NoSaint

That would be a HUUUUUGE offense and MAJOR story. That is almost certainly not what happened. Instead of assuming that someone at the top of a complicated profession was either hopelessly incompetent or nefariously duped him - I’m going to stick with the guy that’s had decades of extremely erratic behavior is the person creating this erratic situation

I don’t think he had much desire to retire - and there is likely where part of the problem lies. He’s a mess and football has likely been among his only consistent rocks in life. Not only that, one where his off the wall behavior was remotely acceptable. As he meanders into civilization without purpose, there’s a good chance this gets worse not better.

The structure itself is the leverage. Whether fans like it- this is a business first and the league created a structure that pressures teams to keep up. Throw in the easy playbook of other cities being eager so you better step up... over the next 3 years this will be a relatively constant and likely escalating conversation. Ultimately everyone will pitch in for either a very substantial renovation (not like the recent band aids) or a new stadium. It’ll see tax dollars, pegula bucks and don’t be shocked if at least some minor PSLs (they don’t have to be tens of thousands). Look for a more compete game day experience that cuts back on broken tables and ramps up revenue streams. Look for more changes in things like club sections and vendors inside. They will create more places you can hand them money, they will make it easier to do so and they will make you want to hand more of it over when you do.

The shared vs unshared revenue streams press owners to get more out of their stadiums. Unless you think they are going to drain cash from their other businesses, the next “wells” they are going to drill to finance this team will be city, state, and fans. As kirby notes, it will not just be improving experience but also tying premium amenities to premium seats to improve cash flow. For joe bills fan that just wants to be in the building, new era is fine... but it’s definitely not maximizing the ability to have fans hand you their money.

I’m no saint.... but we all know this guy has a well documented history over the last 15 years. This isn’t some outlier on his resume. This is the normal. Whether he’s a huge schmuck or ill or both (not mutually exclusive and I suspect there’s a little of each column here)... you don’t need to have all the details of the root cause to say his behavior has been consistently unacceptable and needs to change.

Theres no sense in cutting his pay and handing him a 7 figure pay check up front to force him out. You just cut him.

Goes back long before the rams...

Amy number of simple explanations- couldve gone off meds, or changed meds, or started drinking/drugs, or maybe he really had health issues that were traumatic to him (maybe the kidney/liver issues are real), or maybe he’s just in an extreme swing of a mental illness these things aren’t always all day every day all the time. It’s not crazy to think he might have things in check and swing off the deep end. He’s 24-48 hour twitter benders were a big red flag (beyond content, simply that it seemed he wasn’t sleeping for days at times)

Yup. This is a multi year public negotiation. Can’t ride the roller coaster of every comment. At some point all parties will have to throw in money though or you will start to see the comments escalate and possibly even an actual move, though not likely. If the teams winning and an icon of the region it’ll be much easier to bring everyone on board.

He also gets by with one of those LBs being a thumper ala Brandon spikes. That guy comes super cheap. For him paying a LB isn’t just a luxury - it’s damn near impossible when paying 4-5 guys on the line.

He can definitely be a well spoken guy and has a unique perspective... but I think there’s a wide gap between lets have him on set for an interview and let’s sign him to a contract to represent a major network day in and day out. maybe one of the edgier cable or radio programs give him a chance to build his resume and get the ratings boost associated with possible shock value. I can’t see him going major network anytime soon though. He keeps digging his hole deeper.

I suspect that he’s a 3 down guy and Milano/Zo share package duties. I’m not an expert on him but it seems he’s a better 3 down player and allows them to bring the young guy along with favorable situations still.

I think he’s a real long shot to transition from “too extreme for nfl locker rooms” to “corporate America in an already on guard environment” He’s ultra high risk given his resume, and would have to be a huge upgrade over the next best guy. The Jacksonville story followed by this offseason really hurt the outside chance of him being able to argue that he is 100% trustworthy

Why do you assume he’d be the 3rd lb?

The beauty of creating this storyline is that you can never be proven wrong. No matter what, you can just say oh well Buffalo didn’t match 30-whatever his new salary was would put him spot on average for starting guards. At 34 and given his laundry list of trouble.... I don’t think it’s a crazy offer and given he signed it- his behavior reinforces that he’s damaged goods and you need to have him at a discount

And ritchie does this out of honor or?

I use 2 lb as “starters” depth charts haven’t caught up but truth is that the majority of snaps are definitely in nickel. Once you pull out dine, goal line, etc... we are only in a “base” 43 so often. Milano and Zo, are good role players for that.

I think you are likely low balling on all fronts

All it takes is 1-2 teams to have money and desire.

I don’t know his play well but a good vet and elite rookie would be a nice starting pair and a guy like milano is a nice off the bench player. If they like him as a long term piece this would really solidify the defense for 2-3 years

What do you think he signs for now?

From a handful I think it’s less about football and more so identity politics. If ritchie is a schmuck and relic of the past - we have a few posters that aren’t far removed from that status. Have to keep him a viable person or it’s a slippery slope to not being viable themselves. Dude agreed to reduced pay and no one wants to trade for him... seems the bills pay cut was pretty fair. Ritchie’s pay will never match his skill because he comes with mountains of baggage.

Which cuts to the “what’s his value” question a lot of folks are saying he didn’t deserve the pay cut but we couldn’t get anyone to drop a 7th for his reduced contract with signing bonus already paid?

So let’s say Hughes wants out. He goes on a 4 day twitter bender and drunk dials the pegulas- that gets him out of his contract? i only mentioned the pats because you did

Im sure they’d double check his health but probably not thaaat different than any 30+ year old OL. he pulled that comment practically in concert with that for the right price he’d play. It felt like a child flailing around to try to get out of trouble. That he said different things to different people doesn’t make me think any Avenue was particularly different. Just that he was throwing a tantrum and we had multiple ways to witness it