JoeF

AJ hates your guts old man. He could care less if you had to use the expired mustard packets from the concession stand. Stick with us who love you dearly. Love, JoeF

Mickey, not picking on you...I have no idea how good Turner is...but if the coaching staff and front office think he can be a difference maker at running back in our scheme and they are willing to risk their jobs to acquire him...I am okay with "overpaying" a bit, particularly if the overpay part is next year. AJ holds a lot of the cards in this negotiation. He is sitting on a team with Super Bowl talent and it does him really no harm at all to hold on to Turner. We aren't negotiating against any other team..we are negotiating with AJ Smith who has a great team this year that Turner is a part of and potentially a big part of if LT goes down for any length of time. AJ doesn't care about next offseason--chances to win like the one he has in front of him this coming year are rare it will take a lot to pry Turner away. Wake up folks--this isn't a competition against the thumbtacks or anyone else -- its can the Bills offer AJ enough to warrant him going out and finding another suitable back up to LT, that's the decision the Bills front office has right now. AJ wants another top 100 pick or to move up in the 1st round to get a receiver. Anyone who says AJ's price is going down isn't thinking. He could care less about next offseason right now...and losing Turner..he has a floor price for Turner -- who is willing to meet it...

Looks like Coach Fisher and the team are positioning that LenDale is still their man. From today's Nashville paper... Big deal? Running back LenDale White was heavy when he began the team's offseason conditioning program last month, but contrary to reports, he didn't weigh in at 260 pounds. White played last season around 230 pounds, and that's about where the Titans want him this fall. "Players are going to gain some weight from the time the season ends and the start of the offseason program. It is not unusual,'' Fisher said. "The key is to be able to handle the workload and have the weight come off. I don't anticipate it being any problem. "LenDale has been participating and he is working hard. It is what we expect of him.'' Fisher refused to divulge White's weight, but one team official said the second-year pro had lost nine pounds in the past two weeks.

BBills--I think we as fans can grouse about that all we want..he has 150 carries in three years behind a really good scheme and line. He also breaks a lot of tackles. The only evaluation that matters is Marv, Modrak, Jauron's, Overdorf, Guy, Fairchild and Studesville and most importantly Ralph..they take the risk. Ralph sent the plane--that's a pretty decent indication of what they think..if they want him they should have the guts to close the deal. We have the need, but we have other needs..its not even Turner vs. Peterson its Turner vs. what we can get in the second or third round which is what we will give for him this year. Its dollars, but we have those in excess quantity right now. If we do this deal its also an indication that cash to the cap has been relaxed by revenue sharing.

To begin with a cliche -- the only things certain in life are death and taxes :-) Lets establish what we know. The Bills have needs for players currently not on the roster to contribute immediately at the following positions: 1) Sam or Middle LB - I think Ellison and (cough, cough) Wire will handle the weak side and Crowell will fill one of the other two. Bills need to draft this early and late realizing that Ellison was a 6 last year -- He slipped that far because other teams playing cover 2 were pretty set at LB. The Bills need to address the two more traditional LB'ing positions this year -- which means drafting earlier--would not be surprised to see round 1 or 2 and then 4 used to address. 2) CB -- McGee has to step up and show he can play in this system. Thomas was good in the nickel last year. Youboty is unproven. Greer will never be anything more than a really good special teams gunner on punt coverage and outside man on KO. The Bills need to add one more top 100 draftee to this mix. BTW -- watch out for Eric Bassey here--they guy has wonderful measurables, played well at Oklahoma when he was not injured. Also on this one--cover 2 relies a lot on safeties to take receivers deep -- that's why Milloy and Vincent did not work for the Bills and Simpson and Whitner do...if Simpson and Whitner show logical improvement -- the Bills will not miss Nate as the team logically should. 3) Strong Safety Depth-Since the Bills are already young here--I would prefer to add a vet to help tutor and growth. Tony Parrish would be a wise signing. 4) Running Back-At the very least the Bills need edge speed at the position and a dynamic option out of the backfield. If the Bills can acquire an every down back with these skills so much the better... 5) Fullback -- Finding a young player who, with Cieslack, can step in immediately to fulfill a position that gets about 30%-40% of the offensive snaps would be great. Need block and catch as the priority here. Luxury Picks: 1) DT-if Okoye or (some not totally sold) Branch are there The Bills have to at least give pause at 12 if we keep the pick 2) WR - Need some size for Red Zone play--if someone drops like a Sidney Rice --have to think about this early 3) TE-The Bills brass loves Robert Royal and Everett needs to show he belongs in the NFL this year--the one probably does not get attention So what the hell does this have to do with Turner...well with all these needs you do a bit of mortgaging the future. If you truly believe in the guy..and believe me Ralph would not have sent the plane if the Bills brass didn't believe in the guy....you give AJ most of what he wants...the first third rounder from this year and a contingent first from next year (if Turner finishes in the top 5 in rushing in the AFC its a first; if he finishes outside the top 5 its a second rounder). The Bills lose absolutely no one of current consequence from this roster next year--The Bills can afford to do this--having a first rounder next year is almost a burden when the Bills will be working to extend Losman or Evans (assuming we get one done this year). We keep our top picks from this year--sacrificing the same or less than what we would have on drafting a back anyway. Just get the deal done and don't look back. Looking back is for fans....if the Bills get a potentially dynamic runner they are sold on -- it kinda doesn't matter what they give up. If they are wrong--it doesn't set us back that much. As this off season has proven -- running backs will be available every year and the Bills will be a total buyer next year in FA -- not the best way to fill holes but it is what it is.

Here's the latest direct from AJ Smith http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/04/06...01_394_5_07.txt Turner visits Bills The Buffalo Bills revealed that restricted free-agent running back Michael Turner visited the team on Thursday, prompting Chargers general manager A.J. Smith to confirm that the two teams have held trade discussions. Turner is tendered at a level that would require any team signing him to a free-agent offer sheet to give up first- and third-round draft picks if the Chargers don't match it. The more likely scenario is that a trade will be worked out in which a team acquires Turner at a lower cost. "We have had dialogue over the possibility of Michael Turner joining the Buffalo Bills and we have exchanged thoughts on compensation," Smith said. "Right now, like I've said before, it's a one and a three, but we will continue to be flexible. We're very open to any package." The Chargers and Tennessee Titans have also conducted trade talks regarding Turner.

I would say Willis McUsedcondom but we know it doesn't apply..

Orville, Wilbur and Ralph....wow--who would have guessed...

Good points John...but Travis was another era..and Willis didn't want to be here. Willis' biggest team complaint was the line...we could potentially have an all pro left side now...so I think he absolutely should ask the questions -- but I also think Marv and Dick have credible answers. Tenn vs. Buffalo is a tough choice.... Young is a budding superstar and has to be accounted for on every play. That opens up things in the running game--Travis didn't gain all those yards based on his skill alone--the D was preoccupied a lot. But--the downside is -- Young's style may get him decapitated sooner or later...injury risk is high and the Titans are probably one of the worst teams in the league without him. Buffalo has addressed its line issues and JP and Evans are going to evolve this year into one of the more dynamic deep ball threats in the NFL --the extra milliseconds JP gets from a revamped line means more accuracy and more opportunity-- that also preoccupies a defense... It always comes down to Money--but assuming that will be fairly equal--I think he has a very tough choice-I don't think he can make a wrong decision.

He grew up in Chicago and went to school at Northern Illinois..don't think it will bother him...If I am a RB --- and I see that huge left side of the line and think about bad weather -- I see records falling and the Hall of Fame...

Is he gone? He flew in on a private jet--I assume leaving is flexible. He could be hanging with JP and Evans and the Offensive Line right now -- maybe they went to the Sabres game...

He sent it to pick up Drew Bledsoe and his wife when we made the trade....the other thing I really like about the message that it sends is that he probably flew commercial to Nashville..its a clear difference maker.

Probably two extra hours for Jauron, Marv, Fairchild and Studesville to get to know Turner...interesting...

Maybe his junior year of High School....there's a lot of chicken wings between Pat's current weight and 317

Just my view--but when I have watched Stamer playing in game situations (mostly preseason)--I have not seen an ability to read or drop. Cover 2 requires him to drop a lot...I just don't think he is going to be a factor in anything other than kick and punt coverage--but he excels at both. I think Haggan will see more field time than Stamer and if we draft a couple of backers--if Stamer shows any ill-effects from his injury -- he is a prime candidate for either IR or injury settlement.

I know I will probably get blasted for writing this...but big guys with Okoye's or even Branch's ability are hard to find...we have to at least give this strong consideration if either or both are there. Build the lines -- it has so much positive consequence for the O and D overall if we are strong upfront on each side fo the ball. Strength on the lines with protection and push on O and rush and run-stopping on D can mask a lot of other flaws....

If you haven't read the book by Charlie Gaddy, its a great story..its called An Olympic Journey: The Saga of An American Hero, LeRoy T. Walker. Charlie is a retired local news anchor in the Triangle (Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill) and does a great job of telling Doc's story in Doc's own words. The book was written after the 1996 Summer Olympic Games which were the end of Doc's 4 year reign as President of the United States Olympic Committee. Its a really quick read and really a great book. Doc was President of the Board of the 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games (at 80 years old) and I was the CEO of the Games Organizing Committee. It was like having my own personal Yoda for two years. I had been working in the Olympic World for 13 years prior to the Games but never as a CEO of an organizing committee...I learned so much about leadership, commitment, sheer will. He has forgotten more about life than I will ever know. Anyway -- I digress--the book takes you through not only his athletic and coaching career but what it was like to work and grow up with Andy Young, Dr. King. Doc was the first African American to receive a doctorate from Columbia I believe--he broke a lot of barriers and still is today...it was fun to ride his coattails for two years...

Rich--it really was. Knowing Dr. LeRoy Walker for the last 20 years has been one of the biggest treats of all. An amazing track coach, Olympic administrator, mentor. We worked very closely in 1998 and 1999 on an event -- best two years of my professional life..

Thanks Quaker At least Okoye didn't have flight issues...

Doug Williams was on several media outlets yesterday talking about his coach and mentor. Amazing man. I had the honor of meeting Coach Robinson and Clarence "Big House" Gaines one night through one of my mentors. Gaines was like the Eddie Robinson of the hardwood and died a couple of years ago at age 81. Coach Robinson spoke that night and used a couple of concepts I will never forget... One of his big motivators to his players was how they had to overcome adversity at every phase of their life to succeed..one of his credo's "At Grambling, we did a lot with a little. We did it for so long that we were able to accomplish everything with nothing." He talked a lot about will and character--he would take risks on players who had a checkered past--but only if they showed the will and work ethic to win. Between those three people that were sitting at a dinner table for 10 that night (Dr. LeRoy Walker, Gaines and Robinson)--literally thousands of men had been guided through youth and young adulthood -- many to significant societal leadership roles. This news struck me yesterday -- not that it was unexpected -- because Coach Robinson had some time ago begun to slip-- but it caused me to call and converse with my 87 year old friend and mentor - who I hadn't talked to in about 3 months..realizing how privileged I was... RIP Coach...with Paterno, Bowden, Rockne -- all the greats of the game in history-- you stand tall.

Am all for signing Parrish or another vet to fill the open safety positon. Was proposing that drafting another rookie safety when we are already very young at the position and are very, very likely to draft a corner was wasting a draft pick...but you know, after sleeping on it..I realize I don't really give a !@#$...

Best mock draft on the net. Good job Rich and the GMs. I also like the Brushback's http://www.thebrushback.com/mockdraft07.htm

Several things..he's a bright guy--several trains of thought... A commencement speech to a bunch of Catholic College kids??? Get my damn publicist on the phone. Ralph, damn cheapskate, send your private jet. When Jauron stuck the pencils up his nose during the draft meeting, I thought I was going to bust a gut. God damn that The Dean guy is self absorbed Wait till these !@#$s find out I am really DeLuca

Damn Titans beat us again...!@#$ers

Its Easter weekend. Forgot about that. Its actually plausible that Turner has family obligations that will push the visit to next week. I think this thing goes til draft day....