scribo

You must be right, but that makes little business sense to me. As the old cliche goes, Marv is cutting off his nose to spite his face. This battle for more revenue sharing does not seem to be close to winnable, so I cannot understand why the team would at this point risk allientating its already fragile ticket-buying fanbase just to send a message to owners who DO NOT care any way. The Deadskins and Cowgirls do not give one damn bit about the Bills or parity. Those teams are raking in the dough with or without winning. The NFL is aready getting it from politicians, and this press conference did nothing to call fans to action.

My mistake. In that case, I agree, let him walk.

Such good questions. As a PR guy myself, I know an organization should only holds press conferences to promote something positive or counter a negative. Either way, you need to have a strong message to convey with an intended result of that message. The only intended result I can imagine the Bills were aiming for this time was motivating the fan base. That has to be the goal, and I really believe the team failed terribly. Unless Marv ignored his PR director, that director should probably be fired today. Marv certainly had a message to convey, but it was not what the fans wanted to hear. In my opinion, if you cannot tell the fans what they want to hear, don't tell them anything. But there are always positive ways to explain things. Yes, spin doctoring. This press event had the potential to drive up early ticket sales, to generate some positive local and national press and give players outside the organization a feeling that the team is indeed committed to winning. Instead, the message that came out was the Bills know what needs to be fixed but won't spend as much as most of the rest of the league. I don't necessarily disagree with the team's long-term strategy, but I think Marv and his PR staff did a horrid job yesterday at putting the best face on their strategy.

Marv's comment yesterday about the need for linebackers who attack not just pursue was the clearest indication yet that a FA LB is in the Bills' plan -- not franchising Fletcher. That said, it would probably be a wise more to transition tag him so the team gets some direct compensation. If they tag him, sign someone else and cannot find a team willing to give up a pick for Fletcher, the Bills can remove the tag and let Fletcher walk. There is nothing to lose, IMHO.

The estimated direct economic impact for the 2006 season, taking in account the funds from the government, exceeds $50 million. Yes, that isn't that large of a number when one considers Syracuse University directly brings in nearly three times that number to Central NY, but a university is operational year-round. The Bills employ more than 500 annually. What do you think Buffalo's national visibility would be like without the Bills or Sabers? It is safe to say IMHO that it would be nearly non-existent. National image really does make a difference when it comes to attracting new businesses, tourists, etc. There are also scientific studies that were completed that show that having an NFL team in one's city has a tremendously positive mental impact on the region's residents. I don't know how much of that I buy, but I am just reporting the study's results. So what do you think Schumer, Clinton, Reynolds, etc. should be doing, if anything, when it comes to protecting the Bills?

I don't like Schumer anymore than the next guy, but the Bills staying in Buffalo is vital to Western New York's economy. Do you have any idea how much money and attention an NFL team brings to its home region? This has to be high on every NYS politician's agenda. I had breakfast with Congressman Tom Reynolds last week, and he too understands the importance of the team to not just the fans but to every businessman in the state.

If that is the case, then just swap out AJ for Spanos, and I am still stunned.

Rex Ryan as HC and Jim Fassel as OC and Ted Cotrell as DC

Nick Saban

It really boggles my mind that AJ waited this long to do this. He let both his coordinators walk before pulling the trigger. He let all the other teams find their new coaches first. AJ must already have an idea who he wants. And he must have been sure his pick wouldn't be hired by another team.

McNally use to coach him, so I would think he knows if Petitgout should be brought in.

There really is no generalization made in the sentence you quoted. He technically says he cannot stand Taylor or the parolees. It does not say that all Miami players are parolees, just that he cannot stand those who are.

Bottom-line on the game IMHO is that our boys represented the team well tonight. Moorman took that hit and bounced back up quickly. Many QBs would have stayed down. And that last punt of his was a great kick, but no one mentioned it because the coverage was broken down by the league's best returner. Schobel held his own all night, registering at least one sack, making the tackle on fourth and goal in the fourth quarter and adding pressure most of the time he was in.

What's on next week? And the next week? And the next...?

I don't think the Broncos would be interested in this trade. But I would not be surprised if Marv does find a way to deal McGahee for something of decent value. That said, I think it is most likely McGahee stays around for the season.

Putting it on Saturday seems like a good call to me. Like was just said, there was nothing else on today. I just don't think CBS did a good enough job letting everyone know it was on today. Now what do we do?

Yeah, it use to be on Sunday night. And it use to only be on ESPN. It was a good game. The DBs as a group played poorly, as did the NFC's o-line.

Looks like the AFC has it, which is good since they really controlled this game for all but the last two minutes. Carson Palmer played really well. He is my pick for MOP...with an honorable mention to Brian.

OT? That comeback was pretty impressive.

Hell yeah. Brady won't get hurt tonight, as he isn't in the Pro Bowl. Oh, maybe he will pull something at that damn golf tourney CBS keeps hyping.

SACK!!! Schobel getting some love.

We may be the only two in the country watching. Yeah, BB thought it was funny that his call nearly got the best punter in football, who just happens to be in his division, killed.

Aaron had that TD play stopped five yards behind the line of scrimmage, but no one could support.

Bellychick makes me sick.

Taylor should be rotting in jail.