K-9 Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 Not that Polamolu isn't a great player, but he hasn't had a good season since 2011. Polamolu has played in 42 out of 64 games the last four seasons too -- he's missed about 1/3 of all Steelers games since 2009. Reed had a bad season last year too, if statistical analysis is to be believed. True, both have seen better days as players and are on the downside of their career tracks. That said, both of them redefined their respective positions. They were transcendent players at their positions. Byrd? Not so much. GO BILLS!!!
Homey D. Clown Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 I have said it in other threads, and I'll say it here.... next up is Alex Carrington, Parker's other client currently on our roster, time to bench him now and cut your losses while he has yet to develop into a good player. Let someone else grow into our system.
EasternOHBillsFan Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 Bring in the subject matter expert in Brian Urlacher to judge his faking ability!!!!!! I'm sorry, but at this point it is comical. Get this guy OUTTA HERE... no cancers like Flutie and Peters.
billsfan1959 Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 I know I am in a huge minority here, but I do not hate on Byrd for this situation. #1) I think the team and Byrd and Parker have all been extremely professional to date. Seems to me, no negotiating in the press by either side...everything seems to be kept between the parties. # 2) this trade request is a rumor at best. What if the Bills are the ones putting out feelers to gauge value? #3) agree with Dave..sucks to be the player tagged...and if I am Jarius I am going for every last penny . I know the CBA gives the team this right, just sucks when you see other people getting long term security and not you. #) I am prolly only person here does not believe he is faking injury My position here is that the Franchise Tag is part of the equation, whether players like it or not. It is not as if Byrd did not have any choice in this matter. He did. He could have chosen to accept what ever offer the bills made, in which case he would have received his signing bonus and long term deal. Or he could have chosen not to. Byrd chose not to accept the offer. He also knew at the time of his decision, it would mean signing and playing under the one year tag or sitting out the season - or until he got traded. He then chose to sign and play for one year. There is no blame on either side because we do not know the details of the negotiations - and I have no ill will against him for making the decisions he made. However, once he made the decision to sign and play, he should have reported in time to learn the new system, get into playing shape, and be ready to play the opening game. I have no idea how serious his foot condition is. What I do see, is someone who wanted to take a purely business approach (which is his right) and then feel like it is personal when the organization does the same thing (which is their right). In the end, I see a player that has not been there for his teammates...and that is something I do have a problem with.
Chimp Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 Not that Polamolu isn't a great player, but he hasn't had a good season since 2011. Polamolu has played in 42 out of 64 games the last four seasons too -- he's missed about 1/3 of all Steelers games since 2009. Reed had a bad season last year too, if statistical analysis is to be believed. Dave - I wasn't trying to make a comparison to them now and Byrd now. What I was saying is that top safety money is a guy in that mold. I don't believe that Byrd is in that class. That's all.
dave mcbride Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 Dave - I wasn't trying to make a comparison to them now and Byrd now. What I was saying is that top safety money is a guy in that mold. I don't believe that Byrd is in that class. That's all. I don't disagree. Polamalu and Reed were both phenomenal at their peaks.
FLFan Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 My position here is that the Franchise Tag is part of the equation, whether players like it or not. It is not as if Byrd did not have any choice in this matter. He did. He could have chosen to accept what ever offer the bills made, in which case he would have received his signing bonus and long term deal. Or he could have chosen not to. Byrd chose not to accept the offer. He also knew at the time of his decision, it would mean signing and playing under the one year tag or sitting out the season - or until he got traded. He then chose to sign and play for one year. There is no blame on either side because we do not know the details of the negotiations - and I have no ill will against him for making the decisions he made. However, once he made the decision to sign and play, he should have reported in time to learn the new system, get into playing shape, and be ready to play the opening game. I have no idea how serious his foot condition is. What I do see, is someone who wanted to take a purely business approach (which is his right) and then feel like it is personal when the organization does the same thing (which is their right). In the end, I see a player that has not been there for his teammates...and that is something I do have a problem with. Exactly how I feel. As for the "news" that Parker is trying to orchestrate a trade, what exactly did anyone expect? This is his MO, and since it has worked with the Bills before, he is trying it again. This is more of a media story, and paranoia of the fans, than anything else right now, I think. I expect that when the bullets start flying Byrd will be on the field and playing hard. If not, you would have to seriously question his character, and I do not expect it. We will see. I have said it in other threads, and I'll say it here.... next up is Alex Carrington, Parker's other client currently on our roster, time to bench him now and cut your losses while he has yet to develop into a good player. Let someone else grow into our system. I did not realize that. Too bad. Good as gone, now that he finally seems to be ready to play to his potential.
seq004 Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 If Byrd and Parker believe he's the best safety in the NFL then the Bills should tell Parker to go find them a team that's willing to give them a 1st and a 3rd and they'll sign the trade agreement immediately. Certainly the best safety in the league is worth that right? Right there! Bingo.
K-9 Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 Exactly how I feel. As for the "news" that Parker is trying to orchestrate a trade, what exactly did anyone expect? This is his MO, and since it has worked with the Bills before, he is trying it again. This is more of a media story, and paranoia of the fans, than anything else right now, I think. I expect that when the bullets start flying Byrd will be on the field and playing hard. If not, you would have to seriously question his character, and I do not expect it. We will see. Agreed. I question the hell out of Parker and his tactics but until Byrd indicates he's putting himself before the team when he's between the lines, he gets all benefit of my doubt in the meantime. GO BILLS!!!
Nuncha Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 F him. Put him on IR and slap the tag on him again next year.
Mango Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 give me a 1st and change the year after and I will pull the trigger.
Rockinon Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 Nevertheless, the information – from an executive on another NFL club and another agent who is not employed by Byrd – lends credence to the uncomfortable situation that exists between the Bills and their Pro Bowl safety. I'm not buying it. I want hear Byrd acknowledge or deny this. Call him out coach Marone.
OGTEleven Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 The problem is the contract situation. You don't get Byrd cleanly, you get Byrd playing under a 1-year contract at $7M, which can't be negotiated until the end of the season, and you can't franchise him again without paying a huge tender. Maybe you want him for your 2013 run and it's worth it, but if you're thinking long term, you can just sign him without giving up a pick in the winter. Has a franchised player ever been traded after the July deadline? That is what makes it hard for me to understand why Parker or Byrd would demand a trade. Parker and the Bills have to know Byrd's trade value is low given the fact he can't get a new deal from anyone until year's end. If he were traded, why would Parker make any promises to the new team when he could negotiate with 32 teams once the season ended? Why would any new team promise not to franchise Byrd again? It would be the only leverage they have. For the trade partner, the major motivation would have to be a rental of a safety to put them over the top for this year. How many teams can be in a position to think that way about themselves before week one? If there is an injury to a safety for a team that is 4-1 and looking good I could see this changing, but that is a narrow field of potential teams and a narrow window of time. For Byrd, I'm not sure I understand the motivation unless Parker thinks he has a deal in place with a certain team (collusion?). Maybe he has a few teams about which he feels comfortable enough about the prospects for a deal. That seems to be taking a lot on faith. It almost seems like Byrd would be better off playing for the Bills and opening up the field wider for 2014 (via trade or FA), than giving some sort of gentleman's agreement to his new team. He can't expect any new team to promise not to use next year's franchise tag can he? On paper that is the only potential advantage to Byrd the new team could offer that is not already there with the Bills. The only exception to this I can see at all is a crazy one where Byrd has a specific team in mind. Did he grow up in San Diego when his dad was playing? I doubt it is about something like that. Clearing an immediate headache would be the only motivation I could see for the Bills trading Byrd, but if they do this they would be creating far bigger headaches down the road. Because Byrd can't negotiate with the new team, any draft pick would be too low (IMO). Again, only a wild scenario could make any sense. Is there another team with a player on a one year tender who would feel comfortable working with the Bills long term while Byrd went there and felt comfortable? I highly doubt that scenario. I don't think a trade makes logical sense at all to Byrd, the Bills, or the new team from a practical point of view. All of the above was my roundabout way of saying that this seems to have become about winning to both Parker and the Bills. I think the Bills have made their share of mistakes over time with how the organization has been run, but this is supposedly a new regime. On the field it certainly seems like a new feeling from the coach to the new QB and at least one potential superstar in Spiller. Off the field who knows, but I am rooting for the Bills to win this apparent battle with Parker. Losing it will eventually erode whatever progress they make on the field. I like Byrd and losing his full capabilities on the field in 2013 hurts (I in no way expect him to play hard for the Bills this year....it is Parker's only leverage against the CBA). I'd rather lose Byrd for one year than lose the ability to leverage the CBA and basic negotiating tactics for a long time, with any player.
microscopes Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 Its a business. I'm not mad at Byrd, I would love to have him on the team, more disappointed to hear something like this This isn't "just business". This is a KID with a lot of money that is clueless with an agent who is even more clueless. I own a business. This isn't business. This is foolishness.
Mango Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 Isn't their a clause where the Franchise Tag mandates two first round picks, or has that passed? Not sure. I thought maybe you could sign him to a long term deal then trade him, but we aren't allowed to do that now that the date has passed. Can somebody help me clear this up
GG Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 I don't think a trade makes logical sense at all to Byrd, the Bills, or the new team from a practical point of view. All of the above was my roundabout way of saying that this seems to have become about winning to both Parker and the Bills. I think the Bills have made their share of mistakes over time with how the organization has been run, but this is supposedly a new regime. On the field it certainly seems like a new feeling from the coach to the new QB and at least one potential superstar in Spiller. Off the field who knows, but I am rooting for the Bills to win this apparent battle with Parker. Losing it will eventually erode whatever progress they make on the field. I like Byrd and losing his full capabilities on the field in 2013 hurts (I in no way expect him to play hard for the Bills this year....it is Parker's only leverage against the CBA). I'd rather lose Byrd for one year than lose the ability to leverage the CBA and basic negotiating tactics for a long time, with any player. Woah, what curse of McLoughlin brought you out? I think the above doesn't get discussed much. What constitutes a win for each side? It's easy to gauge a win for the player/agent - to get the best long term contract. But what is a win for the team? Get the best contract from its side, or to build a winning program, knowing that sometimes you need to pay more than your comfort level?
NoSaint Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 I'm not buying it. I want hear Byrd acknowledge or deny this. Call him out coach Marone. behind closed doors they likely all know the answers. calling him out publicly for the fans is a questionable tactic at best. well the speculation drives me crazy - id rather it continue behind closed doors.
26CornerBlitz Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 Isn't their a clause where the Franchise Tag mandates two first round picks, or has that passed? Not sure. I thought maybe you could sign him to a long term deal then trade him, but we aren't allowed to do that now that the date has passed. Can somebody help me clear this up No long term deal for Byrd until next season with the Bills or any other team. The window has closed for this season.
qblax16 Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 We really need to keep our own draft picks... 2nd rounders that perform like 1st round talent is what we need to get competitive. We need to win some games, and then he'll be happy to be here and play through some pain. Lastly he needs to realize we drafted him and moved him to safety where he could be successful, so take top 5 safety $ and be happy. He would not have been a pro bowl corner.
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