richNjoisy

I agree with this. During the Tampa game last year, I was almost mauled when I expressed my doubts about Eric's efforts during two pass attempts JP threw to him. It SEEMED to me on a sideline screen and then on the intercepted over the middle deep pass to Moulds, both times Eric made no effort to stretch and/or accelerate for the ball. Yes, both balls were poorly thrown but, in my opinion, Eric could have still caught the screen and could have tipped or maybe even have caught the over-the-middle pass. Anyone with a copy of the game - take a look at those plays and let me know if I am out to lunch. Another milder point is that JP and Evans did not seem to have this problem. Was it because JP threw better passes to Lee and not to Eric or was there less effort on Eric's part? I agree that losing Eric is sad and , when Eric plays to his best at his current ability, is a loss. But I am not sure he would play at that level with JP in there. I am still not sure because we are talking effort rather than ability which is very hard to know for sure. either way - good bye Eric. You were a great WR for the Bills. -RnJ

I just saw this on KFFL.com. This is a full week earlier than usual. In fact, this year I wasworried it would be announced later due to thedelay in free agnecy and the late draft date. great news. I fully expect the Bills to open on the road for the first time in 7 years. So, far, I only know they won't open in Miami. Seven other possibilities exist for road starts. (and four for a home game week 1)

This is my hope too - Young is there and someone not-too-far behind us is drooling for the guy. Would not Arizona, Cleveland or baltimore love to jump ahead of Detroit to draft Young - a box office bonanza and 'potential" franchise QB? at 10, 11, or 12 we could still get Ngata, Huff, Bunkley, or Davis any of whom would be great pickups plus we might snag a 2nd round pick for our troubles. Dallas might want to move up too but I would want them to be merciless before letting Jones and co. get our pick. I would want their 1st, a 1st day pick and their 1st rounder next year minimum for us to drop from 8 to 18.

I think you misread me - my Patriot example was under the premise, "IF the patriots had a high pick and a franchise QB was on the board, would they automatically select him?" I would say NO because Brady is young and very very very good. Most teams don't have a Brady (not rocket science ha ha) Anyway, I was only saying I am far from certain as to what the Bills would do if one of the big four QB's is on the board at #8. And I would not be one of the posters at TBD bashing the Bils if we end up with Cutler or Young as our 1st round pick. I understand the thinking - which is - to not let a potential Franchise QB get by you.

Let's see Brian - The Raiders current big weakness is DEFENSE but does that guarantee the raiders letting Vince Young or Jay Cutler slipping past them. I'd say no (they would not) As to people being "certain" the Bills would not draft a QB if one of the big four were on the board, I am far from certain of that. Why? The NFL "mantra" has always been, "If a potential franchise QB is on the board you ALWAYS take him". I feel that is a bit too strong a statement (for example, why would New England do such a thing?). My OPINION is that if Cutler or Young are on the board that the Bills will either draft him or trade down. I prefer the latter and , hopefully, they won't have to trade too far down. -RnJ

Is it possible that the illness to Lindy Ruff's daughter has affected the team's morale? Does anyone have an update on her condition? I heard the Ruff was not behind the bench for the Trasher game on Monday.

Has anyone checked the trade value in this deal? I did and Denver makes out like bandits They traded the 29th pick plus thier 3rd round pick this year and next year's 4th round pick and received Atlanta's 1st round pick : #15 The Atlanta pick is worth way more than what Denver gave up - not to mention that the 4th round pick next year is from a poorer draft class and Denver will PROBABLY (ha ha) be a good team next year. It still amazes me when teams devalue 1st round picks as much as they do. Especially this year when it apears the draft is a VERY good draft class.

The schedule was released last year on April 13th and the year before on April 15th. The draft is late this year which may delay the release of the schedule plus there will be the usual requests from the networks to have a flexible portion to the season (moving games in the latter half of the year to make primetime games "good" games etc). This "discussion" may also impact the release of the schedule. Bills have opened at home 6 straight years - we are so due to start on the road it's ridiculous. -RichNJoisy

billsdaily is reporting around $8 mil

At #8, the Bills will have a choice (if not Ngata) of Huff and Davis. No o-lineman is worthy of the 8th pick once Ferguson goes. The draft should go something like: 1.) Bush 2.) Leinart (someone trades here) 3.) Young 4.) Williams 5.) Ferguson 6.) AJ Hawk 7.) Cutler 8.) Davis - Ngata - Huff - Williams I see it as a possibility that Young falls to #8. if so, do the Bills draft him????? Ferguson falling to #8 is a dream - won't happen (sigh)

John - I am glad you looked at the film - I never keep losses and I really regret it this year since I would have liked to have been able to evaluate JP a bit. But, my take is similar to yours. So, yep, I am an apologist. I still am furious that JP did not play in week 17. he needed the G-Damn work F-ing Mularkey

One would think that with 2 DT's signed that that leaves us free to draft Huff right? Maybe Davis. Unless by some miracle Ferguson falls to us but I doubt we can get him without trading up - in fact, if Brees goes to the saints, then maybe New Orleans drafts DaBrick. Of course, what should the Bills do if Vince Young falls to #8??? We'd have to take him or trade down for $$$ picks

she's in my prayers it is POSSIBLE this is just an infection that can be treated with antibiotics. I hope so

I agree with you - Ngata looks great but rookie DT's seldom make an impact right away. Davis looks incredible and can only help JP. I , too, would like to see DT's signed in FA and drafting Davis at 8. my 2 cents

I do - but I was wrong when I predicted the Jets wouldn't even franchise him I just can't see how the jets - still about $12-$13 mil over the cap, can afford to keep Abraham. Knowing this, plus the fact that he's been something less than a team player in his career - why trade for him when he'll probably be released?

My understanding was a release of Pennington puts a $12 mil hit on their cap. I also hear that Pennington's agent is (rightfully IMO) arguing with his client to NOT accept an $8 mil paycut. I thought Ty Law as a small cap figure right now and only became expensive sometime in 2006. Maybe the $29 mil over the cap figure I have been hearing has been assuming Ty still on the squad? Yes, I had heard about the Tag and Trade but I couldn't figure out how the jets could stay under the cap after March 3 - assuming no trade would take place before then.... (in other words, I still am confused as to how they are doing this)

I can't figure out how the Jets will stay under the cap on March 3rd. Clumpy? Help me out!

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writ...art1/index.html For those who'd rather not point and click: 1 Bush 2 Leinart 3 CUTLER 4 Young (bye-bye Chad) 5 Mario Williams 6 Ferguson 7 Hawk 8 HUFF - The Bills are getting a little old on defense, and they have some cap issues to sort through in the weeks ahead. Huff is a versatile talent whose stock is on the rise as the Combine nears. If veteran safety Lawyer Milloy ends up being one of Buffalo's cap cuts, Huff could fill the bill. 9 Ngata 10 DeAngelo Williams 11 Davis 12 Greenway 13 Hali 14 Holmes 15 Jimmy Williams (a popular last name) ******************************** It DOES seem obvious that, baring a trade or the top DE dropping down to us, the Bills will select one of the following three players (Ngata, Huff, or Davis). One thing I have noticed over the years, rookie DT's seldom do well in their first or second years. Of course the Bills need help on both lines, but at pick 8, can the Bills ignore the best TE and/or the best CB on the board? Wellllll, let's see who the Bills sign in FA prior to the draft. Cutler going third overall? Yeh, right. Ricky? You've got smoking buddies! -RnJ

everyone and their kid sister keeps stating that the Jets will tag Abraham and then trade him. This looks impossible to me for two reasons: 1.) The Jets are currently $29 million over the cap - not counting Abraham. A tag on Abe will cost upwards of $9 mil. The Jets are making noise about "forcing" Martin, Mawai, and Pennington to take huge cuts or be released. I think this still keeps them over the cap not to mention the $9 mil + they would have to be under to make room for Abraham. Plus, Pennington would be an idiot to accept a pay cut. He should pocket the bonus money he has already and dare the Jets to release him. As to Martin and Mawai? I guess they will be cut. If Mawai passes a physical...uh, yeh, I'd sign him. Yup. 2.) Trade him? (Abraham) See #1 What team will trade for a player destined to be released? ************************************ Many Bills fans are talking about the Bills signing this guy once he's free (or haha trading for him (see #1 above)) This guy refuses to play hurt , gets "hurt" all the time and wants more money than God. I'll pass thank you. Bills should focus on offensive linemen in FA. Draft either Haloti Ngata (DT) or Vernon Davis (TE) in the 1st round then grab more linemen in rounds 2 and 3. Give JP time to throw and a big TE to throw to plus Evans and Parrish streaking downfield, and you will see points going up my friends. Go Bills! -RnJ

An update (again via KFFL who got this from the Washington Post): NFL | May be no need to push free agency back Wed, 15 Feb 2006 19:17:36 -0800 Mark Maske, of the Washington Post, reports, as noted previously, the start of NFL free agency could be pushed back from March 3 to April 1 if there is sufficient progress in labor negotiations to warrant such a delay, according to sources around the league. The problem is there has been no progress in labor talks. One participant in the labor negotiations said Tuesday, Feb. 14, that there's no need at this point to contemplate pushing back free agency because there's no sign yet that a few extra weeks would produce a deal. ******************************************************* The NFL has been the most successful sports business in history of late. I cannot believe, given the "fine" examples aka baseball and hockey, that they will not find an amicable way to split up this money cow. Given that, the 28-30 "less greedy" owners will force the 2-4 "greedy" owners to "suffer along" only making a gazillion dollars a year instead of a coupla gazillion dollars. Poor poor owners. meanwhile, the players need to push for what they can - maybe a bigger % and a piece of the luxury boxes. As a give back, I URGE THEM to limit rookie salaries and bonues. Too many youngsters who never make a decent play in a game are chowing down on what the good players should be chowing down on (Ryan Leaf is the poster child for this premise). Limit the rookie pool AND BONUSES and then the money inevitably will go to the veterans. Why not? They have EARNED it! Go Bills!! -RnJ

NFL | Free agency period could be pushed back Tue, 14 Feb 2006 09:18:53 -0800 Gary Myers, of the New York Daily News, reports the NFL free agent market is scheduled to open March 3, but it could be pushed back until April 1 if there is enough progress made in the next couple of weeks in negotiations for an extension of the collective bargaining agreement. There have been advances in some areas since the Super Bowl ended 10 days ago that could lead to a delay in free agency, according to source with knowledge of the talks. The sides met yesterday in New York. "The only good news is there is a lot of talk," the source said last night. "That is usually a good sign. Both sides are feeling pressure to get it done within a reasonable time period." ******************************** More time for Marv to prepare for free agency? A good thing? maybe. It would also help the Clements negotiations to be able to extend any bonus beyond the now uncapped year of 2007.

Obviously clumpy is the most astute commenter in this area but one would think that , other than gamesmanship by GM/Owners which MIGHT lead to a lot of "threatening" rhetoric, contracts should be able to be formulated to BOTH deal with the uncapped year AND with the built-in caveat of automatic changes implemented IF a new CBA is signed. For example, bonues can be "guaranteed" in 1/N payments for each year of the a contract of N years. IF a CBA is signed THEN the guaranteed money can be paid immediately but the cap charge can be spread out over the contract length as is the rule under the current CBA. This automatic adjustment of agreed upon contracts (preexisting prior to the signing of the new CBA) would have to be part of the new CBA as well. -RnJ

No way. If the Bills select a QB then they are selecting for the future. The Bills will select the biggest, best lineman on the board unless Hawk is there. I am still unconvinced that the Jets will take Ferguson Unless they have already signed a bigtime FA Running Back by draft day.

Dom Capers to be new Miami DC according to ESPN.com

Martz as per always is an idiot 1.) Sherman get $3.25 Mil next year from the Packers. If he is paid by another team it goes to the packers until it goes over 3.25. Thus, a team could structure the deal based on how much Green Bay is obligated to pay. 2.) Don't forget, Mularkey's resignation put $3 mil in Wilson's pocket 3.) Wilson said "money is no object". errr...well.....2 out of 3 ain't bad