Schobel leaning more towards coming back...

[sllib olaffub]

I know there was a similar post just closed - but on BuffaloRumblings they are suggesting just that - Schobel now closer to returning than retiring. It doesn't surprise me - because if he wanted to retire, he'd probably have done it much sooner. Why wait until training camp and beyond, especially when there's a new defense to learn, when coming to camp late would only, most likely, prevent him from starting. To me, it is a dramatic difference between our LB corp with Shobel and without him. I'd like to see if he can adjust to it. Certainly, if they shift from 3-4 to 4-3 out of the 3-4 allignment, pre-snap, then he'd be a good DE candidate to line up anywhere - certainly the opposition's O-line would have to account for him.

So, is it a better unit, 3-4, with him, or is he not really suited for it?

[DrFishfinder]

He's trying to out-Favre, Favre.

[Hossage]

Maybe he is playing it very close and nobody else has taken him. That is a lot of money to leave on the table. Aaron told me he was retiring last november. My dad didn't believe him. I did. He is usually right, and I am usually wrong.

[Haven Moses]

he wants a trade

[Maddog69]

He wants to play. He just does not want to play here and he simply does not want to come right out and demand a trade, because he does not want to seem like a jerk to the fans and team who have supported him.

It seems to me that he is trying to do the right thing. He wants to play closer to his home but he does not want to demand a trade publicly. The Bills should (and may already have been) be looking to see if Houston, Dallas or TN has interest in trading for him. It is unlikely, but it is worth a chance. Otherwise, just release him and let him get on with his life. He really isn't in the longterm plans for the team anyway. Just move on.

[K Gun Special]

He wants to play. He just does not want to play here and he simply does not want to come right out and demand a trade, because he does not want to seem like a jerk to the fans and team who have supported him.

It seems to me that he is trying to do the right thing. He wants to play closer to his home but he does not want to demand a trade publicly. The Bills should (and may already have been) be looking to see if Houston, Dallas or TN has interest in trading for him. It is unlikely, but it is worth a chance. Otherwise, just release him and let him get on with his life. He really isn't in the longterm plans for the team anyway. Just move on.

 

 

if he doesnt show he doesnt get paid, my understanding is if you release him he still has a cap hit so that idea is no good.

[sllib olaffub]

I don't know how the contract situation works - but, it seems like if wanted to play for another team - if he was free to sign with anyone, there'd be a bunch of teams looking to get him - so, it seems like we don't want to let him go for nothing, and that leaves another team giving us something for him, or him trying to adapt to an OLB role. I can see the Bills not wanting to just give him away, when there'd be a line of teams looking to pick him up. It's a tough situation. I'd still like to see how he could play at OLB. He's what, 265 lbs or so?

[oak tree 12]

He wants to play. He just does not want to play here and he simply does not want to come right out and demand a trade, because he does not want to seem like a jerk to the fans and team who have supported him.

It seems to me that he is trying to do the right thing. He wants to play closer to his home but he does not want to demand a trade publicly. The Bills should (and may already have been) be looking to see if Houston, Dallas or TN has interest in trading for him. It is unlikely, but it is worth a chance. Otherwise, just release him and let him get on with his life. He really isn't in the longterm plans for the team anyway. Just move on.

 

you are a moron he is our best defensive player,go root for another team!

[Ghost of Rob Johnson]

He wants to play. He just does not want to play here and he simply does not want to come right out and demand a trade, because he does not want to seem like a jerk to the fans and team who have supported him.

It seems to me that he is trying to do the right thing. He wants to play closer to his home but he does not want to demand a trade publicly. The Bills should (and may already have been) be looking to see if Houston, Dallas or TN has interest in trading for him. It is unlikely, but it is worth a chance. Otherwise, just release him and let him get on with his life. He really isn't in the longterm plans for the team anyway. Just move on.

Negative, you don't give up assets for free.

[Hplarrm]

He has Brett Favre disease.

 

Wait him out and if he wants multi-million dollars then he will have to be a Bill, if not then maybe his entry on the Wall of Fame is the next time we think about him.

 

If he does come back then I put him in at LB.

 

He demonstrated with the zone blitz that even with small DE weight he could pass cover in the middle zone and sometimes even did some deep zone work on a short field in the endzone. Get him to peel a few more pounds so he can do the full pass coverage duties of an LB and as an OLB in a 3-4 he can do his Bryce Paup imitation doing the pass rush. Maybin gets to back him up and learn from him.

[Doc]

Someone on another board said he was on his way to Rochester prior what BR wrote. Take it FWIW.

[....lybob]

He doesn't want to be traded, he wants to be cut because he'd have more negotiating power as a free agent- and he has some leverage to get cut, he is scheduled to make around 8mil and I don't see him as worth that in a new position and not wanting to play here. My prediction he shows up, stinks gets cut goes to the Texans and plays as a pass rush specialist for two years.

[Ramius]

Schobel isn't pulling a favre at all. He's not makign a scene or spectacle, and from all reports, the Bills were aware of what's been going with him. He's nto hanging us out to dry. He's simply taking his time.

 

Also, for guys that have played ball all their life, when this time of year comes around, football is all they know. Schobel has probably been prepping for football season at this time of year for the last 25 years of his life. Its gotta be tough to simply stop, and it doesn't surprise me that he might get the urge to come back and play 1 more year.

 

If he does, the defense is better for it.

[FLFan]

Frankly, I am tired of the Aron Schobel Show. He has been a decent player for the Bills, but this maybe I will, maybe I won't act has been going on for several years now. He does not warrant any special treatment. The Bills have handled this correctly so far in my opinion. If he wants to retire - great - good luck and thanks for the memories. If you want to play football (and collect $8 mill) show up. No special rules. Personally, I would rather see a fully committed, perhaps less accomplished, player in his spot than a guy who only shows up when has to to collect the paycheck. Time to move on.

[The Dean]

Schobel isn't pulling a favre at all. He's not makign a scene or spectacle, and from all reports, the Bills were aware of what's been going with him. He's nto hanging us out to dry. He's simply taking his time.

 

Also, for guys that have played ball all their life, when this time of year comes around, football is all they know. Schobel has probably been prepping for football season at this time of year for the last 25 years of his life. Its gotta be tough to simply stop, and it doesn't surprise me that he might get the urge to come back and play 1 more year.

 

If he does, the defense is better for it.

 

 

Agreed.

[rockpile]

you are a moron he is our best defensive player,go root for another team!

 

Ah, what a great comeback. I would love to see Schobel come back to the Bills. He is the #2 DE the Bills have ever had, using stats as the barometer. I can also see why he might not want to return AND why he would not to offend his fans. He has been the 'constant' in a decade of chaos.

 

The Bills would be doing him a favor to trade him, if that is what he desired. I do not know him so I cannot say.

 

I am a moron and will go cheer for the Texans now. Thanks for the advice.

[billsfan89]

Bottom-line Schobel is 32 going on 33 not that old for the NFL he has about 6+ million due to him plus too you only have so many years that you can physically play in the NFL why not play another year get the big pay check and pad your resume.

 

Its a new system that he has to learn but he would still be the best pass rusher on the team and a lot of players have reinvented themselves and had good years into their 30's by converting from 4-3 DE to 3-4 OLB. If Schobel plays another year gets lets say 6-8 sacks he has to be considered to get his number retired by the team. He would have a total of 85ish sacks all with the team and 10 years of playing as well.

 

Also if he could hang on for two more seasons and get 15-17 sacks (Which playing till 34 wouldn't be that implausible) he could be close to a 100 sacks all with the Bills. Not saying if he hangs on for another season or two he would be a HOFer BUT he could go down as a very good Buffalo Bill (Only way he gets HOF consideration is if he hangs on for 3 more years and has 10+ sack seasons each year and gets well above the 100 sack mark which isn't going to happen very few guys can play at that kind of level into their mid 30's).

[VADC Bills]

I think he is going through Michael Strahan, Brett Farve syndrome....he just does not feel like going through OTA's and training camp. As you get older it just doesn't get easier. I think he will be back shortly before the preseason games start.

[Doc]

I'd rather have Schobel playing for the Bills than not. And it's not like the money saved would be going to anyone else.

[Malazan]

I don't have any special knowledge or indight, but my own view is that's it's a fairly straight forward situation.

 

Schobel wants to play for a team closer to his home in Texas. He also wants special privileges and gave the Bills an ultimatum. They can let him be a ghost and 'show up on Sundays' or he doesn't want to play for Buffalo.

 

He wants to be released or cut so he is a free agent. The Bills aren't going to do that. No team will trade for him given the circumstances.

 

He has the option to retire and 'get on with his life'.

 

Aaron Schobel is the one choosing to drag this out. He is the one waffling. He wants that money and will likely show up when all is said and done. He expected another Jauronesque season where he could dictate his terms to the team like player got used to doing. That was not the case and now that the 8 million is on the line, he's shown his position.

 

Please, Schobel, just retire already.

[Spiderweb]

He wants to play. He just does not want to play here and he simply does not want to come right out and demand a trade, because he does not want to seem like a jerk to the fans and team who have supported him.

It seems to me that he is trying to do the right thing. He wants to play closer to his home but he does not want to demand a trade publicly. The Bills should (and may already have been) be looking to see if Houston, Dallas or TN has interest in trading for him. It is unlikely, but it is worth a chance. Otherwise, just release him and let him get on with his life. He really isn't in the longterm plans for the team anyway. Just move on.

 

If he really wanted to be traded to a team in his backyard, he should have shut his mouth about his feigned "retirement". He lessened his trade value considerably with his retiring, but it's up the Buffalo routine. I say screw him if we have to eat his cap hit anyway.

[Spiderweb]

Schobel isn't pulling a favre at all. He's not makign a scene or spectacle, and from all reports, the Bills were aware of what's been going with him. He's nto hanging us out to dry. He's simply taking his time.

 

Also, for guys that have played ball all their life, when this time of year comes around, football is all they know. Schobel has probably been prepping for football season at this time of year for the last 25 years of his life. Its gotta be tough to simply stop, and it doesn't surprise me that he might get the urge to come back and play 1 more year.

 

If he does, the defense is better for it.

 

 

Excuse me, but his "retirement" did hang the Bills out to dry. It destroyed his trade value.........

[GR8PRKN]

Schobel isn't pulling a favre at all. He's not makign a scene or spectacle, and from all reports, the Bills were aware of what's been going with him. He's nto hanging us out to dry. He's simply taking his time.

 

Also, for guys that have played ball all their life, when this time of year comes around, football is all they know. Schobel has probably been prepping for football season at this time of year for the last 25 years of his life. Its gotta be tough to simply stop, and it doesn't surprise me that he might get the urge to come back and play 1 more year.

 

If he does, the defense is better for it.

 

Ditto Good Post... I hope he comes back...

[Doc]

If he wants to play, he'll play for the Bills or be traded for decent compensation. And from his remarks, it looks like staying home with the wifey got boring and/or annoying to one or both. Not to mention he's leaving a lot of money on the table.

[C.Biscuit97]

If I could skip all OTAs and still get paid $6 million, I'd do it in a heartbeat. for whatever reason, some Bills hate on Schobel. He is probably our 2nd best DE besides Bruce. If he can come back and make our defense better, what's the harm? But he needs to earn his spot.

[NewEra]

you are a moron he was our best defensive player,go root for another team!

 

fixed

[Niagara Bill]

Work his a?? off in 2 a days then cut him.

He is a terrible team guy who forgot how to work hard.

He will never learn the new system.

[C.Biscuit97]

Work his a?? off in 2 a days then cut him.

He is a terrible team guy who forgot how to work hard.

He will never learn the new system.

 

Come on man. All that matters if the guy produces on the field. He missed voluntary activities. If he can give you 10+ sacks, why get rid of that? It's not high school football. The only thing that matters is results.

 

That said, he should come in at the bottom of the depth chart and have to work his way up.

[Chalkie Gerzowski]

He might be getting the urge to play just cause training camp is starting up. Obviously he's indecisive. Another week or two he may finally be ready to walk away from the game for good.

[reddogblitz]

I hope he comes back and starts at DE. He's awesome there. No sense trying to teach an old dog new tricks (position).

 

Line him up on the end, pin his ears back, and let him reak havoc on the opponents QBs like he's done for the last 10 years or so.

[C.Biscuit97]

I hope he comes back and starts at DE. He's awesome there. No sense trying to teach an old dog new tricks (position).

 

Line him up on the end, pin his ears back, and let him reak havoc on the opponents QBs like he's done for the last 10 years or so.

 

A 3-4 DE is much different than a 4-3 DE. A 3-4 DE is much more like a 4-3 DT. It is very hard to get sacks as a 3-4 DE. That said, if AS has the mobility, it is easier to get sacks at 3-4OLB. Whether he has the ability, we will see.

[TheChimp]

Has he practiced at all with the team this offseason? How out of shape will we allow the dude to be when and if he decides finally that he wants to play???

[kota]

So many assumptions that are most likely wrong.

[buffalonian]

I hope he comes back. He is one of our best players and certainly makes the defense better. We need good players; he fits that bill (sorry for the pun).

[Carolina Transplant]

The main I thing I worry about with a high motor defender like Schobel, is injury if he does come back. Without OTA's and training camp someone like him will be very prone to injury, or should I say even more prone than he already is.

[yall]

Schobel isn't pulling a favre at all. He's not makign a scene or spectacle, and from all reports, the Bills were aware of what's been going with him. He's nto hanging us out to dry. He's simply taking his time.

 

Also, for guys that have played ball all their life, when this time of year comes around, football is all they know. Schobel has probably been prepping for football season at this time of year for the last 25 years of his life. Its gotta be tough to simply stop, and it doesn't surprise me that he might get the urge to come back and play 1 more year.

 

If he does, the defense is better for it.

 

Great post.

 

Now please go back to your old avatar.

[apuszczalowski]

I'm just going to throw this out there, and I'm probably wrong seeing as how we have so many of Aarons close and personel confidents around here that he has told his plans too that he hasn't told the Bills yet..........

 

But maybe, at his age and years of playing in the NFL, he is serious contimplating retiring before his body forces him to leave the game. Not all guys can play forever, and maybe he would rather not put his body through more of the beating it takes on Sundays.

 

Apparently where he lives right now is hours away from Houston and would involve him having a long drive to get to practice and games so its not going to be easier for him playing there. Just cause he lives in Texas, and Houston is in Texas, doesn't mean that he is next door to the stadium. I may be less familiar to the American Geography, but I believe Texas is one of the US's biggest states.

 

If anything, he may just be wanting to sit out the camps prior to actual training camp so he doesn't have to go through the extra workouts that as a veteran he probably doesn't need. Just because the Bills are saying they have no idea what he is planning to do does it mean they really have no idea like all of us.

[sharper802]

he wants a trade

Which current Bill wouldn't want a trade?

[sharper802]

The main I thing I worry about with a high motor defender like Schobel, is injury if he does come back. Without OTA's and training camp someone like him will be very prone to injury, or should I say even more prone than he already is.

What possible medical evidence can you give that missing OTA's makes him more likely to get injured????

When has Schobel ever been accused of showing up out of shape?

The only thing he can be accused of is being too small to play DE and that has nothing to do with training camp or OTA's.

 

Schobel will return during camp and will be the starting OLB.

[WickedGame]

He's trying to out-Favre, Favre.

 

Quote of the day. Actually, I think I'm going to use this out of context as often as possible.