hondo in seattle

Thanks, as always, Erik. I often complained during Fred's best years that he had to get yards on his own. Some of our current backs nowadays have huge holes to run through, thanks to Roman's play design and the execution of the line.

Crap! I used to live in San Ramon in the East Bay. I wish someone was doing stuff like this when I lived there.

I'm not sure how that relates to Wayne Fontes and Rex, but I agree.

If I was building an all-time Buffalo Bills all-star team my backs would be: HB: OJ, Thurman, Freddie FB: Cookie This would be just awesome!

I'm with you. Fred had the misfortune of playing behind bad lines on bad teams. In his prime, he was one of the league leaders in yards after contact. His stats would look so much better if he actually got yards BEFORE contact. Good-to-great runner, blocker, pass receiver, leader... and a high effort, high character guy. I'm all in favor of putting Fred on the WOF.

I'm feeling a lot of uncertainty this season. I'm hoping TT emerges as a franchise QB, Roman continues to work his magic and improves the O, and Rex learns from last year's mistakes and get the D back into the top 10. I'm fearing that injuries plague us (we have several key players with injury histories), Roman doesn't find a way to improve the O, and Rex gets exposed as a has-been.

Multiple contract offers? After all the negotiation, I'm surprised they feel the need to offer Fitz a smorgasbord of options. Isn't clear yet what Fitz wants? It seems the Jets would either give Fitz what he wants or the closest approximation that they can live with. One offer.

Chan was asked to make a gourmet meal with ground chuck... Fitz at QB, poor OL (despite what the stats showed), and not a great roster overall.

Fun thread. The OP's starting lineup, while perhaps, perfect would be formidable. And sadly, it would probably take a 2000s all-star team for the Bills to win the Super Bowl.

"When a pickpocket walks down the street, all he sees are pockets." When a KoolAid drinking fan writes an article, all he sees are reasons to be optimistic. There's nothing wrong with the list per se, but obviously it doesn't cover any of the reasons why Tyrod might not have a great year. A more balanced article would cover both and then weigh the pros against the cons. But I really hope TT overcomes any & all obstacles and does have a great year.

Shady's not my favorite Bill but he's not one of the NFL's bad boys. As far as we know he's not hitting women, loading up his trunk with dope, or brandishing guns at people. We've certainly had far worse characters take the field in a Bills uni.

True, but it's the other 10% that's interesting. Astro's camp notes belong in the other 10%.

As Rice says, if it was about talent, he'd get tryouts and then not get signed. He's only 29 but nobody looks at the guy because of the PR ramifications. From USA Today: A permanent indent at the top of Rice’s left quadriceps is evidence of what he says was the primary reason he averaged a career-low 3.1 yards on 214 carries in 2013: a Grade 3 muscle tear. Now healthy, Rice says his mind is clear and his body more explosive than ever – if only someone would give him a chance to show it. “Put it like this: I don’t know when the years of ranking where I was a top-15 NFL player, but you don’t fall off that fast,” Rice says. “If I’m that bad, bring me in for a tryout. That’s the way to go about it. Bring me in for a tryout and then let the rest of the chips fall where they belong, because we know the simple fact that I can’t get a tryout – it’s a different deal.” http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2016/07/22/ray-rice-comeback-domestic-violence/87410486/?hootPostID=1afac7504c6914b4126f8825deea9e28

Good question! Like most people, I like to define myself by the best I've done, not the worst. He did something bad in the area of domestic violence. Now he wants to do something good. I'm all for it... though as has been said before, I'd prefer it happen somewhere besides Buffalo.

A poorly written article by a guy who was poorly treated. Joyful stuff. Btw, how long was Dunne here? Did he start looking for another job the moment his plane touched down at Buffalo Niagara Intl Airport?

With an entire off-season of film study, reflection, and listening to advice, I've got to believe - as a fan - that Rex will make fewer and less costly mistakes this year than last. And then there's this: I think Rex is happier with this year's roster and this year's coaching staff. They're both more suited to Rex's needs and more supportive of his approach. And, finally, I'm expecting we won't be as hard bitten by the injury bug this year. So I'm expecting an improvement, if not a dominant D. I don't think we'll be top 5, but I really can't imagine bottom 10.

I'm on TBD almost every day which suggest I enjoy it or I'm a glutton for punishment. My wife doesn't get it but puts up with me. In any case, major, thanks for the appreciative, positive post.

I think you're take on Rex is mostly right. But you didn't mention that despite all those early draft picks, the Jets D was not loaded with talent in Rex's later years. It's hard for me to imagine a guy as bright as Rex, who watches film as much as he does, not being able to adjust to new wrinkles in offensive schemes. How much have offenses evolved in the past 10/20 years? Rex can't study tape and see how the great D's are adapting? His DC and position coaches can't figure it out either? I'm not looking for Rex/Thurman to have the best D in the league. But I am hoping for our D to at least be in the #5 to #10 tier. I'm hoping for the same from Roman and the O.

I like the B/R. I don't like Dunne going to work for the B/R. In the early days, B/R was an amateurish organization that would let literally anyone publish on their site. They've vastly improved their editorial standards since then. Hiring Dunne is another step in the right direction for them.

I don't think any one of us has enough evidence yet to be convinced that either party is telling the truth. I'm keeping an open mind.

Gilmore supposedly prepared to play out the final year of his contract. Sounds like a negotiating ploy. At least he's not sitting out. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000676230/article/bills-cb-stephon-gilmore-will-play-out-contract-in-2016 https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/756532395285831680

Yeah, more than wrist grabbing is being alleged (from Commonsense's link): Just for every women out there getting abused it’s time to put a stop to it. This has been happening to me for months and it finally got out of control to where I was picked up and thrown across the room by my arms. Thrown into walls. Being choked to where I have to gasp for breath. Bruised everywhere, mentally and physically abused. It’s not okay. So I want each and everyone one of you girls to step away now from domestic violence. You’re worth so much more. I got told it was called “tough love” I’m sorry if you love someone you don’t touch your loved ones.

Each back surgery is different. I had back surgery (TLIF - transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion) a few years ago. My back felt great the moment I woke up from the anesthesia. But the doctor wanted me to take it easy for 4 months. After that he told me I could play rollerball if I wanted.

Great to see him own up to the bullying issue. Very articulate guy and seems to have grown a lot. Loved the end of the interview when he stood up for his coach. I rooted for Richie last season because he wore a Bills uni. I'll feel better rooting for him in '17.

I love Fred. He's one of my favorite players of all time. His combination of talent and character was unique. I even think he might have made the HOF if he had played for the Bills in the early 90s instead of Thurman. And yet I'm still not sure I want Fred back. I watched him last year with the Hawks and he's clearly not the player he used to be. Why get rid of a talented young guy to make room for an aging Fred? In any case, like others I don't Fred will answer the phone if DW calls.