BillnutinHouston

Thank you. Finally, someone's dealing in fact rather than speculation. You are correct, sir. Correct, but who says it's after THIS year's draft? Nobody definitive, that's for sure. It is a species of angst that seems to be unique to Buffalo fans.

Here's your answer. "While General Manager Buddy Nix and Assistant GM Doug Whaley are busy interviewing prospects, team President Russ Brandon is spending the NFL Scouting Combine conducting meetings of his own. Brandon and Jim Overdorf, the team’s senior vice president of football administration, are busy meeting with the agents of the Bills’ 12 unrestricted free agents." Can I answer any other questions for you?

Translation: Obviously we're trying to renegotiate Fitz's contract right now, it's the best possible move we can make since a cap hit would be brutal, but in the meantime I need to stall you guys in the media by saying we're still evaluating.

Re: a "Not Too Early" mock in mid-February, can someone explain the value of a mock draft before the free agency period?

I've never appreciated the British sense of humor. And after checking out the link, I still don't.

Well, we won't know any more this week because he's decided NOT to throw at the combine. That scares me.

This is 100% correct. There are 31 other teams jockeying so you can't try to get too cute.

The Billls have had one of the larger payrolls in the league the last few years, but why let facts get in the way of a good rant?

I agree. If either leaves, it's a step back that we cannot afford.

Was Pugh playing G or LT in the Senior Bowl? I saw him at LT in the televised practice.

We should care, because you gotta know the Bills do, as any team would.

Up until now Marrone and Hackett have been cagy with their answers on personnel matters, but if this article is true, we know that at least the QB evaluation has been completed.

Wouldn't THAT be a shocker at #8? Mmmm....considering our recent history, maybe not so shocking.

I didn't know these numbers were available. Have a link to specifics? Even if you are correct in your assertion that the new Toronto series nets the Bills the same profit as a game at the Ralph (which I'm skeptical of BTW), why does "cultivating a market" mean that every single transaction needs to make money to be successful long term? I respectfully suggest you stop thinking like a fan and start thinking like a prospective owner. Which Bills franchise would you prefer to invest $800 million in - the one who turned its back on Toronto, or the one who is aggressively cultivating the Toronto market?

You are 100% correct, sir. The problem is, there's a segment of this board who are so provincial, narrow-minded, insular (pick your adjective) that they cannot or refuse to wrap their minds around these plain truths. The fact that Russ is forward-thinking (as opposed to backward-thinking like themselves) just blows their little minds.

How can you be the judge of "more than profitable" unless you are the investor borrowing hundreds of millions to buy the team and need to see a certain % of ROI on your money? Profitibility is in the eye of the investor my friend. What's enough profit for you, may well be a bad investment to someone else. What you fail to understand is, the Toronto series is "relocation insurance" in the sense that it improves the attractiveness of the WNY market for the NEXT owners.

Agree. This is why I think mocks are a colossal waste of time, especially prior to FA and the combine.

Since you're so down on the Toronto series, apparently you're wagering on another Buffalo-loving Terry Pegula-type outbidding everyone else, buying the Bills and keeping them here. I, on the other hand, think it's smart to prepare for the winning bidder to be a group of shrewd investors who are only looking to maximize the return on their investments. Your plan to keep the team in Buffalo is a pretty big gamble IMO. I'm not feeling as lucky as you apparently do. Explain why the average investor would bother to keep the Bills in Buffalo if it hasn't tried to cultivate the Toronto market?

^^ Someone gets it. Care to revise your statement, counsellor?

Read my post - it's about the NEXT owner.

OP: See, here's where you lost me. In terms of operting a profitable NFL franchise, naming rights are a drop in the bucket and make no appreciable difference. Selling luxury suites/boxes, advertising, and travel/ticket packages to Toronto businesses and customers - do you not think they have tried? Really? On the point about the Toronto series being important to the long term viability of the Bills in Buffalo, think about this strictly in terms of a) market share and b) a prospective new ownership group. If a group is willing to consider keeping the team in Buffalo, MIGHT it be advantageous to show that the Bills can be marketed to Southern Ontario, or is it better to just ignore that market segment? If possible, stop thinking as a fan (with your heart), and start thinking as a prospective new owner of the team. Brandon is trying to make lemonade out of the lemons in terms of positioning the team optimally and MAKING IT AS ATTRACTIVE AS POSSIBLE FOR THE NEXT OWNER TO KEEP THE TEAM IN BUFFALO.

I like Manuel as well. HIs highlight reel is outstanding.

Good summation of the situation. I agree with all points.

Reminds me of the Sabres power play strategy - don't pull the trigger until the PERFECT shot opportunity presents itself and the result is...no score.

Class envy is in vogue these days, but still unbecoming in my opinion.