Nostradamus

Could you please clarify your statement? You heard the same thing, but NOT specifically Merriman? That wouldn't be the same thing then. And if Rob is right and speaking the truth, then how is he just trying to 'gin up attention' as opposed to reporting to us facts he knows to be true? And on a hopefully completely unrelated note, Merriman isn't practicing today, according to WGR.

You're right, but immigration officials/ border agents are a pretty covert group. For example, the Galea case (Tiger Woods doctor that was using a nurse to smuggle large quantities of drugs across the border) didn't break for about a year after it happened. For what it's worth, I work at the DA's office and haven't heard anything about this though. Then again, I've been on vacation for a week.

Not saying it's true or not, as I have no idea. But... if Merriman was found with suspected contraband, such as steroids, it's possible that he wasn't charged right away because authorities needed scientific confirmation, (lab analysis) to confirm the nature if the substance. Because steroids cases are very rare in Erie County, the Erie County lab is not equipped to do an analysis for steroids. Meaning, the substance would need to be sent to Olean for testing in the state lab. There is always a huge backlog at the state lab, and the expected turnaround time to get a lab result is usually... three weeks.

Ralph Wilson just saved a bunch of money on his car insurance by switching to Geico. Therefore, he is treating the whole team to dinner at the Olde Country Buffet to end training camp.

For those regretting we didn't sign Vick, he is a worthless dog killing scumbag. Goodell should not be interfering in player signing's, and it sets a very troublesome precedent. But, in this case, the ends justify the means. At the end of the day, these are real people representing our city and that we are cheering for. And I am glad that, in October, we won't be put in the position to cheer for the guy that electrocutes puppies. Instead, we'll be cheering for Shawn Merriman to break that dog killer's legs.

I think what the OP meant was that Kelsey excels when it comes to setting the edge. His fluid lateral movement was a primary reason why we were so efficient at stopping the run last year

The stat itself is disingenuous. Trent Edwards and the first two games of the season were so inept that they definitely dragged down the yearly offensive stats. The first game, I don't think we eclipsed 100 total yards. Further, Brohm's game in week 17 was similarly pathetic. If you took those three games out of the equation, the offense was pretty middle of the pack. With all players coming back, the unit becoming more accustomed to playing with one another, and the younger players having some time to develop, there is no reason to think this offense won't be vastly improved. Hopefully, they will be able to add a free agent or two to really make this an explosive unit.

I like Kaepernick. He is extremely athletic and has a great arm. He certainly needs to bulk up and work on his throwing motion, but he would be an excellent developmental project. His stock seems to be rising, and if the Bills really like him, they may have to grab him in the 2nd. He may not be there in the 3rd.

He threw an out pattern in his cameo appearance against the Jets that really caught my attention. It was about a 20 yard out to the sideline that he delivered with great velocity, good timing, and it was right on the money to the receiver as soon as he came out of his break. Yes, it was just one pass, but there are starters in the league that can't make that throw.

Sounds like he's about to pull a Columbine. They should up their security at One Bills Drive.

Not shopping Lynch is consistent with him running to the mic on draft day to announce his picks as soon as we were on the clock, and him stating he was sleeping for the start of free agency. Sometimes, it seems like he's treating the job like a senior citizen just having some fun at a part time gig after he's already retired. I don't mean that as a shot at his age, merely his work ethic.

They really aren't the same player. Orton is very accurate, and probably a better passer. Fitzpatrick has better intangibles and can read defenses better.

]Thought this was interesting.Not letting me post a link to my e-mail, so here is the body of an e-mail sent by Roger Goodell. With one of the most exciting regular seasons now completed and the playoffs about to begin, let me first thank you and all NFL fans for your incredible support. Many fans have been asking me where we stand on signing a new collective bargaining agreement with the players union. Let me update you and be clear at the outset: I know we can and will reach an agreement. My goal as Commissioner now is to help our teams and players find a solution that is fair to everyone and ensures that football becomes more popular, accessible, and fun. We want the next decade to be the best yet for our fans, and I’m ready to work day and night to make that happen. We've come a long way. Compare where we are today with 10 years ago. From player accountability to player safety, more and better television coverage, upgrading the in-stadium experience, innovations like the RedZone channel, the Draft in prime time and playing the Pro Bowl before the Super Bowl, we are focused on doing what’s best for the players, teams, and fans. My priority is and always will be the game and the fans who love our game. The NFL is great because fans care deeply about it. Economic conditions, however, have changed dramatically inside and outside the NFL since 2006 when we negotiated the last CBA. A 10 percent unemployment rate hurts us all. Fans have limited budgets and rightly want the most for their money. I get it. Yes, NFL players deserve to be paid well. Unfortunately, economic realities are forcing everyone to make tough choices and the NFL is no different. These are not easy negotiations, but the outcome can be positive. If both sides give a little, everyone, including fans, will get a lot and the game will improve through innovation. Even in difficult economic times, a new CBA presents us with the opportunity to secure the future of our game. You may ask how will the NFL look under this vision? A significant change would be to resolve fan complaints about preseason by modifying our 20-game format. Fans tell us they don’t like the quality of the preseason games, and we’re listening. An enhanced season of 18 regular season and two preseason games would not add a single game for the players collectively, but would give fans more meaningful, high-quality football. Our emphasis on player health and safety is absolutely essential to the future of our game. We are strictly enforcing rules that protect players from unnecessarily dangerous play, especially involving hits to the head. We are changing the “play through it” culture to a “player-first” culture to ensure that if a player has a head injury, he doesn’t play again until his health is certain. We are also addressing the potential wear-and-tear on players in the way they train in-season and off-season. It’s not just the health of players that concerns us. We must ensure the health of the league. That includes a new system that properly compensates proven veterans and retired players by shifting some of the outrageous sums paid to many unproven rookies. Earlier this year, Sports Illustrated published a list of the 50 highest-paid American athletes that included five 2009 NFL rookies. Every other athlete on the list was a proven veteran. In 2009, NFL clubs contracted $1.2 billion to 256 drafted rookies with $585 million guaranteed before they had stepped on an NFL field. Don’t get me wrong: top draft choices will continue to be highly paid. All we’re asking for is a return to common sense in paying our rookies. Other leagues have done this and we can too. These improvements and more will lead to better football, plain and simple. A forward looking CBA that is fair to players and clubs will lead to a great future for the NFL and our fans. My job is to represent the game — the fans, teams, players, coaches and business partners. Protecting the integrity of the game and ensuring it thrives is a responsibility I take very seriously. This is about more than a labor agreement. It’s about the future of the NFL. We have to improve and will be relentless in our quest. The commitment to our fans is to make the NFL experience even better in the years ahead. With a responsible CBA, we will fulfill that vision. Happy New Year and enjoy the playoffs. – Roger Goodell Not really sure why this was sent to my e-mail account, but it looks like the league wanted to convey their agenda to season ticket holders. Nothing we didn't know about Goodell's agenda, but I thought it interesting that he would send a mass media message such as this stating his terms of the new CBA. By putting things in writing such as the rookie pay scale and the expanded 18 game season, he seems to be stating that these terms will now be non-negotiable. And of course, the inevitable spin that these moves are being done for the benefit of the fans, which is in direct response to the player's union's spin that the union's primary concern is that the vendors and "little people" won't be adversely affected by the work stoppage. By Goodell sending this out, to me it means one of two things. 1. He is drawing the battlelines with the union by stating that these terms are non-negotiable, and taking a hardline stance that could either push the union to bargain OR alienate the union so that a deal becomes more difficult. 2. A deal is within striking distance, and he sent the message to foreshadow to fans the terms of the new CBA.

These last two weeks have been disgraceful, and have negated any kind of belief that this team has made any real improvement this year.

Rarely do I post in this forum, but this is too good to pass up. Check out these two links, concerning the same judge. This is a murder case where he imposes sentence. And here is how he treats the far more serious crime of... Yawning!!

True... but you are assuming Evans would have gotten off the line as well as the other receivers did, or that New England would have been playing the same coverage against Evans. They probably wouldn't have. The corner would probably have been playing off of Evans so that he could turn and run with him once Evans began to go deep. Belichick has never had any difficulty taking Evans out of the game. Again, to think it would have been any different today is dubious. These young receivers are flashing a lot of potential. They all seem to share the ability to get open, a skill that, despite Evans world class speed, seems to have eluded him over the past two seasons.

Jones, Roosevelt, and Johnson did have steps on their defensive backs. For whatever reason, Fitzpatrick just could not deliver the ball accurately today. To say that Evans, who routinely disappears against New England, would have blown by their backs for touchdowns today is guesswork at best. If anything, I thought the play of the wideouts was the lone bright spot of the day.

This is easily Gailey's worst coaching game of the season. For all the credit he's received of late, this is awful.

Knowing Chris Brown a little bit, I think it was an innocuous comment. Trust me, noone would ever confuse Chris Brown with a Harvard graduate. Also, while I would agree with your general sentiment about this country and it's ever growing lack of regard for intellect as opposed to more contemporary traits, I think Brown's statement makes sense in the context of NFL football. He doesn't make intellectualism sound like a negative trait (though he certainly doesn't sound like he's endorsing it either.) Instead, he seems to criticize the idea of intellectual arrogance, or acting like one is better than other people because they are smarter. To that end, I would agree with him that being blessed with any trait does not make one superior to anyone else, whether that's intellect or athletic ability, Specifically, in the context of NFL football, a macho culture where intellectualism is so de-prioritized, Fitzpatrick would not garner the respect of his teammates if he were to walk around and call people stupid because they do not know the works of Tolstoy or Joyce.

Kelsey has rebounded extremely well since he switched back to defensive end. I would say the two are comparable in terms of their value to the team. They are both average to slightly above average players when put in their natural positions. Apparently, they both possess similar leadership qualities. I would be shocked if Whitner hits the open market and makes anywhere close to what he thinks he should get.

Speaking for myself, I was very supportive of Johnson after 'the drop.' In Johnson, I see a developing receiver who has a gift for getting open. He might not have the athleticism to be a top tier number 1 wide receiver, but he is certainly the best one we have right now. In Evans, I see a wide receiver whose skill set is eroding. He seems to be the one receiver who has NOT earned the trust of Fitzpatrick because of his complete lack of competitive drive. This is evidenced by Evans not coming back for footballs, not laying out, or not competing for footballs in tight spots. At this point, Evans seems to be a remnant of a failed regime. He seems to be a Donahoe/jauron guy. I'd have no problem if the Bills cut him outright, so long as they grabbed a speedster in either free agency or the draft that could stretch defenses.

It's a total of 8 million for the next two seasons. That is not peanuts. That's money that could be used to either 1. Put towards Poz's long term contract. 2. Lock up Stevie Johnson, a up and comer who is decidedly better than Evans at this point in their careers. Further, I think his cap hit will be 8-9 million, assuming there is a salary cap next year. There is a tangible benefit to letting Evans go at this point, as he appears not to be part of the teams future plans. Letting him go will give the Bills the resources to lock up the players that are.

Fitz is doing this without a true number 1 receiver. While this move would be extremely unpopular, I can't help but think that if they grabbed AJ Green 1st round, added a good right tackle via either free agency or the draft, locked up Stevie Johnson, and developed Spiller, this offense would be a top 10 NFL offense for the foreseeable future.

Skelton played his college ball at Fordham, a DII program. Hall played in a pro style offense at BYU. Skelton was drafted as a project. It's way too early to say whether Skelton is going to be a player in the league or not. I guess you could say the same thing about Levi Brown, but I thought Brown looked awful in the preseason.

I think we can all infer what you are suggesting, so you might as well play that card, even though it's absolutely ludicrous. The fact is Lee's production has dropped DRAMATICALLY ever since he inked that huge contract after having an excellent beginning to the 2008 season. It's also true that Solomon Wilcox last week, the 'wealthy' TV broadcaster, twice pointed out that Evans appeared afraid to go after the football. Being afraid to get hit is probably the single most on-field action that a player can do to alienate a fan base. The anger is aggravated when the gutless football player is one of he highest paid players in the NFL. This team has been inept offensively ever since he arrived, until this year where he has taken a back seat to Johnson and Parrish. He has been one of the constants in a decade of futility, and to that end, many Bills fans are frustrated and actually want a legitimate number one receiver on the team. Meaning, a number one that can do more then run a fly route. Or, a number one that isn't afraid to go after the football or go across, God forbid, the middle of the field. But, hey, maybe we just don't like him because he is 'wealthy.'