JGMcD2

Gosh. This is so depressing. Mostly because I can relate.

Good thing today is Tuesday Bills win!

What benefit is there to telling the public? They're gathering real time information to make the best decision possible. Things are fluid, even when you have a well laid out plan. You have to adjust based on new information otherwise you're just as poor of a leader as the guy who doesn't make a plan in the first place. EDIT: My point on this is that you see the chaos associated with constantly changing what's going on... sometimes it is better to wait to make a decision rather than whipping back and forth between outcomes. It avoids panic and confusion. I would say the plan was probably predicated on professional athletes and adults being able to follow a simple set of rules in order to avoid this situation. I think the league in conjunction with the NFLPA were well within in their right to believe that all 32 organizations and their players would understand the magnitude of a global pandemic and follow the rules that were agreed upon via collective bargaining in order to conduct the season.

I think this a pretty poor take. While I admit that my confidence in the NFL is not particularly high, it's ridiculous to think that there is not next-level planning. Everything is not on the fly, and while they're operating based on new information as new information comes in, that's how decisions should be made. Just because the general public isn't aware of the plans that the NFL has (and why would we be privy to every detail of a business, it's not like Target has their COVID contingency plan out for the public to see at all times) doesn't mean there is no plan. It's so funny how the psychology of being a fan v. a consumer works. Fans react so emotionally to everything, it's quite funny.

I remember where I was when we drafted Josh. Still in college at my college house in Massachusetts, surrounded by Patriots fans. A few of we’re about to leave to visit our roommate in the hospital be we stuck around to watch the pick. I wanted Josh Rosen, I wasn’t upset we took Josh Allen to the point I threw a tantrum, but I thought it was a mistake based on everything the analysts were telling me. Then I really dug in and did some research on him... and my perception started to change. Then he walked on the field during that horrible game against Baltimore his rookie year... and you could tell the atmosphere changed on the Bills sideline. Guys looked like they hated football with Peterman out there, and then Josh comes out and the energy is SO much different. That’s when I knew, seriously, I said “this is the guy.” Zo Alexander even talked about it. Shady talked about it. Kyle Williams talked about it. That’s special. It doesn’t just happen, you don’t just earn that. You’re born with that. He’s not Blaine Gabbert, Jake Locker or Jamarcus Russell... he has all of the physical tools required to be a stud AND the leadership traits as well. We all identify with Buffalo, it’s home. It means something to us. People make fun of us for it, but we defend our home so passionately. He’s the same way. He loves where he is, he gets what it means to be a Bills fan. Being a Bills fan is kind of like being Josh Allen growing up. Nobody believes in you, you’re not quite good enough, you fail more often than not and he’s taken it upon himself to not only rewrite the narrative on Josh Allen, but the narrative on Western, NY and the Buffalo Bills. It’s been a privilege to watch him grow up and it’s going to be a privilege to watch him for the next 15 years. Try not to complain too much about him... because when he’s gone, you’re damn sure gonna miss him.

Well, I think it’s unfair to say they don’t prioritize the CB position. They’ve spent a draft pick each year under McBeane on a defensive back. McDermott’s first pick was a CB. Whom for a brief moment was the highest paid corner in the NFL, and the contract was given to him by the Buffalo Bills. When they traded Watkins to the Rams... they received a CB in return, along with a second round pick. Keeping 10 OL give them options this year for a slightly larger roster in game day which is an advantage. You can have an active roster of 48 if at least 8 active players are OL... so that’s another reason to keep more OL. I’d argue that on this team the CB position is less valuable than elsewhere because of the defensive scheme. We’ve been able to plug and play EJ Gaines, Kevin Johnson, Levi Wallace and (Now) Josh Norman while having some pretty significant success against opposing teams. Protecting your QB and having the depth on the OL where it’s not as easy to plug and play may be more valuable to this group of decision makers.

I wouldn’t rule it out. Folks are very litigious in today’s world. Although, it will get thrown out very quickly if it does come to fruition. They’d be grasping at straws.

They’re pretty much obligated to file a grievance. They know it’s not going anywhere and probably disagree with the Raiders, but have to act for the players. They filed grievances on behalf of Brady, Zeke, Antonio Brown, etc. Just the norm.

Every player wants the NFLPA to get involved. They’re all members of the NFLPA, otherwise they have no bargaining power. They legitimately pay dues each year to be members of the union. The NFLPA did their job. They exist to represent the players in matters concerning wages, hours and working conditions, as well as to protect their rights as professional football players.

Well, this is what held baseball up for months. It had nothing to do with safety or protocols... it was strictly because they had to shorten the season and players wanted their full wages and the owners only wanted to pay for roughly 60 games no matter how many games they played. The NFL was the only sport out of season when everything got shut down... so they were able to plan ahead. They were negotiating these things far in advance, but at one point there were significant issues over money. The players are never going to budge and the owners are never going to pay more for less games. Less games means less TV revenue, coupled with no ticket sales and you have some cash flow issues on the owners end. They typically just reinvest all money made from the NFL back into their team. Most people don’t recognize that sports owners aren’t necessarily cash liquid where they can just throw money at their team. If I’m not mistaken, Pegula had to sell significant investments in order to obtain the capital to purchase the Bills, because their net worth isn’t liquid. At least not the point where they can just casually write a check for a team or 53 players + coaches and staff. EDIT: The Buffalo Sabres owner closed on a $1.75 billion deal to sell the drilling rights on about 75,000 acres of land in Ohio and West Virginia to American Energy on Tuesday. The sale was announced by American Energy and in a release issued by PR Newswire. The agreement between Pegula's East Resources Inc. and Oklahoma-based American Energy was first reached in June. The sale comes at a time when Pegula and wife Kim are considered the front-runners to buy the Bills, who are for sale after Hall of Fame owner Ralph Wilson died in March. Yeah that’s on them 100%. NFLPA agreed to following protocols in order to get their full 16 game salary. That’s a group of 53 that were selfish, but they still wouldn’t have willingly dropped from 16 to 14. The other 31 rosters on guys wouldn’t have let them.

14 games means players forfeit two game checks each... was never going to happen.

Do you guys think the Chiefs would trade Butker for Bass?

I’m generally pretty positive in regards to the Bills (and any team I work with or am a fan of) when they’re struggling because I believe things come and go from time to time and need to be adjusted. That’s what coaching is for... I think we have a fine coaching staff that is capable of doing that and has shown it. But, my point is I’ve been VERY upset with the Bills defense all season until late this game. They looked unenthusiastic... very much lacked a spark. The 4th quarter gave me hope... they were flying around a little bit more, gang tackling a little bit more, and manages to force some turnovers. They made a big mistake in doing so... because now I KNOW they are capable of doing it... so I expect that to be the norm moving forward.

NFL COVID-19 rules & protocols Player fines According to ESPN, NFL players in early July that they could be fined for conduct detrimental to the team "if they are found to have engaged in 'reckless' behavior away from the team facility." (No such fines have been announced by the NFL or teams.) Per USA Today, below are the forbidden high-risk activities: — Attending an indoor night club with a crowd of more than 10 people and without wearing a mask. — Attending an indoor bar with more than 10 people (other than to pick up a to-go order) without wearing a mask. — Attending an indoor music/concert/entrainment event. — Attending housing gatherings with more than 15 people in attendance and without wearing a mask. — Attending professional sporting events (other than their own games) without wearing a mask and sitting in a protected area such as a suite or an owner's box. — Attending any gathering or event that violates local and state restrictions. A memo issued to players in early August and obtained by USA Today detailed the fines players can be hit with for COVID-19 protocols violations. Refusing to take a COVID-19 tests carries a maximum fine of $5,000. Refusing to wear a mask comes with "a progressive scale that includes a max fine of $14,650 for repeated offenses," and refusing to wear contact tracing devices or not adhering to social distancing guidelines also carries a maximum fine of $14,650 for repeat offenders. There are no known cases of players being punished for violations of COVID protocols except one. Seahawks rookie cornerback Kemah Siverand was cut because he was caught trying to sneak a woman into his room at the team hotel. He even tried to disguise the woman in a Seahawks hoodie to make her look like a player. The NFL's early July memo stated that all hotel accommodations for players during camp must comply with NFL-NFLPA Team Travel Protocol, which states: "Room visits are permitted only by members of the Traveling Party."

Derek Carr Nathan Peterman Zay Jones Jason Witten Foster Moreau Derek Carrier Darren Waller Nevin Lawson All of those guys on top of Could the raiders even field a team?

Bingo. This needs to be pinned somewhere. I don't think there is ANY disputing the statement above.

Yeah, I don't see any need to completely ban them from team activities if it is done virtually, but right now they shouldn't be allowed near anything in person. I don't like handicapping them either... but we didn't do it to them, the team did it to themselves. I only watched one episode of Hard Knocks this year, but Anthony Lynn had a pretty good quote on there, where he basically said "whoever takes this the most seriously and handles the protocols the best, will have the most success this year." I believe the Bills organization has set things up properly to do so, but ultimately the onus is on the players to behave with integrity.

The players in attendance should be forced to sit out this week. They shouldn't be eligible for return until they pass COVID tests over a 10 day period. They would be eligible to return for week 5. I don't see any other way to do it... I am serious. I understand it was a charitable event... but when the rules say you're banned from attending any event that "violates local and state restrictions" and then there are fines levied on the event, "The city of Henderson fined the country club $2,000 on Tuesday for four violations of the Nevada governor's COVID-19 emergency directives, including people not wearing masks and having more than 50 people at the event. The club has 30 days to pay or dispute the fine." There needs to be serious punishment and protocol put in place to make sure these players don't potentially put their teammates... and the Bills players at risk of losing their season.

I can’t get behind putting Dak in the top 8. He’s gifted so much talent every year and the team underachieves. Yes, he puts up eye popping numbers, but they’re usually in a shootout or down and he’s trying to mount a comeback... which he doesn’t do often... 9 4Q comebacks and 15 GWD? A top 5-10 QB has to elevate their team... I don’t think Dak does that... I think he’s lifted up by Zeke, a great offensive line and a plethora of receiving weapons... just my opinion. The team as a whole was held back by Jason Garrett and now will be by Mike McCarthy IMO. He underachieved with Rodgers who is one of the greatest ever... he will do the same with Dak.

I didn’t realize that the box score is where impact players are found. I bet that’s how all of the high-end, progressive organizations find impact players... someone should let Beane know.

Yes 100%. lol

It was my attempt at sarcasm. Lol

Ed Oliver sucks. Box score says so.

Jackson State is officially on the map.

Thoughts? The whole cantaloupe farmer thing has me cracking up.