richNjoisy

I think the thing that bugs some of us is that (in the perfect Bills World) JP and Drew would compete (The Competition) for the job and JP would win THEN the Bills could keep Drew or release him. Of course even in this PERFECT scenario, Drew would cost us more since his bonus kicks in on March 2 (prior the the competition I spoke of) The premise that Drew should take a paycut prior to The Competition is unreasonable. Why should he take a paycut if he's the starter? Plus, by taking a paycut he has to admit he is a backup prior to his losing the job. All this points to the now obvious future: Drew gets cut next week. I agree with those who are worried about JP - he has proven absolutely nothing yet at the NFL level. Or has he? The coaches have seen him in practice and the scouts in college games. They are obviously of the opinion that JP was worth the trade up and is now worth the risk of wasting a playoff year (potentially) while he "grows up". There is nothing left for us fans but to hope and wait. meanwhile, I'd like to see the extra $$ saved by releasing Drew and reworking some more contracts to shore up the offensive line, extend Clements, and/or sign Williams and Jennings. Maybe sign a new TE? At least this boring offseason isn't because the Bills have no money (like three years ago). Its because the Bills have few needs. Plus, there is still the Travis trade to wait for.

a couple of other "intangibles" to consider: 1.) He plays whikle hurt - and set the example for the other linemen 2.) He knows the offense and the offensive system He also is the natural leader of the line. Here's hoping the Bills can keep him.

good news indeed. One would hope that this gives the Bills adequate space to sign Jennings and Williams. In FA, it would be great if the Bills can pick up one more offensive lineman. The DB situation still sits there: If they keep him, then we know where we stand but if they cut him then the Bills will need a backup (or competitor!) to JP.

My understanding is that Directv "wised up" and realized they had a goldmine in the Ticket and changed their policy to require a monthly package to get the Ticket that's the scuttelbutt.

F-F-S one thing I am pretty sur you are saying but may not be clear to other readers is that you are assuming Drew will both compete AND agree to a salary cut if he fails to win the starting job. (You mentioned him "putting his job on the line at the cost of millions to himself") I am not stating as FACT that Drew would not agreee to this but if that is what the Bills expect of him, I doubt (my opinion!) Drew will go for this. My thread stated that the Bills MIGHT NOT force Drew to modify his contract - even if JP wins the job. This is how you getthe "backup making a helluvalot more money than the starter" scenario. One reason I am looking at this this is way is the fact that Donahoe actually offered Rob Johnson a fairly large salary if he stayed on (it was still a big cut - I know - but , as I recall it, it still amounted to millions. Suffice it to say, I was pleased RJ told TD to stuff it). It is all a matter of looking at the total package - similar to the way TD looked at the draft two years ago: Getting Kelsay and McGahee both was a steal but the Bills did it "backwards" (McGahee 1st and Kelsay 2nd). What does it matter if Kelsay wasn't 1st? We still drafted the same two players (as it turned out, no one thinks McGahee would be there in round 2 anyway so TD played his cards PERFECTLY). In the same token, does it matter if Drew makes more than JP regardless of who starts? Only if one is certain JP is better than Drew in 2005 and there is someone out there to back up JP for less money than Drew is making (this latter scenario is obvious but I am being ridiculously meticulous here). What I am obtusely saying is that Drew #1 + JP #2 costs the same as JP #1 and Drew #2. We all prefer JP wins the job but if he doesn't then that means Drew is better. period. (and oh sh@T!) -RnJ

just to clarify - my previous post was in response to" kota"

How do you know that? JP has seldom worked with the 1st string he has a rocket arm and can move all over the place. In college, he played behind a trerrible o-line and still managed to put up TD's, Yardage, and W's. Although injured, he has had an entire year to learn the playbook. He is not a rookie anymore. Your statement - if it came to pass - would mean that Drew would not get the chance to win the job. Don't you think he would know this has happened if it does (in other words, if he loses the job but not the competition)? This would mean he would be disgruntled and would undoubtedly be a pariah on the team. No. JP has to win the job outright or sit and learn for another year. Like I said, I hope he wins it but WIN it he must. Having the job handed to him guarantees the Bills another year with no playoffs. Some young QB mature quicker than others. let's see if JP is one of them. Mularkey does not come across to me as a "let's just give him the job" type of coach. he believes in giving men the opportunity to prove themselves. To the victor shall go the spoils..... Here's hopin'......

The Bledsoe discussions are based on two assumptions which - to me - are not "slam dunks" 1.) That Drew would never accept the role as backup 2.) That Donahoe would not pay Drew starter $ as a backup As for #1, at some point Drew will accept that his skills have declined and that their are 32+ QB's out there better than him. There is no guaranteed blueprint for this assessment. It is based on not only the actuall level of a player's current abilities but also the subjective opinion of the player and management(s). That's part of playing the game - how much does a guy have left? Will a change of scenary raise his level of play? etc. What I am saying is that Drew MAY accept going into training camp with the understanding that he will have to WIN the starting job and agree that if he loses he will be a trouper and be ready-to-go but still the clipboard holder. I don't think it is a certainty that Drew will rule this out. He may though (of course). As for #2, the Bills cap situation WITH DREW is not bad (~ +7.5 mil under the cap). Dropping Drew right away puts the Bills in the situation of ASSUMING JP is ready AND necessitates them to pick up a new QB to back up JP. They will have to pay this guy too (duh). Since the Bills only save ~ 2 - 2.5 mil dropping Bledsoe then we are only talking about a small overall savings PLUS we will forced to go down the JP road without being sure he is ready OR able to do so. In addition, the new guy will need to learn a completely new offense. See what I am saying? IF Drew is willing to fight for his job AND be a "good boy" if he loses, then I don't see the release of Drew as the obvious thing to do. My own view of this is that I would LIKE to see JP BEAT Drew and have Drew as the (albiet highly paid!) backup. Three years ago, Brady was the starter for about a buck fifty while Drew held the clipbaord for $6 mill. The result? The Patsies won the Super Bowl and Drew came in at a critical spot to win the AFC Championship game. So it is not unheard of to - for a brief time - have the backup QB making more than the starter (actually , for a time, RJ made more than Dougie while Flutie started). RichNJoisy Central NJ Bills Backers

The Fish would have to really clean out their roster to make room for Edge - they are currently $17 mil over the cap. releasing Boston, Fielder, and Seau supposedly clears a lot of the overage but ---still --- I doubt James will play for peanuts.

winfield was still WAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY overpaid.

No change in tomorrow's forecast at the Ralph - cool and rainy (mid 40's), winds will be a bit of an issue 10-15 with gusts in the 20's Denver's forecast has warmed a bit to the mid 40's. I think we need a minimum of a 14 - point lead before the scrubs come in on offense for the Colts. For the Jest game, IF the Rams can keep it close (and the Jets are GONE if they fall behind after the 1st quarter) I see a very close game with a Ram victory. I can't see Chuhhhhad bring the Jests back from being behind. The Jests need a lead .... EARLY If the Jests blow it, I am soooooooo looking forward to the whines from the Jest "fans" on Monday on WFAN in NY. Go Bills!! -RnJ

Sorry. My wife, RevNJoisy (and I) figured out many years ago.... God doesn't give a flying F about footballl. It's the only explanation for years of Cowboy/Jerry Jones/ Helmet Hair's Super Bowls. plus Homerun throwback, "Just give it to them", etc leave God out it. At BEST, He/She doesn't care. At worst.....(gulp!)....... Anyway, God is VERY busy these days in Asia....sigh

Well, the weather looks pretty lousy for fans on Sunday at the Ralph cold (40's) and rainy. Obviously - 40's is positively toasty for January 2 but I think I speak for everyone when saying I would rather watch a game in the 20's and dry or even 20's and snowing rather than 40's and rain. We are looking at light rains mostly but they may become moderate as the game progresses. I figure the crowd will still stay in it (I always like bad weather for away games since it quiets the crowd usually). The Bills crowd however can be counted on to make some noise even in these conditions! Bang those seats people when the Steelers have the ball!!!! ********* Denver weather remains the same as my earlier forecast : cold (mid 30's) but calm and dry. Go Colts!!! -RnJ

horse's butt What a surprise that HE is the one salivating over the "hatred" and "desire for revenge" Cowher has for Donahoe. Just because YOU can never let any "slight" die (Jerry once sent me an email - filled with expletives -describing how much he hated TD), your "standards" (ha!) don't apply to the rest of those who have at least a smidgen of self -esteem. Cowher's goal is to win the Super Bowl. Period. He doesn't waste a second worrying about what Donahoe does or says. The proof is in how well his team's perform for him. You may think he has something up his butt for TD but, again, you have no perspective on how normal people treat each other. get a life jerry - I am sure Tom doesn't waste a nanosecond on your opinion of him. he's a better man than you. live with it. (actually, I think Jerry needs to be in counselling). The Evening News needs at least one new reporter.

The only time the "experts" will predict the Bills in the playoffs is after they have made it. These guys should be in my line of work - when I forecast 8 out of every 10 storms right, I get chastised for thetwo I get wrong. The NFL 'experts" predict wrong over 50% of the time..and yet we keep coming back to them for their expert opinions. God are we stupid or what? (oops, gotta go. Mort is answering questions on ESPN. he's ALWAYS right)

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/stor...rend/2004week17

http://www.indystar.com/articles/6/205289-1016-036.html Note that James is very motivated to play. Contrast this to what the Steeler PLAYERS are saying, "A week or two off to rest and let my body heal up is appealing" (Bettis, Burress among others) ************************************ Looking at the Rams game, Pennington's numbers on the road this year are AWFUL. He played in five games (he was out of two game with his shoulder injury). In the five games he threw only three td's (two of them came in week two vs the Chargers). He has also thrown 5 int's in these five games. His total yardage was 258 (SD 2 td's, 0 ints), 143(Fish 0 td's 1 int), 162(NE 0 and 0), 141(Buf - inj, 1 td, 1 int), 189(pit 0 td's 3 ints) The Rams gameplan should be obvious - 8 guys in the box, bump the WR's at the line forcing CHUUUHADDD to throw over the top. Meanwhile, the Rams O can hit them with Stephen Jackson/ Faulk and go after them through the air with Holt and Bruuuuuce. Pennington needs to play with a lead- the longer the game goes on with the Jets behind or tied....look out. -RnJ

BADOBILZ - Maybe I have missed you on my list of posters who post ridiculously but my recollection is you usually post well thought-out comments but your last post IS ridiculous Have you watched how Denver has played the last four weeks? What exactly was KC and Oakland playing for? Have you played sports yourself? Do you think Manning, Harrision, James etc would go out there and simply go through the motions? Do you honestly believe their presence on the field is irelevant? Your post basically states, "Denver will win regardless of who the Colts put out there. Let's not even play the game" With that attitude you must give up early all the time. The game hasn't even started yet. let them play it. As a Bills fan, you undoubtedly are very familiar with losing the big one. Well, that doesn't mean you should simply give up hope. The Bills may not make the playoffs. O.K. I agree. But a Colts win helps the Bills. Who the Colts put on the field matters. Period. If you disagree, fine, but some of us here- myself included - fervently have the opposite opinion. Go Colts!!!! -RnJ

update: St. Louis Rams RB Steven Jackson (knee) had an MRI Monday, Dec. 28, which revealed only a soft tissue bruise to his right knee. He did not suffer any structural damage and is expected to play during Week 17. (source: kffl.com)

I am going to remember this one - If Clayton gets this wrong The reason I posted this with the "Contrary to earlier reports..." Dungy stated yesterday and this morning - and several players (including Manning last night at halftime) said the same - that the Colts would play this game to win with all their starters going for the entire game. The only addendum was "If we have a huge lead we may sit some players" That is not at all what Clayton is reporting. We shall see. -RnJ

you'd better pray that Jackson can play he left last night's game with a "bruised knee" (4th quarter) I have yet to hear a report on the extent (if any) of this injury

Contrary to earlier reports, John Clayton reported a few minutes ago that the Dolts will sit their two starting CB's. LB Morris and starting guard. He also stated, "Conventional wisdom states that the Colts will only play Manning for 1/2" Hopefully, Clayton has he head up his butt still, that's what he reported. -RnJ

weather in denver looks good at this time - mdh (mid 30's, calm and dry) ************************ My opinion on playing a 'real" game when it has no bearing on playoff position is that you are crazy to play starters for more than one quarter But The coach and the players are all stating they will play the entire game. If they are in th entire game, Colts will win ...hands down now explain the 9 point spread FOR Denver???? something does not compute.

This is a medium range forecast so it is subject to some change; Denver, CO; Gametime 4:15 EST Mostly cloudy, 33-35 degrees, slight chance of showers, light winds (Can't complain!!) **************************************** Orchard Park, NY ; Gametime 1 pm EST Mostly Cloudy, chance of showers early, increasing chance of rain as game progresses high 38-40, light winds (If I remember, I will provide an updated forecast later this week) -RichNJoisy

Moorman not on the team is insanely unfair The voting process sucks