bigc14120

The Jasper legions should be prepared for him to be on the practice squad most of the first year. But, that would be good imo....I think of the Stevie Johnson learning curve, and Jasper needs something like that to be a success (Stevie breaks out in year 3)

We still need a backup. I was amused at the reports of JP LOsman working out with Evans and some other Bills. I always wondered what JP would have done with good coaching, especially one of Chan's stature. Even if that could work to produce a competent backup, the fans would never give him a second chance, however. However, Brandon might just be stupid enough to try it if he would sign cheap. Where are all the calls for a second chance, like the Vick and Burress dramas. Still, JP has never shown "the head" to be a good QB...I wonder how he won that USFL championship with Fassel?

Yes, they voted for the last CBA, which had an "opt out" clause...which they chose to exercise. Nothing there that isn't above board and straight forward. As for opening the books, I would NOT in their case. The league books are intertwined with each owners personal finicial situation. None of the players business. This will come down to play on owners terms, its their football . (just like kids, only this time they will make it stick) Actually, I used that alternate form of business only as an example , I agee, that form is not likely. But, there are a multitude of other forms that would eliminate antitrust and labor laws mute. (For example, have third party employers, and make the players contract employees, not direct employees) I don't think that will happen either, but there are MANY alternate structure that may be considered here. Take a year to get to put together, but that initiative starts the day the season is canceled.

Well written, but I disagree with much that was said. First of all, the NFL has adopted a rule that no more ownership groups ala Green Bay will be allowed. If the players want to start their own league, using that ownership form, they have the right, anytime. Raise capital, get media contracts etc etc....but, they won't be using the NFL brand names. Maybe the Bills players will man up and invest their money in a new league franchaise, and we can watch football in another stadium whenever they choose to play.(Right!) Bottom line here...a bil;ion dollar franchaise should make at least 10% a year to be a viable business that is worth 1 Billion. No return, price goes down. Anyhow, I expect the owners, who opted out of the former deal, to hold out until they get a better deal...one or two seasons lost or not. I also believe that there are discussions among the owners about a different form of business. I read on this board one form of bueiness....a single corporation, with the current owners being shareholders. NFL brands could continue and not only players talent leveled via a draft, but front office talent would also be leveled. Bottom line...the US labor laws and antitrust laws help make this current mess wrt the pro football game. (the owners insistent on the players organizing...looney tunes!) I also think that this is the last great fight to have small market teams stay viable. We could have league contraction if some of these weak sister small market teams fold. (If the Bills stay here, they ARE a candidate, but the owner would sell before that happens)

Actually, thinking back through the memory banks, I was a season ticket holder when this last happened. 82? perhaps. And, season ticket holders, at that time, had the opportunity to opt out of the season as a whole. I did that, and then bought a couple of individual game tiakets. Those games were so bad in terms of play, that I then gave up on the season. I spent the rest of the money on a big dog, who I named GUS. (I was originally going to name him STRIKE)

Sabres? Certainly not planning that we would see a football game!!!You, sir, are incredibily premature in your planning.

I was at the first game. The Fish vs the Bills. Shameful display of football..about 15 penalities on each side, sloppy execution....just so they could take our money. If they do that again, I will never spend a dime again on pro football.

The stadium is NOT the issue, plenty of seats and boxes. The problem is whether the fan base will support ticket prices ala Toronto, New York or Dallas. In fact, the Bills franchase is worth more in a robust economic environment where ticket prices are 2 or 3 times what they are in Buffalo. (witness the NYC teams) Any owner (or potential owner) who keeps the franchase in Buffalo is suboptimizing their return on investment. Now some might do that with civic interest in mind (think Golasano, Jacobs, or Pagula) But most want maximum monetary return. (Think Snyder, Johnson, and others) Bottom line, the only way the Bills stay long term is if the fan base can support much higher ticket prices and profits. Otherwise, a new owner will move to a better return environment. Mr Wilson's comments about the loss of corporate headquarters in Buffalo reflects a concern about the ability to price his tickets. Now, as a secondary consideration, a new stadium would be nice, but would not save the team for WNY.

Well, there is always the ying and the yang of any debate. The US pro labor entitlement mentality is reflected here, along with some well thought out comments about the retirees that built the game. But, in the end, it will be whoever gives up because they can't stand the pain that will have to negotiate a settlement. I am betting on the owners winning, and it might take a lost season. We have been down this road before, and I hope they just cancel. The strike season of 3 decades ago was a joke, and I did ask and get my money back that year. Will do the same this year, no full season, no money from me....I, the customer, can also walk. The money talks, and the money walks. Never forget, the fan is the ultimate source of "the money" This is a three part discussion, but the fan is not often quoted in media.

Iremember Marv used to like smart players as well...brains and leadership!

Or Yabody or Florence!!!

Actually, we do need a third QB, and I like Stanzi...Kelly like, gunslinger. Actually, in the mode of Fitz in that regard as well. Stanzi for the second pick in the 4th if he is there!!!

Ok, I said this on one other thread, but I will say it one more time. RICKI STANZI played at Iowa, and I saw one game he played in where he started with 4 int's. But, he kept pitching, and finished with 5 TD drives to win the game. VERY Kelly like, IMO. I would say, if avail, at 4th rd say, why not. Iowa rose and fell on his presence, they went in the tank when he was hurt. This is a leader that can chuck it. He was not mentioned much in the run up, but was 4th rated QB in one ranking I saw. He might be a good value play. I alway like players with desire/heart. Can make up for lack of outstanding physical tools. (Jim Leonard comes to mind) I did not like Mallet on TV when I saw him.

Miller is apparently a great player, but his participation in a lawsuit with a potential employer with whom is not yet employed makes me leary of him. I smell troublemaker. Best to stay away from that dude in my view. So, I would be thrilled with Dareus...not so happy with a QB. QB's are about the head.....Newton isn't there...we don't need another Losman, who had a great arm and no head.

With Easley returning, we already have more than enough capable wide receivers, no chance we draft another in my view.

We need to draft a QB who will benefit from a couple of years on the bench behind Fitz (ala Aaron rodgers, but only two, not three years on the bench) Ricky Stanzi is not the big name discussed on this board (Iowa) But, I saw him throw 4 ints, and then 5 td's in the same game for Iowa to win, and I thought he was very "Kelly like" in the way he handles himself. QB is all about the head.....Stanzi has it, never stops chucking no matter what and believes. Losman didn't have the head, just the arm. Stanzi can be a lower round pickukp and fix that attrocious defense first.

Either give me a full season with a full preseason so the players and teams are ready, or give me my money back. I lived through the 80's fiasco...the Bills played Miami in "Rich" stadiu,/. I was there. One week of practice....the worst display of professional athletes I ever saw, and I was forced to pay for it. No quality football for about a month. I am saying, settle early, or send my money back. The product will be substandard if they do any partial season or partial preseason. And, don't give that bs about it will be the same for all teams....they will all play bad...and that is not what we pay for. We pay for great play...not punch the clock play. I don't have any problem with them striking forever or locking out forever, just don sell me garbage.

It seems to me the Moorman, our ALL PRO punter, had an off year due to injury. I expect him to regain his ALL PRO performace next year, if there is a season. I also expect, if he could not perform, he would call it a career. Integrity guy. All in all, my guess is, if the Bill draft the guy from Florida, it will be because Moorman tells/told the Bills his leg was not coming around. Just sayin...

Actually, $23.71 including tax. I just ordered one!

All this dialog about finicials, makes me want to say something here. First of all, there are three kinds (at least) of accounting. 1. finicial Accounting...the rules of the finicial Accounting Standards Board...this does not apply here...not a public entity...the teams are privately held. 2. Tax accounting. Yep, does apply, but may differ in the manner that business is accounted between teams. 3. Management accounting...the rules that any organization uses to keep track of the finicial results of a business.Varies by team for sure. Now, what have the players asked for....not clear based on news reports. Likely though, 2 and 3 vary by team...and there is no consolidated league finicial result that makes sense. So, you can't just add them up, as it were, without being likely misled to some extent. The third party method is designed to prevent the union from using embarrasing facts in the data to generate negative publicity about the owners of the teams. Did one owner have a daughter in the staff in a player scouting role? Yes, but, its his money, and he can extract value anyway he wants, as long as these type of entries are real...ie she really did scout. (she did in the example I am thinking of, and many of you know what example I am talking about) So, the league/managements offer of information was a good one, in my view...likely tax accounting...and would yet prevent public relations bs by the union. I read above that the owners are retaking control of their business. Yes, that is what is going on...I am a season ticket holder, and can wait a season or two for that to take place, and I think that losing a season will put it in perspective to the players, that is, they are hired help. Most of all, as a season ticket holder for more than 40 years, I don't want a repeat of the strike shortened season that happened two decades ago (about) The first game back had 4 days of practice, and was no better than a high school game. (Dolphins as I recall) If there is a partical season, I want my money back...the product for that partical season will be well under par. So, my personal sentiments are that, if it takes it, cancel the season in one fell swoop, don't give me one of those 8 game seasons and playoffs. That will cheat me out of what I thought I was paying for. I am not anxious for a quick settlement, I want a right settlement. And, out of control union lawyers need to be put in their place. And that is fired by their employers when they loose a seasons wages. Me, I can do without the NFL for a year or two.....

If I was going to spend the big bucks that Buddy will have to on the 3rd pick, I would want to look at that junior talent up close as well. So, can't blame him there. And as for the practices not being scoutable, well, thats what scounting combines are for. These guys are playing their first "official" game for money, winner gets more...so they care. And 1/3 of the plays are special teams...so get it right. I still think the Bills will take Jake Locker in the first round....oh well.

Trade him to Cleveland...Dick Jauron picked him...and is now the defensive coord. at the Browns.

Bills have the #3 pick...they will take Jake Locker, not in the survey.

Locker will be a Bill, 1st round, third pick! Nuf Said

I have been around for a while, lived through the strike in the 90's.(Jimbo stayed out) I saw the replacement players (sad sack football),and I saw the game after the players came back (on one weeks practice), if was almost as bad, bad football from out of shape and non trained players. The first few games back were almost as bad as the replacement players!!!(Need a preseason to get it right, didn't have it) I was a season ticket holder, and had options the Bills gave us. I elected to take back ALL of my money, and bought an AKC registered ST Bernard and skipped their subpar season entirely. I am still a season ticket holder, but if they do this dirt to us again, I will walk permanently!!!