bigK14094

After listening to Cassell talk about why he took the pay cut in Buffalo....his wife was 8 months with child.....and he wanted to stay as a move wasn't in the best interests of his family, and that he had a number of calls when he was a free agent. So, he signs for a lot less money......and then Whaley trades him to Dallas. Now, it crosses my mind, that he just might refuse to report, stay in Buffalo with his wife to have the child...and resume his career next season. And, were I him, I would feel that Whaley treated him poorly in this situation as the series of events played out. So, if he is vindictive, and has made enough money (11 years in the league as a QB, yes he is a millionaire many times over), he might also stay out of football the rest of the season to spite Whaley (and the Bills)....and they won't get the 5th round choice. So, imho, I am wondering if he will report to Dallas at all. At the very least, he might hold out for a restoration of salary to its prior level. Going to watch this one...not sure we have heard the last of this situation.

Watching him closely, he did have a few high throws......the picks after Clay and Watkins got hands on the ball were, I guess, to hot to handle....so he needs to throw with a little more finess. Having said that.....he didn't make a lot of bad throws.....EJ threw a lot more bad throws in his starts the prioir two years.....I am in no way ready to go back to EJ at this point. TT has been a more accurate passer than EJ by far. I am concerned however, that he looks like Rob Johnson in there...for those of you who remember....holding the ball to long ...8 sacks is indicative of trying to hard to make plays....throw it away!!! and avoid the sack. So, TT's completion percentage is abnormally high in the sense the sacks were negative plays while passing. Anyhow, I am all for rolling with TT......

Ahaaaaa...also collecting $3mil from the Bills. (next year also I think) Man can be really selective in what he does next.....I think your read here is wrong. I think he is going to turn up again in a year or two.....after collecting his 6mil.

Not so fast.........it remains to be seen how this season plays out. I was interested to see how TT did in this game. His int's all came on tipped high passes. I could argue that Clay and Watkins have to make those catches....and I would be right......of course, a little less on the throws puts them on target and easier to handle TT will learn that in time. They weren't horrendous throws, just not on the money. Of more concerned to me were the 8 sacks....shades of Rob Johnson.....if there is anybody here that remembers him......always held on to long..... Finally, the big money D line didn't do much, although Hughes had a couple of good moments imho. Its not over by a long shot, but this team looks hyped and undercoached to me....they are not in control, especially on the D side. Penalities are a problem....got to teach assignments and self control.

When the Giants beat them in the Super Bowl a few years back, it was with the pass rush...giants got to Brady!!! and Won!! Bills could do that !!!!!

Good thoughtful writeup. I am somewhat more concerned about the D, though. With the 4th ranked D last year, not much upside and likely will not live up to last years performance...maybe top 10, but likely not 4th. My main concern (outside of the D back issue well discussed previously) is that Ryan's scheme is Pettine's scheme. And, we were terrible against the run with Pettine's scheme...got burned with the big one way to many times.....even with the vaunted J Byrd in at safety..in fact, particularily with J byrd in there. Maybe Graham and Williams will be better at stoping the long run...we will see. Overall, I am not drinking the kool-aid on the "Rex is a genius D guy" Lets see how it works.....lots of studs....

Hogan is hurt also...same problems. I am thinking that the folks in Jacksonville might be interested in Hogan....as DM etc down there were big Hogan believers last year.

No backup QB makes the money that Cassel would have made if on the opening day roster (the full $6mil) Maybe he comes back for less money...maybe somebody else picks him up immediately....its really a money thing for Cassell at this point. I would not even be surprised if the Pats did so depending on their view of the Garapolow guy. Means Carrington beat him out.

Kujo is still young, so using him as a backup while developing works for me. Now, a must have been really bad last year not to get a shot at all, unless , of course, he was just in DM's doghouse......and, probabily rightfully so. But, based on the outcome of Richardson getting cut and Kujo sticking it out with the new staff, I think DM had it wrong. At the very least, Richardson should not have gotten the shot he did it appears, I think there is a lot risk to the season in the OL, but, the plan looks OK. An injury would hurt big time.

I am just glad there aren't any former JETS in the at rb on the roster. REX keeps bringing in Jet retreads for a look see. Doesn't he know they were among the worst teams in football last year. Now, if he was bringing in guys from all around the league, I could argue he was making a justified search for talent...but, no, he is going to the well to often with ex Jets.

I like "Tainted Tom" OK, but I like "Nerf Ball Tom" also.

Looking for GO from TT, not show!!!

and slow.....thats the real reason. Saturday's 40 yard run was the slowest in NFL history....he got run down from behind.

Vic C reports Bills cut Fred Jackson. The end of an era. Fred did look a step slow on that long run..

In the best of all worlds, the Colts don't find out until the first play from scrimmage on sept 13.......however, the Bills are not necessarily known to be able to keep their lips buttoned. That might even include warming up two guys. I think Cassell is a better contrast to TT (the likely starter imho), and makes a better decoy. EJ is more mobile than Cassell, but not in TT's league on that parameter, so he doesn't represent as much of a contrast. Anyhow, I expect all three on roster opening day. If they go with two, it will be TT and EJ thus saving the $6 mil.

Not so fast......his successor hasn't won a game. Ryan talks a good game, if you like that sort of thing (I don't), but he hasn't delivered anything yet but good theater.

Tasker said it right in the broadcast....on the fourth down pass, EJ threw a clunker....an easy throw per Tasker. EJ still throws the clunker more often than he should. He made great throws today....I have to say, as a season ticket holder....he did not throw like that last year when he was playing, he missed his receivers often by a wide margin. Perhaps his off season work helped him. None the less, Taylor has done a great job, and provides an extra dimension. As to what to do with Cassell, Roman and Rex will decide who stays and who goes. And, Whaley will be in the room also, I believe.

I don't EVER listen to WGR Yeh, maybe.....

Not going to make another list.....but, I think, Harvin at $6mil per might get cut. Cutting Cassell at $6mil and Harvin would give $12 for Mr Big Stuff.

Tannehill is pretty good, but, ugh, Luck is REALLY good. No contest.

Harvin makes $6mil....he has to be great at all that stuff to justify that much money. If he can't do it...injury or whatever....cut him loose.

This is classic management stuff....it has nothing to do with football....this question comes up in every business where a top exec (Ryan) has a team of supervisors (coaches) who do the companies business (football). The answer depends on the executive. In Ryan's case, he is a defensive minded coach...and, I would think he would be comfortable, if necessary, overrulling the D coordinator if he thought that apriopriate. In the case of the O, however, it might not be his own personal strength.....and, he should defer to the judgement of his O coordinator. But if the culture on his staff is that he overrules at will, then, Roman's decision will not carry the day. Since I don't know how much delegation Rex does sector by sector in the activity in his perview, who knows who is making the call. If you ask me a question about the special teams.....I am guessing Crossman is making those calls, however.

Woods is a pretty good NFL receiver.....and......will be a better long term guy for the Bills than will Harvin. Harvin makes 6mil....and, Woods will be available long term for half or less than than. And, Woods is more durible, younger, and on par w/ Harvin. Yes, Harvin has a big rep....and has delivered a few times....but he is an intermittant performer. Harvin may have cleaned up his act...and he acknowledges he needs to become a complete receiver yet....whereas Woods is already a complete receiver. Bottom line...sign up Woods long term.....and figure Harvin for a one year rental...and save half of the 6mil Harvin is getting to pay Darieus. I figure the only reason Harvin is here is the Ryan likes to bring in his former Jet players...........

The thing about Tyrod I consider in his favor that is not mentioned is that he spent 4 years in Baltimore on the bench mostly backing up Joe Flacco. That is not wasted time......its time to learn the game at the pro level. Recall, Brett Farve spent a couple of seasons as a backup.....and the old paradyme of how to bring on a QB is to let him learn for a season or two or three. Aaron Rodgers sat behind Farve for 2 or 3 years, and it didn't hurt him at all. So, Tyrod Taylor may not have a lot of starts under his belt, but he has been seasoned (as they say) in the old time method. My biggest concern is whether his style of play will allow him to play a full season, or will he get hurt.....if he runs, he will take more hits than a pocket QB.

Look for Hogan or Goodwin to end up on IR.........the jury is out on Harvin...he has never played a complete season......and if he can't justify his $6mil salary, those other two are potentially next years answer. (Hogan at least, not really sure about Goodwin) If cut, Hogan will end up in Cleveland or Jacksonville fast.