The Dean

Well, that would only apply if the Bills KNEW they would get Bell and KNEW he would impress. Two things they probably did NOT know when they picked Spiller. When they actually had to draft CJ they had Fred and Marshawn. Fred is a competent back, but hardly a game breaker or an elite RB. Marshawn may or may not be that great back, but you might imagine why they might have concerns about Lynch. He stunk last year, and he has a history of issues. Many weren't sure he would show up for camp. So, faced with picking the most dynamic offensive player in the draft, or taking a shot on reaching to fill a need, or trade down for a player you didn't like enough to take at #9, the Bills choose the weapon. What would you rather have: a tough decision to make at RB or be in camp with Fred and a bunch of "who's that", with Spiller playing for another team? I know where I stand on that.

The Colts do a fine job, too, if I'm not mistaken.

Referendums, as a rule, are fairly ridiculous, IMO. This country is a Republic, based on representative democracy. In general people rarely do enough research to know all the ins-and-outs of any particular law or proposal You might argue the same is true for our representatives, but they have staffs who research and report to them. The least capable and informed representative is far more capable and informed than the least of the general public. If you accept that about 10% of the population is gay, then I would expect gay rights to have a poor chance among the general public who, at best, have little concern or knowledge of their plight. Can you imagine where would be now if slavery was put to a general referendum? What about integration? Thankfully redheads never have been considered a lesser class. They wouldn't have a chance. The very idea that every group has to fight the same fight against bigotry, with the same people using the same arguments on the other side, is a HUGE black mark on our country. Shame on people for making basic human rights something that has to be earned in pieces over time because "the majority" of morons don't give a crap about anyone other than themselves.

I get a good laugh at how bigots try to rationalize hatred.

Pretty fair assessment, all in all. Not sure why anyone would be surprised with someone expecting great things from McKelvin. The guy has MAD skills. And, Whitey, at first blush I can see why thinking the Bills secondary is talented while also worrying if they can contain the Pats* aerial attack might be somewhat counter-intuitive. But containing any great passing attack takes more than just a great secondary. It takes pressure on the QB as well. Still, I don't think the Bills are going to lose games because of their pass D.

I think my old apartment might be in the shot. I lived under God's Roach Clip for about five years.

That's all I'm saying.

Outstanding. I never used one so was just pointing to the type of device he needed. Glad you clarified that so he didn't buy a dud.

Shouldn't the usual suspects be bashing the Bills for not trading up to get Smith? Why is it they always point to the most successful alternatives as the "guy they should have drafted" and make no mention of the busts* they also touted? * "busts" is used strictly for illustrative purposes. No player should be labeled a "bust" after one season.

Wow. Dunno what happened to that link, but you can copy and paste it. This is one they sell at Walmart: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Magnavox-Digital...ter-Box/8283870

Izzy was awesome. But don't go to Hawaii to see him. He has passed on.

That's why character is so important in the evaluation.

Not an issue, as long as he prints that kind of stuff about any team. For example: True story" One Brown asked me where I was going next. Steeler camp, I told him. His response: "Keep your daughter away from Big Ben." My guess is he doesn't print that.

I " survived" w/o cable/sat a couple of times in my life. It really wasn't that bad. Most of the programs I watched I found online. That has become even easier with sites like Hulu and the networks streaming some episodes online. As for the over-the-air signal of local channels, you will need a digital converter like this. You can probably find one in your local Walmart/Target/RadioShack.

A month or two before the draft there was talk of that. By draft day that kind of talk had subsided for the most part. The fact that he didn't get selected until after the Bills second round pick speaks for itself, IMO. The Bills didn't avoid him because they didn't want a huge contract, they avoided him because they didn't like him enough to draft him (and/or liked other guys better). Again, the idea that the Bills might avoid drafting a QB early due to contract issues (combined with the possibility of a rookie cap next year) isn't crazy-stupid in a vacuum. It's crazy-stupid when asserting that's what happened in the 2010 draft.

Tonight is one of the few nights I haven't had a few drinks in a while. Maybe that's why I come across as angry.

Are you serious? I'm pretty much the same here as I am in person. (Several people here know me in real life and can attest to that.) I'd probably spout off worse in person than here. Of course, we'd all be laughing our assess off a the same time.

Damn! I thought vividseats-was porn related.

I call people morons to their face all the time (I also call myself a moron fairly often), just ask The Senator. I don't have much of an occasion to call real life people "Troll", as few people troll in real life. And, as far as anger goes, you seem far angrier than I. I'm actually in a pretty good mood.

My point is, what do you save by not drafting a QB you like in 2010 in the 2nd or 3rd round? Their deals aren't big at all. Even if you think there is a guy you might get early in 2011 for a good price in Rd #1, passing on a guy you like in 2010 in the 2nd or 3rd would be silly. The guy you like may be injured, get picked by someone else, etc. Hell, there may be no football next year (thought I doubt that). I can't see how the possible rookie cap impacts a team's 2nd or 3rd round picks in 2010. Of course, reaching for someone you think is a reach is stupid to do anytime, in any round, but particularly stupid to do in Rd #2 or #3 in any year. So, no, I'm not buying the bizarre round-a-bout possible impact you have laid out.

Just curious, what sort of impact do you see a rookie salary cap making to the contracts of 2nd and 3rd round players? Troup signed a 4 year contract worth a TOTAL of $4.5 million, (with about $2.6 million guaranteed). http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/articl...tuRROAD9H8AQF80 Of course, QBs tend to get a little bit more, so let's look at Clausen's deal: $6.3 million (with just over $2.5 guaranteed): http://content.usatoday.com/communities/th...jimmy-clausen/1 I won't even bother to bring in the relatively tiny contracts given to 3rd rounders. The OP might have had a point IF there was a viable QB at #9. Had the Bills passed on a QB that was a high 1st round rated QB, I can see where the looming salary cap might have played a role. Even if it wouldn't have, I would understand the question. But now you are asking if it might have impacted the 2nd and 3rd round selections? Is there a full moon tonight?

Yes, he mentioned a rookie salary cap in his idiotic attempt to make the Bills sound cheap, in the OP. Are you suggesting he really wanted this thread to be an intelligent discussion of the implications of a rookie salary cap (which is by no means a done deal or a given, BTW)? If so, it was an awfully clumsy way to go about it. As to your questions: 1. Yes a rookie salary cap will probably help the Bills irrespective of whether they have to take a QB or a LT (or whatever) early in 2011's first round. 2. Finishing 2010 poorly enough to get a top 3 pick is NOT good for the Bills, anyway you cut it, IMO. Winning is better for a team than losing.

Should I take that as a personal attack? I'm not quite sure how calling troll "a troll" is considered a personal attack. (I call it a description.) But you are entitled to your stupid opinion.

To be fair, Dave, I called him "a troll" first. I won't apologize for calling a troll out. I only suggested he might be a moron when someone suggested he might not be a troll.

Well. Probie, maybe this will explain it to you. NSFW: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-owXgAvb6qM...feature=related