papazoid

i'm going the other way. first, he is NOT a distraction to the other players. in fact, they are all probably encouraging him to get all the money he can possibly get. second, he is not a distraction to the team. looks like they anticipated this holdout and drafted accordingly. you coach who is here. next man up. third, the Bills should play hardball all the way. STOP LETTING PLAYERS FORCE THEIR WAY OUT. Byrd is under team control for at least this year and next at reasonable franchise tag numbers ($6.9 & $8.3). they could even stick it to him a third year at $11.9 just to make a point. LET HIM SIT HIM HOME IF HE WANTS.

a potential girlfriend for Billy ? her name is Buffalo Bell:

or just defusing the the situation before the circus on sunday. remember his agent is all about action and little words. his agent's next action will be an attempt to use as leverage, that byrd will sign his one year deal and come to camp "IF" the bills agree to NOT use the tag again next year. I would guess that the bills have communicated they have no intention of agreeing to that. therefore, the stalemate continues. the earliest to expect byrd is week #1 of the regular season. he will not come to camp or play in any pre-season games.

he already picked #3 http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2013/04/26/manuel-jersey-number/

By Tim Graham No surprise here, but Buffalo Bills fans must've hoped for one. The Bills and Jairus Byrd have not made progress on a new contract, and he will not report to St. John Fisher College this weekend for the start of training camp, two sources with knowledge of the stalemate have told me. http://blogs.buffalonews.com/press-coverage/2013/07/sources-jairus-byrd-wont-report-for-training-camp-this-weekend.html

Report: Jairus Byrd wont be at Bills training camp this weekend http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/07/25/report-jairus-byrd-wont-be-at-bills-training-camp-this-weekend/

where am I going ? #1- you say these players shouldn't act or be held to a standard any different than you or I. the NFL SAYS: STANDARD OF CONDUCT While criminal activity is clearly outside the scope of permissible conduct, and persons who engage in criminal activity will be subject to discipline, the standard of conduct for persons employed in the NFL is considerably higher. It is not enough simply to avoid being found guilty of a crime. Instead, as an employee of the NFL or a member club, you are held to a higher standard and expected to conduct yourself in a way that is responsible, promotes the values upon which the League is based, and is lawful. Persons who fail to live up to this standard of conduct are guilty of conduct detrimental and subject to discipline, even where the conduct itself does not result in conviction of a crime. #2- the name FUHKMORE easily qualifies as profanity. #3- 90% of Stevie Johnson is great. this discussion is about the other 10%. while Stevie and his buddies are probably having a good laugh over all this. it would not be surprising if one Buffalo Bill Social Media person is out of a job for not noticing Stevie's humor.

QUESTION ?? who on the current roster would be considered 2nd in the "stunt" department ?? I can't think of one, so apparently over 50 other guys are getting the message that acting the fool is not cool.

because it is clearly spelled out in the LEAGUE POLICY FOR PLAYERS under Personal Conduct: All persons associated with the NFL are required to avoid conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the National Football League. This requirement applies to players, coaches, other team employees, owners, game officials and all others privileged to work in the National Football League. For many years, it has been well understood that rules promoting lawful, ethical, and responsible conduct serve the interests of the League, its players, and fans. Illegal or irresponsible conduct does more than simply tarnish the offender. It puts innocent people at risk, sullies the reputation of others involved in the game, and undermines public respect and support for the NFL. It is important to note that the unsportsmanlike conduct rules apply to all personnel in the team area, including players, coaches, team employees, and officials. Lack of respect or other unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated during games or at other times, including postgame interviews. This includes abusive, threatening, insulting, or profane language or gestures, and physical acts by coaches, players, and other club personnel directed at opponents, officials, game personnel, or fans. Coaches and players should keep in mind that every NFL game is broadcast on radio and television, and that there are open microphones near the playing field as well as closeup camera shots that permit easy lip-reading by viewers. The League and its participants are severely criticized whenever obscene or profane language or obscene gestures are carried or shown on the air. Serious incidents of this kind will warrant disciplinary action by the League. http://www.nflevolution.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/FO-11-12-League-Policies-for-Players.pdf

or Elvis: http://www.buffalobills.com/media-center/videos/Bills-Elvis-A-fixture-at-Ralph-Wilson-Stadium/ff168f3f-73af-493a-ad18-62a297887a3f

rotoworld update: Bills released DE Mark Anderson. The move comes as a small surprise. Anderson signed a four-year, $19.5 million contract that included $8 million guaranteed last offseason. The Bills are eating an additional $500,000 by releasing him this year. After posting just one sack in five games last season, Anderson was expected to get another shot under the new regime. Instead, the Bills are wiping their hands clean. Jerry Hughes might be the new favorite to anchor one edge of the defense opposite Mario Williams. Anderson joins John Abraham on the free-agent end market. Jul 23 - 4:00 PM http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/3964/mark-anderson

or could be a reverse Whammy Weenie ?? What is a Whammy Weenie? The Whammy Weenie is the ultimate hex in the hand of the fans used to bring calamity to Bills opponent. Yuk! It is a wiener that is rancid, rotten and green...the symbol of all the foul, downright disgusting and repulsive distaste we have for the opposition. When waved in the face of the opponent, its moldy green odor and menacing sound is guaranteed to cause sudden sloppiness, frequent fumbles, inopportune interceptions and downright disorganization. Bills opponents will shake in the wake of the Whammy Weenie. http://www.forgottenbuffalo.com/forgottenbflofeatures/whammyweenie.html[/size]

here's a nice link to save. League Cap Report This Report is generated at 8 AM, 12 PM, 4 PM and 8 PM daily https://www.nflplayers.com/reports/RunPublicReport.aspx?report=top51

Brad Smith should be next.

no cap savings at all.....in fact his 2013 cap is $4.0 mil but the dead money is $4.5 mil (-$500,000). http://www.overthecap.com/teamcap.php?Team=Bills&Year=2013 3/21/2012: Signed a four-year, $19.5 million contract. The deal contains $8 million guaranteed, including a $6 million signing bonus and all of Anderson's first-year salary. Another $8 million is available through incentives. Anderson is eligible for an annual $100,000 workout bonus throughout the contract's life. 2013: $2.4 million (+ $1.5 million option bonus), 2014: $3.9 million, 2015: $4.9 million, 2016: Free Agent http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/3964/mark-anderson

Stevie's best work..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thR-DUxmQMc

This type of insurance is in place to protect against a career-ending injury, but should not be confused with a 'loss of value' policy (which I don't think is even available). Moreover, it's not that big a risk for the insurance company. These policies are written so that companies pay off only if the player never plays again, a rarity in today's advanced medicine and rehabilitation.

not like he ever wore a questionable T-Shirt before.....

this is NOT ok from the viewpoint of his employer. like it or not, these athletes also act as defacto PAID SPOKESPERSONS representing a BRAND called the NFL & Buffalo Bills. it just isn't smart on stevies part. and it's a disaster if this was a team sanctioned photo shoot. heads should roll.

Billy Buffalo Bio: Born: Sept 3, 2000 Home Town: Orchard Park College: Bovine University Height: 8 ft Weight: unknown 40 yard dash time: faster than Rich Eisen Uniform number: BB Favorite Colors: Red, White, and Blue Favorite Foods: Fruits, vegetables, buffalo chicken wings, Gatorade, and ice cold milk! Favorite Songs: “The Shout Song”, “Talkin’ Proud”, "Red, White and Blue" Favorite Movies: “NFL Archives: Buffalo Bills vs. Houston Oilers 1993 AFC Playoffs”, “NFL: History of the Buffalo Bills” Hobbies: Playing 60 minutes a day, signing autographs, taking photos, and visiting Bills fans all over Western New York Goals: To make Mom proud and support the Buffalo Bills all the way to the Super Bowl! Twitter Followers: 214

the day Byrd shows up he is an improvement over every other safety on this team. at most it would take him two weeks to get up to game speed. Byrd only becomes a distraction if the Bills allow it. I don't see that happening. in addition his agent is all action and very little talk, so there will not be a lot of nonsense from their end. I don't see the Bills entertaining any trade scenarios whatsoever this year, because it is unlikely they would receive fair value in return in the form of draft picks AND because the franchise tag for safeties starts so much lower compared to other positions, it essentially gives the Bills an extra year of leverage before the franchise tag value becomes to high. I fully expect the bills to tag byrd again next season and expect a long term deal to get done then. in trade Byrd is worth somewhere between two 1st rounders on the high side and a first & third on the low end. accepting anything less just to get rid of someone who is deemed "doesn't want to be here" because he is taking his time negotiating the most important contract of his career is not in the bills best interest. at this point I don't blame either side for their positions. using a tennis saying, I would say advantage buffalo. the Bills are exercising their rights to team control one very special player, while trying to not overpay. we are not going to attract very many high end free agents without overpaying, so keeping a talented player via the franchise tag becomes even more important to a team like buffalo. we can quibble over his true value and rank amongst Top safeties, but he is clearly in the Top Ten and in his prime. in the end, the biggest unknown is does Byrd want to sign long term with Buffalo. if you are to believe the report from Fred Jackson than that is the first positive sign. the Bills obviously want him or they wouldn't have let levitre walk and used their tag on Byrd.

if their intention is to stay with Buffalo, then I agree. if his intention is to get out of Buffalo, then it goes past week 1.

the option of signing a long term contract is now gone until after the 2013 season is over. the next delay in signing the 1 year tag will be Parker insisting that as a condition of signing the 1 year deal, the Bills agree to NOT use the franchise tag on Byrd next year. which the Bills will NOT agree to. this stand off will probably mean Bryd does not attend camp, while they continue to negotiate. "IF" Byrd really does eventually want to sign long term with Buffalo, then chances are good he will sign by opening day, ONLY IF HE TELLS HIS AGENT TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. if he sits back and lets Parker do his thing, then this goes past opening day. After July 15, the franchise player can sign only a one-year deal with his current team. It can be for more than the franchise tender, and it can include other terms, like playing-time or performance triggers that would prevent the tag from being used again. But the duration can be no more than one year. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/28/10-things-to-know-about-the-franchise-tag/

Wallace and Bryd's situations are different. Mike Wallace signed with Miami during this offseason as an Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA). he was not under any team control and Pittsburgh did NOT receive any compensation. The previous season (2012) The Steelers placed a first round tender on Wallace as a restricted free agent. Pit would have been able to match any offer, which he did not get, or receive draft pick compensation. He completed the season under that tender, earning the fourth year needed to reach unrestricted free agent status, and was on the open market for any team. Byrd is under Bills team control for 2013 by virtue of the NON-EXCLUSIVE franchise tag. A non-exclusive franchise player may negotiate with other NFL teams, but if he signs an offer sheet from another team, the Bills have a right to match the terms of that offer, or if it does not match the offer and thus loses the player, is entitled to receive TWO first-round draft picks as compensation. they can keep him under team control for 2 additional seasons if they so choose.

or maybe, just maybe, next year Byrd realizes that so called Top 4-5 money is fair, that he is accepting too much risk, signs a long term deal with the bills and this ends happily.