Dan

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.

I can see it now.... Goodell gets a call from Foxboro, TO gets a 1 game suspension.

Much agreed!

And wake us all up, you did. Job well done.

Yeah. Poor word choice on my part. I meant to suggest that the questions seemed out of context of what TO and the Bills were doing. I completely understand why you would ask the questions, and its good you did and better that TO answered honestly. I wouldn't have thought to ask it, though. But, that's why I'd suck at your job.

I would very much agree. And for me, personally, I like that aspect of Owens - always have. Your typical player or coach press conference has become so mundane that I often wonder why anyone asks them questions to begin with (or why I sit here and listen as though they may say something insightful). But, you're right, when anyone speaks their opinions openly and honestly, they open themselves up for all sorts of trouble. I've known plenty of people that hate talking to the press for exactly that reason. IMO, it takes balls to talk the the press honestly. Because when your words reach a wide enough audience, you're bound to piss someone off. It's really interesting watching this whole TO story unfold. It's interesting how some of the existing players that used to garner the attention - Lynch, Evans, Whitner - are a almost lost in the shadow of TO. I could easily see how some would like it (those that don't want the media attention) while others find it divisive (because they want more limelight).

I don't typically blow bandwidth just to tell someone they're funny. But, that was friggin hilarious. I really did LOL.

Gotcha. One thing I think we can all agree on is Owens never seems to have trouble going off on his own and causing a commotion. I didn't think this article was grossly over the top, but in watching his Q and A on bb.com, I didn't get the impression that he was making that big of a deal about it. Just answering a few questions. Of course, having TO comment on Vick is bound to generate some hype. Hence, the Florio article, the lead ins on NFL network, and lord only knows where else by now. Didn't realize that was your article, although I guess in thinking about it, I should have. I will say, I did appreciate the added information about Wilson. Its really nice to see quality Bills coverage.

True, but now the article on nfl.com states "Owens also lobbied to have more..." I wouldn't really consider answering a couple of questions as "lobbying" to have players support Vick. His comments do seem to be getting a little blown out of proportion, at least IMO.

Rock solid.... and concerning.

Good points. Upon thinking about it, maybe its an "insurance policy" against some freak accident over the summer as well.

Completely spectacular. Thanks. Seriously, I don't know if there's a market to sell these photos to the various news outlets, but there should be. Some of these are better than anything you'll see in the papers. Just another shining example of why this site rules while all others drool.

I think all posters here need to take note of BillsVet's post. Perhaps no one here has been more critical of the FO this offseason, often with good reasoning. If he's not blaming the FO yet, none should. I very much agree. There's much more to this than just the FO. The players have agents that can slow things down considerably for any number of reasons. I fully expect to see everyone signed at some point over the next few days. If not, then... My question though... why do things like this always seem to come down to the last minute? Are the teams and agents nothing but procrastinators? Is it really that complicated that it takes 4 months to get worked out? Just seems that if everyone started working to sign the rookies the day after the draft, it seems like it should be worked out by now.

Watch Owens' comments on bb.com; then read that article. Great example of someone making a mountain out of a mole hill. Owens was asked, even pushed, to offer comments on Vick. Then you get articles like this.