Fan in Chicago

Which is my point - Byrd was a good keep. If it was about money, I would have let McK walk and used the money for Levitre. ANd, next year hasn't happened yet so we don't know if we will keep Wood. Again, for durability alone, Levitre > Wood. We also let Fitz go and (no cap expert) saveed money if not this year at least in the out years. What exactly are we planning to do with the money ? This is only one hour into FA, but history has shown that we make shockingly underwhelming moves in FA (and please don't point to a single MarioW signing to prove me otherwise)

Considering the closest rated would (IMHO) Ben Grubbs and his $7.2 MM/yr, I would say the 8 mil wouldn't have been overpaying by much. The loss in performance will be a lot than the 0.8 MM we could have paid to retain him. I am with Bill on this one - huge loss. Whatever happened to 'keep your own' ? We keep McKelvin and let Levitre go ?

I thought the Bills should have signed him for 5 yr/$40 MM. I am surprised the Bills did not beat that offer. On record here to say I am extremely disappointed.

Come on, John, I respect your football knowledge. I also get that you did not like his performance as GM (neither have I) but to pick this thread and this event to beat on him is rather ridiculous. In no way does this illegally tapped phone call further the case against his performance as a GM.

No where does he say or imply that. He says we are set at tackle. And also laments that it has been difficult to sign our own guys - something the Tampa GM agreed with.

I have been going to Texas for work for almost a year now and I can tell you that the above sentence does not literally mean what it says. That is Southern speak for "I am in trouble regarding the QB situation and have to do something to solve the problem"

Handcuffed ? He clearly says that 'he has to do something else we will have to". How does this equate to saying Fitz is handcuffing him ? The FO has ultimate power in almost all cases. As to your second point, do you expect the FO to come out and say negative things about your starting QB ? And admit it, throughout last season there was hardly a clear better choice. TJax should have been played but IMHO, isn't much of an upgrade. If NIx had bashed Fitz in the press, it would have first of all come across as incredibly unprofessional and secondly would have indicted Gailey's assessment of QBs - both items which no sane GM will do in public. Nix has much to be blamed for over the past 3 years but this tapped call is not one of them

I just heard the entire conversation and struggling to find what is so 'incompetent' or 'embarassing' about what the two said. It is a very harmless conversation. What I did find surprising is that Nix thinks Fitz is fighting for a BACKUP spot which means he is valuing him as a marginal 2 on the depth chart. Quite telling. Also, the complaining about guys not wanting to sign may indicate that he is trying hard to get Levitre to sign - nobody else of note is waiting for a contract with the Bills

As we are speaking hypotheticals - I wouldn't be against that trade if (1) The Qb we want is gone by #8 and (2) the next best QB option is valued towards the end of the first round. With so many needs (yet again), I am sure we will find plenty of positions to choose from - QB, LB, WR, DE True but I am hoping rumors of a gentle shift in power to Whaley is true and perhaps Marrone would be a bit more forceful in stating his preferences

I have never heard of him so I don't want him. Just talk to me if they have LeRon or Jones in their names. In seriousness, this is one 'bring him for a look' I wouldn't mind for a reasonable price. Depends on what the coaching staff is thinking for Aaron Williams, we may have a logjam at safety. Also Bryan Scott may be full time LB (just guessing)

So you want to reward him for his game losing screw-up? Look I have come around from my hate for the guy's lack of football instincts. I would like to have jim back for his special team skills and being a nickel corner. But not a lot of money. IMHO, anything more than 4 mil per year will be too much.

For some reason I saw this and am thinking this is good news regarding the Levitre negotiation. People are freaking out over the lack of information and hanging on to Levitre's last statement several days back as reason to move closer to the edge. Maybe silence is a good thing and is intentional as you say. Perhaps we will wake up the next few mornings with the successive news of Fitz being kicked to the curb and Levitre signed to a 5 yr/$40 MM w/15MM guaranteed. Whaley not having a say kind of surprises and disappoints me as I thought he is slowly taking charge. You new around here ?

And hitting their prime. While I wanted Nix to draft a QB last year, the situation is ideal for a new QB if we add 1-2 WRs and keep Levitre.

He said he hadnt heard on Mar 1. I am sure his contract is a top priority right now which means a lot could have happened in 2 days. Plus there is more than a week left.

In other words, idle message board speculation by people who have an irrational hate for the man and trying to find justification for their feelings. We dont know what transpired. The guy goes away and people still cant stop wanting to disparage him (not aiming this at you SJBF).

We CANNOT afford to lose Levitre. This offseason has seen lot of departures at key positions (CB, WR, DE). We not only have giant holes to fill, but plenty of them too. Hence, if we have a good thing with Levitre (I don't care if he is rated #8 or #5), we have to keep him. A very durable and solid player. Him and Byrd are must-keeps

You should see Kick-Ass, it is a nice, low budget kinda movie and totally irreverent. One of the few good roles Nicholas Cage has done recently. Chloe Moretz is terrific M NIght has to buy back my confidence with a solid movie. Even if it is not spectacular, a competent movie will go far in restoring my lost faith in him. He has all the skills but a giant ego (IMHO) has derailed him. Guy just doesnt seem to listen to constructive criticism and adjust his movie style. He has steadily gotten worse with the only hope that his production of "Devil" was not half bad.

Do you really believe any player has the power to hold an NFL team hostage ? Bills needed a reliable option at DE. There were few choices so they took the less appetizing road of (over) paying for him. Can you really blame Kelsay for that ? By all means, he was a locker room and team guy - criticize his on-field ability but he did exactly what any player would have done from a contractual point of view

Favorite TBD whipping boy. Lunch pail kind of guy who maximized his limited talent. Liked him for his attitude. Good luck in retirement, Kelsay. Thanx for the years.

I know not first rounder, but I always thought Jimmy Clausen was an interesting project. Panthers could not pass up on Newton which is why Clausen is firmly on the bench. That and ofcourse he had a terrible rookie season but yet he is intriguing

No, he is a bum because he was a coke head. And there is zero evidence to tell us he is a better QB than some one from the draft this year. Just because he sat behind Brady tells us nothing. For all you know, he may be dumber than a box of rocks, which is why BB is wanting to trade him. Not every QB around that league who becomes available is a better than Fitz. Giving someone a try may be fine if it didn't cost us a draft pick.

If true, this tells me two things: - The Pats* don't believe he is good enough to take the reins from Brady in 2-3 years (I don't believe Brady will play till he is 40) - The Pats* will be drafting Brady's replacement over the next couple of drafts Either way, I have no way to peg a value to Mallett right now despite him having 'learned under Brady'. Also, his past problems concern me mildly.

Thanx, Mark. I just updated my summer calendar based on your post. I am most excited about: "World War Z" due to Brad Pitt "Star Trek into Darkness" I think Benedict C is an upcoming star due to his intensity and versatility (Sherlock series, his turn in "Tinker Tailor..") "Elysium" after the superb District 9 "Pacific Rim" due to the premise "Kick ass 2" due to the fun part 1 and addition of Jim Carrey Uncertain about: "Iron Man 3" not sure how the darker theme will work "Thor" ditto "After Earth" After being M Night's fan, I have given up on him after the atrocious Happening and Air Bender. Anything good will be a surprise "

I share your disappointment in not tendering him, but do hold out hope that he will still sign with the Bills. Not sure how many teams out there know him enough to pay 2+ mm/yr. If he doesnt get that money, he might aa well sign with the Bills at ~1.5mm/yr. All speculation ofcourse, but after sleeping on this news, I think it is NOT a given that he won't be back

Ha! I read the text and was very happy that he feels well about the organization to stay with it. But, I come here and see all the negativity which brought me back to earth. Anyway, count me in as one who is very happy aout this news