FLFan

Smerlas has always been a buffoon. If that is Tim Graham's source of information, it just proves how biased and single minded in his relentless pursuit of all things negative regarding the Bills he is.

Thats exactly right. I would think Johnson might have the best insight into how Spikes could be used, strengths and weaknesses, character, etc. I am willing to trust his educated opinion.

Tim Graham is a tool.

I am not sure I see any difference between Pettigrew and Chandler.

I think Mel might have finally inhaled too much hair tonic.

They may still be looking at Inside LB candidates and I would expect some activity after June 1 for competition/depth as well, but any "big name" signings are not, and never were, in the cards. Hopefully they can find a diamond in the rough along the way similar to how Branch and Lawson worked out. (and hopefully the draft goes well!) None of this matters anyway unless EJ turns the corner.

The AP report said 5 years with $30 mill gtd in the first three. The second report said an average of $7.5 m. There is no inconsistency. Byrd apparently liked the higher salary numbers in the back end plus the extra year, though in reality, he is unlikely to ever see it. That, plus he just did not want to be in Buffalo. Not sure why people cannot accept that.

They will not get the comp pick for Talib given that they have signed Revis. You get comps for net losses based on the specific players gained lost.

How much of that is guaranteed? I would say none. We do not know how much is incentives either. Depth at weak side LB. Maybe he outperforms and that would be great. If not, they can cut him. Not sure I see your point.

True, plus this is a good move for Detroit who already has a dominating number 1 receiver allowing Tate to be a complimentary player. Great fit, IMO.

This. Neither Robey or Brooks are adequate if they lose a starter, and they do not have the luxury of sliding Williams to corner this year. Solid signing that fills a critical depth need on both special teams and the secondary.

Apparently the night janitor was not in on this one.

Perhaps they should eliminate their scouting department since all they need to do is look at CBS Sportsline

I am not surprised. They may as well make a low ball offer to both. I would be very surprised if either was back. Moats would seem to be a good fit for Pettine at a position of need and Carrington is represented by Parker.

Pretty stupid not to want a front loaded deal, IMO. There are several possibilities, one being he just does not want to play in Buffalo. Personally, I think he is just insistent that he he was going to be a free agent. He has won that battle. It is entirely possible that, much like Whitner who ended up signing in SF for less than he was asking when actual interest in his services was much less than he anticipated, Byrd may end up in a crappier situation for the same or even less money, than the Bills offered. Based on reports so far, the market at his asking price seems to be soft.

Agree with your points on Byrd. As for Dope and The bullfrog, I had to turn it off.

What was reported was $30 m guaranteed over the first 3 years. We don't know how many total years were offered - certainly more than three - or the average salary over the term. Nothing inconsistent at all here

I doubt it would be the 49ers. Too many other stars there that ultimately need to get paid. They already let Gholston walk rather than pay him what he wanted so it seems they are not inclined to tie up that kind of money in a safety. The Eagles might be a possibility but they have already thrown around some fat contracts. Of the potential top contenders, Denver may be the best fit. I do not know what their cap situation is like, but they need secondary help.

He is open to returning to the extent that the Bills offer is the best offer for him. He will go where the best offer is.

Good move. I suspect the Bills were willing to give Byrd what they offered plus make this deal. If so, then they are likely at the max they can offer for Byrd so will fall out once he starts fielding offers. I suppose it is possible no one will offer Byrd what he wants, but I think it is unlikley. If it was either or (Byrd or Williams) then I am happy with this outcome for lots of reasons.

Byrd has always been of the mind to test free agency. They tried to sign him before the tag last year and probably talked with him the year before, although I do not remember the specifics. This has nothing to do with applying the tag last year.

Whaley just said on GR that they believe Lewis, with a full training camp under his belt, will be a very good backup, and that Dixon and Tuel provide some good competition, so they are very satisfied with the current QB situation. They will evaluate other options out there, including Kevin Kolb's health, but they are satisfied to stand pat. I would not count on Vick being of any interest to the Bills whatever.

Completely agree. Graham is doing what Graham does - stir up crap based on no inside knowledge, just his own uninformed opinions, because that gets him noticed. He is a clown and carries no credibility. In the meantime, the Bills have made every effort to keep Byrd, who obviously, simply does not want to be here. He is totally focussed on free agency and grabbing the maximum deal. Time to let go and move on from that jerk too.

I do not agree. Every indication is that Bills made reasonable offers to Byrd last year and this year. If his negotiating position is simply "take it to leave it", I think you have to believe that he simply wants to be a free agent before agreeing to anything. You can not negotiate with yourself, and any organization that simply pays a take it or leave it demand without negotiation would be foolish. Byrd and Parker have shown no desire to negotiate and no desire for Byrd to remain with Buffalo. It is what t is. Time to move on.