vegas55

Now lists the Bills game as bumped again; from the Tuesday @ 12 slot. Lists Philly v Browns. Wonder what the explanation is now.

"take the time to understand the broadcasting arrangements" You are kidding right? Its a simple analysis - Buffalo is the ONLY chicken s market in the entire NFL that has a broadcasting "arrangement" whereby the Bills preseason game cannot be shown on a the NFL (a national) network.

Area got nothing to do with it? Buffalo is the ONLY preseason game not being shown on NFL network

NFL network move to not show Bills/Bengals replay must be related to local channel showing replay later this evening. Typical of the bush league loser mentality that permeates the area; and why the area will lose its pro football franchise in a few years.

Marv Levy repeated the same thing you here just about every analyst say: the player holding out is destroying his chance to be a productive starter etc. It's always the player "hurting himself" There is another side to the story though; one you never hear. It's always the case that the holdout eventually signs, and it is true signing late may well cost him a chance to be a productive starter in his rookie year. But who is really getting hurt by that scenario? The player is still going to get paid for that year, whether he contributes or not. If he is a good player he will be a starter in years 2, 3, 4, & 5 and his hold out in his rookie year will be forgotten. Except the team pays him for 5 years, he only contributes in 4 of those years, his rookie season a complete washout hurts the team, the fans etc. but THE PLAYER STILL GETS HIS MONEY. Take Whitner for example - reports are that the sides are one million dollars apart. Over a 5 year contract, thats $200,000 a year. If he signs his contract so late that he cannot be contribute this year, the team will be paying him millions of dollars for a rookie year where he contributes zero. Paying him for 5 years when he only gives us 4. Not to mention pissing away a high draft choice in a year where we need all the talent we can get. Over what amounts to $200,000 per year. Not that the player is always right; just that teams (and analysts) should realize thats its not just the player who is getting hurt; in many cases the teams are shooting themselves in the foot by being penny wise but pound foolish.

Its not about sellouts as far as keeping a franchise. Its all about the local revenue a team does not have to share - luxury boxes, local radio and tv rights etc. Thats what will be the demise of the Bills there - so keep electing the same tax and spend, regulate everything liberals, drive the local economy completely into the ground, and wave bye bye to the Bills. It will be a shame.

Bill's fan and Buffalo press our consistent if anything in their myopia about the "potential" of players. It's always the guy who hasn't actually played that is the answer to the Bill's woes. The latest example is Duke Preston, who has lately been touted in the press as a player the coaches "really like" and a guy who will step in as a solid starter this year. Reality check - he could not beat out Trey teague last year; and could not even beat out Bennie Anderson, who may have had the worst year of any O lineman in the league. It's not unheard of at all for a rookie O lineman to start in his first year, but the Duke could not win a starting spot on a horrible line. And as an added commentary on his ability, the Bills throw a good sum of money at Fowler, which says no center position for Duke this year. And his inability to supplant Bennie A last year says tons about his potential at the guard position.

Without question, the O line was our biggest issue last year and for several years. Last years season opener had Teague and Williams as starters. Both are gone, and who is going to replace them? Rather than improving the line, the Bills are going to be hard pressed to match last year's sorry performance. If our #1 pick goes to the D line, exactly what is the plan to improve the O line this year. All rookies? For all the noise about being active in the free agent market, Bills have only signed career reserves, including but one marginal O lineman

Hard work, is that what an NFL owner does? I don't hold his fortune or "hard work" against him; I only point out the irony of a mega millionaire whining when his employees fairly and legitimately negotiate a pay increase

Here is a guy whose $100,000 investment in the Bills is now worth 400 million; whose franchise turns a profit each year, and who pays himself a million plus in salary each year; now whines that the players, who sacrifice their long term health, will receive 59.5% of revenue rather than 56%. Just how much money do you need to make Ralph? isn't 400 million enough? And for a guy who adamantly opposes guaranteed contract for players, he has no problem insisting on receiving guaranteed money from TV, season tickets, taxpayers of NY and now money from the "richer" franchises. Please no more posts that this guy belongs in the HoF.

Bills won't get the services of a great defensive coordinator, Bates, because Ralph is low balling on the salary offer. A constant theme with this franchise; which has not seen the playoffs in a long time.

Would not be surprised at all if MM will be making more money as the OC for the fish than he was as our head coach. Just a reminder, you get what you pay for, and you can't take it with you Ralph.

Ralph invested $100,000.00 to secure the Bills franchise; it is now worth about 500 million. Thats reward enough for "keeping" the franchise in Buffalo. The sad truth is that its been a horribly run franchise for much of its existence. Read Jim Kelly's autobiography as to why he chose the USFL over Buffalo - the organization was in shambles. Loses #1 pick Tom Cousineau the same way. Ralph is a guy who made 500 million, plus turning a profit every year and he squeezes nickels. In an era when parity rules and coaching is so important, he consistently has the league's lowest paid head coach & staff. His fellow owners ruled against him and sanctioned him for trying to screw Wade Phillips out of $750,000 - his last years contract. He fired the greatest GM in history, Polian. Did the same to Butler and his staff, because he was unwilling to pay the going rate for a GM. Hall of Fame - this guy belongs in the Hall of Shame.

Hard to hire a "power" coach given the paltry salary Ralph was willing to pay. Greg Williams at 800,000 and Mularkey not much more. MM was lowest paid coach in the league when he resigned. Greg williams makes 2.6 million per as as defensive coordinator in DC

How could anybody argue Ralph for the hall of fame. Loyalty to the city of Buffalo is NOT a criteria for the Hall. His franchise has an overall record of less than .500; its been a laughing stock for many of the years of its existence. He fired the genius who assembled the super bowl teams. His franchise was such a mess that Jim Kelly chose the USFL over Buffalo, Tom Cousineau picked the CFL. As to his loyalty to Buffalo; he paid about 100,000.00 for this franchise which is now worth 500 million. Thats ample reward for his "loyalty"

Question - how many right tackles are there at 300+ pounds and athletic? Answer - a whole bunch - in college and pros. Question how many tight ends are there at 300+ ; who can block like an O lineman but are fast enough to beat an LB long down the seam - answer one - Peters. This is how losing franchises compound their mistakes - draft a bust like Mike Williams then fill the hole he creates by turning a unique tight end prospect into a average RT.

What else can you do? I dont think much of MM as a coach, but i have reluctantly come to the conclusion that he should be retained. There may be seven head coaching vacancies this year and given the spending habits of our owner, we are certain to be one of the least attractive jobs. So we get yet another assistant on the cheap with limited experience, and start all over again; with no guarantee that the new guy is better than MM. One guy who would be a great hire is Wade Phillips, a guy who has proven over and over that he can turn any defense around in record time. Unfortunately Ralph's attempt to cheat Wade out of his last year's salary (an attempt that was shot down by his fellow owners) puts Wade out of any consideration. I recall that Wade's salary was a whopping $750,000.00, which was about what he paid greg williams. Mega millionaire Wilson, with a 500 million dollar franchise, chooses to cut corners at the head coaching spot. Great idea. You can't take it with you ralph. And theres no way you belong anywhere near the Hall of Fame.

Don't be an idiot - MM has zero intention of starting JP - regardless of what he says

Not starting JP just demonstrates how clueless this organization really is. It's the perfect time to let this kid play & get experience. Whats the worst that can happen, we lose and get a higher draft pick. The giants stuck with Eli last year even at a time a playoff berth was still a possibility. What can be gained by starting Holcomb and watching him throw 30-40 dump off passes in his ongoing quest to never take a hit. Our game plan last week - ride the arm of Holcomb to victory - a sure fire recipe for success in the NFL.

Holcomb is a coward back there. The first Pats game, on 4th and 10 he throws a one yard dump pass - game over. Several times last night he was given sufficient time, but quickly checked down to a dump off receiver rather than stay in there, make a play downfield, but risk getting hit. A qb must make plays downfield; otherwise like holcomb, he will complete 70% of his passes but the offense will do nothing.

First and goal, 3 yard line, 23-3 score means even a field goal puts the game out of reach. So what does the Dunce call, play action pass. Surprised he did not call for a spike. Why does this guy still have a job. He is in way, way, way over his head.

Holcombs explanation of the last play: I looked first to Parish - he is covered so i went to moulds (who is standing at the line of scrimmage). Lets dissect that: with 4 and 7, game on the line, the number one option is a guy literally playing in his first NFL game(his first and only NFL reception happened in this game) So he is covered, and Holcomb, still with plenty of time, just dumps the ball off to Moulds - are you kidding me. More likely this boy cant stand being hit, and that yellow streak on your tv screen is not the first down marker; it's coming from your starting QB.

A 55 yard pass is completed to Moulds; after that play not one pass attempt over 5 yards. With 4 and 7 the coward at quarterback throws a 4 yard pass; because he is such a friggin coward he is afraid of getting hit. Put anybody at QB, but cut this chicken sh-- coward Holcomb today

Missing the point - its not that TD would or should have hired Marvin Lewis, the point is that his hands were tied and choices limited because ralph would not pay the going rate for a head coach. And when he pays Greg williams a paltry $800,000.00 just what kind of assistant coaches can you attract (who must make less than the HC) Well you saw what kind - all first timers

Felser repeats in his column today the notion that TD made a huge mistake in hiring greg williams. The hiring of Williams had very much to do with the fact that mega millionaire Ralph Wilson refused to pay the going rate for a head coach. Marvin Lewis turned down the Bills because the offered salary was a joke. Williams made 800,000 per year as our head coach, replacing Wade Phillips who was paid $750,000 per (well sort of; the NFL sanctioned Wilson for attempting to stiff Wade out of his last year's salary). In this era of parity, when coaching means everything; Wilson squeezes nickels. Greg Williams currently makes 1.8 million (higher paid than our head coach) as a defensive coordinator, and is worth every penny, judging by the performance of the redskin defense. As it stands we have a head coach who has never been a head coach before, a offensive coordinator who has never been an offensive coordintor before and a defensive coordinator who has never been a defensive coordinator before. and its hard to remember the last year we made the playoffs. You can't take it with you Ralph. And let all the bozos who lobby for Wilson to be in the hall of fame give us a break. Just because he kept the team in Buffalo all of these years does not qualify him for the HoF. The fact that his $100,000. investment is now worth 500 million should be reward enough