Never NEVER Give-up

No preseason game in Toronto this year - there was a conflict in the dome, so the game is reverting back to the Ralph. Season Ticketholder Bonus baby!!!

Only OJ knows what's true. A very sad story of a Golden Boy who's life takes a nasty turn with those events in '94. If Jason had committed the double murder, it does explain quite a bit of OJ's behavior that horrific evening. Then the way the narcissistic Simpson conducted himself throughout the trial and afterwards - up to and including the bizzare Vegas armed robbery - perhaps extremely bitter about how everything turned out (becoming a pariah and thought-guilty of something he (maybe) didn't do). Now serving 33 yrs for armed robbery - I can't help but think that sentence is 2-3x what it would have been for anyone else. A little retribution for skating on Nicole & Ron's deaths? I always wondered . . . I wonder if/when OJ is eligible for parole?

With most of the big names in NFL free agency already signed, now is a good time to look at the teams that have improved the most over these past few weeks. These are teams that had a specific plan in free agency, went out and executed that plan. As a result, their rosters are much improved. espn Insider Link http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7750689/buffalo-bills-defensive-line-best-free-agent-fixes-nfl?addata=2009_insdr_mod_nfl_xxx_xxx Here are the (top 2 of the) five best team fixes in free agency: 1. Buffalo Bills' new defensive line If you want to see a shocking transformation of a weak unit into a dominating unit, look no further than Buffalo, which is making the transition from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense. The Bills' scheme shift comes with some huge additions. They made a huge splash by signing the best defensive free agent on the market, longtime Houston Texans defensive end Mario Williams, and they followed it up by nabbing DE Mark Anderson, who played for the New England Patriots in 2011; Anderson is coming off a 10-sack season. The key might be on the inside, however. The Bills have a pair of defensive tackles, Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus, who will be terrific and should actually be better in the 4-3. When you include the possibility that LB Shawne Merriman may have something left in the tank, this has a chance to be among the most dominating defensive fronts in 2012, after being the weakest unit on this team in 2011. This will be a fun group to watch in the future. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. New England Patriots' wide receivers How do you dramatically improve an already dominant passing offense? Well, you keep it together while adding the right parts to broaden what you can do. Right now, this Tom Brady-led offense looks almost unstoppable. Some of the Patriots' recent moves include giving Wes Welker the franchise tag, re-signing Deion Branch, getting Chad Ochocinco to restructure his contract, re-signing young developmental speedster Matthew Slater and acquiring two veteran receivers, Anthony Gonzalez (Indianapolis) and Brandon Lloyd (St. Louis) -- the latter of whom may be the guy the Patriots have been looking for to stretch the field and loosen up defenses. It is surprising that the Pats have not really addressed the defensive weaknesses of their team so far in free agency, but at least for now it looks like they can outscore teams with this electric passing game. And the defense could be helped in the draft. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BUFFALO BILLS Key additions: DE Mario Williams, WR Steve Johnson (re-signed), DE Mark Anderson, TE Scott Chandler (re-signed) Key losses: None Analysis: The Bills now have one of the best defensive lines in the league, as they transition to a 4-3. Adding Williams not only gives Buffalo a great player on game day, but also recognition as a team trying to improve that now has the ability to lure big-time free agents. The Bills took filling their biggest need one step further though by adding Anderson, a fine pass-rusher in his own right who might excel exploiting single blocking opposite Williams. Buffalo also kept Johnson, its top offensive playmaker. The Bills would have been in dire straits at wide receiver if Johnson left and if they couldn't find a suitable replacement. Buffalo's roster wasn't raided at all this offseason and that continuity could pay off heading into 2012. Unlike most years at this time, the Bills are not riddled with gaping holes that need to be addressed in the draft. Instead, they can take the best player available, which is a winning formula. Grade: A

The Jets/Cards played twice since 2004 (2004 & 2008 - Jets won both).

Yeah, probably took him 45 mins to confirm it . . . something like . . . 11:30 Coming up in the next segment - Eric Wood 11:35 #70 of the Bills in the next hour 11:40 Bills' guard Eric Wood coming up 11:45 One of AFC East's best guards in the next segment - Eric Wood 11:50 Eric Wood-man, stud AFC East guard of Buffalo Bills up soon 11:55 Man's-man Eric Wood #70 in the next segment Noon Studly rock of a man, Bills' guard Eric Wood in the next hour 12:05 Send me your tweets to describe Bills Guard Eric Wood, coming up soon 12:10 How much defense would an Eric Wood chuk? Bills' guard in the next segment 12:15 Bills guard #70, Eric Wood after the next segment aaaarrrrgggghhhh ! I can't stand Rome - say it once, repeat 1000 times, kill an hour, get paid a small fortune . . . great work we'd all take if we could get it!!!

Agreed. Undeniable abilities, but lacking in character. A me-first guy. If he was worth it, Andy Reid would have kept him.

10th Overall - Bills: Michael Floyd WR Notre Dame Floyd is a bit of a reach here, but no more so than OTs Mike Adams and Jonathan Martin. It's a tough call on the Bills' top two needs in this scenario, and they could look to trade down in a situation like this. They could also pull the trigger on a value pick such as Coples. 41st Overall - Bills: Brock Osweiler QB Arizona State So whaddya think??? http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft2012/story/_/id/7745867/2012-nfl-mock-draft-projecting-first-two-rounds

I remember Meachem in college at Tenn and hoping the Bills drafted him. Then New Orleans drafted him and he ate his way thru the spring and early summer and showed up to their training camp overweight. He has continued to underperform, so I am not totally heartbroken that we didn't sign him. I will say however, if Buddy liked him, I could be convinced that maybe he's now got something going for him. But we'll see how he does in San Diego.

You were closer than me, I thought he made $1MM, but the Prez gets $400,000, eff 2001 & in case you're wondering . . . Salaries of the President, Vice President, and Other U.S. Officials The salaries listed below are annual as of 2011. The president most recently received a raise in 2001. . . . frankly they should all be paid more and restricted from taking money from outsiders (special interests, lobbyists, etc) but we're getting off the track. Position Salary President 1789 $25,000 1873 $50,000 1909 $75,000 1949 $100,000 1969 $200,000 2001 $400,000 Vice President $230,7002 Senator $174,000 Representative $174,000 Majority and Minority Leaders $193,400 Speaker of the House $223,500 Chief Justice, U.S. Supreme Court $223,500 Assoc. Justice, U.S. Supreme Court $213,900 1. Plus $50,000 non-taxable expense allowance to assist in defraying expenses relating to or resulting from the discharge of his official duties. 2. Plus $10,000 taxable expense allowance. Source: Office of Personnel Management. Web: www.opm.gov/ . Read more: Salaries of the President, Vice President, and Other U.S. Officials Infoplease.com http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0875856.html#ixzz1prlv4tfB

Totally agree!!! GB added Reggie, Brett, and Keith Jackson, Keith Byars too . . . probably others (Beebe!) The point is you need to use FA with discretion - Buddy taught us that lesson, by not going the FA route the last 2 yrs because we were too far away. Now we take Mario because we are closer.

Sorry, isn't that Naaman's number? He could sell it to Peyton and retire!!!

Now that's contrarian thinking. I wouldn't put it past the fish to screw-up a Manning signing, but I am more concerned with winning than pundits. We need pass rushers and will need them even more if Manning plays in Miami.

As an aside, if one thinks the Bills are the red-headed step-child in the division now, wait and see what happens if Miami inks Manning. The Bills will be considered the whipping boy of the AFC East!! Talk about being irrelevant! All the more reason to be serious about Mario Williams.

As I lay here in bed, between Kate & Faith, I will go on record and say as long as we get Mario Williams in FA, we can draft the best player on our board regardless of position and the we'll be OK. WR or OT might be the way to go there and then focus on the defense after that. Now, back to the ladies - bye!

Buddy won't do it and I wouldn't blame him. Freeny's on the wrong side of 30 and we're a young club. Just when we're ready to contest for the top, he could be done or hurt - and he will certainly be tying-up oodles of cash / cap space. He was great, but that window is closed in Bflo.

You'll never getthe chance . . . . the guy behind her is checkin her out, Big Time!

Did anyone see the Doug Whaley article in this morning's Bflo News - going by what he said, it tells me they are hell-bent on re-signing Stevie: "If you look at the teams consistently competitive, they are consistently hitting on their draft choices," he said. "That's why I think Buddy and I have clicked so well, because that's our philosophy. You piece free agents in but you want to hit on as many draft choices as you can and then re-sign those guys. That's where I think you can get depth and compete." Although the following doesn't pertain to Stevie - I love the overall philosphy: "It's pretty obvious where our glaring needs are," Whaley said. "I tell people what I think is a very promising thing is from my background, you build a team that's consistent from inside out. So if you look at the inside of our offensive line, defensive line, we're pretty solid there. We start getting the outside guys, the edges, somebody to complement (receiver) Steve (Johnson), a pass rusher. Those are those outside pieces; now we're a complete team. So that's where I think we're heading." You gotta like this guy!

can someone post the actual pic here (darned restrictions at work !)

Stevie, by his ability to gain separation, can do it all: the crossing patterns, ins, outs, sideline patterns, go patterns too (remember how open he was against the Steelers, re: drop). No, he is not the fastest, but because he can gain separation, he doesn't need to be. Lee Evans could fly, but has a much more difficult time gaining separation. That and that Chan wanted him to run underneath patterns that he wasn't comfortable with made him expendable. I am sure if the Bills knew we'd lose 4+ receivers to injury, they'd have kept Evans. But heck, he got hurt too, and missed most of the Ravens season. The Bills want a flyer, but one who's also big/strong enough to go over the middle. That's why they have such high hopes for Donald Jones and Marcus Easley. But with their injury histories, we may see a FA WR or a draft pick WR - one that is fast and versitile.

If healthy, our DB's are solid. Yeah, OK, they looked bad last year when we couldn't pressure the QB, but that was deceiving - they are a solid group. So why screw with it? I'm sure there will be a draftee or 2 and some street FA's, but this is a solid core that should be left alone. Focus should be on defensive edge (rushers) and LB's. Also focus on WR, back-up QB and OL depth.

Yes, I'd do it for NEXT Year's number one.

Didn't the Jets draft him after they won their Super Bowl ?!?!?!?!?!?!?

One Step Forward (Stevie develops into a very good receiver) Two Steps Back (1- Bills create vacancy at WR by not signing Johnson, and 2- now need to choose between replacing him or going after another important puzzle piece (other position of need).)

Geeze. This guy WAS such a monster in Tenn. Got his money and loafed in Washington. Not a team-guy obviously as Belechik cut him. And now the Bucs who want to stay young and build. I originally thought his issue was no desire to play in a 3-4, but it turned out that he just no longer had the desire to get after it once he got rich in Washington. Sad actually.