uncle flap

I know, I know... underwear olympics etc, but impressive nonetheless. http://youtu.be/Ir8UwEaFpmw Also, interesting article "Dispelling the Myths about EJ Manuel" http://sports.yahoo.com/news/dispelling-myths-buffalo-bills-quarterback-ej-manuel-183500304.html

They have plenty of room this year. Next year is when we can expect to see cuts and restructuring. I think if any of those guys are cut this year, it will be more of a reflection of their ability to contribute than of their impact on the cap. Here's the article the OP didn't link: http://sports.yahoo....-174406789.html

Sorry if this was posted already but AH linked to yet another shooting http://larrybrownsports.com/football/aaron-hernandez-investigated-2007-gainesville-shooting/194970

New(?) info on AH's past: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323297504578579841842413024.html http://deadspin.com/teenaged-aaron-hernandez-punched-a-bar-employee-after-r-642981475?

I apologize if I came off brashly, I just didn't recall those instances where Byrd played poorly. I'm off this week so I will take a look. I'm familiar with your posts, so I realize you pay attention and "get it." I just saw different things - or at least remembered them differently. And I'm sorry I wasn't more clear: I didn't mean to imply your criticism was unfair, just that safeties often get a bad rap when they don't make up for someone else's mistake, and when we don't exactly know the assignments. I also enjoyed the discussion and bid you a GO BILLS as well, good sir!

I think we mostly agree, and I'm always willing to concede when I'm wrong. But I think you're off-base with the the cover 2 stuff. Of course they played two deep in cover 2 and cover 4 at times, but I'd say it was sparingly compared to how often they played cover 3 or 1. Again, I may be wrong as I'm just going off my memory which certainly isn't perfect. When you talk about Byrd being slow to recognize plays or late getting over, I didn't really see that either. Again, not saying it didn't happen, I just don't remember that. The times I can think of where it would appear he's "late" getting over would be when he was cheating to the strong side. That is certainly a valid criticism if he does that too often on his own accord, but like I said in an earlier post, it could simply be that he and/or the staff felt they'd rather risk him cheating and forcing the play to the other side. If he was expected to cheat, I wouldn't really hold that against Byrd, but one could certainly make the argument that it's on him if he was indeed "freelancing" or falling for misdirection by the QB. We can't know if either case is true, but I'm not going to put too much stock into plays where he wasn't the primary defender. Sure, we want the safety to be there to bail out the corner when he gets beats by a receiver, but when playing in the middle third, I don't think it's fair to criticize him for failing to make a play on someone else's man on the sideline. But even if you want to criticize him for that, how often did that really happen? I don't mean to paint a picture that Byrd is perfect, but I can't think of a single time where Byrd was "victimized." I can think of a few blown coverages where he didn't make an incredible improvised play, but again, I wouldn't hold that against him.

No disrespect here either, but you can't be thinking I extrapolated those 21 targets to encompass his entire "side" of the field, right? That's preposterous, and I wouldn't make such a claim. Obviously that's when he had primary coverage in either a man to man matchup or the target was in his "zone." I know stats don't tell the whole story, but a 50% rate of success is much higher than that of elite corners who only succeed about a third of the time. I would certainly discount the stats since George Wilson also fared well, and the Bills D was constantly run all over, eliminating the need for deeper passing. But I wouldn't want to use stats to try to compare players anyway, since like you, I prefer the eyeball test. But those stats, albeit a small sampling, back up what I'm saying: 1. Byrd is rarely thrown at (which I attribute to QBs recognizing the danger of doing so) and 2. When balls are thrown his way, there is a great chance that Byrd will make a big play. Also, I disagree that they played two-deep the majority of the time. I saw a lot of cover 3 and cover 1. Byrd was the "center fielder" with the SS playing in the box or the flats most of the time. I do agree it isn't really fair to compare Reed to Byrd, but I just wanted to point out that many here (not you, of course) consider Byrd ordinary and easily replaceable, when I think it's clear opposing QBs and coaches disagree. But what the hell do I know? I'm just a fan.

By no means am I trying to say Byrd is as good or better than Reed, but it's worth noting Byrd does have that same effect on QBs. Byrd was only only targeted 21 times last year. 11 of those times, the pass was either deflected or intercepted. QBs know not to throw it where he can make a play. People point to TDs given up by Gilmore as an indictment of Byrd being unable to close, but what I see is a guy taking away the other 2/3 of the field- where he was arguably needed more, since Gilmore is/was the best corner. If you're going to cheat at all, it should be to help the guys who need it (more so than Gilmore, at least). Again, Byrd is not Reed. But they play a similar role in terms of creating a "danger zone" for the opposition. Obviously you can count me in the camp that is salivating at the prospect of Byrd under a competent coordinator. Who knows, maybe down the line there'll be some actual merit to these Reed comparisons.

I think you answered your own question.

Looking at the schedule, I went the optimistic route. There's 5 or 6 teams that are likely clearly better than the Bills, and the rest are either likely to be about equal or inferior. Despite the usual learning curve with a new coaching staff and plenty of youth slated to start, I think this Bills team can be competitive out of the gate and if they catch a few breaks, win 10-12 games. I'm pretty confident that even if all those wins don't materialize, the Bills will be in contention in every game, and we won't see the embarrassing blowouts we've seen the past few years. Keep in mind, the Bills now have deep threats so opposing defenses can't squat on short routes or stack the box against Spiller. The biggest ? in play IMO is whether or not the Bills can stop the run. That will likely be the deciding factor in determining the BIlls' fate this year, despite this being a passing league.

Maybe Hedda Hopper or Louella Parsons would be a more apt comparison for you old timers.

Yeah I was gonna post pics of Eric Wood looking down the barrel of a 50 cal but I figured the point would was made better with two pretty high profile NFL guys. I also found pics of Aaron Rogers with a gun (albeit standing next to a police officer), and many others high profile athletes (including Kaman). I don't remember any outrage stemming from this: http://dailycaller.c...ning-available/ either. Especially the quotes that fly in face of Graham's agenda. And I normally like Graham. Now, I don't want to come off as some 2nd Amendent type of wingnut (but if you put a gun to my head I'd be ok with increased control lol), but I find the sanctimonious hypocrisy hilarious. I enjoy target shooting and individual rights and all that, but I'd certainly consider myself "anti-crime" way before I'd consider myself "pro-guns."

I've seen plenty of conflicting info regarding the rules on jersey changes and tweaks. I mostly chalked up these latest "rumors" to be just that, since I feel like it doesn't make a lot of sense to tweak a jersey that's only been out one year (regardless of the league policies). However, I just went to the Nike site to check out the Elite ( on-field) jerseys and, lo and behold: http://store.nike.co...8qlZ9phZ9g6Zbhl

Most people would rather just go to the game without their precious bag than miss it to be a part of a protest. Let me guess; you've never been to an NFL game because the greedy tyrants that run the NFL don't deserve your hard earned AMERICAN dollars anyway.

Donald Glover could play a young OJ, but prob not a good fit for a 45 year old Juice.

Since this is kinda OT, here's some OJ highlights: http://youtu.be/ar-R_orwfyE

http://www.buffalo.com/news/blog/oh-swell-theres-going-to-be-an-o.j.-simpson-movie/49315 Charlotte Kirk: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5016840/

True. He did. And in a vacuum, I'd agree with you. But considering everything we know about Mario, I'd place him closer to the Jimbo/Jared Allen/responsible gun owner edge of the spectrum and nowhere near the Aaron Hernandez/dumbass thug category.

I don't know if you're right or wrong, but I don't recall much hubbub about Jared Allen's affinity for guns: Maybe Mario should put on some camo and it'd be all good. Or how bout the NFL's golden boy Drew Brees?

I seem to recall mrags mentioning that he once lived in vegas

Once I called to report a robbery burglary in progress (next door neighbor's apt.). The operator was professional and asked me to stay on the line until cops arrived and to describe anything I could safely witness. She specifically asked me like 3 or 4 times to make sure I was not putting myself in danger. Cops were there in moments, and once they were there the operator asked for my info so they could follow up if necessary, but they never did. Another time I called to report a drunk driver who had crashed into my car (wound up on front lawn) and at least four others in front of my apartment. They caught the guy on the next block smashed into another parked car. I don't really remember the exchange with the operator as I was a little tipsy myself from celebrating Mardi Gras, but it was crazy to see the guy driving with his entire front end smashed up while I was on the line. His hood was bent in half and I have no idea how he could see where he was going. The other times I've called 911 were absolutely horrible experiences I'd rather not relive. Chef and KD, be glad you've never had the experience.

Great stories! That reminds me I also got over a hundred in my mom's Infiniti G37X. We were driving to New Jersey for my goddaughter's first communion. It was kinda late in the middle of nowhere so I started speeding up. Well the car automatically turns up the music as engine/outside noise increases which of course woke up my mom who mutters something so I let off the gas. She realizes we're slowing down and glances at the speedometer and I'm still over 90 and she starts yelling at me for going so fast with her in the car. She wasn't that mad, but I think it was more that it was a little bit of a disconcerting thing to wake up to. Thank god she did wake up then tho, because about a minute later there was a NYS trooper pulled over on the side of the road that would've got me for sure as I was basically the only car on the road. I'm also so lucky to be alive- I feel you, Clippers! I've got a million stupid stories that I don't want to share since they'll make me look like a grade A moron / a-hole with no regard for the sanctity of life (mine and others'), but props to you for sharing! You're braver than I am!

Love this topic! I've gotten around 130-140 in two different VW Passats. One w/ turbo engine and one w/ V6. There's a computerized speed governor around 128 IIRC, but if you're going downhill you can push past it. (EDIT: I wasn't really looking at he speedometer as it was a little nerve racking going so fast but when I glanced down it was just above 135 in the V6 and the other time I looked down as I let off the gas and it was dropping from a little over 130.) My dad had a 97 or 98 Subaru Legacy GT Limited with some modifications. I got the needle bouncing on the end of the speedometer (120) on the QEW. I have no clue how fast I was going but def went quite a bit faster than the gauge could show. I recently got a Ford Fusion w/ a V6 that I've only got up to just over a 100. I read there's a governor on it topping out at 112 which is fine with me since I shouldn't be driving that fast anyway, I'm trying to cut back on some of my recklessness as I approach the age of 30. Then again, my dad has a 95 Porsche 911 that I get to drive once in a blue moon. I've only gotten that up to 90, but I haven't been too far outside the city limits the few times I've had a chance to drive it. One of these days tho, I'd like to open that bad boy up. The speedometer goes to 180!

Agreed. I expect the Bills to sign him. If like Kelso hinted is true, and that the negotiations started $2 mil apart, I don't see why they can't work out a deal for around $8 mil. It seems pricey for a safety, but as others have mentioned, give it a few years and it won't seem that outrageous. Plus, they've got the money this year and there's not much else out there to spend it on. Because much of this year's cap space is from last year's rollover, and they can't roll the same money over again, it's a "use it or lose it" scenario. Not spending $ 8 mil on Byrd this year doesn't give the Bills an extra $8 mil next year. I'm too lazy to check now, but I'm pretty sure they can only rollover la max of around $3 mil either way.

OK, so "we" don't like what TG says/does and call him names and deride him. But when TG doesn't like what "we" do, he can't name call and deride "us?" Now who's putting who on pedestal? Look, I don't want to come off as some TG groupie or apologist, but I thought that his participation on the board was very cool. Maybe a cynic would say he was simply trying to gain readers or attention, but I believe him when he said that he initially enjoyed coming here. I'm just pointing out the hypocrisy surrounding this scenario. Everyone seems to ignore the fact that TG doesn't owe you or I anything. So just like you have the choice to ignore his so-called "rules," he has the choice to "take his ball and go home." I've asked this upthread (and in other threads broaching this topic) and no one ever seems to answer, but how many of you would continue to post here if you were constantly berated? I know that some people enjoy the give and take that is sometimes the nature of forums like this, but what I see here is TG being criticized for dishing it out when he does AND for keeping his mouth shut (ie leaving TSW). What the hell do some of you want?