richNjoisy

sometimes, and I don't mean all the time that's for sure.... A person turns one of life's negatives into a positive. For example, LYNN Swann became a tough, football player after being teased as a child about his first name. ROSIE Greer (ditto) JP - has an effiminate quality - certainly not something that would be helpful to him with a bunch of atheletes where attitude (appearance!) often plays a role in performance. JP may be one of those who always has to prove himself to new people who make the wrong assumption based on his looks/voice/ and demeanor. We may have the real deal folks in this "kid" (MAN) To say the least, this episode gave me a sliver more hope. On the field will be (and should be) the true measure. My prediction at this point, is that JP CAN be measuredRIGHT NOW by what he has done on the field (yes, college) so far and not by what he looks like on ESPN . I think the ESPN naysayers will be singing a new tune ....and soon. ELI - eat JP's dust. Go Bills!! -RichNJoisy CNJBBB - Home of "Bills Central" The place to be for wings outside of WNY (drop by and see us when you are in the neighborhood!)

I agree GG I think some of the GM's are using the media bigtime - no need to bring in any ringers Like I said in a post last week - Dennis should learn from the computer in WarGames the best choice is not to play (....ie: games with TD - you'll lose) On the other hand, TD now has me so befuddled I am not sure he even WANTS Shelton now!

Bills | Henry for Shelton Trade Dead? - from www.KFFL.com Sat, 5 Mar 2005 05:50:37 -0800 ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reports a potential trade between the Buffalo Bills and Arizona Cardinals that would have sent RB Travis Henry to Arizona for OT L.J. Shelton appears dead. Bears | Landing Spot for Shelton? - from www.KFFL.com Sat, 5 Mar 2005 05:49:45 -0800 ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reports the Chicago Bears appear to be the likely landing spot for OT L.J. Shelton, of the Arizona Cardinals, who is on the trading block. ********************* Bears | Miller Agrees to Five-Year Deal - from www.KFFL.com Mon, 7 Mar 2005 12:57:34 -0800 Jay Glazer, of FOXSports.com, reports the Chicago Bears have agreed to a five-year deal with free agent OT Fred Miller (Titans). Financial terms were not disclosed. One would think now that Pas hass got #2 wrong already since the bears just signed Miller. Probably is 2- for 2 in getting the "dead trade" wrong too.

I am finally grasping this. TD , Clements, and our line coach have developed a brand new scheme to take advantage of a highly mobile QB - The FLAM Line (Fast, Light, Agile and Mobile) That's why TD is signing guards and letting the tackles depart. Why go this route? A.) Takes advantage of JP's strength (speed) B.) Takes advantage of the lower cost of guards and centers C.) confuses the hell out of defenses who can no longer time their blitzes to a location plus makes FAT defensive linemen have to run more to get to the QB. So, it's not that we are being outbid - we aren't even in the bidding. Time to put Mike Williams on a diet. o.k. o.k. how does this help our run game? good question! rnj CNJBBB

Let's make this absolutely clear It is ridiculous to consider any alternatives whatsoever. ::: JP LOOKS Like Adam Sandler JP TALKS Like Adam Sandler If you doubt this, simply check the The Water Boy

Hey LA! Although I amy sound like it in my posts in this thread, I am not an Optimistic Opie. I try to be realistic in my expectations. I do agree that it impossible to predict how good or bad JP is at this point (He could be the reincarnation of RJ or the next Brett Favre - more likely - he is somewhere in between). What I AM tring to predict here is what he has to do to get the Bills to 10+ wins. I asked myself (and everyone here) to consider this. He is coming into a situation with a good to very good (perhaps excellent) defense. This means he should not be way behind that often. He is coming into a situation with an excellent ST - which means good field position OR points on the board directly from a ST score. he is coming into a situation with what looks like a very good to great running back. Now, my first ASSUMPTION is that Clements/Mularkey/Donahoe will provide him with enough pieces to give him a decent to very good run game and short passing attack. (Note: I already am convinced JP is a better screen pass thrower than Drew - of course, I think I am a better.....) My point is that JP will be set up to succeed. Obviously, defenses will be set up to take away the short game and to confuse JP with all sorts of shifting fronts etc etc. This can be JP's undoing but the obvious first step is to severely limit JP's options - few or no audibles. if that fails then the next step is to allow JP to audible more. This could be JP's downfall or his salvation. BUT, the defense first has to stop the short game. Can they? The conclusion I come to is that the Bills have a team that can win with a QB asked to do very little. And I was ENCOURAGED by what I saw JP do in the preseason last year. Hardly a clearcut proof of anything but it does make one conservatively hopeful. -RnJ

I DID forget! Oh woe is me! As to your comment, kelso, - I admit it, I think TD is infallible - I am "coming out" - the fact that I am not ripping him a new A-hole due to the loss of PW and JJ has brought me out of the closet. O.K. Kels - You are determined to make the point that JP can do worse than Drew. Fine, can you back up your statement? How many games did Drew win last year due to his play? let me help you out. The Bills won 9 games: Miami (twice), Jets, Seattle, St. Louis, Cinncinnati, San Franciso, Cleveland, Arizona. Now, how many would you say the Bills lost DIRECTLY due to Drew's play? The 7 losses were New England (twice), Jacksonville, Oakland, Jets, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh. Think about how the presence/absence of Willis played a role in the win or loss. Now replace JP in the games and think about where a win could have become a loss and vice versa. I would Drew's skills at the long ball and experience. JP would be escapability, arm strength, and the run threat. O.K. Fire away! I am truly interested in understanding your apparent certainty that the release of Drew and the replacement with JP was a bad decision. -RnJ

for some of you, I think it's a religion Both JJ and PW went for more than the Bills could afford. JJ was WAY overpaid for. Do any of you think JJ will play in 16 games this year? Howsabout 12? 10? PW will be 33 by the start of the seaosn. $4 mil per year? are you kidding me? Some of us would like to have a little $ around to sign Clements. Does the loss of JJ and PW mean the Bills might as well check off the 2005 season? Ridiculous. Losing PW hurts but the Bills DID draft a new DT last season. When did you all expect him to start contributing? Do you all expect PW to play better next year? What about the year after that? Why draft Anderson at all if we have PW? Plus the Bills have Ron Edwards. Both young and cheap. The Bills were #2 last year defensively. If they drop to #5 or #10 does that mean they stink? How many games did the Bils lose due to the defense last year? How many more would they have won if the offense had put ONE (1!) TD on the board. Can JP do worse? You HAVE to be kidding. The Bills still have the #1 ST. Do you think that will change much with the exact same group of guys on the field? On offense, losing JJ hurts but we no longer have a statue in the backfield and Willis will be BETTER in 2005. It takes two years to recover from an ACL tear. This is COMMON knowledge. Do the Bills need a new LT? Of course. But they also could use a new TE, a new guard, and/or a new center. They still have $7 mil to spend. Oh, a new kicker wouldn't make me cry crocodile tears. Don't forget, folks, JP played behind a terrible line in college. His numbers were -shall we say - impressive under difficult circumstances? He certainly did not have WIllis McGahee to use as a decoy. BTW, how many points MORE do you think the Bills need to score per game to get that 10th win? Could 5 more starts from Willis and a QB that can actually MOVE add up to a few more points? You DON't think so?? Last year, we saw the departure of Winfield. How many of you were angry at TD for letting him go? In retrospect, was he worth the price paid? Did not the defense do "o.k" without him? Did not the Bills defense get a few more INTs than a Winfield-led defense? In 2006, we can look back again on the loss of PW and JJ and make a retospective judgement. (we will also have compensatory picks - maybe - to paly with). In closing, do any of think the Bills will start off 0-4 this season? Then, cheer up! We are already ahead of the game. RichNJoisy CNJBBB

I hear ya Bill but I'd hate to give up on this guy yet. He WAS great in college. He WAS great his first year. But he stunk year 2 and last year was a non-entity (although he was injured to be fair) My reasoning is that Reed is still very cheap and has the potential (perhaps) in the right circumstances to be a very good posession receiver. If I were the OC and/or HC, I would let hi know he's on the bubble and then see how he and JP work together. Will JP look to him as someone he can count on over the middle on third and 6-10? I hear how slow he is but then how did he catch so many passes in college and his rookie season? he's also a very good blocker. -rnj

Hey clump are you willing to voice an opinion as to whether or not the Bills can and will clear more space? The Clements Pro Bowl was a real blow wasn't it? Any word of a rework of Mike Wiilliams contract ? (I am probably taking you to a palce you'd rather not go right?? ) Thanks for all your efforts. RichNJoisy (stop by the CNJBBB for a special order of Hot Wings for the Home Opener -- Hammer's Lot ,, date TBD)

I sent him an email POLITELY disagreeing with him about his (then recent) assessment of TD and I also stated I thought his comments were sounding more personal than they were professional. I outlined the good (and the bad) IMO of TD's tenure to date and I suggested he do the same thing and consider perhaps atleast granting that TD had done some good for the team etc etc His response was that TD was bleep bleep bleep and would always be a bleep bleep bleep etc etc Let's just say that JS' reposnse didn't change my opinion that JS was writing more on some slight he felt rather than objectively evaluating the topic at hand. I don't read JS' artciles anymore. why bother?

Joe I couldn't disagree with you more Choosing JP over Drew DOES NOT and WILL NOT buy TD another year. Hopefully, we will never find out if I am right (which would mean JP performs as good or better than Drew in 2005). TD has made a lot of enemies in WNY - most notably J Sullivan. Your "teflon" comment sounds to me like you are of the opinion that TD never get fairly criticized. Sullivans personal email to me last year - filled with expletives - DID make me lean more towards the "maybe TD is being unfairly criticized at times" camp BUT my one and only motive/goal is for the Bills to win a Super Bowl. TD gets no slack from me on that. Therefore, my critique of TD to date is : The jury us Still Out But, he has CLEARLY made some very good moves. He has also made some mistakes but before you (or anyone else) retrospectively declares a TD move a "miss" versus a "hit", be fair and look at his hits too AND look at what the general expectations were of the the player in question at the time the move was made (Drew being the big one of course). Lasst year, the Defense was #2 and the ST were number 1. The coaching staff was MUCH improved and shoould be even better this year. Also, I think the Drew release was MULARKEY'S decision not Donahoes! The fact that both TD and Ralph went along does suggest, at the very least, that they were in agreement or were leaning that way anyway but - and Greg Williams is the perfect example - I think TD allows the Head Coach a considerable amount of decisionmaking power when it comes to keeping or releasing players. GW stunk but TD stuck by him. To his detriment obviously. GW was a mistake. Big Time. I like Muklarkey a lot and this gives me hope that he (and Wyche and Clements) TRULY think JP will be better in 2005 than Drew would have been. This bring me back to my first comment. Let's both hope JP never makes us call for TD's firing. Go Bills!

Let's face it - the last thing one can call TD is "sentimental". I imagine belicek was called a lot of dirty names in the past - he handles his players like meat on hte spit when it comes to $$. Obviously it has paid off bigtime. As to the JJ and PW - JJ isclearly gone. But his loss is due to his salary demands. Period. Obviously we all prefer he stay but the Bills can't afford to over pay for him - the question is folks, can the bils afford to pay a fair value for him? The answer is moot since he is going tot he highest bidder and someone WILL over pay (thus my conclusion JJ is gone). BTW: Last year was the only year he did not miss time with a high ankle sprain. As to PW - I do think TD is trying to get him "on the cheap" and is holding up Sam Adams' contract as his selling point. All of you angry with TD, have you looked at Sam's deal? Do you realize the Bils are only paying him $2,625,000 in TOTAL cap this year? Now, PW wants at least 5 mil. so his agent says. Who's closer to the true value pf PW? (TD's version or PW?) IMO, TD should look at the offer PW gets and if it is in between Sam's and PW's, then sign him. BTW, there is the danger of overpaying PAT and ticking off Sam. I'd prefe to keep PW only if we can get him for numbers close to Sam's, otherwise, promote from within (at the same time, there are a few decent players on the market who could come cheap - Jason Ferguson or Leonardo Carson come to mind). The Bills don't need to have the number 2 defense to go to the playoffs. We do need to outscore our oppenents. I'd prefer TD use his money to get us the best team possible (duh) Losing JJ is big but the Bills do have $8-9 mil to play with. Plus we have Travis to deal. Let's see what happens and hold off crucifying TD. Besides, TD's entire Bills existence is in the hands of JP now. Everyone knows this. -rnj

Unless he signs for a ton of money, I am surprised there seems to have been no competition for this guy.

although he seems old to me to be classified a RFA, aparently he is and the Jests tendered him for a low number whereby the Bils can grab him the price of a 7th rounder IF they can get him to sign a contract. Supposedly, parcells is hot for him. He's not young but he ain't ancient either I'm surprised the Jets didn't get hin signed for something more than the basic tender. His numbers are decent and he is a big part of their Defense ?

this report makes sense AND contradicts the ridiculous report from the Miami Herald where it was reported that TRAVIS was the holdup to the trade since he did not want to play out his contract. A bug duh since of course he'd like to become a FA next year and get the hell out of Arizona. Travis may indeed be the holdup since he wants either a "lucrative" extension of freedom to walk next year. If Travis has any kind of an agent (who realizes he has a numbskull for a client - albiet an athletically gifted one!), he'll get Travis to sign a contract quickly else he'll end up sulking on the Bills bench next year. My guess is that Travis will be persuaded to take the cash and start for the Cardinals until he gets hurt again (probably sometime in Week 8). Meanwhile, LJ replaces JJ and the Bills either sign Pat for the same amount they signed Big Sam or they use the money on a new TE. -rnj

uh-uh nice try but Adam's "deal" is 120% becasue his salary last year was MORE THAN (!) the average of the top five kickers in the league. Thus, if he were paid at the top five average asthe franchised player his salary would actually GO DOWN To compensate for this very rare occurrence, the NFLPA and the owners put into the contract the guarantee of top five average or 120% of the previous year whichever is higher

Remember that Green Bay is currently OVER the cap (projected by $3 mil). The Bills do have a little more wiggle room IF they can lock up Shelton/Henry deal and Renegotiate Mike Williams to free up space. I stil see jennings walking BUT the franchising of Jennings does intrigue me since the market for LT's is getting bigger every day (limited resource and highly regarded position). One can only figure that if TD can trade Peerless that he can do the same for Jennings. BUT the bills will need to juggle contracts I think to do all of this. Clumping Platelets?? can you speculate on the possibility of Trade + Franchising + offer for Franks?

Good Post "Buffalo Wing" - you should post more often. I am only now learning about LJ - but, it sounds to me like a one - for - one deal is going to be a hard sell. My CNJBBB club meets today and I am sure there will be different opinions voiced! (aka Henry is worth MORE than a sometimes backup oft-injured LT/RT...yada yada). My opinion is that LT's are VERY VALUABLE. This guy is young (29) and signed through 2008 at $3 mil per. whatfriggin bargain. That said, I am confident that TD with McNally's input will correctly value LJ and will "up" the deal if nec (but no way a 1st rounder...I think EVERYONE is in agreement on THAT one!). I agree with you that JJ walks. In fact, it sounds to me like he walks no matter what. $10 mil bonus is an awful lot for him BUT the Bills will need to replace him if he does walk. I agree with you Price must be signed but can we be sure that all the other teams failto realize his value? If even one does, Price's price shoots up! I agree too that PW will resign. He has stated publicly he won't be unreasonable which means ubless TD is stupid, he will only SLIGHTLY undervalue PW - high enuf to not insult him but low enuf to make him quite bargain. I'd say something like 4 years, $5-6 mil bonus or higher + base salaries of 2,3,5,6 (=$22-$23 mil + contract) I agree (hey, we're on a role!) about signing a new TE. Whom I have no idea. Franks will be franchised. Gates will require a 1st rounder to steal away. I don't agree about Batch - as far as I am aware he has done nothing to warrant being a 2nd stringer lately. I look for McMahon or maybe even McNown from Arizona (I'd LOVE this!). gotta go cut up wings now........ Go Bills!!! -RnJ CNJBBB

IF the Bills trade for Shelton and IF the Bills can sign Pat Williams THEN tagging Jennings makes a LOT of sense - not because the Bills can simply keep JJ but because then they would have the option to TRADE him. This scenario makes a lot of sense to me IF all this can be done under the current cap situation. I am completely in the dark (fact and opinonwise) on the Mike Williams contract plans. This will play a major role in the maneuvering room moneywise for the Bills. -RnJ

There are actually TWO issues on the money side 1.) yes, he would get paid like a high draft pick - based not on his selection in the supplemental draft but based on his expected value if he had come out for the normal draft. I am sure TD would argue this point though 2.) Clubs are allowed a certain amount of money to sign draft picks. How this plays out in the supplemental draft is unclear to me since the pick would be charged to NEXT season. in other words, if the Bills were to use it to draft him in round 1, then they would lose (be charged) their number 1 pick for 2006. Thanks to all of you for letting me know his situation - I couldn't figure out why anyone would do what he is reportedly thinking of doing.

Matt Lienart, the Heisman Trophy winning quarterback from USC, is considering entering his name in the supplemental draft, according to The New York Post. He would have gone very high if not 1st in this year's NFL draft. It makes no sense whatsoever to me for Matt to do what is suggested in the Post but - if he did - The Bills WOULD have a 1st round pick in the supplemental draft. This draft is weighted like the NBA lottery. Which means it is possible (slim slim) that the Bills could get the number 1 pick. stranger things have happened ..... ithink

The Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday reached a seven-year agreement worth more than $50 million with Pro Bowl left tackle Walter Jones, avoiding him being tagged the team's franchise player for the fourth consecutive year. Cross him of the Bills fans "in our dreams" list Seahawks still have tag left to put on either Alexander or Hasselbeck (If I were Matt, I'd leave. To many dropsy receivers)

The Arizona Cardinals actually have a player on their teamed named: Bobby Blizzard

What? Drew is not in the top 15 You missed Jerry Gray as the #7 coordinator