For Nick's shorter thoughts, head here. It's 2010!
PROBLOGUE: I apologize if I'm missing anything incredibly obvious... I am not even close to in "football state of mind." I try to turn it off from the Super Bowl until free agency. I used Chris Brown from the Bills' web site free agent list, since I'm assuming he wouldn't have the wrong information!
(WGR 550) -- Hey, Brad Butler: Thanks for putting a crimp in my Olympic watching!
Laying on my couch and watching my beloved Team USA, I had no intentions of thinking about football for a solid two-to-three weeks, maybe longer. I watched enough college football to decide which players I like, and don't plan on being swayed by "who ran how fast" at the Combine.
(Quickly... for me, the Combine is cool for absolute football nuts like our own Joe Buscaglia and guys who don't like and/or don't pay a ton of attention to the college game. You also get to find out which players are absolute flakes, which is useful. I'll read the reports, talk to Joe and do Podcast interviews with players I need to know more about)
So, now my right tackle is saying "Goodbye" to pro football. Great news. I totally understand him taking off. If I was really good at a job I didn't love -- say fossil juggling -- but the job paid millions of dollars, I'd make several million dollars and then get out. God bless ya, Brad Butler. Don't ruin the government.
But it makes one thing absolutely certain -- next year's Bills are going to look very, very different. Already gone are Butler, Derek Fine and a bunch of special teams regulars (John Wendling, Justin Jenkins). Many fans would love to see Donte Whitner and Marshawn Lynch traded, and many would love to see Trent Edwards dealt or released. Terrell Owens likely isn't coming back unless no one else wants him (so maybe he's coming back). Aaron Schobel might retire, and Eric Wood's injury return is questionable at best. Roscoe Parrish has been whispered as a trade piece by a lot of folks.
Also, a few mainstays are unrestricted free agents no matter what: Ryan Denney and Josh Reed. Wouldn't be surprised to see Denney in Miami with his brother (pure speculation). Reed was rewarded for working his tail off week-in and week-out for years with the prize of being inactive to close the season. Bryan Scott is unrestricted. Also, and if Scott leaves, we'll never be able to play music together, as discussed. How sad.
Now, an uncapped year changes the free agency status of Richie Incognito, George Wilson, Ralph Ellison, Ashton Youboty, Joe Klopfenstein and Gibran Hamdan. An uncapped year is super complicated. My brain starts on fire whenever I think about it.
So..... who is guaranteed to be here come the start of the season? Let's review (and believe me, I'm totally open to being wrong about half this list!):
DEFINITELY BACK:
Fred Jackson
Lee Evans
Geoff Hangartner
Andy Levitre
Paul Posluszny
Terrence McGee
Leodis McKelvin
Shawn Nelson
Aaron Maybin
Spencer Johnson
Marcus Stroud
Kyle Williams
Kawika Mitchell
Jairus Byrd
Chris Ellis
Drayton Florence
Rian Lindell
Brian Moorman
PROBABLY BACK:
Ryan Fitzpatrick
Chris Kelsay
Reggie Corner
Garrison Sanborn
James Hardy
Nic Harris
There are a bunch of other guys under contract, but it's ridiculous to even speculate when there's a new head coach and three new coordinators in town. You can't guarantee back-ups from the Dick Jauron/Perry Fewell won't get cut.
This team could be awful, but they'd be awful with a bunch of new guys.
For better or worse, these won't be the same Bills
Your comment here...
02/19/2010 10:20AM
new bills
Ralph ellison? Haha
02/19/2010 10:21AM
Just when you think
it couldn't get any worse.
If Brad Butler was on the Cowboys, Patriots, Steelers etc... I bet he would play another few years. I don't blame him. Football CAN'T be fun anymore when your professional career has put you on the Bills.
02/19/2010 10:53AM
This team could be awful, but they'd be awful . . .
This team could be awful, but they'd be awful with a bunch of new guys - great line.Unfortunately as a Bills fan I would consider this "progress."
02/19/2010 11:16AM
Come on Nick
Already hearing Edwards still may have a crack at starting. I guess the McNab dream is over or Vick? Geeze, what am I getting upset for. I'm not renewing my tickets anyway. The Bills will suck anyway.
02/19/2010 12:21PM
Drafting Butler a mistake anyway
So the Bills lost an often injured, finesse offensive lineman who's heart wasn't in the game. The blame goes back to Marv for drafting "smart character guys". What an aboslute waste of a draftpick. Butler was marginal at best. I don't care how intelligent and dedicated he is to political science. Draft a real football player with a desire to win and kickass. Not some "smart character guy" mediocrity. Thats where the Bills need to change things. Start by drafting real football players!!
02/19/2010 12:44PM
butler
o well. now if chris butler retires ill really be interested (and happy)
02/19/2010 1:04PM
hangartner...
wasn't he a stud back up in carolina? if so, why are we sticking him at center? just sign incognito. then draft bulaga and calloway from iowa. just build a stud line and the qb will have less jitters in the pocket.
02/19/2010 1:54PM
offensive line
Bills are a mess. It all starts with the o-line. Solid o-line gives the qb time and running back holes. I am tored of hearing about the problems at qb b/c I think the problem lies up front. With the options out there at qb I rather see Trent under centerwith a soild line protection him and opennning holes for Freddy.
02/19/2010 3:07PM
RE: offensive line
I couldn't agree more. The Saints won the Super Bowl with mostly short passes. The West Coast offense is built on mostly short passes. I think Trent can succeed, especially now that we have a decent QBs coach (the same person who developed Jeff Garcia) and an innovative offensive play-caller in Gailey. Spend some $ and draft picks on a stud line, and this team will be fine.
02/19/2010 5:57PM
not sure who I feel more sorry for
The fans who will pay to watch this train wreck next year or the media who are forced to cover this snooze alarm fire.
02/19/2010 9:00PM
RE: offensive line
I third the motion.
02/20/2010 11:14AM
RE: RE: Offensive Line
yeah but to me if the Bills take a OL in the 1st round of the draft then its just yawn city. I remember the year they draft Mike Williams I was so bored listening to people try to find something to say about a OT. He blocks good yay thats it
02/20/2010 3:50PM
Trading the Beast
Had chatter on local sports radio here in Houston that they could see Lynch starting for them despite his baggage. No way I was calling in, I figured that move would be Bills gain and Houston lost. I wonder what they'll be saying when he runs up the back of an O-Lineman or does his dance for no gain. Bills fan says let's make a deal!
To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 1 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy tips.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 2 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy tips.; tournament; WGR; Jeremy White; Golf; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 3 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy tips.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 4 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy.; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 5 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 6 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 7 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 8 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala;
E-Mail
Print
