Leonidas

I would point to the QB and our offense in general. Did T.O. watch a Bills game before signing here?? Then we're back to the question, name a starting player who is a dominant KR/PR in this league. And Devin Hester doesn't count since they put D. Manning (I refuse to spell his first name - whomever named him was clinically retarded) back there ever since Hester started playing offense. Too small of a sample size. Teams didn't fear Jonathan Smith the way they fear Parrish. Imagine if they kicked it to him every time... You're talking about a fourth round pick for the best PR in the game. Plain and simple. He's not taking up an unnecessary roster spot, he's not putting us over the salary cap, and by not trading him for a fourth rounder he's not keeping us one player from the playoffs. This is a terrible idea.

I don't think Parrish is a deep threat. Just because he's fast doesn't mean he's running the deep routes, and at his size he really has to beat a guy to be open deep. But going across the field he's got tremendous ability. You might be right that he will lose some playing time on offense if Hardy and Johnson get their game up to speed. But in '10 when Owens is gone and one of those two is playing the outside and the other is either cut or is riding the pine, it would be nice to have Parrish in there as the 3rd/4th option while continuing to be the most electrifying return man in the game. This thought that since that loser Jonathan Smith had one return for a touchdown Parrish is expendable is ridiculous. Remember, he needed a roster spot too and he sure as sh-- didn't contribute anything on offense. At least Parrish can, and does on occassion. And he's 10x the returner "Fast Freddie" was. That's not even a comparison.

God, I love having someone with actual knowledge respond. It's really a luxury around here. My concern is that McKelvin being a starting CB AND a PR would really wear on him and leave him open to be injured. It's my understanding that PR's are more often injured than KR's due to the nature of the chaos when returning a punt (hence the Jason Sehorn reference). And since Reed seems to get injured for a few games every year and Parrish's trade value isn't that high (and certainly isn't as high as the second rounder we used to draft him), doesn't it seem extremely unnecessary to trade such a valuable special teams commodity who's a very capable slot WR? And the FO really likes Johnson more than Hardy, don't they? Won't they both be looking at the #2 spot for 2010 (in other words, on the outside, rather than in the slot)? It seems like Reed has the inside position locked up and I get the impression the FO really likes him. Thanks for the answers, Tim. Ignore your detractors. They're d-bags.

How does an extra fourth round draft pick put us over the hump, exactly??

Excellent points all around. I can't imagine this is up for discussion. The idiots who are like "thank God" to this idea need to be put down.

How much of his lack of offensive contribution is due to the offense's ineptitude? Some, I'd wager. The fact that the teams with the best return games didn't make the playoffs is absurdly irrelevant. If you think Devin Hester didn't help Chicago get to the Super Bowl a few years ago I'll give you my address so you can send me some of the drugs you're on. And the other posters are correct. It's not even just about the averages, but it's about special teams coaches game planning around a guy like Parrish. There is no way Fred Jackson - if signed - is anywhere near Parrish in return ability. And McKelvin is our starting CB. This is such a horrible idea it's not even funny.

Then it's irrelevant because they can't get a second rounder for him. Nobody is even suggesting that's possible. The Chiefs only got a fourth for Dante Hall a couple of years ago, that's probably what we'd be looking at. And yes they can justify keeping a roster spot for him. They CAN'T keep one open for a ST-coverage only guy like Justin Jenkins or C.J. Hawthorne. But dressing 6 WR's is not uncommon, and that's assuming you dress Johnson AND Hardy for every game, which wouldn't be necessary since, with the signing of T.O., they are developmental prospects at this point. And there's no apostrophe in "Bills".

I disagree, Tim. If the Bills are as much under the cap as they are I can see them doing it if Owens has a monster year this year (that's a big if). Tim, can you tell me why the Bills are shopping Parrish? There is a thread on this: http://www.stadiumwall.com/index.php?showt...86645&st=80. The idea of them shopping the best PR in the league drives me batshit insane, especially knowing the value in return is probably no better than a fourth rounder. Seeing what happened to Jason Sehorn several years ago, and knowing the Bills two starting corners would be the KR and PR, can you, I dunno, give Russ Brandon a call and smack some sense into him? I'm sure Bobby April would help you out.

I couldn't disagree more. Read the article Dave McBride posted about Sehorn. That's why we need Parrish. Getting rid of guys to free up roster spots, and Parrish is the first to go? Seriously? I could think of ten other guys I'd rather see go first (Jenkins, Hawthorne, Corto, Kelsay, Denney, Ellis, Bryan (wow, I just named almost all of our DE's...scary), Whittle, Hamdan, Dustin Fox, Alvin Bowen, Blake Costanzo, Teddy Lehman, P.K. Sam, Brandon Rodd ). By returning punts and kicks, Parrish gives almost "virtual depth" at CB since it saves them from almost certain injury. He's not a starter on offense anyhow so giving him a breather isn't a dilemma we ever have to face anyway.

He is hardly "useless" in the passing game. He's an excellent fourth option, or third if Reed is hurt (which tends to happen at least once every year). He's also not living up to his potential because of the spotty QB play we've had since he's been here (do you think Evans' stats would be as meager otherwise??). I looked up his stats: http://www.nfl.com/players/roscoeparrish/c...ts?id=PAR686635. His return numbers are off the charts. He's good for a PR touchdown every year, and when he was returning kicks too his average was incredible. And let's be honest. Reed has never had even 600 yards receiving in his career. This disparity in the numbers isn't THAT large. It's not Jerry Rice vs. J.J. Stokes. Trading him is a terrible idea.

God, that was way too politic - not enough fire and brimstone - for my liking...

Jesus Christ, if we trade Parrish for a second day pick I'm going to lose my !@#$ing mind...

Yeah, it's a no brainer, but not the way you're thinking. He's due $1M base salary, plus I think at some point he gets a $500,000 roster bonus. The three year extension he signed gave him $4.35M in guaranteed $$, I believe. He is currently signed through the end of the 2011 season, and unlike other certain players, appears to be happy with his contract. At most you're saving $1.5M.

Reed is a FAR better blocker than Parrish and is better on third downs. But it doesn't matter, this isn't between the two of them - there are 53 roster spots to go around, plently for both. We'll dress 5-6 WR's per game, so it's not an issue. Yeah, except for the fact that the going rate is a FOURTH, not a SECOND. "Waste of a roster spot." You have no idea what you're talking about. Chris Ellis is a waste of a roster spot. C.J. Hawthorne is a waste of a roster spot. Jon Corto is a waste of a roster spot. The best PR in the league cannot be classified as such.

I feel your anger on this one dude. Well, he makes more than you or I do, yes, but at around $1M/year he makes a mere pittance compared to many of his teammates. And it's not like he's holding out, demanding a raise, and becoming a distraction. This is creating more of a problem than solving any sort of solution. "Beyond stupid" is an appropriate phrase here. Dude, read all the previous posts. "We have plenty of guys." Great analysis. This has already been addressed. And Parrish's contract has zero to do with Peters'. Jesus, do your homework dude. That's unfortunately true. I still don't think that makes the best PR in the league expendable, though. Yeah, kudos to you for being a !@#$ing retard. Wait until McKelvin is hurt and HE'S OUR STARTING CORNER. Then Fred Jackson will be returning punts getting half the yardage Parrish got and zero touchdowns and Youboty will be starting on the outside and getting abused. All because people are desperate for a 32 year old guard or a 4th round draft pick. I swear to God, some of you people...

God, what a perfect article. As I said in the post where people suggest drafting a WR, "those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it." Fits here, too.

Exactly. And McKelvin is going to be a starter, so is McGee. What happens when they get hurt? Fred Jackson - the currently unsigned Fred Jackson, the not-nearly-as-elusive Fred Jackson - is going to return the ball?? If it ain't broke, don't fix it Buffalo!!

Oh my God. Those who do not study history are doomed to repeat it. Two words: Detroit Lions. Want to know one reason they suck?? They stunted their growth by taking WR's four years in a row when they had open wounds at other positions like offensive and defensive line. Everyone said Charles Rogers and Mike Williams were going to be all stars too. Meanwhile the Lions picked WR's and ignored other needs. Eventually they got to a point where they went 0-16. We have seven WR's on the roster, six of them in their 20's. We do *not* need another one...but there are a lot of positions we do need to fill. PASS.

I know, I didn't believe it either, but I had heard he was the fastest guy on the team when Evans was around. Maybe McKelvin is, but in pure straight line speed Moorman is a legit burner.

Maybe because he's never started a fight with the other team with 15 seconds left in the half as the FG team is trying to get on the field??

Agree. Disagree. A little high, but as you said, he's the best at what he does (returning punts). He also adds value as a slot WR and I assume he could return kicks as well if needed. Finally somebody with some sense. They don't want him. They already have a shrimp WR (DeSean Jackson) and he's actually a very good WR. Amen brother. I wonder if he'll be fine playing the 2nd WR in 2010?? Hardy/Johnson aren't going to factor in so much in '09 with Owens here. With Reed finally progressing as a solid #3, Parrish will probably be relegated to the #4 WR used primarily on passing downs. But with his speed and quickness, having him out there on 10-15 passing plays per game in addition to his special teams touches makes him a very valuable weapon. I just hope the FO realizes this. Frankly, I don't really understand that logic. Roscoe doesn't make all that much (what, $1M/year in base salary?). His value added in the return game is off the charts, and he plays the slot (whereas Johnson and Hardy (especially)) will be groomed/compete for the outside WR spot opposite Evans (moreso for 2010). I just hate to see Buffalo willingly give up talent when you don't need to. He isn't disgruntled, he doesn't cost us much, and he helps our special teams units be one of the best in the game. Keep him!!

Thank you. Finally someone with some sense. He's talking about the fact that if Jackson signs the tender we have rights to him the next year too. If at any point this year or next - correct me if I'm wrong here fellas - another team swoops him and makes him an offer and we choose not to match, we get a first round pick (pretty sweet for an undrafted free agent from the Arena League, huh?). This idea that he's "pissed off" is stupid. He'd love a long-term deal, but even moreso than the Peters situation, the Bills have all the leverage here. He hasn't been in the league long enough to escape the RFA status any time soon, and he plays at the position with the shortest shelf life. He won't hold out because, at 28 and a backup RB, he needs all the money and exposure he can get before he hits the dreaded age of 30. And he's not holding out, but since he hasn't signed the tender offer yet (which he doesn't need to sign until mandatory OTA's and mini-camps start, by union rules he cannot attend. That's the "research" I believe he was referring to.

Tim, Props to you for standing up to this moron poster. I'm sure you've got better things to do than to contribute to TSW, but you do it anyhow and it is much appreciated. I didn't expect you to respond, but I'm glad you do. Continue to do all that you do...even if that does ignore me in your chat sessions in favor of the 34th Mike Tyson's Punch Out question or Ed Hoculi's chat room penalties.

Oh totally. Don't forget the DT's Robbins and Alford too. I was just pointing out that the DB's really did step it up in the post season...and showing off