shoretalk

The truth is ... we blew it! NY State blew it! The City could have been so much better and a catalyst rather than an eyesore if back in the debates of the Lancaster Dome with its associated family amusement park (Ed Cottrell anyone?) we would have had the courage and foresight to not run from a city but to embrace it. But, at that time there was a mentality to avoid the city for various reasons including perhaps too many hands out looking for money. Just imagine now if the Amherst campus for the State University of NY at Buffalo had been built along the waterfront next to the Bills' football stadium, which could then be utilized for UB Bulls' football and perhaps track events becoming more than a 10 day a year facility. Yes, it would have changed the landscape and ratables of Amherst (my home town) but I believe it would have energized the city and the region. But, I sure hope that we have seen the end of the days when local and state governments fund the playhouses of the rich owners and players of the National Football League. It is makes no sense to pump monies into these projects while abandoning the roads we all travel on, leave the unemployed with no opportunities to get back into the workforce, and reduce our colleges into institutions for the elite. The RALPH provides some of the best sight-lines of any stadium in the National Football League. Our tickets are at the bottom of the price scale, the drive to Orchard Park is not that bad of one, and frankly, I don't need the go-go booths of the new Dallas stadium when I go to see some football. Niagara Falls could be lifted up with a Bills' stadium ... downtown Buffalo could be lifted up ... Rochester could be .... but we still sell out almost every game, which is something that even better teams fail to do. Corporate dollars are drying up ... who will buy the seats? Who will sit in the special boxes? Tell me why ...oh why ... do we need a new stadium? I am just excited that we once again have a FOOTBALL COACH ... who wants to WIN GAMES!!! Players with potential ... and hope on the horizon for some football ... I will gladly sit out at THE RALPH on hot sunny days or snow blown freezing days because this is football ... and the BUFFALO BILLS are my football team ... and if the fans get back into it there is a real advantage to the 12th Man at the RALPH that might not happen at some cozy indoor entertainment center stadium that each WNY taxpayer would have to pay for for the rest of their lives.

We are about to see whether Spiller is a class act or a puppet on the string of his agent ... the parameters are set. The Bills just have to plug in the numbers because that's the way this system works ... Mr. MAY-BE showed his lack of committment last year and now we are watching the game of agent versus player ... If Spiller and his agent think they deserve more than what they are slotted to receive then I think the Bills should just stand strong ... with next season in limbo Mr. Spiller just might be waiting a long time before he sees any guaranteed monies ... CJ call home and say 'GET IT DONE'

Ok, so now we have gotten into baseball inaccuracies ... it is JEFF TORBORG http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/pl...php?p=torboje01 As for our #1's ... we aren't the only team to have screwed up on making draft day picks in ROUND ONE ... But, I do believe that McCargo will be amongst the earliest cuts this summer ... we should have known better with that one. As much as I don't like the character that Lynch has become, I am hopeful that he will return to BEAST mode with the new coaching and be a contributor to the team and possibly trade bait for a contending team that loses a running back early in the season. This board is much too harch on Whitner. He is not the glamour guy in the backfield but he plays all the DB positions well enough to merit being called 'above average.' He has had to constantly adjust according to the injuries and coaching schemes we have used. He it not going to get the interceptions of a BYRD but he has been a solid player plus one of the few players who have been willing to at least attempt to create some team spirit. McKelvin showed glimpses of promise his rookie year and so he made a glaring mistake last year but the position he plays showcases mistakes as well as successes. It is beginning to look like he is going to be the nickle back this year but his attitude seems right and hopefully his talent will rise to the occasion. Mr. May-Be - Ok, so the most he has shown us so far is that he can party with strippers, tweat with the best of them and hit one his team's best players in the back when the play is long over. Even though I am with WOOD in screaming about this guy not earning his money ... there is a chance that this new defensive scheme might be perfect for this light-weight. I am not overly confident but there is always hope. What all of this first round nonsense proves is that there needs to be a rookie pay scale that locks first rounders to a set pay level until they prove themselves. These kids do not deserve to be paid more than what the successful players at their position are being paid. And, again ... for you non-baseball fans attempting to be baseball experts ... his name is JEFF TORBORG (nothing related to Star Trek)!

And, if he is cut before the first workout what does that say? This is so ridiculous! If guys are being cut now by their own teams befoe the first preseason game then something is very wrong with them and if you think they'd help the Bills well then you better check out their Madden ratings!

He hit Fred in the back after the play was over ... it wasn't a tackle it was a CHEAP SHOT from a guy who obviously is having problems making plays even in the OTA's and hence his demotion to the "2's"

So, are you Mr. May-Be's agent? Leaders push those who don't perform ... leaders do not accept mediocrity ... leaders lead both by example and by not being afraid to speak their mind. To even begin to put Eric Wood into the category of a player whose bad games diminish his contributions is a very sad reflection on reality. He was a rookie .. starting on an offensive line that was screwed up by the coaching staff and injuries yet by every valid analytical review of his play he made continued progress as the season moved forward. He truly earned his paycheck (albeit no one is worth the kind of money that is paid to NFL players) every single dollar of it and then when he could have laid back to recover from his injuries there he is giving his all again ... he has every right to question May-be ... and if this gets under May-be's skin then perhaps he might start being more worried about his on-field performance rather than spending his time doing tag teams down in Puerto Rico. B. Moorman can talk about performance ... our entire 2009 defensive backfield can talk about performance ... A. Levitre can talk about performance ... K. Williams can talk about performance ... R. Lindell can talk about performance ... and yes, E. Wood can too. This takes nothing away from J. Byrd and F. Jackson but it seems to me that you don't like hearing the truth that needs to be spoken by a team leader about a team slacker who gave F. Jackson a cheap shot in the back. As I posted in my post on this subject that seems to have vanished ... time to get my WOOD JERSEY!

Eric Wood just shouted the words we all have wanted to shout at Mr. May-be I'll Play ... ""Give back some of that money you ain't [expletive] earned!" after Maybin hit our MVP of 2009, Fred Jackson, with a cheap shot in the back and followed it up by trying to battle our starting center who is key to our offense for the year (What a total idiot and non-team player!). It's too bad that Maybin can't push anyone around when the ball is in play and he has to resort to this kind of incredible low level of play but based on reports from DAY ONE and the fact that he has been demoted to the "2's" then perhaps Mr. May-be is looking at the real possibility that he might be going back to Penn State to work on some more education this fall. But, look at Eric Wood ... comes back early from an injury that made most of us cringe ... while playing as a rookie he kept developing and looking better with each week ... a real football player ... a smart player ... a tough player ... a team leader. If Gailey can take Wood's attitude and spread it amongst the team ... great things can happen. The best attitude adjustment that can be given to the Bills would be to cut last year's #1 pick as a failure to show the players that it's about how well you play the game rather than how high you were picked. Time to go shopping for my WOOD JERSEY!!

If you read the article carefully you will note that he might be playing right tackle for them ... there are a lot of questions about his ability to play the game in 2010. We should look at those tackles in their early 40's who retired not of their own choice. I bet we can find some who can still strap on a jock strap and get into the battle. Until we play real games we just won't know what we have .... So, let's keep screaming about these has-bin's who might have a few quarters left in their bodies ... rather than looking at some young talent that needs the chance for game experience so that they are ready to play a role in future successes.

[quote name='Chalkie Gerzowski' date='Jul 29 2010, 10:12 PM' post='1915331FL Yikes, that might screw with the local media. You mean like the "sports experts" on GR in the afternoon who could not name who the Bills beat last year. You would think that information would be at the tip of their tongues if they had prepared for Day One of Bills' camp.

Wow ... Kevin Kolb is on the market ... and to think all of the other NFL teams let this one slip through their draft boards ... and to think he's smart as a tack ... Wow!!! What's his MADDEN RATING?

You beat me to it .... wow, did you head the Toronto Argonauts are about to cut a wide-out who really is Hall of Fame material ... just didn't make the numbers for the CFL but boy he's going to be better than anyone on the Bills' roster ...

I like what you wrote ... I remember my Jets' fan friends, and Dolphin fan friends, and Eagles' fan friends all saying how impressed they were with Trent ... Jauron messed up a lot of things with his 'play not to lose' philosophy and I am sure he messed with Trent's head after the Arizona game. I still hope that Brohm has an upside but right now I want to see the Trent we saw first time around with a coach who wants to win big and aggressively ... good things are around the corner ... GO BILLS!!!

UNBELIEVABLE ... based on first day snaps you lose all confidence and since when are the Bills the 31st team in the league? We haven't been that in years! The addition of a winning attitude and real coaching can take last year's team to another victory or two ... I just don't get these WGR addicts who want to wallow in the negative ... Schoop and the Bull Dog must run for cover every time the sun shines because they are the most pessimistic talk show hosts I have ever heard ... no wonders that they spend more of their time talking about making up silly lists rather than in talking sports ... because they just don't get it. So, let's see what this team brings to the field this preseason before we lose any confidence.

Although we will know the answer in minutes ... I think that Nelson showed his sense of humor and his intelligence because it is the Louisville Cardinals but Stanford is known as the Cardinals even if that is not their official name. So, with that clue it would be either Brohm or Edwards ... looks like Fitzy didn't do what he needed to do to impress the Coach so far ...

Hooray! The middle of the line becomes stable ... Kyle Williams with his ongoing motor and this kid who seems to have all positives going for him! Frankly, I was worried that this was going to turn out to be a hold out ... Now, it's time for CJ and his agent to show that CJ wants to play rather than play games ... we might not need him right away but if he is going to be a team player then let him boldly help establish the salary ranks for this year's #1's by signing ... Dez wanted to play and get serious and it's time for CJ to do the same!

It is such a sad commentary on our society and especially on certain members of this discussion board that anyone would wish that another human spirit not have peace. And, to think that one brutal awful play in a violent game would lead to this ongoing bitterness is such a shame. I did not know Jack Tatum (may he rest in peace) ... I have never been an Oakland Raider fan nor have I ever appreciated the 'Raider style' of playing on the edge of the boundaries of the rules of the game. When the hit happened the game was more violent ... it's not an excuse. When Darryl Stingley died, Tatum said, "I am deeply saddened by the death of Darryl Stingley," Tatum said in a statement released by the Raiders. "Darryl will be forever remembered for his strength and courage. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family." No, they never reconciled and no Tatum never made an apology that restored his image but when the hit occured there was no penalty called ... the New England Patriots' coach did not scream that it was an illegal hit ... it was just a very sad awful moment in time ... But, what those who are wishing no peace for Jack Tatum should do is to hear the words of Darryl Stingley shortly after Jack Tatum lost a leg to diabetes. He was asked if this was a way of settling things but Stingley said, "I don't accept human nature as our real nature. Human nature teaches us to hate. God teaches us to love." http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2826562 Life would be so much better if those of you filled with hate for people who play on sports teams or people of differing political views learned to love rather than allowing yourselves to be swallowed up by such a sickening hateful spirit. Darryl Stingley (may he also rest in peace) was so right and any person of faith need only turn to God's Holy Word to discover the attitude we are supposed to have ... if we are willing to be the children of God.

With or without Schobel McCargo just doesn't seem to have anything that will keep him on a NFL roster. It might be the back but whatever the reason he has only played with motivation for a few series ever since he arrived in Buffalo. He is definitely a TOP FIVE #1 Pick Bust. I actually think that Ellis has a chance to make it through a few cutdowns if he comes to camp in shape and ready to play.

Frankly it's not the Bills problem with first round signings it is the system .. well Maybin's problems were all Maybins ... but until some team/agent/player break the ice everyone sits around waiting because no one wants to set the going rate for the new season. Once one first round pick is signed then the rest will start to follow ... it would be nice to see Spiller being signed first but from the quotes I have read he and his agent are going to sit until this year's market price is established but will the pick after him sign until he knows what Spiller is getting and what about the guy in front of Spiller he better wait until Spiller signs to make sure he gets enough $$$. Next players contract MUST have a salary scale/cap for draft picks so this nonsense stops.

Ok, first this is just an unbelievable story ... not that it didn't happen but first question is why would anyone watch a bunch of golfers going around playing unless you knew who they were. Second, although I haven't played golf in many years, I remember being caught somewhere on the course with nature's needs having to be relieved. I would find that secluded spot to take care of things and I always did wonder why no porta-potties. Finally, Big Ben just needs to watch every single step he takes in public. Better yet, he needs to hide from the public. I am so hoping that Spiller turns out to be the outstanding person he seems to be so far but money has its way of corrupting ...can you image how this board would be in Big Ben was ours?

First, this is no laughing matter ... for those of you who feel the need to made donut or other references at a time when this man has an extremely serious health issues. It never fails to amaze me how many alleged adults would rather write or say things that most of us left behind in junior high school ... Those of us who have faith in a Higher Power should include Mike Williams in our prayers and I would hope that everyone on this board would be wishing the best outcome for him. As for his brief stay with the Bills ... there's not doubt he was a complete disappointment but what has impressed me is that he finally figured it out and had become an important part of Washington's plans. He dropped a lot of weight and was a potential starter this fall.

This is sooo true! We have not had a coach with this type of positive leadership in recent memory. It's hard to not get enthusiastic when Gailey speaks. When you realize that with play to not lose Jauron had this team winning 7 games every year it doesn't take much to see that Gailey's game-day approach will bring wins not losses especially late in the game. That being said ... we just don't know what magic if any he can create with our QB's or even with just one of them. For you nay sayers ... give the guy a chance because Edwards was getting national headlines after going 5-0 and before his injury so we don't know if his failure ever since is due to his inabilities or the influence of Jauron. I am willing to give him another shot ... Brohm is the mystery guy but definitely had the skills coming out of Louisville. We all will know better in September but even then the question about magic won't be known until the middle of the season. One other key is how healthy our players are ... so the new strength and fitness coaching staff will have the chance to really make this a better team, which means more wins. Lots of if's but I see many probably's too.

:worthy:This shows that finally the Bills have a well thought out plan. #1 - Buddy Nix is clearly a solid personnel guy who stands on his own two feet and is not about talk radio nor the opinions of this board he knows where he is taking this team and that is in the direction of winning! #2 - The Coach - So, we didn't get Cowher but I don't see any downside to Gailey (yet). He is all about winning and accountability (physical and mental). This team will not be about trying to hold a lead "to not lose." #3 - Whaley is the plan for the future - he was a potential gm for lots of teams in the next year or two and we have him as Buddy's successor! I like where we are and where we are going!

First, thanks for wishing me a nice day! I definitely wish you one too! There was no anger in my sarcasim especially none directed at you. What I was attempting to point out was how quickly contributors of this board are to instantly identify the players being cut by other teams have more talent than those on our roster. I realize we have all been extremely disappointed and frustrated by "our team (we are all fans, right?)" and by it's total management (mismanagement) but we have not been the worst team in football in years. The Bills must and do have some talent because they have won 7 games in spite of our coaches. So, like many, I feel good about Nix/Gailey and am willing to see what they gave put together before we see pre-preseason castoff's as being better than the players on our roster. Everyone have a great day!

I am down in Washington DC right now and there are rumors floating around that the local high school has a kid at quarterback that they are going to have to cut because of his grades ... definitely a diamond in the rough for the Bills to pick up. In fact, from scanning the reports coming out of ESPN, NFL.com, SI, and a few other sources it appears that there are some players with real potential being waived by other teams at almost every position (I know, I can't believe that they'd cut them too). Obviously, I know more than Nix does ... and it's clear most of this board knows more than I do about player development and player evaluation, which means they know more than Nix or Gailey. And, since the Buffalo Bills do not have a single player on their roster that is of NFL quality we all know that every player out on the market place even before summer cut downs by each team has to be better than what we have at One Bills' Drive ... there can be no question about that. Especially those out there at QB, WR, RB, NT,LB, RT, and of course at LT (no fool would ever believe that Bell or Meredith or Wang might ever develop into something because really good players never have to develop their skills and not even the average career starting offensive linemen in the NFL ever have a defensive player slip through their blocks ... and they never have false starts nor holding penalties ... I know this has to be true because this board has informed us over and over again that our players suck because of penalties, or missed blocks (Levitre needs to be cut because he got blown backwards on his butt in that one game last year ... he's lucky we haven't started on him yet but just wait until he gets caught holding or some blitz up the middle gets through ...). I am out here scouting away and will be sure this board knows whenever another candidate like this pre-preseason cut from Minnesota is available so we can pick him up. In the meantime ... go to popwarner.com and check out the pics (sorry no video yet) of this DC high school cut ...

There is a strong possibility that Gailey knows just a little bit more about professional football than you do ... I know it is hard to believe that all the experts of the board who keep ripping our LT situation just might be wrong. Bell has the size and foot movement so maybe he has the potential like all of us to improve over time ... Just maybe now Two different groups of coaches both have expressed confidence in Bell so that says something about the kid. With Meredith and Wang as back-ups we should be at least better than last year, which points us towards a winning season. Think back to Game One last year ... The line did a good job before inuries started to wear it down.