ColdBlueNorth

While I agree with you that OBD has less negotiating power with other teams in regards to Peters, I do not feel that fact is affected so much by their approach to negotiations with Peters and his agent as it has to do with other teams being leary of a player who does not abide in good faith with the contract that he negotiates, who showed up late last year, and who arguably played at a subpar level before getting injured. I understand the focus of your complaint, and negotiating details does belong behind closed doors, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with DJ saying that he will play the guys that show up and that the good of the team comes before any individual player. That is what a coach is supposed to do. DJ would not be the first coach to say that they are not part of negotiations and that they will coach and prepare the players that show up. I believe that stance sends the correct message, whether Peters and his agent like it or not really has no bearing on the matter. They have a number in mind and most likely Russ will not go there after Peters' performance last year. I hope that I am wrong, and that the parties involved do compromise, but I hope that the details of the "plan B" I mentioned are being ironed out now just in case we end up with the Peters/Parker show part II this season.

I agree. I think that Whitner is a heck of a player that the organization has asked to fill a lot of holes and to play different roles in the defensive secondary. The fact that he has done so in such a young career is nothing short of amazing. I believe folks remember him getting run over by Sammy Morris last year, but forget that he was toughing it out playing with a recently separated shoulder. A gutsy kid who should continue to improve, and it is too bad that he had a run in with the fuzz this off season. That was out of character for him.

Too funny I liked Whitner's attitude that the Bills were playoff bound last year, and he played with a shoulder separation and that's not easy. If he is as competitive as I think he is, then he has got to feel pretty lousy about last season. I wonder if someone asked him to make another prediction and he snapped. We used to have bragging rights about our players being clean - let's hope they make up for their offseason blunders by the level of their play on Sundays this season.

All our "high character" players are living down to expectations. Holy crap, our team is turning into the Bengals of the North.

How absolute the knave is... (a bit of appropriate Shakespeare perhaps) I believe he was applying an exaggeration for effect drawing upon the fact that Jason showed up last year, after claims of being on a personal conditioning program, overweight and out of shape; Having to sit out a game or two, then playing limited reps to get back into game shape so he could last a few quarters without getting winded only to be injured later in the season.

I could not disagree more. Successful businesses are run by folks that want to work and succeed, not by slackers that want to be payed top dollar for dubious effort. The later is how you run businesses into the ground. I am one of those that believe that Peters could be one of the, if not THE most dominant LT in the league if he is dedicated to the role. But he did sign a contract, and I wonder if he realizes the message that he is sending to teams and GMs around the league. "I will honor my contract until I feel that I am not being paid as much as some other tackles in the league, then I might just screw around with the team and not show up and not honor my deal". There is absolutly no harm in Jauron simply saying that he can only prepare to play the players who show up for camp ready to play. I think that sends a more powerful message about the dedication that an organization has to winning with those that are on board with the team rather than catering to individual egos who have shown the willingness to screw over the team shortly after signing a lengthy contract in good faith to suit their own greed. I just don't think that saying you have no other options (whether in truth or not) is a good signal to send during negotiations. imo that is.

Is it possible that I like DJ as a person, but not so much as a coach? I think that he is an incredibly sincere and classy guy, just not head coach material. I will go on record now saying I do so hope that he proves me wrong this season. If he does I will be the first in line with many apologizing for thinking that he does not have the juice to make this a winning franchise.

He is not the worst. I believe that his win/loss record actually puts him well below the average for coaches who have coached for a while. Jauron has only had one winning season in 9 years as a head coach. He has an overall w/l record of 57/76. The positive intangables with Jauron is that he is liked by his players and his peers. If he was a jerk with that record he would then merit strong consideration as being one of the worst coaches:)

Possible, but Jauron's performance last year leans heavily towards someone who does not prepare well. All we fans can do is hope that Jauron and the Bills brass actually have a plan B that they are initiating for this contingency. The reason his comments irked me is that there would be no harm for him and the organization to pressure Peters and his agent with comments like, "we will field the best linemen that show up for camp, and use whatever means available to assure that we have the depth to compete this year". That is not being mean, but it would sound like a coach who is dedicated to the idea of playing the players that want to play. And show an organization that is committed to filling out its roster by whatever means available with or without Peters.

I think you are quite right that Jauron knows that he is coaching for his job this year - enough media outlets have said the same regarding his desparate roll of the dice with Owens. I just wish Jauron had a bit more of a poker face when it comes to dealing with players. But I have been reminded that as a coach it is not Jauron's job to deal with contract disputes. Perhaps he is just towing the company line like some have eluded to, but I don't know if I buy that. I think Jauron is a genuinely good guy, who is sincere to a fault. Also, if this is the "company line" then I fail to see the strategy of telling Peters and his greedyness - Mr. Eugene Parker, that OBD has no other options other than hoping that Peters shows up on time and in shape. If anything I would think that would encourage them to use a similar strategy of sitting out again.

Hard to argue with you there. Some optimism is a good thing, but too much hope as a strategy and Jauron starts to sound like the elevator is not making it all the way to the top floor.

After reading Tim's article I was struck how Dick was adament that they (the Bills) have to prepare as if Peters will show up and play at a high level. The quote was "Last year, he didn't show up. We've just got to anticipate that he will, and we've got to keep working in that direction and keep the lines of communication open and believe he's going to show up because that's all we can do." Thats all we can do.... reallly? So this is a coach that knows how to prepare his team? What Dick should do is grow a pair and prepare to play without him, and to continue to play without him because he will most likely show up late and out of shape again. To hope that Peters will show up and play at a high level without him (and his agent) getting theirs$$$$ is just ridiculously naive. If they cannot come to terms soon then sit him for the next 2 seasons of his contract as a backup and start plan B now and let your O-Line get some continuity without him disrupting the works when he finally shows up out of shape and out of synch with the team. Just my opinion so fire away if you think I am way off base.

Everyone rags on Afenagenov, and he usually can't hit the broad side of a barn, but that kid gives 100% every shift. All that work finally paid off for him, and then Horton throws a cheap shot at him. Good game. Both backup goalies scare the crap out of me. Lalime tends to wander far away from the net and Tellqvist plays like he was made of rubber. He was giving up rebounds left and right - we need Miller back...bad.

I know that I have been giving Marshawn a rash about this latest transgression, but after hearing more about the details of the arrest I am more inclined to forgive him. What he suffers from is more like "young stupid" vs "criminal intent" - and I am not talking the letter of the law, just simply my take. The loaded gun that was found sounds horrendous, but was packed in bag the trunk of the car. As someone that shoots firearms I believe we have a right to own and carry guns, but they have to be registered and it is a good idea to keep them unloaded when you transport them in your vehicle. There are rules to follow if someone wants to stay a member of the club of law-abiding and highly-paid sports professionals. If Marshawn is concerned for his personal safety he could follow the legal course to apply for and register a firearm, or avoid the hassle and just hire a body guard or two. I have always thought it must be cool to have some paid professional bouncer-types drive you around and clear paths for you through crowds. If he really wants to hit the pipe, or light up a blunt then he has the funds to take an extended trip to Holland where (for the most part) they don't give a rip what chemicals you want to expose your body to - we fans may have a different take. I have to think what I would have done if I had that much money when I was that young. I have a feeling that I probably would have let more than a few people down. He sounds sincere, but he will only stay out of trouble if he lets go of the ol' hood and the entaglement of his former circle of "friends". I know that some of you will really understand this, one of the quickest ways to screw up is to start to hang out with your border-line sane "friends" from the past. You got to cut the cord.

I totally agree Bill. The NFL needs to have a cap system on rookie contracts based on where a player is chosen. The only sticking point is that the contracts would have to have a reasonable end date - say 2-3 years to allow the player to renegotiate or hit FA. That still keeps the draft competitive, and teams would not be so frightened of missing the mark on that first draft pick and dumping a ton of money on a possible bust. You would have more teams busy reworking the contracts of their young players, but the salaries would be based on the going salaries of NFL players that have been in the trenches of a while - not rookies. Also teams generally get a feel after 2-3 years whether a player is going to catch on or not with the team. Not a perfect solution, but its something.

I don't think the NFL will ever again see such a monumentally lopsided trade as the Walker deal, amd the next worse that I can think of was the complete blow-out draft sale that Ditka did to get Ricky legalize-it Williams while with the Saints. That's not to say your point is not valid, as P. T. Barnum always said,"There's a sucker born every minute" and somewhere there may be a GM willing to sell the farm for Peters.

This is the thing that bothers me most about the Bills front office... losing a good-great player may be inevitable, but get the most you can for it. They could force Peters to play out the rest of his contract, but sometimes it is simply better to take out the trash and clear the way for a different attitude in the locker room. And as some folks noted, the line didn't do too shabby at the beginning of the year when other players were subbing for Peters as he was trying to work himself into game shape. And before the haters start ripping me, I am not blind to the raw skill that Peters has - I just don't like any one player holding a team hostage when that team was the one team that gave him a chance and developed him into the player he is. I don't think the offer that the Bill's front office has put together is not competitive, but as long as the free agency works the way it does, we are going to keep seeing players being signed for ridiculous amounts of money crippling those franchises in the process and agents circling like sharks telling their players that they deserve to be paid like that other guy that got that ridiculous contract. New England refuses to overpay to keep arguably talented players, but before those players walk they get other teams to compensate with extra picks. Then again, they have been pretty good at making those picks count. If if is certain that Peters is just not going to negotiate, then find a team that is willing to part with picks and trade him before the end of his contract and let him be their headache to deal with. Hopefully we do not end up with a bunch of projects that don't pan out. Just my 5 cents worth.

I have to agree with you cablegal I watched Trent closely last year, his timing was off on the deeper routes. He would wait for a receiver to be open rather than throwing it to the open spot as the receiver made his break. Generally, there aren't a lot of times where a receiver will be downfield and open for a couple seconds. There is usually a small window when the receiver makes his break where a QB can get the ball there before the CB and/or safety recover. Trent appears more comfortable checking down to the receiver who is camped out underneith than hitting Lee and other outside receivers downfield on the run. According to Matt Bowen (a former Bills player) whose article someone else posted he says this about Edwards, "Edwards is a guy who struggles reading the whole field when it comes to coverage. T.O. is going to demand that Edwards progress and look to both sides of the field, and now that he has another weapon on the outside, he will. Edwards will become a more polished quarterback and learn to take some chances down the field with two guys who can flat-out get the football when it’s in the air. " Trent will need to get better, or T.O. will have him for lunch.

Sometimes the worm just has to turn. Not every player needs to be found in free agency or the early rounds of the draft, many of your best players aren't. Look at Peters who went undrafted. I did not realize that Bell was the son of Karl Malone. His profile sounds a lot like Peters, very athletic, strong, a ton of upside, good feet - played some basketball, basically a diamond in the rough. Who knows...

I guess it is old news, but I was just reading about how many Browns players suffered from resistant staph infections. Winslow was one of the latest ones, they have a real problem down there. I hope he can recover his abilities, but if his infection was as bad as indicated you just don't know. Damn shame.

so true, they will have to make room in the dressing room for T.O. to do his post game conferences. Its funny the way the reporters act like he is being sent to Siberia for punishment. It's like Owens could either take the Buffalo offer or pack for the CFL or NFL Europe

Now that was funny

Ol Ralph and Russ Brandon know that they needed to shake things up some way. You know John as soon as Jauron pulls some bone-headed play or mismanages the game away that T.O. is going to lose his mind. Oh well, at least our Bills will be entertaining

I right with you bud (former Left Overture) I am not sure how to feel. T.O. has the talent to stretch defenses and make them defend the other half of the field, that will open things up for both him and Evans, but man the baggage. I guess if wins don't put folks in the seats at the Ralph then maybe the T.O. circus will. I can see him now whining after our first loss about Trent checking down to the underneith routes.

Completely agree. The inmates are running the Asylum. Does Dick actually think he can pull what Belichick did with Moss? OMG - Let the circus begin If TO would just shut up and catch passes I would be fine with the pressure he will take off of Evans. Please God let TO suffer from some rare illness that prevents him from speaking.