richNjoisy

Hey BGM - your report was excellent. I passed it along to my CNJBBB members. You da man -RnJ O.K. Rockpile - Top that!

For those of you at TSW: I was screaming for screens for years. I finally gave up last year: Drew couldn't do it. Period. I noted right away last year that JP could do them while in the preseason games. He threw a great one in the Tennessee game as I recall. BTW, no, Kelly was not the last QB with this ability. Doug threw a nice screen and so, for that matter, could Alex. RJ couldn't. Everytime a player got to within 15 ft of him he'd scream and run away. I am looking forward to screens being "Back on the Menu Boys!" (as the Orcs ate the Goblins in The Two Towers). -RnJ

One can only hope

FYI: KFFL.com has a report from the jets that Law is not visiting with them and no visit is scheduled.

Hi Nick you confused me too with some of your wording. You said you "moved to a job internally on a temporary basis". By temporary do you mean YOU thought it was temporary or that you and the woman who brought you in agreed it was temporary? If the latter, then I don't understand the problem - the job was temporary and you are merely preparing yourself for the change to a more permanent position. Gratitude only goes so far when a person's livelihood (and family?) is at stake. This scenario SUGGESTS there was some "grayness" in your agreeing to take this position. Can you be more specific? If the former, then you are saying you always felt the move was temporary but did not make this clear to the woman who brought you on board. THAT is another matter and there is no clean way to smooth this out. It would mean you misled her from the get-go. I am not judging you if it is the latter but I AM telling you that that ship has already sailed if that is the case. get it?

Add me to the list to say "Thanks for the honor but I simply can't afford it." Any rational and true friend will understand

Hey Bill - I started this mess didn't I ? I agree with you that to be concerned (your word was skeptical which is a bit more negative than I am at this point) over Gandy's skill level is absolutely valid. It IS intersting that there are some other FA OT's out there STILL (RT Scott Craig and RT Chris Terry for example to my knowledge). The Bills also failed to sign Shelton even when he could be had for vet min. This certainly suggests the Bills LIKE Gandy. As per usual, I will admit I am not the expert and that McNally is. Might he be wrong? Sure, but I still would urge you to raise your emote/think level from "skeptical" to "concerned". On the Verba front, it has been suggested the Bills were simply "checking in" with his agent. Maybe, but one would think that they would only do that if they were truly interested (for the right price of course) in the guy since he could be signed at any moment by someone else (or not!). As to the continuing condemnation of Verba for his actions in Vegas - if they are true, then he won't be signed (o.k. , maybe Miami or oakland will sign him ) If they are unfounded (WHICH THEY MAY WELL BE FOLKS)), then someone sure doesn't like the guy, do they? These reports are pretty condemning of his view towards women (if true, ie Abusive behavior and teenage-like "call girl" stuff practically) -RnJ

Well yeh but you make a day of it right? And one would think it is a special occasion (or else you are really rich and this is your typical occasion!) What do you spend on a special event? Lodging? $150 or more is not an insane price to pay for a great hotel plus additional fees may jack that up. then a nice dinner that same day = $50-100 easy . What if you want to DO something too (like go to a show or see the "sights"). Can you see yourself paying $25-$50 more? Anyway, it starts to climb to $250 per person or more. so $350 or so for an entire day of Bills partying? Expensive? yeh but not so bad for a special occasion. (After saying all that, I prefer $40 seats and a tailgate plus YOU HAVE to sit in the elements otherwise why not sit at home?) RnJ

First off folks, do YOU always believe every word posted in every newspaper? What the hell IS the Review Journal ? The story may indeed be true but I have looked around and it is the only source for this story. Secondly, TD and co. will get to the bottom of this and I would think it would weigh in any decision they make. That was my point - if they deem him a step up from our existing player package and can sign him for no more than what they think he is worth, then I will be happy they signed him Let's just see how this goes - if he is signed, then let him answer these questions about his character directly. Don't condemn him based on this one story from one small town paper. as to him not be signed quickly and being greedy - the supposed story is that he agreed to a paycut last year with a verbal agreement to compensate him for the remaining years of his contract.. When the browns fired the headcoach and his staff, that deal was no longer honored. He ws upset. Wouldn't you be? Was he stupid to agree to the cut in the first place? Maybe, but he was told they would use the money saved in 2004 to help the team. Was this stupid, greedy, or honorable? -RnJ

This is another one of those situations where I, personally, don't know jack and I am ....shall we say...dubious of the pronouncements of the "experts" here at TBD on Verba's talent, comings and goings. So, I simply HOPE that the Bills sign him having determined he represents an improvement to our current O-Line status AND that he can be had for a reasonable price. The best comparison I have for this was the signing of Big Sam. Sam talked up a storm about getting paid a ton but then after receiving nothing but "insulting" offers came to Buffalo for a very reasonable price with incentives (such as keeping himself in shape!). Sam has been an asset to say the least and the rest of the league, IMO, screwed up by allowing Sam to come here at the price we paid. So now we have Ross verba - "underpaid" and unhappy and "unappreciated". His position? Left Tackle! Gulp. Thus, I wil be enthused if TD brings him aboard. Verba or Gandy? Hmmmmmmmmmmm

Texans Lowball Verba -- Tue Jul 26, 2005 --from FFMastermind.com # The Beacon Journal reports when the phone did ring for OT Ross Verba, it was Houston. The Texans had an offer -- a one-year deal in the $1 million range. Not exactly what Verba had in mind when he stormed out of the Browns' facility, even paying back his $450,000 roster bonus to be a free agent. ******************* I guess he hasn't "retired" yet huh?

I am still hoping "my man" Reed can shove his play up a notch to stay on the squad. But, if he's let go, someone will pick him up. I hadn't thought about the typical money shift dropping Clements $2.5. Silly me, I only saw his current salary as a negative - not so! Nate's value is extremely high and IMO the Bills will have to raise the bar quite a bit to sign him EVEN IF Nate agrees to accept a bit less than he might be making on the open market next year. Who is Nate's agent? Is he someone known to work well with TD in the past? The new NFL TV contract and the upcoming new collective bargaining agreement (I hear it could be set in as little as two weeks) will help a lot in determining future long term contracts to some extent. My amateur view on this is that we are looking at $10 mil per year becoming the NORM in the near future for top flight CB's (gasp!) Thus, IMO, if the Bills can sign Nate to a 4 - year extension at, say $42 mil, with figures of 540K (2005), $3.0M (2006),$5.5M (2007),$8.0M (2008),$11.0M (2009) with a $14 Mil signing bonus might work - NC's cap hit for 2005 would go from $2.5M (does that include his amortized bonus?) to $3.34M this year, $5.8 M next year , etc. Those last few year MAY seem excessive (and likely to be never seen by Nate BUT, they may turn out to be close or less than the CB value in those years). Thanks, as always, CP for all your work I love to crunch these numbers too and having you do all the hard digging work (and organizing it in one place) makes this really fun for me. Free wings for you at the tailgate!! cnjbbb baby -Rich

Great job as always CP. Can you answer this (probably obvious, sorry) question: Given the Bills current salary cap status, how much of it is available , after all rookie signings, for free agents and/or to sign extensions? Do you envision ANY possibility that the Bills can extend Clements? Is McGee simply a more likely scenario? My VERY not in-the-know evaluation is that McGee is WAY more likely and that Clements will simply play out his contract and then go to the highest bidder next season. Thanks again for all your work CP. if you are at Hammer's on 9/11, stop by the CNJBBB cooker for free (ha ha) wings and an ice cold Labatts. -RnJ www.cnjbbb.org

This thread is from both myself and RevNJoisy (sitting behind me as I type this) A quote from Terrell Owens: "At the end of the day, I don't have to worry about what people think of me, whether they hate me or not. People hated on Jesus. They threw stones at him and tried to kill him, so how can I complain or worry about what people think?" -- Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens, on how people might react to his potential camp holdout. Len Pasquarelli , espn soooooooooooo........... Terrell is The Messiah - The Annointed One - The Christ He suffers (for us) He is hated (for us) If he dies (it'll be for us) So those of you who doubt his ways, methods, or tantrums remember who he is. And be thou ashamed excuse us while we go barf up our dinner. *********** My wife is insisting on a serious note: for those of you who are people of faith, you are not alone in your outrage over this particular individual. For those of you who have ever wondered what breaking the third commandment REALLY means, this is it.

Huh, I could have sworn he was hurt in preseason but you apparently are correct - I can't find any indication he was hurt my bad.

O.K. You memory hounds, when was the last time the Bills signed their own CB to a long term contract after their initial 4-5 year contract? I THINK the answer is never unless you guys go back into the 80's or 70's. And even way back then the answer may still be never. I sure can't remember one. (Odomes, Burris, Thomas, and Winfield are the last four I recall as being allowed to sign with different teams) This bodes POORLY for the Bills (in terms of retaining Nate's ervices) unless you feel (like I have for quite a while) that overpaying for CB's is a mistake - they can be replaced by younger men on the cheap. Nate IS a cut above the others though I will grant you. Why? He consistently plays well defensively, seldom gets beat and has great hands near the football. So, IMO, IF the Bills do break with "tradition", then this is the guy to do it with. But c'mon folks, let's face it, Winfield's contract was RIDICULOUS. Nate's is better than Antoine. Therefore, he expects a better contract. My prediction based on Bills and league history is that he is gone after this season. SOOOOOOO, here's hoping he has a career year with 14 int's and is named to the Pro Bowl as a starter. Plus, a brand new Super Bowl ring on his finger

Nick - I am pretty sure Tim was injured in preseason and was placed on the IR, so your comment about him being inactive doesn't make sense. IOW, he was hurt and couldn't be activated. I'm right aren't I? My recollection as to preseason is that the Bills were high on the guy. I don't recall any great plays but I might have missed something. As to his weight, again I would have to see what his weight is at camp in the next few weeks since his injury and his young age both may have been factors. As to your comment about Edwards: I absolutely recall the great game he had against the Fish , I think we also had something like 5 INTs that game. But other than that game Edwards was silent UNTIL last season when he started to make some noise. I have no idea who will win the DT battle but I H-O-P-E it is Anderson since I think I know what we wil get from Edwards (competent DT play with flashess of the great). Anderson made the scouts drool coming out of college. I am hoping they hit the jackpot. Go Bills! -RichNJoisy

Cindy: Two Large for RevNJoisy and RichNJoisy Please get me the info on where to send my check

The over/under on McGahee is amazing! These are from people who do this for a living. They are clearly trying to get a lot of people to take the under to assure a 50/50 split (in other words, they predict if they set the over/under at 1400 yards, too many people would take the over) Remember - this is gambling which is just as much a measure of REALITY as it is to PERCEIVED REALITY Now, on the other hand, JP at on 15 td's appear on the surface to be depressing but remember again that the majority by far expect JP to suck tghis year and STILL the # td passes is only 5 less than Drew threw last year. My predictions JP over 15 td's JP over 15 ints McGahee over 1500 yds McGahee over 12 tds Nate under 6 ints schobel over 10 sacks Bills over 8 wins

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/stor..._len&id=2111098 So, the DE who would attack JP from the backside is out and may miss the Bills game (week 3) Plus, the Falcons starting DT Coleman MAY end up being suspended. Can't hurt. can't hurt

Hi there Rich! You are obviously correct to take the source (bb.com) into consideration when attempting to predict how the OLine will do. The facts DO point towards a more optimistic conclusion: 1.) Unlike last year, Bike Mike is reportedly in great shape and there are no emotional issues (last year he was upset over the death of his grandmother) to deal with. 2.) Villarial, Teague and Williams are now entering year 2 in playing together with McNally as their line coach 3.) McNally is considered one of the best if not the best OLine coach in the league. He now has a second year to work with most of these guys 4.) Anderson is undoubtedly a step up from Smith and Tucker at LG. He may be only average at pass protection but he now has McNally as his coach...yada yada yada The big question mark, IMO, is how does Gandy compare to Jennngs? I feel Jennings was an average LT who SF way overpaid for. Last year WAS Jennings best year however. You can bank on him playing worse this year AND being out at least 3 games due to injuries. McNally believes Gandy is serviceable. We'll see. Finally, having a QB who can move around can be a huge help to the line not only due to the obvious (he can avoid sackers) but also because he can FAKE rollout passes and force the linemen and LB's to hesitate on BOTH run plays and pass plays. This gives the RB's, WR's AND OLIne an extra second to work with. THAT IS AN ETERNITY. That's my assessment - thus I am definitely optimistic. -RnJ

O.K. Nick, I'll bite: What is so magical about 3 pm today? Just something "in your bones" or do you actually know something? ************** I don't know about you but if the Bills complete the trade AND THEN sign Verba, I will have completed a total turnaround evaluation of the offseason (from "most boring" to "exciting") Let the game begin! Is it Sunday Yet? WINGS!!!! (the top three chants of the week at "Bills Central" - Home of the CNJBBB)

As I posted a LONG time ago: Don't play poker with TD, you'll lose Great job Mr. D. ***************** Now, what will he do with that extra $1.25 mil in his pocket? Is the phone ringing at Mr Verba's house right now? Hmmmmmmmm This call for some Hot Wings (sorry fezmid ) RichNJoisy CNJBBB

Your points are well-made FFS. Anderson is, without much doubt IMO, an upgrade. Losing Jennings MAY hurt but he was WITHOUT A DOUBT way overpaid for by the 49ers. The O-Line play definitely improved as the season progressed last year. That had to be a function somewhat of McGahee's presence helping the offense as a whole click but only a very careful analysis can determine how much the overall imp. of the O was due to line play (I am a big football fan but not THAT much of one to spend time evaluating this! ) Fans love to banter and spout their opinions as experts (I am as guilty as the next guy) but I am willing to grant the Bills front office the edge in evaluating talent. Having said this, I would be thrilled if the Bills sign Verba to a relatively cheap deal. If they sign him, he must be good right (heh heh )

interesting article, thanks but they don't mention what it will take to "close the deal" which is, obviously, matching Tennessee's offer at the very least (a solid third). It MAY take a conditional third (promoting to a 2nd). cough it up Jacksonville