TimGraham

Thanks for saying that. I enjoy being a part of TSW.

I didn't know I forfeited my right to an opinion somewhere along the line. I write commentary pieces all the time.

Magazine covers are the same as photos that appear in the paper. There is no payment at all. I'm sure there are special circumstances, like Tom Cruise's and Katie Holmes' baby. But athletes and celebrities sit down for cover shoots usually for the prestige of being on the cover or because they have something to promote. As for commercials, I have no idea. But are "active" college athletes in those? I think they might appear in their college uniforms, but after their eligibility is up. Same thing with trading cards. Once their eligibility is up, they can do all of those things.

I'm hearing only rumors. But his contract was up at NFL Network. I think he's switching channels.

Eh, whatever. I like to link stories from ESPN.com to make sure Bills fans see them. This is the first negative story I've linked. If you think that represents me or who I am, god speed.

You and I aren't reading the same things.

I don't think the level of the woman's injuries in the hit-and-run matter one bit. You stop and see if the person is all right. It's what civilized humans should do.

Marshall has never been convicted. The charges are often dropped. The point I'm making is, if you keep letting people off the hook and reducing their punishment, they never learn.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4054396

I just saw the segment you mentioned. The way he worded it, he has a solid source telling him talks have been substantive.

I think that goes without saying. Wade Phillips, Jason Garrett, the Felix Jones injury ... all of it contributes.

The general rule of thumb is that you don't help out a team in your division, but the Bills are desperate and might break that rule if they can gain an extra pick or two and still get the guy they wanted six slots later.

I see where you're coming from. You can break down stats however you want. If you go strictly first eight games versus second eight games, you're right. But I'm guessing what Dilfer was referring to was Owens gaining less than 40 yards in seven of the last 11 games. As for Michael Smith's report, I didn't see it and have no knowledge of his sources. But I see NFL Live is coming on again at 11:30 p.m. I'll check it out.

I did not. You might have typed my screen name incorrectly. If so, then Jim Graham from Angola is about to start a thread.

This probably is too vague of an answer. I'm familiar with the market values and expectations, but I don't have a sense of how the Bills intend to play this out strategically. That information is too sensitive for anybody in the front office to share because it might, you know, end up in a Yahoo IM. But what you theorize is possible. I'm not sure how likely, but it's possible.

For clarification ... What I said was I personally don't think Peters is worth a first-round pick. I wouldn't want to be the team that trades for him and pays him -- a gamble based on his commitment issues. I said I would rather use my first-round pick (depending how high it was) to draft a tackle rather than send it to Buffalo for a potential dog. I also recall saying it takes only one team to want him badly enough and that the Bills very well could get that much in return. That said, I have learned more about what the market value is for Peters. I think a first-rounder gets the conversation started, but probably won't get the deal done.

It has been extended for two years and restructured: Four years total, $29 million with $12 million in guarantees.

I wonder if the Eagles' first-round picks are too late in the order. To me, the appeal starts to wane around No. 20, and the Eagles have Nos. 21 and 28. But both of them together are attractive.

My prediction is that Lindy Ruff eventually becomes GM. He has insisted he won't go to the front office until he wins the Stanley Cup as a coach, but I think he'll be as terrific as a GM as he has been behind the bench.

I don't know what's become of Bentley, but I'll check around and try to get an answer for you. He fell off the face of the earth.

If we're having fun and it HAS to be one or the other, it's Darcy Regier. As long as Tom Golisano is owner, Lindy Ruff should be safe. Golisano loves Ruff. Golisano also has an affinity for Tim Connolly, and we've seen how far that goes.

The No. 1 pick can be a difficult asset to manage because of the guaranteed money involved and plenty of risk. I covered the No. 1 pick last year when the Miami Dolphins had it, and they did try to trade it. But that was because there can be greater value a little farther down based on the contract and it's always worth exploring. But the Dolphins weren't disappointed to get stuck with a franchise left tackle, believe me. As for letting your clock run out, Tucker wrote the same column last year regarding the Dolphins. It's within the rules, but there's no way a team would do that. It's ridiculous and would cheapen a prestigious NFL moment.

I wouldn't be shocked to learn the Bills had explored it.

My sources at One Bills Drive tell me the Bills haven't considered trading Marshawn Lynch, but he's one strike away from forcing the Bills to part ways with him.

Sorry that I missed this question and it took me so long to answer. Thanks for the compliment on the voluntary workout story. Your theory about Jason Peters absolutely is correct. If the Bills were more comfortable with his commitment they would reward that, just as they did Lee Evans last year.