shoretalk

Twenty five percent should make a difference when they are your best players on this phase of the game. Plus, I think I saw different numbers each time out on the kick-off's so they were trying to find one or two more solid players. Of course we have no statistics on punt return special teams but at least no yellow flags.

That would be great news .. lots of short fields and return opportunities.

First, as others have pointed out OBJ is a free agent and can choose where he wants to play. His choice may not even come down to money because if Buffalo was his choice, it is very obvious that the Bills only could pay him a very limited salary. I think I am with you though when it comes to this urgent need of the Buffalo Bills for an OBJ still recovering from off season surgery, which is being orchestrated by Von Miller. I am not a Crowder fan so I don't even include him in the group of talented receivers who are on the roster on opening day but one of them would have to be released to make room for "a still recovering from serious surgery" OBJ. Here's my WR order right now (And, I say keep 7): 1. Diggs 2. Davis 3. McKenzie 4. Shakir 5. Hodgins 6. Kumerow (Need his special teams skills) 7. Crowder So, do we cut Shakir for OBJ? Or maybe let's cut Gabe Davis. Not going to let Diggs go but perhaps Hodgins or Kumerow or Crowder. But whose targets does he get and when does he get into the game? If we order the Bills receiving group's targets as: Diggs #1 Davis #2 Dawson #3 (Can't leave the tight ends out of this discussion) McKenzie #4 Shakir #5 Cook/Singletary/Moss #6 Where would OBJ fit in and whose targets would he take? Can he still run down field and make the cuts after his surgery? Will he be able to leap and get his toes precisely down inside the chalk? Or perhaps should we ask what team is going to scoop up the receiver we have to release to sign OBJ for basically this season only? Will we regret it? Or which of the receivers whose targets go down will be unhappy and which of his teammates will be unhappy as well? I just don't see any benefit of dreaming that the 2022 OBJ will be the preinjury OBJ or even have enough ability to justify disrupting the team midseason.

It's obvious that it would be Shakir. He's practicing at all 3 receiver positions. After this training camp to date, the first preseason game, and McDermott's comments I'd say Hodgins is not only in the mix to make the line-up, but he'd be a reliable replacement for either of them (No matter how many negative things the fill-in on the morning show had to say about him today.).

Exactly … I like Duke and I like Foster but I don't think either would be used and Foster is playing well on ST. Cody has been playing better so while TY is out it makes no sense to blow the kid's confidence (I don't recall Josh being sacked repeatedly on Sunday from Ford's side of the line and he was playing a premier edge rusher.). Bench Beasley after one bad game? As for the tight ends; Kroft is a mystery and Knox has shown incredible potential (Remember he was not thrown to a lot in college.) but they position does not seem to have a role in BD's offensive game planning. I would love to see a double tight end scheme with Knox and Kroft both going out 5-10 yards but then again I don't spend 23 hours a day putting together a game plan.

Je

Oops … guess he wasn't beaten on very play. In fact, the second video shows some quality pass blocking against a very good DT. If the coaches (And, they are the ones who actually know everything that is going on with the team.) had any doubts about his ability to play LG don't you think that they would have experimented just a little bit during these last few weeks? Instead the left side has been a constant and that frankly has nothing to do with Morse' situation because Long or Feliciano or Teller could have been plugged in to see how they might make the left side better. Thanks for the video clips … we always seem to be looking for the guy to beat up on with hyperboles.

I have been to the games at the Meadowlands the last three years including the Thursday night game and I was wearing Bills' colors. Each time the Jets fans obviously got into a back and forth dialogue but it was all good. I found them friendly and Jets fans bought my son-in-law and I a round of beer at the night game. The cool thing is the train lets you off right at the stadium. Now, perhaps it was my age or the fact that I interacted positively with Jets fans but absolutely no problems unless you can't take good natured rivalry teasing. Debating doing both the Jets and Giants games this year.

It seems Juan wants Juan's boys … Obviously when your OL coach impacts who plays and how they play. If we are looking for a change that is overdue with the Bills it is in the person coaching the OL but didn't Teller look awesome yesterday (Albeit it was the Jets.) doing things VLAD never does. Let's see what he does against the Jag's line but having a solid guard next to him can only elevate Dawkins game.

Yes, like many of you, I am getting older but there truly is nothing like a BILLS game at THE RALPH! The energy in that stadium makes every trip worthwhile (I am a season ticket holder from New Jersey.) and the party feeling that still exists outside the stadium continues to have that 'college feel' even though it's not quite it once was. Two answers to the where to park question ... if you are tailgating with a group I think that parking in a stadium lot is the way to go just spread the cost out amongst your group to make it reasonable (Although $25 sounds outrageous the parking charges at other NFL stadiums will break the bank!). Our favorite lot if we are not meeting up with others is the car wash on Southwestern where parking costs are still reasonable and there are always friendly folks tossing a ball around pre and post game.

I have not heard Sal C say that at any time. Sal's been pretty clear in reporting the inconsistencies in EJ's practices but not once has Sal been heard to say that any one of the three is out of contention. I think Sal said that we are getting close to the time when the decision will be made.

The song is all about celebrating Bills' scoring moments and victories! I am glad that the far fetched idea of changing songs has been proven to be unworthy of additional comment. It is definitely an 'in the stadium' song because there's nothing like high fiving those whose seats surround ours after a score. There is truly joy amongst the 12th Man! As for singing it at other moments ... can't see it. Now, I have never thought about as the teams go out for half time if the Bills have a significant lead. That might be a possibility.

The solutions to this dilemma are simple: 1. Stop listening to them! Ok, I know this is especially difficult after a Bills' game when most of us want to hear the postgame interviews and locker-room chatter. Since GR put Bull Sch as their post game hosts I have switched to music or to another more times than I want to admit to. Since the ROCK PILE Bills, I have been a fan and a radio listener who treasured the post game thoughts of hosts who studied the game. With Bull and Sch we have two hosts who do not think it is worth the time to do their homework. All I can think of is one of those two guys has some photo's of management because no other professional team's home station allows on air types like these guys to host the post game show. 2. Write to the station's management. See my note in 1 above ... I doubt this will work since the photo's clearly have more power. 3. Let the advertisers know you are not happy with the show they are sponsoring. By never listening to these guys, I feel so much better not having to hear Sch ask guests if they have questions for him. My frustration level with GR has disappeared because I don't tune in from 4-7 hoping for sports talk only to find an intense discussion about candy instead. I keep hoping that some station will do a post game show that includes locker room interviews but I guess I can hold off and wait for the Bills to post their video's. They aren't worth listening to ... their passion is not sports (At least Sch has his cards and betting habits.) because if it was they'd be on top of any question that is brought up about the major leagues (When I used to listen it was so frustrating to hear them not even know the basics of the NFL, NHL, MLB, or the NBA much less college sports.). Again, I am very thankful that I am not tuned into a SPORTS TALK STATION that has plenty of sports to talk about but instead is having a discussion of "Independence Day."

As a season ticket holder, I was very very pleased with the renovations at THE RALPH! Brighter and easier to get around at. Plus the added video screens are a huge plus. I am in agreement with the other responder who pointed out that the stadium is a building that is in the best of years used less than 15 times and I want great sight lines to see the game not bells, whistles or added in-stadium amenities. I guess I didn't hear what the GR team at Pegula's press conference heard because in answer to a stadium-related question Pegula said something like "that will take time and "we will study it." Brandon in recent interviews including at Friday's event was equally ambivalent only stating that the stadium task group was part of the current lease and would meet again in the future; no rush and no 'we must have a new stadium soon.' Most new stadiums do not bring in any benefits to the communities that pay for them other than the construction jobs. If you pay taxes in NY will you be first in line to campaign for the local or state rep raising our taxes to build a stadium when THE RALPH is perfect on game day? I know I won't be ... we have an owner who seems content with where his Bills play ... so let's work on the game and not dreaming of paying more in taxes plus seat license fees that would likely be part of that new stadium.

And, now the truth about the pressure for a new stadium with bells and whistles becomes clear. It's all about the game day experience for visiting owners and has nothing to do with the fans. As a season ticket holder from New Jersey, I look forward to game day at THE RALPH. It's all about the energy of the stadium ... the tailgating (Versus spending exhorbitant amounts of money on in stadium food) and watching the game on the field. I do not need more (I do admit that I love the renovations at THE RALPH but did the old RALPH get me stomping my feet about a new stadium? No.). We all know that even in or worst losing seasons Bills fans do not vanish from GAME DAY. The Bills have never had to cover large sections of seats with tarps to pretend that a greater percentage of the stadium was filled with fans. I also own property in WNY so I am impacted by property taxes. I do not want to see one dollar of my property taxes going to build some glitter palace for the owners as long as THE RALPH remains a safe place to watch a game. Someone will really have to explain why a new stadium will make football better because 70000 are still coming to THE RALPH and singing the SHOUT SONG.

. Do you really have to ask? The Bills are in Buffalo forever so is the ban! I am in New Jersey and irronically (And, sadly), sitting in the doctor's office and reading this post "his music" just came across the radio. Since I was alone in the reception area I asked that the radio be turned down. The receptionist did and then asked why. She agreed and said "if he had cared about keeping your team in Buffalo wouldn't he have partnered with people in Buffalo with money?" She then said he is just a pompous no talent "fluff boy."" So no playing his music within 60 miles of our hometown!

When you have SLOW MOVING guards who are better suited to play tackle ... it just seems that our two guards just can't get out in front fast enough. I am willing to give this OL a little time since they didn't really play together in preseason. Some communications' issues to work out. Pass blocking was ok ...

My goodness! There is nothing that says that this is not the on-field incident that was reported last week. At least no source other than someone posting on this board. If you read the story and remember what happened on the practice field anyone with a basic level of comprehension skills will know we are referring to the same incident. That being said ... there must be an extremely high level of pressure over at OBD especially related to the development of the quarterback or lack thereof. Kojo's lack of playing time would not generate this kind of heat because that kid has not done what he needed to do to be ready to play ... personal motivation matters. Whaley, I believe, addressed this blow out last week (No, I don't have the time to search every news story or quote but I am sure that he was quoted about the blow up and perhaps Marrone was too.). When I saw and read the CBS report my reaction was 'poor reporting' and should have been posted immediately after the incident rather than game week. But, if you are trying to get the maximum number of readers to a hot story then post it now and pretend the event happened this week. So, let's go play football ... hoping that Marrone has the team together because I am a BILLS' fan and the last thing I need is another failure at head coach. So, judgment is reserved ... I want to see this D in action and Mike Williams winning the fights for the ball ... GO BILLS!!!

The man with the hair is the one who kept talking about the bad knees ... the risky investment ... Kiper somehow again ignored two healthy seasons plus medical examinations to declare that Kouamdjio's knees will fall apart. He appears to be man driven to succeed but he is a rookie so for the first part of this season I don't expect much but down the road this kid can be a monster. http://www.si.com/nfl/audibles/2014/04/01/mel-kiper-cyrus-kouandjio-riskiest-lineman-in-draft

My brother and I are out of state season ticket holders. He lives in Virginia and I am in New Jersey. Each year it becomes more difficult to attend all or even most of the home games. So, we are looking for someone to split the regular season tickets with (We will assume the preseason ticket costs.). Please message me if you are interested.

Just quick follow-up to those questioning Trump's willingness to give back to the community. Throughout his career, "The Donald" has provided funds and support both visibly and quietly to a significant number of causes and non-profit organizations. He is not my first choice amongst the owners who will keep the Bills in Buffalo but I have seen his charitable side at work in the Atlantic City area and know he does give back while encouraging his employees to do likewise.

I have been in the Atlantic City area since 1986 and worked in local media continuously through 2006. I have seen the Donald's "Art of the Deal" up close and have had friends amongst his executives and business partners. Believe me, he is not the "Golden Goose" the poster is writing about. His slow vacating of Atlantic City has not been viewed as a loss by the community which tired of his pompous act that failed to modernize his casinos and regularly short changed those who did business with him, which is truly the "Art" in the deal. That being said, I welcome "The Donald" to the ownership competition. I am prepared to go to Trump Dome to watch my Bills play because I do believe he'd keep the team in Buffalo and he sees the Bills as the means to keep the Trump name in the spotlight. He just isn't my first choice of locally committed owners and he should not be yours. I'd take Jacobs or Golisano in a blink of an eye over Trump. As for your numbered items: #1 - if you have visited the Trump Plaza Casino Hotel or know about the fire sale of the Trump Marina/Trump Castle Casino Hotel then you know that Donald accepts failure with ease and gets tired of his toys to the point of not inputting funds necessary for success. #2 - He may have a mouth but he has lost numerous battles including an infamous one with a little old lady that Doonesberry featured. Ask Steve Wynn if he has ever feared Donald. #3 - You are correct Donald may shoot his mouth off enough to embarrass the team and maybe the city/community. We have rivalries in the Jets/Patriots and Dolphins. Donald has the potential of getting a significant percentage of NFL fans to have a distaste for the Bills and Buffalo, which is not anything I am hoping for but I guess you like what Jones has done for Dallas and the 'Boys.' #4 - I am laughing at this one. Donald does all he can to save a dollar! He has a history of not even paying contractors a dollar for a dollar's work. He is wealthy because he gets by on the cheap. #5 - Donald does hire good executives but believe me it is all about 'The Donald.' He enjoys being a focal point and yes, he will be a visible and aggressive owner giving input on every game, opponent, and anything to do with "his" team. There's nothing wrong with this level of visibility but the poster clearly has not been in the same room with Trump. #6 - Yes, he is a character (This sort of defeats your statement in number 5.)! Frankly, I am a football fan for the game on the field. Not once since viewing my first Bills' game in 1962 have I wished for a "bigger than life" comic book character in the owner's box. I have detested the behavior and antics of owners like Jerry Jones and Al Davis while respecting the Mara's and Hunt's. I thought our joy as fans was about football not reality tv. #7 - I agree that Trump appears committed to the WNY fan base and community. His ties with Jim Kelly may be helping this. This does not mean he'll continue to offer the reasonably priced tickets we are used to but if he comes to Buffalo I think he stays. #8 - There is no doubt that Tom Golisano did what he said he would do. He saved our Buffalo Sabres! And, admitting that he was not a hockey executive he put his trust in the same hockey executive Terry Pegula did, Darcy Regier. The Briere/Drury mess was Darcy's and the dismantling of the team's potential can be attached to Darcy as well. There have no reports that claim Golisano limited payroll and I sure he wanted a winner. He was not a hockey guy but he was a very wealthy man who cared enough about Western NY to put the money out to keep the team here until a more committed hockey owner could be found. Sale made & profit made; good for Tom. However it appears Golisano is a football guy and he has the money to buy the Bills. This time it would not be a purchase to save a community's team ... This time it would be to have his team and Golisano wants to win perhaps even with a passion to make up for the Sabres lack of success. So, bring on Trump or Golisano or Jacobs ... The Bills stay in place and my grandchildren can debate their Buffalo Bills long into the future!

During the last few months I have almost stopped reading the board and rarely contribute (Ok, so some of my past musings might not be seen as contributions but I tried.). The cause is the increase in trolls like this who could never be considered a fan of the team much less a thoughtful poster. It is frankly frustrating to sift through their pablum in search of something of value. WHERE ARE THE MONITORS? Yea, right ... let's fire the ushers and concession folks too. Anyone with a modicum of understanding of sports realizes that coaching transitions rarely if ever have produced a championship team. Coaches need time to evaluate players and then with the support of management make changes that will create "their team." As most of us know, in the first year under a new coach what you hope for is a positive adjustment in a team's approach towards winning. We have seen this in Marrone. So, fire the trolls! And, celebrate our new head coach .... Let's see what actions he takes this off season.

And the location has not impacted sell out crowds for years and years! I go the game to see the game ... I go to the game to be amongst the 12th man crowd ... I don't go to the game to be warm on cold days or cooled down on hot ones ... I want the players to play in the weather conditions that give us an edge ... I too have been to quite a few stadiums and I would rather be at THE RALPH on any Sunday afternoon rather than anywhere else on the planet (Thankfully, I missed the river of sewage yesterday but my brother who brought my niece with him said nothing about it spoiling a great win.). So, GO BILLS!!! Don't waste taxpayer dollars on a fancy schmancy stadium that isn't needed!

How can it not be Aaron Williams? He gets hurt and keeps coming back to play as a true team player with intensity and passion (If one wonders whether all safeties in the league are self absorbed individualists Williams proved that not everyone worries about aches and pains when it comes to helping their team.). With the Bills' new coaching regimen Williams has found a place where his skill set works and I can only see some incredible possibilities once Gilmore and McKelvin return to the DB slots. Yes, he has been overaggressive at times such as the Carolina game but we are seeing a young player continue to develop. Kudos Aaron Williams! Just do not think about signing with anyone named Parker because agents like that dissolve the spirit of being a teammate and in the end this is a team game not a game of individuals.