BarleyNY

A LT's main job is to protect the QB. It's kinda pointless to use a team with a stud LT and no QB as an example. A quality LT is immensely important to teams with a quality QB.

Agree with both of you. Chip looks worse and worse as time goes by. He made that big power play to get control of personnel and appears way in over his head. He's not only going to fail, he's going to set that team back for a long time. The Iggles are just hemorrhaging talent under him.

The Steelers got a great deal on a very good slot corner - which they needed desperately. They gave up a 5th so they'll either end up signing this kid long term or get a comp pick for him if he signs elsewhere. That could easily be a 5th and could be better. Damn.

It's to prevent extortion, blackmail, witness tampering and bribery. It happens though, especially in situations where someone has money and/or a lot to lose. How many high profile athletes had rape charges dropped after the witness refused to cooperate? I remember that happening twice with Roethlisberger. As for Kromer, he could get suspended or fired. If I were Pegula I'd base that decision on a discussion I could now have with him as well as the opinions of those he works with. It'd more likely be a suspension if, for example, Rex thinks he brings a lot to the team than if he was planning on replacing him next season. I'd think it'd be a suspension since Rex hired him. If he'd have been a holdover I'd be leaning the other way.

Reasonably good QB play. The OL obviously effects that, but the bottom line is that this team will only go as far as a QB takes it.

That's exactly what happened. I'd bet my house on it. It's illegal to pay someone to drop charges, but it clearly happened here.

Nice write up on the deal here: http://overthecap.com/a-closer-look-at-russell-wilsons-massive-contract/#more-10408 His agent earned every penny of his commission and I'd expect him to pick up some additional clients due to this deal.

In this case Kromer is still getting his full pay so that actually alleviates the financial stress of the situation. There is always the worry that not being at work can show you are expendable, but it could also show that you aren't. That's the same reason many players try to cover up injuries. His real stress right now has to be whether this gets him suspended or fired so putting as good of a face on the situation has to be job one for him. That might mean a plea bargain. Pleading "Not Guilty" is in line with both that as well as a court fight. Legally I can't see him getting worse than a fine and probation. Maybe not even that. Something that I've not seen mentioned is this: Kromer's council would have told him not to discuss the case with anyone except him unless directed by him and only in his presence. So Kromer won't be able to say anything to the owner, FO or coaches until this is over. I'm sure they know better than to ask. It's a misdemeanor charge so it wouldn't happen, but technically someone could get subpoenaed if it came out that he talked to them about the incident. And you never know what's down the road. What if there is another incident? It wouldn't even have to be intentional. Heck, it could be unrelated or even made up. Crazy things happen. Best to steer clear and wait it out if you are the Bills. See what the courts say, see what he says and then make the call.

Looks like 8/12 was his court date for entering his plea. Since he entered it early things have moved forward. 9/2 isn't his trial date, it's a pre-trial hearing date. I honestly don't know what happens at that. It looks like Kromer wants to get this process moving though.

That's because his entire rookie contract is guaranteed. Not sure of the offsets in place if he was picked up. If the Bills were to part ways with EJ, I'm sure they'd try like hell to make it happen through a trade. Contract details: http://overthecap.com/player/ej-manuel/2197/ The Bills might actually lose cap space by cutting EJ because they'd owe him his whole contract just like if he was on the team PLUS they'd have to pay whomever took his roster spot so they'd add that player's cap charge to the books. It would be reduced by the amount of his new contract - or a portion thereof - if there are offsets in place. I don't know if there are or not though. Edited to add: There is offset language in his deal. http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/bills/2013/06/14/ej-manuel-contract-doug-whaley/2424191/

If they want to trade EJ look for him to be put in position to look good in preseason. My ears will pick up if I see the coaches do some real game planning for the other team when he's in there or if they put him out there with the rest of the Bills 1s going against 2s.

From presser: "I do declare! How dare you cast aspersions on my integrity! I am as pure as the driven snow!" Tom Brady said breathlessly as he fainted onto a nearby chaise.

Lol. Actually only one as I see 89 active players. I think Williams was on an injury list and didn't count toward the 90.

And a different situation. Incognito is on a vet minimum, one-year deal. Still a problem if he doesn't play well, but not nearly the same cap risk.

Yes, it is.

No. Dead money is already paid bonuses or guaranteed money yet to be paid. The only way to recoup that cap space is to recoup the cash (or if the guarantee somehow voids). Not the case here. The remaining $1.75M cap hit occurs next season due to the cut being post June 1st. Same total, different timing.

Buffalo by itself isn't, but if the Rochester area is included and WNY is looked at as a whole it certainly is large enough. That's not unusual to do. Akron-Canton is generally included in the Cleveland market, for example. For the team the bigger revenue problem is the lack of large company HQs which are your typical luxury box tenants. Buffalo has none in the top 500.

B for Bills. A for effort, C for execution. Glad he's willing to spend and very happy about coaching change, just not a fan of overspending for some of the players they've acquired and the lack of effort/results at upgrading QB spot.

I like watching good players who aren't total scumbags. I just like watching good football.

He'd have been soft for and NFL kicker.

I just seemed pathetic to me. Almost and admission that WNY isn't a big enough market for an NFL team (which I don't believe). Never again.

Post June 1st cut so most of the hit is next year. That said, the Saints are in deep cap trouble next offseason. True. And then there's the near certainty that he would have to serve a lengthy suspension if he would get picked up by a team.

If I was listing, in order, things that are the difference between winning and losing in the NFL, "Quality of starting QB" would be #1.

And I don't like that the writer is pinning extra on Watkins based on what the Bills gave up for him, who else they could have drafted, etc. That's a discussion solely about the FO and it should stay there. Watkins should be judged on how good of a WR he is, not how good ODB, Benjamin or Evans is. That's not fair. I'm happy to hear his hip is healing well as that's been a big concern.

Outstanding. Best comment of the week so far.