keepthefaith

Character alone won't get him traded but add to that lack of preparation, a lackadaisical attitude and inconsistent effort plus a jerk for an agent and you've got a trade recipe. I don't want to see him traded. I'd like to see Bills management and coaching get Willis on the right track, get him firmly plugged in, fired up and watch him run. The new regime has one year with the guy. Make it work, unless they're convinved that Willis can't/won't.

Briggs isn't going anywhere. When all of the emotion is gone in a few weeks, he'll accept the tag or they will do a new deal.

No, not without the vaunted Nick Saban.

Yes of course.

I doubt the Bears would have the slightest interest. Cedric Benson will be carrying the load.

Let me ask this question again. What makes people think that Ellison is a long term starting caliber LB? Sure he got some playing time last year which nobody really expected given where he was drafted, but has he really shown on the field that he can be a starter on a team with playoff ambitions?

Now that's funny!

Darned right. These players and their union agreed to a new contract last year that already pays them an inordinate portion of the TV revenue. The franchise tag is part of that agreement like it or not.

No, Rosco Parrish.

Marv said he wanted to bring in some competition for Willis. Imagine Travis being brought in to compete with Willis in a contract year. Talk about intense!

If Travis is 2nd tier, that would make Willis 3rd tier.

There would be no better competition for Willis than Travis. Imagine the motivation for both to win that starting job.

Exactly. His 2007 salary is $1 million according to a source. That's backup money. http://www.billszone.com/mtlog/archives/20...ry_cap_page.php

What's your point?

Hard to say if that was the front office strategy or not, but if nobody offers better than a 3rd, it certainly neuters Rosenhaus's position which is a beautiful thing in itself. Willis is just so used and misguided. From the baby mommas to the idiot "U" alumni and their arrogant off-season activities, the perceived lack of preparation by Willis, his awful public statements and the slick agent that allows his clients to be this way, Willis is under-achieving. This has all been said a thousand times on this board and elsewhere. Willis: Wake the hell up! Get rid of that agent and get your shyt together. It's not too late to turn it around and both you and the Bills benefit.

I like Thomas Jones more than any other back on this list. He plays very hard on every play and plays mistake free. He's a good locker room guy and stays healthy for the most part. Since leaving Arizona, he has about a 4.3 YPC average. Also a good receiver. Bears understand his value and won't give him away, but I'd replace Willis with him in a heartbeat.

I need some help here. Ellison is frequently mentioned in various posts as a guy we can expect to be a contributing starter. I would agree that based on where he was drafted, he exceeeded expectations last year. Heck, I doubt anyone expected him to play much at all. I didn't see much much last year in his play that would convince me that he can be a starting quality LB on a team with playoff ambitions. Disagree? Why? What makes you think he can get it done?

Plenty of time to fill out the roster before opening day, but at that time, every team in the league thinks they're a playoff team. The Bills to their credit have made an aggressive move to fix what looked like they're weakest area last season. Let's see what they do on the defensive side. LB looks thin to me. I'm not sold on any of them other than Crowell unless Spikes can regain his old form.

It 's a little premature to take this stance. Have you seen the opening day lineup for this upcoming season?

If you like the guy, sign him for more than a year. Especially at these numbers.

Good thing you don't work for me.

Wait, not so fast!

Heck, donate both of them!

I don't have a high opinion of Willis and I certainly don't know how the coaches feel about him, but I don't like the idea of letting him go. I think he has the talent to be a very good back. I think his attitude and maturity are questionable but also correctable. With some mentoring and some dedication on his part he might be great. He might figure this out in Buffalo or elsewhere and why not now as a Bill? Last year had to be a learning experience for him. He might respond well to that with some help. Bills have a lot invested in him. Seems silly to throw in the towel unless the coaches are convinced he can't/won't deliver on the field what they want. Otherwise, why not try to sign him to a cap friendly incentive laden extension?

I believe that when he says "we haven't been able to work out a long term deal", the whole story is that the Bills aren't inclined to even discuss it.