Rockinon

I heard JP Losman is practicing with the Bills.

Link opens a blank page. Merriman signed with the Bills last year and though I am not absolutely certain he didn't get a new deal, I do know that the original deal was for 2 years. Just because he didn't play does not mean he did not get paid for the first year. Otherwise, I like your post. After some research, you are correct. He got a contract extension that will last through the close of the 2012 season. Found it on Buffalo Rumblings. "$2.5 million in 2011, averages $5.25 million per year for the duration of the contract, and has playing time and performance escalators that could increase the value of the deal to as much as $9.25 million per season."

Pow!!!! Right in the kisser. Feel better now?

First off Lee Evans has not discussed money. He is still playing under the same contract. He has consistently been one our best WRs for a few years. And it is spelled receiver.

I've been mulling over some ideas too. Got some gardening to finish first though.

Nice topic San Jose. I'll stick with my Grizzly wintergreen to chew on though.

He looked great in minicamp last year. He said he was ready during the regular season last year even though he couldn't come back in, so he should be healthy enough. Really looking forward to seeing what he can do game time.

Here is yet another article on the workouts with some quotes by Terrence McGee. Buffalo News

I think, coming out of college he was very immature. Young people. For some it just takes time. I think he does have strong work ethics, so it's not all bad. Maybe he'll turn it around(still not holding my breath though). At this point the odds are against him. It's very hard to change perceptions once you have all ready established negative ones. Chan Gailey's perception seems to lean toward the negative side. One thing is certain, he's got his work cut out for him.

We know Merriman was pushing for a big contract before he came to Buffalo. He will have very little chance of that if he does not perform extremely well this year. This is the final year of his 2 year contract so in order to even get any kind of a decent new contract he has no choice but to perform this year. Bell was playing injured last year so it is conceivable that he will improve. Right tackle was addressed during the draft ensuring that there will be a nice battle for that spot. As far as the interior of the offensive line, I think we are well ahead of the game. I agree that the offensive line is another area that we have good reason to look forward to. I fully expect this unit to improve. We saw explosive flashes from our offense as a whole last year. Even a small improvement from the offensive line will help. It will be interesting to watch because most of will agree that the defense has improved which will lead to a greater number of opportunities for the offense.

Yea, I know. I'm funny like that. Wishful thinking? I don't think so. The linebackers have been injured, playing in a new scheme and have been exposed to an overall weak defensive line. Remember this is a team sport. One hand washes the other so to speak. If the defensive line stiffens up these guys will surprise people. We have some real good talent but up to now it simply hasn't translated on the field. I know that this is an optimistic point of view, but the very fact that the FO doesn't think it needs to add OLBs tells me that I am not the only one that shares this view. And ILB has been addressed in the draft. Take a look at this LINK.

The linebackers. Moats looked good getting after the passer(though he needs to work on run defending). Merriman healthy and in the last year of his contract(he should be motivated). Batten healthy(he was an ILB last year but should move to OLB because he can get after the passer too). We have 2 ILBs drafted and I think one of them will start very soon. Dave Wannstedt will be coaching this group. Poz is likely to be resigned(he seemed very happy with the offer tendered last year). With the addition of Dareus and possibly Jasper our linemen should make it a lot easier for our linebackers to make plays. Many seem to be very concerned about this group, but we have made a lot of positive moves to make the linebackers better. I no longer see the defense as a weakness.

I think our rank as a run defense certainly supports the bolded part. Makes you wonder how having a solid defensive line will effect the performance of safeties and linebackers alike. One of the things that really irked me last year, was seeing 300lb offensive linemen breaking through and laying licks on our linebackers.

Not every team is doing this. The veteran Bills players organized this because they are concerned that this litigation stuff could drag, leaving them with little time to prepare for the season. They say so themselves. They just need to be prepared. I really don't think this has anything to do with PR.

That may be so, but it is still the most information we have gotten on this subject up to now. It's not like we are diving into hard core research or anything. Sheesh.

He doesn't have to go out and get himself injured. Just meeting with new team members, talking about the playbook and getting a feel for how things are done in Buffalo is a plus. He can also get together with them and look for possible places to live. These workouts can do a lot more than just well..... workout. Regardless, these guys have to weight train, run and do all of the things professional athletes do to stay in shape. They won't be putting pads on and hitting each other. Doing stuff together as a team, accomplishes a lot, though I hope Jasper comes to town too, as well as the other rookies.

OK, lets put it this way people. Football is not more important than family. I am not a Maybin apologist. I a have stated numerous times that he has a snowballs chance in hell of doing something at the NFL level. That's not where I am trying to steer people. The guy has gone through a serious life changing family experience. Hating on someone at that time is sickening. Is this what being a Bills fan has come to?

I suppose that you would be able to concentrate fully on your job just weeks after your infant son dies? I know, you're always right. I guess being right is far more important than being fair.

Here is some more on the team workout from the Times Union. Linky Says they expect about 30 people to attend and that the invitation was extended to the rookies. People are arriving in Buffalo over the weekend and the workouts will start on Monday.

You don't care that he lost his infant son?

Hello, PTR. Thanks for dropping in.

Thank you, timmo for reminding us where priorities should really lie. I wanted to say something, but just couldn't think of an appropriate way to say it.

Take it easy San Jose. I actually understood what you were driving at. Just busting your chops. Sometimes, I just can't help myself. It just slips out.

I really don't think we are qualified to make such assumptions. We can only speculate on what's going on behind the scenes. We don't actually know. Perhaps you have one of them there all seeing, all knowing eyes. Me, I just have regular eyes and a brain behind them to reason with.

Personally, I think that discussion has 0% influence on Maybin, the coaching staff or anyone within the Bill's organization. It's just a bunch of discussion by fans on a message board. What do we know?