Tuco

Depending on when he was officially let go. All NFL transactions become official at 4:00 PM. And the waiver period is 24 hours. If he was released before 4:00 PM yesterday then he will be claimed or cleared by 4:00 PM today. If he was released after 4:00 PM yesterday then it becomes official at 4:00 PM today, and the waiver period would go to 4:00 PM tomorrow.

Most fans wouldn't mind a shortened preseas . . . wait . . . five BILLION dollars for a football stadium? Holy crapazoid!

Keep reporting it. Make 'em all wonder. Kinda like Marcia Brady's "probable" with a shoulder injury every week for like 2 1/2 years.

The new rule allowing challenges on pass interference has been made into a travesty. Some of the calls that aren't reversed are downright ridiculous. That said, there will always be mistakes, and that's why they have the replay system. Although I agree with others, they should do away with the challenges and just have a full time ref watch and stop whenever it's necessary like college does. If it's 5 times a game or one time a game, so be it. Then again, it doesn't help when a lineman blocks a guy for 5-6 seconds on a play, but the network keeps showing the same 1-2 second clip.

Actually there were a lot of players. You have to look at the timeline. After the strike of 1986 there was a lot going on. At some point, I think in the early 90s the players decertified the union - just like they always do when there's a labor dispute. Once they do that the owners can't lock the players out as a group just because they don't have a collective bargaining agreement. But then what happened was the NFLPA kept representing players in things like marketing deals, and using the money they raised to fund their lawsuits against the league. The NFL decided to take took advantage of the fact that the players weren't technically represented by the union. Since there was no CBA the NFL could make deals with individual players in order to market their jerseys etc. They paid a boatload of money to a bunch of players which added to the labor strife. But with no CBA and technically no NFLPA as the bargaining representative, the owners couldn't lock them out and the players couldn't strike - except as individuals. For the time being they both found it best to keep playing games and file their lawsuits - many of which wouldn't be allowed if there was a CBA in place. Anyway, that's why there were a bunch of players back then who weren't part of the NFLPA licensing deals with companies like TECMO. It actually didn't last long because a court decision found that it was illegal for the players to decertify the union in order to file lawsuits, and then keep using the NFLPA as a collective representative with licensing deals and in their lawsuits. The court said you're either represented by a union or you're not. And the eventual result was a temporary free agency system lovingly referred to as Plan B, which lasted until they finally all agreed on the current system we have today with free agency after 4 years but with franchise/transition tags and restricted free agency for guys with less than 4 years, along with the salary cap.

If it were us releasing him there would be a half dozen threads complaining we could have got a 4th for him.

I wonder why he bothers with the tinted visor during pregame if he can't wear it during the game.

Right around 200 counting playoffs and preseasons. The only game I went to not at Rich or the Ralph was Super Bowl XXV in Tampa.

JK likes Ho Hos, not Pop Tarts.

The way I read it (and I'm no lawyer either) is the private cost of the stadium (as far as the NFL and G-4 their loan is concerned), which includes financing cost, is amortized over 15 years. And the annual amount of that amortization, plus all the other stadium projects in their various schedule of amortization, becomes the amount of the stadium credit for the year - with the amortization figures for any stadium beginning the season before the new stadium opens. So what you're saying isn't wrong. But the approval of the G-4 loan doesn't just happen by a vote of the owners or simple agreement with the NFLPA. There has to be a stadium plan (new or serious, hundreds of millions worth of renovation) in place with the G-4 amount (up to it's maximum) matching private money the team owner puts up, and additionally, all G-4 loans are contingent a certain amount of public money contributed to the project. Neither side is going to commit to a G-4 loan who's benefit starts after 2020 until they know exactly what that benefit is. So my point being, the only way for the league to currently take advantage of all of this would be to have all that financing in place, plus planning and construction completed for the stadium to open in 2021 so they can begin the stadium credit under the last year of the CBA in 2020. And that's just not feasible. So I don't see the league pressuring the Bills any more until there is a new agreement with a similar program. That will no doubt be a point of negotiation in the CBA, and every time the subject comes up the Bills will be at the forefront of the whole stadium credit conversation because they're one of the few teams who haven't built or seriously renovated in the last 15 years. And that will mean, unfortunately, lots of comments by people who think stadium credits are something new. And lots of over reaching articles like the one by Florio.

Just a couple thoughts per the bolded parts above. I believe the figure can go above 1.5% with approval from th NFLPA (not that it probably would in Buffalo's case, just pointing it out). Also the only stadium talk we really hear about right now is generally only in response to a reporter asking a question. We aren't really hearing much from Goodell or the other owners anymore as far as coming out and promoting/pressuring the Bills. I believe this is because the CBA says the stadium credit is given beginning in the year before the new stadium opens. And there's no way at this point any new Bills stadium would open in by 2021, and with uncertainty about the G-4 program beyond 2020, I don't think anything regarding a G-4 type loan will get done until there's a new CBA with a defined future plan. Once there is a new CBA I would expect all sorts of new stadium talks from all parties. Just my $.02.

But "All Revenue" doesn't mean "All" revenue. Farther down in your link it says- Clubs receive credit for actual stadium investment and up to 1.5 percent of revenue each year. And the CBA's definition of "All Revenue" contains plenty of deductions. One of them is known as the "Stadium Credit." In other words, the NFL's G4 stadium loan program is tied to the CBA and is only done with permission from the NFLPA (NOTE: I don't think this gives any credence to the original article that suggests the players would ever be given the right to decide what cities their deducted "Stadium Credit" should be spent in). ARTICLE 12 REVENUE ACCOUNTING AND CALCULATION OF THE SALARY CAP Section 1. All Revenues: For purposes of this Article, and anywhere else stated in this Agreement, revenues shall be accounted for in the manner set forth below. (a) AR. (i) All Revenues (“AR”) means the aggregate revenues received or to be received on an accrual basis, for or with respect to a League Year during the term of this Agreement, by the NFL and all NFL Clubs (and their designees), from all sources, whether known or unknown, derived from, relating to or arising out of the performance of players in NFL football games, with only the specific exceptions set forth below. AR shall include, without limitation: . . . . . Section 4. Stadium Credit: (a) For each League-approved stadium project beginning on or after the effective date of this Agreement, there shall be a credit of fifty percent (50%) of the private cost (whether incurred by a Club, Club Affiliate, or the League) to construct or renovate the stadium, or seventy-five percent (75%) of such cost for stadium construc-tion or renovation in California, which cost shall include financing costs, amortized over a maximum of 15 years using an agreed-upon rate based on the NFL’s long-term borrowing cost to fund or support stadium construction, beginning in the League Year before such new stadium opens. The aggregate credit for all such approved projects for each League Year shall be part of the “Stadium Credit.” For purposes of this Subsection, the private cost shall not include any revenues that are excluded from AR related to the project pursuant to Section 1(a)(vi)(1), 1(a)(vii)(1) or 1(a)(viii)(1) above. (b) In each League Year, the Stadium Credit shall also include an amount equal to 70% of: (i) Any PSL revenues excluded from AR pursuant to Subsection 1(a)(vi)(1) above, net of amounts specified in Subsection 1(a)(i)(1) above, and amortized over a maximum of 15 years with Interest, beginning in the League Year before the new sta-dium opens or the renovation is completed; (ii) Any PSR revenues excluded from AR pursuant to Subsection 1(a)(vii)(1) above, net of amounts specified in Subsection 1(a)(i)(1) above, beginning in the League Year in which the new stadium opens or the renovation is completed; (iii) Any naming/cornerstone revenues excluded from AR pursuant to Sub-section 1(a)(viii)(1) above, with any lump-sum payments amortized over the life of the naming/cornerstone rights agreement up to a maximum of 15 years, beginning in the League Year the new stadium opens or the renovation is completed. (c) The Stadium Credit shall also include 50% of the cost of capital expendi-tures incurred during such League Year in any stadium that relate in any way to the fan experience at such stadium (regardless of when the stadium was constructed or reno-vated), amortized over five years (except for video boards, which shall be amortized over seven years), with Interest, such costs to be verified as capital expenditures by the Local Accountants and the Accountants using GAAP. (d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, absent NFLPA approval, the Stadium Credit may not equal an amount greater than 1.5% of Projected AR or AR for that League Year (the “Stadium Credit Threshold”). (e) If the sum of the amounts described in Subsections (a)–(c) above would result in a Stadium Credit that would exceed the Stadium Credit Threshold, then the Stadium Credit shall be an amount equal to the Stadium Credit Threshold, unless the parties have agreed otherwise.

As a restricted free agent they were already going to have to give a 2nd rounder, and because of the poison pill Miami couldn't stop it. But to make it easier all around, or whatever the reason, they threw in a 7th to go with it.

Both Foster and Wallace were waived and re-signed. The fact they were re-signed for similar amounts as their previous contracts is irrelevant. The CBA only considers the first contract a player signs to be their "Rookie Contract." Once they have been subject to waivers, cleared (original contract voided since they weren't claimed) and re-signed, the rule about not being able to renegotiate rookie contracts until after 3 years (2 years for undrafteds) no longer applies.

It was called Big Ben because that's what it was called the first time it was successfully used - by the Atlanta Falcons. Staubach's pass was a true Hail Mary, as it was just a pass launched in hopes his receiver would catch it. But in 1978 the rules were changed so that an offensive player could tip a pass to another offensive player. Before then it was illegal. The Falcons practiced doing this and called the play Big Ben for whatever reason. And the first time they used it it worked - twice actually, except they didn't have replay reviews and the refs blew the second one. The NFL being a copy cat league, naturally everybody started practicing and using the play, and most of them, as well as the announcers, called it Big Ben just because that's what it was originally called. It had nothing to do with Ben Williams. Then over the years it just became fashionable to call it Hail Mary - again.

Food for thought. I know the stadium crew has to keep a log of all the song clips they play during the game. Just like a radio station they have to keep track and pay royalties for every song they use (you know, like playing "Back On The Chain Gang" every time there's a measurement). I don't know how much this adds up to for a season but it is a cost. Meanwhile I'm sure the train horn is free. I have to believe it's the same for using movie clips. The charging buffaloes is from Dances With Wolves, right? So using the clip would require (permission?) a royalty or fee too I would expect. Same with Fred and Barney with the "Go Go Buffalo" chant. I'm curious, would the charges for using video clips be rather insignificant, like it is for the song clips? Or would playing the charging buffaloes on every 3rd down amount to something a lot more? Any insiders with expert knowledge on this?

Lose the train horn. That thing is annoying even if I'm watching on TV. Bring back the charging buffaloes and Fred & Barney. When lining up for kickoffs they should play that echoing base line from the beginning of Pink Floyd's One Of These Days. That would be cool.

I bet we could solve the dilemma by giving each player a big number - much bigger even than the name tag. Just an idea.

June 1st is meaningless when a player is in his final year.

Year Date Player Team Trigger Base Salary Roster Bonus 2019 March 17 Micah Hyde Bills $500,000 roster bonus is due $3,950,000 $500,000 2019 March 17 Jordan Poyer Bills $150,000 roster bonus is due $2,950,000 $150,000 2019 March 17 Stephen Hauschka Bills $250,000 roster bonus is due $2,000,000 $250,000 2019 March 17 Star Lotulelei Bills $5.15 million of base salary becomes guaranteed $7,150,000 $1,000,000 2019 March 17 Star Lotulelei Bills $1M roster bonus due $7,150,000 $1,000,000 2019 March 17 Trent Murphy Bills $2.5M of base salary becomes guaranteed $5,800,000 $500,000 2019 March 17 Trent Murphy Bills $500,000 5th day of league year roster bonus due $5,800,000 $500,000

The 1 point safety can only occur on a try after a touchdown. Therefore it still can't be 1-0. That said, this whole idea sucks, lol.

Meh. The Pats* are good at it, just like they're good at everything. Yes it sucks they're getting 2 third rounders this year, but they let good players walk and they signed big elsewhere. That's how it works. So be it. Since Belly* took over 19 seasons ago the Pats have had 6 third rounders (including the 2 this year). Their first 3rd rounder wasn't until Belly's* 6th season. Then 4 years after that, and 6 more years after that. Some here are acting like they get them every year. In that time they have also had a whopping 3 fourth rounders and 4 fifth rounders. Everything else has been 6ths and 7ths. Yes they get more picks than most teams. So do the Ravens. In fact the Ravens are the kings of comp picks. They have received about 10 more picks than any other team even though they didn't even exist as a franchise for the first 2 years of the system. Yet nobody complains that the rules need changing because of the Ravens. We complain because we have sucked for so long. Because the Pats* have owned us for so long. And because the Pats do comp picks, just like everything else, better than we do. That doesn't mean the rule is unfair. It means we need to quit sucking and letting the Pats* own us in all phases, not just on game day. The rules have to be the same for everybody. We can't just say, well you guys are too good, you don't get the same rules as the other teams. That's just sour grapes. Start pulling up our boot straps and winning. Then the other teams will complain about us.

You don't have levels for EFAs. EFA is actually ERFA. That stands for Exclusive Rights Free Agent. All you have to do is tender them the league minimum for one year and you have exclusive negotiating rights. The only reason you wouldn't do that is if you were certain you didn't want them back.

The Osweiller deal only worked because his salary was guaranteed. Houston has a large cap figure, but it's not guaranteed salary. His cap hit for the Chiefs is $21.1 million this year. If they cut him their cap hit is only $7.1 million - less if they use June 1st designation. If they trade him to us (or anybody), the Chiefs cap hit is still $7.1 million. There would be no reason for them to give us anything.

Is that what you were going for? Your post didn't say anything except we should cut these 5 particular guys in order to gain $6 mil in cap space (which it won't, as mentioned several times here, the guys cut are still replaced on the roster by similarly paid guys). More like $4 mil but whatever. But okay, if your original post had said we should cut these 5 particular guys in order to make the following moves, I probably would have just scrolled on by. Unfortunately I didn't get the feeling from the original post that that's what you were doing. In fact, it looks like your original post is simply looking to gain cap space without adding any real plan. It wasn't until later you added some of your thoughts about who we should sign. None of which still explains why we would need to cut these 5 particular players to make room. Maybe you should have just said we should cut these players because they suck. People might have disagreed, but at least your statement would have made more sense than (according to the original post) vaguely pointing out 5 guys to cut just to give us $80+ mil instead of $70 something mil, and then getting all defensive when people have the audacity to ask why?