May Day 10

he is going to go the way of Mularkey

I like Seattle. Down to earth people. Good sports fans IMO. Much like Boston they were beaten down a long time. The thing with Seattle though is its Pacific NW and not Eastern Seaboard so people are much more laid back and not in your face.

he won the big one

thanks, dude. We all have our MB arguments, but we all have a lot in common when it comes to the Bills. Ill admit I have been living in a constant state of paranoia about the team's future here (clouds every game I go to wondering how many are left). The current state of things I was desperate to see changed because before long I feared the fans would become very apathetic and we would indeed look like a terrible fanbase. Plus the clock may have been ticking until goodbye and I felt like we needed a few good years to put our fanaticism on display. Early on I thought we were just "lucky" with the timing of everything and stand a chance, but as the process has gone along, it does seem like there is/was some degree of care by the Wilsons to preserve the team for us. And by "some degree", they are likely sacrificing hundreds of millions. Looking at the reports that the Chicago group, the LA group, and the neutered Toronto group have been turned away is pretty telling IMO. The one part I cant figure out is why Wilson didnt/wouldnt say more to relieve our anxiety about the future. I get part of his business acumen was to lean on the County/State a good deal and can see him having a mantra to not show his hand... but I would have liked for the fans to know what the intent was and be able to properly thank him while he was alive. It got to the point he couldnt come out for half time during (Hanson's?) wall of fame ceremony because (we assumed) the fear was he would be received poorly in his own building. This is all assuming this process goes where it seems to be obviously heading. We need to call for Pegula to swiftly honor RCW (I would bet he wont require calls to do so).

IMO it just doesnt matter anymore. If the team stays, we should be very appreciative of Mr Wilson. Even with everything set the way it currently is, him and his family (and the NFL) still could have "screwed us" if he/they wanted to. If their intentions were to have the team on a complete open market, the billionaires would/could make it so. The fact that the Bills will be secure here heading toward a century, is enough for me. I took many issues the way the team has been run, but it does not matter anymore and is not relevant. He is the father of the Bills. I was pretty outspoken here and to people in person how I thought he wasnt doing enough to protect Buffalo from relocation and in ways enhancing/boldening Toronto's/Rogers' NFL aspirations. Top bidder in no way can come from Buffalo (pre-Pegula days). But it looks like I will eat crow. If the team stays, Ill lead the bronze statue charge.

I can see the county drawing the line and calling out a 94 year old man for not wanting the up front costs and trouble of relocating in order for more favorable terms. Not that far fetched. But if/when the team stays, I'm going to not want to be cynical and just live with the facts that ralph wilson founded the bills, had them for over 50 years, and things went down where they will likely be here 50 more.

If history serves us right, pegula will hit the reset button and greet the teams' history and alumni with open arms.... Except maybe oj

Rogers communications spent a ton of money on getting the nhl deal, and word is many inside the company is now questioning the overpayment

This trade was whaley. As was the Alonzo and woods picks. The ej pick was nix. Marrone might have been nix too. We will see if he turns out good or not to decide where the blame or credit goes

You also need to factor in court fees. 400 million penalty. Relocation fee. New stadium startup with little leverage up there. On top of out - bidding pegula. We are talking like upwards of a $3 billion price tag before they have 1 fan. Cheaper to wait it out for expansion and they can publicly fight for stadium moneys instead of buy the team. Pay to move it. Then hope.

this is my issue with him

definitely in a dead zone of news regarding the sale. IMO the more days that go by with no negative developments the better. Each day is one day closer to the end of the process. According to Kryk, final bids are DUE in less than 2 weeks.

agreed. I strongly suspect that a regional sports network is in the 5-10 year plan of Pegula/Black/Sawyer/Benson. And by 5-10 years, I mean clock started in 2011.

it wouldnt work IMO. CFL teams require a limited number of "imports". Would have to stock the team with a lot of Canadians. The game itself is a lot different.

The conversation doesnt matter. None of this matters, really. Long preseason. We will see what happens when it does matter. At one time I was thrilled for this season, but a number of things have me kind of expecting the worst, most of which admittedly is just the habit of getting beat down for so long by this team. There really have been a lot of warning signs throughout the preseason, but really they dont matter. I remember feeling like they were going to go like 2-14/dead in the water and they came out on the road and absolutely throttled Kansas City on opening day. Well, it ended up in last place, but for a period of time they far exceeded my expectations. I know Im outspoken against current leadership, but I am still firmly in wait and see mode. Im talking in terms of no progress or a step back. Its yet to be determined. Im not even necessarily playoffs or bust. I think Id be thrilled with 8-8. This conversation with Marrone/mgt doesnt matter. Tampa game doesnt matter. Tonight doesnt matter (barring injury(s)). Regular season games, yes.

the worst was the schopp/bulldog melodrama for weeks after the Junior Seau tragedy.

the program director(s) at WGR are at fault. Howard Simon "plays" a bumbling everyman oaf. When he gets taken off character and he actually adds insight you see how knowledgeable he really is. For some reason they make him conceal that whil Jeremy White talks loudly about what HE believes.

Sal is way too much of a cheerleader in hopes of landing a permanent job with the bills. He also pushes his points as more valid than fans' because he lived in Florida before and he also coached 7 year olds. I do agree we need hosts across the board who possess more expertise

"Culture change" is just an espn schlock jockey talking point. The fact that polled members of the nflpa hate buffalo as a destination is an indication major changes need to be made and a new luster put on the organization. Much like the sabres. For example. Contract disputes happen... but going against byrd's wishes, then letting him stew for a year. Then letting him leaving angry for nothing in return is not something that will occur under pegula.

this organization is the definition of irrelevant. They havent won a playoff game since I was a Junior in high school. I am 36 years old now. A lot has changed, but what seems to happen when fans get fed up is a scapegoat, someone is shuffled off, bad decisions are blamed on that individual, the power-brokers (Littman and Overdorf) remain and Brandon gets a new title... and most of the fanbase buys in. Then it looks the same every year. Some promising things, but also too many gaping self-imposed wounds, poor coaching, and blown games. Top players leave. The big coup that took place a few years ago wasnt much to me. Whaley stepped in, who has been here for awhile, and Brandon basically went from CEO to CEO. I still refuse to believe this guy sits in an office looking at ticket invoices and just rubber stamps anything Whaley wants to do. The guy is out on the field every practice dressed in coaches garb, is front and center in the war room, you name it he is all over that side. We also have heard rumblings. Nix didnt do the Evans trade. Coaching staff mad at management figures for the training staff and such. Who knows what is going on. Things dont look good right now though. It appears there is unrest. The team looks like garbage. It seems very possible they could take a step back. Maybe they dont that would be great. If they do, I dont see any reason to maintain this status quo after spending $1 billion +. Teams like Tampa, Atlanta, Tennessee, Cincinnati, Denver, even the Jets can hit rock bottom, and turn into a competitor in a few short years, if not a year. How is it so complicated here? what is preventing it? It is not rocket science

I heard that building is basically worthless. The way it is constructed prevents a modern wiring retrofit and the concrete is too thick and blocks wireless signals. People have looked into upgrades and they are impossible. This is why there are no tenants and the value has dropped by more than 75%.

I saw that awhile back too. It makes no sense and isnt backed up by anything. Especially considering teams like the Giants fill up that monstrousity and have a 100 year waiting list then I found this http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/544821/ryan-ohalloran/2014-07-25/jaguars-ticket-sales-chief-clarifies-numbers

yeah. From a fan standpoint its great, but I can totally see the numerous reasons the business side of the NFL will never allow it. Also, Pegula is a pretty good security blanket for the team in the area.

no, it will not. Tailgating will still exist, but be much different and less quantity. Bars and establishments both permanent and temporary will be hopping. People will take the rail in. I was dreading this... but it wouldnt be all that bad. By then me and my friends will be in our 40s. We might be ready to be a little more civilized, get some drinks and maybe food at say, Pearl Street, and head into the game and not have to arrive at 8AM and leave the lot at like 5:30 or 6, sun rain or snow

so then we need to attribute the Hughes trade, Alonso, Woods, Goodwin, Meeks, d00k Williams, and Gragg to Nix as well?