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obvious? only a conspiracy theorist who has had no interaction with Schobel could have concocted this scenario. first: he's been considering retirement since the start of last season and has gone back and forth on that decision for far too many times i can count. second: i don't think he can renegotiate his contract with the Bills. third: if this were strictly about money (a la Peters), why not show up in March, pass his physical, attend a few mandatory minicamp sessions and training camp and collect $2 million roster bonus. fourth: oh, screw it ... jw

note: in all my time covering the Bills, i don't know if I've ever quoted Smerlas. i do recall talking to him once 8-9 years ago, but not sure what it was about, what he said or if I used his comments. i was unaware of his reputation and wasn't trolling for negative quotes. i merely asked the questions to him and other former Bills, and used the best comments that i got. i will not apologize for using Smerlas in the piece, but will take issue with any inferences that i went out of my way to use or talk to Smerlas to fulfill some type of agenda. jw

i don't know about that trade exploration. it might be difficult -- if not impossible -- to do given Schobel's contract. as for Schobel still being interested in playing ... i don't think he's made up his mind yet. and it would have to be the ideal situation for him to do so, and even then i'm not sure he would bite. this might just be the push he needed to retire. jw

it would be difficult to trade him. no one would want to take on that type of salary, given he maybe, kind or, i don't know, is coolly interested in playing one more year. i don't think the Bills can renegotiate that deal either to trade him as it goes against contract rules. it would be quite complicated -- if not impossible -- to do so, in fact. jw

no he's not. as the story I just filed notes ... should hopefully on the wire shortly ... Schobel was informed by the Bills that even if he reported at this point, he would be released. jw

you know what's humorous about Smerlas' comments, and the flak he's getting for making them: if you go back to January and February, he's very much repeating many of the comments made on this board. i realize much time has passed since then, and the perception regarding Gailey has begun changing, however, if you look back, who here might be without fault? hey, i'm just saying. ... jw

say what you will, but fans are on that list and high on it, as far as Mr. Wilson is concerned. i understand the frustrations that his actions are perceived to not reflect that, but he does regard the fans highly. as for an example: The absolute last straw for Tom Donahoe was when security staff were ordered to confiscate those "Fire Donahoe/Fire Mularkey" banners at the stadium. jw

i talked to 3-4 members of the old guard at Kelly's tournament, several of whom -- which might surprise you -- provided a similar response, though not as blunt as Smerlas. of course, as noted above, there are some former Bills who, because of their current connections to the team, are relatively handcuffed from being overly critical of the team. jw

geez, what kind of porn film is this? maybe i should go out and rent it, even if it requires reading. jw

what you didn't see that "coming"? jw

from what i hear, the plot lines are pretty simple. and, on occasion, someone gets screwed in the end. jw

that. jw

stop ...

hmmm. very strange. why would you require subtitles for what's obviously a porn flick? jw

you aren't suggesting that the Bills coach doesn't have a name, are you? jw

trust me, you don't get this town. depression is another name for being perennially drunk. jw

thanks, wade. jw

i appreciate the comments on Smerlas, and understand where many of you are coming from. in my opinion, i know that he is a wannabe politician and hoping to one day run back in Buffalo, and if he wants to be a straight-shooter (that's his intention), well then let it be so. also, and more important in my thoughts, his perspective -- if you want to call it that -- was relatively fresh and different from some of the players, whom i respect, but are quite close to the team and, to some degree, barred from making negative comments, especially to the degree of Smerlas. jw

my piece from camp today. Bills challenged to overcome losing legacy jw

i was there and reported on it. i didn't see the actual hit, except to assume -- and confirm -- that it was from behind because of how Jackson slid nearly three yards across the field right in front of me. a push, shove, whichever, it wasn't a light one for Jackson to go that far. jw

Bill Cowher's available. jw

uh, no. 6-10 at this point. maybe 2, maybe 12. certainly not four. actually, the Bills playoff run ended a year prior to Schobel's arrival and during Wade Phillips' final season. i guess the drought had nothing to do with coaching, drafting, failure to address offensive line, finding a qb etc. ... it thus, must, be all Schobel's fault. by your logic, Brian Moorman is equally culpable for the Bills drought as he's been with the team just about as long as Aaron. it's unlikely, but anything's possible. which january? jw

in fear of piling on, here. where would you want to be quoted? as this is a public forum, this has already been taken care of because you've now been published. it would be nearly impossible to post unquoted thoughts because that is all part of the self-editing process in regards to how this intraweb thingy works. though, in hindsight, this little rant might well have fallen under that self-editing category because it's relatively incoherent and error-filled. one thing, though: if Schobel knocks Hossage off his "ex-wife's" (i'm not aware he has one) porch, then why would you not have him take a "linbacker" size crap on Hossage rather than the flowerbed? who, in your mind, is Schobel unhappy with. Hossage, his "ex-wife," or both? and wouldn't you think that crapping on the flowerbed would actually be helpful in some ways, given how gardens grow. unless, of course, this is some type of subliminal message that he's open to getting back together with her (not, of course, that they've been apart as far as i know) by providing this instant fertilizer. very interesting. jw

on a side note, The Drive-By Truckers "The Night G.G. Allin Came To Town" is a classic endpiece to their masterpiece "Pizza Deliverance" album. and they are not dead, but very, very much alive. jw

oh you ***** still got this **********-****** going, eh? well, if that's the ****h***** case, just wanted to see if the i****o*****-***$***** profanity meter was working. j ( ) w