Got_Wood

I think you're probably right about how it will play out. Fitzpatrick may even be the predetermined cut from the group because of his salary. He makes way to much to be a backup. Trent is in fact in a contract year and if he doesn't perform he'll be gone. I could see the Bills going forward with Trent, Brohm, and Brown.

It wouldn't be based on his performance in the first preseason game. It would be because of the 2 major points I mentioned in the original post.

The only other option I see is to cut Fitpatrick and keep Trent as a starter for just this season. But when our own fans are booing the guy in practice, it's not a good sign. Even if he's just our QB this season. It kills his confidence and it certainly doesn't do anything for him in terms of respect from other players on this team.

I respect Trent Edwards as a person and player (to an extent), and I think that the position that he's in is the wrong one. Especially with a new regime coming in trying to clean house and develop a new team with a new identity. Consider these 2 points: - Trent Edwards, going into his 4th season, is one of the lowest paid players on the team. Currently his backup Ryan Fitzpatrick is making over 6 TIMES the salary that Trent makes. - Fans associate Edwards with the tenure of Dick Jauron. A guy that was disliked by a majority of the fan base, and was responsible for much the development of Trent's game in the NFL. Sounds like a losing situation no matter what for him. So, what's the right thing to do? I think, as much as it sucks to say, the right thing to do is start Ryan Fitzpatrick this year and let go of Trent. Whether it's a trade for a 5th of 6th (maybe even 7th) round pick or just simply cutting him from the team, the guy needs a fresh start with a new team. He can't be successful here, and he would be a distraction as a backup. I think turning the page towards a new era of Bills football depends on the Bills making this move. Regardless of whether Fitzpatrick is successful or not this season, we have the opportunity to go after a franchise QB in the next draft. If we have to trade up to get our guy, then that's what we do. That's just my opinion. Take it for what it's worth.

I also heard that Elway has expressed interest in buying a piece of the Broncos as well. See here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/25/sports/f.../25broncos.html However, I would be ecstatic if the Bills were going this route. Could be huge for this franchise!

Spiller and his agent better beat Suh and the infamous Eugene Parker to a contract resolution. This holdout crap is terrible for the league, bad for teams, and the fans can't stand it. Get your **** together Goodell, this crap has to end.

This place is full of smart@sses. I'm talking about off the field problems, not performance. Jones isn't in the same category as a player, but he can be a good, serviceable wide receiver in this league. That is all.

I seem to remember a guy named Bruce Smith that had the same problems this kid had. I think it was a good idea that we took a chance on him.

This isn't a "sign him he just got cut" thread. He's a talented guy still on the roster in Cincy. They wanted to go big and sign TO, and that leaves other productive, athletic receivers on the roster capable of being cut. The Bills do not have proven WR's outside of Evans on the roster. I don't see the problem with keeping an open mind.

I heard the opposite. Check out this article: http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Matt-J...s-minicamp.html

He could be the odd man out in Cincinnati. I know he doesn't have the greatest background, and he's been in some trouble. But this guy could be a great possession receiver for this team. He's a great athlete, he's tall, and he's experienced. We're not exactly loaded at the WR position, and he could be had for cheap. http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7197

"In 2009, Erie County will set aside $4.2 million for operating and game-day expenses. It was $3.9 million last year. It will also continue funds for stadium upgrades: $2.9 million for this year. For the eight games to be played in Orchard Park, that equates to about $920,000 a game from Erie County taxpayers - for a team that last reached the playoffs in 1999, the second season under the team's current lease. The lease expires after the 2012 season." http://football.ballparks.com/NFL/BuffaloBills/index.htm Does this change anything?

Why aren't the Bills looking to do this? Or are they and can't find a suitor? For a team that complains about its financial viability, this seems like a no-brainer to me. The Jags are making $3 million in the first year of the deal. I respect Ralph Wilson for everything he has done for the Bills, but the name of the stadium isn't as important as keeping the team in town. http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Jaguar...h-EverBank.html

I agree that some of these opinions are all over the map. My issue (and I am the original poster here) is this front office's continued lack of action in each offseason. They have sent the message that standing pat is OK. We're building through the draft, and a select few free agents. By comparison, the Lions who have a history of terrible management and are known for a losing culture finally said ENOUGH. They hired themselves a highly sought after head coach, they cut guys who weren't performing on the field, and they made some aggressive trades. Now all of a sudden these guys are on the map. They have convinced their fans and the media that they're in it to win it, and they actually have a pretty good shot at the playoffs this year. I would LOVE to see that kind of mentality in our front office. But we don't see that yet. We've got some guys on this roster who have continued to stink it up on the field (McCargo, Kelsay, Whitner, etc) and they have gotten second, third, and fourth chances on this team. Send a message, ship these guys out of town. Prove to the fans that you're capable of putting together a winning team.

I agree that this has been completely overblown, specifically by the players. We're talking about football here. Yes, they are some of the strongest athletes in the United States. But they're playing football. A game. And the players are getting paid very well for it. Let's not act like their marching off to war here.

Thank you. It makes me feel better that there are sane individuals on this message board.

1. They have NO talent at SS. 2. He is part of a package that would make the trade more attractive. I didn't say it was a straight up trade for Whitner. Right now, his best value is in a trade. Why? Because Scott, Wilson, and Harris don't have value in a trade, but have significant value as safeties on this team.

Funny, I wonder where they think all of this "extra revenue" will be coming from? If ticket prices continue to rise, the fans won't even be able to pay season ticket prices for the 16 games that exist now. Whether the NFL likes it or not, their profits are subject to the ups and downs of the US economy. If everyone else is suffering, it's likely that they will too. Just like the stock market and housing prices, the league is not guaranteed to grow X percent every year. They should be concerned about retaining the good reputation and product that they currently have.

This is only if the league continues with the "status quo", where individual star players continue to raise the bar for the highest salary at their position by large percentages. To continue on that path is unsustainable, and it threatens the longevity of the league. It's like saying housing prices will keep going up at a huge rate every year. Eventually the bubble bursts when owners can no longer afford to pay the bill. The league needs to start worrying about this sooner than later.

We happen to have quite a few safeties. One in particular might be valuable to the Chargers. Donte Whitner is that player. I have no problem at all going into this season with Byrd, Scott, Wilson, and Harris as our safeties. We're overloaded at the position to tell the truth, and if Nix can't recognize the value there he is sleeping at the wheel. Marcus McNeil is valuable to the Chargers as well. But, if we sent them Whitner, Bell/Meredith, and a draft pick we can get the deal done. They also recently signed Tra Thomas, so they have insurance at the position. As long as we can sign McNiel to a long term deal, we can get this done.

I think you're right. Regardless of the people that say "he's the best CB in the league, he should get paid like one", or "what's wrong with a guy wanting to get paid what he's worth?". It will be a bad thing if it happens. The league needs to step up and keep a salary cap in place that is enforceable. If Goodell wants to maintain level competition, he needs to do this. We don't need the NFL to become the MLB or NBA. The Yankees and Red Sox have a ridiculous advantage over other teams with the salaries they can pay players. They have team salaries of $208 million and $162 million respectively, while teams like the Pirates ($34 million), Padres ($37 million), A's ($51 million), and etc have to suffer. In the NBA, the Lakers ($91 million) and Celtics ($87 million) have the highest team salaries. SURPRISE!!! They were in the finals. And don't tell me team salaries don't matter. Teams with low salaries that win regularly are an ANOMOLY. Teams that constantly buy the best players have a chance every year. WE DON'T WANT THE NFL TO BECOME LIKE THIS. Once even competition goes out the window, so do the ratings. The NFL is great because teams like Green Bay, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Minnesota, New Orleans, and Arizona can win. And yes, even Buffalo once we've got a capable coach. It's not the players fault. If their peers are making big money, they deserve it too. But the league needs to set a salary cap, and make the penalty for going over it harsh. Without the small market teams, football isn't the same sport to me.

Are you people serious??? Find something better to do than nit pick at a guy that hasn't done a thing wrong in a long time. 1. Voluntary practices are indeed "voluntary". If they're not, then the team needs to change it's name to mandatory. 2. Yes, weddings do start on friday if you're a groomsman. It's called a rehearsal dinner. I think it's best if people stopped looking for reasons to run a guy out of town. Especially one of this team's only true star players. Let it go Bills fans.

HGH works miracles.

Way to go JP. Lookin great with that trimmed beard... http://www.seahawks.com/news/articles/arti...7a-dee6120daf2f http://blog.seahawks.com/2010/05/19/wednes...n-hawkville-21/

I don't understand why Thurman would criticize Marshawn. He himself had major issues with alcohol and marijuana, and now he's going after someone with the same issues?? What's the deal? Just because Thurman's Bills team had success, it doesn't forgive his bad decisions in life. These former players need to either support this team and its success or just stop talking all together.