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i'll accept this for one reason only, because I'll answer this once, and only once, and considering it's included in the story for those (hot buffalo wings) who can't read. EJ was asked if his days were numbered, and he provided the quote that included the phrase "somewhere else." rather than let that dangle and me rush off to my computer and write a "gotcha" story," i followed up with a question about whether he's considered "somewhere else." to which his mixed response is included in the story. trust me. don't trust me. i really don't care. i followed up his remark with a question and he responded with his answer. but good for you for being skeptical. i hope i've established a reputation for being trustworthy and being a straight-shooter, but each time i put finger to keyboard, i risk that reputation. jw

I'm so sick of your anti-JW agenda, and belief that you're capable of guessing i have any type of agenda. i'm officially crossing you off my short list of people on this board. jw

Sure he said that, but that doesn't include what he told The AP after he spoke to the rest of the media. jw The full story is out. He was asked if he felt his day's were numbered, and this is the response he gave. He was then asked if he has thought of "somewhere else," and his response is included in the full version of the piece. jw

i'll take that bet jw

funny. jw

as just noted to a friend of mine, Cassel's had two very good days of practice. and he's building a distinct rapport with Sammy Watkins. all that said, don't expect much offensive excitement in the preseason. Roman has a history of showing nothing at this time of year. and he's quite proud of that. jw

interesting. jw

Yep. Not gonna write a story on it, so just going to report it on Twitter, but my sourcing is AP-worthy. jw

No. See other thread. jw

Beat me to it. jw

with quarterback competitions, there is generally no truth that comes out until the coach actually announces who is starter is. so it's meaningless to speculate. all anyone can do is make observations based on more than 3 practices, and then wait for the coach to announce it. everything else is pure and unfettered speculation. jw

i read the quotes differently in light of the context. especially the first part: "I don't know if he's planning on coming back." as for the latter, there's no sense that Williams back will be in good enough condition. Whaley said Williams will report for mandatory minicamp where team medical staff will evaluate him to determine where the back is. there is no sense that he will practice. jw

it's easy to read into Rex's comments as saying he's not pleased with Williams, especially without the context of not knowing he's still recuperating from back surgery. with that information, it's, perhaps, more fair to surmise, he's unhappy that Williams hasn't had a chance to practice because he's still recuperating from back surgery. jw

have asked, and not received any word. OK for a rookie right now. from my experience, it's difficult to judge CBs, particularly rookies, until you see how they respond and react in actual competition. i have rarely done a story about a rookie DB until after the second preseason game. jw

i go out of my way to not be influenced by the "hot takes." one example was the day McCoy's comments came out. though many were rushing to suggest that LeSean called Chip Kelly a "racist," it was quite clear he did no such thing in the quotes provided. the rush to get stuff out first or speculate something has always been part of the business. i've learned time and time again to judge and report my own observations or what people whom i trust are telling me. this goes all the way back to the erroneous report in which WGR cited a fake AP report that Marvin Lewis was going to be the Bills coach in 2001. and it was certainly re-emphasized during the speculative and rumor-riddled Bills sale last year. the end result does not change no matter what the latest hot take or spin is. the truth eventually comes out -- or in this case, the quarterback chosen -- and there's no point guessing at it in the middle of June. jw

between Rex, McCoy, Incognito and Percy, I think there'll be enough to keep us all entertained throughout the year. let's hold some of the Daily Mail stuff in reserve until it matters. jw

Not sure if I would refer to the person who wrote piece linked in initial post as a member of "the media." in fact, this person isn't even at practice and instead citing a NJ.com report. not sure what that means either. and i'm further skeptical given what the person wrote, to wit: "Manule has gained 8-10 pounds ..." Manule? the media is not entirely blameless here, but someone on this board began a thread by pointing us to this "report." to which, i say again, (and politely) stop it. jw

And yet Whaley says different. And how can Williams be AWOL when these sessions are voluntary. jw i think people are attempting to read far more into Rex's comments than intended. Rex did announce at start of voluntary workouts that Chris Williams was coming off back surgery. He did later say that he's not talked to Chris Williams. He then, I believe, reminded everyone that these are voluntary sessions. He failed to mention that Williams was still recovering from back surgery. Doug Whaley clarified that Williams has been absent because he's been recovering from back surgery, and has been in contact with the trainers, and will report for the mandatory camp next week. Has Williams been a disappointment since being signed last year? Yes. Is it possible he may be cut as a result of the time missed? Sure. Is it possible he may open camp on the physically unable ... list? Sure. Could he report to camp next week and, upon being examined, be cleared for contact for start of camp? Yes. As for what the definitve answers to anything is at this point: We'll see. jw

This is pure and unfettered speculation. The competition is impossible to gauge because the media has had very, very limited access to watching practice. Three sessions does not a clear observation make. And, they're throwing mostly against air. Astute and longtime Bills fans should be accustomed to how a QB competition plays out. And it's not decided in June. Rex is right, this is a process that has a way of working itself out. We'll have a far better idea come the third or fourth week of training camp as to who the front-runner is. Anyone suggesting that there's one now is merely speculating with no consequences of being wrong or right. Stop it. jw

sigh. who's to say he hasn't had contact with Kromer and Roman. Whaley said the Bills have been in contact with Williams, and just because it has not been Rex, well ... sigh. jw

Whaley told me -- and it's included in the updated version of the story I just filed -- that the Bills medical staff have been monitoring Chris WIlliams' progress from afar, and will get a chance to evaluate him next week. jw

¶ excuse my indulgence, because the boys are backing down. ¶ so, as their song goes: raise a big whiskey to them. ¶ rock and roll might just be dead. and i've had weigh too much, too drunk. ¶ but let's all push on because, after all, we're all professionals here, and the bills need to get paid. ¶ the replacements have broken up yet again, marking the end of an error. ¶ and i'm fortunate to call their brash swagger and clamor my own. ¶ ¶ i'm no fan of many things. ¶ in fact i'll heckle the sellouts from cher to bono, ¶ both of them certainly apply. ¶ and i'll challenge you to a duel, however, if you question their relevance and/or resonance. ¶ we'll take 10 paces at dawn, or don, ¶ and see who's left stumbling. ¶ ¶ the original degenerates have finally unravelled in spain of all places, ¶ where paul westerberg announced no mas. ¶ not that the mats are the same left o' the dial outfit of before ¶ with bobby stinson dead ¶ chris mars smartly keeping his distance ¶ and jespersen still cashing his checks. ¶ ¶ there's only so much anyone can take, ¶ and it's not easy being a 'mats fan given their degenerate leanings. ¶ they might have been left of the dial, ¶ but the replacements have always maintained ¶ their raised middle finger place in my contrarian heart. ¶ forever, it seems, treatment bound. ¶ ¶ i've seen them four times, and each one immemorable. ¶ and the last of the last wasn't the best, ¶ yet a lasting impression of their imperfection. ¶ i'd say !@#$ you and !@#$ you, lorne michaels. ¶ but that would be immaterial. ¶ once again on the lip of the spotlight, ¶ they backed away and quit. ¶ ¶ it's certainly not the first time, ¶ but it could well be the last. ¶ and that's more than fine with me. ¶ at the very least, ¶ as pete townshend once said ¶ but failed to follow up upon, ¶ i'd rather the replacements died before they got old: ¶ the have you seen lucky, swinging party, don't tell a soul, ¶ pleased to tim meet me, hootenany, let it be, ¶ red-light run it, ¶ stinkin' ¶ bastards. ¶ ¶ jw ¶ ¶

seems low, particularly the guaranteed part. Marcell's entering his prime. as we speak, before he plays a down this season, i think he'd be able to get more on the open market.

Yes. Last year there was a keen sense of panic driven mostly by a head coach who had essentially given up on EJ and wanted a clear fallback position, which led to Orton's long-awaited arrival. This year, they're going to let it play out. I actually believe the Bills are better stocked at QB this year with the addition of Taylor (and I'm curious to see what he looks like behind center once media can watch practice), and I believe the coaching staff and Whaley are more in synch with how to approach the QB spot. jw