SBNation.com User Blog: BillsNYC

John Guy/Dick Jauron Power Struggle?

BillsNYC — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 12:22:08 -0000

John Guy/Dick Jauron Power Struggle?

"This is a case where the organization really botched up on many levels and continued to compound the errors. It all started when former pro scouting director John Guy wielded a bigger sword than marketing GM Russ "Pants on Fire" Brandon or our beloved former coach Dick Jauron. In making a last ditch effort to keep the over-inflated, penalty prone sack allowing Langston Walker from damaging Guy's already damaged credibility, Guy insisted that Walker be the starting LT for 2009. Unfortunately, training camp saw Walker grossly under-performing and a "Dick's last stand" power play unseated the inflated Walker in favor of a not ready for prime time Demetrius Bell. Unfortunately, rating Bell as "not ready" is akin to saying Tiger Woods has commitment issues."

Dolphins Release Joey Porter

BillsNYC — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:59:47 -0000

Dolphins Release Joey Porter

Possible fit for us?

Rich Stadium First Sports Naming Deal

BillsNYC — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 01:04:02 -0000

Rich Stadium First Sports Naming Deal

The first major sports naming-rights deal was signed in 1973 when Buffalo-based Rich Products agreed to pay $37.5 million over 25 years to put its name on the stadium used by the Buffalo Bills. Bob Rich Jr., then the company's vice president of sales and marketing for North America and now the president, says the deal took 13 months to complete and that the relationship between the company and the team stayed icy. "They didn't like having an outsider's name," Mr. Rich says. "But it's not like we're renaming the Louvre."

The Bills declined to comment on the relationship with Rich Products, during their agreement.

Thurman Thomas Interview on Recent Bills Moves

BillsNYC — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 02:16:13 -0000

Thurman Thomas Interview on Recent Bills Moves

Donte Whitner wants Troy Smith

BillsNYC — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:00:06 -0000

Donte Whitner wants Troy Smith

DonteWhitner Troy is a proven winner and leader! Joe Flacco is the franchise in B' More its only right....I watched the guy sit behind Justin Zwick.....
Adam_Schefter RT @DonteWhitner: I think we should get Troy Smith to be our Qb, please!
Hey Donte - you should probably worry about your own spot on this team.

Time To Retire Helmets?

BillsNYC — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:31:04 -0000

Time To Retire Helmets?

"Some people have advocated for years to take the helmet off, take the face mask off. That'll change the game dramatically," says Fred Mueller, a University of North Carolina professor who studies head injuries. "Maybe that's better than brain damage."

Bills Fan Speaks With a Psychotherapist

BillsNYC — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 11:39:32 -0000

Bills Fan Speaks With a Psychotherapist

"And then, there’s me. I watched Monday’s game with huge intensity, as I’ve watched every single game since 1990. My throat was still raw Tuesday afternoon. But, something odd happened to me in the final five minutes. When Leodis inexplicably blundered…I laughed. And I pretty much laughed all the way home from Calico Jack’s.

My wife thought I lost it. My old friend Gerry agreed with her.

I respect them a lot, so had to ask myself: have I finally snapped? Gone nuts?

That line of inquiry led me to even larger questions: are we ALL FREAKING NUTS for continuing to live and die with this absolutely ridiculous team?

The answers to these questions are beyond me, and I’m at least lucid enough to know when to call on a professional.

Meet Diane Spear, a prominent, Manhattan-based psychotherapist (www.dianespeartherapy.com), and complete non-football fan who agreed to share her thoughts on the Bills, Bills fans and our respective grips on sanity. Following are excerpts of our conversation, at least as far as my apparently delusional mind recalls them:"

Bills Deny Inquiring About New Stadium

BillsNYC — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 00:33:21 -0000

Bills Deny Inquiring About New Stadium

Buffalo Bills officials said today they have made no inquiries or plans to study the building of a new stadium.

Bills officials maintain no firm has been contacted and no initiative toward a new stadium has been planned.

Rookies Tour Buffalo

BillsNYC — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:13:39 -0000

Rookies Tour Buffalo

Great read about the rookie tour of Buffalo. Nick Mendola is one of the better reads on the Bills out there, very funny in his columns.

Guess the Niagara Falls trip will be another day?

OTAs Set to Begin - BuffaloBills.com

BillsNYC — Fri, 15 May 2009 11:17:39 -0000

OTAs Set to Begin - BuffaloBills.com

Preview of OTAs via Chris Brown of BuffaloBills.com.

Is Tinoisamoa An Upgrade?

BillsNYC — Fri, 15 May 2009 10:59:25 -0000

Is Tinoisamoa An Upgrade?

"All in all, I’m not saying this move would be a bad one for the Bills. It would allow them to move Ellison to a backup role and expand what is already a very deep defensive roster. But I don’t think it would be a significant upgrade to their starting roster."

KC Joyner

Moulds on Owens/Coaching

BillsNYC — Fri, 08 May 2009 11:28:51 -0000

Moulds on Owens/Coaching

Moulds and Reed were among 23 former NFL wide receivers surveyed by the mag on topics dealing with today's wideouts. One interesting question was this: Do you think Terrell Owens' move to Buffalo will end well?

Moulds didn't pull any punches with his response, saying "I think with the right coaching, it will be great. But unfortunately, Bill Belichick's staff is in New England.''

Ouch.

Brian Was Right

BillsNYC — Fri, 01 May 2009 16:45:31 -0000

Brian Was Right

Mark Gaughan Chat:

12:29
[Comment From Your face]
Where do the Bills plan on playing the two lineman drafted early? Is it too much to except Wood playing center as a rookie?

12:31
Mark Gaughan:

Yes. The plan is to play Hangartner at center. Period. As long as they catch on reasonably well, the 2 rookies will be the starting guards. Today, they had Eric Wood at right guard and Andy Levitre at left guard. That's the new middle of the line Levitre-Hangartner-Wood.

Bills Exploring Hill

BillsNYC — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:51:35 -0000

Bills Exploring Hill

"I did ask Bills C.O.O. and GM Russ Brandon about it Sunday. He is definitely interested. He said it is something the team would like to explore. I want to STRESS he said explore. He did not say they're bringing him in and he did not say the Bills were making him an offer. The Bills have room under the cap and it would certainly shore up a position of need for awhile as Hill will be just turning 27 when the season starts."

Picking projects a risky venture for Bills

BillsNYC — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 10:55:24 -0000

Picking projects a risky venture for Bills

Best article I've read on the draft so far, without rose colored glasses on:

"The versatility in these drafted players is nice for depth, like having four more players on the roster. But it's a big risk. The Bills haven't had this many projects since they renovated Ralph Wilson Stadium.

So I'm left wondering, how smart was this?

Hasn't Buffalo's personnel department had enough trouble picking players at positions they played in college, let alone where they think they should play in the NFL?

Hasn't Buffalo's coaching staff had enough trouble coaching players at their normal positions, let alone teaching them new ones?

Why make a crapshoot a crapshoot with blindfolds?"

"But how hopeful should we be that Buffalo got it right in taking Maybin and Wood?

Only twice in Modrak's previous seven drafts with Buffalo did he recommend taking a lineman with the team's first pick. Mike Williams and John McCargo became this generation's Walt Patulski and Perry Tuttle.

Linemen, so dependent on others for their success, have been Modrak's Achilles' heel. Ryan Denney, Justin Bannan, Chris Kelsay, Tim Anderson, Duke Preston, Kyle Williams and Brad Butler turned into solid players if not stars.

Williams (fourth overall in 2002), Mike Pucillo, Ben Sobieski, Lauvale Sape, Dylan McFarland, Justin Geisinger, Terrence Pennington, Aaron Merz, and C.J. Ah You went from buzz to bust. Given, as a former coach once said, "A cheese sandwich and a bus ticket.''

Will Maybin be Bruce Smith or Erik Flowers? Will Wood be Ritcher or Williams?

History will be the judge.

Someone else can drink the Kool-Aid."

Good Article on Pettigrew w/ Buffalo References

BillsNYC — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 10:45:55 -0000

Good Article on Pettigrew w/ Buffalo References

The weather was great when he strolled into Orchard Park, N.Y. back in mid-March. No icy winds, no lingering lake effect.

"It wasn’t too bad, it was like in the 50s," Pettigrew said. "I know it can get cold though."

Pettigrew met with head coach Dick Jauron and several other coaches, going to Dave and Buster’s for dinner. Pettigrew’s football I.Q. underwent a play memorization test and he talked to the Bills about how he could fit into their offense specifically.

"(Buffalo) felt that I could do both (blocking and catching) so that’s how they thought I could fit in," Pettigrew said. "They felt that I could do both. They didn’t just want to have one guy who could do blocking and one guy who could catch."

Tony Gonzalez Traded to Falcons

BillsNYC — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:39:38 -0000

Tony Gonzalez Traded to Falcons

Kansas City will receive Atlanta's Round 2 pick in 2010. Will Brandon Pettigrew fall to the Bills' No. 28 pick now?

Jerry Sullivan Back from Vacation

BillsNYC — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:06:56 -0000

Jerry Sullivan Back from Vacation

"It's the typical reaction among Bills fans. When a player demands to be paid the big money, he becomes the embodiment of all that is evil. It's a lot easier, I suppose, than blaming management for allowing an elite athlete to get away by failing to pay market value. The player is dismissed as greedy and duplicitous, and fans nod their heads in disgust."

Draft Starts at 4pm, Details

BillsNYC — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:02:45 -0000

Draft Starts at 4pm, Details

Anybody else miss the noon start time of the draft with the first 3 rounds being on Day 1? I used to love rolling out of bed, having coffee, checking the papers then heading to the bar and being served a beer as the first pick was read.

It was a great all day event.

Which do you prefer:

A) Noon start with 3 rounds day 1
B) 4pm start with 2 rounds day 1

Trade of Peters puts a big hole in Bills’ offense

BillsNYC — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 11:22:18 -0000

Trade of Peters puts a big hole in Bills’ offense

"In announcing the Peters deal, Eagles coach Andy Reid said success in the NFL is "derived from the strong play of the offensive and defensive lines." It’s a philosophy shared by the best teams in the league.

The Bills have built and blown up their offensive line so much this decade it’s no wonder they haven’t participated in the playoffs since the Clinton administration. "

A great player making $5 million a year in Buffalo and a great player making $5 million in New...

BillsNYC — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:23:01 -0000

A great player making $5 million a year in Buffalo and a great player making $5 million in New England is different. The New England player might play 19 games and make $5.1 million; the Buffalo player might play 16 and make $5 million. It's a question of salary fairness, seems to me.

Peter King
Link

Stafford to Lions "Done Deal"?

BillsNYC — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 11:06:19 -0000

Stafford to Lions "Done Deal"?

Could this lead to a trade for Peters:

"As we hear it, Stafford is telling his former Bulldog teammates that he’ll be the pick, and that he’ll receive more than $40 million, guaranteed, under the contract that the team will pay him.

Stafford is characterizing the move as a "done deal."

Teams in Top 10 Trying to Trade Down

BillsNYC — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 11:02:06 -0000

Teams in Top 10 Trying to Trade Down

Found this article to be interesting, having a top 10 pick is a curse as much as a reward, I'm happy the Bills are picking at 11. Rather be picking at 32 but that's a whole other conversation.

"First, the money paid at the top of the draft has gotten out of hand. Even hard-core agent types who previously have argued with us about this issue are now admitting that the values of the contracts at the top of the process are too high."

8. Donte Whitner, safety, Bills: The Bills were criticized for drafting Whitner with the eighth...

BillsNYC — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 10:55:43 -0000

8. Donte Whitner, safety, Bills: The Bills were criticized for drafting Whitner with the eighth overall pick -- some draft observers called it a clear reach. But Whitner has played well through three seasons. Though a recent arrest could be the start of a troubling trend, Whitner has done enough to justify his selection. Verdict (for now): Not a bust.

Mike Florio
Bust or No Bust
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=538191

Toronto ticket prices reduced for Bills

BillsNYC — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:44:55 -0000

Toronto ticket prices reduced for Bills

The reduction means that more than 11,000 tickets will be available for $99. In 2008, just 4,700 to a Bills game in the Rogers Centre were less than $100 per seat. With the restructured prices, 25 percent of all 2009 regular season game tickets will cost under $100 at the domed stadium, which seats approximately 52,000 for football.

There will now be eight price options, ranging from $99 to $275 per seat. Those who have already paid higher prices will be refunded a portion of that money, Rogers’ officials said.

Pettigrew tops the prospect list at tight end

BillsNYC — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:06:28 -0000

Pettigrew tops the prospect list at tight end

"The rise of spread offenses has created a position filled with bulked-up wide receivers who can run and catch, but offer little as blockers. Tight ends who can block don't add much to the passing game.

"I think it's very difficult to find the guy who can both run and block simply because some of the offensive schemes that they are running in college. ... You don't get an opportunity to evaluate guys getting down in three-point stances," Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith said at the NFL owners meetings. "It's a tough position to evaluate."

The most complete tight end in the draft is Brandon Pettigrew, the 6-foot-5 3/8, 263-pounder from Oklahoma State. Some Internet mock drafts have the Buffalo Bills taking him with the 11th overall selection, while others have him going a little later.

No matter where he's picked, Pettigrew will be the first tight end off the board."

The Bills will listen to trade offers for two of their players — Jason Peters, their starting left t...

BillsNYC — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 14:30:38 -0000

The Bills will listen to trade offers for two of their players — Jason Peters, their starting left tackle, and Roscoe Parrish, their slot receiver and returner... Peters should be able to command a high price. I strongly doubt the Bills would be able to replace Peters in the draft at No. 12 and doubt even more that moving him would help their team win in 2009. Left tackles are always hard to find, and to trade one never seems to make sense in my world. Parrish is a wild card for me. I’ve always liked his skill level and talent, but it never seems to translate to the football field. Something is missing in his game, and that baffles me. For someone with his talent to score just one touchdown last year is mind boggling. The Bills need to win next season to save the head coach’s job and many other jobs in the organization. Adding more picks for players might look good on paper, but it will not help the coach in 2009.

The Eagles are interested in Peters, and many teams I talked to seem to think the Bills will trade him.

Mike Lombardi
National Football Post

Era of "Character & Intelligence" Takes a Beating - Sullivan

BillsNYC — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 10:53:33 -0000

Era of "Character & Intelligence" Takes a Beating - Sullivan

"Levy had us believing the Bills would adhere to a higher standard when it came to player behavior. Three years later, most Bills fans would be happy to root for a team that was in the middle when it came to off-field indiscretions. Right now, they're in danger of joining the Bengals as the poster boys for bad behavior."

Donte Whitner Arrested in Cleveland

BillsNYC — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 14:16:59 -0000

Donte Whitner Arrested in Cleveland

Donte Whitner, a defensive back for the Buffalo Bills, was arrested around 3am Saturday morning in Cleveland, OH. Cleveland police have confirmed that Whitner was arrested outside the House of Blues.

The 23-year-old was arrested for aggravated disorderly conduct and resisting police. Whitner has not yet been charged.

Bills May Be Leaning Towards Trading Peters

BillsNYC — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 12:53:20 -0000

Bills May Be Leaning Towards Trading Peters

Not much new here after Tim Graham's article and Buffalo Rumblings "Trade Destinations" post yesterday.

"With the draft just two weeks away, the Bills have a decision to make. Do they continue to haggle with their disgruntled star and risk another lengthy holdout or do they pursue trade options?

At this point, they might be leaning toward the latter.

It takes two to make a deal, so the Bills have to make calls to gauge the interest in Peters. There shouldn’t be a shortage of suitors for a young (27), talented player in the prime of his career. The big issue though is whether a team would be willing to meet Peters’ asking price of about $11.5 million per year. "