Making Sense Of Recent Moves

by moncheri on Oct 5, 2010 5:02 PM EDT

After seeing a flurry of moves by Nix this past 2 weeks, a lot of fans have voted “disapprove” to Buddy Nix’s moves thus far. And for the record, I had voted “Not Sure” since the beginning, because I was willing to take a “wait and see” approach to Nix’s moves. But in the latest October poll, after Nix signed Kelsay to an extension, I switched to “Disapprove”.

Putting aside the fact that the Bills didn’t get a starting caliber QB in the offseason, I approve the decisive moves of releasing Edwards and trading Lynch. But what I couldn’t get around is the Kelsay extension. A lot of people (including myself) seem to be saying that the Edwards and Lynch moves put the team in the right direction, but how can the same person who seems to know how to right the ship do something so blatantly wrong (at least in the eyes of many fans) and senseless in extending Kelsay? The contradiction is so extreme that it begs me to think twice about whether there is a hidden relationship between these moves.

I only rationale I can think of is this: Chix is trying to put forward a message to the whole team – it is my way or the highway – you either play hard and play to your potential where we’ll compensate you dearly (Kelsay) or you’ll be out the door the next week (Edwards, Lynch). Kelsay, by all accounts, is a mediocre player who plays his heart out game in and game out. We can criticize his skills and production, but I don’t think fans can criticize his heart. This can also be a message to future FA, that the Bills are willing to pay good money for players with the same attitude.

The Kelsay extension could easily be done in the coming offseason. Why do it now? I’m convinced that the timing of the extension in conjunction with the recent moves is a way for Chix to deliver a very clear message to the team – play this game right or don’t play for the Bills!

Just another great fan opinion shared on the pages of BuffaloRumblings.com.

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I might buy this

Maybe Buddy thought, if I am going to start cutting and trading people left and right, the players left behind aren’t going to feel very confident about their future with the club. If I (Buddy) show that the carrot is there if you keep your nose down and do your job, maybe guys will have reason to believe that their hard work doesn’t go unnoticed.

by ra001m on Oct 5, 2010 5:08 PM EDT reply actions

That's how I see it too

Hard work will be rewarded, quitters will be cut or traded. Makes sense doesn’t it? That’s why Schoebel was given the gate- he was too wishy washy, Edwards- lacked heart or strength of confidence. “This is a tough game for tough people”, if you ain’t tough, you won’t be a Bill for long. Meredith- too soft, Hardy- too soft. Lynch was too wishy washy, Evans?

"Being a Bills Fan is a Tough Job for Tough People…" – Luther6

by Montel on Oct 5, 2010 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Yea, but

Marshawn often played as hard as he possibly could, right? And to me, it doesn’t matter how much heart and determination Kelsay has, I don’t give a large extension to a moderately talented player (at best) just to make a point.

"Ability without character will lose. The Bills are going to be a team of high character. That stamp I will push very hard. I hope we can convey that to our fans and project something very special to the rest of the nation." - Marv Levy

by BuffaloBlueBlood on Oct 5, 2010 5:58 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

ML

wasn’t cut like TE & Meredith. He was traded to help down the line. RB was the only area the Bills have realistic trade value. Spiller wasn’t going to get traded, & FJ’s age would limit compensation. Not enough carries for 3 backs on any team.
Also the Kelsay (not a fan BTW) re-signing may have been a decision based on the uncapped year. If FO waited to resign him next year any bonus would be pro-rated for the years of his contract. This way none of his bonus carries over. In the next CBA, if there is any “cap” similar to previous years then say if he got $5 Mil bonus for 4 years then the bonus counts against the cap to the tune of $1.25 Mil for each of those years. This way no impact, even if Bills trade or cut him. As I said not a fan but strategy seems sound.

Buffalo born & bred. Bills fan since 1968.

by MtJulietTNBillsFan on Oct 5, 2010 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I was about to put that on my original post

I also do think the potential uncap year has to do with it as well.

Bills fan half way around the world

by moncheri on Oct 6, 2010 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions

with kelsey it should be try to play the game

by Gpluehri on Oct 5, 2010 9:53 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Macintire

was rewarded as well, and he just straight up knocked the snot out of some jets on special teams, so concluding that they are sending a message is logical.

I just have trouble seeing Kelsey as an option @ olb.

by Blood, sweat & Win on Oct 5, 2010 10:39 PM EDT reply actions

Man MacIntyre has been lights out on special teams. Oh and I don’t know how many people actually know this but he’s also leading the team in special team’s tackles with 13 already. Most of those being big hits too. Heck I’m tempted to start a petition to play him at OLB!

by CanadianBillsFan on Oct 6, 2010 1:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Second that

If Marecic can do it so can Mac.

Buffalo born & bred. Bills fan since 1968.

by MtJulietTNBillsFan on Oct 6, 2010 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

I had a similar thought..

maybe the guys we got rid of were like poison to the team’s spirit. Maybe Trent’s playing ability sucked the life out of the team. Prehaps Marshawn was really sarcastic and negative in the locker room and kept putting the team down to the other players. Maybe Kelsay builds up his team mates and tries to get people motivated. The coaches may be trying to cut out the cancer so they have a shot at rebuilding with guys who want to be here and have a decent attitude. Based on the effort Lee Evans appears to put forth, maybe he should be worried – he sure doesn’t look like he wants to be here or sacrifice his body to make plays.

Defend the Herd

by TatonkaDonk on Oct 5, 2010 11:15 PM EDT reply actions

play this game right or don’t play for the Bills!

If that is the message he is trying to send then he needs to find a clearer way of sending it. That being said, it’s the best possible message a GM in his position could send right now.

by CanadianBillsFan on Oct 6, 2010 1:17 AM EDT reply actions

Meredith

I’m curious to hear the Bills fans opinions on Jamon Meredith. I assume he was waived in an attempt to stash him back on the practice squad. He seems to have a lot of potential, but what was it about him that got him off the 53?

Keep the faith Bills fans. As a long time Lions fan I know what it’s like to be frustrated with the club of choice. Somehow we have to have faith that somehow a rebuild will catch and some glory can come to town.

They say some people never go crazy.... what a boring life that must be!!

by Ee Oulo on Oct 6, 2010 2:15 AM EDT reply actions

I think he has played in enough games where he is no longer practice squad eligible.

The reason he got cut, is he has looked terrible when he has played. Guys have literally run right around him.

There's not a wide receiver who is fast enough, that J.P. Losman can't overthrow him on a fly pattern.

by The Buffalo Kid on Oct 6, 2010 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions

oh yuck

Thanks for the reply. That sure doesn’t sound very promising despite all the high pre draft grades he received the proof is in the performance. What kind of blocking scheme do the Bills generally run? Is it zone?

They say some people never go crazy.... what a boring life that must be!!

by Ee Oulo on Oct 6, 2010 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions