vincec

I get this and have seen the veiled nature of this staff right from the first press conference. What I don't like is the lying. If they don't want to disclose the injury yet then just say that they are following the situation closely, are up to speed but don't want to disclose anything to the press yet because they want to be sure first or because they want to have a plan to deal with it in place or simply because it's none of their business. Whatever. Just don't say that they have no idea about the injury. Not well, but maybe they should grow some testicles and tell the truth like real "straight shooters" and deal with the blowback instead of lying. How's the lying working in assuaging the press?

I think that the reporters are 100% in the right. They are being jerked around and they don't like it. I find it completely implausible that the head coach has had no contact from anybody for three days concerning a possible injury to his highest paid and highest profile player. I'm sure that they DO know something about the injury but simply don't want to share it with the media yet. They should just say that and give their reasons instead of insulting everyone's intelligence by claiming ignorance. As a matter of fact, they are just making themselves look even more incompetent as an organization by feigning ignorance.

It amazes me how everything can be fine and then, the day before practices are supposed to start... oops, there is an injury that no one knows about and keeps him off the field. Marrone did his Chan Gailey impersonation when asked about it. Are the coaches and trainers really so far out of the loop when it comes to their players health as this?

I know that this is OT, but isn't that money in question if the city successfully files for bankruptcy? The emergency controller would have the power to void all city contracts and I'm sure this one would be at the top of the list. It'$283 million dollars in public funding according to the Red Wings. I don't know how much of that is coming from the city but it would sure help in other areas.

My thoughts as well. If he was cut for not fitting the scheme or to make room for someone else it would've happened long before this.

What really good player on the Bills is being paid fairly, in your opinion? This talk of being overpaid and wanting "more than you're worth" comes up with every single new contract for a strong player. Even guys that are re-signed like Johnson have threads about how they want to much, receivers aren't worth it, etc. It seems to me that fans don't want the team to pay for talent.

Really good players like Levitre and Byrd need to go because they want to get paid well. Average players like Kelsay need to go because they aren't really good players. Bad players need to go because... well, they're bad. Who exactly do fans want the Bills to keep?

Wow, so many memories. Just the early 90s team alone had a dozen games you can never forget. But my top 5: 5 - 1989 Reich comes off canvas to KO the Rams on MNF 4 - 1983 Joe Ferguson throws for 419 yards to out duel Dan Marino (in his first career start) in Orange Bowl shootout. Bills first win in Miami in 17 years. 3 - 1992 vs 49ers- no punt game 2 - 1980 Bills end Dolphin domination streak 1 - 1993 Oiler comeback game

Remember back when the Bills used to win? When other teams melted down versus the Bills onslaught? When fans expected comebacks and wins in any situation? When making the playoffs and even the Super Bowl seemed automatic? Seems like a shadow from a dream.

This board is the best.

Aren't the sour grapes starting a little bit early for Byrd? At least with Levitre we waited until he was gone before we decided that he actually stunk and the Bills are better off without him. What happens if Byrd signs at some point and stays with Buffalo?

OT - Did Wade Phillips have the worst special teams in the history of the franchise or what? Ridiculous.

You say that, but I ask in all seriousness, what is the proper way to play this in kickoff coverage? I was always taught to keep your assignments relative to the ball and then you close in and tackle the ball carrier after he catches it. When Wychek gets the ball and starts running to his right the bills players on the left side of the field break out of their lanes and start pursuing him. The throwback then puts them way out of position. What should the coverage team have done? Stay on the left side of the field while the ball carrier is running right and hope the guys over there make the tackle one v one? Maybe some of the coverage "second wave" should've recognized the play and gone to Dyson's side of the field? But there are usually only 4 or 5 players on the second wave and only 2 or 3 that could've made a play if they recognized it. There are 5 Titans blocking on that side.

The article today implied that Byrd was looking for around $8m per year for 5 years, so $9m per year probably sounds pretty good for him. If the Bills would be willing to give him a $9m average over 3 years then they would probably sign him to a long term deal right now. I agree that they will franchise him again next season but no way they do it for season three. I think that the Bills will be looking to move Byrd if a deal can't be reached before next summer.

I doubt that this concerns Byrd much. He will be able to avoid injury early on and work himself into shape all while earning an all-star salary. And he will undoubtedly play the last dozen games or so to show his stuff for next season's suitors. Works out great for him.

The writing has been on the wall for sometime. Byrd is going to sign the franchise tender before week one to collect his full salary. Whether he plays or not early in the season will be up to the team but I doubt it.

Would've been nice if Bruce Smith had played in that Steelers game.

I didn't mean my response to sound like a criticism. Your quote just brought back memories of the tragic Mega Mind.

Especially if it's a serious injury where the chances of him coming back in one season are slim. That's where that multi-year contract would have really come in handy...

Gailey talked tough at the beginning (just like Greg Williams and Marrone for that matter), but by the end he was a beaten man. http://www.nfl.com/n...bills-struggles http://www.buffalobi...68-8fd07a791955 (after another loss) "Reporter: What do you say to the guys before you come out and address us? Gailey: I basically say the same things to them that I say to you. I tell them that I don't have any answers today, but I have to find the answers." "I have no answer," Gailey said after Sunday's 45-3 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. "I have no answer. I have no excuse. But I have to find the answer. That's my job." The only guy that didn't come it talking tough was Jauron. Everyone else comes in talking like Vince Lombardi and leaves like Kay Stephenson.

I agree completely. That season with the Sabres and 1990 with the Bills were the only two times in my life when I actually thought to myself that Buffalo had the best team in the league and was going to win a major championship. Fate intervened in both cases. The "no-goal" or "homerun throwback" question is irrelevant to some degree because Buffalo wasn't likely to win the championship in either of those seasons. I guess the Sabres would be the closest but if the goal is disallowed then a) the Sabres would still have win that game in OT and then b) would have to win game 7 in Dallas, all against a far better team in the Stars. They would have a puncher's chance because of Hasek but I wouldn't put any money on it. Now if Norwood could only kick straight... that's the closest Buffalo has ever come.

I think this hold out is going to hurt both sides. I see Byrd signing right before week one so that he doesn't lose any of the franchise tag $. However, I think that given a new staff and scheme that he is totally unfamiliar with it will be hard for him to play well, which will hurt his bargaining position next season. Obviously that's not good for the Bills either. Also, call me old school, but I believe that completely missing training camp is going to increase his chances of getting hurt- which would be the true nightmare scenario for Byrd.

Can you please elaborate on why you think the Bills would ever agree to that? They would essentially be agreeing to give up the bank for him next season or lose him for nothing. Plus Byrd will certainly play this season under the franchise tender because if not he will lose millions of dollars that he will never be able to recover in his career. Why wouldn't he hold out until just before week one and then report?

Fair enough, but the same goes for you. Your reasons are valid in your opinion and Byrd's position can't be dismissed simply because you don't agree with it.

What "valid reasons" are you referring to? Aside from the obvious reason that they don't want to spend the money so that they can use it for ... er, um... something else.