TheFunPolice

Well, you do 100% own your home immediately. Your home is also collateral for a personal loan that you took out to buy it. Bank: I'll lend you the money to make the purchase (which you make and own 100%) but that purchase is my security if you don't repay me based on the terms we agree to. In this case the security is a printing press that spits out hundreds of millions of dollars, so it's more of an investment for anyone loaning an NFL owner money. Hopefully they can design the stadium in such a way as to cut down on the wind. Maybe it's the WNYer in me, but a December afternoon when it's in the mid 40's and no wind (which the no wind part if rare near the stadium) with the smell of grills going and maybe a campfire in the distance is a beautiful late fall/early winter day. Totally comfortable. Throw on a bills hoodie and grab a beer and enjoy!

I have a crazy theory: you'll see MORE open air NFL stadiums going forward and fewer roofed venues, except in places where the heat/cold is truly unbearable. The cost of these stadiums is getting so stupid, and outdoor football is generally a better looking and more interesting product on TV, which is where the money is. For all of the reputation for snow and wind, WNY is really not that extreme of a climate. Winter doesn't really start until January around here. Just as an example, in December 2021 the low temperature in Orchard Park, NY only dropped below 32 degrees (and that would be in the middle of the night, like 4-5 AM) a handful of times. The average high was 44 degrees for December, with a bunch of days in the high 40's and low 50's. In December! It was 50 degrees on Christmas, and that's not so unusual these days. So you wear a coat and you're fine as a fan. For players it's even less of an issue. Anyone who does physical work outdoors knows that mid-40 degrees is actually nice weather to do certain jobs that absolutely suck when it's sunny and hot. Wind is more the issue where the stadium is, so hopefully they find a way to cut that down. A gameday in the mid 40's with a covered seating area for fans where the wind is blocked is going to be quite comfortable. Snow games are actually few and far between for the Bills, which is why they are so memorable when they happen. Just ask anyone who owns a snowmobile in WNY: they use their sleds for like 3-4 weeks in late January/February and that's about it. And IF there's a "weather event" snowstorm game? Ratings bonanza for the NFL! How is that a negative for the powers that be? Domes are dull, boring, and suck the life out of the atmosphere.

You know what would have really complicated that? The Pegulas ownership of the Sabres. Then again, there have been rumors for the past couple of years that the Sabres "could be" for sale, possibly, maybe. Sports reporters were "hearing whispers" and so forth. IMO, the Sabres talk validates the fact that the Pegulas were exploring their options as it relates to the Bills. Terry LOVES the Sabres. He freaking cried when he met the French Connection guys in person. He also has billions of dollars and just a few years ago started a new oil/gas company "as a hobby" when prices were low and everyone mocked him for it on here. I'll bet he's doing pretty well right about now with that. There was no need for him to sell the Sabres at all. None. All the "team is losing money" "we're cash poor" talk was just a way to provide cover for the fact that they were having some preliminary discussions with potential buyers. How would they explain that otherwise? The Sabres were Terry's dream. IMO the REAL reason was always "if things do fall through with NY we need a backup plan, and we're going to need to unload the Sabres fast before news gets out about the Bills." Otherwise, potential buyers would recognize the situation and lowball the Pegulas knowing they HAD to sell. My theory anyway. I don't think it was CLOSE to happening (Bills moving/Sabres sold) but I do think that the ducks were being lined up just in case, which is sensible business.

We need him 100% in January and February.

This is so weird... You have a license to print money, and you skim what is essentially petty cash off what you need to pay the other owners? So much risk for so little upside.

Watson is good, but I never saw him as a top 5 QB. I would take Allen, Jackson, Burrow, Mahomes and Herbert over him, with Russell Wilson being a 50/50 call and that's just the AFC.

In a just world Brady would look like Big Ben of last year. slow, old, and zero arm. Instead, I'm sure he'll win MVP and at least play in the Super Bowl.

I travel a lot for work, so I listen to Sirius NFL Radio quite a bit to pass the time. I really do think it's a way to fill 20-30 minutes of non-prime airtime. Get Brandt on to tell a story about something that nobody has any idea what the hell he is talking about or why.

I'm just happy the Bills will be staying in WNY for the next several decades so we can just relax and enjoy the team. AND I'm looking forward to seeing some design renderings!

RIP to Haskins, a young man with a family and much to look forward to. On the topic of Brandt, I was shocked to read what he said, and having listened to him mumble and ramble on Sirius NFL Radio I have no idea whatsoever why any producer said "let's get Gil's thoughts on this issue on live radio." At some point, the people running the show need to think these things through a bit and protect the brand, so to speak. You have Brandt on when you want to fill time in the 8 PM hour with a 20 minute rambling story about some offensive tackle from some nowhere high school that Gil scouted in 1971 and ended up as an UDFA for 1/2 a season on the Lions practice squad before retiring an opening a diner in the smallest town in Oklahoma.

The only "problem" with his weight is when it dips under 350... I say draft him, have him watch the Alton Brown episode they just filmed a show about the best wing places in Buffalo, and let the man get tuned up for a SB level season!

That actually makes the most sense of any theory I've seen regarding Brady. His retirement seemed rushed and unplanned, then all of a sudden he's back after saying in his message that he couldn't commit to the team the same way.

Not that Ross cares what I think, but I don't get why Ross wouldn't just sell his shares if he can't be the real owner anymore. What's the point? Cash out then because you're just a fan at that point anyway.

I think Horton has a case, given Mularkey's story. If that isn't proof of a "sham interview" I don't know what is. Mularkey would have no reason to make that up either, as it makes him look bad. Not so sure on Wilks. I mean, he got a raw deal but he also seemed not up to the job if I recall correctly. I mean, there's the Jim Tomsulas of the world too, and maybe Wilks was similarly not ready. but IMO of all these guys Horton has the most compelling case.

The Seneca money comes from WNY is my point. That's where the casinos are and most of their customers are from this general vicinity. I could be wrong, but I doubt people are coming from all over America to go to Salamanca to gamble. Overall, I typically enjoy your posts, so I appreciate the back and forth. We just disagree on this one, and that's fine.

Agreed! Brady had coached up Malcolm Butler to be in just the right spot to win that Seattle/NE Super Bowl when they ran the play! Brady put together a defense in the early 2000's full of great players, borderline HOFers in NE. He shut down that Rams high flying offense most of the game too. I hate defending Belichick, because it makes me want to gag, but this "it was all Brady..." crap is nauseating. BTW, he also shut down Brady too. The Bucs went into NE this past season clearly the better team and it took a missed NE FG for them to win.

if it wasn't for Belichick Kraft would be just another owner, and NE just another team. Belichick not only drafted Brady but developed him and chose to start him once Bledsoe was healthy. For example, what if Brady was drafted 4th round instead and started week 3 his rookie season for an 0-2 mess of a Dick Jauron coached team with a mediocre defense and (insert name here) for offensive players and offensive coaches? Same career? Is Jauron thought of as the GOAT and a genius?

100%, the money could be better spent in an ideal world. No argument there. Subsidizing these stadiums feels a bit gross. We're not LA or NYC. Most NFL cities aren't. But the competition for a "free agent" NFL team would be insane, and "you're rich so you build it yourself" wouldn't seal the Bills staying here. That can work in LA because LA is LA. The money grows on trees for Kroenke in that market due to its sheer size and wealth. The economics of WNY dictate a much bigger public investment in keeping the team. We all know this. Due to the lease expiring, WNY is competing against other cities that want an NFL team. That's why I say it and still say it: if you're against this deal then you are in favor of the Bills moving. They don't stay for less, and they don't stay in their current stadium. It's just not going to happen, even if we write books of totally solid arguments for it. In a way, WNY is paying for it via the Seneca casino revenues that are being used to cover most of the state's portion.

LOL Sorry I'm just overly cautious!

Didn't click because the URL looks suspicious. Summary?

We didn't "moan about" downstate stadiums because most of us didn't even notice, and it took research to even find the numbers. That's kind of the point. We go to work and pay our taxes and most of us don't have time to monitor the state budget. Either way we are going to pay X amount as individual taxpayers. If the team stays we pay X, and if they leave we pay X. X doesn't change either way. We don't all get a discount if the team leaves. We don't pay extra if it stays. Most of the state $$ is coming from the Seneca casinos in WNY, BTW. Instead, "it will be a shame" and we lose an iconic part of life in WNY. At least people will feel really, really bad for us though! Maybe 3 "reallys" depending. Except Florio, he will be in heaven. I would bet he already has that article written and ready to go.

Oh, it's totally understandable to want Pegula to contribute more, but he isn't going to, nor would any other NFL owner in this market. The Broncos are expected to sell for as much as 4 billion. Cities elsewhere will bend over backwards to build a stadium to lure an NFL team. The money is getting stupid. The Bills were once the most expensive team sale in NFL history. Until the next one. Same with the stadium deal. Most generous public money agreement. Until the next one. Thus my point: if you (not you particularly, "you" in a general sense of the word) don't support this deal then you are saying "let the team leave." Which is fine, anyone is entitled to an opinion, but just be honest. There is not a reality where the state/county "plays hardball" and these billionaires "pay their fair share" and finance it themselves. It's just not living in the real world. I am happy the deal is done and the team is staying. We pay plenty of taxes, so let's keep our team here.

That reality doesn't exist in WNY was my point. Anyone who suddenly has a crisis of conscience about NY State spending money for this stadium is actively working to torpedo this deal, which means the Bills leave WNY. It really is that simple.

If Josh Allen is the top 5 QB we all think he is, the Bills will be in the playoffs every year, barring injury. Then it comes down to winning in the tournament. For that, you need difference makers, which we have a few of, but could always use more. It will be fun to see what happens this draft just in general, because there doesn't seem to the top QB prospects that cement the first several picks.

Whoever is against the stadium deal should just say "I want the Bills to leave WNY" Either this deal happens or the team leaves. There is no "yeah but" where NFL owners suddenly have an epiphany and realize how awful it is to take public money. At least be honest. There is no reality where you're in favor of the team staying but don't want to use massive amounts of public money. That world doesn't exist, so it's pointless to keep writing articles about it.