 OL-men: O-line chemistry typically takes time to achieve, and Dolphins had to replace 80% of their unit. (8-8) (Huh?? FIVE more wins?) Can you say "Double Standard"? Hey, we're in good company - other 3-13 teams: Bucs (no lie), Cowboys, Vikes & Raiders!! Jags, Lions & Chiefs are 4-12!! Wow this guy can't even get it 'out of the infield'. Listening to/believing this blather means you're soft in the head. The guy has no clue of which he speaks!

I really believe everyone here has a valid point. Two other points to note - I think Walt Corey was a pedestrian DC - with all the talent the D had, they should have been better. And if we had Ted Washington instead of Jeff Wright, we win in a walk. I've often fantasized that if we had Washington and Wade Phillips, we would have killed the G-men. As far as the offense being at fault - I've often thought 19 minutes - 19 points. . . if Corey had only gotten them off the field and given the offense a couple of more chances!!! Arrgh!!! But that was long ago and that team was so much fun to watch - I miss seeing them week-in and week-out.

Not makin' a big deal of it, but I'm not happy when I hear his music now. I either change the station or skip his song(s).

66 to Henderson.??? HOF'er Billy Shaw wore 66. I don't think it should be re-issued, same goes for 83, 12, 34, and 78. The guys that wore those numbers were Bills for almost their entire careers. 68 (Joe D.) was a Brown for as long as he was a Bill - no offense to Joe, but I'm OK with re-issuing 68.

In the 2011 Draft, the Falcons traded their 2011 1st round pick and 4th round pick plus their 2012 1st and 4th round picks for the right to draft Julio Jones. Most thought they gave up too much then. At the time, Jason Kirk of SBNation wrote: Mel Kiper has published his 2011 NFL Draft grades, and let's just say he's not in love with the Atlanta Falcons' trade for Julio Jones -- the team gets a C+, better than just four franchises. While he likes Jacquizz Rodgers and Akeem Dent in Atlanta's systems, he worries about Jones' durability and the "extraordinary value" the Falcons gave up in acquiring him: "Let's face it, the Falcons are counting on Jones to be really good, really soon. They gave a boatload of high-value picks for him, and you get a sense that this a team that really views the immediate future as a title window it needs to pursue." The only teams graded worse than Atlanta: the Tennessee Titans, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Seattle Seahawks. The five best? The Detroit Lions, Cincinnati Bengals, San Diego Chargers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns. Ranking near the bottom of the upper half is the other NFC South squad: the New Orleans Saints. Sounds just like the song he's singing this year.

espn's Kiper did 3 rounds for each and added the following caveats: 1. At each slot, I make a pick in the best interest of only the team with the pick. I won't pass on a player at No. 5 just because I like how he fits better at No. 7. 2. There are no trades. I note team needs, but not all picks are specifically to hit a need -- same as the draft. 3. This is NOT A PROJECTION. It's more a look at how I currently value players at each slot. (Courtesy of espn Insider). Houston Texans Top needs: QB, RT, OLB/DE Round 1 (Pick No. 1) DE Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina Round 2 (33) QB Jimmy Garoppolo, Eastern Illinois Round 3 (65) CB Bashaud Breeland, Clemson St. Louis Rams Top needs: WR, S, RT, LB Round 1 (2) WR Sammy Watkins, Clemson (from WAS) Round 1 (13) S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Alabama Round 2 (44) OT Morgan Moses, Virginia Round 3 (75) LB Christian Jones, Florida St. Jacksonville Jaguars Top needs: QB, DE, RT, WR Round 1 (3) LB Khalil Mack, Buffalo Round 2 (39) QB Derek Carr, Fresno St. Round 3 (70) WR Allen Robinson, Penn St. Cleveland Browns Top needs: QB, CB, WR, OL Round 1 (4) QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M Round 1 (26) CB Jason Verrett, TCU (from IND) Round 2 (35) G Gabe Jackson, Mississippi St. Round 3 (71) S Ed Reynolds, Stanford Round 3 (83) RB De'Anthony Thomas, Oregon (from PIT) Oakland Raiders Top needs: OT, WR, CB, DE, G Round 1 (5) OT Greg Robinson, Auburn Round 2 (36) WR Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt Round 3 (67) DE Kony Ealy, Missouri Atlanta Falcons Top needs: OLB/DE, OT, TE, S Round 1 (6) OT Jake Matthews, Texas A&M Round 2 (37) LB Ryan Shazier, Ohio St. Round 3 (68) DE Scott Crichton, Oregon St. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Top needs: RG, WR, OLB, DE Round 1 (7) WR Mike Evans, Texas A&M Round 2 (38) G David Yankey, Stanford Round 3 (69) DE Kareem Martin, North Carolina Minnesota Vikings Top needs: QB, CB, WR, S Round 1 (8) QB Blake Bortles, Central Florida Round 2 (40) CB Keith McGill, Utah Round 3 (72) CB Marcus Roberson, Florida Round 3 (96) RB Tre Mason, Auburn (from SEA) Buffalo Bills Top needs: RT, WR, S, TE Round 1 (9) OT Taylor Lewan, Michigan Round 2 (41) TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Washington Round 3 (73) WR Brandon Coleman, Rutgers Detroit Lions Top needs: CB, S, DE, WR, OLB Round 1 (10) CB Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma St. Round 2 (45) LB Kyle Van Noy, BYU Round 3 (76) CB Phillip Gaines, Rice Tennessee Titans Top needs: CB, QB, DE, RB Round 1 (11) QB Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville Round 2 (42) RB Carlos Hyde, Ohio St. New York Giants Top needs: TE, G/C, WR, DL, LB Round 1 (12) TE Eric Ebron, North Carolina Round 2 (43) DT Stephon Tuitt, Notre Dame Round 3 (74) G Trai Turner, LSU Chicago Bears Top needs: DT, S, CB, WR Round 1 (14) CB Darqueze Dennard, Michigan St. Round 2 (51) DT Brent Urban, Virginia Round 3 (82) DT Caraun Reid, Princeton Pittsburgh Steelers Top needs: CB, WR, DL, OL Round 1 (15) WR Odell Beckham Jr., LSU Round 2 (46) DT Louis Nix III, Notre Dame Round 3 (97) CB/S Antone Exum, Virginia Tech (Comp) Dallas Cowboys Top needs: DE, DT, S, G, WR Round 1 (16) DT Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh Round 2 (47) G Xavier Su'a-Filo, UCLA Round 3 (78) DT Will Sutton, Arizona St. Baltimore Ravens Top needs: FS, TE, LB, RT, WR Round 1 (17) OT Zack Martin, Notre Dame Round 2 (48) S Jimmie Ward, Northern Illinois Round 3 (79) RB Dri Archer, Kent St. Round 3 (99) TE Troy Niklas, Notre Dame (Comp) New York Jets Top needs: WR, CB, TE, LB Round 1 (18) WR Brandin Cooks, Oregon St. Round 2 (49) TE Jace Amaro, Texas Tech Round 3 (80) CB Loucheiz Purifoy, Florida Miami Dolphins Top needs: RT, G, S, CB Round 1 (19) S Calvin Pryor, Louisville Round 2 (50) OT Joel Bitonio, Nevada Round 3 (81) OT Jack Mewhort, Ohio St. Arizona Cardinals Top needs: S, OLB, TE, WR Round 1 (20) OLB Anthony Barr, UCLA Round 2 (52) QB AJ McCarron, Alabama Round 3 (84) WR Robert Herron, Wyoming Green Bay Packers Top needs: S, ILB, TE, DL Round 1 (21) LB C.J. Mosley, Alabama Round 2 (53) S Terrence Brooks, Florida St. Round 3 (85) TE C.J. Fiedorowicz, Iowa Round 3 (98) DE Kelcy Quarles, South Carolina (Comp) Philadelphia Eagles Top needs: WR, OLB, S Round 1 (22) WR Marqise Lee, USC Round 2 (54) OLB Jeremiah Attaochu, Georgia Tech Round 3 (86) CB Aaron Colvin, Oklahoma Kansas City Chiefs Top needs: WR, S, G Round 1 (23) WR Kelvin Benjamin, Florida St. Round 3 (87) S Deone Bucannon, Washington St. Cincinnati Bengals Top needs: CB, LT, C, DE Round 1 (24) CB Bradley Roby, Ohio St. Round 2 (55) G/T Brandon Thomas, Clemson Round 3 (88) QB Tom Savage, Pitt San Diego Chargers Top needs: CB, NT, WR, OLB Round 1 (25) CB Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech Round 2 (57) OLB Trent Murphy, Stanford Round 3 (89) OT Cameron Fleming, Stanford New Orleans Saints Top needs: CB, OLB, WR Round 1 (27) OLB Dee Ford, Auburn Round 2 (58) WR Davante Adams, Fresno St. Round 3 (91) CB Kendall James, Maine Carolina Panthers Top needs: LT, WR, CB. S Round 1 (28) OT Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama Round 2 (60) WR Jarvis Landry, LSU Round 3 (92) WR Bruce Ellington, South Carolina New England Patriots Top needs: TE, DL, WR, S Round 1 (29) DT Timmy Jernigan, Florida St. Round 2 (62) RB Bishop Sankey, Washington Round 3 (93) C Weston Richburg, Colorado St. San Francisco 49ers Top needs: CB, WR, C, DL Round 1 (30) CB Lamarcus Joyner, Florida St. Round 2 (56) C Marcus Martin, USC (from KC) Round 2 (61) WR Josh Huff, Oregon Round 3 (77) DT Dominique Easley, Florida (from TEN) Round 3 (94) CB Nevin Lawson, Utah St. Round 3 (100) QB/TE Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech (Comp) Denver Broncos Top needs: ILB, CB, WR, G Round 1 (31) LB Chris Borland, Wisconsin Round 2 (63) WR Martavis Bryant, Clemson Round 3 (95) LB Jordan Tripp, Montana Seattle Seahawks Top needs: WR, TE, RT, DL, G Round 1 (32) DT Ra'Shede Hageman, Minnesota Round 2 (64) CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste, Nebraska Washington Redskins Top needs: S, CB, RT, LB Round 2 (34) OT Antonio Richardson, Tennessee Round 3 (66) OLB Demarcus Lawrence, Boise St. Indianapolis Colts Top needs: S, C/G, WR, OLB Round 2 (59) WR Donte Moncrief, Ole Miss Round 3 (90) OLB Carl Bradford, Arizona St.

30-inch-long arms?!?!?! We can call him T-rex!

. . . as a one-time thing - I agree. Let the season ticket holders pay this and alleviate the tax burden on the masses - many of which hate football and oppose these stadiums. The Star Tribune article gets more specific:http://www.startribune.com/local/244270481.html "The average price of a seat license will be $2,500, but a majority will cost less than $2,000 at the new Vikings stadium, team officials said. The team said 75 percent of seats will require seat licenses. The seat licenses will be a one-time contribution for the right to purchase seats. The priciest seat licenses, at the lower level 50-yard line, will go for $9,500. Vikings club seats will be $5,300. Seats without club access have a license price of less than $2,000." Can someone educate me on PSL's? Are PSL's always a one-time thing? Or in some cases is it an annual thing + the cost of the tickets?

The restaurant table/chairs was from the Big Tree Inn - where they had lunch every Friday before games - they even ordered the same menu items all the time.

. . . of which, 1 or 2 guys might make the practice squad!!

Marshawn strikes an endorsement deal with Skittles . . . http://espn.go.com/n...s-deal-skittles

Take your pick - all these guys are available, and probably a few more I can't think of: Donnie Henderson - ran the Lions' defense in 2006 and the Jets' in 2004 and 2005 Wade Phillips - Excellent DC - have all bridges between him & Bflo been burned? Mike Singletary - Former Def Asst in Baltimore, HC for 49ers, HOF LB & student of the 46 Defense Jim Schwartz - Former Titans DC & Lions HC Greg Schiano - Former BC & Bucs HC Steve Spagnuolo - Former Giants Def Coordinator & Rams HC Eric Mangini - 49ers consultant & former Jets/Browns HC & Def Coordinator for Pats Jim Tomsula - 49ers defensive line coach Rocky Seto - Seattle Seahawks passing-game coordinator Keith Butler - Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers coach Brendan Daly - Minnesota Vikings defensive line coach Pepper Johnson - Pat's Linebackers coach

Browns Attempting to Hire Pettine as HC Article on NFL.com sez Pettine wants it badly and discussions Thursday centered on who will be DC and who will call plays for the Offense. Hmmm. What the heck did they talk about on Tuesday and Wednesday!?!?!?!?!?!?!? Browns look pretty bad in this ordeal!

It must be true. It's on Wikipedia. OMG!!! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Pettine