Dan

I'd agree with that breakdown. Judging by how many people left before Bruce (assuming they weren't Bills fans). I'd say about 70% Bills' Nation. Great fun. We went to Panini's Pub after the ceremony, they had a band and pretty good crowd Bills going till they closed. It was funny, even the band there realized that if you wanted a cheer just mention Buffalo. Great night all around. A late morning. But we're touring the Hall this afternoon, then tailgate, then the game. Lovin it.

Ralph was great! It made me proud to be a Bills fan watching him up there. The love he got from everyone in the stands, Bills Jersey or not, was indicative of how respected he is. Awesome night for Ralph and I felt honored to be there sharing it with him. The last line.. .though.. what was that all about? Hilarious. I missed that part about America. I was just thinking Ralph didn't like to see old people in wheelchairs - breathing oxygen no less! Needless to say those jokes kept us going through Rod's speech.

Flew into Cleveland this evening, spent the night drinkin at the Holiday Inn in Independence (just outside Cleveland). Nothing but Bills seen fans so far. In the rental car parking lot we got in a Bruuuuuuuuce shouting match with another Bills fan. It was a great arrival. Looking forward to a great Bills weekend!

I'm confused. What do you mean by move on? Are you suggesting they shouldn't try to sign him? They should do... what to move on?

I completely agree. And I would say, given Parker's recent reputation, that it says a lot about a player that hires him as their agent. Look at Rosenhaus, he has exactly the same job as Parker. Yet his players rarely hold out and he still gets them lots of money. He's just as effective at his job but he seems to do it by telling his player to go play his but off while he goes and negotiates his but off. Parker, on the other hand, seems to prefer the lazier blackmail approach - I have a good player that you won't see or even talk to until you give in to whatever demands I have.

Valid points. However, I contend that had Peters not held out all of the '08 off season, and played at his 2007 level all season, the FO would have been much more willing to give him the money he desired. I think the holdout and subsequent drop in production left a bad taste in the FO's mouths as it did many posters here. Of course this is all opinion as well. You could also interpret his shock at being traded another way. His agent was probably telling him every day not to worry, the Bills will never trade you, they'll pay up. IMO, Parker is the bad person here more so than anyone else. He's proving himself to be an agent that has no problem holding a team hostage. From the holdouts last year, to the claims regarding Crabtree this year, Parker is proving he doesn't really care about a team, a player or their career.

No I don't. However, I'm not sure that he should nor am I sure that how much the owner spends on building the stadium is an indicator of his competency as an owner.

Not to mention, Hamdan doesn't like it.

So you're suggesting that the Cowboys and their zero playoffs wins this decade is the way to go? Despite all of JJ's spending and marketing, the Cowboys have had little more success than the Bills since the mid 90s. So, how is he doing so much better than Ralph at putting a winning product on the field. I'd say, dollar for dollar/win for win, Ralph is running circles around Jones as an owner. And he's doing it without bankrupting the franchise while simultaneously defending the rights of small market teams and preserving the longevity of the league. But go ahead and say Ralph suck because he didn't sell the naming rights to the stadium like Jones did. Oh wait.... I'm sorry what point are you trying to make again?

Actually, the biggest issue for me was his attitude. He clearly busted his butt to learn the OT position. And as your post illustrates, he was motivated by a big paycheck. However, the list is a long one of players that are motivated solely by money that once they get their big contract, their play declines considerably. So, for me, I was more than concerned that given his attitude and apparent contentment with slacking off last year when he wasn't paid; what assurance did the team have that he would once again apply himself with the same drive and dedication to improvement that he had prior to getting the big paycheck? It is entirely possible that he showed his true colors during the holdout and subsequent 2008 season. I guess we'll know in a few months.

"Man we have 2 have the most nasty food of any team. Damn can we upgrade 4 str8 years the same ish maybe that’s y we can’t we the SB we need." 140 characters "Man, we must have the nastiest food of any team. Damn can we upgrade? Four straight years the same stuff. Maybe that's why we can't win the SB." 143 characters

Hamdan Rocks!

So basically what you're saying is... Do you think Jerry Jones wants to hear how much smarter and capable of an owner Ralph Wilson is than him? I agree, he probably doesn't want to hear or acknowledge that reality. However, that is the truth.

I'd disagree. By all accounts, the Bills offered Peters a large contract this winter - by some reports the largest for a linemen in franchise history. Yes, Peters signed (what we can only assume) a larger contract with the Eagles. So, on the surface you could conclude that the holdout got Peters more money. However, what we don't know is... if Peters had arrived last year in shape and played at the same level he did in 2007, would the FO have offered a higher contract? There's plenty of reason to think they would have based on their approach with players like Evans. So, it's very likely that had Peters not held out all of last summer, actually played at his former level, and expressed some interest in remaining a Bill that he would still be a Bill and making very much the same amount of money he is right now with the Eagles. All points lead to either Peters just didn't want to be in Buffalo or he/his agent completely crapped on the only team willing to give Peters his start in the NFL for what amounts to not alot of money.

Holy crap! I've been on this board for years and doing things the hard way. I think I might go find some posts to reference, just because I can! Thanks Tim! If you hadn't inspired this thread, we never would have had 600 posts, just to eventually get to something of value. Seriously though... those are 2 good tips. Thanks guys.

Myself and my wife. Two of my sisters; Mom and Dad; all going to the ceremony and the game. Plus 2 Uncles and a Cousin from Buffalo going to the ceremony only. Lookin forward to a smokin good week end!

The Chroise does Rock!

Every year there's a new highest paid player in the league. And most of the time its a rookie. That's just the way. Yet, not all players hold out and demand a new contract. You simply cannot re-work contracts every year based upon the players' previous year's performance. If so, do you give players pay cuts, when they get injured and miss half the season or just play poorly for whatever reason? Peters wanted more money. His agent laid out a plan to get that money. That plan had a complete disregard for the Bills' interests. It worked. Yeah, for Peters and his agent. But, you cannot expect the FO to give in to each player's demands. You can't.

I'm just curious, should the Bills' FO re-up every player's contract when they have a good season and demand top 5 money? We have multiple players primed to be in exactly that position. Where do you draw the line? Or do you propose we allow the players to dictate their salary each year? I love how everyone was so happy with the FO for locking up this great potential talent to a reasonable contact. Then 2 years later, when the player complains, everyone is pissed at the FO for not re-upping his contract like he wanted. I suppose in hindsight, the FO shouldn't have given him a nice raise and insist he earn it at LT first. But, then again, I imagine everyone would be pissed because they didn't lock him up to a longer term, reasonably priced contract when they had the chance. The FO handled the Peters situation as well as could be expected. Just face it, some people you cannot make happy. They just don't want to be here. Or worse yet, all they care about is the money. And those are usually the ones that drop off considerably once they get it. Now, did the FO handle replacing Peters properly? That's the point of this thread, and one worth discussing. For me, I'll wait to see a little of Walker's play on the field in the preseason before I get too worked up about a few comments; especially, knowing Walker's sense of humor and conversation style.

Maybe someone should change the thread title. ESPN allows one of their best writers to cover the Bills and we're all more informed thanks to him. Mort, however, has decided not to attend our camp. His loss, I say.

Heck, I'd even settle for their practice jerseys. But those throwbacks are sweet! I'm seriously considering buying one, myself. And I've never bought a jersey (although I have several - all gifts).

nice!

Please clarify. Are you suggesting that there's nothing in Peters' history to suggest that he wouldn't ask for a new contract prior to his current contract running out?

Just saw his interview on bb.com. What's with all the secrecy? John, I'm definitely anxious to read your article.

Despite early camp "struggles", I still think Hamdan is the #2 guy come September. Hamdan knows he has the Chroise -he doesn't have to prove anything. So, he's helping the defense gain some confidence, that all. He's a true team player.