Sisyphean Bills

Yeah, he was a 2nd rounder and he was a bust as far as Buffalo is concerned. He cared enough to not flame out instantly like, say, Cade McNown and has made a career as an extra arm in training camps and a clipboard carrier. Speaking of 2nd rounders, that leads to the point that teams want to draft solid players in the 2nd and 3rd rounds to compliment the superstars from the 1st round. Butler's last drafts going back to Collins netted: Tillman, Moore, Price, Bryson, Cowart, Hicks, Wiley, Northern, Stevens, Collins, Kerner, and Covington. Comparing that to Donahoe: Schobel, Henry, Edwards, Jennings, Reed, Denney, Wire, Kelsay, Crowell, Anderson, Parrish, and Everett.

Jeff George never won any Super Bowls; but, he played in the NFL for 12 years, which blows away the rest of that crowd.

I forgot that Marv Levy had quit before they signed those guys and wasn't the GM the past 2 seasons. Thanks for reminding me though!

Because James is 3rd on the depth chart at CB, I'm sure he's the first to go.

Meanwhile, at the Hall of Justice...

I doubt the Jaguars are all busted up and blubbering over his loss though. They still have Henderson; and, Stroud was having trouble staying on the field for them.

Actually, you glance off an interesting thought. Ralph may actually be much more involved in these things than he has been in a very long time. With Littmann by his side and the front office by committee structure maybe the Bills are trying to re-establish their reputation as hardazzed negotiators and skinflints.

Maybe they can play a 5-5-1 against the Patriots. Look! There goes a purple squirrel!

One look is all it takes to know this guy is a major 'roid and HGH user. Look at the giant head!

That's spelled: stout and not stroud.

Maybe some are thinking we were truly better off with John Fina. That is definitely an interesting piece of this puzzle...

The funny thing is that I think Parker is actually playing this wrong. I don't think either side of this is without fault.

What is his average salary over his career? What is the average salary of the top 5 (in terms of salary) LTs league wide?

Have they paid him? How many other Pro Bowlers have they developed in the last decade at the 5 positions? 5 positions is a lot of opportunity. Nearly 50% of the offense.

It's no doubt very tempting and enticing to Peters to come back with his tail between his legs, give back several game checks to pay back his accumulated fines, and basically have less than nothing to show for any of the trouble. (Well, he would get to be the poster boy of the "Don't Fuhk with the Brandon" campaign.) After all, he should be grateful that the Bills care to employ him and realize that being paid well below market value, and getting his teeth kicked in for trying to force a pay hike, is only fair and just.

That's like saying someone isn't miserly because once in a decade or two he buys a piece of toast with his cup of coffee. Of course, I realize every situation is different. The Bills are not universally skinflints (though they used to have that rep) in all situations. On the other hand, as an organization, they have had many stumbles in putting together and retaining an above average OL. Besides, I'm not convinced that I should praise them for spending the going free agent rates (read: excessive contracts) to fill positions that they have not been able to develop in house.

Certainly not. I'm just wondering if the mentality that "there are lots of lineman around the NFL, there is no need to spend money on them" and "you just line up 5 fat guys to get in people's way" is still alive and well in the front office.

It's a game of "who will blink first". Are the Bills prepared to go into the season with Walker at LT? Do they take that chance with Edwards health? What if Chambers (or whoever the backup ends up being) sucks big time and losses start piling up? Will Peters crack? Will he be able to sit out indefinitely or will not being around football drive him nuts?

One interesting thing in that table is there are only 2 teams with fewer OL picks than the Bills. The Bills did use a #4 on the OL, but we all know that was a major bust pick. It's not consistent with your presentation, but if one did ignore that pick, then the Bills would be dead last in addressing their OL with 1 pick at 95.

Do pigs fly through pink skies?

Maybe it's all the 'roids.

Thanks and interesting take. The Bucs were better in 07 than the Bills, so I think it just comes down to one's crystal ball here. Are the Bills on the rise? Many believe so. They are mentioned as a possible dark horse all too consistently. However, there is clearly no guarantee. As far as the Bucs O, I am a very long time Gruden fan and know that he likes his "savvy vets" on offense and can wring them for their very last drop. He's gifted at that IMO. I no longer live in the area, but from afar I sort of like what I have seen in many regards to the Bucs. They have maintained continuity and, as you say, have been making steady moves to turn over the roster and retain an above average team on the field. That's no easy feat by any means and there has been some stumbling. The Bills are, by contrast, still trying to regain their feet after their liquidation approaches to roster turn over.

Gotcha. And, thanks!

Strange. Steroids usually help reduce joint pain and swelling.