DrDawkinstein Posted December 15, 2011 Posted December 15, 2011 I figured that Steve Johnson was gone after the Jets fiasco. After that game, Buffalo's front office guys had all their excuses lined up on why he wasn't worth a big contract. He drops passes. He doesn't have his head in the game. Etc, etc.... I'm fully expecting the Bills to publicly announce after the season that they "tried" to give Johnson a fair offer, then let him test free agency - where he will promptly sign with someone else. Smart fans will realize that we just let one of the league's top 15-20 receivers walk. There will also be morons who will support the Bills every move, saying idiotic crap like "he's not a #1 receiver" and "he doesn't have high character." Our starting receivers next year will then be David Nelson and Donald Jones. Im often referred to as a kool-aid drinker or even Pollyanna for supporting the FO around here. But if we let Stevie walk, I will be very pissed off. However, I said the same thing about Poz (and even Whitner), and we were able to replace them (Sheppard/Barnett, Wilson/Searcy). But my first belief is to re-sign your top talent (SJ) and replace the bottom guys (Parrish?).
Kevin Posted December 15, 2011 Posted December 15, 2011 Why not just get a deal done? There is plenty of cap space, and according to JW's article Stevie told the AP that he requested an average of 9 mil a year. If they franchise him it would be 10 mil. They'd be saving money by signing him. Unless they have no interest in signing him at all. Hmm?
DrDawkinstein Posted December 15, 2011 Posted December 15, 2011 Why not just get a deal done? There is plenty of cap space, and according to JW's article Stevie told the AP that he requested an average of 9 mil a year. If they franchise him it would be 10 mil. They'd be saving money by signing him. Unless they have no interest in signing him at all. Hmm? Which is exactly why I posted this: I also wouldnt read much into this story. It's a classic move for players to "negotiate in the media" when they dont get all the money they want. Stevie gets to put it out there that "I'm not asking for much, and I really want to stay" and raise his image, while making the FO look stingy. Truth is, we have no idea what has been discussed or how far apart they really are.
Delete This Account Posted December 15, 2011 Posted December 15, 2011 You Franchise him and get a deal done by 2013. You cant bleed off your top talent and expect to rebuild a team. And if you look at the Bills roster, you definitely cant let your top WR walk away. Im not saying break the bank, or pay him Fitzgerald money, but you have to get a deal done. DD and all who are speculating on a tag: at this point i'm being told -- and it's noted in the story -- a tag is unlikely. jw
Nostradamus Posted December 15, 2011 Posted December 15, 2011 (edited) Here's the AP story the OP might be referring to: Johnson ponders future in Buffalo after talks break down jw I think the Bills realize how much their legitimacy as an NFL organization is in question. Speaking for myself, as a long time season ticket holder, if they don't resign Stevie that would be my final straw in deciding to renew next year. By drafting a guy, developing him, and then letting him walk, they would be essentially conceding that they are in fact a minor league outfit playing in the big leagues. This seems like the more plausible scenario, and yes, I realize it's written by a guy whose journalistic ethics are very much in question. Still, as inept as they are at attracting free agents to come to Buffalo, I can't fathom that they would create another huge hole on a roster already full of them. Edited December 15, 2011 by Nostradamus
Nostradamus Posted December 15, 2011 Posted December 15, 2011 pardon me? jw I was referring to my link, a piece written by Patrick Moran that states Johnson would likely be franchised. Sorry for any confusion.
Delete This Account Posted December 15, 2011 Posted December 15, 2011 I was referring to my link, a piece written by Patrick Moran that states Johnson would likely be franchised. Sorry for any confusion. no, i know. i misread it. no worries. sorry. that said, i think the tag is unlikely from what i'm being told. jw
BADOLBILZ Posted December 15, 2011 Posted December 15, 2011 Apparently Nix has rejected Steve Johnson's last contract proposal. What happens if we don't sign this guy. That puts us in a situation where we will need two starting WR next year along with major starters needed at LB, DE and at CB. Not to mention that they seriously need more depth at almost every position. If they don't fill some needs during free agency and resign some of there key players, this team is two or three drafts from contending. Gailey says they need 10-12 starters and they may need a few more if they don't sign some of their key free agents. Then you couple that with the fact the Cuomo won't commit any money to improving the stadium and this team looks done. Three straight blacked out home games this year along with two or three years more of rebuilding. More black out games to occur in the next two years based on this lousy product and this team looks primed for a move to Toronto or LA. My take is this: If you are a team that reaches early in the draft and you subsequently end up assembling a roster that lacks stars.....which is what happens when you do that.....then you owe it to the fans to pay the best players you have like your stars. It's punishment for your douchebaggery on draft day and at least you don't bone the fans twice by not drafting well and then letting the better players leave because you don't think they match up to some ideal standard..........a standard that you have proven that your talent evaluators can't even meet despite picking early in the draft for like a dozen years in a row. If you can't be with the one you love then love the one you're with instead of jerkin off and wondering why you ain't makin' no babies. I will give Buddy the benefit of the doubt that he will get him signed or franchised but you can't let him walk for nothing. No more of that ****.
marauderswr80 Posted December 15, 2011 Posted December 15, 2011 Same old story for ralph and the bills.....finding ways NOT to keep talented players! This in itself tells me what ralphs all about....stealing from us fans....he can't go to hell fast enough! And please save the (he's the reason we have a team in buffalo)....its the fans who have continued to use their hard earned to keep this team here.....samme old crap with this crap of a franchise....
JOE IN HAMPTON ROADS Posted December 15, 2011 Posted December 15, 2011 My take is this: If you are a team that reaches early in the draft and you subsequently end up assembling a roster that lacks stars.....which is what happens when you do that.....then you owe it to the fans to pay the best players you have like your stars. Another selfish fan with no consideration for ownership. Again, how can you expect the franchise to stay $20 milliion under the cap if you price experienced players to the market?
silvermike Posted December 15, 2011 Posted December 15, 2011 no, i know. i misread it. no worries. sorry. that said, i think the tag is unlikely from what i'm being told. jw Thanks for the update. It'd make sense, given that Stevie is apparently asking for the tag number, and they'd give it to him if they were going to tag him. I wonder what other teams think he's worth right now.
Ramius Posted December 15, 2011 Posted December 15, 2011 You mean none of you guys are looking forward to Derek Hagan and Donald Jones as our #1/2 WRs next season? If the Bills let Stevie walk, its going to be hard to take anything they do seriously. There's simply no way they can spin it.
BuffaloBillsMagic1 Posted December 15, 2011 Posted December 15, 2011 We will use our 1st round pick on Blackmon or next best receiver and the hamster wheel continues. Keep drafting to replace good players instead or re-signing the good ones.
Wilson's Ears Posted December 15, 2011 Posted December 15, 2011 none of this really matters bc ralph still owns the team...!!!
Miyagi-Do Karate Posted December 15, 2011 Posted December 15, 2011 I'm not too worried--seems like typical negotiating and posturing. As JW reported, if SJ is asking for mid-tier #1 money, then I can't believe we're far from a deal point. The Bills traded away Evans with the very idea of making SJ the #1; they're not going to let him walk.
BADOLBILZ Posted December 15, 2011 Posted December 15, 2011 You mean none of you guys are looking forward to Derek Hagan and Donald Jones as our #1/2 WRs next season? If the Bills let Stevie walk, its going to be hard to take anything they do seriously. There's simply no way they can spin it. I think the final straw must wrap the earth a thousand times because they've been pulling on it for about 6 years now.
Big Turk Posted December 15, 2011 Posted December 15, 2011 the cycle of letting our good players walk as free agents and constant rebuilding will continue... no team can afford to let players they have drafted, developed, and helped create walk to the degree the Bills have been willing to do it year after year...even good teams would have an issue, but with a team that already sucks, it becomes an endless cycle...
Lurker Posted December 15, 2011 Posted December 15, 2011 I'm pretty sure they can lose without him. Build the defense, receivers as good as Brandon Lloyd are available every year for low draft picks. Don't get distracted by fringe players when you trenches are leaky. 2 pass rushers, 1 Ilb, and 1 OT. The rest I don't care.... Stevie Johnson is a nice player, but he's 1 great catch (per game) away from being a great player. Thanks for writing my post for me...
BADOLBILZ Posted December 15, 2011 Posted December 15, 2011 I'm pretty sure they can lose without him. I don't know, you might be going out on a limb on that one.
janicks Posted December 15, 2011 Posted December 15, 2011 Honestly, I have liked Stevie since we drafted him...however, I just don't see him as a top tier #1 WR in this league. He struggles with being pressed at the line, is more of a finesse WR, doesn't go up and get balls, is literally invisible way too often in games, and most importantly makes too many drops and critical mistakes. To be honest, his play on the field reminds me a lot of Peerless who was much better suited as the #2 guy than a true #1. So, if he wants top 5 WR money, then I say pass...if he wants a contract that is more reasonable then get er done He is, without a doubt, the #1 WR on the Bills, and I can't think of a team who has a worse #2 paired with their #1 WR than the Bills do (and I like Nelson). He is the WR that gets all the attention. Also, he and Fitz seem to have great chemistry. And by the way, did you see what he did to Revis, most experts' best cornerback? He absolutely torched him. He is the second best player on the offense, behind Freddy, and I'm scared to imagine the dropoff in production for this offense without him. And why, on this board of all places, where every other post seems to be a "Ralph is cheap" post, would anyone care how much he is paid? The Bills have the cap room. Its not our money. And contracts aren't guaranteed, so he can be cut at anytime. This isn't the NBA where one overpay will kill you. To me, SJ is a must sign. Franchise him if need be.
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