papazoid

#1- even Bill Polian says 18 games is "fait accompli"....it's going to happen , it's just a matter of when..... as soon as the players get their revenue cut, retired health insurance, less OTA's, another bye week, increased roster size, etc.... #2- not only will Rogers do the deal again...i look for the next deal to double to 10 years and increase to 2 regular season games (the pre-season game will probably be eliminated). #3- the increase in canadians at the Ralph is due to Marketing and advertising the best game in sports. the crowd in Toronto at the Rogers Centre will gradually become more Pro-Buffalo once we get into a winning cycle. as far as ticket prices go, the Maple Leafs charge considerably more than the Sabres and yet Leaf tix are tough to come by. #4- there is one significant down side to this arrangement. home teams enjoy a significant competitive advantage with crowd noise that forces the away team into mistakes. it will take some time before the Rogers Centre crowd equals the Ralph.

expect the next deal with toronto to include TWO regular season games.......especially if the league cuts preseason games and/or increases regular season games to 18.

A. J. Smith not doing so well without Buddy Nix: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/03/30/chargers-got-smallest-impact-from-2010-rookie-class/

Embrace the southern ontario and toronto market.....it is the key to keeping the bills in buffalo.

"After three years of that experience, we've had a 44 percent increase in season-ticket holders from Southern Ontario to One Bills Drive," Brandon said.

"At Ralph Wilson Stadium on any given Sunday, close to 15 percent of your fan base is from Rochester, and 15 percent of your fan base is from Southern Ontario," Brandon said. http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/bills-nfl/article379741.ece Buffalo Bills = 4th Largest market in North America !

during yesterday's bills tele-forum.....chan gailey said that spiller will get 15-20 touches per game.

But as the NCAA basketball tournament's Final Four gathers here this week — capping a three-week showcase that generates more than $771 million a year in television rights alone — Emmert acknowledges it's time for a serious discussion about whether and how to spread a little more of the largesse to those doing the playing and sweating. Football's Bowl Championship Series is coming off the first season of a $125 million-a-year TV deal. Dwarfing that, the NCAA put the basketball tournament out to bid and last June landed a 14-year, $10.8 billion contract with CBS and Turner Sports. Throw in conferences' TV packages, including the Southeastern Conference's whopping 15-year, $2.5 billion arrangement with ESPN. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/mensbasketball/2011-03-29-ncaa-pay-for-play-final-four_N.htm?csp=34

“If I had to say today, I’d say we’re going to use most of our picks defensively,” said head coach Chan Gailey during a half-hour Tele-Forum with Bills season ticket holders Tuesday afternoon. “I think we have to try to shore up our defensive football team. We have to try to get stronger there, get quicker there, get nastier there. I won’t say all of them, but I would say a majority of them will work toward that defensive side this year.” “The main thing we need to improve on is playing defense and stopping the run,” said Bills GM Buddy Nix. “Until we do that and get some pressure on the passer then we’re not going to be where we want to be. That would be the biggest change I would see us making.” “The thing we’re trying to get to is a 3-4 scheme and when I say that it’s for scouting and for drafting more than anything else,” said Nix. “That’s what we shoot for when we go out and evaluate players. There’s not a lot of difference though. We’ll try to do what players can do best. We’re going to take those guys and if they can make plays we’re going to put them in position to make them whether it’s a 4-3 look or a 3-4 look.” “There are a couple of those guys in the draft and I think the question that you ask yourself in the draft situation when you’re sitting there is how do you weight the guys for your football team,” said Gailey. “I feel like a pass rusher, an outside backer, there are a couple of those guys that can make a difference coming off the edge. We hope we have one in the fold already in a Shawne Merriman. If we’ve got one and can get one of the other side to put some pressure on the passer that’ll help us tremendously. If we end up trading out of the number three pick, that might be something that would be a viable option for us.”

here are buddy's comments on QB: Let me just say this to you, and dont read anything into it. Try not to connect the dots. If you wait until you do not have a quarterback to draft one, youre too late. Our greatest need is not quarterback, Nix said. Its definitely not quarterback. If there is a franchise guy there and one we deem as a guy that can go eight or 10 years and be the face of this organization and take us to the playoffs and win every year, you cant pass him up. But as far as need? No, its not the number one need. link to tele-forum comments: http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-2/Bills-picks-to-mainly-go-defense/c24b50eb-0662-45f4-b8c3-07821c20e2ce

look for the NCAA to invoke the four year statute of limitations rule.....nothing will come of this....except to shine a light back on Cam Newton's trustworthiness.

Report: Four ex-Auburn players got cash: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=6272478 Cam wouldn't do anything like this would he?....i mean it was just a coincidence he cried on phone telling mississippi(his dream destination) that the money was just to much at auburn....allegedly.

The players, Chaz Ramsey, Troy Reddick, Stanley McClover and Raven Gray, alleged they received money as part of a pay-for-play scheme during their time at Auburn. None played there more recently than 2007. I'M SURE THIS STOPPED BEFORE CAM NEWTON SHOWED UP.....(cough). http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=6272478

let me clarify...first of all...buddy and chan did NOT specifically say what they were doing with the #3...they mostly gave the standard pat answers.....the above comments are my feelings based on what i heard.....i'm sure a transcript of the phone conference will be avail shortly. obviously there will be many ways to interpret what was said. one comment that caught my attention, was when one caller asked chan about defensive pressure on the QB...he answered by saying that they believe merriman will take care of some of that....and then said something like....now, if we can only get someone for the other side.....hence my #3 comment that if they stay at #3, Von Miller would fit that description. regarding the franchise QB...gailey said the standard answer that if a QB was there that could play for the next 10 years, you get him now because you don't know if you'll ever be picking that high again. went on to compliment both newton and gabbert. but i just came away thinking, neither fits that description. i forget exactly what was said, but i came away feeling that pick #34 would be used on a QB. as far as trading out from #3, again i forget what was said, but both nix and gailey each talked about trading out, in such away that it made me think that is their preferred outcome.

the Bills are having a phone conference today....after listening to both Nix and Gailey...i'm inclined to believe the following: #1- the Bills are Trading out of the #3 pick...but no farther than #10. #2- if a Franchise QB is there, they will take him. #3- i think Von Miller is the most likely pick. #4- Patrick Peterson is viewed as a "nickel" back, so i don't think they take him. #5- Gailey said "most" picks will be defensive.

Stevie only got 38% of the vote to Danny Woodheads 62%

the Nawrocki takedown of Cam Newton is now on Yahoo's home page... http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/PFW-Draft-Guide-rips-Newton-personally-8211-h?urn=nfl-wp657

please be true.....

WOW...pretty Harsh... Under “negatives” for Cam Newton, Nolan Nawrocki writes, “Very disingenuous — has a fake smile, comes off as very scripted and has a selfish, me-first makeup. Always knows where the cameras are and plays to them. Has an enormous ego with a sense of entitlement that continually invites trouble and makes him believe he is above the law — does not command respect from teammates and will always struggle to win a locker room . . . Lacks accountability, focus and trustworthiness — is not punctual, seeks shortcuts and sets a bad example. Immature and has had issues with authority. Not dependable.” http://profootballta...ers-cam-newton/

WOW...pretty Harsh... Under “negatives” for Cam Newton, Nolan Nawrocki writes, “Very disingenuous — has a fake smile, comes off as very scripted and has a selfish, me-first makeup. Always knows where the cameras are and plays to them. Has an enormous ego with a sense of entitlement that continually invites trouble and makes him believe he is above the law — does not command respect from teammates and will always struggle to win a locker room . . . Lacks accountability, focus and trustworthiness — is not punctual, seeks shortcuts and sets a bad example. Immature and has had issues with authority. Not dependable.” http://profootballta...ers-cam-newton/

WOW...pretty Harsh... Under “negatives” for Cam Newton, Nolan Nawrocki writes, “Very disingenuous — has a fake smile, comes off as very scripted and has a selfish, me-first makeup. Always knows where the cameras are and plays to them. Has an enormous ego with a sense of entitlement that continually invites trouble and makes him believe he is above the law — does not command respect from teammates and will always struggle to win a locker room . . . Lacks accountability, focus and trustworthiness — is not punctual, seeks shortcuts and sets a bad example. Immature and has had issues with authority. Not dependable.” http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/03/28/pfw-draft-guide-clobbers-cam-newton/

#1- i do NOT feel that gailey and nix "believe" in Fitz. thats why edwards beat him out in pre-season. i do feel that Fitz has since earned their respect and that both nix and gailey will support Fitz by saying he is their guy and we can win with him....blah blah blah. #2- if the Bills use their first round pick on a QB than it's painfully obvious they do NOT believe in him. if they wait til round 2 or 3 then that tells me they do believe in him. simple as that.

i had to "pay something" for the priviledge to shop at BJ's.....

Cam Newton is supposed to meet with Bills Today at OBD. hope he only brings his father, agent, PR person, business manager, acting coach, manicurist and entourage. don't want him looking like he could be trouble.

"needs" can be defined differently. #1- Short Term - find someone to fill the weakest area on team. #2- Long Term - invest in positions that properly build a franchise. Short Term (weakest by position)- OLB, TE, DT, OT Long Term (franchise building)- QB, DL, OL, LB, TE, DB, RB , WR