Leonidas Posted August 17, 2009 Posted August 17, 2009 That was a fun story to write, and it came to be in a weird way. I actually wrote it a year ago for the Palm Beach Post, but it never ran because they waited for a good spot to run it last summer and then I left for ESPN. The paper became uncomfortable about printing a story by a writer who was employed somewhere else, so they returned it to me to use as I wished. I'd forgotten about it until recently and was inspired by the Hall of Fame. So I updated it with a call to Scott Player (I'd been unable to reach him when I wrote it the first time) and another call to the NFL for an official ruling on the helmet. I rewrote the first third of it to include the Hall of Fame scene, but this probably should be considered the last story I ever wrote for a newspaper. This is a reminder that I was a much better writer then ... Tim, I wore a single-bar facemask when I kicked for a semi-pro team in 2007, I'm sure you're going to want my input. I'll wait for your call...
LABills08 Posted August 17, 2009 Posted August 17, 2009 Tim, Not sure if this question has been asked yet, though I can imagine it has been brought up at some point. In short, what is the story on Maybin? Reports came out last week that he was close to signing, but the Bills have been very quiet regarding the negotiations. Clearly it is typical for teams to stay mum about on-going negotiations, but this situation seems unique to me in that there seems to be NO urgency on the part of the Bills to get the job done. Normally, you at least hear coaches or the FO discussing how strongly they want the player in camp, but I have heard little come out from the Bills publicly about Maybin. What is the word and should Bills fans be concerned either about Maybin signing before the start of the season or about how productive he will be after missing the first month of camp?
BeastMode54 Posted August 17, 2009 Posted August 17, 2009 Tim, to reiterate the previous post, please give us some info on Maybin. I'm dying here. This holdout is killing me. Anymore ime missed and his season could be lost.
TimGraham Posted August 18, 2009 Posted August 18, 2009 Tim, to reiterate the previous post, please give us some info on Maybin. I'm dying here. This holdout is killing me. Anymore ime missed and his season could be lost. I'm in the dark a little on this one. I had a source who was keeping me apprised, but he has gone silent on me. But I'm working on it.
EC-Bills Posted August 18, 2009 Posted August 18, 2009 I'm in the dark a little on this one. I had a source who was keeping me apprised, but he has gone silent on me. But I'm working on it. I hear Twinkies or doughnuts can be helpful in getting information...
BeastMode54 Posted August 18, 2009 Posted August 18, 2009 I'm in the dark a little on this one. I had a source who was keeping me apprised, but he has gone silent on me. But I'm working on it. Thanks! Look forward to hearing some news.
Mickey Posted August 18, 2009 Posted August 18, 2009 Tim, Not sure if this question has been asked yet, though I can imagine it has been brought up at some point. In short, what is the story on Maybin? Reports came out last week that he was close to signing, but the Bills have been very quiet regarding the negotiations. Clearly it is typical for teams to stay mum about on-going negotiations, but this situation seems unique to me in that there seems to be NO urgency on the part of the Bills to get the job done. Normally, you at least hear coaches or the FO discussing how strongly they want the player in camp, but I have heard little come out from the Bills publicly about Maybin. What is the word and should Bills fans be concerned either about Maybin signing before the start of the season or about how productive he will be after missing the first month of camp? Hopefully the team learned a lesson from the Peters fiasco that they should keep their mouths shut about these negotiations which are hard enough without getting the fans involved and taking sides.
The Dean Posted August 18, 2009 Posted August 18, 2009 Hopefully the team learned a lesson from the Peters fiasco that they should keep their mouths shut about these negotiations which are hard enough without getting the fans involved and taking sides. That's true enough. And to think I just insulted you in another thread. I'm so conflicted.
The Senator Posted August 18, 2009 Posted August 18, 2009 That's true enough. And to think I just insulted you in another thread. I'm so conflicted. Well, he did take crayonz bait - hook, line, and sinker!
Mickey Posted August 19, 2009 Posted August 19, 2009 Well, he did take crayonz bait - hook, line, and sinker! That is only because I had never read any of his posts before, and for that, I count myself lucky. When did he start fishing here??
The Senator Posted August 20, 2009 Posted August 20, 2009 That is only because I had never read any of his posts before, and for that, I count myself lucky. When did he start fishing here?? About 4 years ago, I think.
Tortured Soul Posted August 23, 2009 Posted August 23, 2009 Looks like this thread has gone into hibernation... Is there any chance at this point that the Bills' opening day O line will not be Walker-Levitre-Hangartner-Wood-Butler if all the players are healthy? Are they not comfortable starting Bell and maybe juggling some pieces? Also, any updates on your father? I know what you're going through right now.
2020 Our Year For Sure Posted August 24, 2009 Posted August 24, 2009 Tim, with Schobel's injury, I'm curious as to who gets the majority of the first team snaps in that spot. In the past it would've been Kelsay and Denney on either side, but with the way Copeland Bryan has looked in the preseason, I'm hoping they use this as an opportunity to get a look at him against starting linemen. If you could give us some word on this as it develops, that'd be amazing. Thanks Tim.
Beerball Posted August 24, 2009 Posted August 24, 2009 Hey Mr. Graham, long time listener, first time questioner. Do you think that anyone currently on the Bills roster will have a bigger part in their success v failure than Ataefiok Etukeren? Thanks, I'll take your answer on the air.
jahnyc Posted August 26, 2009 Posted August 26, 2009 Tim, Thanks for all of the great info. We very much appreciate it. Any insight into whether Trent Edwards and TO have developed any kind of a rapport (on the field and/or off the field)? Have not heard many comments about Trent from TO. It also seems that Lee Evans has been somewhat tepid in his comments about Trent recently. Any sense of that relationship, or Trent's relationship with the players on offense in general?
Haven Moses Posted August 26, 2009 Posted August 26, 2009 Timbo, Notice that if you give up Patron you can lose a lot of weight like LenDale White. Secondly, I think that sometimes too much focus is put on the head coach and coordinators and not enough on position coaches. Am I wrong to think that our new D Line coach will make a significant difference in our defense's play this year?
K-9 Posted August 28, 2009 Posted August 28, 2009 Just saw in Lori's post below the mention of an illness in your family. Just wanted let you know that thoughts and prayers are with you along with all hopes for a full, speedy, recovery.
Beerball Posted August 28, 2009 Posted August 28, 2009 Just saw in Lori's post below the mention of an illness in your family. Just wanted let you know that thoughts and prayers are with you along with all hopes for a full, speedy, recovery. Ditto, had no idea.
Estro Posted August 29, 2009 Posted August 29, 2009 Tim, If Bell gets the nod at LT at some point this season, does Langston Walker move to RT or does he go to the bench? My assumption would be they move him back to RT, but that will obviously shuffle things up on the interior of the line no?
TimGraham Posted August 29, 2009 Posted August 29, 2009 Tim, If Bell gets the nod at LT at some point this season, does Langston Walker move to RT or does he go to the bench? My assumption would be they move him back to RT, but that will obviously shuffle things up on the interior of the line no? There certainly would be a domino effect, but I'm not privy to thinking on who would be shuffled. Many are saying just move Walker back to right tackle and Butler back to right guard. But then Wood needs to be moved, too.
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