Comments On Today

The league violated it's neutrality

Regardless of Vick as a human being, and whether or not you wanted him, the NFL told him that he should go to Philly instead of Buffalo or Cincy. And thats wrong. Now you have to ask yourself, has there been any other times the league has steered specific players or even coaches, to specific teams. Did the NFL quietly steer Shanahan and Cowher away from Buffalo? Do players on different teams get different punishments for the same offenses? Probably not, yet the shadow of a doubt creeps in. This is just bad for the credibility of the NFL

The player I would like least at #9 would be my sister’s cat, Captain Creamsicle. She does have a great work ethic and agility, but I’m really concerned that at 9 lbs., she’s too small to play safety in the NFL. She also bites way too often on play action and is easily distracted by someone waving string in the crowd. Lastly, her wonderlic score was pretty awful, answering "meow meow meow" for most of the questions- Dr. Brackish Okun

by mob16151 on Aug 18, 2011 7:40 PM EDT reply actions

Goodell is entrusted to do what’s right by the league, correct? The man felt Vicks tumultuous career would be best revived if he had a chance to slowly develop, within an organization that didn’t have an immediate need for a starter. I tend to agree with it. It WAS smart advice. And it WAS good for the league.

If Vick went to cincy or our bills, he would certainly have caused quite the commotion, thus damaging the leagues sacred crest, and revenue in the process.

THIS IS precisely the job description written for Roger Goodell!

I truly dont get all the commotion.

by DJ O on Aug 19, 2011 2:01 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree

I was furious when I first heard this, then I looked into the full story. This doesn’t appear to be a case of Goodell shafting Buffalo and Cincy, as much as being concerned for Vick, and his future if he was going to come back into the league. Some sensational reporting made this a story, but it isn’t really one.

by Mr. h on Aug 19, 2011 7:55 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

I really agree on this one. After reading the initial story and thinking about it and then hearing Vick talk about it last night on the sidelines really put the story in a different light for me.

I’m sure he got some pressure to modify his statement slightly, but I really think it was a case of him just using the wrong language and not explaining enough to describe what really happened.

by crooked5 on Aug 19, 2011 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions

MERRIMAN UPDATE

He has a new tweet denying the rumor entirely. Don’t know how to link an individual tweet, but his account is here: http://twitter.com/#!/shawnemerriman

Quote: Absolutely NO steroids found in my vehicle & there were NO charges against me. I’ve received a great welcome by the community and fans. I’ve worked my butt off to have a great season.

by Munchausen on Aug 18, 2011 7:47 PM EDT reply actions

Eh

The real point of discussing the Vick story isn’t, “Oh look, we got denied Vick.” Its the suggestion that Goodell is not acting as an impartial arbiter. We have enough problems getting FAs without people like the commissioner reinforcing the impression we are less than desirable in private conversations with players. Even if Goodel was right in his advice for Vick, thats not his job — and the repetition of his advice in the article merely perpetuates a reputation and image we desperately are trying to change.

by greysquirrel on Aug 18, 2011 8:10 PM EDT reply actions

Its for these reasons this story is interesting and topical. It speak to the challenges our team faces in overcoming the advice free agents get from their agents, their mentors and even (possibly) the league office on where it is better for them to play. That to me is not ancient history, its new information on that process and it sheds a lot of light on problems we may encounter now and going forward.

by greysquirrel on Aug 18, 2011 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Rediculous

Only thing we have ever heard about this. Are you saying Roger Goodell is Vince McMahon and the NFL is the WWE? I for one think you guys are being sensitive sally’s and that the reason this franchise does not get good players is that we suck! Why would anyone want to play for a bad franchise if they could play for a winning one. So you are saying that 92 year old Ralph Wilson is aware of this too, and is not spending money because Goodell and the Football God’s told him not too. I don’t think Wilson knows whether he is taking a #1 or #2 at this point. You people are being completely naive and ridiculous. Just in, the BIG SHOW is now playing LT for the Buffalo Bills & the Swine Flu is real. WOW.

by tvg153 on Aug 18, 2011 8:33 PM EDT reply actions

. I don’t think Wilson knows whether he is taking a #1 or #2 at this point. You people are being completely naive and ridiculous

Classy………………….

The player I would like least at #9 would be my sister’s cat, Captain Creamsicle. She does have a great work ethic and agility, but I’m really concerned that at 9 lbs., she’s too small to play safety in the NFL. She also bites way too often on play action and is easily distracted by someone waving string in the crowd. Lastly, her wonderlic score was pretty awful, answering "meow meow meow" for most of the questions- Dr. Brackish Okun

by mob16151 on Aug 18, 2011 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions

no....

wow….

but let me at least ask, why are you here? After a statement like that, why do you care?

Optimistic??? Of course I am!! I'm a Bills fan, and as of right now, we are undefeated on the regular season!!!
Things are truly looking up!!!

by Cinga on Aug 18, 2011 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Presumably this is in my reply to me and no I don’t claim any of these things. Read myy post if you want to know why I think the story is interesting. It’s a about the nuance more than the outlandish claims. Hyperbolizing statements seems to be a classic tactic on these boards, but all it means is you don’t care to listen.

If you read the post, I don’t claim a conspiracy is the sole reason we don’t get players. None of the other posters claim this either. But they do suggest it raises the bar. And that is NOT an irrelevant issue.

I don’t know what is naive or ridiculous about anything thats been posted here….

by greysquirrel on Aug 18, 2011 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

Your a class act! Wow

Baby steps are for babies. Step it up buffalo!

by buffalobacker on Aug 18, 2011 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions

ok?

I care cause I am a huge fan of the Buffalo Bills. Obviously we don’t always agree with everything they do and to be honest thought today’s topics were a waist of our time. What do you mean why am I here? How is speaking your mind and probably the truth a classless act??

by tvg153 on Aug 18, 2011 8:56 PM EDT reply actions

the way you do it

"Hardwork beats talent when talent fails to work hard" -Norm Nixon
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." -Confucius

by ChewyFL on Aug 18, 2011 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I have the exact opposite opinion as you

I think Merriman has worked hard to rehab himself and get this second chance and based on all observations from those fans who go to practice, he is putting in the hours and the effort to be a leader and contributor for this team the right way – through hard work. One rumor pops up – a predictable one at that – and it should be ignored until anything substantial emerges.

The sentence you use for Merriman sounds more like Goodell to me:

He is a liar and a thief and is doing nothing but wasting everyone’s time and money.

Goodell pretends like he cares about player safety by fining guys like James Harrison and Kong Suh who play defenset he way they should and killing the kickoff return and then advocates for an 18 game schedule and profits off of the heavy hitting image of the league.

Goodell was part of a huge waste of everyone’s time and money during the lockout.

He swept under the rug one of the biggest cheating scandals in NFL history regarding Spygate (or what should have been) and pretends to care about the fan but ruins draft weekend – something greatly enjoyed by fans because, you know, its on when we dont have work – by stretching it into weekday primetime slots to make more revenue.

Im not sure if Goodell is a bad man, because part of his job is to keep the league growing monetarily and he seems to be doing a great job at that. But the fact that there isnt a better way for fans to get the games they need outside of an exclusive DirecTV deal is incredibly outlandish in todays technology age.

But thanks for posting your thoughts, even if we disagree, its a good forum for the days happenings.

Oh, and LIGHTS OUT BABY!!!! (I believe Merriman)

The bandwagon will be full and fast and drunk and exciting - Undee

by poz on Aug 18, 2011 9:00 PM EDT reply actions 9 recs

I always enjoy reading your opinion lol and I agree

by billsstein on Aug 18, 2011 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions

agreed

and i particularly enjoyed this

But thanks for posting your thoughts, even if we disagree, its a good forum for the days happenings.

we aren’t required to agree. sometimes the debate helps you to understand the other side of the coin, and maybe re-assess your perspective.

by ThaRealTruth on Aug 19, 2011 2:25 AM EDT up reply actions

also, a sidenote

poz, i thoroughly enjoyed “poz’s Pre-season Player Points” and regret that i didn’t have the chance comment on my shared opinions, since i somehow missed this post.

i agreed with basically the entire piece. any of those who missed out on this, should not be dissuaded by not getting to comment; it is an excellent read, and obvious that poz chose to focus on the players we all have been curious and hopeful about.

sorry tvg153: i mean no direspect putting this on your fanshot. i just really wanted others to read it if they hadn’t, as i somehow missed it until now.

by ThaRealTruth on Aug 19, 2011 3:16 AM EDT up reply actions

thank you RealTruth

I appreciate the feedback and the kind words and Im glad you enjoyed it!

The bandwagon will be full and fast and drunk and exciting - Undee

by poz on Aug 19, 2011 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions

its mutual billsstein

when you comment, its always a worthwhile read!

The bandwagon will be full and fast and drunk and exciting - Undee

by poz on Aug 19, 2011 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

The only thing I would note, is the players profit off the heavy-hitting image of the league as well. I’d rather have Goodell pretend to care than not pretend to care (I’m fine with fining these hits, it changes the game, but in the long run the writing is on the wall, games gotta change some). I don’t care if he’s a hypocrite on the issue, so long as he gets the answer right. Motives are for a higher court.

by greysquirrel on Aug 18, 2011 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions

this is a good point grey

I got to hand it to you, in the end, maybe the motives dont matter as much as the actions. Good point sir!

The bandwagon will be full and fast and drunk and exciting - Undee

by poz on Aug 19, 2011 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Spot on though. Rec’d.

by greysquirrel on Aug 18, 2011 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions

You don't need DirecTV

Here is a link to streaming games in HD from THE NFL:

https://gamerewind.nfl.com/nflgr/secure/packages

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

by Montel on Aug 19, 2011 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Final thoughts

As far as the people who can’t handle an opinion and calling me classless this is Football folks not high school volleyball. Grow a pair and stop being so darn sensitive you remind me of my 10 year old. If you are that upset about my comments maybe there is some truth to them… I love Poz’s comments and respect them whether or not we agree. I hope Merriman is innocent as well just as I said above “If there is any truth to this.” Thanks very much and this website is for men not boys!

by tvg153 on Aug 18, 2011 9:58 PM EDT reply actions

As far as the people who can’t handle an opinion and calling me classless this is Football folks not high school volleyball. Grow a pair and stop being so darn sensitive you remind me of my 10 year old.

And still you miss the point…..amazing!

The player I would like least at #9 would be my sister’s cat, Captain Creamsicle. She does have a great work ethic and agility, but I’m really concerned that at 9 lbs., she’s too small to play safety in the NFL. She also bites way too often on play action and is easily distracted by someone waving string in the crowd. Lastly, her wonderlic score was pretty awful, answering "meow meow meow" for most of the questions- Dr. Brackish Okun

by mob16151 on Aug 18, 2011 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions

we dont care that you disagree thats fine!

It’s how your going along expressing it. Its very immature calling people sensitive sally’s and “I don’t think Wilson knows whether he is taking a #1 or #2 at this point. You people are being completely naive and ridiculous”. You need say your opinions in a more mature way that’s it man. Your right it’s not high school so you don’t need to insult people to get your point across.

"Hardwork beats talent when talent fails to work hard" -Norm Nixon
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." -Confucius

by ChewyFL on Aug 19, 2011 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

tvg roid rageing ?

by cencalclassics on Aug 18, 2011 10:12 PM EDT reply actions

lol

Damn that was funny.

Baby steps are for babies. Step it up buffalo!

by buffalobacker on Aug 18, 2011 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: BuffaloSportsDaily – is that the same outfit that broke the “Clabo signing with the Bills” story?

I had a drink the other day
Opinions were like kittens
I was giving them away
-Modest Mouse

by oompaloompa on Aug 18, 2011 11:52 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs

Hahaha, rec’d. Good catch.

"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.

by stetzwebs on Aug 19, 2011 12:11 AM EDT up reply actions

i remember when journalism

wasn’t any dude with a ’puter… posting on their own website. it is one thing for these opinions to be “blog worthy” but a long way away from being legitimate news. i am so glad to have changed majors… as i would hate to think that any garbage reported without legitimate sources, whether true or not, constitutes as any kind of actual “news”. There was a time when it was just plain taboo to make claims that were unfounded, and false. now, it is basically the norm.

in other words, “if i say it first, and it turns out to be true, then i will be heralded as some sort of legitimate source… if not, oh well, i have nothing to lose anyway. i paid my 7 bucks for the domain name… so i am alllllllllll good.”

by ThaRealTruth on Aug 19, 2011 2:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Sorry, but

I am not on a roid rage nor am I missing the point. Not cool to get called classless and questioning why I am even here for stating my opinion. The Ralph comment on whether he knows if he is taking a #1 or #2 I thought was funny, but I guess not, so sorry about that. I just felt as though Goodell did nothing wrong and there are many other reasons why this team has a hard time landing FA. It is not a very attractive place to play, its cold, small city and we have been losing for years. As far as Merriman goes I hope it is not true and as I said above “if there is any truth to this” then… Sorry for irritating a few of you.

by tvg153 on Aug 19, 2011 4:06 AM EDT reply actions

You keeping making a straw man argument. Meaning, you are arguing against an exaggerated and extreme case that no one is making here (that the only reason FAs don’t come here is Goodell), and then claiming victory over that case. No one is arguing that this means the league office is the only reason FAs find it unattractive to come here. They are just saying its interesting, because it means our image problem is compounded by these issues and may be worse than we realize.

by greysquirrel on Aug 19, 2011 9:03 AM EDT up reply actions

I understand that

But, what my argument is, is that it’s not part of the problem. It’s a non-story imo just as I stated in my original post that has been misguided and blow out of proportion. Again, not claiming victory I have stated at least 5 times that this is my opinion so YES in my own (according to some roid raged, over-exaggerated, classless) mind, I am right. I think you are trying to be a bit too philosophical for a Football Fan Page Blog, but again MY OPINION.

by tvg153 on Aug 19, 2011 9:23 AM EDT reply actions

Please use the reply button when replying to someone…it’s getting hard to follow the conversation :)

"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.

by stetzwebs on Aug 19, 2011 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions

how is it a non-story

that the most powerful man in football steered a player, any player, to the team he thought he should be on?(whether it was the right decision or not) Your right we are not an attractive place for FAs(big or small), so we have a hard time getting them. Now, add on if we do finally attract a player and Goodell doesn’t think he should get them, we don’t. Yay, one more obstacle to getting players.

"Hardwork beats talent when talent fails to work hard" -Norm Nixon
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." -Confucius

by ChewyFL on Aug 19, 2011 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions

First Report

This is the first report of this ever happening, at least w/ our team in the conversation, to my knowledge. I am a visual person so explaining it in another context helps me, which is what one of the guys at work did this morning. Someone coming out of prison no matter how long they are there will have a parole officer and probably other advisers involved in his release. He will have to get approval, if he is even able to get a job, before taking any job. Obviously being a bartender or a day care provider is out of the question for a convicted felon. In this case Goodell did not have to re-instate him, but this is a world of second chances. He did re-instate him and at that time talked to Vick and others in and around the NFL and decided to recommend a place he thought would be a good fit for him, the NFL and everyone involved. I do not think him going to a team and starting would have ever been a good fit, but I don’t think him going to Philly was forced, I think it was advised by the people close to Vick. I don’t think this is a normal occurrence and I just don’t think it is a story or something that is truly a roadblock for us in attracting free agents. I think it is exactly what it looks like, an isolated incident that was in the best interest of everyone involved.

by tvg153 on Aug 19, 2011 12:51 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Rec'd

Good add-on to your other comments in this thread. Hope this thing dies down now.

by ChuckBuffInFlo on Aug 19, 2011 1:39 PM EDT reply actions

was supposed to be reply to tvg153’x 12:51 post.

by ChuckBuffInFlo on Aug 19, 2011 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks and sorry

Sorry Squirrel and Chewy for losing my cool did not mean to come off immature or angry. Just expressing my opinions a bit to expressive. Thanks for listening and commenting guys.

by tvg153 on Aug 19, 2011 2:17 PM EDT reply actions