Dan

The thing about this whole situation is that this version of the FO has shown nothing but a willingness to work with and pay players that are good and are 100% behind the team. Look no farther than Schobel, Kelsay, Parish, and now Evans. Heck even Peters was on that list 2 years ago. That's what's so dumbfounding about this situation. Why is Peters and his agent taking such a hard stance? Why no contact since the end of the season? It just doesn't make sense. That all being said... even if Peters was in camp and saying he wants a new contract, shouldn't it be the FO's priority to extend Evans first? Afterall, he's our top WR and he's entering the last year of his contract, while Peters has 3 years remaining. The only thing that can even remotely make sense to me is that Peters and/or his agent asked for a new contract in Feb. The Bills said absolutely no way will we consider it until next year. This year we're signing a few key FA's and re-signing a few guys (Evans). Peters will get discussed after 2008. So the agent responded with we'll see you in 2008, then. That's the only way I can understand an all out hold out on Peters part. But even then, I don't agree with it. Peters is good - he's great. But, is he really the best LT in the league after a year and half? He made the Pro Bowl as an alternate. Good, but not the same as being named a starter outright. Regardless, since when did a single trip to the Pro Bowl make you irreplaceable? There's plenty of reason to think that Peters is on his way to being one of the best 5 LTs in the league. I just think he and his agent are a year premature. If they waited a year, the Bills FO wouldn't have the distraction of re-signing Evans and Peters would have 2 solid years and 2 Pro Bowls (I'll assume). It seems he could get much more money if he came all this off season and put together a second consecutive stellar year.

To read that our coaches actually developed something based on the personnel they have, rather than force them into something they don't know.... well that's just about the best news all off season. There may truly be cause for some excitement about the upcoming season after all.

I waited in anticipation all day to get done and get back to my room to read this and the other camp reports. Thanks so much too all you guys!

As some have suggested, I think you really need to take a break from the board and relax. You're going a little over the top here. It's one thing to suggest a race issue. Certainly all things are possible. However, its another thing all together to continue with the diatribe as though it's real. Let's face it, if any sports team was racists, they'd be out of the league (except hockey). As to why Kelsay makes so much.... well maybe its because they think he's worth it? I don't know just a thought. You may not, in fact, many posters may not. However, we don't make those decisions. If the FO likes him, perhaps for what he does on the field, perhaps for what he does in the locker room, perhaps for what he does to Mr. Wilson in a dark room, does it really matter? They paid him. But to suggest its because he's white is pretty just.. well racist.

I think that could be a reasonable conclusion or assumption. We've certainly drafted a number of DBs the last few years. I think the Bills' current FO is just taking a different approach to building a winning team. They certainly haven't ignored the lines. Last year they brought in several high priced FAs to shore up the Oline. And this season, they've browght in several FAs on the defensive line - not to mention Mitchell to help with the pass rush. So, I guess you could ask is it better to draft DBs and sign FAs on the lines? Or is it better to draft linemen and sign FA DBs? Apparently, the Bills' FO think the former is the best approach to get past the Pats*. Hopefully, they're right.

What's actually the fun part of this thread is it's a thread about the lack of continuity being the problem with the Franchise. So what is the solution... change the FO, change the HC, change the QB. So my question to this krazy fella is how many more changes do we have to make before we can have this much needed continuity?

It does make one wonder... with the expectations to win now, with the short window for players and coaches, with the possibility of injuries changing the players - wouldn't it make sense for offenses to become more simple than more complex? If it takes a seasoned vet a year to learn an offense, how can anyone expect a rookie or 2nd year player to excel?

I would describe that as a very fair assessment of the two QBs. And ultimately, I think Trent fits what this coaching staff wants to do offensively more so than JP. Or to put it another way, they can live with Trent's mistakes while he learns; but not JPs. Hence, Trent is starting.

There were all sorts of telegraphing last season. 1 and 10, Tight End motions = strong side run. Just one example.

He'd probably look alot like JP Losman.

Much Agreed! I think several people are going just a bit over the top here to badmouth the FO. First of all, as we all know the only part of a contract worth much is the guaranteed money. In that regard, McKelvin falls right between the #10 and the #12 pick. The total value is most certainly based on several incentives and such that he'll probably never see. So, the thought that he's being way overpaid is ludicrous. Secondly, of course, he's one of the higher paid guys on the team. First round picks always are. That's what's wrong with the system and has so many people calling for a slotted contract structure for NFL rookies. The first pick is immediately one of the highest paid players in the league let alone his own team. So, to suggest that the Bills' FO somehow is wrong to pay McKelvin money right in line with the #10 and #12 pick regardless of where that puts him salarywise on the team is just looking for a reason to complain. Thirdly, this contract and negotiation has nothing to do with Peters or Evans. So, to bring them into the discussion is again just a blatant attempt to find something to complain about.

That's why you have to give 110%.

One thing is certain... any employee that thinks the company can't go on without him, will be looking for a new job pretty soon. Ability is only half of the equation. Attitude and team morale are equally as important.

Can you link to any proof of this notion you keep posting? Or is it complete fabrication to justify an point you're hoping to make?

Yes they should. Peters has plenty of time still left on his contract and plenty still yet to prove. Evans is in the last year of his contract; therefore, he's a higher priority. The FO should be doing just as they are... work out Evans, first. Then as the season progresses and next offseason extend Peters. The Bills have waited for 15 years for a probowl QB, RB, and S as well. So if Edwards, Lynch and Whitner break out this year do they suddenly get top 5 money as well? That logic doesn't hold up. I don't have the time nor energy to look it up... but how many players re-work a contract less than half way through the contract term? My guess is not many. Yes, contracts are thrown out all the time, but it seems its typically the last year or 2 that are thrown out - not the last half or more.

Very nice, indeed. Although it seems you could have saved yourself alot of time and maintained the old design, just add a hot blonde to the banner. People would still love it. I definitely like the simple yet tasteful design (FWIW). Clean, functional, and easy to navigate to the information you want are the most important features of websites and are often the first ones overlooked when people redesign. So, excellent job. But, of course, a few suggestions/thoughts seem appropriate: I assume the Email link, Bills History, Russert Charity, and other such items are on the bottom of the page? You seem to have plenty of room on the top menu. Maybe adding a few of the "Team Reports"; "Local Media"; and "BuffaloBills.com" links could fit in just prior to the "About Us" and not alter the design too much. I agree with the one poster, the font for 'Two Bills Drive' in the banner could be jazzed up. Not sure it's that big of a deal, not what font, but it seems like it could use some thought. What about '2 Bills Drive' just to be different? I agree with the comments on the image in the banner. Please lets not jinx any players. Based on the board opinions, I'd rotate hot blondes up there. But a good montage with players, Buffalo skyline, the Stadium, etc. would look pretty good. Does the youtube video take you to you tube or play within the page? If it plays within the page, I'd consider a few more vidoe links underneath it. Maybe a link to the BB.com video page or NFL.com video page? Awesome addition by the way! Finally, rather than the gray striped page background, have you tried a solid color? Maybe the throwback blue? I'm not sure if that would clash with the other colors or just be ugly. But just a thought. Overall, I gotta say I love the new design. You maintained all the functionality while cleaning up the existing design. It's a great step forward! I've been looking at it off and on since you put it up and the current design is looking more and more dated with each glance.

Definitely Peters. He' so good we should renegotiate his contract every year to make sure he is the highest paid player in the league every year.

OOORRRRR...... maybe he's dead and that's why no one has heard from him. He probably went hiking and fell off a cliff into a deep ravine and after a few weeks of living off the berries around him as he lay there with 2 broken legs a mountain lion came by and ate him.

Hamdan doesn't need a LT either. His Chroise is his protection.

I think the proper response was.... why was the picks they already have one of the league's best LT's signed for 3 more years who would have guessed that Peters is selfish and has an over inflated view of himself

Exactly! Plus to those railing on the FO.... what did you say 2 years ago when they gave a nice fat raise and extension to a rather unproven guy? You loved them for the move, I'll bet. We had just locked up a future probowler to a very reasonable salary. Now, after 2 years, that player that we were so happy to have has decided he wants even more. And you blame the FO for not giving in? Incredible really. I asked this in another thread, but what do you do if 1 or more of our other young players with multiple years still on his contract has a probowl year? Do you extend them all and give them top 5 pay because they want it?

I think he'd be getting more sympathy if he was in camp.

Brandon appeared to express a willingness to discuss a new contract with Peters provided he reported to camp and was practicing with the rest of his teammates. "I think we have a proven track record of trying to get guys done and extending guys out," said Brandon. "There's a long line of guys that we've done it with, but it's very difficult to have those conversations when the individual is not participating in your work." http://buffalobills.com/news/news.jsp?news_id=6255 That pretty much sums it all up. The Bills will give Peters his money. You can't blame the front office. Its beginning to seem more and more like Peters just doesn't want to be in Buffalo. I know people will use that as another reason to rag Brandon and company, but how can you when he's said quite plainly that he's willing to work on a new contract, if Peters sis willing to work with his teammates?

And that, for me, is the slippery slope here. Is Peters invaluable to the team? Yes. As a Probowl LT, should he get a nice big raise? Yes. However.... he just signed a new contract and has 3 years left on it. He's had one good year as a LT. Now, he wants yet another contract? The problem here is if the Bills renegotiate, they run a big risk of every young player on the team (which there happens to be alot of) screaming for a new contract if they have a good year. What if Whitner, Poz, Lynch and Trent all have great years and become alternates to the Probowl? Do they all deserve big pay raises and new contracts as well? What if Greer really steps it up and shuts down Randy Moss in 2 games? Does he get a new contract? What if Peters gets a new contract and then has 2 more solid, probowl years and he's the unquestioned best LT in the game? Does he get yet another newer, bigger contract? We all know NFL contracts are rewritten every year, but few are renegotiated so quickly. So, to me, it seems Peters is pushing the hard line a year too soon. Another Probowl type year, then with just 2 years remaining and there's no doubt his contract is reworked, ala Schobel and Kelsay. In other words, I'm squarely in the camp of Peters is at fault for seemingly thinking only of himself and not of the team. And if that's his attitude, then maybe we haven't found the great LT we all thought we had.