Matt in KC

Unfortunately, this isn't my strong suit, remembering the specifics from a single viewing (especially a year after the fact). I remember him being slow to diagnose what was going on and not very strong. I didn't see any "flashes" from either of these rookies (Williams, Meeks). I think a year of NFL training and the inevitable "slowing down of the game" will both help him. I just haven't seen any plays that show those yet. I'm eager to hear reports from training camp and see for myself in preseason. I'm fine with being patient with young players. I just haven't seen him look like he was ready to be even a decent starting DB. That's why I'm surprised at the mentions of him as a starter. That's a big jump!

I really hope Duke Williams has made the jump. From what I saw, neither he nor Meeks looked at all ready to be on the field in a real game last year, though I think he did come in for a handful of plays. I've heard a lot of people say he's competing for the starting job, but beyond stating the obvious (everyone is competing for playing time at their position), and maybe some encouraging rhetoric forf a young player, I don't see it at all. With the number of DBs on each team, the average length of contracts, and the failure of some players to develop, you just have to keep feeding the DB "funnel" to line up new players.

Ditto. And I find the suggestions that Marshall, an out-and-out racist, somehow meant the name as an honor, and therefore the offense is negated, to be laughable.

I'm curious if Easley makes the team just as a special teamer. He was great as a gunner; we just needed another one like him coming from the left. . . . Who do you think should be our primary and back-up punt returners? McKelvin made me nervous back there last year, and I'm not "sold" on him, but would be fine with him in a back-up role.

Great point. My personal opinion is that EJ needs more "vanilla" defense until he settles down and builds up his confidence in himself and his offensive teammates. I thought we suffered recently from being too vanilla (under Jauron I believe) to the opposite extreme where we looked completely unprepared to handle anything exotic week 1. So there is a balance. . . .

That was perfect. ...except the picture should have had a tear dropping from its eye.

I think he was telling them he was a good person. . . .

Kelley $5 Fred & CJ $2 Reed $5 Chandler $1 Bruce $5 Pat Williams $2 Fletcher, Spikes, Posey $2 Clements $2 Byrd $3 ---------- At First I thought you had to field a whole team until I did the math and realized you'd have to average under $2 per selection. On my first run, this is as far as I could squeeze without feeling like I was making a mistake trading someone out: Flutie $1 Jackson Spiller $2 Lofton $3 Dubenion $2 Chandler $1 Bruce $5 Hansen $1 Pat Williams $2 Dareus $1 Fletcher, Spikes, Posey $2 Winfield $4 Clements $2 Byrd $3 Smith $1

This is very close to my view on the RB/FB situation. What I want to know is if Brown can effectively follow a fullback. It has looked to me like Fred can, and Spiller really can't. If Summers beats Dixon, I have to think it's by being a better pure FB. I really liked Summers when he got the ball last year, it just sounds, from the little info I have read, like Dixon is better at catching the ball, being a RB if needed, and also can play STs.

I don't get this thinking. Robey was the best slot corner we've had in years. I think he played better than McKelvin most games last year. If he can keep playing at or above the level he ended last year, I absolutely want him on the field.

Of course you're right on the sacks. Really the Dolphins looked every bit as bad as I'm saying he looked good. Still he took the right speed/angle and closed the deal every time. If it was 2 plays, I'd discount it, but he had something like 6-7 big impact plays.

I just re-watched that game Wednesday. I've heard a lot of people talk about great players taking a team "on their back" and carrying them. Yes, many other players had good games too, but Robey was on fire. I don't remember ever seeing another nickel cornerback making that kind of (positive) impact on a game.

Great idea! I would definitely send a message to the Bills. I'd think this would be a no-brainer way to do some good, and get some good cheap PR. I'd bid on a Sammy Watkins rookie contract signing pen!

I bet Bill in NYC is pretty happy too (as am I)!

So we've taken a step toward a Star Trek the Next Generation-like tolerant future... or the Apocalypse is approaching!

I know this isn't a thread about the below, but it's an interesting question, so I'm going to answer it here. Offense No one Defense Aaron Williams Dareus Branch McKelvin Special Teams Marcus Easley Opinion: Our offense was more conservative with our read-and-react play designs that diminished the play-design advantages we had under Gailey, but reduced the amount savvy coaches like Belicheck could take advantage of predictable play-calls etc.. This might have been what we needed to help a new QB, but I thought it was much more boring. Credit: ? no one? Our defensive plays benefited from more aggressive high-risk/high-reward play calls. While our results were mixed, this was much more entertaining! McKelvin and Williams looked comfortable for the first time I remember seeing. Credit: DB coach, Pettine Special Teams - Looked bad. Easley was the lone bright spot in a disappointing unit. Credit: Marcus Easley

I agree! He looked more comfortable throwing downfield to WRs in stride than I've seen in a Bills game since Losman/Evans. I'd love to see him throw to Goodwin, and Watkins.

"CMac" is gone. Substitute in "Frank Summers," who I really like, and I agree.

All money a team pays has to count against their cap, it's just a question of what year/s it hits. Base salary hits the year it is paid against the team that pays it; bonuses are allocated across the full contract. This (bonuses paid) is why cutting a player causes a cap hit: there was money paid that has not yet been applied to the cap. Question 1: Does he really have $10M we paid in bonuses that hasn't been applied to our cap? Holy crap! Question 2: Does anyone know the rule for when dead money can be applied across 2 years? I know it (likely) doesn't apply here, it's just the part I keep forgetting.

Blech Rpts base URL + /articles/2003927-nfl-compensatory-picks-2014-rules-formula-explanation-and-latest-projections/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League_draft#Compensatory_picks/

Bravo!

I bet they would have given a 3rd round pick this year for Stevie!

I thought it was for a fourth THIS year when I first reacted. I'm not as excited about a new 4th next year, but I do think he was scheduled to make too much. It just seems to me like he's starting to succumb to the injuries you see as guys get older. I would have guessed he'd be active ~10 games if he stayed a Bill this year. Good luck out there, Steve. Thanks for all the entertainment!

Excellent if true! And that's not a jab at Stevie, who I love and wish the best for.

1200 yards and 12 touchdowns (75 yards and 0.75 TD per game)? Be the difference maker in 2 games The above in his rookie year should shut people up (though of course won't for everyone).