shoretalk

What has changed is the media's approach to the Bison's. When I was growing up in the 60's and early 70's with the Bison's playing at the Rockpile and then in Niagara Falls, the News and the Courier Express gave the team extensive coverage. We were aware of the parent club's comings and goings. And, we were listening to Bison games all summer long (Stan Barron, I think Van did some games, and others handled the play by play and color commentary.)and our dads were bringing us to the ball park. Players like Johnny Bench graced the grass of War Memorial and we hosted the International League All Star game plus games against our parent clubs. Now when I come home to visit there is no Bison spirit ... the media only provides after thought coverage and that means that kids growing up in Western New York no longer are begging their dad's to take them to the game and no one is tuning into the games on the radio as they sit in their back yards. The spirit of baseball clearly died in Buffalo ... I can no longer brag to my neighbors who are fans of the Phillies or the Yankees (Very few make the mistake of being ... Mets' fans.) that up in Buffalo we pack the park for minor league baseball and if the stars were properly aligned we should have a major league team but no more ... no more and it is truly sad.

Big Warren is an expert ... what qualifies anyone to be an expert? How many games do you have to watch or play? Do you have to be totally neutral in your opinions or do you have to have off-the-wall opinions to be controversial to qualify. Frankly, I think Big Warren is off-base but then again the national media will jump on the Bills' bandwagon when (ok, if) we win from the start of the season (Remember last year when first the Bills were totally dismissed by the national media but once we started winning a Bills' player was on national media every day and we were loved. Then the injuries hit and the losses started and once again we were the doormats.). Experts are people who try to tie their opinions to known records versus unknown probabilities. As noted in another thread ... I can not think of any defense that will present opposing quarterbacks with Merriman, Anderson, W. Williams, Dareus, and M. Williams charging in at them on passing downs. That alone will increase the Bills win probability factor. The offense even with the bad second half was still #14 and frequently the Fitz interceptions came after our defense allowed another long scoring drive putting the Bills so far behind that we had to try to force scores. In 2012, I think we will see more frequent 3 and out's from our opposition, which should lead to a stronger offensive production that should lead to victories. So ... Mr. Sapp ... and any other former players getting paid for looking pretty ... you're wrong but that's ok. I know if the Bills win 3 out of our first 4 games you and the rest of them will be talking about how the Bills' defense has made us a playoff team.

Why isn't GRAHAM doing something similar ... wait RALPH's too cheap ... couldn't get him signed on time ... the world is coming to an end ... Michael Floyd missed a voluntary workout with another player who just might be using 'sarcasm' ... oh my oh no ...

ESPN should fully understand that he is NFL football and that's it ... obviously, he has always been good to and for the BILLS so I would never say he sucks! It was funny hearing Brett correct him on Omaha ... lol

Ok immediately Sheppard came to mind because he will be quarterbacking this defense with no real back-up but as Iread the other posts it is clear that k Williams and Dareus are the keys! Flip a coin between them but since I wear a Dareus jersey I will make him my choice. He is not only extremely talented but he has become a cheerleader on D! Have to admit some of these posts have me salivating about our pass rush ... Think for a moment of a five man D front of Merriman Anderson K. Williams Dareus and M. Williams all rushing Tom Brady or Mark Sanchez full speed and then toss in a late breaking safety blitz

Ok ... so what's your problem with Russ? He is definitely a person of prominence in the Buffalo sports community ... he is super dedicated to getting the Bills supported by the business leaders of Western New York and Southern Ontario. He is allowed to have some fun and yes, his fellow sports team owners can feel comfortable in inviting him out on the field. I keep hoping that every time Russ comes to bat he hits a homerun for the Bills and for dollars to come to support our team! Go complain about something else ...

Ok, I think the most important and biggest battle is the one for wide receiver. Not just for the number "so called number two" spot but just to make the team. Although a lot of folks on this board disagree, I have a feeling that Jones was on his way last year to establishing himself (People forget that he didn't get much of a shot his rookie season so last year was his first as a starter and he was doing that without OTA's, etc..) just as he got hurt. Still there will be an intense battle for his spot and to make the team. I agree that the battle of the punters could very well lead to the surprise cut of camp. Brian Moorman is everything you would want in a player both on the field and off but he is aging and this kid Powell really seems to have a leg! Another one to watch is the Kirk Morrison linebacking spot. I just have a feeling that Nigel Bradham could be out there on the field if not on opening day then a few weeks into the season. Like most posters are saying the DL back up's will be a war and the Bills will cut someone who will be picked up immediately causing everyone to say we should never have cut him. Finally there's Dickerson versus McIntyre. The hype is all on Dickerson but McIntyre is such a solid ST player ... So ... potential surprise cuts: MOORMAN - EASLEY - DICKERSON - MORRISON

I have been wondering the same thing ... where oh where are the moderators. This thread has changed titles way too many times ... it wouldn't take much effort to start a new thread that follows Chris' new topics rather than this messed up blend.

I was counting on Graham's hold out to once again prove that RALPH is CHEAP ... that RALPH never signs free agents that cost him money ... that RALPH does not want to win. This just makes a mess of all too many future postings ...

I believe that we already have a rather extensive line up of receivers on the roster ... would hate to see the team 'waste' a pick on someone who has a very limited chance of making any team's starting line up this year. And, he is just what everyone needs ... a drug history and an inability to commit to a program that was willing to take him in. If the kid had any maturity, he'd play at least one season for UTAH and prove to everyone that he has changed while still maintaining the talent he showed at Baylor. But, from all appearances ... he'll be available after the Supplemental draft for free. And, even then I don't want him.

I so agree ... why can't the Bills sign their #3 picks before the draft - the reason RALPH is so cheap! We should have drafted GRONK ... BRADY ... and Buddy blew it this year ... WILSON ... Graham was soooo greedy ... who does he think he is ... LMAO ... Well, now we have everyone in camp and let the battles at wideout begin! We enter the preseason with so many potential weapons for a creative coach like Chan! Who wins the Easley-Jones battle? Can Naaman survive the new competition at wide out? GO BILLS!!!

Finally we have a player who can stop the team from choking ...

I have wavered back and forth on the Graham pick. At the rookie camp it sounded like he was making inroads but as the OTA's moved into mini-camp it was clear that the complexities of the Bills' offense was truly confusing him. The first thing that Mr. Graham needs to do is to make sure is contract is signed and filed before training camp begins. If he is out there waiting for the Bills to cave to his salary requests then he might as well wave goodbye to any real chance of having an impact on the field in 2012. I believe he has the physical skills but there is a lot more to playing in the NFL than what you can physically do. Hopefully he'll bring it all together in training camp and give us a special occasional speed option on the outside for this season.

Ok ... so you are far behind on catching up with the bloopers of college football. If you really are interested in what Zebrie Sanders brings to the table why not watch him in action rather than this moment of inaction. You will find that we drafted a really strong offensive lineman with potential to be either a quality back-up or even a potential started in the NFL. Good luck as you search your time machine for more bits of history that the rest of us have moved beyond already ...

We lived through the bizarre realities of the first decade of this new century with a collection of coaches, oc's, and a miriad of truly bad players who might not even qualify for the new Spring WFL. I will admit ... I was a Losman fan who became disappointed at this failure to take advantage of the opportunities he had here (Breaking his leg in his first season I am sure didn't help in his overall development and confidence on the field especially with the Bills' woeful OL's *see Trent Edwards), which in the end proved to me that he was just another of the many first round quarterbacks chosen by NFL teams who just don't have what it takes to make in in the NFL Ryan Leaf in 1998, Akili Smith in 1999, Tim Couch in 1999, Cade McNown another of the 1999 failures, David Carr in 2002, Patrick Ramsey also in 2002, Matt Leinart in 2006, Brady Quinn in 2007, and the king of them all Jamarcus Russell in 2007. There are others too in just the last ten years drafted by teams other than the Buffalo Bills with the highest of expectations and the confidence of their front offices and coaching staffs (14 first round quarterbacks drafted in the first round since 2000 have failed). As for Trent who is trying to make it as an Eagle ... one hit; one hit did it plus the lack of a head coach who could help him recover from the Phoenix experience. It happens ... but Edwards was showing that he just might have the ability to play in the league but after that game you could tell that he always heard footsteps ... Rob Johnson ... come on get real. But none of the failed quarterbacks from the first decade of this century should be compared to FITZ who stands above each of them. He may not be a great quarterback skill wise but his leadership abilities and potential (We can judge him more accurately after this coming season.) are far above those others who have come and gone. GO BILLS ... and remember every NFL scouting system has severely messed up on first round picks not just the Bills (I know McCargo, Maybin, etc. etc. ... but at least no Jamarcus Russell or Ryan Leaf).

Offense is a no-brainer - Fitz and Freddie Defense Kyle Williams and Dareus (Watch his highlight video from last year, he certainly took a leadership role as a rookie and I think deserves the "C.") Special Teams: This may be Moorman's last year so he should be out there but I am wondering if Wilson will be playing at ST this year. Although 'The Senator' deserves to be a captain his seat amongst the six might go to one of our new ST leaders. When you look at this team the character and leadership abilities of players just jump out at you! I can see Wood or Levitre as captains from our OL. Stevie and Nelson would fit right in (Chandler too). On defense just go down that defensive front Mario and Anderson both have leadership abilities, Barnett and Shepherd, and then in the backfield Byrd and McGee with Aaron Williams showing the spark of a leader too. Buddy and Chan have built quite a team ... now that team needs to bring in some W's!

WOW that's BARGAIN BASEMENT PRICES ... someone will grab them quickly for that! This year we did not purchase any tickets other than our own season tickets so I don't have any extras to put out on the market ... GOOD LUCK in finding what you are looking for!!

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Important!

This one is simple ... if the coaches were developing competition at the LT position there would have been some minimal rotation during mini-camp and OTA's even with Pears' recovery from surgery. But, Glenn (Whom most on this board would have been happy to have had as our #1 pick) has not only played every first team snap at LT, he has played some second team snaps at LT. Unless he really screws up there is no doubt he'll be at LT in the Meadowlands. If you remember the draft talk about Hairston (No, I don't have time to dig up a link right now) I am sure that Buddy referred to Chris as a protype right tackle in the league. I really like Pears at RT but Hairston has a nice mean streak and did well at LT. The surprise starter at the Meadowlands might be Hairston at RT if Pears does not get back to practice. But the truly amazing thing is the Bills have an offensive line that other teams in the league and the media admire. We have quality back-ups and there will actually be competition to see who can make the team in those back-up roles. Good things at One Bills' Drive ... GO BILLS!!

I echo the concern ... just who would you have picked? Cordy Glenn? Oops, we have him. When Gilmore was picked I couldn't have been happier ... anyone who followed his college career knows that this kid is serious about his game and can play with the best of them. Will he make mistakes and get burnt? You know it but he will then kick himself in the butt and learn from it. He's a kid who wants to keep getting better and he comes with the skill set to be a top DB!! The biggest complaint I heard was that he is not a public talker ... I say let his actions on the field speak for him!! Not that I want anyone eating crow even if it is in a good sauce ... I hope you eat crow!

Funny ... there have been no threads about Mr. Bell in quite a long time ... but you start one with the title 'a little tired of reading about Mr. Bell,' which means you must have some sort of man-crush on him because I'd just as soon wish him well ... laugh a bit at the Eagles and their fans who think they have just obtained a Pro Bowl replacement for Jason. Bell's injuries never let him reach his potential (maybe) with the Bills. When he played healthy he did an average job playing a tough position, which in reality isn't all that bad. He was definitely not the worst LT we have seen man the turnstile corner. So ... now we have an improvement to our line in Glenn and even in Hairston who showed great improvement as the season moved along last year after having no mini camp rookies camp not OTA's .. And that is enough commentary on Mr. Bell for me ....

Lock him up BUDDY!!!! Loved the sushi story ... thanks!

Last year Williams impressed right from the start ... he was a BUFFALO BILL and he wanted to win! No OTA's and his injury held him back but by the end of the season he definitely was becoming a force to reckon with. Gilmore with his quiet all business approach off the field has been making a statement since arriving in Buffalo that clearly matches his work on the field in college. We know he will get burned early on (And, like every aggressive cornerback he will get burnt on occasion later in his career too.) but in combination with Williams we will have one of the strongest pairs of CB's in the league. And, just think .. Gilmore isn't even the best of our draft picks ... Glenn is.

WOW .... I open to Billy Shaw pulling for Cookie and my life time memories of the Bills came alive! THANKS

THANKS .... trying to determine when we qualify for 'old farts' status. I remember Burnett too and this link was really great!