billsfan1959

Nor did they fail to fully cooperate...

After reading the report, it is clear, IMO, that: Tom Brady actively engaged in behavior that gained his team an unfair competitive advantage. Deflating the football makes it easier to grip, throw, catch, and hang on to. You can make the argument all you want that others may have done the same thing. That is irrelevant. That argument doesn't work for steroid use which is essentially the same thing, conceptually: Engaging in behavior that provides a competitive advantage. No matter how many athletes might be doing it, you are still punished if you get caught. It is behavior that goes directly to the heart of the integrity of the game. It is also indisputable that he lied to the NFL and refused to cooperate fully. In addition, there is an abundance of evidence indicating consciousness of guilt on the part of Brady all through that report. As much as I dislike the Patriots, I have always had a lot of respect for Tom Brady. Any post I have ever written in reference to him will bear that out. I might be in the minority, but what Brady did before and during the investigation trampled all over "the integrity of the game," and should be punished accordingly.

I believe Jeff Tuel could be a very competent backup QB in this league.

I wish him the very best in whatever he may be dealing with.

True; however, it still doesn't mean they were until the evidence supports it.

When investigating the death of a young woman (with no obvious suspect), current and former intimate partners are always the beginning point when looking at potential suspects. Even if it is highly unlikely that they are involved, all investigative steps possible have to be taken to either rule them in, or rule them out, as logical suspects. In the case of Collns, from an investigative perspective, he clearly would be a logical suspect and almost impossible to completely rule out as having some involvement until the actual arrest and conviction of someone else. However, being a logical suspect or not having been "completely" ruled out as a suspect is not the same as actually having been involved. At this point, Collins is entitled to go on with his life as he would have done. If any evidence is developed that involves him in any way with the murder, then it becomes a different set of circumstances. Until then, he deserves to be viewed by prospective employers as not having any involvement.

I don't think it is a matter of terrible memories as much as differing perceptions. There are many here who feel he showed enough potential early on to believe he deserves a chance to see if he could become a starting QB capable of leading this team. And there are also many here who share your opinion that it is time to move on from Manuel. While I certainly could never be accused of championing Manuel, I do put myself in the former group, not the latter. I think there were some extenuating circumstances surrounding his NFL development, and I truly do not know at this point if he has it or he doesn't. It is not the product of a bad memory or a lack of football acumen - it is based on my perception of the determining factors. We shall see soon enough. I will say this much: I am a very big fan of the offensive coaching staff now in place. If they determine it is time to move on from Manuel, I will have absolutely no problem with their decision.

We are all entitled to our opinions. However, your dislike for Manuel seems to border on the personal in many of your posts.

So did, virtually, the entire offensive side of the ball in that same span. But, I'm sure it was just EJ....

Absolutely right. His strengths are as a 4-3 DT or 3-4 DE. He actually graded out well above average in those roles during the 2012 season and was expected to have a big year in 2013. Unfortunately, he got injured early in the year and was lost for the season. Great depth signing and someone who will probably contribute in a big way under Ryan. And, he is still somewhat young, turning 28 in June.

I don't care much about draft grades or free agency grades, and I care even less about Mel Kiper's opinion on anything. I care about what happens on the field come September. I truly do not know enough about the individuals they drafted to know whether or not they will be successful in the NFL. I do know this: I like Whaley, I like Rex, and I am a huge fan of both Roman and Kromer. I think, across the board, we truly have people who understand football, the strengths and weaknesses of their players, and how to devise game plans to maximize those strengths and minimize the weaknesses. I didn't expect a great things in this draft, given their draft positions and lack of a first rounder. However, I trust their judgement on player evaluation and if anyone can get the best out of the players drafted, it will be the coaching staff they have assembled. I loved what they did in free agency, I think coaching will make a tremendous difference in how the offensive line performs this year, and I can't wait to see what they do when the season starts. Until then, I don't give a $hit what kind of grades anyone gives this team for free agency or the draft.

I like this pick and I think this kid is going to excel under Henderson and Ryan. As for his answer, I don't think he meant you can't control who you decide to be around or what you decide to do. I believe he meant that you can't control what others might do in any given situation you may find yourself in. It might seem semantic; however, there is a distinction. From what I understand, he didn't do anything wrong. Kind of silly to me to make an issue out of the way he responded to the question.

Yes he did in an earlier thread. Well done.

Because trading a late round pick for a veteran back up QB and selecting a Heisman winning QB with the number two overall pick are such eerily similar scenarios...

And a guy who did whatever he wanted at Alabama under Bryant... Although, in fairness to him, he probably doesn't remember...I think he pretty much spent from 1962 to 2003 in a drunken stupor... ...and he's an idiot

He would probably be more supportive if they were skipping the draft to spend their time in motel rooms with cocaine and prostitutes...

50. Garrett Grayson, QB, Colorado State (Kiper) 81. Markus Golden, DE, Missouri (McShay)

Spot on. Didn't he play under both John Rauch and Harvey Johnson his first few years? Bad coaching and bad teams (there is a reason the Bills had the 1st overall pick when they selected Simpson). I don't know as if Jim Brown could have excelled on those teams. Lou Saban, coming back in 72, had as much to do with Simpson reaching his potential as anything else. Coaching does make a difference.

He is also a QB that has played with a 4th quarter lead more than any other QB over the last three years, averages 15 completions a game, benefits from a strong running game and the threat to run himself, and a monster defense. He throws a lot of high percentage passes and a number of his deeper completions are to receivers who have become open because he extended the play with his ability to scramble (a definite credit to him). His strengths are definitely his athleticism and not making mistakes. However, part of the reason he hasn't made a lot of mistakes is because he has not been asked to do too much. He has played in 8 playoff games and averaged 14 completions a game. He was behind in the fourth quarter in only three of those games. He lost two of them and should have lost the other one (Green Bay). I think Wilson is an above average QB, mostly because of his athleticism - not his ability as a pocket passer. His skill set fits perfectly with the team he is on. I would definitely take him on the Bills as they are built right now - no question about it. However, I am not willing to put him in the upper echelon of QBs yet.

Woods was not appreciably better than the year before and Freddy definitely wasn't better. Don't confuse opportunity to play (Hogan) or to play more (Dixon) with improvement. Every single offensive lineman (Marrone's "strength" and where he put all his time) regressed (veterans) or failed to develop (rookies).

An elite QB certainly increases the odds a great deal; however, there clearly have been Super Bowls won by QBs who were nowhere near elite - and by elite QBs who had less than elite performances...

A little Freudian slip in the thread title?

I kinda figured we were saying something similar

I think they were not anticipating McCoy being available. However, I think they were definitely looking to acquire an upgrade at running back, and had probably determined who might be available in free agency and how much they were willing to spend. So, while the availability of McCoy wasn't anticipated and the transaction occurred very quickly once the opportunity arose, I believe it was still a very calculated move.

This idea that Ryan will run a 3-4 is incredibly simplistic. Ryan's strength is his ability to draw from many different schemes and to play to the strengths of the players he has. I think Ryan would prefer to have defensive players that can play all three downs and that can adapt to which ever scheme he decides to employ in any given situation. I think that Whaley understands that Spikes would be utilized in a more limited role, and, to a certain extent, you are right that Whaley is allowing Spikes to look for a "better fit for his talents," particularly at the salary Spikes wants. However, that is different than saying he doesn't fit Ryan's "scheme." I think Whaley would sign Spikes for the right price and I have no doubt that Ryan would find a way to use Spikes in a way that maximizes his skills. That was my point with David Harris. He is very similar to Spikes in terms of skill set, and Ryan found a way to utilize his talents.