K Gun Special

Exactly. Trade Evans if we can get enough in return. I would question the impact it would have on Stevie, he hasnt established himself and def benefited from the extra attention Evans received, well at least Evans received something last year.

I see your point. But a bunch of late round picks hitting their stride isnt enough to compete and win in this division and certainly not with this schedule. I do expect them to look better but not win many more games. Fitz- QB's generally dont improve accuracy in their 8th year in the NFL, he has a big problem with setting his feet right when he delivers the ball. He's never been accurate and prob will never be. He will likely improve in his feel for the offense which should help his production. He was pretty comfortable with the Cinci offense when he filled in for Carson but it didnt help much. Jackson- Mileage isnt the issue, age is. He an above average back, he cant run you over or burn by you but is slippery. Not a game changer. OL- The interior should be better, they still have a really hard time generating push on running plays. OT is a huge weakness and might get Fitz killed. D- DL should be a strong point but that may be overshadowed by the shaky LB core. The x-factors will be Barnett and Merriman, without them playing great dont expect a bunch of 7th rounders and d-1aa guys to lead a stellar defense. The secondary should be fine.

Of course the success will hang on the shoulders of Fitz. Hes a huge question mark. He throw a lot of TDs but also turned the ball over a lot, something like 13 times in the last nine games. The play of the younger players and new additions will need to be near stellar for this team to hit 8-8. The rest of the division got better, at least on paper. We did not.

I know, brilliant coaching taking a team with Irvin, Aikman deion woodson and Emmitt to the playoffs. they were only 8-8 in 99 too. he was 18-14 there. I get your point, but lets not pretend it was coaching genius. His roster was significantly better than the one he has now.

I dont know where its obvious the bills are getting better? We signed two high risk high reward players on Def, we lost a SS and replaced him with no one, our O line is not better and we have a scrap heap backfield. Yes its possible these players progress from their performance last year, but that happens on every friggin team in the league.

So much analysis of this guy who wont even be a starter this year. He had 30 tackles last year and was only on the field because of injuries. I think if he didnt knock out Favre we wouldnt be having these threads as if he's the next ray lewis.

WEO, most people get their sports news online, not ESPN on tv. ESPN is not hands down the primary source. Yahoo Sports is - http://thebiglead.com/index.php/2011/05/18/sports-online-web-traffic-for-april-2011/ ESPN was in second by 10million visitors as of Jan this year. They are closing the gap. But still not hands down. Not even close.

ESPN deserves all of the trashing it gets. Doesnt mean Shef isnt on game.

If the Bills continue to lose.... it is certainly possible. Remember Fitz threw for a ton of TDs but also took us out of games with INTs. Thigpen wont be better but it wont stop the mob from calling for him.

You bring up a good point and one i hadnt really considered in a while. This roster isnt going to win more games than last year as is. Poz was a decent starter but I think its a bit of a stretch to think a rookie is going to outplay him this year. We also dont have replacements for Whitner and Flo. The Oline is not better. Say what you will about the progression of players but other teams in the Division and conference were better and have gotten better. The Bills have not and their players development isnt going to overcome the lack of talent. The Bills might be better, but it wont translate into 4 more wins to bring them up to .500

Are you a retread who has been cut multiple times but posters on TBD think you are the answer?

I heard Buddy wanted to restructure Kelsay based on his outstanding performance last year. Wanted to make him the highest paid character/high motor white guy this side of K. Williams.

If thats considered highly productive.....

Perhaps but thats one writers opinion on the issue. Even assuming his point is valid, the others concerns, which were NOT negotiated but included in the deal, prevented the players from voting on it right away. In any event the article you cited ends with "Of course, the players could be the type of people who buy a house without getting an inspection."" Which is exactly my point and thank you for citing same. Again, the PA is looking over the deal, which has NEW stuff in it before voting. I dont see why that causes some people to react so violently against Smith and his team. I imagine if it was reversed, and the PA has voted on a deal with NEW stuff in it, that wasnt bargained, those same people would be outraged and the same targets. Cooler heads will prevail on this deal, the bulk of it has been agreed to. BUT its a ten years deal, there are significant concerns regarding the end of the term language, my understanding is that there is no opt out clause for either side like the old CBA.

Its a deal worth Billions of dollars with some of the best lawyers in the country working on both sides. Has anyone on here read the reasons why the players havent voted yet? ? Like the owners including supp revenue sharing, a topic not discussed at the table, amongst others. Would you sign a contract that big right away knowing there is language you hadnt negotiated? This board is amazing in its reactionary tone..... everyone so quick to blame the players, Smith, or lawyers.

True but everything the gov't does is not evil. In this instance they based their statements on far more credible research. This isnt something new either, the scientific community isnt divided on the issue. FN is doing a major disservice to its viewers by somehow questioning this, its one reason why their viewers are generally the most misinformed. Tobacco causes far more deaths than any other substance, combined.

Ahh didnt know that. Seems cheap to me, like the 80's. Do any other NFL teams use that plasticy striping?

The players and alumni jerseys do look different. I have to wonder if what the players were wearing will actually be the game day jerseys. I say this because the striping on the sleeves looks plasticy, like the kind you find on sale at Laux or Dick's. Its my understanding that the real deals have the stitched striping..........

Yes, those who watch that channel would. I mean FN used one study done in sweden to support their article. The CDC used several long term studies done by multiple entities. We are really talking apples and oranges. Simply put, the overwhelming evidence is supporting what the CDC says. But FN typically takes one study and uses it to say there's no consensus. Indeed, we can all debate what makes the gameday experience less pleasurable, but there should be no dispute about the differential in health effects, especially on society as a whole.

Good god that could not be more incorrect from Foxnews. " More deaths are caused each year by tobacco use than by all deaths from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, suicides, and murders combine""" http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/health_effects/tobacco_related_mortality/index.htm

I dont believe I ever said millions. But the numbers show a dip. The Bills haven't had any stars or success in the past few years and it has hurt attendance. Again, if star players didnt mean anything, and owners are going to make the same amount of money regardless, why do they pay for star players? The media asking that question is quite different from you using in the context of this thread in support of the notion that star players dont matter to the bottom line and can easily be replaced.

oh yea very good comparison. Im sure Rory is the next golf superstar and can make golf even more popular.

Every star player could quit the NFL and it would have no adverse effect on the NFL ?? Is that why Irsay wants to make Manning the highest paid player? because he has no positive effect on his franchise?

Maybe, but i would have expected either of them to clearly be able to beat out Trent in training camp. I would expect them to win a few more games at least. QBs cant do it all, but they certainly do the most.

No you said they keep selling out when they arent. For a low revenue team like the Bills its imperative for the future to have people in the stands buying concessions etc. You cannot survive long term playing at 85% capacity. So no It is not a goldmine. Look at jacksonville, a team that has problems filling the stands. They are likley to be a relocation candidate.