yungmack

A 5% return in these times from a AAA investment that also has a history of strong capital appreciation would be a dream setup for most people. So even though purchasing an NFL franchise is largely about belonging to a very exclusive club, price be damned, it still more than passes the test as a solid longterm investment. But as many have pointed out, it ain't about the annual profits.

It would help a lot if there is a contributor around TBD who played or coached QB at a reasonably high level who could weigh in because this "staring" thing is driving me a little bit nuts. Watch any QB in the league, including the top ones, and you're going to see them "staring down their receiver." That's because it's what a QB does. He doesn't just take a snap then leisurely look around in the hope that one of his guys is open, then go, "Oh, I think I'll toss it to that chap." On every pass play, he has a primary receiver, there's a well-practiced play underway, and it is up to the QB to make a quick decision whether that play is going to work or not (because a receiver is too well covered or defenders are closing in too fast). Only then does he go to his other reads or to the scramble. On streak and post plays, with the deep drop (and after a quick scan, mostly to see what the D is doing), he's focused on the receiver. Because he knows his receiver's capabilities and should know those of the defender from film study, he decides whether or not the pass will have a good chance of success. If he decides it doesn't, then he goes through his reads. On the quick throws, the bang-bang plays, he sometimes doesn't drop back at all, or not more than a step or two before firing the pass. And on those type of plays, you'd better believe he's "staring down his receiver" for the full fraction of a second before he passes it. And that type of pass is a staple of the Bills offense. I think what a lot of the critics are calling "staring down the receiver" isn't that at all, it's NOT "looking off the defender" that is sometimes his problem. On passes other than the bang-bang type, a cagy QB is going to look at his second or third option first knowing full well he's going to throw to his primary receiver. Watch Peyton who does it all the time. This freezes or even moves the D away from the primary. UPDATE: Read the Capaccio article after writing this. He does a much better job of explaining than I did. I would still say that it is helpful to watch other QBs with the same critical eye the critics put on Manuel. I think you'll find his "staring down" is not at all a problem. Now, as to accuracy, I'll leave it up to Sal to allay my fears there because right now, that's what really concerns me the most.

The negative press is fine by me because you can't shock the world if you're expected to win.

Betting lines are not based on the facts; they are based on fan perceptions. If more people believe the Bears are the better team, then the odds will favor the Bears even though they may not be the better team. What were the odds on the Seahawks smashing Denver in the Super Bowl?

What's missing from this analysis is the tremendous importance of the other players to the success of any individual player. In addition, the quality of coaching has to be factored in. Unlike any other major team sport,success in football is enourmously dependent on the talent and scheme of the whole team. We can think of innumerable greats in baseball who have received acclaim while playing on lousy teams because every action in baseball is stand-alone individualistic. This is true to a lesser extent in basketball and even hockey. But a hypothetical "greatest QB ever" will look like bum with a lousy line, incompetent receivers or clueless coaching.

Thanks for taking the time to do this.

You're correct, theoretically. But let's be honest, the league is deeply "interested" in every step. And even if Goodell doesn't know every clause and every phrase, he can read the paper and know that the competition for the team is very thin, and if Toronto Jonnie's group is out of the running, it's even thinner. What he and the owners would like is lots and lots of bidders driving up the price because that drives up the value of all the franchises. And Toronto Jonnie is a pal as well.

FWIW, it keeps getting brought up that the trust has a fiduciary responsibility to get the most money possible. Though that's generally true, it is not a law. You can set a trust up in just about any way you want and you can make other requirements aside from money the primary ones. The trustees fiduciary responsibility would then be to those terms of the trust. Still, in this case, I would imagine that getting the most money from the sale of the Bills is at least close to the top of the requirements.

My opinion about re-opening the bids is that it has less to do with the trust and a whole lot more to do with the NFL which would like a blockbuster price to push up the value of the other franchises.

Like about half the manic depressive crowd around here.

Batted balls have never been a problem for EJ and I doubt they will be going forward. But that one intended for Sammy in the right flat was a stare job all the way. He never deeked the D at all.

My main reason (among several) for not wanting Bon Jovi involved with the team is that he's a rabid Giants fan. Whoever buys it should understand, respect and honor the legacy of a founding member of the AFL. In o case sbould it be in the hands of a man who I would bet has no understanding of the AFL and if he was a fan way back when would likely have been rooting for the league to fail. Let him buy Philly when it is next on the block.

On the current worry that the trust wants Golisano because he'd keep the old cronies together and Pegula won't, it seems to me that only an imbecile would "clean house" in a business where they have virtually zero practical experience. And to believe that once Golisano feels he has a solid sense of operations he will keep the old guard around even if they don't measure up is nuts. Littman and Overdorf have job security for at least a year after the sale. As to Owens, unless her position includes being able to gum up the works in some unknown way, there's no reason to get rid of her, at least for awhile if at all. And no owner in his right mind is going to get rid of Brandon, Whaley and Marrone if the team is having success. Of course, all this goes out the window if a certain megalomanic idiot with a peculiar hair fetish and an inability to make money in the casino business were to buy the team.

Fine report. Thanks Astro.

In defense of the OP, the Bills had a new GM, new HC, new everything including a bunch of rookies all over the place. They had one of the worst LGs in the recent history of the Bills. Byrd sat out TC and missed a number of games. Stevie had his problems. Gilmore was hurt and on and on. Yet they went 6-10 and were close to victory in at least 3 other games. This year most of the likely starters are a year more experienced as is the GM and the coaching staff. I believe Schwartz will do great, and we certainly upgraded at least one D coaching position. In fact, even with the loss of Kiko, the D overall looks like it's better than last year, both with off-season signings and from the draft. The addition of Sammy and Mike Williams has to be an upgrade to the offense as are the additions of Brown and Dixon. And the OL also appears to be much more of a strength than in recent campaigns. And I like the coaching additions that are mainly about EJ. And that gets us to the key to this team's success this year: EJ, who has to improve his play and stay healthy. I know some around here are concerned about how he looks in TC so far yet his coaches, teammates and outsiders such as Collingsworth and even Jaws seem suitably impressed and claim he's made great improvement over last year. We shall see. But even if his improvement is only so-so, with the changes to the roster and the coaching staff, I believe this team will improve its W-L record by at least three wins. Anything less has to be seen as a disappointment considering the changes made, and what it has cost. And, yes, I think they can win the AFCE outright. A lot has to go right, particularly with EJ, and they have to stay healthy. But I'm with Brandon Spikes: "This team is going to shock the world."

Radcliffe is a major NFL fan and fantasy player.

Yeah, that is quite a story. Don't know if he'll make it in the NFL, but with that sort of determination, he could focus it elsewhere and likely be a success.

This!

I don't believe spice is a prohibited substance in the NFL and if speeding/reckless driving/drag racing is prohibited, I'd be surprised. So the only way theycould justify a Dareus suspension would be under "behavior detrimental to the NFL." Very grey area all in all, and likely to engender a strong reaction from the union.

The Bills have to stop taking days off. That's the only way these sub-important threads will cease.

Vetting process.

Does this help assuage the Cordy anxiety? "The Buffalo Bills should have their franchise left tackle back in time for the season opener, a team source informed The Buffalo News. But the source insisted he would be “shocked” if Glenn didn’t play in at least one preseason game and start at left tackle when the Bills begin the regular season Sept. 7 at the Chicago Bears. The source would not say why Glenn has been sidelined." Here's the story: http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/glenn-should-be-ready-for-opener-20140728?two-bills-drive

I think Sam Goldwyn's classic quote applies: "An oral contract ain't worth the paper it's written on."

There really hasn't been anyone like him before or since. Thanks for passing along this interesting story.