Bills release OT Langston Walker, re-sign Kirk Chambers
by Brian Galliford on Sep 8, 2009 4:01 PM EDT
in Buffalo Bills News
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PrintJason La Canfora of NFL.com reports via Twitter that the Buffalo Bills have released left tackle Langston Walker.
According to the report, the Bills had been attempting to trade Walker, but were unable to do so. BuffaloBills.com has confirmed that the team has re-signed OT Kirk Chambers to fill Walker's vacated roster spot.
Walker became Buffalo's starting left tackle after the Bills traded two-time Pro Bowler Jason Peters to Philadelphia prior to April's NFL Draft. Now, Walker has been released; meanwhile, the man long tabbed as the eventual replacement at left tackle, second-year pro Demetrius Bell, has not practiced in the past week as he deals with a back injury.
It's pretty clear that once healthy - and here's hoping he's healthy, like, right now - Bell will assume the starting left tackle role. As he's never taken a snap at the NFL level, the Bills now essentially have three rookies starting on their offensive line.
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Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 8, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions
hooray?
I guess his release makes a little more sense now. They needed chambers spot for Walker till no one would take him. Dang Lions they should have been all over Walker. As it is, this is gonna be tough on Mon Night.
(443): My mom came into my room and told me to flip off the tv. I gave it the middle finger. Note to self: STOP SMOKING THIS S#!T
-textsfromlastnight.com
by WABillsfan on Sep 8, 2009 4:14 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
It was going to be tough MN with Walker at LT. This really hasn’t change a ton…
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
even if we sign someone they have no time to work together
"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone"
-Marshawn Lynch-
Haha, negative.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 8, 2009 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions
(smacks forehead)
So easy Marshawn Lynch can do it.
by thatguy34 on Sep 8, 2009 4:03 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
SUPER BOWL
Here we come! I guess Demetrius Bell really is the second coming of Jason Peters.
Or Wilson decided if you’re going to go 1-15, you might as well make some money while you’re at it.
I saw this one coming… Pay homage to me!
"It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions." - Marv Levy
by Jason from OH-IO on Sep 8, 2009 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I MUST BE DREAMING!!!`
I think this should be a national holiday.
OK seriously, I thought he was a decent RT… But like I said…
"It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions." - Marv Levy
by Jason from OH-IO on Sep 8, 2009 4:08 PM EDT reply actions
WTF
I feel bad for him
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
he switched to LT although he didn’t want to because he knew this was comin…
"What in the hell have I gotten myself into?" - Bruce Smith HOF
Exactly why I feel bad for him. The team was stupid enough to think he could play LT while he was a solid RT for us.
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
Exactly. I really have a lot of animosity for the Bills front office right now. Walker was a very good RT for the team. They had the most success running behind him last year. He did everything asked of him, and then some. Why not keep him and move him back to where he was playing last year?
If a huge change doesn’t come soon at the top of the organization, the fan base may become unruly.
Twitter: helping to make anti-social people anti-socially social.
by TheAfghanTwilight on Sep 8, 2009 10:00 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah, those are my thoughts too.
He gets drafted by a terrible organization where naturally, he struggles. Gets a good contract and starting gig in Buffalo where he does pretty well. Not great, but he was an average starter. Is forced into doing something he never should have been doing, failed at it, got cut.
….and he probably wont’ get a contract nearly as big as the one he just had…unless he signs with Washington
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
I hope he signs with Washington and goes to the Pro Bowl.
Twitter: helping to make anti-social people anti-socially social.
by TheAfghanTwilight on Sep 8, 2009 10:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree, he did his best which is all you could ask of him
Not his fault he is a rt playing out of position. Bet he signs with Washington, they are desperate for ots.
(443): My mom came into my room and told me to flip off the tv. I gave it the middle finger. Note to self: STOP SMOKING THIS S#!T
-textsfromlastnight.com
by WABillsfan on Sep 8, 2009 4:20 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Seriously....
Walker made a crap ton of money. Don’t feel sorry for him. I’d swap spots with him in exactly a nano-second.
And he’ll get picked up by another team anyway and make more money and might even start. Washington is thinking about starting Mike Williams. Mike Williams. Walker will find his way.
Jeez, don’t even bring up money. If that were the case, you could never feel anything but angst towards pro athletes.
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
I don’t feel angst (good word choice, BTW) but I feel no empathy unless they are like Kevin Everett or Dennis Byrd.
by Der Jaeger on Sep 8, 2009 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
How long before someone posts...
“I bet the Patriots pick him up just to find out our game plan for week 1.”
Founding member of the Dick Jauron Fan Club.
this is weirder than Rhodes
even if Bell is the starter, i would keep him for depth…this is odd.
Why take away anyone from the weekest position on the team?
"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone"
-Marshawn Lynch-
Who trades starting Left Tackles?!?
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
I’ve got 2028 first rounder burning a hole in my pocket…
No weekend spent pantsless is a wasted weekend.
Or young Pro-bowl LT’s… Maybe Philly is interested in a trade.
"It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions." - Marv Levy
by Jason from OH-IO on Sep 8, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Keep a 5M dollar guy as depth? Not likely.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Sep 8, 2009 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, Buffalo didn’t cut Walker because they wanted to shed his salary. He got cut because you can’t pay a backup 5 mil. If the team thought he was better than Bell, he’s still the starter. Any other 5 mil per year offensive lineman who lost his starting gig before the season is going to get cut.
As long as he is unwilling to take a pay cut.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Sep 8, 2009 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions
But he is better than Butler at RT. His massive size really helps him on that side. That’s why we should have kept him.
Only the Bills would release their supposed LT while the only backup has never taken an NFL snap and is injured….Durp!!!
I’m sure the team told Chambers they were releasing him Saturday with the intent of re-signing him the second they got rid of Walker via trade/dump. If they didn’t, well, then they’re a bunch of idiots….
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
Is there a signing immenent
Maybe Levi Jones, etc.???
"It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions." - Marv Levy
by Jason from OH-IO on Sep 8, 2009 4:14 PM EDT reply actions
I'd call it a non-issue
The Bills go from being a bad team to being a bad team…what’s different? What is there to get worked up about? 6-10 looks like a decent prediction.
Haha
It’s so true too, unfortunately.
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
An actual good deal?
I know its not related to this but, the Bills should package Kelsay or McCargo with next years first round pick and go get Seymour from the Raiders. Letting him loose on New England would be fun to watch.
Even with Kelsay devaluing the trade that is to much to give.
No weekend spent pantsless is a wasted weekend.
That would be overpaying for a 30 year old 3-4 DE. The Pats did what should have been done with a few guys in Buffalo red, white, and blue.
Twitter: helping to make anti-social people anti-socially social.
by TheAfghanTwilight on Sep 8, 2009 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions
??
Now I’m just flat out confused as to what they are doing at OBD. Shouldn’t all this turnover have happened in, I don’t know, June??
Maybe Bell’s “bad back” is like Brady’s “sore shoulder”?
by Posluszny Pollocks on Sep 8, 2009 4:19 PM EDT reply actions
This wins for most concise take on the situation
(443): My mom came into my room and told me to flip off the tv. I gave it the middle finger. Note to self: STOP SMOKING THIS S#!T
-textsfromlastnight.com
by WABillsfan on Sep 8, 2009 5:02 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Hey Poz
I think this would constitute an “over reaction” in pre-season. Only thing is that it is not coming from the fans. It is coming directly from Dick Jauron and OBD!!!! Care to republish that post earlier this week?
by dabillsr1 on Sep 8, 2009 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
never!
I am not man enough to concede defeat!
haha, no seriously, I do still think that the move makes little difference but I am shocked that there are so many out of the blue moves. I am still not ready to say we are a 5 win team as many have. And I do think we have a plethora of talent to be competitive in every game. Maybe DJ and OBD should have read my fanpost! Until the lights go on and the real hitting begins, I will not say this season is in the tank. We have not lost a game, our QB is healthy, we are incredibly deep at the skill positions and our defense is very good. Does our o-line have question marks? About a hundred of them to be sure. But not enough considering everything else to say its time to panic.
Jonathan Stupar played Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun and won.
by poz on Sep 8, 2009 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Buffalo’s offense was more inept than the Chiefs in preseason. Just sayin’.
Twitter: helping to make anti-social people anti-socially social.
by TheAfghanTwilight on Sep 8, 2009 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions
ok its time to make a move for Runyan or Levi Jones
Seriously, this cant be possible, we have absolutely no contingency plan now if our young o-line freaks out.
Jonathan Stupar played Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun and won.
Would not count on it. Looks like Bell/Butler, with Scott, and then re-sign Chambers.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 8, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Neither of those guys are starting at LT for the Bills if they were somehow signed….
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
im trying not to panic...
Jonathan Stupar played Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun and won.
by poz on Sep 8, 2009 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Just take another hit on the KoolAid Express.....aaaaaahhhhhhhh much better :-)
Teflon Jauron…..Nothing sticks to Dick
i think our koolaid
needs to become JimBeam Express….
Jonathan Stupar played Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun and won.
by poz on Sep 8, 2009 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I think it’s been Jim Beam Express. We might need Everclear if this backfires.
Penn Staters belong at Penn State. The problem with a lot of kids is they just don’t know they are Penn Staters yet. -jesse. @ BSD
by TheK-GunNeedsReloaded on Sep 8, 2009 6:27 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
ahah true true
Jonathan Stupar played Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun and won.
by poz on Sep 8, 2009 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Oakland Raiders
I am starting to feel like we are the next coming of the Oakland Raiders. I am happy that Langston Walker is no longer our left tackle, OBD got that right, but to not have a contingency plan is just… so Oakland Raiders.
"It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions." - Marv Levy
by Jason from OH-IO on Sep 8, 2009 4:24 PM EDT reply actions
Is there anybody that can explain to me why exactly we choose to cut Langston, who would be a fantastic backup LT/RT, and likely sign Kirk Chambers. This makes no sense at all, but as I said to all you guys: YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THIS COACHING STAFF AND FRONT OFFICE!
by BillsfanfromDenmark on Sep 8, 2009 4:26 PM EDT reply actions
He was probably going to cost a lot more than that against the cap, but his old and current cap hit are irrelevant. Teams don’t cut guys right before the season starts to save cap space. They do it to save real dollars. Walker’s base pay was going to be three mil, but base pay isn’t alway all the money that guys get. According to USA Today, Walker has only been paid 12 mil of the 25 mil he signed for. That leaves them with 13 mil to pay over the final three years, so if I had to guess, Walker would have made about 4 mil this year after bonuses and what not.
http://content.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/salaries/playerdetail.aspx?lname=walker&player=2394
http://clarkjudge.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6384866/17050857
Bell apparently is getting the starting nod
by Posluszny Pollocks on Sep 8, 2009 4:26 PM EDT reply actions
There it is – BuffaloBills.com reports that Chambers has been re-signed.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
So is that the Roster Spot “fill” you were refering too??? Superbowl here we come!
"It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions." - Marv Levy
by Jason from OH-IO on Sep 8, 2009 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions
well thats a good move
people can get angry but we have resigned a good solid backup, good first step. So cutting Rhodes and Walker freed up space for a trade. Right? Right??
Jonathan Stupar played Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun and won.
by poz on Sep 8, 2009 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Ha ha ha… Unfortunately, probably not.
"It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions." - Marv Levy
by Jason from OH-IO on Sep 8, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions
The O-line was going to struggle anyway, why not get Bell in there now, since he is the future of the position?
No weekend spent pantsless is a wasted weekend.
A good mix of vets/rookies would be more beneficial in my mind. Bell is basically a rookie.
"It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions." - Marv Levy
by Jason from OH-IO on Sep 8, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions
The Bills will struggle as a team anyway...
Why not fire Jauron now and give Bobby April a chance. Since he is the Assistant Head Coach.
NO WAY I FIRE JAURON NOW
This team is better than any reality TV show. I can’t wait for the next plot twist!
Teflon Jauron…..Nothing sticks to Dick
by Joe P. on Sep 8, 2009 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
My guess is that the coaches will ask Stroud to play WR and then cut him when he’s no good at running routes.
Of course we could make things more challenging, Lisa, but then the stupider students would be in here complaining, furrowing their brows in a vain attempt to understand the situation--Seymour Skinner
It's becoming apparent that Jauron wants to be fired...
….and sooner rather than later. He can spend his days on a beach with the extension money that Wilson will have to pay him. Apparently, he wants to be on said beach before the end of summer, 9/22. What’s next? Cut Edwards? Then maybe Maybin?
Dumping Schonert made some kind of sense. Even cutting Rhodes loose wasn’t completely crazy. Giving the boot to a man who did a decent job at RT last season just because he can’t play out of position at LT (which is a coaching mistake, not Walker’s) is just crazy.
Of course we could make things more challenging, Lisa, but then the stupider students would be in here complaining, furrowing their brows in a vain attempt to understand the situation--Seymour Skinner
by Ron From NM on Sep 8, 2009 4:30 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
im betting we see a good trade out of this
Jauron has a plan. I HAVE to believe that.
Jonathan Stupar played Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun and won.
by poz on Sep 8, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Come on poz, when does Jauron ever have a plan?
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
When he fired Turk Schonert?
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 8, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions
That was the plan all along? Sounds like a move that Jauron had to make…right?
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
Oh, well, I thought you were insinuating that he didn’t have a plan when he fired Schonert. My bad.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 8, 2009 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Is Jauron Russian????
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb0QLxcvowk
Teflon Jauron…..Nothing sticks to Dick
Are all the YouTube links really necessary?
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 8, 2009 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions
just trying to hang on to my sanity K! So lets see…D.Bell, who hasnt started a game in his career will be going against Joey Porter, Mario Williams, Dwight Freeney, Kyle Vanden Bosch, and John Abraham? I hope hes ready….
Jonathan Stupar played Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun and won.
by poz on Sep 8, 2009 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions
a Trade?
no way in hell….this was all done to save a few million bucks before the season starts. I have a feeling this offense little if no chance to succeed…..ufda!
MARVelous - "I went from America's team to North America's Team" Terrell Owens
i dont get it though
i thought Jauron was on the hot seat not building for NEXT year!
Jonathan Stupar played Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun and won.
by poz on Sep 8, 2009 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions
He has a 3 year contract extension!!!
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
does that really equal job security?
Jonathan Stupar played Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun and won.
by poz on Sep 8, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Sarcasm, poz...
sarcasm….
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
hahah, phew....
its hard to take sarcasm these days K, im not sure whats real anymore!
Jonathan Stupar played Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun and won.
by poz on Sep 8, 2009 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm OK with it.
If you’re going to rebuild, rebuild. Better to tank now and develop everyone to be good later, than go with a half-a$$ product, kidding ourselves about players that aren’t helping us.
Walker was helping. No, he wasn’t a world beater but he was a competent RT.
Of course we could make things more challenging, Lisa, but then the stupider students would be in here complaining, furrowing their brows in a vain attempt to understand the situation--Seymour Skinner
Ron… I love you! Someone finally agrees with me!
"It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions." - Marv Levy
by Jason from OH-IO on Sep 8, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Not the future RT though.
The current line, in two years, is going to get talked about as one of the best. Jauron may not be around to coach it, but the team brought in good, young talents for the first time in a while.
Who is the future left tackle? To call Bell a future great LT is a little dangerous.
"It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions." - Marv Levy
by Jason from OH-IO on Sep 8, 2009 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions
This team refuses to rebuild though. That’s why we continue to stink. It’s just recycling players, coaches and excuses.
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
Disagree
We spent significant draft choices on the pass rush and OL for the first time in years. We also only paid for one high dollar UFA- Owens, a one year deal and for a specific purpose.
This off-season represents a break from the old ways, with Brandon running the front office. It’s not the same old drafts and overpaying for UFA’s.
OK…We spent signficant draft choices (one) on the pass rush and three picks on two guards. These issues were problems for YEARS. Finally spending a few draft choices to upgrade the positions doesn’t show any regard for rebuilding. Rebuilding should have been done when Jauron was hired like accruing draft picks and getting rid of overpaid veterans. Instead, the team went the opposite direction….trading first day draft picks to move up for positions of desperate need and throwing big money at average players….
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
Totally Agreed
Levy, Jauron and the “Inner Circle” didn’t want to delve into the dirty “r” word. Yet, when teams rebuild, it’s often like bankruptcy- better to go ugly early, fix everything properly, and come out strong.
Our “going-in” premise to solving the problem in 2006 was that the current team was good enough to win with additions. No one wanted to talk of rebuilding.
We instead threw money at Dockery and Walker, failed to draft a franchise QB twice (2006 with Cutler and 2007 with Quinn), drafted almost no linemen, and let core players (Fletcher and Clements) go.
This past off-season, I think Brandon realized what was going on after the poor ending to the 2008 season. Now you see a team putting significant effort to rebuilding its lines, and going with developing youth over overpaid UFA’s more and more everyday.
Again, in two years, if Bell develops the way we think he will, this OL line will be good. Very good. And if we’re all right about Maybin, we’ll have a great start at our DL. The Giants and Pats show us every season how important those lines are to winning.
I would have let Clements walk also. He wasn’t/still isn’t worth the deal he signed.
No weekend spent pantsless is a wasted weekend.
Maybe, but by letting Clements and Fletcher go (two prven starters) we now had to use draft picks to fill their positions. Now, I like Posluszny and McKelvin, but you don’t rebuild or retool by letting good, core players walk for nothing.
See NE and Seymour/Vrabel/Cassel as the example.
That’s the problem. Rebuilding 3 years too late. Jauron’s job is around swirling around the toilet bowl. We sign a TO, but have to completely rehaul the OL with rookies and unproven players (at their positions). You can’t do half-hearted phases of rebuilding. It’s all or nothing. This whole Jauron era has been marked with hesitation, question marks and the inability to make any sort of concrete decisions.
I’m going to continue screaming, errr typing, about fixing the lines. These lame-* attempts at building them and signing overpriced vets is just disgusting and much of the reason this team has had no success against the tougher and better teams in the NFL.
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
Isn’t that what they just did with the OL? You can’t build Rome in a day. They did one line this offseason. Next year they purge Denney and maybe Kelsay while Schobel (maybe) and Maybin step up with Ellis off the bench with another rookie. Seems solid, assuming Schobel is competant. He doesn’t even have to be awesome. And who knows? Maybe Ellis will be ready to start…
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Sep 9, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions
What is the NFL equivalent?
You can’t build Rome in a day.
Isn’t four years the average shelf life of a coach with back-to back-to back losing seasons? We seem to be moving in the right direction, but if progress is measured in wins?
Teflon Jauron…..Nothing sticks to Dick
You are right about that… I meant the question of building the lines.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Sep 9, 2009 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions
They waited 3 years to try building the OL. That’s the problem. We shouldn’t be trying to build the OL and DL in years 4 and 5 of this regime. It should have been priority #1 (well behind finding a franchise QB) when they were hired. It wasn’t.
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
Tp be fair, Kurupt, they were bringing in guys they thought would contribute on the OL. It’s not like they completely ignored it as you suggest. They signed Walker and Dockery who were supposed to be good for a few years at least and the line improved over what it was.
Besides, there are those who fault the team for not building the lines… they have traded for Stroud, seen Kyle Williams develop into a serviceable tackle, signed Spencer Johnson, drafted Aaron Maybin and Chris Ellis. On offense they spent two of their first four picks this year on the line, negotiated with Jason Peters who told them he wasn’t going to come back, signed Hangartner, drafted three tight ends in three years, signed big free agents like Walker and Dockery, and watched Brad Butler develop into a good player and hopefulyl Demetrius Bell do the same thing. To say they have ignored the lines is not accurate. Perhaps not as early as you or I would have liked but they are doing it and have been doing it.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Ignoring the grumblings on Rumblings.
by MattRichWarren on Sep 10, 2009 8:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Well you don’t build top OL and DL by overspending on average FA’s. There just wasn’t any commitment to building the lines for the long term. Signing FA’s is a quick fix…
I never said they ignored the lines. They just didn’t rebuild them the way a rebuilding team should. The team wasn’t close to winning when this regime took over. They shouldn’t have been handing out huge deals to aging DE’s and average OL. They should have been acquiring picks and building for the long term.
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
I see your point now. They never rebuilt they tried to reload (an empty gun…).
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Ignoring the grumblings on Rumblings.
by MattRichWarren on Sep 10, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions
“Firing offensive coordinator Turk Schonert nine days before the season opener is a sign of total panic in Buffalo.”- John Clayton
What does it mean if you are turning to your 3rd LT in less than a year?? I’m trying to think of something that is worse than total panic. suggestions welcome.
Def Leppard song
Twitter: helping to make anti-social people anti-socially social.
by TheAfghanTwilight on Sep 8, 2009 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Pearl Jam song
Twitter: helping to make anti-social people anti-socially social.
by TheAfghanTwilight on Sep 8, 2009 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Clayton is wrong… They weren’t firing Schonert because of his lack of ability to lead a TD drive. It was that plus open insubordination.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Sep 8, 2009 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah – story’s already been updated to reflect as much.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 8, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions
my internet in unable to keep up with this crazyness
"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone"
-Marshawn Lynch-
wow the bills are really trying to loose this year
why do you release a guy who was a stud at right tackle last year. I don’t know if any of you realize it but the guy didn’t let in one sack last year (I’m pretty sure). Why not just keep him at right tackle and move bell to Left? Now we have no depth.
I think “stud” is a bit strong.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 8, 2009 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Rationale
OK… As all of you know. I detested the idea of Walker playing LT. Obviously, I had something (please feel free to provide credit, especially Brian). However the timing of this moves makes zero sense.
When did OBD decide Walker wasn’t a compitent LT? This is a guy they knew well. Why wait so long to make the move? I want ONE explanation for the timing of this move.
At the very least Walker would have been just the worst LT in the league… We don’t even have a LT on our roster… Bell hasn’t even had a chance to assimilate himself into the league as a RT, which is typically the progression. This is of course unless you are a stud.
"It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions." - Marv Levy
by Jason from OH-IO on Sep 8, 2009 4:39 PM EDT reply actions
This is just another sign of the team being a terrible judge of talent. How many of us on here said Walker at LT wasn’t going to work? They spent the entire summer thinking this could work when bozos like us saw this coming miles away. I still can’t believe the team thought forklifting Walker over to LT was a good move. Chalk up another black mark for the front office….
Where could we be right now if we had just kept Butler and Walker on the right side, kept the picks used to draft Levitre and instead tried to solve the woes at LT??
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
by Kurupt on Sep 8, 2009 4:41 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Your exactly right, thats why you, me or anyone else on this site could run this team better. Hell, I’ll do it for free.
exactly, thats y you would be considered a genius if you worked for the bills haha and yet its so simple.
Monday Morning QB's
Every read a scouting report on Oher? Great talent, but he’d bring similar issues to the team that Peters brought. Don’t let his draft day tears cloud your judgment.
I agree that we should have stacked the DL with Brown in the second round. But Maybin has way more upside than Brown, and the Bills chose to address their pass rush first. And then they chose to do something about the lack of turnover production on defense. Can’t do everything every year.
The team’s scouting department is first rate. Oher might not have even been on the Bills draft board for character concerns. The team has information that outsiders (ie: us) don’t know about, and they base their decisions on that information as well as the information that we all know.
Since 1987, exactly 4 first round picks have tanked: JD Williams, Erik Flowers, Mike Williams, JP Losman.
3 have turned out average: Antoine Smith, John McCargo (jury still out), Donte Whitner (jury still out)
9 have turned out to be above average or better: Shane Conlan, Henry Jones, John Fina, Jeff Burris, Thomas Smith, Eric Moulds, Ruben Brown, Antoine Winfield, Nate Clements, Willis McGahee, Lee Evans
That’s a better than 50% hit rate on 1st round picks. That’s not bad. Most of the scouts are the same, as well.
There was some inside info that the team was very interested in Andre Smith… ’nuff said.
"It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions." - Marv Levy
by Jason from OH-IO on Sep 8, 2009 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions
The team’s scouting department is first rate.
How can you say that? This franchise hasn’t drafted a superstar in who knows how long. They’ve swung and missed on a number of high picks this decade. Maybe they’ve been pretty decent at finding late round and undrafted gems, but in the grand scheme of things, calling them first rate is kind of crazy to me.
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
The best player the Bills have drafted in a long time is Lee Evans. That isn’t good enough. How many NFL teams have a core of players selected in the first round that is better than Buffalo’s first rounders? 25ish? In my opinion, the Bills have had two major problems over the last 5 or so years. No QB and not enough elite talent.
The scouting department scouts the players.
The GM (or COO) Head coach, and Director of College Scouting rank them and draft them.
The scouts are first rate.
probably just wanted to ease Bell in and make sure it was the right move
if bell was healthy earlier they would have cut walker sooner. but of course, them why not keep him for depth? probably because he is no better than chambers in the coaches eyes
Jauron’s nuts must have dropped this year….Go Bills!
Bells got the pedigree to be a stud athlete, for what it’s worth.
this has got to be about money though.
If it was about money, they would have cut him earlier to save the bonus money.
"It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions." - Marv Levy
by Jason from OH-IO on Sep 8, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Look for TO to have a great start to the season stat wise
and then be trade bait to a contender that lost a WR to injury because the Bills are definetly rebuilding for another year or two. This would probably happen when Hardy comes off the PUP list.
If you look at this season as a lost one it is not a bad move to get the younger guys playing time and hopefully now our OL will be set for a few years to come. Withour DJ!!!!
we cant look at this season like a lost one!
there shouldnt be any such thing! only teams like the Lions and Raiders believe in lost seasons! what the hell is going on?
Jonathan Stupar played Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun and won.
by poz on Sep 8, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions
You’re right they are gonna run the fumblerouski (spelling?) with Bell comming around the corner and scoring the winning TD on Monday night……..
K beat me to it
but what the heck….so your saying theres a chance we score!!?
Jonathan Stupar played Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun and won.
by poz on Sep 8, 2009 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions
This is making me think of....
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
Did we ever answer the question as to how much Chamber’s contract extension was worth in the off season? I can’t remember…
Well… I’m surprised. I was about to get really irate until they reisgned Chambers. That makes me feel better because Chambers can serve both tackle positions. Replace Bell this week perhaps and Butler whenever he gets hurt.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
If anything the Bills are getting really good at generating news stories. It’s nice of them to keep giving us things to discuss.
Like they say…you can take Russ Brandon out of the marketing department but you can’t take the marketer out of Russ Brandon.
I really don’t mind the move. It just means they didn’t think Walker could handle LT and they liked Butler better at RT. Can’t blame them for not wanting to pay that kind of salary to a backup. It would’ve been nice if they made this realization a bit sooner and get Bell more first team reps before his injury.
You're not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on.
timing
i dont think too many ppl are actually upset about the firing of schonert or the release of walker it has to do with why do this less than a week away from the monday night opener vs the pats who stomp all over the jauron lead bills every year
All roster cuts are a week before the season. That is a non-issue… or should.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Sep 8, 2009 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions
What's lost in all of this...
Marv Levy will go down as the worst GM in the history of the team. All 3 OL he signed on March 2 2007..GONE.
This team continues to baffle me and makes itself more of a laughing stock.
Haha
cue everyone saying Marv was great and Donohoe was the worst ever….
I thought Levy did a borderline terrible job
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
Don’t forget Robert Royals!
"It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions." - Marv Levy
by Jason from OH-IO on Sep 8, 2009 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions
he got what most called the best lineman avaliable, not so say they were any good, but at least he tried. He did overpay for them, but some other team would have too.
Other teams would have tried to rebuild by acquiring draft picks and buildiing through the draft. Not saying the team would have had success going that route, but throwing big contracts at mediocre players is never a wise idea when you have a poor team to start with….
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
I disagree
He never signed Walker to be the starting LT. Dockery wasnt a bad starting guard either… he just paid him too much.
by S2 on Sep 8, 2009 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions
They were all an upgrade over what we had. Do not forget that part.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Sep 8, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I would just like to say that I’d rather lose with young, talented players than over-the-hill veterans…
"Potential just means you haven’t done sh## yet"
theres a silver lining if i ever saw one!
Jonathan Stupar played Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun and won.
by poz on Sep 8, 2009 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions
It doesn’t matter. I think we’re all just sick of losing period
by S2 on Sep 8, 2009 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions
I totally agree with this statement, but not keeping Walker at least for depth (if not just shuffling back to RT) is completely baffling to me.
He wouldn’t have been happy and the Bills would have had to deal with a locker room black hole and a 5M dollar backup.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Sep 8, 2009 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Any claims would probably be denied as pre-existing….
by Posluszny Pollocks on Sep 8, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions
ok, lets collect ourselves
what does this mean offensively without being emotional? We are starting a much more athletic and talented player at LT but hes got no game time experience and is replacing our most seasoned vet on the line. Bell was suspected of being ready to displace Walker by midseason anyway, so we’re just getting what we would have gotten eventually anyway. Trent wasnt getting any protection on the blindside with Peters there last year so this can’t really change that much for our QB except when we play guys like Mario Williams who will confuse and abuse Bell most likely. There is still a strong chance that Chambers gets the nod initially and we know what he can do, which is be unspectacular but capable. Does all that much really change?
Jonathan Stupar played Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun and won.
I like the potential in Bell, but I think what we are arguing is the timing. I feel sorry for Bell, a young player, who doesn’t have a lot of football experience behind him. Who has no starts as a LT, and no opportunity to work in as a RT.
This to me is a recipe for disaster. I for one will not be too hard on Bell this year. He has been put in an unfair situation.
"It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions." - Marv Levy
by Jason from OH-IO on Sep 8, 2009 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree. This doesn’t mean anything. Deserved or not, people are just using this as an opportunity to bash Jauron and the Bills FO.
Cutting Walker doesn’t change anything.
It is the timing of this and the firing of Turk. Good management (OBD) would have taken care of this MUCH sooner (months ago).
"It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions." - Marv Levy
by Jason from OH-IO on Sep 8, 2009 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions
The FO deserves to be bashed for this. Not for releasing him, but actually thinking he could play LT for us. It totally backfired on them and they have to hope Bell can be adequate immediately.
Like Schonert, at least they admitted the mistake before it was too, too late. But this time, the contingency plan is a raw player that’s never played a single down….
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
Props to Tim Graham for getting the scoop on Bell having a chance to start. (It’s a little sad that the B-News gets scooped on everything).
Long term this is probably a good more. You have 3 really young lineman that can grow into a good, cohesive unit (not that Hang and Butler are old).
Plus, if you’re not a Jauron fan, this is starting to look more and more like a 5 win team, so the coaching staff will probably be blown up at the end of the year, if not sooner. (Actually, I’m guessing Jauron is fired mid-season and replaced by Bobby April. The team will over-perform after that point and April will be retained).
A new coach is going to likely walk into a good situation next year, at least relative to most teams that are getting new coaches.
If this team makes the playoffs I’m be (pleasantly) shocked.
I’ve heard that idea twice today that the Bills are going to fire Jauron mid-season. There is no chance that happens. Ralph has never done that in his life and won’t start now with Dick Jauron who he respects very much
"Potential just means you haven’t done sh## yet"
Plus Ralph gave him an extension last year ;-)
"It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions." - Marv Levy
by Jason from OH-IO on Sep 8, 2009 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually he has done it twice. He fired Kay Stephenson in the middle of the 1985 season and gave the job to Hank Bullough, then fired Bulllough in the middle of the next season and gave the job to Levy.
No weekend spent pantsless is a wasted weekend.
Thanks...
I don’t do research and I was too young then to realize that. But only twice in 50 years, not good odds
"Potential just means you haven’t done sh## yet"
It's actually 3
Joel Collier got fired 2 games into the 1968 season. Not exactly the middle of the season, but it does show that the trigger has been pulled quickly in the admittedly distant past.
For the love of all that is holy.............
should I even care anymore?
Godspeed Nick - RIP - 1986-2009
by norcaliangelsfan on Sep 8, 2009 5:07 PM EDT reply actions
Of course, because you aren’t a fair weather fan. You’re a lifer.
No weekend spent pantsless is a wasted weekend.
damn you and your rational thinking.......
Godspeed Nick - RIP - 1986-2009
by norcaliangelsfan on Sep 8, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions
i agree
I wanna believe so badly, it’s just I can’t tell if:
Peters, Dockery, Preston/Fowler, Butler, Walker is better than Bell, Levitre, Hang, Wood, Butler? Definitely a hell of a lot cheaper group that’s for sure. Then you add T.O., AVP, TE in 3rd year…..I don’t know, I guess I can’t say it’s worse???
MARVelous - "I went from America's team to North America's Team" Terrell Owens
who knows maybe this group will have something the previous group didnt.....
chemistry…….
One can hope
Godspeed Nick - RIP - 1986-2009
by norcaliangelsfan on Sep 8, 2009 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow
Bell – no experience
Levitre – none
Hangartner – what started 16 games?
Wood – none
Butler – 2 years
Wow. There is just way too many question marks for this team to be good enough offensively this season to win enough games. 1) shoddy OL 2) new OC 3) Trent Edwards 4) no identity on offense 5) we were 0-6 in the division last year and the only team that has gotten worse is the Jets. 6) This schedule is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay tougher than last year
Hello 4-12
MARVelous - "I went from America's team to North America's Team" Terrell Owens
that being said
I can’t wait for Monday Night…..
MARVelous - "I went from America's team to North America's Team" Terrell Owens
Just get your drink on early and you’ll be fine.
No weekend spent pantsless is a wasted weekend.
by sireric on Sep 8, 2009 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
rec'd
Crown and 7 and keep em coming!
MARVelous - "I went from America's team to North America's Team" Terrell Owens
I’m going to buy a case and a bottle of Crown just to sedate me or my heart will explode.
Delightfully Ignoring The Truth since 1995.
by NeverendingOptimism on Sep 8, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Please don’t suggest that – I can’t imagine trying to deal with 1,000 drunks next Monday in this place. :(
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 8, 2009 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions
You’ll be at the game, It will be me and the other guys dealing with the drunks. Don’t worry I will be heavy on the delete button.
No weekend spent pantsless is a wasted weekend.
It’s in Foxboro, remember!?!?! Brian will be hear watching us rant and rave and drool.
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
So that explains the no pants thing
you originally forgot to wear them out. Now it’s just habitual.
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
Want cool marbles? Shave your beanbag. Hahahhahahahahaha!!!!!!
Teflon Jauron…..Nothing sticks to Dick
hahahaha
after every game i look at my posts here the next day and realize i was making no sense
Jonathan Stupar played Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun and won.
by poz on Sep 8, 2009 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions
hahahah
touche! the drunkest ive blogged here was waiting for the free agency deadline till midnight and slugging drinks expecting big news. By 2 am CanadianBillsFan and I were wasted and nothing had happened, i might jsut dig up that thread..
Jonathan Stupar played Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun and won.
by poz on Sep 8, 2009 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions
That was a good one. I believe I was called the cool uncle or something by one of you hyenas.
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
Ha ha ha!! That was hysterical. Brian had left you to monitor the thread late night and cbf and I equated it to you letting us drink ha ha. I think our language was starting to get a bit out of line but you were the “cool uncle”, ha ha ha! Great call remembering that k!
Jonathan Stupar played Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun and won.
by poz on Sep 9, 2009 12:24 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
poz
I see you posted this comment from your phone…how the heck did you find this specific comment to reply to? Did you figure out the mystical “Z” button function on your phone? If so, please, please, please let me know!!! When I peruse Rumblings from my phone, I pretty have to avoid the topics with the most posts since I have no idea how to find the new comments.
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
unfortunately
I was just that bored after midnight I actually scrolled down myself and passed ones I already read, yes I was that bored. Sorry, K but if you find out pleeeease let me know.
Jonathan Stupar played Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun and won.
by poz on Sep 9, 2009 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions
i can see Trent running as fast as he can down the team headquarters hall way, throwing Jaurons door open with tears streaming down his face wanting to know why he is doing this to him sniffling, snot pouring down his nose.
“its only my second year starting ‘sniff sniff’ and you just wont let me succeed ‘sniff sniff’ and i have TO here who will take it all out “sniff sniff” on me when im in so much pain from getting hit ‘sniff sniff’ and i had a concussion last year ‘sniff sniff’ and you just keep cutting and trading my linemen ‘sniff sniff’, dont you like me anymoreeeeeeee ’waaahhhhh;"
Jonathan Stupar played Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun and won.
by poz on Sep 8, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m guessing Trent just texted Jauron. Ya know, like the good old days of last season….
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
how quickly things change...
and I might just write a letter to Bell
Dear Demetrius,
I know your father, Mr.Malone was a prick who never visited you and left you and your mother penniless and that this inspired you to make it to the NFL somehow despite everyones doubts and emerge as a tantalizing prospect like Peters. If there was ever a time to dig deep and pull out every bit of rage you have for your absent father this it. Picture his face laughing and spending his millions which he wouldn’t give you a cent of on every lineman you face
From,
concerned but hopelessly die hard Bills fan
Jonathan Stupar played Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun and won.
by poz on Sep 8, 2009 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
rec’d
Delightfully Ignoring The Truth since 1995.
by NeverendingOptimism on Sep 8, 2009 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Prediction:
I really think that if the Bills got embarrassed on Monday, like 56-10 for example, I really believe Jauron will be fired on Tuesday.
Maybe Ditka will come be our coach! SNL will do a new spoof, Da Bills SuperFans.
by Circling Wagons on Sep 8, 2009 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions
And then what do they do? It’s not like hockey or basketball where you bring in a guy and he can change a lot in one season. We’re then stuck with Perry or April as our HC with no experience and the same cast of coaching characters around him that got us here. No change in philosophy or scheme, just a new face. We have a saying in my business, you can put whipped cream on it but it’s still a sh## sundae
"Potential just means you haven’t done sh## yet"
Honestly, 56-10? I get what your going for and that they lost to the Pats by that same total before. But that was in a season where NE set all kinds of records and the Bills started JP Losman and A-Train. Their defense was in injury shambles and DiGi, Jeremetrius Butler and George Wilson were three of Buffalo’s four top tacklers in the game. No Way does that happen again. How has cutting Walker lead to people losing all sense of perspective?
That’s a knee jerk reaction. They won’t be eliminated from the playoffs nor shown anything except one bad game. The Raiders in 1990 got blown out worse than that in the AFC Championship game. Did that make that team garbage? No.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Sep 8, 2009 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions
The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone…..
There is a 5th dimension which is only known to Russ Brandon and Ralph Wilson
It is a dimension that is brought on by constant losing and mismanagement and seems to have been going on for infinity
It is the middle ground for fan rational, hope, despair and desperation
An it lies between the pit of a fans stomach and their irrational mental behavior
This is the dimension we have all feared, we follow a team that has just entered the Twilight Zone!!!!!!!!!!!!
"If you don't have good habits you have bad habits there are no in between habits"
Brian,
What’s your honest opinion about this move/all the recent moves? Are the Bills moving away from keeping guys with big names, even when they aren’t producing, or are they really packing it in for this season?
I understand that Walker wasn’t exactly a brick wall on the left side, but isn’t Bell hurt right now? He hasn’t practiced for a few weeks. Chambers will start at LT correct? But then make way for Bell as the season progresses?
Do you see the offense line holding up at all? I like the fleet-footed offensive line, but am worried about experience.
Overall, smart bold moves, or dumb bold moves.
I just can’t believe they’d be packing it in like some may be suggesting, in such a make or break season?
Lastly, do you think people are overreacting a bit much about the preseason?
They are definitively not packing it in. They are moving forward with guys they want in the foxhole.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Sep 8, 2009 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m getting the sense that Russ and Dick aren’t on the same page. The firing of Schonert and the release of Bell are two moves in opposite directions.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 8, 2009 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Could you elaborate?
They seem like separate items to me. Schnoert was more of an insubordination issue in that he wouldn’t run the offense Jauron wanted.
Bell seems either more of a player evaluation issue, or perhaps a money issue.
Or do you think Schonert is a move for now and Bell is a move for the future?
The last sentence is where I’m at.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 8, 2009 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah he did...
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Sep 9, 2009 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions
HA, and I thought we were on win-now mode
Apparently, Bills looked back and realized a lot of offseason’s choice are wrong. I really want to know how much time they will take to realize more mistakes, like keeping this lost FO and maybe this lost coach.
That "Cagey" Dick Jauron...
had this planned the whole time…he wanted to make Bellicheat game plan for Walker/Rhodes/and the Turk…
That Dick, he is so….so…what’s the word…cagey!
One more surprise to come.
Whats going to happen on the Defensive Line?
Let me see if I follow the train of thought correctly
So the Bills cut Walker and re-signed Chambers, something they could have done on cut day. This means that there was a reason they didn’t do it on cut-day. Seeing as how Walker probably didn’t go ape and physically attack anyone on the Bills staff, this means the Bills were hoping they could trade Walker before cut day. Since they couldn’t, they cut him.
If you were a potential trade suitor for Langston Walker — wouldn’t you wait until the Bills were forced to cut him so you could sign him for no compensation? And it’s possible that the Bills could have said "Well we’re going to trade him to one of our other, many suitors. But come on. LW’s not a bad player. But he’s hardly what you think of as trade bait.
Ko Simpson was traded to the Lions who had first rights to a waiver claim on him. There is not guarantee unless you trade for a guy.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Sep 8, 2009 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Point taken, and quoted for truth, but these are the same Lions who were willing to offer a 7th for Dockery. :)
by Dyl on Sep 8, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Amazing
Wow it almost seems like he was set up on this one. Forced to move to a position he wasn’t comfortable with in the beginning and then cut because he wasn’t good enough. Was he so bad at RT that they were going to cut him if it didn’t work at Right?
sorry I'm late to the dance
but someone asked for one reason why they got rid os a stud RT, well, fact is, he was no stud, we have a competent RT and Chambers can backup both T & G positions if I’m not mistaken….. also, I think they had this planned out for a while….face it, Walker was switching positions and, to put it mildly, wasn’t enthused about it….. every story or interview with him I heard he had sort of a “well, they told me to do it, so I’m doing it” attitude about the whole thing….. we will fare no worse with Bell or Chambers than we would have with a guy who didn’t want to be where he was in the first instance… not to say that’s a good place but and equal one…. maybe they will surprise us and actually know what the he!! they are doing more so than any of us….. and I hope Bell isn’t the second coming of Peters who, as time will prove out was terribly overrated IMHO…. hopefully he’s the first Demitrious Bell
It rubs the lotion on its skin or it gets the hose again
Does this mean no more "68 seconds with Langston Walker"?
"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone"
-Marshawn Lynch-
I would say so….
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Sep 8, 2009 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions
That's how long the phone conversations were with our trade suitors
start the clock
ring……
Other NFL Team: Hello?
Buffalo: Hey, how’s it hangin’?
Other NFL Team: ‘sigh’ What do you want now…Buffalo?
Buffalo: Good to hear from you too. Clearly, you guys need a 360 pound journeyman left tackle.
Other NFL Team: No, no we really don’t.
Buffalo: Clearly, you do. Clearly.
Other NFL Team: Besides, why don’t we just pick up Langston when you guys cut him after you trim the roster?
Buffalo: I can see our time here is up. Look forward to hearing fro—
click
stop the clock
by Dyl on Sep 8, 2009 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
No. No, I suppose it doesn’t. But he’s apt to sign with a third team now, and he’s at that stage in his career and skill level where he’ll likely be looking for work often.
by Dyl on Sep 8, 2009 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Didn't the JAGS release a quality LT during their cut down?
Will the Bills possibly explore this option???
It’s Bell all the way.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Sep 8, 2009 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I wanted them to move Walker back to RTnot cut him
"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone"
-Marshawn Lynch-
I guess it says something that nobody was willing to even trade a 7th rounder to make sure they got him. Even Dockery and his bloated contract garnered some interest. Sure, Walker is a FA now and can be signed for very little, but any body can get him now….
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
Either our line is going to be stout in two or three years
Or we’re going to still be shuffling developmental guys and utility backups in and out like always.
Look at it this way, we can’t go down, we can only go up from here.
I’d bet we are stout. Wood, Levitre, and Bell have talent. Butler and Hangartner are tough, complimentary starters.
This could be a real good, unsung OL in a couple years.
I agree. I think Hang is going to work out. Wood is going to be fine, and Levitre will get it soon enough. I’m not so sold on Butler, or Bell, but by Ron’s report, they seemed to play well enough against the Packers and Steelers.
by Dyl on Sep 8, 2009 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions
About our OL
All of our starters are pretty athletic. 4 of 5 are proven to be tough or come with that label from college.
Hangartner drove Hampton off the ball a couple times. Something we haven’t see in a while out of a center.
Butler plays like a young jon Runyan at RT, IMO. Some limitations, but will drive the defender out of the stadium.
The rookies have significant talent.
If Bell is half the player Peters was, we’re fine.
We can go down when we are watching Trent get carted off the field and have to see
Fitzpatrick start the remaining games. We might even get to see Hamden this year.
I hope Omon knows how to pick up a blitz
Fred Jackson will be tired from getting pounded on 1st and 2nd downs for no gain, so Omon will have to come in and pick up the 3 blitzers NE and other teams will be sending every 3rd and long…
"Walker's performance regressed during preseason"
From the Buffalo News Article on why Walker was released:
The Bills decided that Walker’s performance had regressed during the preseason, said a source within the team.
I wonder what will happen when player’s performances regress during the regular season what will happen?
Wasn’t it Schonert who thought Bell might be the better option at left tackle on Monday night? So we fire him, and then go along with what he wanted? And why is all of this happening in the 10 days leading up to the regular season opener?
That is why I think this is wrong
Wasn’t it Schonert who thought Bell might be the better option at left tackle on Monday night?
I know Graham reported it but it makes no sense whatsoever if that is true.
No weekend spent pantsless is a wasted weekend.
If any assistant coach was pushing for Bell to start, it was Sean Kugler. Without question.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 8, 2009 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions
That the Bills couldn’t trade Walker, who was only due $3 million, I think is pretty telling of Walker’s level of play.
If a team had a hole at tackle, which presumably many do, that’s not a big investment if you think he can start.
I think its also telling of the Bills front office. No one in the NFL thought of him as anything more then a solid backup let alone a starting LT. Once again they look like idiots.
by S2 on Sep 8, 2009 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Confused
I don’t understand what all the fuss is about. Clearly Bell has impressed this preseason while Walker has looked worse. Walker does not fit the profile of the type of blockers the bills have been pursuing. He simply never has had a mean streak and has never been very good at run blocking.
I’m certain the bills would have kept him if he was willing to take a pay cut, but he was likely unwilling to do so and ride the pine.
This move was delayed by two factors; Bell’s injury and an attempt to turn nothing (cutting Walker) into something (a trade for a draft pick). Unfortunately it didn’t work, but it was a good thought if it had worked.
I doubt Schonert wanted Bell to start and Dick didn’t, that just wouldn’t make any sense…unless AVP was the one who wanted Bell to start. We may lose a bit in pass protection early on by switching to Bell, but he’ll be an instant upgrade in run blocking.
by Denver's Buffalo Fan on Sep 8, 2009 6:58 PM EDT reply actions
From Geronimo
Not sure what informed info Geronimo had… but way off on this one, or it speaks to the internal struggles at OBD… Probably the latter. This is from a recent fan post.
Langston is absolutely a more than adequete LT, Hang is fine, and we just need some continuous reps, which will happen over the next 4 weeks.
Maybe Kurupt, Ron, Joe, and I are the informed ones ;-)
"It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions." - Marv Levy
by Jason from OH-IO on Sep 8, 2009 7:03 PM EDT reply actions
Love it..
I’am glad we are getting rid of these underachievers..Just wish Schobel was packing his bags along with Walker.Lets get these young guys in there and see what we got instead of a bunch proven schleps..
Some opinions
I just couldn’t resist opining on today’s events. As to previous comments about my being informed and being “right,” I fully profess to having opinions that are FAR FAR from being correct all the time. I do try honestly to discern my own thinking from what I know to be OBD’s thinking. It is hard sometimes and I never ever try to mislead anybody here. I hope that helps.
A couple of thoughts about Langston’s release. The first is that that this may be strictly a player evaluation thing. I can tell you for a FACT, that as recently as last month, the feeling at OBD was that Bell has immense potential but was “not ready” to assume the LT job. He needed another year in the weight room and more practice time. At the same time, the feeling was that Langston would do an OK job at LT. So……what happened?
There are two possible scenerios. The first and most likley is that the more they saw of Langston in the preseason the more concerned they got. Too slow, not great footwork…and actually just too nice a guy to play regularly under Kugler who does not really like nice guys on the field. . His play may have deteriorated to the point where, at least in their opinion, despite Bell’s injury, they think he has a shot to play better NOW than Langston. And they know he’ll kill himself trying to get better week to week.
As to the timing issue of why today as opposed to cut-down day, this may be a medical/trainer’s issue whereby they wanted a solid opinion from Bud as to Bell’s availability to go on Monday night.
The second theory—call this one the “Grassy Knoll” theory—is that this was a Brandon move vs. DJ. Brandon, assuming he has a far longer timeline than the 2009 that DJ has to win, made the call with the longer term future of the team being the priority.
If indeed this is case, and I do NOT believe it is (my opinion), than we have REAL BIG problems with the GM and HC working at cross purposes—at least for 2009.
How do I feel about this? In two years, somebody is going to have a really really good O-Line. it may be DJ—but it may not be. I also think we better get ready for the Patsies to bring the house Monday because that is surely what they are going to do against a young O-Line and a tentative QB working under a new OC.
As between Walker and Bell is scenario I is hopefully right? Likely not much between the two if OBD made this move. if they are to be crtiuqued on this move, I agree with a previous poster. it is to be for believing that Walker would be fine at LT. Looks like they and I were wrong on that for sure.
I hope this helps.
Geronimo
by Geronimo on Sep 8, 2009 7:59 PM EDT reply actions 9 recs
I agree with a previous poster. it is to be for believing that Walker would be fine at LT. Looks like they and I were wrong on that for sure.
Jason’s head has already swollen beyond control…this won’t help.
No weekend spent pantsless is a wasted weekend.
I vote scenario #1 and Kugler made the call.
One question I have is why they didn’t try to get Bell some more reps though. That is a little perplexing. Maybe related to his injury.
Thanks Geronimo, your insight is always appreciated. I think your response dispells my notion that there is internal struggles at OBD, unless the timing of the Walker release coincides with the Schnonert firing… Maybe Walker was Shonert’s guy?
"It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions." - Marv Levy
by Jason from OH-IO on Sep 8, 2009 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions
A hunch
I do think that Schonert favored veterans (e.g., Roscoe/Reed over Stevie) but am not sure that that applies in this case. I would say that the two events are unrelated. I also feel that the no-huddle played a role and that AVP is going to try and pick up the tempo even more than we’ve seen in the preseason. This may well have worked against Langston, never one to be confused with Bob Hayes.
Geronimo
Sorry, I do not know the code for quoting.
“If indeed this is case, and I do NOT believe it is (my opinion), than we have REAL BIG problems with the GM and HC working at cross purposes—at least for 2009.”
I could believe the friction was there maybe if you’re going off of more than just this issue. Without that, I dunno. A GM overruling a head coach doesn’t have to mean animosity, hard feelings, or even discomfort. As a head coach it is likely you have your options open, your brain open, and many starting combinations open in your mind. In this case, if the Grassy Knoll were true, I have to say it is likely a change at the unsure position of LT doesn’t seem like something Jauron would become defensive about, because of why he turned to Langston. He probably felt he had to. It may be that he wants Bell in there just as much as Brandon would (again we are talking within the possibility of the theory).
I just hesitate to make more of anything. Sure there is drama going on right now in the Bills organization, with Dick at the center of it. If you think that more issues than the LT position have fluffed the feathers between Dick and R. Brandon, then I could believe we have “REAL BIG” problems, as you say.
by Dyl on Sep 8, 2009 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Correction
First I said that I do NOT believe in the Grassy Knoll theory, and continue to believe that Brandon and DJ are on the same page and in concert. If however, they are NOT, and Brandon’s planning horizon is longer than the 2009 that is DJ’s—the stage is indeed set for a lot of potential problems. .
Geronimo
Ah. I apologize. To clarify I was following your logic and also thinking about the theory (which I don’t believe either). I failed to make it clear enough that I understood you weren’t of this school. I guess it doesn’t make sense to post about hypotheticals that no one buys into. Sorry for the tangent.
by Dyl on Sep 8, 2009 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions
For me
i’d rather see DJ here next year than Russ Brandon. I wonder if it’s all Clash of the Titans in that corporate office?
Twitter: helping to make anti-social people anti-socially social.
by TheAfghanTwilight on Sep 8, 2009 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d rather see a real football GM making decisions with Brandon doing the marketing and no inner circle (of suck).
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
100% agree… Maybe that is the root of all evil here K.
"It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions." - Marv Levy
by Jason from OH-IO on Sep 8, 2009 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions
I think the bigger worry
is not the # of games that this line has played in the NFL, but more that NONE of these guys have played a SINGLE NFL regular-season down with ANY of other guys on the line.
Having young linemen is one thing, having guys who’ve never played together is another.
Stupar 2012!
doesn’t it stand to reason that the bills think Butler is a superior RT to Walker? If they didn’t, wouldn’t they have handled the entire offseason differently? If this is the case, why are we complaining about them letting go an average RT, if they feel they have an above average one already?
Stupar 2012!
By the end of the year, no matter what happens in the W-L column, if this young bunch can stay healthy, they will have forged a brotherhood on the line that may be insurmountable in years to come. Gitta love the under-dog, especially as a Bills fan, and thats what this line, hell this offense, will be all year. I stand behind AVP and the young line and hope Edwards can lead them to some respectability. However, TO may be cause for trouble come the bye week…then again, if he plays well, he might just shut his mouth and hope for an extension because he doesn’t have much time left to make the big bucks at his age. And his acting career might not do it
Jauron’s nuts must have dropped this year….Go Bills!
very strange moves lately
Is there something strange in the buffalo sauce? I mean water?
Current Phinsider Feud Points: 23
We call it hot sauce (Frank’s Red Hot) and of course!
Delightfully Ignoring The Truth since 1995.
by NeverendingOptimism on Sep 8, 2009 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Chambers
What would the Bills have done if Chambers had been signed by another team since being cut Saturday? Did they have a backup plan?
The Dick Jauron version of the K-Gun...the Squirt Gun.
I would imagine the team informed Chambers they were attempting to trade Walker and needed the roster spot until they could or until he was released midweek. At that point they would re-sign him. He was signed almost immediately after the reports of Walker’s release, so that makes sense to me. I bet they even threw in a couple grand more on the new contract.
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
Rationality & Monday Morning LT-ing
As some posters (including Jason from Ohio) have pointed out, a rational decision-maker would have followed this decision tree:
(1) attempt to retain Peters; but if impossible for some financial (or other) reason, then
(2) draft an LT; but if none available, then
(3) explore the FA market.
Unfortunately for us fans, however, the decision-makers at OBD are often irrational. Instead of doing what made sense, the Bills elected to attempt to convert Walker into an LT, with no back-up plan.
Some might claim that hindsight is 20/20 and that complaining after the fact is useless “monday morning quarterbacking.” But in this case, sane people looking at the situation objectively knew that the best course of action was the strategy outlined above. Attempting to convert Walker into an LT was not only risky; it was the inferior strategy.
Some might also claim that it’s presumptuous for we fans to question the wisdom of the folks at OBD. They’re paid to make these decisions, after all, and they have access to more information. When it comes to the Bills, though, it often looks like those being paid to make the decisions aren’t acting rationally. And as a fan, I’m so tired of losing. (I’m a bit older than the average poster, but I’ve been a fan for life, and I’m worried that the move to Toronto will come to fruition before a Superbowl victory.)
Unfortunately for us fans, however, the decision-makers at OBD are often irrational. Instead of doing what made sense, the Bills elected to attempt to convert Walker into an LT, with no back-up plan.
That is assuming the coaching staff didn’t think that Bell would be ready at some point during the year. Perhaps they simply viewed Walker as a seat warmer for when ever Bell was deemed ready.
No weekend spent pantsless is a wasted weekend.
OK, point taken. Is Bell better than anyone we could’ve acquired in the later rounds on draft day or on the FA market? Hopefully Bell works out . . . .
by Flutie Flakes on Sep 8, 2009 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions
The later rounds of the draft, yes. That is my opinion, there weren’t many, if any, second day guys that would have been able to step in right away and be better than Bell. FA, there probably was, I would have to go back and look and see who was available, but you also have to throw Peters into the equation here. By the time it became apparent that he wasn’t going to stay, or be happy and stay, it may have been to late to get anybody good from FA.
No weekend spent pantsless is a wasted weekend.
Look above
That is assuming the coaching staff didn’t think that Bell would be ready at some point during the year.
Geromino said the Bills thought Bell needed another year.
Teflon Jauron…..Nothing sticks to Dick
Nice signature Joe!
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
Thanks....Do you think I will be able to keep it the whole season?
Teflon Jauron…..Nothing sticks to Dick
You beat me to it.
"It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions." - Marv Levy
by Jason from OH-IO on Sep 8, 2009 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I would have to set up a time line here. Peters really screws things up. It depends on A) When G said that and when he was basing the info, and B) When OBD realized that it was better to deal Peters (there by creating a huge hole at LT) then try to keep him.
No weekend spent pantsless is a wasted weekend.
OK… I am going to say it. Enough of blaming Peters.
THE BUFFALO BILLS traded away a pro-bowl left tackle that was 26 years old with no plan on replacing him.
Peters might have forced the issue, but the issue was created by the Bills. Obviously this has always been my stance.
We now take another step back.
"It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions." - Marv Levy
by Jason from OH-IO on Sep 8, 2009 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions
1) they did…
2) that’s what happened…
3) they did – nobody is out there…
4) Look at your own roster – they did.
So that makes OBD rational…
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Sep 9, 2009 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh… and Bell is the backup plan.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Sep 9, 2009 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions
A "fear" for me
is that Jauron might feel that Bell can be made into what Peters was, somewhat devaluing what Peters brought to the organization and how talented he truly is (when motivated). I don’t know that late round/undrafted magic can strike twice at LT for them.
Twitter: helping to make anti-social people anti-socially social.
by TheAfghanTwilight on Sep 8, 2009 10:13 PM EDT reply actions
Ummm… Yeah, but I said “lighnting striking twice” But magic works too!
"It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions." - Marv Levy
by Jason from OH-IO on Sep 8, 2009 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Anyone else thinking?
I am OK with these changes as long as Chris Kelsay goes?
"It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions." - Marv Levy
by Jason from OH-IO on Sep 8, 2009 11:06 PM EDT reply actions
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