Dan

Sounds to me like things are going nowhere fast. Nothing positive said, nothing negative said. Just the standard.... we like him, we want him here, we'll see how it goes. Not at all reassuring in my mind. If anything I'd say the rumors are close to be accurate - Bills made him and offer and Parker said we'll talk when you get serious; and there's been nothing since.

Yes.

There's no way that could be the official logo. Vomitous is the word that comes to my mind.

That's all about what I was thinking. It's gonna be a blast, so I'm not worried at all.

That's exactly what I said! Like there's not a parking lot in the whole darn town!? I think he was just mad because we spent half as much by not doing the package deal.

Quick question for those that have been there and done it.... what about parking for the game? I've been told there's no parking and we're screwed for not buying the package deal. I find it hard to believe, but thought I'd ask.

I'd agree... I'm not sure he really lost any money because the Bills made it quite clear that he wouldn't get a new deal for the 2008 season. However, I'm not sure at all that we can say he's going to gain any money from all the holding out. So, what's the point then? The Bills' FO was certainly going to rework his contract. Had he come in and played hard, I have little doubt they would have reworked his deal ala Schobel, Stroud, Evans this off season regardless of the holdout. IMO, all he's done with the hold out is hurt his stock with the team and the fanbase. Not that many LT are product sponsors, but I'd be really surprised if he even has that option now. And if he holds out for any length of time this off season and has another average year; that great 2007 season will be a really distant memory and almost certainly cost him some money. I still don't understand the logic behind holding out. How can you demand more money when you're not there earning what you're currently being paid? Like I said before, though, that's probably why I'm not running a franchise.

Got mine! Northside, Section 8, Row U, Seats 1-4. Woo hoo!!

I hear ya... there's still plenty of time to work a deal. But still, if I'm in Parker's shoes, me and Peters are walkin to the gym in Buffalo, gettin lattes or whatever big time agents drink, calling Brandon daily... hey, guess where we're at. No way I sit patiently and wait to see what the FO wants to do.

I'd agree. You'd have to be nuts to risk turning down $10mill/yr because you're holding out for 11. However, I think the devil is always in the details. How much money upfront, guaranteed, length of deal, incentives, etc. that's what will ultimately get the deal done... or not. You'd think an agent with this much money at stake would practically be living in Buffalo the last few weeks. If I had a potential $10mill deal in the works, I promise you Brandon and I would become the best of friends. He'd wake up with me getting him coffee. I guess that's why I'm not a big time agent.

I see him more like a Hines Ward type year. Solid, dependable, blocks well, gets in the other guys face, draws the flag, keeps people fired up.

Yeah got them quite a bit back. We went straight through the HOF website as I recall that Monday/Tuesday after they announced the inductees. They had all sorts of package deals, but we just got the tickets and figured we'd wing it (as several posters here suggested) as far as all the festivities go. My sister got the tickets, so I don't' have the exact price. It's my turn to buy the game tickets... then we make up the difference in beer.

I agree with and understand your statements regarding his history. However, you have to consider that even as a RT with a decent raise, he was still playing for the big payday. Why rest on your laurels as a RT making $4mill/yr when you know you could move to LT and make $10mill/yr. I'm not suggesting Peters WILL become complacent with a new mega contract. But, he's definitely dialed it back a notch since becoming a ProBowl LT. There can be little doubt that he looked very average in 2008 in comparison to 2007's play. Certainly a lot of factors come into play, but he took one hell of a bad time to miss the entire offseason, show up to work a little out of shape, and then get injured again at the end of the year. So, I'm sorry. But I do have doubts about his play if he gets a $10+mill/yr contract. If for no other reason than he's ended 2 consecutive seasons on the sideline. Either the added weight on his frame combined with the extra work to become a top flight LT is causing himself to get injured more easily or he's sand bagging it when it's apparent we're no longer in the playoff hunt. Either way, it should be a cause for concern especially when combined with the attitude of pay me now (before my body completely gives out). Excellent point and very likely.

The induction ceremony and the game are different tickets. You may be able to buy the induction ceremony as a walk up, but I was told they sell out quick. So, I bought mine the day Bruce and Ralph were announced. I'll be calling at 10:59am tomorrow to get the game tickets and hopefully complete a great weekend of Bills and family. There were several good threads back at the time they announced this year's inductees. If you're going, it might be worthwhile to search and read through them. Lots of good advice. I think the biggest problem is hotels. Apparently they fill up quick (or at least the cheap ones do). We're staying in a Holiday Inn in south Cleveland - coulda gotten better but several family members already booked there, so we decided to stay close to them (probably a mistake ).

My wife wanted a used Saturn, against my judgment. I relinquished because it was her car and she'd be driving it. 13 years later she's still driving it. Almost no major problems (last year we spent a little in repairs). One of the better decisions I made - to let her buy the car she wanted. Now she really needs a new car, I want to get her a new car; but she says no... this is my car (we've been having that discussion for about 3 years). My advice, if it fits the budget, let it go.

With this coaching staff... I fully expect to see TO run at least 3 end around reverse plays per game; 2 WR screens per game (with no one blocking in front of him); and as a decoy on on at least 4 plays per game to run down the field and hopefully clear the right side for the back to catch it in the flat. Not to mention 2 out of every 3 red zone possessions he'll be on the sideline so we can have an extra TE that can't block or catch in the game. After the season, everyone will say that TO is too old and he was a locker room cancer that's why he didn't get the ball more and Jauron will say we just have to execute the offense more.

I'd agree. I'm not saying Peters is a bad guy at all. In fact, some of the reports (as I recall) suggested that Parker is the one that's advised him to not talk to teammates and all. So, he could be just a super great guy that's just getting really bad advice. Parker doesn't seem to understand that Ralph comes from a time when owners called the shots, not players. I would suspect the problem is in the details now as well. Whether it be the length of the contract, the up front money, the amount of incentives vs base, who knows. But, my guess, Brandon doesn't cave much on the "show up then we'll talk" stance. IMO, he has too many young players on the verge of re-signing to set such an example. For better or worse, he's using Peters to tell the other young guys (Edwards, Lynch, Whitner, Poz, etc.) exactly how not to negotiate a new deal.

I would agree completely. I imagine the Bills told them that if Peters came in and played hard and all that, that they'd talk about a new deal for 2009. Parker, of course, didn't like that and said he'll hold out. At that point it was a game of chicken. He probably thought the Bills would turn first. They didn't. Now, we're essentially (or so it would seem) in pretty much the same place. The Bills seem willing to talk about a new contract, but it appears there's something in their offer that made Parker take the hard stance again. Quite honestly, for a player/agent to take the hard stance 2 years in a row when it didn't work the the first time tells me one thing... Peters has zero commitment to playing with the Bills.

Parker: [click] Parker: [scrolls down to Peters] Parker: Hey, J my man. How's it going? Yeah, yeah. It's all good over here. I got them right where I want 'em. I'll be in touch. You too man, enjoy the pool. Parker: [click] Parker: [to himself] Crap, now what. Hey honey get me a mocho latte thing.

I think that's a big part of it and gets to Kelly's initial question. The Bills may be willing to give Peters the full $11.5 mill, but that's alot of coin to give to someone that's giving you huge mixed signals about whether he wants to play up to that level of salary. You've got 2 employees, both want a raise. One comes to work every day, tries hard, always asks for more to do, gets along well with the other employees, and buys into what you want to do. The second employee decides to take the other route and complain about his lack of pay, take all his personal and vacation days at once in an effort to prove how important he is, and distances himself from the other employees. Both may deserve a huge raise - the 2nd employee more than the first. But, are you going to rush to give him that raise? I'm sorry, but as a manager, Peters gets absolutely nothing until he shows up, smiling, and says he'll work his butt off to improve. When I see the attitude change, I'd gladly hand over the cash, but not before. Yes, he has looked like the franchise left tackle we all want. But, he's also looked very average at times getting beaten for sacks or standing on the sideline with a late season injury when the playoffs are out of the picture. I'm sorry, but everything about this guy right now screams attitude problem. Once you pay him, you're not at all guaranteed that the attitude turns around. Let me ask a simple question. What would we have all said about the FO if they paid Peters $11mill/yr last August and then he had the season he just had? Because right now there's just as much of a chance that's the player they'd get as there is he'd become an immovable wall on the left side. So, back to the original point... IMO, at this point, its not so much about the money as it is his attitude. Sure the details (how much guaranteed, length of deal, etc.) are probably long from being worked out, but I'd bet my next paycheck that would all get done pretty quickly if Peters was in town working out with his teammates, laughing and having a good time; while his agent was in Brandon's office daily assuring them that Peters wants to retire a Bill with multiple SB rings.

I'll agree with every bit of your post. Well stated. Just to make sure we're clear.. I'm not attempting to insinuate that Peters won't work once he gets paid; but suggesting that the risk is there and it could be a primary factor in why the team is not in more of a hurry to give him a mega deal. His actions several years ago demonstrated his incredible work ethic; however, more recently he seems to have cast doubt onto why he works so hard. There's nothing I would love more than to have Peters signed at any price (hell its not my money), but I can understand why the team might be reticent.

No it doesn't. But, neither does the argument that the Bills should just sign a new contract at whatever Peter's agent asks for. The point is, no FO can just cave to a player's demands. There has to be a negotiation no matter how good or bad a player is. We don't know the whole story, but it seems the Bills' FO has made offers that Parker has flatly refused with little to no negotiation. Parker needs to tell his client to get into Buffalo and play nice, if for no other reaason than just to say.. see Peters wants to be there and get better. The cold shoulder approach is akin to saying FU. Playing hardball didn't work last year. Why will it suddenly work this year?

Just curious.... Edwards had a great stretch last season. Should Brandon swallow his pride and get a deal done if Edwards asks tomorrow? Lynch is now a ProBowl RB with 2nd consecutive 1,000 yd seasons. Should Brandon swallow his pride and get a deal done if Lynch asks for top 5 money tomorrow? Should the Bills just pay whatever salary any of the player's agent asks for? Which players should be able to demand whatever they want and get it? Just curious.

I agree completely. They've got their price, of course, as with any negotiation, I would suspect they came in low on the initial offer. However, the reason they haven't come to terms yet, is exactly the latter part of the bolded statement. That is.. they're not happy with him. Peter's effort has been less than ideal since he was named a ProBowl, franchise LT. That immediately sends up red flags about his personality and motivations. Is he really the franchise player that we all think he is? Sure he can be. But, will he be once he's paid? I would suggest his agent hurt him by having him hold out last year. Yes, had he participated in all of last year's activities and truly played at a Probowl level (i.e. not giving up numerous sacks, being in less than ideal shape, and getting injured/not finishing the season again), I think he's well on his way to signing that mega contract right now. And yes, maybe the Bills pay him eventually this off season. But, if they don't and he holds out all off season again - I think he's unlikely to ever get it because he likely has a similar season to 2008 and no way you invest that kind of money in a guy that had a great season 3 years ago followed by 2 average to above average seasons. As others have suggested, I think if he's in Buffalo, working out, in camp, giving his all to the team then the Bills' FO is more inclined to pay him as they have others. Problem is... Peters has not done that. He's appeared to do the minimum to play well all the while asking for more money.

That's an excellent point. To get Peters another team likely has to give up a couple of high draft picks, plus a $10mill/yr salary. That's a huge expense for one player. Add in the knowledge that he'll hold out at the drop of a hat and you've got exactly what we're seeing - a probowl LT, that's the best in the league, waiting for the phone to ring. Dude has a ton of talent, but he also has a ton of risk. Bottom line is you can't be the best and highest paid LT in the game if you're sitting on the sidelines upset about your paycheck or injured. His agent has completely mishandled this negotiation (if you can call it that) at this point.