In conclusion (until the off-season) on the Peters thang

[Pyrite Gal]

We seem to have pratfalled to a correct conclusion (its a pain that he missed a start but as we won with such a great performance Sunday no harm no foul from this fan's perspective). Like every NFL player, I tend to judge on how you did last week and what it means for this week so certainly until we Sunday I do not care and hope I am even more justified in ignoring the holdout after Sunday) on this holdout.

 

For TSW purposes, I think that a couple of things are worth observing:

 

1. I for one am very happy with given the fact that Peters/Parker made the decision I hated to hold out that they also chose to do it the way they did by not talking.

 

This likely would have been very bad if this holdout was conducted with a constant barrage of charges and counter charges in The Buff Snooze and on WGR. In fact, even if Peters/Parker and the Bills started out talking in a civil manner about this disupute, it likely would only have been a matter of time until someone from the media took some Bills or P/P comment out of context and started some pissing match.

 

It is clear now that there was nothing useful to be said to the public by either side and by announcing they were in the cone of silence, P/P not only cut the story off from any oxygen but also even made suspect anything a teammate said that Peters said that blah blah blah.

 

This is one fan who hopes that every single Bills who decides (usually stupidly IMHO) to mount a holdout and even to some degree folks like Evans who are in CBA sanctioned negotiation just simply go into a zone of silence rather than making remarks which are stupid (so is taking food out of my kids mouths) or we be interpreted (either correctly or falsely) as being something stupid.

 

IMHO the ruling thing is that even when there are thoughts that a player may be a total idiot the worse thing a player can do is open his mouth and confirm this. This Bills fan is pleased P/P simply shut up.

 

2. The conspiracy theories some on TSW were prominent in hatching that it is likely or there is even a reasonable fear that Peters groin tear was worse than reported give all appearances of being simply stupid.

 

The conspiracy theories seemed to me to make zero sense when they were spouted as by rule and practice all players before signing a new contract are subject to a due diligence medical evaluation. There was simply no advantage for Peters in going into his zone of silence since even if the Bills caved and gave him everything the contract would have been subject to him passing a medical.

 

In fact, even if he passed a physical examination but it turned out he could not perform at all on the field for mental or undetectable physical reasons, Peters would still be subject to lawsuit voiding the contract if he knew about some issue and fraudulently hid it.

 

The conspiracy theories made zero sense on their own before and appear even stupider with Jauron publicly saying his weight is less than last year and his bodyfar is smaller.

 

3. Perhaps the vilest most stupid rants on TSW were those which claimed Peters was a Mike Williams like fat tub of good sitting at home eating brownies. It can happen certainly, but there was no evidence either subjective or objective to make this case. Folks who trotted this out can say or not say whatever they want, but unless they are willing to at least man-up and admit they were WRONG WRONG WRONG they deserve any wisecrack anyone wants to make about their future posts.

 

4. Ironically, I think the Bills are better off having gone through this stupid exercise.

 

We will know more for sure when Peters takes the field and it is to be hoped that we see him resume the Pro Bowl qualifying level of play against Jax that he delivered in 15 games last year.

 

However, as the pre-season started, the biggest question I had (far bigger than what amounts to a far better QB situation than that faced by other opponents in reality-see NE if you want an example) was the question of OL depth. I liked a starting 5 which had played together 15 games with 4 of 5 positions having an unprecedented 16 starts. As far as quality, this crew consisted of the correctly well-respected (though still overpaid but what NFL starter isn't) Dockery,

 

2. the much maligned but much improved IMHO Fowler (I was rooting for us to draft him way back when and the big question I had when we got him was injuries and 16 starts two seasons in a row answers this question for me- he is far from perfect as he has not led the team to being able to impose push in short yardage, but he is a true athlete giving us a center capable of pulling and he is still young so I am pleased

 

3. the impressive Brad Butler who was actually a first day talent draft choice whom we stole on the second day because he lost his head once in college.

 

4. Walker simply sucked as an LT in Oak but in his time here has proven to be a solid RT

 

5. Our best OL player is in fact the UDFA TE Peters who simply is a franchise talent IMHO.

 

However, the depth behind this starting 5 was more than questionable with Whittle's age and Preston's failed attempts to start at RG being the best we had to offer.

 

However, the holdout has demonstrated with proof on the field that:

 

A. Walker has much improved as a player and actually gives us a credible LT if Peters were to go down as he did in game 16 last year.

B. Chambers is not ready for LT (yet?) However, his RT performance Sunday was against a quality rusher Kenny and he often took him on his own without having to shift the blocking his way. Giving up one sack to Kenny is not bad and actually he is reported by folks who know this game a bit better than us mere fans to have taken away his patented spin move that produced a bit over a sack a game for him last year and made their run D a bit imposing.

 

I feel far better about our plan B OL situation with Chambers being credibly able to allow for manning a loss on either side and having Whittle available at LG (or RG if pressed) and having Preston available at RG (or his natural position of C if need be).

 

Overall, I fault both Peters and the Bills for not getting a deal done, but given the reality that they did not I feel so much more confident about our OL depth situation having lived through the holdout.

 

Full speed ahead!

[The Senator]

We seem to have...

 

...lived through the holdout.

 

Full speed ahead!

Fixed.