Mikie2times

Very interesting. I would only be concerned with a protected class employee under the conditions of your second statement. That would have some risk. But if it wasn't a protected class employee, not much the employee could say. They would likely win an unemployment claim if the company fought it. That's about the most they could do.

Right. So what it amounts to is say I term somebody citing job performance and that person is a minority. Then I don't term somebody who meets the same job performance levels as the other individual, then the former could say I did so based on race. Then they would have grounds for a wrongful termination lawsuit. With Covid it's just extra weird. Say I have two employees, both performing poorly off site. One is a minority who is 19 and the other is not and he's 60 years old. I tell the 19 year old you need to return on site, they refuse. I term that person. They try and file a wrongful termination lawsuit because I allowed the 60 year old to remain at home. Can that person really make an argument I did so based on race? Perhaps, but it would be pretty easy to argue I did so because I was protecting the health of somebody in a higher risk group. Would US courts pay that much attention given nearly every employer is dealing with this situation and nobody has the HR playbook? Probably not. What I'm describing is rampant in the states right now. It's a very bizarre climate with work. So many took the Federal stimulus and made out with higher income than when they did work. People who did keep working felt frustrated they weren't getting the hand out. I saw a massive surge in applicants when the stimulus ran out. Obviously not everybody fits into this. Some people are really dealing with some serious hardships, but the climate is just totally messed up. I'm sure other hiring managers would agree it's just been a very bizarre time. Probably similar in many other countries.

Most employees in the US work in states that are considered "at will". Which basically means I can term you anytime, any reason, it only gets hairy if somebody can make an argument that I'm terming you because something discriminatory. It would be hard to make a case right now in the US for anything like that to occur. It's such a crap show right now with employers having blends on site and off site, trying to bring back poor performers offsite, but do so in ways that have some structural process. So many are flying by the seat right now I just don't see the courts ruling in employees favor unless it's egregious.

Each employer treats this a little differently. That said, essentially all employers need to do is not be grossly negligent. States want people off unemployment. If you have socially distanced working conditions and you are asked to return back, most states are instructing employers to separate from that employee if they refuse to do so. I think rightfully so. For every person who has a legit concern that directly impacts them, five more cry wolf. All of this I have seen first hand too many times to count. If you want to play six degrees of separation all of us have somebody we come in contact with that is at risk. I think it's smart to work with the people who have a direct issue. But that's about it. Then as far as companies go, they really are just playing it safe. This is the wild west. Nobody is going to win lawsuits because an employer let somebody go that refused to return to work. Just isn't going to happen. MAYBE if that individual was clearly high risk, but not based o a family member or other contact. It's dog eat dog right now and I really don't mind, enough people have taken advantage of the stimulus and just been lazy piles of crap for 4 months. Not everybody fits that criteria, but a lot do, and as a hiring manager I'm sick of seeing it.

Oh, no, I was agreeing with your statement. I think half will, half won't, and one half will be much louder.

Vegas odds on that statement -1000000000000000000000000000000

Bottom line, I just hope fans treat him with respect regardless of what decision he makes. We can be a pretty intense group and I fear if he does opt out our base has the ability to ostracize him. Which I then fear could impact us when he does become a FA. Lot of peer pressure built into this thing. I'm sure a lot of people here have felt it. As an example, I can work from home if I wish or I can report to work where 3-4 other people in our leadership team report. Everything else is off site. I felt first hand if I chose to work from home I would be ostracized to some extent. We are men, men are tough, who wants to be the 1 guy in 3-4 or 2-3 guys in 50 that says I don't want to do it, I don't feel safe or comfortable. That is not tough. If I made that decision then dealt with underhanded BS as a result, I would be inclined to tell my employer to go ______ themselves. If we bomb Tre if he decides to opt out, I would think he might respond in a similar way come contract time. At least that's my fear. Good post though, it's nice to not agree on this stuff and not have it go totally sideways like a lot of these do.

I don't like the millionaire vs average joe logic. That's like telling somebody who is broke and homeless, well at least you don't have cancer. You always try and look at the positive but marginalizing somebody's circumstances by bringing up how much worse it could be just never made sense to me. When it comes to money, using the reverse logic, it just plays like sour apples. Tre, so many people have it worse than you, least you could do is be our entertainment. That doesn't come off as selfish to you? Past his money, he's a person with a family and was put on this planet to do a lot more than play football. Tre and his wife and family need to make the best decision for them as all of us do and we should support that.

I think we have the best and the worst fan base in the NFL. Our fans are more passionate and loyal than any around but sometimes that comes out in hyperbolic criticism and selfish thinking. This is not a time for the latter. People have been mocking the Patriots opt outs. Not so funny when it hits closer to home? Tre is a family man, pure and simple. If he's smart enough at 25 to know his family will always be more important than anything and time, specifically time with his family is not something that has a monetary value. Get it? Do not ostracize the man for being a hell of a human being. It's probably part of the reason he's a hell of a football player. Make your decision Tre, we love you and want you to retire as a Bill. You represent the love and side of our fan base that is good.

It's good to see somebody from the Jersey Shore make it to Canton.

He always extended the ball away from his body in a way to keep defenders off balance. As his talent started declining it's lead to a lot more fumbles. Then you gotta really wonder as another poster said, if he's not the right fit for KC who would he be the right fit for? He was fun to watch his first few years here and I will always remember his performance in the snow vs the Lions as an Eagle in 2013. 217 yards and two TD's, it was perhaps as close a performance as Gale Sayers 6 TD feat as far as a game involving very inclement weather and seemingly being the only player it didn't impact. I wouldn't compare him directly to Gale, but both players had incredible balance and just unfair to play against on a sloppy field.

He has financial incentive to return, but I think those that site that as the only reason have not seen the special on Smith. One photo, nearly all his muscle removed, his leg looked like something from a butcher shop. He almost died, most certainly should have lost his leg. If he proves medically eligible it's incredible accomplishment, regardless of motive, few people could ever pass such a test. I certainly gained a lot of respect for Smith.

If we are going with the most famous, the comeback sign. No Bills fan on the planet that was alive to see that game is not aware of that sign/moment in our history. My question on some of these bigger ones, that's blocking the view like 4 rows back....Now I'm a chill dude and love me some sign humor, but at what point are you like bro, love ya, but I can't see the F'n game. Speaking of signs, if you ever get to watch the Kerry Wood record strike out performance on youtube, I suggest you do. It's like a 30-45 minute documentary on the game. Great watch even if you don't like baseball, but as far as signs go, that one is on the all timer list.

100%

Even as somebody who does take this very seriously, that's a bit dramatic. Evidence is starting to show that some people can have lingering effects. Permanent, certainly unknown. Likely to occur? Hyperbole.....

Maybe, but this information isn't any further sign of it. NFLPA was never going to risk infections on preseason games. They also know at this point they have zero bubble options or ways to truly prevent spread. Throw those ideas in the trash. No safe way exists to do this. Just like no safe way exists to play football and prevent CTE. If they play they're doing so full well knowing that high rates of infections and disruptions will occur. Yes, the NFL will be a total crap show this year, but the players and owners want a season more than the fans even do. Keep in mind what this money means to many of these players. Some only get a shot at that type of money for one year. Even for just one year it's life changing money. NFLPA and NFL will likely come to an agreement that allows for player opt out. If a player deems the risks to be too excessive they will have ______ option. The NFL will likely require players to sign a waiver for liability. No fans will be allowed in the stadium. Rosters will change constantly. It will be horrific compared to any traditional season we have ever seen (if it even does finish) but by then people will want football so bad they will happily pay to watch what amounts to CFL rosters. In the end only a state or federal action will stop the season. It won't be the league.

I love the phrase “feel some type of way”. So versatile. Not required to actually explain how you feel. Just, well, some type of way ?

Not much is certain in the NFL, just ask Alex Smith. Dude almost died. That said, I don’t know much on the deal. As far as going big on an extensions now with key players. I think that makes sense. You know market value for every position just increases each year. Then again if QB’s start making more than Mahomes in a few years as a result of inflated pay for the position I imagine he pressures to go back to the table and renegotiate. So meh on all of it I guess.

The smartest people in the world can't properly estimate this but you got it nailed to an exact %. ? DCOrange pointed out very clearly that cases were spiking as a % of the total. Was he incorrect? Trying to reconcile the above comments.

I would only argue the 2004 Special Teams was not a small advantage, it was massive. We had 5 special teams TD's, 3 by McGee who was lightning in a bottle, 1 by Clements who was a damn fine punt returner, and one by Jason Peters who made that incredibly athletic big man block punt. In addition one of the best if not the best punters in Bills history. Even Lindell was 24 of 28 that year despite a huge miss (Last game). Coaching, Bledsoe, that's where I see the breakdowns occurring. Bledsoe was just so prone to the fatal error (Last game). The 2019 team was so much more fundamentally sound. I don't think they were more talented. The 2004 squad had the the ability to straight take you to the shed. 2019 squad never could accomplish that. Again, difference in coaching, but also reflective of talent. The 2004 offense often went for the jugular and on defense tried to even prevent a one first down. Where the 2019 offense was more methodical and the defense was OK bending. I think your post was very solid. I don't even know if I would say the 2004 team was better and I'm the one that made the thread. I just have a soft spot for the easily dismissed Bills teams of the past. 1999 and 2004 would be at the top of the list. For those that want a rewind....

Would it sound funny to you if you heard Mayfield or Darnold were traded for a first? To me it would. Does the market view the three that differently at this moment? I don't think it does.

I don't know, those Redskin and Cowboys teams. They were exceptional, the whole NFC was, but I also don't disagree with a thing you wrote. I don't know WTF we were thinking with Wright. That was an Era of stop the run first and we had a high flying offense. Last exposure point you would want on defense is a team that can chew clock and pound. Phil was a very good run stuffing DE, Bruce underrated in that area, both perfect for a 3-4, then Wright was just out of place and made no sense. I can't imagine the difference Teddy would have made on that DL. I also agree about Marv. I do think Marv was a great leader of men, he brought people together in rare ways. I don't dismiss that. I don't think we go 4 straight without him. As far as X's and O's, wasn't his thing and we were out coached.

Outside 1990, 90's Bills just weren't ever as good as who they played in the Super Bowl. The AFC was pathetic, we didn't choke, we just weren't good enough.

You have your football purists, then your analytic types. Then some people hang out in the middle. As an example, I think most here look at the drought ending team as very limited, at the same time they look at last years team as much more deserving. I would certainly agree with that and the advanced stats from Pro Football Outsiders and Pro Football Reference do as well. With that being the case most people see last years team as the best squad we have had since the 2000's. The 1999 Bills could have another thread dedicated to a similar topic, so lets just cut it at 2000/last 20 years. The 2004 Bills get dismissed rather easily here based on the loss to the "2nd team" Steelers in the final game. It's generally a purist argument "if you can't win that game you aren't good enough to make the playoffs" case closed. It's easily forgotten that while Tommy Maddox might have started that game, many of the Steelers starters played a full game and many of the back ups went onto have outstanding careers almost immediately after. That was a good Steelers team we lost to and we didn't play a clean game. We started 2004 with an 0-4 record, we lost Week 1 on the final play of the game on a miracle catch by Ernest Wilford and Week 4 on a FG by the Jets in the final minute. Over the next 5 games we went 3-2, it was at that point we went on arguably the most dominant stretch of 6 games in Bills history going 6-0 and outscoring our opponents 228-89. Closest margin of victory was 10. The 2004 Bills were the highest rated team by Pro Football Outsiders in the history of it's ranking system to not reach the playoffs, well ahead of any Bills team the last 20 years and rated only behind the 64 and 90 Bills using Pro Football Reference rating system. None of these systems care for the early 90's Bills as much as we do (maybe justifiably so). If you don't like those kind of stats what jumps out the most to me is who was on this team. It seemed to have sprinkles of all types of acquisitions and eras. Left overs from the not awful late 90's, like Pat WIlliams and Moulds, then a lot of our higher profile FA's/Trades that decade like Bledsoe, Spikes, Fletcher, Milloy, Adams. Some of the solid home grown players of the drought era in Evans, Reed, Schobel, Clements, Moorman, and McGee. Even some of the major trades we let go in McGahee and Peters started on that team. We led the league by a considerable margin in special teams that year. Bledsoe always had his limitations and would have stopped us eventually. He gave us 20 TD's and 16 INT's. Having said that about Bledsoe, you could make that same argument as it related to Josh and his 2019 season. As far as talent, I see more on the 2004 squad vs our 2019 group. It doesn't always come together. I will likely circle back and also review the 1999 team in the next few weeks. Another overshadowed squad based on Johnson/Flutie and MCM. In most analytics sites, one of the top 25 defenses of all time.

We can talk about this with avoiding discussion of the president.