Beerball Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 link I'm not sure that $2.5M is a desperate act, much less than they've thrown at some less than stellar o-linemen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yall Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 (edited) With the way our D played last year, shouldn't they be desperate? Frankly, it's fairly low risk with a lot of potential upside. Edited July 12, 2011 by yall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DDD Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 Bucky Brooks is lousy reporter offering very little new insight into the draft and current players. Merriman may be a flop but I think Nix is taking a justifiable risk on a player that just a few years ago (and pre-steroid testing) was a playmaker. Now, re-signing Kelsay to that absurd extension is the type of move that should get a GM fired. Just sayin' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1B4IDie Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 With the way our D played last year, shouldn't they be desperate? Frankly, it's fairly low risk with a lot of potential upside. The article is nonsense, Highlighted by this sentence: Yes. In fact, the team is so committed to the idea of Merriman returning as a full force it signed him to a two-year, incentive-based deal that could average $9.25 million annually, with $2.5 million guaranteed in the first year of the deal. That's a lot of coin for a player who has suited up for only 18 games over the past three seasons due to an assortment of knee, ankle and calf injuries. So if he reaches the incentives of 9.25 million that he would in fact not be "done." If he doesn't reach the incentives then it's not a lot of coin. If it wasn't the Bills the article could read, "Bills GM makes shrewd move in signing Merriman. Merriman has to prove it on the field in order to see the money on payday." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDaDdy Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 link I'm not sure that $2.5M is a desperate act, much less than they've thrown at some less than stellar o-linemen. I've been saying this since day one. I was honestly in doubt that he would ever play a regular season down for us. He may actually get on the field before getting cut but it is likely he will play and be ineffective. I can't believe that not many people think about it but what has Merriman done since his injuries and getting off the juice???? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING IN THE LAST 3 YEARS!!! He has been done for a long time. He and Buddy just haven't realized it yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homey D. Clown Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 How some of these guys get a gig writing articles is mind boggling. I know there isn't much to write about right now, but I wasted my time reading what amounted to blatantly biased opinion. The internet has definitely watered down the quality of journalism, and this article is a prime example of someone writing an article based solely on a conversation he probably had with someone standing next to him at the urinals. Seriously mind boggling... Bucky has my mind sufficiently boggled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDaDdy Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 How some of these guys get a gig writing articles is mind boggling. I know there isn't much to write about right now, but I wasted my time reading what amounted to blatantly biased opinion. The internet has definitely watered down the quality of journalism, and this article is a prime example of someone writing an article based solely on a conversation he probably had with someone standing next to him at the urinals. Seriously mind boggling... Bucky has my mind sufficiently boggled. What in Merriman's performance in the last 3 years gives you optimism? Love your signature by the way. Dareus hasn't played a down yet but so far Carolina is my second favorite team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 If Merriman produces, is it still an act of desperation? As for Bucky Brooks, what a waste of a 2nd round pick that guy was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfreak Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 I've been saying this since day one. I was honestly in doubt that he would ever play a regular season down for us. He may actually get on the field before getting cut but it is likely he will play and be ineffective. I can't believe that not many people think about it but what has Merriman done since his injuries and getting off the juice???? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING IN THE LAST 3 YEARS!!! He has been done for a long time. He and Buddy just haven't realized it yet. I have been saying the same thing also, why give him the extension at all? You are right, since his injuries started and his suspension for using the juice, he hasn't even been a shadow of the player he was the first couple seasons in the NFL. Alot of people call the millions they gave him "low risk", but we all know how few players Ralph is willing to give that much money to, so why give it to someone who can never get on the field. How many millions did the Bills pay him last year, for what? 10 minutes of practice time? The only reason he is here is because Buddy claims to have had a hand in drafting him, well it is a good thing Buddy wasn't in San Diego when they drafted Ryan Leaf or he might be here too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDaDdy Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 I have been saying the same thing also, why give him the extension at all? You are right, since his injuries started and his suspension for using the juice, he hasn't even been a shadow of the player he was the first couple seasons in the NFL. Alot of people call the millions they gave him "low risk", but we all know how few players Ralph is willing to give that much money to, so why give it to someone who can never get on the field. How many millions did the Bills pay him last year, for what? 10 minutes of practice time? The only reason he is here is because Buddy claims to have had a hand in drafting him, well it is a good thing Buddy wasn't in San Diego when they drafted Ryan Leaf or he might be here too. The planets must surely be aligned Billsfreak. We actually seem to agree 100% on something. It might also have been a PR move as much of a long long long shot signing to make it look like we can still get a "big name", if not big performance, player on occasion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homey D. Clown Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 What in Merriman's performance in the last 3 years gives you optimism? Love your signature by the way. Dareus hasn't played a down yet but so far Carolina is my second favorite team. I'm not optimistic really, I just didn't care for the amount of negative bias he showed in his article. Basically, it's much easier to write an article based on recent historical performances, rather that speculate on the possibility of him returning to some level of previous form. Then, he might be wrong, and everyone who writes about sports these days write as if they're never wrong, because if they're articles tend to be, then media masses won't think much of their opinion. It was a lame-ass weak minded approach to something that will probably come true anyway, and instead of being objective, he can say "I told you so Bills fans" And thanks on the sig comment, I was shaking in my boots thinking the Bills might have gotten stuck with Vince Young Part 2... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpberr Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 I'm in the camp of Wait and See. The contract is friendly to the franchise. He'll either earn all that money or he won't. The thing about the article is that it's based off a Matt Williamson chat on ESPN. Considering there's been no OTAs or Training Camp, I'm not sure how or where Williamson or ESPN is watching Merriman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDaDdy Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 I'm not optimistic really, I just didn't care for the amount of negative bias he showed in his article. Basically, it's much easier to write an article based on recent historical performances, rather that speculate on the possibility of him returning to some level of previous form. Then, he might be wrong, and everyone who writes about sports these days write as if they're never wrong, because if they're articles tend to be, then media masses won't think much of their opinion. It was a lame-ass weak minded approach to something that will probably come true anyway, and instead of being objective, he can say "I told you so Bills fans" And thanks on the sig comment, I was shaking in my boots thinking the Bills might have gotten stuck with Vince Young Part 2... I guess you could take exception with the tone or the writing style but I still think his assessment is right on the money. I think he relied on a little sensationalism to try to drive home a rather obvious point that people seem to be ignoring. I will honestly be shocked and happy if Merriman makes any significant contribution on the field. My best and wildest hope is that he is as good as a Chris Kelsay. A no name plugger that just occupies space but does not shine in any way. By the way. The Broncos are my 3rd favorite team now. Light in the pants Von Miller might have been ok too but Darues is the huge athletic presence that our undersized and slow defense needs. I'm in the camp of Wait and See. The contract is friendly to the franchise. He'll either earn all that money or he won't. The thing about the article is that it's based off a Matt Williamson chat on ESPN. Considering there's been no OTAs or Training Camp, I'm not sure how or where Williamson or ESPN is watching Merriman. Buddy wasn't here to make the call but the thing with Ralph that kills me is that he took a few million dollar flier on a has been like Merriman but he won't pay an extra million to renegotiate and resign a proven probowler. Just doesn't make sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Senator Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 (edited) Well the article is total crap, and Bucky Brooks is certainly total crap, but the guy does know a thing or two about busts... Bucky Brooks Drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 1994 NFL Draft, Bucky Brooks played for five different teams (Buffalo, Jacksonville, Green Bay, Kansas City and Oakland) in five NFL seasons. After his playing career was over in 1999, Brooks joined the Seattle Seahawks' pro personnel department as a regional college scout. He served in the same capacity for the Carolina Panthers from 2003-07, before joining CNNSI.com as a football analyst. He joined NFL.com in 2009. So after being drafted #48 overall in 1994, dude played for 5 teams in 5 years (primarily as a kick returner), then a couple of years each with both Seattle then Carolina as a regional college scout, then couldn't get another scouting gig for 2 years - and apparently didn't quite pan out at Sports Illustrated either - so ended up joining NFL.com as a blogger... Bucky Brooks was the Bills' second-round pick out of North Carolina in the 1994 NFL Draft, chosen No. 48 overall. (Jeff Burris was the team's first-round pick that year.) A speedy receiver with kick return ability, Brooks clearly did not pan out as a selection. He never caught an NFL pass, spent just one year in Buffalo, and then bounced around between Jacksonville, Green Bay, Kansas City and Oakland as a return specialist and defensive back until 1998, when his NFL career came to a close. (Link - Bills Draft Busts, No. 9: WR Bucky Brooks) I think what Nix did with the Merriman situation was appropriate - if he does return to pre-injury form, we have a 27-year-old 3-time Pro-Bowl OLB and dominant pass-rusher. If not, I see little downside to the deal Nix structured - we've certainly spent more than $2.5M on players that didn't pan out. Bucky must have been under a deadline to fill some column space when he filed that one... 19 and 0 baby!!! . Edited July 12, 2011 by The Senator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDaDdy Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 (edited) I see little downside to the deal Nix structured - we've certainly spent more than $2.5M on players that didn't pan out. 19 and 0 baby!!! That amount of money is the difference between resigning a probowler or trying to replace them with an undrafted free agent. That amount of money is the difference between bringing in an impact free agent and a guy that just holds a roster spot that will disappoint and be released in 2 or 3 years. Big picture man. That is the downside. Bucky Brookes sucked as a player. Ya. So what? What bearing does that have on his opinion as a football analyst? ....NONE!!! Edited July 12, 2011 by PDaDdy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerme1 Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 This again huh? The signing is a good thing for the Bills. Low risk high reward and if the cheatriots signed him to this deal Bucky Brooks would likely be saying it was a great signing. Screw him. Play football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 (edited) I have been saying the same thing also, why give him the extension at all? You are right, since his injuries started and his suspension for using the juice, he hasn't even been a shadow of the player he was the first couple seasons in the NFL. Alot of people call the millions they gave him "low risk", but we all know how few players Ralph is willing to give that much money to, so why give it to someone who can never get on the field. How many millions did the Bills pay him last year, for what? 10 minutes of practice time? The only reason he is here is because Buddy claims to have had a hand in drafting him, well it is a good thing Buddy wasn't in San Diego when they drafted Ryan Leaf or he might be here too. Seems to me you're completely undermining your "Ralph is cheap" mantra here... That amount of money is the difference between resigning a probowler or trying to replace them with an undrafted free agent. That amount of money is the difference between bringing in an impact free agent and a guy that just holds a roster spot that will disappoint and be released in 2 or 3 years. Big picture man. That is the downside. Bucky Brookes sucked as a player. Ya. So what? What bearing does that have on his opinion as a football analyst? ....NONE!!! No offense, PDaDdy, but I'll give the opinion of Buddy Nix just slightly more credibility than yours. This signing is ALL about the big picture -- low risk/high reward. The $2.5M they'll spend this year on Merriman is not going to prevent the Bills from doing what they need/want to do elsewhere on the roster. It's actually nice to see Buffalo take a chance on a potential impact player rather than sitting on the sidelines. As for Bucky Brooks -- please cite me a well-written article by the guy that provides any insight or thoughtful analysis. I've not seen one. Anybody can say "Merriman hasn't done anything for three years" because it's true -- but that's not what Buffalo signing him is all about. Also -- don't discount the "change Buffalo's image" component of the signing. Merriman has admitted he had a negative opinion about Buffalo but it changed once he got here. Think that may have an impact when they're trying to woo other free agents? Edited July 12, 2011 by eball Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 Seems to me you're completely undermining your "Ralph is cheap" mantra here... Ralph is cheap...except when he isn't. People are just doing what they always do, freak out over nothing. If the Pats signed Merriman we'd be crying about why we didn't take a chance on a possible stud. But since we did, now we're stupid for taking a risk on a damaged player. We'll never do it right. PTR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDaDdy Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 (edited) Seems to me you're completely undermining your "Ralph is cheap" mantra here... No offense, PDaDdy, but I'll give the opinion of Buddy Nix just slightly more credibility than yours. This signing is ALL about the big picture -- low risk/high reward. The $2.5M they'll spend this year on Merriman is not going to prevent the Bills from doing what they need/want to do elsewhere on the roster. It's actually nice to see Buffalo take a chance on a potential impact player rather than sitting on the sidelines. As for Bucky Brooks -- please cite me a well-written article by the guy that provides any insight or thoughtful analysis. I've not seen one. Anybody can say "Merriman hasn't done anything for three years" because it's true -- but that's not what Buffalo signing him is all about. Also -- don't discount the "change Buffalo's image" component of the signing. Merriman has admitted he had a negative opinion about Buffalo but it changed once he got here. Think that may have an impact when they're trying to woo other free agents? I'll ask the same question of you. What about Merriman's "performance" in the last THREE YEARS gives you optimism of any sort about this signing??? Can you show me any non QB that has played so poorly after sustaining significant injuries and getting off the juice that has had any significant impact in his 4th year down the road? As stated. $2.5 million dollars can be the difference between signing an impact player and a guy that just takes up space on the roster. This is not low risk high reward. It is the exact opposite. High risk with low reward. Basically if we get lucky, and I do mean LUCKY, Merriman will be a Chris Kelsay style role player. By the numbers Kelsay has outplayed him. Edited July 12, 2011 by PDaDdy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justnzane Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 even though Senator beat me to it, The Bills drafting Bucky Brooks in the second round was an act of desperation. He was such a good receiver that he got converted to DB after being cut in his second training camp. If Bucky Brooks knew anything about desperation, he may have worked harder to be a good pro player as opposed to hammering on his former team in a crappy column. Bucky is a symbol of a bad John Butler pick along with the second rounder before him John Parella who revived his career after being waken up by being cut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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