BillsVet

They may need to pass to set up the run this year more than I expected.

Marshawn's okay

take away Losman's scramble there and it's 8 carries for 24 yards

Schefter has nothing tonight, but he's still gotta appear as though he's an "insider."

I wouldn't call it amazing...some ups, some downs. There's one guy playing out of position and another new starter in Chambers.

The more things change...well, it's early.

don't like seeing runs for loss or 1-2 yards. A major issue that I hope doesn't continue tonight.

Again, we're going with the "Jason Peters is an idiot" theory to explain why he's not practicing. Actually, agents are hired to obtain the largest contract-as you well know. Peters knows he's underpaid. Parker does too. So does the Bills' front office. If Peters truly was embarrassed, he would have fired his agent, reported to camp, and agreed to play 2008 at his current salary. That this continues is a testament to their resolve, which may or may not grow after today's game. Parker's success is a product of his ability to wring more money out of teams by leverage his client's participation. I don't agree with it, but it's successful and Peters knows full well who's representing him and their strategy. To claim he's a loyal knuckle dragging stooge is blantantly misdiagnosing the entire situation. My question to you is: How does an underpaid premier NFL player obtain a new contract when they have 2-3 years remaining on their current deal?

With all the comparisons going on between the current situation and others, I can't help but look at what's changed since last year at OBD when Schobel got his deal. First, Brandon's handling GM duties in as COO. It's obvious he's one of the few that Ralph trusts, so much so that RW promoted someone from within who's not a classic GM type. At this point, I've got to believe Brandon, like anyone new to a management position, wants to prove himself in a job that some didn't understand why he was elevated to. Second, the Bills, like any business, probably had a figure in mind for what they wanted to pay players this year. It's certainly takes into account what they paid to their picks, and free agent signings. I really don't believe a mega deal to Peters fits into their plans for 2008 and paying Peters didn't fit into it because he's got those 3 years left on the current contract You have to wonder if he's going to wait until a regular season game when teams begin planning much more in depth, or just calls it quits after the pre-season.

For all the speculation concerning Peters' absence, Brandon's immersion into the front office is the only big change. Could it be that Brandon is further attempting to prove himself on the personnel side by taking a hard stance in this situation? It's speculation, but having been in positions when new people move into a new job, the first instinct is to show they're not a pushover. Or it could be that the Bills have budgeted a certain amount for salaries, and a new Peters deal won't wash considering they've committed to re-signing Evans. I believe it's a combination of both, especially considering RB is heading the front office, and wants to keep salaries down to prove he's capable to act as a GM type.

SI had a great article about him before the Super Bowl this year. Gave some insight into his early life and football career. Upshaw 1.31.08 Didn't always agree with him, but certainly a force to be reckoned with as a Union President. RIP.

Don't forget Schobel angled for a deal after Kelsay got his just before UFA in early 2007. I can still remember reading how Schobel called Kelsay to ask him, "how did we do?" The Bills handed out a big contract to Dockery and a decent sized one to Walker when UFA opened that same year. Did they not realize other players would be paying close attention? It's the definition of naivety to think at some point Peters wouldn't come calling, especially after being moves to OLT for the second half of 2006. The two situations are too similar, and it's clear the Bills have prioritized other players before the guys who become the best at their position. No wonder the front office in place is 0-8 in playoff appearances since 2000.

Senator- You also missed Tom Brady, LaDainian Tomlinson, Randy Moss, Antonio Gates, Jason Taylor, Jamal Williams, Bob Sanders, Troy Polamalu, Brett Favre, Walter Jones, Patrick Kerney, Tommie Harris, and Lance Briggs who all missed the game with injuries. They apparently stink too, because they couldn't participate.

All it takes is one injury to the QB. I see we've now proceeded to accuse Peters of holding the team hostage. Brilliant rationale, especially considering the guy worked his way from UDFA into becoming a Pro Bowl LT. It's ironic to me how this guy's villified for being such a terrible person and wanting to be paid market value. But how can we know this? No one has spoken to him since RB saw him in January? Right. Peters ought to be with the team, and making an example of him is their strategy. But looking at prospective Bills UFA's after 08 and 09, there isn't anyone I'd be afraid to have hold out. So if they're worried an "underpaid" player wants to hold out, I'm not concerned. Go ahead and hate the league for becoming one in which the players have the upper hand. It's the reality of it all when big dollars enter the mix and fans want to see their team win every year. It's a high stakes game, and management can threaten all they want, but he's got the advantage of knowing the Bills need him more than he needs them.

We are very upset today, aren't we? Take it for what it's worth, but we're all entitled to our own opinions. This ain't China. If you want to place a lot of faith in a coach with a 50-67 career record, then fine. It's unlikely to believe he's the guy who, after 7 years is going to suddenly become a great coach. Frankly, I need to see more before I have faith in the guy. I'd like to know why you both go to bat for this guy, especially after one article where he says some feel-good things. Pardon me for being a little doubtful until I see it on the field. Your posts make it seem like no one's allowed to criticize DJ. It sounds like you're asking us to shut up about his prior shortcomings and be pro-Bills, no matter who the coach is. And for the record, I never called him a liar. He's posturing and giving a sound-bite because it's pre-season, and who knows what's really going on. Do you believe everything you read and hear? Mickey outlined the example I earlier used regarding the Jets game. I was there, and have video of the offensive players half on the field, unsure of whether or not they would go for it or not. Jauron wanted to send the FG unit onto the field, but had to take a TO when the play clock went down. What about that isn't indecisive? eball, if you want to solicit people's opinions, be prepared to get ones you don't want. Deal with it.

I used the example to demonstrate indecisiveness. Only when the crowd got worked up did DJ finally make the call to go for it. eball raised this topic, and now acts as though anyone who doesn't believe as he does is an idiot. That sort of heavy-handed mentality is what I don't understand. DJ's the HC this year. That will not change. I'm willing to give him another year, but based on the Chicago years, I'm not optimistic. As much as I'm pro-Bills, I'm also a realist. Until DJ proves me wrong, I'm going to go the doubting Thomas route.

DJ had to take a TO to think about going for it. On a fourth and goal from the one. He gives the impression that he's focused on the negative outcome and waffles when big decisions need to be made. This is one example of indecision on the sideline, and pre-season banter with Clark Judge won't remove real world examples from the previous two seasons. If it weren't for two awful HC's before DJ, his reputation wouldn't be as golden to some Bills fans. When there isn't anyone in recent memory who performed well, subsequent HC's don't have high expectations, as evidenced by the pro-DJ faction here.

Flashback to the home game versus the Jets last September. Buffalo had a fourth and goal from the one yard line when out trotted the field goal unit in what proved to be a 17-14 Bills win. I vividly remember the crowd going crazy and DJ called a timeout with 7 minutes remaining. Jauron did not want to go for it on fourth and goal, but yielded after taking a TO. That's the DJ I've seen from the first row of 123 for the past two years. When they finally decided to go for it, Edwards ran a PA pass to Gaines for the score. Previous to this, Buffalo had run five times in a row (with a Vilma 15 yard facemask penalty) to get the Bills into the RZ. I can't imagine the final result of the game had Buffalo kicked the FG.

Peters' leverage has only grown since camp began. As has been mentioned earlier, Walker is no LT and as teams begin to study film more attentively, it will become more evident to even the most simple minded Bills fan. Edwards will be running for his life more frequently than we'd all like to see, something we've seen already. The problem with the LT position is fans rarely take note of how important one is to the success of a QB and an offense. Defenses usually have their best rusher line up near the LT position, and negating a team's best rusher is something Bills fans took for granted the past season and a half. If this were a RB, WR, or DE holding out, I guarantee there'd be more outrage than for a "lowly" left tackle.

Words are well, just words. Isn't it ironic how this is touted as the real Jauron, yet this sort of post would never have appeared after the MNF debacle, or the Cleveland game when the real DJ was apparent. IMO, Jauron's history as a coach demonstrates more of cross-section than an interview with Clark Judge. And until I see success on the field, it's hard to be a Jauron fan, nice sound-bite or not. I'm also fine with his low-key persona, but there were times last season when the team lost focus and seemed unmotivated. Additionally, some of his post-game press conferences left a lot to be desired. These were his first comments after the loss to Philly in the season finale: "Offensively we did a pretty good job of not turning (the ball) over. I think the fact that we didn't turn the ball over today at all, and didn't have very many penalties in that football game, kept us in the game." That sort of talk doesn't cut it, and fails to take responsibility for the team's failures. I understand he's got a young team and wants to keep the morale up, but avoiding the problems that dogged them all season long isn't the way to do it. I don't have anything personal against the man, but his style of coaching has produced little in 7+ seasons. And until there are results, such as a playoff appearance and perhaps a win in the post-season, it's going to be tough to keep believing he's got the answers beyond words.

I believe Edwards has two seasons left on his rookie contract. Lynch, OTOH, has three years left on his initial deal. I suspect the Bills would lock up Edwards first, provided he plays well this season. Buffalo will see a marked increase in player salaries and they won't be able to re-sign all of their guys with their C2C plan. They've budgeted so much for each year, and I'm not sure after they re-up Peters down the road that they'll have the funds for guys like Crowell (signed throuh 08) and McGee (09)

Regardless of which Irsay hired Polian, neither one has harbored the animosity that Ralph held against BP. If only Littman hadn't carried more favor with RW than he should have. I don't think there's a better GM/President in the league than Polian. He succeeded before and after the cap has been in effect. No executive type can demonstrate anything close to that. Of late, he's set his sights on the out of control rookie first round salaries and appears to be the one pushing Goodell the hardest on this issue.

Based on what? Until someone can come out and say authoritatively that they're not moving, rumors will continue that this "loaning" of the Bills is an attempt to gauge market interest in a NFL franchise for Toronto. At this point, nothing is out of the question, including a move to Toronto or any place that an investor/owner believes a NFL franchise can operate with big revenue potential. The one man who can put the rumors to bed is adamant that the team will be sold after his passing. It's a feel-good thing to believe what the team says and think it's only about expanding a fan base. When one of the top markets in North America is hours away from where your team plays, anything is possible. I'll wait until a regular season game to figure out just how this Toronto arrangement plays out. If fan support is poor, I won't celebrate, nor will I be upset. For the time being, I'll watch the games and hope they play well. It's just ridiculous to think there isn't more going on behind the scenes than an attempt at regionalization.

I don't think rational Bills fans have anything personal against Canadians. That no one can come out and guarantee that upon Mr. Wilson's passing the Bills remain in Buffalo is the point of contention. Ted Rogers' presence is that of an 800 pound gorilla in the room, and he's got the ability to purchase them. Imagine a major Canadian hockey team being in the same position as the Bills are in now. It's not going to happen, but nevertheless the threat of an American entrepreneur "borrowing" that team for a few regula games would probably not be seen as anything less than a first move toward relocating them. Walk a mile in a Western NY Bills fan before complaining our motive is US versus Canada. It's not, because there's a deeper conflict developing here.

Buffalo also had the largest OL in the NFL last season, and had serious issues running the football. That may relate more to the OL coach, McNally, but it's hard to equate size to success. Denver's OL's are routinely one of the smaller ones in football yet have success year in and year out running the football. Last season Buffalo's OL started every game until Peters' injury kept him from playing in week 17. For the run game to improve, the passing game will need to be such that teams can't throw 8+ in the box. I would also argue that teams who have accurate QB's as NE does with Brady can throw it more, given their receivers. Running the ball is important, but the Pats* proved that an efficient passing game can reduce the need to run the ball. All in all, teams that can mix an effective passing game with a good ground attack will keep defenses on their toes. Buffalo did that last night with Pittsburgh's first team defense.