Danny

cold meds....breathing problems....okay.

Something to keep in mind is when the player signed their contract. The longer ago, the less the cap hit will be as the years progress. Alot of these guys, if they were free agents today would be making even more a year. My point is that while $8 million may seem alot compared to the top nfl wr.. i think it is a fair price to pay for the services of Stevie Johnson. (maybe a little higher than he is worth but not unreasonable)

So now that its looking like Terrence McGee will be in a Bills uniform next season, i think a lot of attention will be turned to Drayton Florence. He is making $5 million in 2012 and $6 million in 2013. By cutting him the Bills could save approximately $3.5 million against the cap next year. There are both pros and cons on cutting Florence. The Bills could definitely use the depth in the secondary, especially considering McGee hasnt played much the last two seasons. On the other hand, if the Bills plan to make a big move in free agency it wouldnt hurt to free up some cap room. Cutting McKelvin is not likely because it would cost as much to cut him as it would to keep him. So the question is, would you cut Florence and save the money or keep him.

Good for both sides and im glad to see this happen. Will definitely benefit the Bills in terms of cap hit and depth. McGee is also a leader and now has a shot at finishing up his career as a Bill. Im interested in finding out the details about the reconstruction, my guess is that McGee accepted less in base salary and loaded up on bonuses and incentives. That way the Bills dont have to take a huge cap hit for a player with injury issues unless he stays healthy... and McGee gets the opportunity to make some serious money unless he gets hurt.

Good post, very interesting. I was adding a little to it. The link I posted added a quote from brees; "To be fair to Brees, he did outline that responsibility later in his interview: "They shaped the game for us," Brees said. "Because of those guys, we have an opportunity to play this game, to make the money that we make, to get the benefits we get. We will always, always, always reach back to give to those guys. But there's a way to do it." " People may automatically jump all over Brees without realizing there was more to what he said. He obviously doesn't want to just wipe his hands completely of the situation.. But he doesn't want to reward guys who carelessly and foolishly squandered their opportunity either. Thus his, "But there's a way to do it". As T Master pointed out in his post (which I agree with) there are different ways to look at this problem and more importantly, various angles to address it by as well.

"Always three sides to a story. Your side, their side, and the truth." http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Kramer-8217-s-disgust-over-Brees-8217-remarks?urn=nfl-wp3419&active_dimension=carousel_ept_sports_nfl_experts&ysp_frm_woah=1

Good point JR. Now that you mention it, i wouldn't be surprised if something like the signing bonus, years, etc. is what's holding this up. In my opinion they can't be that far off in the base salary. I doubt the Bills would make an offer of less than 7mil. and since Stevie isn't asking for 9mil. If only it was as simple as flipping a coin.

I think he's a free agent but I bet if he wasn't you're right about him getting cut. Not that I think he's horrible but I do think they can definitely find an upgrade. It would be good if they could find a quality cornerback in the draft. Maybe as early as the 2nd Round.

I wonder how far apart they are? If he isn't asking for 9 mil... I wonder how much the Bills think he is worth. I'm thinking they cant be offering him less than 7mil. But who knows.

Damn good choice. But because I don't think the Bills would get much further with Rob Johnson even if they won that game ill take it a step further. I'd go back and let Flutie finish what he started that season. Never a huge supporter but noone thought he'd do what he did.. And he did. We sit here now thinking he wouldn't have finished it with playoff wins...but... Yeah. The point is we will never know and that we were robbed of the opportunity. If I could make another one just because I'm interested in how the OP will play it out- I would go back a few years to the draft and choose Ngata instead of Whitner. Move back into the first the same way we did, but then pick Mangold instead of McCargo.

Four straight SuperBowls was unreal but I would trade all of them them all and a lot more for just one superbowl win. I'd do it in a heartbeat. I always find it amusing how fans in general talk about "making" it to the superbowl; "getting" to the superbowl; ect. From now on, every Bills fan should only refer to "winning" the superbowl. That's my opinion slash mini-rant.

Do you know how much actual cash they spent last year. Ive heard that they actually exceeded the $120 mil amount. I havent found any info on that however. If anybody knows or has a link it would be great.

If you dont consider Mario Williams to be an elite player thats fine. Its your opinion and i respect that. I do want to point out that although Mario Williams only averages roughly 9 sacks a season... so do quite a few of the other players youve named. Why do they get the benefit of being called elite that Mario doesnt? Also, Mario had 5 sacks in 5 games in Wade's more aggressive system. Ware and Suggs both excel in aggressive defenses. Who knows how Mario would do in a full year under Wade. Id predict pretty well. What im trying to get at is that stats often can be used to support both sides of an arguement. If Mario had a big year in 2012 he'd be averaging double digit sacks, does that make him suddenly a better player than years past? I dont know. But i dont think so. Finally, you named both DE and OLB which is fine, but now thats four positions on any given team.... even if we assume every single player you named is better; does that make Mario any less elite? Again, i dont think so. Perhaps we just have different descriptions of what an elite player is. Nothing wrong with that. Mario Williams in my opinion is an elite player. Edit: Spelling

Keep in mind that Mario Williams is an elite player. Its not really a question of seeing how he'd work out for us because we know what we are getting by having him on the team. With Kyle locked up long term and Dareus, Sheppard, Byrd, A.Williams and the 10th pick; if these players develop the way it looks like they will, we'd have a dominant defense for the next decade. Mario would be the leader and considering he is only 27, he'd be around for a long time to keep the core group together.

http://www.indystar.com/article/20120214/SPORTS03/120214035/Irsay-Manning-We-can-make-work-?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Sports "Owner Jim Irsay is open to Peyton Manning remaining with the Indianapolis Colts and finishing his NFL career where it began, but the ultimate decision will rest with wether the iconic quarterback is willing to restructure his contract."

That is so true. I dont know whether to laugh or cry about it. I just love how many "league sources" pop up during the offseason.

Well i suppose the points would have to come from Freddie and then hope Fitz has a big season. Maybe its the fact id like to see Mario, Kyle, and Dareus line up on the d-line and see what happens. Ive always been a defense guy first. I love watching mean nasty Defenses terrorize offenses. I mean, i can sit here and ask you if youre willing to sit another season and watch teams score at will on your team. Who is going to get pressure on the QB? How long do you think the Bills corners can cover wideouts with no pass rush. Truth is, either option will leave huge problems for the team. You have to remember that the scenario put forth isnt really realistic or ideal.

Yeah i probably would. Not that i would blame anybody for choosing to sign stevie instead. As i said i would be tempted to go that route. To me it would boil down to the fact that i could always sign a big wideout next off season but when would you have a chance to get your hands on a guy like williams again? Thats what swayed me.

I don't see the need to get so angry at the OP? He threw out a scenario and asked everyones opinion. Everyone is getting a little bent out of shape because he has a poor opinion of stevie? Anyway, if it was up to me and I had to choose between those options I think I would sign Mario and draft wideouts. Although I agree with misstheKgun when he said that you have to sign your good young players to build a winner. I would be really tempted to sign Stevie instead. But I vote Mario. Having said that.. I do think the Bills could do both. If they rolled over last years cap space (which they wont) and then not sign bell or chandler or any other big free agent. Then cut a few certain players. Imo they could do it.

Sure but what started this back and forth discussion wasn't whether the Bills were cheap. It was whether or not it was feasible to sign Mario Williams under the current circumstances. My stalker seems to think they will while everyone who understands cash to cap realizes it isn't.

With all due respect- when have the Bills ever used their rollover? Even once?

Would incentives be considered a type of bonus?

You still dont get it. Noone is argueing they are or will be in salary cap problems regardless. The point is they have a way of dealing with the cap and they arent going to change it to sign Mario Williams. Your childish attitude and circular arguments are not going to change any of that. Im afraid the day i allow my pride to become b ruised by someone typing away on some keyboard is nowhere in sight so i guess youre on your own on that one. "Dont be scared Homie" as Nick said, its just the internet. By the way, if you want to start a thread giving specific steps as to how the Bills would go out and sign Mario Williams and roster moves that they would make to get that to happen go ahead. You would look like the goofiest wannabe gm on this site. Dude, give it up... they arent signing him. Get a life.

Just watched the forward pass video... Maaaaaaaaannn Shoulda played Flutie Thx for the post.

Let me put it this way.. its possible. But the Bills cant because they are in a cash to cap system (like most other teams). If they were willing to say "to hell with it" then technically they could. It would get tricky in a couple years because theyd constantly be trying to circumvent the salary cap. Sorry if that sounded confusing but i dont want my stalker to show up on this thread and try to twist what im trying to say.