merlin

"Linky "In his seven seasons as a Kansas City Chiefs backup quarterback, Todd Collins has appeared in only 11 games, none of them as a starter. Fact is the 10-year veteran hasn't started a regular-season contest since Dec. 7, 1997, when he was with the Buffalo Bills. Since joining the Chiefs in '98, when he was claimed on waivers in late August, the former second-round draft pick, who had a three-year dry spell (1998-2000) in which he didn't register even one regular-season appearance, has thrown but 27 passes, and completed 18 of those attempts, just one for a touchdown. More than statistics, though, Collins, who actually started 13 games for the Bills in 1997, has provided Kansas City a prized commodity that is sorely lacking around the NFL at the critical No. 2 quarterback position: Stability. A proven backup who knows the offense, knows the ropes and understands and accepts his second banana role on the depth chart isn't quite as easy a job description to fill as some observers might think. That is why Collins, at age 33 and probably in store for another year of inactivity, certainly does not lack for respect from his bosses and from his teammates. "It's always reassuring to know there is a veteran like Todd behind you," acknowledged Chiefs starter Trent Green. "He's a pretty nice safety net." I'm sure Trent likes having TC as his backup is because he knows no matter how bad a day he is having throwing the ball, he's on an extremely long LEASH, because to bring in TC would be tanamount to condeding defeat ....

Ron "the dancing bear" McDole and Bob Chandler

Cornelius Bennett elected to college HOF Pastabelly never saw it coming ....

Maybe it's "something in the water" in Miami?? All their TE prospects that make it to hte NFL seem to get hurt ... First Shockey, then Winslow, and now Everett ... Kellen Winslow injured in motorcyle mishap GO BILLS!

per ESPN: "... Haslett, 49, has two years remaining on a five-year contract. He signed a five-year extension in August 2002. His record of 42-38 (.525) is the second best in team history, behind Jim Mora's 93-78 (.543). Yet the Saints have failed to make the playoffs the past four seasons, one of seven teams in that category along with the Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars and Washington Redskins.... "

... I hope TD is at least considering talking to him. He won't be "cheap", but is a quality player, on and off the field. http://www.indystar.com/articles/9/226453-2299-036.html Go Bills!

Clayton also sez John Parella might get cut (from the Raiders) ... maybe he'll wind up back in Buffalo to replace Big Pat!

I heard rumors that the Browns would be cutting him (for cap reasons, and his refusal to re-work his contract). If he becomes available, he would be a GREAT backup for JP ... that is, if he would agree to be the backup. He's probably good enough to be starter for a number of teams in the league. If that doesn't work out for the Bills, my 2nd choice of the "names" out there right now would be Brad Johnson. Go BILLS!!!

If the Bills are not able to strike a deal for TH for what they deem to be satisfactory compensation, and Henry decides to hold out ... can he just sit out the entire 2005 season, and then sign with any team he wants in 2006? Or would his rights still be "owned" by the Bills, even if they didn't pay him at all for 2005? Just curious how that all works .... GO BILLS!

Anyone know of any hot FA or draft prospects at CENTER? I think that's what the Bills will wind up needing. I see Jonas Jennings moving on as a FA (to re-unite with Peerless in Atlanta), but I think Teague could be a reasonable starting LT ... so we'll need someone to replace him with at center. Anyone got any ideas? GO BILLS!

[ Jets @ St. Louis: 1) The Rams are a different team in the dome. 2) Martz is coaching for his job 3) The Rams (if they win tomorrow) will be fighting for their playoff lives as well 4) Pennington has been awful lately. 179519[/snapback] 5) Marc Bulger will be back, playing his 2nd game since being out with an injury. It may also well be Marshall Faulk's last game, so the Rams will have some emotion going on around that. I think it is WELL within reason to expect the Rams to play hard and play well against the Jets next week, no matter WHAT happens against the Eagles tonight. If the Rams happen to win tonight, that increases my optimism for them against the Jets next week even more. Pennington hasn't been "right" since he got injured against the Bills - he has no "long ball" anymore, and even his short passes don't seem to have the "zip" they did earlier in the year. They can be beat, even by a Rams squad that is not very good. The Jets D is still good, but I think they will make too many mistakes on offense to overcome. Rams 24, Jets 16 GO BILLS!

Was looking for Jason Peters' name yesterday, at least on special teams, and just found out he had been inactivated for the game. Does anyone know if he is injured, or was he a "healthy scratch"? After the play he made in Cincinnati blocking that punt and recovering for a TD, I was surprised he wasn't on the field yesterday.

Opening day, 1971 vs the (hated) Dallas Cowboys. I was a junior in high school, and our high school marching band did the half-time show that day - last year at War Memorial Stadium - rainy, and by half-time, the field was a complete mess. BUT, after we did the pre-game show, we were lined up just outside the tunnel where the players were waiting to be introduced, and I asked one of the "guards" if he would mind passing a little autograph book I'd taken with me down among the players in the tunnel, so I could see how many of them I could get to sign it for me. Over 30 players signed it! - JD Hill - Bruce Jarvis - Haven Moses - Bob Chandler - Tony Greene - Jim Braxton - Marlin Briscoe - James Harris - Paul Guidry - Jim Dunaway - Paul Costa ... can't remember any others right now. Plus, it turned out to be a fairly entertaining game, even though the Bills wound up losing (something like 35-48), but it was pretty exciting through most of the game. That was the 1st game I'd ever gone to in person, and the fact that so many players would take the time to sign that little book for me made a lasting impression, and I've been a "dedicated fan" ever since, through thick and thin. GO BILLS!!

Booker Edgerson Robert James Bubba Thornton Preston Reidlehuber Bill "Earthquake" Enyart Walt Patulski Cal Snowden

Haslett on his way out of New Orleans? Interesting article about the state of affairs with Jim Haslett in New Orleans. Doesn't sound like he's going to be back there next year .. might not even last until the end of the season at this rate. I still think he is a good coach working for a "bad owner". He will no doubt get another chance eventually. But if/when Jerry Gray leaves for a better job, and if JH is still available, he'd make a great DC for the Bills! (Plus he has that Stillers connection that TD seems to like to much! GO BILLS!

I agree with those who say we ought to keep Travis. Esp. now with the injury, he's not going to bring any value in a trade. But he is still the best insurance the Bills have against WM going down with an injury - and incredibly cheap insurance at that, for a back with his ability. I see no reason to let him go "cheaply" next year. He may not be the happiest player on the bench, but he's proven he's a "team player", and I think he will live up to the contract he signed. His turn at FA will come the next year, and he can try and "cash in" then.

Indy is definitely beatable ... if our D can slow them down even just a little bit, THEIR D is HORRIBLE. Despite Peyton being all-world, I'll not be surprised if they go "one-and-done" in the playoffs this year. THey just have no team balance at all - all the bucks are tied up in Peyton, Harrison, and Edgerrin. Their only quality starter on D is Freeney, who is playing out his rookie contract (2 more years).

.... reminded me of Curt Gowdy the last couple of years he did play by play ... always seemed to get the Miami-Buffalo games in the early 90's when they meant something ... and usually couldn't remember which CITY the game was being played in, let alone players names, etc. It got to be pretty embarrasing just to listen to him.

Jeff George to sign with Chicago Golden arm .... lead brain. "He's baaaaaaaack ...."

I just hope Vincent's responsibilities at FS include helping out on Chrebet ... he absolutely TOASTED McGee in the last game.

With all the talk in the media about "we've seen the last of Travis Henry in a Bills' uniform", etc, I have to ask WHY. His contract, since it was re-negotiated a year or so ago. is very favorable for a RB of his caliber. I doubt TD would be able to get much more than a 2nd rounder for him ... probably a 3rd rounder. Even if he could get a 1st from someone, the Bills would wind up using much more salary cap space on a player who may never pan out (see: Mike Williams). And if, heaven forbid, anything ever happens to Willis, do you really want to go through a season of watching Joe Burns be the featured back in this power-running style offense? I know Henry won't be thrilled to stay a back-up on this team, but he's proven to be a "team player" so far, and I say at this point, the Bills would be foolish not to keep him for insurance purposes at that position, and hold him to his contract. Willis is good, he may be great, but he's not immortal. And if the Bills really do want him to carry it 25-30 times a game, he's going to get banged up. Henry is awfully cheap and awfully good insurance at this point. So, why is everyone (in the media) assuming that it is a "done deal" that Henry will be traded after the season? GO BILLS!!

David Boston charged with assault (from ESPN) No matter how hard it is to be a Bills fan right now, at least we can be glad we aren't Dolfelon fans!

Parcells on his team's penalties From ESPN.COM - even a "legendary" coach like Bill Parcells can't seem to get his team to quit making dumb penalties. He chalks it up to a lack of concentration, and says he just doesn't know what else he can do to get his players to quit making so many dumb mistakes. Sounds like Joe Gibbs isn't having much better luck with the 'Skins this year, either. I blame it on video games ... kids grow up playing those things, and it affects their ability to focus/concentrate. But I don't think it's fair to blame the coaching staff for that. There is very little they can do about it - can't even fine the players, either during games or during practice, because of the CBA. Maybe Greggo had the right idea of making them run laps ....

"OGs Chris Villarrial (abdominal) and Mike Pucillo are listed as questionable. Both missed practice Wednesday after being hurt on Monday. " Down in the "notes" section .... Bledsoe, Bills unimpressed by new Belichick book Sure hope Villarrial's injury isn't too serious ... maybe this is just a "slight fabrication" for NE/Bilichek's benefit?? GO BILLS!!

Saw a quote from him sometime last week where he "definitely ruled himself out" for the NE game on Oct. 3. Haven't heard anything more recent than that. GO BILLS!