The Dean

Well, I think that ends the speculation. No more trustworthy source than JW, IMO. Do you know if the Bills made an inquiry about Mathis (I would be shocked if they didn't) and discovered he was simply going for the biggest payday---or one they knew they couldn't afford?

That's hardly "trying hard" to trade him. Actively working the phones, proposing deals, etc, is trying hard. With that said, I'd be surprised if they received no offers (Chip Kelly not 100& truthful? What?), but maybe Chip meant no credible offers. Perhaps interest in a trade was shown, but the Eagles let the asking price known, and it was artificially high. Or as some have speculated, maybe teams just counted on Chipper simply cutting him. After all, he said he would have cut McCoy.

Now THAT'S a bold prediction. Bills fans always complain about who starts at QB. I even recall a vocal minority pushing for Frank Reich to supplant Jimbo at one time. Complaining about QBs is what we do!

I have yet to read/hear any credible report about the Eagles "trying hard" to trade him. All I have read is there were some discussions, and an almost trade, during the draft. And you are correct, he has been in a zone blocking scheme for the most part. Has he ever been asked to play the way he would have to with the Bills? What I'm asking is it clear he isn't good at it, or just that he hasn't demonstrated it due to the scheme his teams have played? Still, I'll take him over Williams, and probably Incognito.

Because, well, Chip Kelly. 'Nuff said.

Have to think Chip burned that bridge, when he wouldn't honor the last GM's offer. But then again, I suppose anything could happen.

It's certainly possible he will get more from another team than from the Bills. It's even more likely he will prefer to play for a team other than the Bills for other considerations (not discounting a big salary). But it would be foolish for the Bills not to pursue him, based on their salary cap situation. They really don't have a salary cap situation, at present. But if they can convince Mathis to come to Buffalo, they have the cash to pay him, if they are clever about it. Wrong Mathis.

I keep reading this. He is a FA. He has no contract the Bills inherit. Structured properly, the Bills could afford him this year, and perhaps moving forward. Great teams (and GMs) make contacts like this happen.

I don't think signing or not signing Mathis has anything whatsoever to do with Miller.

Ryan Mallet was a "veteran QB" when he was with the Pats?

Archer, is that you? IMO he's head and shoulders better than Incognito. He'd have to be the instant #1 G on the team. As he is a FA, he can just shop around. For some reason, I have no confidence the Bills will get him signed.

I agree that this is unlikely. But a serious injury bug, hitting the defense hard, might be an answer. Also, Rex has been a pretty bad head coach, the past 2-3 years. But I concur the choices were pretty bad. Just playing along.

Unfortunately, that WASN'T an option in the poll. I think everyone would take that.

That seems to be the case, though I find it hard to believe Belicheat could guarantee Spikes would be a 3-down LB. Then again, I wouldn't put it past that POS to simply lie about it.

IMO a playoff loss, and no clear cut starting QB, doesn't represent real progress. The Bills were already on that track with Marrone. A playoff win, or two, might be a sign of a team being good enough to get by without a true #1 QB. OTOH, as many have already stated, finding that #1 QB, especially one as young as EJ, is huge. If the Bills don't make the playoffs in this scenario, it probably means the injury bug hit the team (defense, most likely) hard. Clearly this alternative represents real progress. Then again, if the reason the Bills miss the playoffs while EJ has a great year, is due to a terrible job at HC by Rex, this team is in trouble. I see that as a distinct possibility, as Rex has been a terrible HC the past 2-3 years. But I'm hoping he has learned some things, and the second time around is the charm. I picked choice #2. The only decent option presented.

I think it was made pretty clear, the Bills were interested in Spikes returning---at the right price. I'd be surprised if they didn't at least let him (or his agent) know what they considered "the right price".

He makes himself an easy target for bad jokes (though I thought the initial idea of blaming him for this incident was GENIUS). He has become an incessant whiner. His refusal to fully cooperate in the investigation and simply admit to a relatively minor infraction was his undoing in this situation. He should have manned-up and took what would have been a very minor fine, most likely, IMO. Instead he made the NFL spend a ton of money, waste a lot of time, etc. He put his team, and his coach, in danger by trying to protect himself. For that, his punishment was quite lenient, again IMO. Any joke at Brady's* expense is fair game, at this point. His arrogance is to blame. Agreed. Spikes was first class with the Bills.

OK, I'm on board. That's clearly what happened.

Can't argue with that. It demonstrates something I'm constantly telling my clients, when they ask me "what's the best ____". I try to explain, what's best, depends heavily on what it's being used for, by whom and in what environment. Then you have to factor in budget and other considerations. There is no "Best".

As I said earlier, for a 10 year old the Surface is way too expensive, IMO and probably not nearly as fun as a tablet. Another good choice. I can live without the apps (though I do like the Android tablets) but I guess some (I'm guessing mostly younger people) have become so used to them they can't live without them.

I'd rather have the swordfish at Mendy's. The best! But then again, I might just get a bowl of soup.

Seriously, who really gives a crap about "apps" when you have the power of a full computer? I'm so sick of downloading single-use apps whose functions are already handled by web browsers or actual full versions of real software. I don't need "The Score" on my computer. It's a bookmark in my browser, which is always open. Same for weather---and a number of other popular "apps". They make sense for a limited use tablet, but the Surface Pro is a full powered computer. It's really a very portable light-weight ultrabook that can, in a pinch, double as a tablet, IMO. If I could only have one device, for travel, home and business, it would be the Surface Pro 3.

I completely agree. Bringing a vet QB just to be a mentor, and not seriously challenge for the starting spot, would be useless, IMO. I'm rooting for EJ, but he has to EARN the starting spot, as far as I'm concerned. So bring in someone who can start (and wants to) but also can sit and mentor (and isn't likely to whine about it). That's a fairly tough needle to thread, but I think Cassel may be a guy who does just that.

I know some say great RBs are a dime a dozen. I may have stupidly used that exaggeration myself once or twice--and if I did, I was wrong to do so. But you can find very serviceable backs---and even very good backs, in the late rounds and even in the UFDA market, IMO. Typically these backs aren't the complete package, though. Or they have yet to learn the finer points of the position. Spiller is the kind of back that, in the right system, would be considered a "great back". I know some disagree.

Because some teams have two. Because some teams don't value the RB position enough to invest in a "great" RB knowing a couple good ones can get the job done. Because some teams actually have great (well, let's say very good) RBs but don't have a good OL. Because some have lousy offensive schemes/coaches, etc.