Peter

I would not be surprised if Eugene Parker is spreading these rumors after having no one bang down his door to "discuss" $9+ million per year. Having said that, if JB signs somewhere else, I hope it is not in the AFC East.

Interesting take. I like it.

This is good news. I like him. He has talent. He played at a high level last year. He seems to be growing into a team leader. He shows passion for the team and seems to genuinely enjoy playing in Buffalo. P.S. Just to be clear, do we "blame" Russ or Overdorf for this?

I think this is dumb. Bills are bringing a knife to a gun fight In any event, we will find out soon enough whether Eugene Parker snookered Doug Whaley and the Bills.

If the Bills do not tag Byrd, they are sending the wrong message to: Eugene Parker Every other agent Our future free agents Why they would not want to use the leverage they have is beyond me.

If the Bills do not tag him, Byrd will sign with another team in a couple of days - just like Levitre did with the Titans. It would be idiotic not to tag him and use all the leverage we have if for no other reason to send a message to the Eugene Parkers of the world (and all of the other reasons I mentioned earlier in this thread).

There are many reasons to tag - not the least of which it sends a message to the Eugene Parkers of the world in future negotiations. We have the cap space. It gives us time to find or groom a replacement. We can try to trade him and get something in return. Also, I believe we can even rescind the tag before he signs it. Last year, he waited until the last moment to sign the tag. If he did that again, and we rescinded the tag late in the game, he risks that teams to don't have the cap space at that time. We have some leverage. Why we would not use it is beyond me. Just my two cents.

This about sums it up. The other sad thing was that he actually was a Buffalo Bills fan growing up and was very happy to have the opportunity to play for the Bills.

Nice. I love it!

That is hilarious. He looks like an older version or the father of David Samson (an executive with the Miami Marlins) who is equally disliked in Miami. http://www.cardozo.yu.edu/life/2008/alumni_news/images/alumni_news_20.jpg

I realize that. Nevertheless, although I generally like Marrone, I think that he is throwing these guys (who are working stiffs and presumably support their families with modest salaries compared to the millions that Marrone will be paid) under the bus. Just my two cents. That is funny. I have no idea what he looks like and blame him for the Polian fiasco etc.

I am not a doctor and do not play one on TV, but isn't this an issue that a team doctor primarily would have to address rather than the team trainer? Also, this is not the first time in the history of professional sports when a player was out for longer than expected or ended up needing additional or follow up surgery.

The put the Bills where the Willie is . . . coincidence?

The next time the Dougs or Russ are available to respond to questions, I would hope that the Buffalo media directly ask these guys the questions raised by TG (which are based on whatever sourcing). For example, Marrone should be asked whether he has tried to get Bud Carpenter (fill in whatever other name you want) fired. If so, why? If not, do you have confidence in him? The same with Whaley. The fact is that -- whether this is true or not -- the Bills either have to put out the fires that are being created (or attempted to be created) or move on. The Bills also need to get out front of this story and get beyond it one way or another. As I mentioned before, whoever leaked this (if any of this is true) should have tried to resolve all of this in house rather than go crying to the media. Coaches B word and moan about players going to or leaking to the media. If someone within the team actually leaked this, they should have quit instead if they are unhappy with the resolution. Leaking to TG (again, if any of this is true) does not show a lot of leadership or courage (especially given that, if there was a leak, it was anonymous). On the other hand, if I were in charge, I would consider firing whoever leaked this story. This was someone's attempt to cry and take his ball home when he did not get his way (again presuming any of this is true). The worst part is going to the media about Bud Carpenter (I have no use for Littman). Here is a guy who is a working stiff who does not make millions or hundreds of thousands of dollars like say Marrone or Whaley and presumably supports a family on whatever he makes. He has been loyal to the organization. As far as I know he is respected by his peers. It is ludicrous to suggest (as TG initial blog does) that the Bills have not made the playoffs because of Bud Carpenter. The whole thing is a cheap shot and gratuitous.

Perhaps it was Pettine's daughter . . . .

Carpenter was the guy who was mentioned in TG's first blog on the matter yesterday. It seemed gratuitously harsh to me. As I recall, at the end of the blog, TG threw in that the Bills have not made the playoffs in 14 years or words to that effect. As I mentioned above, I have no use for Littman - ever since his role in Polian leaving. Regarding Overdorf, I have no vested interest - I just do not see that he has much authority. I am pretty sure he is given the financial parameters and tries to negotiate deals within the parameters. Berchtold also has nothing to do with the Bills not going to the playoff. He is the guy in charge of communications for the Bills and has nothing to do with the on field product. I would not be surprised if this piece (and perhaps the rest) is made up given that the local media seems to have an adversary relationship with the Bills (and Sabres for that matter). As for Russ, I like him and think that it is good that a guy from the area is in charge - which makes it more likely that the Bills will stay in Buffalo.

My view is that you do not going crying to TG if you do not happen to get your way. Again, Bud Carpenter is NOT the reason why the Bills have not made the playoffs. By going to the press (if any of this is true), they look like cry babies who cannot fight their own battles. I would have preferred that they resolve whatever issues in house. If Marrone or whoever is not happy and cannot live with the result, they have the option of quitting. Again, just my two cents.

I do not have time to read nine pages so I apologize if any of this was covered. The biggest issue in all of this (if TG's reporting is true) is that someone went to TG to try get their way rather than working in house. Bud Carpenter - Bud is not the reason why we have not been to the playoffs in so long (I mention this because of the way TG ended his one piece). I have not ever heard that this guy is incompetent before. From what I understand, he is well respected among his peers. It seems sad that he is wrapped up in all of this. Jeff Littman - I have never had any use for this guy - ever since his involvement with Bill Polian leaving. He can go as far as I am concerned. Jim Overdorf - He always seems to get a lot of criticism. The guy negotiates contracts and is the legal counsel. I am pretty sure that he does not set the parameters of how much to pay a guy. Although I do not know for sure, my guess is that he is told by someone up the food chain how much the Bills are willing to pay for a guy and he tries to make it happen. Russ Brandon - I do not understand why a lot of people (at least those that appear to be the loudest) knock him so much. He has a very difficult job given the size and realities of the Buffalo market. I think that he is doing a good job. If you are at all interested in the Bills staying in Buffalo, I would think that you would be happy with a guy from the area calling the shots. Just my two cents.

Cutting him makes absolutely no sense to me either.

I wish Mike Pettine all of the luck in the world (except to the extent it impacts the Bills). He is going to need it.

According to PFT, Farmer was not at Pettine's interview. Interesting. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/11/report-farmer-wasnt-in-on-pettines-coaching-interview/

Did he really? That is hilarious.

If Farmer had been the GM, I wonder if they would have fired Chud and let the rest of the staff leave after just one year. If not, Pettine would still be here. It is what it is. I hope that Schwartz ends up being a better DC than Pettine.

Great actor and, by all accounts, a great guy. I am so happy that I never even thought about trying heroine. Based on the little I know about it, it is very easy to become addicted, and it controls your life very quickly. I am sure that he had no desire to leave his kids and family like this. The whole thing is very tragic.

I just don't think it is fair to single out one guy when every single GM made the same mistake -- at least twice. I am not going to continue arguing with you (especially given that I have been a huge RW fan since he was in college). You can get the last word in if that is important to you.