Matt in KC

Goodwin can't catch? He's always seemed to have pretty good hands, from what I've seen.

Great topic! By my count, 16 different Bills have already been named for surprise up-side so far in the thread, and I think all are realistic choices. I'll offer these: Charles Clay - I know many on this board expect great things from him, and his contract reflects very high hopes. Casual fans and national media may well see it for the first time and ordain him the surprise player of the year. Nickell Robey - He was really pouring it on at the end of 2013 under Pettine. I can't wait to see how Rex uses him. Nickell killed the Dolphins in 2013. The home game was the most dominant game I remember ever seeing from a nickel CB. (The other game he had a pick-6, but I don't remember his play the rest of the game as well.)

I think he'd still be deadly with an accurate QB who is comfortable with some improvisation. He could have a career year with the Steelers the way Big Ben extends plays.

Or "The Stampede is On!" (like a Mofo)

Next Year May Have Finally Arrived

Well to start, the first one was possible. . . .

I think Kiko earned his reputation by being so aggressive, extreme for a rookie, and noticable compared to vets. Unfortunately, aggressive is not always better. I think our run defense really suffered when Kiko guessed wrong of found himself out of position for whatever reason. I really liked Kiko, but think his reputation was overblown by fans who watch the ball and gave him credit when they saw him blow up a play, but weren't sure what when wrong when there were big holes in the D. The Schwartz disciplined D was stronger without the gambling. Any time so much money is tied up in a single player I get a bit nervous, but there are not that many ways to land a super star. I LOVE what Mario brings to the team. I will feel a whole lot better about McCoy after one or two completed seasons when he has burned through a lot of the risk the team has taken on Day 1.

Hey guys, sorry for the confusion. I was engaging klos63 in conversation about Glenn in my post you quoted (above), not Dareus. I think Marcell HAS shown he is a top DT and deserves top money. He's the kind of player you build a championship team around, and good teams don't let get away. I hope we offer him as solid top tier contract with significant up-front money. With the Pegulas, the Bills can configure contracts that are more attractive to players than contracts with the same ongoing cap hit cash-poor teams (like the Bills past) can offer. That said, more up-front cash does mean more risk if the player does not play their full contract, for whatever reason.

I get that. For me he has passed the threshold for trying to extend him. I think it would be a mistake to sign him long-term deal for top dollar. My point is I think he might well end up being worth it, but hasn't really been able to prove it yet. When he does prove it, our choices will be to pay for that, or lose him. It all comes down to the specifics to assess if it is a good value/risk. I think we should try for a mid-level starter extension now and set the team up to have a favorable value. Yes, there is risk, but I'm convinced he has a good "floor" and you can't really plan around the possibility of injury.

I've seen enough from Glenn to think he can be a very very good LT, and at least solid if he doesn't continue to improve. I think it's a great time to negotiate an extension with him after his poor year last year (which I honestly don't think was caused entirely by him).

And where on the ball would you put a chip, each tip? I don't think the logistics make this a good idea at all. They ought to empower the referees to make a call and everyone live with it, but part of the ref's role ois to opt when they want to see a replay because they are unsure. That said, I do think they should have a camera looking down the goal line from both directions....

How did we win 5 more games in 2000? I remember it being painful watching these RBs, and no one looking like a RB1: 38 Shawn Bryson 35 Jonathan Linton 33 Sammy Morris 23 Antowain Smith This year with a bunch of new backs feels completely different!

People often say they think a team signing a player with similar skills may jeopardize a player's security on the team. While this may be true sometimes, I often think of another aspect: if a team is going to commit any amount of their playbook to plays that leverage that skill. Having a number of speedy receivers on the team I think bodes well for Goodwin getting a lot of snaps. His forte is something Roman can count on to exploit defenses. With two fullbacks on the team (for now at least) I think we may well see a lot of FB plays. The less obvious point is that if Roman does create a lot of FB plays, I wouldn't be completely surprised if we keep 2 FBs on the final 53 so the offense isn't forced to remove certain plays from a particular game due to personnel availability, or run the play with "square peg" players filling in. 2 FBs is maybe not the best example. Keeping 2 FBs does seem like a luxury, but one the Bills might choose over keeping a ST guy.

Sounds like more reason to have 2 kickers on the team....

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-videos/09000d5d82651450/Vault-Keeper-The-Snowplow-game Pats* beating the Dolphins 1982 They gave the snow plow driver a game ball! 5 Other Times The Patriots Cheated

I'm often impressed with this site, and the people on it. Above, someone asks an honest question about what a Mike linebacker is. Three minutes later, without any snark, a guy named Mike provides an educational link. Bravo TBD!

It works. Thanks!

Yes, I think it is over. But I have to admit I've never really believes in a supernatural power inflicting punishment on the franchise and fans. I have always assigned the cause of our failings to more worldy things like our team culture, spending philosophies (especially on the coaching and front office), the competition and dumb luck. All that said, this is a different team. I'm not saying we will definitely make it to the playoff. With so much new, we might struggle this year, especially early. But there is no continuity with our past decade + where we seemed to return to the same players and struggles year after year.

Is it per incident? I wonder if that is $500K for the deflating and $500K for the obstruction....

Actually, that would just make you a jerk. I don't blame Wells for being pissed. I would think any claims he is acting unprofessionally are slanderous/libelous (though I know very little about that area of the law).

Thanks eBall. I don't know how to say it any clearer than I did previously. My comment was specifically driven by the same thing WEO is reacting to: I actually want the Pats** for pick 32nd (i.e. after finishing in last place).

No, they have been stripped of their first round pick. I mean finishing with the worst record, losing the #1 overall pick, and therefor picking for the first time at pick #32. That's why I said it's unusual for me to want them to have that pick.

I'm not sure what you mean. Finishing last and not getting the #1 overall pick in the draft makes it that much worse for them, doesn't it?

Random thought: this is the first time I've ever hoped the Pats pick 32nd in next year's draft!

Brady's going to be under a lot of pressure when he comes back. I think the press is going to needle him at every PC for the first half of the year....