CosmicBills

Exactly. That's what I meant with the Nate comparisions. The reason he wants to be paid like a top CB is because it proves to the rest of the players in the league that he IS a top CB. Stats can lie. Dollars, in this sense, don't. But, while I think ego plays a HUGE factor, I think a lot of these guys realize that the window to make a living at this sport is very limited. And the advent of free agency changed a lot of their mentalities. Now, they have to strike the FA market when they are hot, not only to feed their ego, but for the long term security of themselves and their families. We laugh when a player complains about getting paid a couple million dollars, sure. It's ridiculous on some levels. But then again, that is a small amount when you consider the brevity of their earning power in this career. Most people get 20 or 30 years to earn their money from their jobs. These guys get 5 if they're lucky.

I think what it came down to was DJ's comfort level with A-Train. A-Train is a known quantity. He has been a starter before, he has had success for DJ. There is a comfort in knowning what you can expect from a player should you need him to step in. And face it, this is Willis's job, A-Train is here in case disaster strikes and Willis goes down. In that case, the coach has to feel better turning to a guy he trusts rather than an UDFA who has shown "glimpses" but never done it for real. But, I don't think the decision really was ever about A-Train OR Gates. It was really between Gates and Williams. And Williams won out because he has return and special team ability that Gates does not. Shaud was a great return man in college, April loves him AND he has game experience in the NFL. Add that up, and Gates was climbing uphill on crutches. Of course this is just my specualtion.

But see, you are talking about two different things. Chemistry DOES exist and it's like catching lightning in a bottle. But that does not negate the mercenary mentality of the players. Why do players want to be the best on the field? So they can get paid the most at their position. Why do players want to win super bowl rings or be a part of the best teams? Because that means more dollars in their pocket. You cannot be in any professional sport without being a competitor. It's in their blood. So when the bullets start flying, these guys ARE playing to prove that they are the best -- and the biggest way to show that is winning games for the team. On one hand it is due to their competitive nature, on the other hand, it's to get the biggest payday they can -- which also feeds their competitive streak (there's a reason a guy like Nate holds out to be the highest paid corner in the league -- it's because how much a player earns is how the players judge who the best players are in some respects). Look at the Pats, great team with great chemistry during their run, yet year by year, key free agents left for more money. Were they not team players when they won superbowls with the Pats? Do you think their only motivation was to win for Bob Kraft or the fans? Baloney. They had chemistry, yes. But they were still playing with one eye on the Lombardi trophey and the other on their bottom line. A good example of this is the Preseason. One of the major reasons why veterans HATE playing preseason games is they get paid LESS (over half from what I understand) to partake in those games. That is a huge reason why the vets hate those games -- they don't want to get hurt in a game that pays them half salary and doesn't matter. I think LA said it best in an earlier post when he asked if it wasn't too much to hope that Willis at least ACTED like he cared. But see, that's the nature of the beast, Willis DOES care and DOES try. Every athlete does -- because they can't get that big payday unless they put up the numbers. That is their motivation. Not their only motivation, but certainly the biggest. Some players are great at playing to the media, others aren't. Willis did his job, put up numbers but didn't dance (to use a Jerry McGuire term). It's just not Willis. But that doesn't necessarily make his motivation any more greedy than any other player in the league. That's my point. And it drives me nuts when people say he's "worse" than other NFL players like Favre. Or people who thought Favre was a huge champion of the fans when he called Javon Walker out in the press. It's easy for Favre to do that because he HAS the money. He has had the career, the endorsements. Now for Favre it IS about winning and securing his place in history. For a guy like Walker or Willis, young guys who don't have that stability, it's about making MONEY. At one point, it was for Favre too. For the fans it's easy to forget that this is a job for these guys. This is what they do for a living. And the average shelf life of an NFL player is less than 4 years. Imagine that -- imagine if someone told you that you only had 4 years to make the bulk of your income in your job now. How would that change your mentality? Four years to make as much as you possibley can -- at the expense of your healthy, your body and maybe your life. Wouldn't that affect how you thought about your job? Hell, you'd be CRAZY to take less money to stay at an office with good "chemistry". Chemistry is a fortunate side effect in all sports, football especially. It makes for wins on Sunday for sure, but not every team with great chemistry has altruistic players who think of the team first. Nor is it impossible for "mercenary" players to add positive chemistry to a locker room. It just isn't the case.

No, you have a great point. There are players who are great at pretending that they care, and those who aren't. Willis certainly isn't the former. But, when you look at it realistically, even the ones who are gracious are still going to leave for a bigger check. So what stings more? The guy who's upfront about it or the guy who does it behind your back? But I do agree with your sentiment.

So now only players from The U and or Rosenhaus's clients care about being paid? This sort of argument against Willis always cracks me up because, I hate to break it to you, there isn't a player in the league that would play for free. There also isn't a player in the league that UNDERvalues his worth when it comes to contract time. This is the NFL. This is not college or HS where loyalties are forged in team colors. The only color that exists is green. This is not exclusive to Willis. Every player wants the big payday. And every player is playing EVERY game to prove they deserve a bigger contract. It's about feeding their families (insert baby momma jokes here). Any player on any team would leave said team for the right contract offer. JP, Lee, TKO, Fletcher-Baker. They are all mercenaries. It's the nature of the sport. And those who think the "old time" players would act differently aren't thinking things through. The players that were around prior to the Free Agency Bonanza would be exactly the same way as todays players -- they just didn't have the opportunity. Money changes everything, friends. So there are only two things you can do about this as a fan. 1) Hope your team is the one that opens up the check book wide enough to keep your favorite players. or 2) Root for the laundry. Willis is going to have a monster year. Just be glad he's going to have it in Buffalo Bill Blue. And if he goes to another team in 2 years, how can you blame him? Wish him well and keep rooting for the laundry.

In 9 seasons Nate Odomes had 26 INTs for 224 yards (1 td return), 3 FR and 3 Sacks. In FIVE seasons, Clements has 20 INT for 264 Yds (4 returned for TD, 11 Fumbles fourced, 4 recovered Fumbles, 1.5 sacks...not to mention 2 PR for TDs. Not to mention Nate is a much better tackler and far more physical than Nate Odomes ever was. But don't let the facts stand in your way when you're making an argument or anything. Odomes did great things for the Bills and was a memeber of the super bowl teams with far greater talent around him. Clements has been one of the best players on some miserable Bills teams, but if I had to chose between them, I'd tkae Clements any day of the week. Oh, and McGee in just 3 seasons already has 9 picks, 1TD return (4 ST TDs)...if his numbers continue to improve each season as they have been, he's going to surpass Odomes sooner than you think.

Athletically, both Nate and Terrance blow Odomes out of the water. Give McGee some time, he's going to be a good one. Clements is already better than Odomes. As for lineman, I think you're going to be surprised this year by the line, Peters especially. He has the talent to become every bit the player Wolford was. Will he get there? Too early to tell. But the potential is certianly there. The Bills are going to surprise some people this year. Both in the NFL and on this board. They are more talented than people seem to think. This team HAS improved from last year by leaps and bounds. How it will all translate on the field with a new system is still to be determined.

Also, for those that are concerned, remember the Bills did not begin game planning yet for NE. So the game plan is not "out in the open" so to speak. When Lawyer came it was different because it was the same system in NE. So Lawyer had a few seasons worth of expierence to draw on in terms of that. Whereas Smith has only this season. He is not nearly as familiar with the offensive system as Lawyer was with the NE Defense. I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

Yes but here's the key difference: Aiken is NOT eligible for the PS while Wilson is. I fully expect Wilson to be retained and put on the PS. If one of the WRs get hurt, he'll be the first called up.

He led the league in PR average last year -- just didn't have enough attempts to qualify. He had over 13 yard return average -- that is really good.

Not with how soft the AFC East is this year. 8-8 is a worst case scenario for the Pats. If they played in any other division you might be right, but the AFC East is one of, if not the, weakest division in the league this year. That's why it's exciting to be a Bills fan. Even though they're rebuilding, there is still an outside shot at them making a run for the division because every team is suspect.

Parrish has caught a couple of balls on third down this preseason. JP looks to him first on 3rd down when he's in the game it seems like. Big catches in big spots is what I see from him this year. I think he'll be used in the slot (no shock) and primarily on third down. Reed will be the official Number 3, but at times he will give way to Parrish who can get more seperation. Parrish will have a big year this year. He won't catch 60 balls, maybe he'll catch 40 -- but the impact those catches will have will be big. He's a game changer. I also expect him to return 1 or 2 Punts to the house this season.

Of course I too love the fact that it's happening to the Pats. But the realist in me knows that it could just as easily happen here in Buffalo -- or any other team in the league. It's the nature of beast, you know what I mean?

Exactly. The grievence has nothing to do with his contract (on the surface) it's more about the Pats not holding up their word in allowing him to persue a deal... ...but Hollywood is right on some level because Branch does have a deal signed that he is breaking. The Pats broke their word as well by not allowing him to be traded. Basically, both sides are acting like children. It's not the Pats fault, nor is it really Branch's. It's the nature of the game. On one hand, player's contracts aren't guaranteed, so you can't blame Branch for wanting more money and more protection. And on the other hand, the contract is what it is, so you can't blame the Pats for wanting to hold him to it.

Link doesn't work

But there is a risk besides finanacial. You sign Rogers that means you have to cut one of the young WRs like Wilson, Aiken, Davis etc. Guys who have proven they can stay healthy. Then, when you get Rogers and he gets hurt, which he undoubtedly will, you're screwed. I would rather have someone I know can hold up physically for 16 games and has potential to get better than someone who I know can't hold up for 16 games and has possibly more potential. But that's just me.

No problem. Just to put it into perspective. He has played in 15 games in 3 seasons. The most he's played were 9 last year. http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/396176

He's not bad -- he just can't stay healthy. He hasn't made it through a full season yet, and with that sort of injury, he likely never will. It's a shame because he has oodles of talent.

Didn't Rogers break his collar bone twice already? That's one of those injuries that keeps reoccuring throughout someone's career. If he can't stay healthy for 16 games, what good is he to the Bills? He's just a name that was once a first round pick.

But as KTFBD pointed out, Wilson is still eligible for the PS (something I missed)...which makes that decision a whole lot easier.

Interesting point...

Who knew Holcomb's Arm wrote for the D&C?

Where can we vote? When I clicked on Steve's link, it just brought me to the Bill's team page...what am I missing...

Ah, good catch. Well, if that's the case then I see them trying to stash Wilson on the PS this year, keeping 6 which means Davis makes the team. Evans, Price, Reed, Parish, Davis and Aiken. Then if Roscoe gets dinged up, they pull up Wilson off the PS -- everyone's happy.

It's okay it took me a bit to figure it out myself. Then again, I'm slow.