Estro Posted March 14, 2012 Posted March 14, 2012 (edited) Look you have to give Nix and the Bills credit for what they did today. They made an aggressive pursuit of 2 guys that would help our football team now. Meachem the lesser known guy, would've been a solid addition, but it's pretty clear what his intentions were. I mean the guy had a contract all sewn up with the Chargers within 30-60 minutes of dining with the Bills brass. He clearly wanted to be a Charger and only used the Bills to make sure the money was going to be right in San Diego. When it comes to Williams, by all reports, the Bills are doing everything they can. Had the plane down there ready and waiting. 1st visit, and reportedly ponying up the most cash. If they sign him it'd be a gigantic signing for the franchise and if he decides to sign elsewhere I think the fanbase as a whole will not only be dissapointed, but pretty irritated. You can't really blame Nix though can you? He can't force Mario to sign the contract, and Mario may really covet playing for a team that's had more success under a similar $$$ deal. I'm a little surprised Buddy came on so hot and heavy about how aggressive they'd be in free agency, though. Clearly they seemed confident that they'd sign these two guys, and I appreciate the confidence, but they certainly set themselves up for a meltdown if they both sign elsewhere (which Meachem already has). It'd probably been a bit smarter to not talk it up so much, so if they do swing and miss, they don't face as much heat from the media and fans in general. I'm still holding out hope something gets worked out in the AM, but once word broke he'd be visitng elsewhere I put the chances of him signing elsewhere at 85%. It's not looking good, but I'm not going to hold it against Buddy. I'm still a big believer in Nix as the captain of the ship, regardless of where Mario Williams ends up. Edited March 14, 2012 by Estro
smuvtalker Posted March 14, 2012 Posted March 14, 2012 I share your sentiments...but as so many other posters have pointed out, it just seems like they use the Bills as the bargaining point to drive up their price, with no real intention of ever signing with us. I really really hope that we pull off this Mario Williams deal, but seeing as though he came and left without a deal getting done, I fear the same old song will be played...but yes, at least Buddy and co are trying..
thepizzaking Posted March 14, 2012 Posted March 14, 2012 He hasn't left yet, and his next visit isn't scheduled until Thursday.
Danny Posted March 14, 2012 Posted March 14, 2012 I've been pretty adamant that the Bills would not sign Mario. That even if they threw the money at him he would not want to sign here. I'm not even sure once you crunch the numbers that he would be worth what they were sacrificing to get him. But when the time came Nix and co. Stepped up big and did all they could to get this guy. If he goes to Buffalo great. If he doesn't then at least we know for sure that the FO is in it to win it. The OP has it right, you can't blame Nix if people just don't want to play in Buffalo.
LGB Posted March 14, 2012 Posted March 14, 2012 Just because Nix flew down to pick up Williams does not mean he is a great GM. The ability to actually improve the team as a whole should be the measure of a good GM. Reality check: this will likely be the last year of CHIX - if there are no signs of improvement. Just look at the last few Bills staffs that are shown the exit after three years. Mario might be a great addition to the Bills, but at what cost when there are so many other needs. This might turn out to be a big PR move that was made - because the bottom line is if nobody is signed: that is not "gittin' it done Buddy".
bmur66 Posted March 14, 2012 Posted March 14, 2012 Nothing wrong with sleeping on it. I hope he had nice dreams.
thewildrabbit Posted March 14, 2012 Posted March 14, 2012 Dick Jauron went after TE Tony Gonzalez and instead Tony chose Atlanta. Does that make Jauron great because he saw a hole and tried to fill it with a proven commodity? I'm not giving Nix credit for failing. I can recall this Bills FO stating that they were going to hire a top HC and money was no object after they fired Jauron, they were gonna spend 10 million if that's what it takes. Remember that? They even flew in Mike Shanahan and Bill Cowher and spoke with both, what happened? You can't make top players / coaches want to come to a loser.
xsoldier54 Posted March 14, 2012 Posted March 14, 2012 Not too upset about Meacham going to San Diego although he would have been a nice addition. The fact that Williams did not sign last night tells me that he probably won't. So once again, we come up short. Too bad as signing Williams would have been huge.
Dorkington Posted March 14, 2012 Posted March 14, 2012 Trying matters much less than actual signing. I appreciate trying, but in the end it doesn't help our team. Hopefully we can attract *someone*.
Toshiero Posted March 14, 2012 Posted March 14, 2012 Look you have to give Nix and the Bills credit for what they did today. They made an aggressive pursuit of 2 guys that would help our football team now. Meachem the lesser known guy, would've been a solid addition, but it's pretty clear what his intentions were. I mean the guy had a contract all sewn up with the Chargers within 30-60 minutes of dining with the Bills brass. He clearly wanted to be a Charger and only used the Bills to make sure the money was going to be right in San Diego. When it comes to Williams, by all reports, the Bills are doing everything they can. Had the plane down there ready and waiting. 1st visit, and reportedly ponying up the most cash. If they sign him it'd be a gigantic signing for the franchise and if he decides to sign elsewhere I think the fanbase as a whole will not only be dissapointed, but pretty irritated. You can't really blame Nix though can you? He can't force Mario to sign the contract, and Mario may really covet playing for a team that's had more success under a similar $$$ deal. I'm a little surprised Buddy came on so hot and heavy about how aggressive they'd be in free agency, though. Clearly they seemed confident that they'd sign these two guys, and I appreciate the confidence, but they certainly set themselves up for a meltdown if they both sign elsewhere (which Meachem already has). It'd probably been a bit smarter to not talk it up so much, so if they do swing and miss, they don't face as much heat from the media and fans in general. I'm still holding out hope something gets worked out in the AM, but once word broke he'd be visitng elsewhere I put the chances of him signing elsewhere at 85%. It's not looking good, but I'm not going to hold it against Buddy. I'm still a big believer in Nix as the captain of the ship, regardless of where Mario Williams ends up. Bull crap. Hell a team can bring who they want to dinner that means crap, MONEY and what they are saying is the key to getting them. Apparently we weren't able to do that with Meachum
Danny Posted March 14, 2012 Posted March 14, 2012 Just so we are clear... Who is calling Nix "a great gm" on this thread? Dick Jauron went after TE Tony Gonzalez and instead Tony chose Atlanta. Does that make Jauron great because he saw a hole and tried to fill it with a proven commodity? I'm not giving Nix credit for failing. I can recall this Bills FO stating that they were going to hire a top HC and money was no object after they fired Jauron, they were gonna spend 10 million if that's what it takes. Remember that? They even flew in Mike Shanahan and Bill Cowher and spoke with both, what happened? You can't make top players / coaches want to come to a loser. So what exactly are you saying?
thepizzaking Posted March 14, 2012 Posted March 14, 2012 Bull crap. Hell a team can bring who they want to dinner that means crap, MONEY and what they are saying is the key to getting them. Apparently we weren't able to do that with Meachum So you would have given Meachem what SD gave him? Really? Until SD realized VJax was gone, our offer was obviously topping the rest of the league. SD is desperate and made a panic signing. I'm glad we didn't pay him 7 a year, that's ridiculous.
Toshiero Posted March 14, 2012 Posted March 14, 2012 So you would have given Meachem what SD gave him? Really? Until SD realized VJax was gone, our offer was obviously topping the rest of the league. SD is desperate and made a panic signing. I'm glad we didn't pay him 7 a year, that's ridiculous. Keep up with the excuses you guys give to OBD. Funny thing is we can just sign williams, still be lacking as a team and people will be screaming everything is great and wonderful!
judman Posted March 14, 2012 Posted March 14, 2012 Nix needs to dig deep and find his inner Deniro, ala Casino, 1995 (Insert M. Williams for Ichikawa) It's a whale like K.K. Ichikawa... who plays $30,000 a hand in baccarat... that's the one you really gotta watch. He plays fast and big and he has the cash and the credit... to turn out your lights. About a year ago he cleaned out a couple of casinos in the Cayman Islands. Downstairs he takes us for two million... and upstairs he takes free soap, shampoo and towels. Another billionaire cheapskate who loved his free rooms... free private jets and two million of our money. But we got him back. I had our pilot tell him the plane was on the fritz. I don't know what the hell went wrong. I'm awfully sorry. I can't understand it. These mechanical things, you know they happen. Hey, but better here than up there, you know what I mean. Then he missed the commercial flights connecting with Japan. I can't believe that there's a convention; there's no room. We got him back with a whole floor of rooms to himself. I'm sorry you missed your plane. Glad to get to know you. Oh, no. No gambling. And once he was back, he played small. He bet 1,000 a hand, instead of his usual 30,000 a hand. ...to the bank with a natural lead over a five. But I knew the trick with whales like Ichikawa... was that they can't bet small for long. He didn't think of it as winning 10,000... he thought of it as losing 90,000. So, he upped his bets. Until he dropped his winnings back and gave up a million of his own cash. In the casino, the cardinal rule is to keep them playing... and keep them coming back. The longer they play, the more they lose. In the end, we get it all.
thepizzaking Posted March 14, 2012 Posted March 14, 2012 Keep up with the excuses you guys give to OBD. Funny thing is we can just sign williams, still be lacking as a team and people will be screaming everything is great and wonderful! You didn't answer the question. Would you pay Meacham what we just paid Stevie essentially for mediocre production in an NFL record breaking passing offense? Would you?
BobChalmers Posted March 14, 2012 Posted March 14, 2012 Bull crap. Hell a team can bring who they want to dinner that means crap, MONEY and what they are saying is the key to getting them. Apparently we weren't able willing to do that with Meachum SD was desperate because they didn't do what the Bills already did - SIGN THEIR OWN GUY! They overpaid. Bills didn't think Meachem was worth that much.
thepizzaking Posted March 14, 2012 Posted March 14, 2012 SD was desperate because they didn't do what the Bills already did - SIGN THEIR OWN GUY! They overpaid. Bills didn't think Meachem was worth that much. Exactly, and the choice NOT to overpay in an area where we're not as desperate (versus our pathetic pass rush) is as savvy a move as signing him for a reasonable price would have been.
Bill from NYC Posted March 14, 2012 Posted March 14, 2012 I'm still holding out hope something gets worked out in the AM, but once word broke he'd be visitng elsewhere I put the chances of him signing elsewhere at 85%. It's not looking good, but I'm not going to hold it against Buddy. Neither will I. There is only so much a GM can do to convince a man to sign a contract. It's hard for me to understand some players. He could have signed a piece of paper last night and been guaranteed 49 million dollars? Is this the report? I would be afraid of breaking my ankle, or getting hit by a car, on the way to visit another team. He would make our defense one to be reckoned with too. Dareus, who is just a kid and already very good, would benefit the most. And imo MW would gain from lining up with him. One more thing. We often beat each other up here, but Bills fans are truly great, devoted fans. He would become an instant hero. Again, I'm having trouble grasping the mindset of leaving 49 million guaranteed on the table. I suppose this is part of the reason I am just a working man.
BigBuff423 Posted March 14, 2012 Posted March 14, 2012 Look you have to give Nix and the Bills credit for what they did today. They made an aggressive pursuit of 2 guys that would help our football team now. Meachem the lesser known guy, would've been a solid addition, but it's pretty clear what his intentions were. I mean the guy had a contract all sewn up with the Chargers within 30-60 minutes of dining with the Bills brass. He clearly wanted to be a Charger and only used the Bills to make sure the money was going to be right in San Diego. When it comes to Williams, by all reports, the Bills are doing everything they can. Had the plane down there ready and waiting. 1st visit, and reportedly ponying up the most cash. If they sign him it'd be a gigantic signing for the franchise and if he decides to sign elsewhere I think the fanbase as a whole will not only be dissapointed, but pretty irritated. You can't really blame Nix though can you? He can't force Mario to sign the contract, and Mario may really covet playing for a team that's had more success under a similar $$$ deal. I'm a little surprised Buddy came on so hot and heavy about how aggressive they'd be in free agency, though. Clearly they seemed confident that they'd sign these two guys, and I appreciate the confidence, but they certainly set themselves up for a meltdown if they both sign elsewhere (which Meachem already has). It'd probably been a bit smarter to not talk it up so much, so if they do swing and miss, they don't face as much heat from the media and fans in general. I'm still holding out hope something gets worked out in the AM, but once word broke he'd be visitng elsewhere I put the chances of him signing elsewhere at 85%. It's not looking good, but I'm not going to hold it against Buddy. I'm still a big believer in Nix as the captain of the ship, regardless of where Mario Williams ends up. I agree the premise of your post....Nix said they'd be aggressive, and they have been. Bringing in Mario from the very start and in fact to be the very first team to host him and willing to pay the money shows Nix is a man of his word. As you stated, you can't force MW to sign the contract, all you can do is put your best foot forward and hope he sees the value in both the money and the organization. What the alternative plan would be from here, only the BILLS FO truly knows but kudos to them for really making an effort, not just going through the motions to placate the public. As for WR, as others said Doucet and Manningham are good talented players and would add depth to the roster. That's not to say the BILLS wouldn't still draft a good, promising WR but I think with Parrish most likely leaving, adding another WR via FA is necessary.
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