hondo in seattle

GKG, a bit wordy but good analysis.

Good observation!

Yep. Fred once said: "Bud Carpenter helped a guy with one brain cell walk around for three years. Hank should be a protected species. How many people can talk, breathe and eat with one brain cell? He was a subhuman, but Bud kept him functional." http://bills.buffalonews.com/2014/03/14/fred-smerlas-calls-defend-bills-trainer-bud-carpenter-guy-helps/

Given the victims were off duty, I don't see an argument for aggravated assault unless the DA is going to assert that Shady 'showed extreme indifference to the value of human life' which is not what the videos seem to show. Or maybe reddogblitz is right and they were undercover??? This seems more like simple assault which is a misdemeanor rather than a felony. By the way, isn't it comforting to know that if a bunch of football players beat the crap out of most of us, it's only a misdemeanor case of simple assault? But if they beat up a gym teacher, bus driver, or cop, it's felonious aggravated assault. Happy to know my health and well-being isn't worth much.

Not so sure about him hating the Bills, PTR. This is what Fred once said to Tim Graham on the phone... "I am a Buffalo Bill. I love the Buffalo Bills. People say, 'You're a Patriot.' I'm good friends with the Krafts, good friends with Tom Brady, good friends with Bill Belichick. But I bleed Buffalo Bills." http://bills.buffalonews.com/2014/03/14/fred-smerlas-gives-fair-warning-brandon-spikes-questions-character-commitment/

For the old timers out there... "Former Bills defensive playmakers Fred Smerlas, Jim Haslett and Shane Nelson, otherwise known as the "Bermuda Triangle" are reuniting for the first time in over 30 years this weekend at the Buffalo Auto Show. The trio is coming back to Western New York to spread awareness for the Buffalo Bills Alumni Foundation's "Cure the Blue" initiative." For the youngsters... "During their time with the Bills, the “Bermuda Triangle” wreaked havoc on Buffalo's competition. Smerlas, Haslett and Nelson earned their lasting nickname due to their physical style of play, which quickly gobbled up running backs—diminishing the most capable rushing attacks. The group is recognized for helping propel Buffalo to the top of the defensive rankings in 1980, after finishing 14th just one season before." http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Bills-trio-the-Bermuda-Triangle-reunites-for-the-first-time-in-30-years/80fe23b9-96da-4810-b33a-34b06e321dd0

Curious because the reports out of Philly are that "aggravated assault" charges are coming. Not sure about the credibility of the sources. Sal Maiorana says that aggravated assault means a suspension of at least 6 games: "If the DA’s office charges McCoy with aggravated assault, the personal conduct policy calls for a minimum six-game suspension without pay." I'm not sure this is accurate either. http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/football/nfl/bills/2016/02/12/charges-against-bills-rb-lesean-mccoy-expected-next-week/80282988/

I agree with a lot of this but the question is: now what? Do we keep Mario because he has the potential to better than he was in 2015? I don't think so. Obviously there's something wrong between Rex and Mario. Whether it's relationship, scheme, or something else, it just wasn't working. Even good coaches don't always connect with each and every player. Shame on Rex for not figuring out how to bring the best out of Mario but now it's time to move on.

Why does one of the off-duty police officers need a defense attorney? "Additionally, one of the off-duty officers involved hired top local defense attorney Fred Perri, most notable for defending rapper Beanie Sigel." http://www.crossingbroad.com/2016/02/new-mccoy-updates.html

Suspect #1 is Tamarcus Porter. Suspect #2 is Curtis Brinkley Suspect #3 is our very own Shady McCoy. Suspect #4 is Christopher Henderson According to the Philadelphia Inquirer: "'If prosecutors agree, McCoy and three friends will be charged with aggravated assault and other crimes,' a police official said Tuesday night." In other words, the police want charges to be filed and they're just waiting for the DA's office to agree with them and move forward. Philly.com seems to have video of McCoy throwing a punch. http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20160210_

This sounds bad for Shady... On Sunday, February 7, 2016, at approximately 2:45am, the Complainants were inside a Nightclub located at 1XX S. 2nd Street. An argument ensued as to the ownership of a bottle of Champaign, which led to pushing and shoving. At this point all below Suspects, engaged in a physical altercation with Complainant#1 who was then punched and knocked to the ground. While on the ground he was punched, kicked and stomped about his body and head multiple times by all four Suspects. Complainant#2 and security guards intervened and broke up the attack and all parties were ejected from the club. Complainant#1 transported himself to the Hospital where he was treated for a laceration to his right eye, broken nose, broken ribs, and a sprained thumb. Complainant#2, was admitted to the Hospital where he received eight stitches over his left eye and is currently receiving treatment for a possible skull fracture. The four suspects were subsequently identified through photographs by the complainants and by the security guards. Video surveillance was recovered from the outside of the club which shows both parties being ejected from the club; however, the incident itself wasn't captured on video. The investigation is active and ongoing; all updates will be sent upon availability. Complainant #1: 40yrs old B/M off Duty Philadelphia Police Officer Complainant #2: 40yrs old B/M, off duty Philadelphia Police Officer. Suspect #1: 27yrs old B/M Suspect #2: 30yrs old B/M Suspect #3: 27yrs old B/M Suspect #4: 26yrs old B/M The complainants in this incident were off duty Philadelphia Police Officers and the Suspect are reported to be members of the National Football League.

You're probably right but I don't know enough yet to pass judgment.

After watching the replay a few times, I think he was trying to anticipate the ricochet. In fact, he almost anticipates the ricochet correctly. After his odd hop back, Cam does go to the ground chasing the ball and it squirts right past him.

On the one hand, Cam doesn't have a track record of being a wimp as far as I know. One moment you're looking down field. The next moment you're looking down, trying to find the ball, while bodies are flying around everywhere. It must be hard to make an instantaneous decision in an unexpected situation like that. On the other hand, he took two steps toward the ball and then backed off. I won't judge the guy on one brief moment of his life and say he 'tapped out' but it looked odd live and still looks odd now watching the replay.

I liked the game. It reminded people that football isn't all about quarterbacks. Both defenses played well and Denver's defenders left the field as the day's heroes. It was an old-fashioned slug fest that unfolded in unexpected ways and proved a lot of pundits wrong.

The timing couldn't be more perfect. His skills are clearly declining. His best years are behind him and only further decline awaits him. He just won a SB. I can't imagine a scenario where he doesn't retire. He'll go out just like his boss.

It's only February and already the bad news is rolling in. Ah, the blessed life of a Bills fan!

Nix's undying faith in EJ suggests that really was a Buddy pick, not so much a DW pick.

Thanks for posting bandit. Funny stuff on that 2011 link. If I - by some divine miracle - become the GM of the Bills someday, remind me not to listen to fans when it's draft time.

He wasn't appreciated here. 29-19 and gets fired. None of the 7 coaches that succeeded him have posted a winning record. The firing of Wade was a turning point, ending a period of success and replacing it with a sustained period of misery. Wade was likable and many fans still supported him despite the 8-8 record that final year. I wonder what the fate of the Bills would have been like had we retained him.

I agree that Coryell ought to get in over Dungy. But I do think Dungy deserves enshrinement. Regards to his playoff losses. Bad coaches don't get to the playoffs. Good coaches do get to the playoffs. And all but one of those 12 good coaches will end their season with a loss. One of the reasons Dungy has so many playoff losses is because he was good enough to get to the playoffs every year. That's rare. Regards to his HOF players. This is a tough one. Good players get their coaches into the HOF. At the same time, good coaches get their players into the HOF. Which is going on here? Maybe a little of both???

Would you watch a skills competition? I wouldn't. I'm not sure changing the venue to Australia would attract many more players. It certainly wouldn't provide motivation to play harder. The NFL is in a bind. Hawaii used to a big draw. So was the Pro Bowl paycheck. And players used to be more reckless with their bodies. Too many things have changed over the years. It is hard to imagine the NFL ever fielding hard-fought competitive Pro Bowls again. So you give up and play flag football? Host skill challenges? I don't think there is a good solution.

Dungy is the only HC in NFL history to make the playoffs 10 years in a row. Neither Tom Landry, John Madden, Chuck Noll, Bill Parcells, Don Shula, Bill Walsh, nor any other HOF coach accomplished that. And he did it with two different teams - in both cases taking losing teams and transforming them into perennial winners. Dungy's record as a leader deserves HOF recognition. But Coryell changed football forever. His "Air Coryell" - later packaged as the "West Coast offense" - dramatically changed offensive and, indirectly, defensive football. All the nickel and dime defenses of today are a reaction to Coryell innovations. Anyone who knows NFL history knows Coryell deserves a bust in the HOF not so much for his W-L record but for his impact on the game. Yet thinking back to Major's point - that the HOF if full of good but not great players - I really think the NFL needs to limit the number of folks who get inducted each year. I worry that 8 is already too many.

Does Belichick have charisma?

Didn't Bedard use to work for the Boston Globe before SI? Isn't he a Pats fan? Does he actually know anything more about football than the Bills fans here? I take Dilfer seriously because he's a bright guy who has played in the NFL. This doesn't mean Dilfer's right, but - in my mind - it does mean he's worth listening to. If you find the link to Bedard's article, I'd love to see it.