On Ralph Wilson, the CBA and the small-market Bills

[YardRat]

http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/articles/2007/03/bills-wilsoncba-smallmarket220307.html

Right now, the Bills remain among the league leaders in cap room, with perhaps some $27 million still to spend even after signing the backbone of a new offensive line -- Derrick Dockery, Langston Walker and Jason Whittle. Further moves don't seem to be immediately forthcoming, however, and the Bills have made what the team brain trust surely considers to be a most valuable acquisition: more draft picks!
In the wake of the Willis McGahee trade, Buffalo loaded up with three more draft picks, including two in 2007. After last year's respectable job by the Bills on draft weekend, clearly management is hoping to duplicate the low-budget, low-maintenance magic of finding diamonds in the rough yet again.
Good luck, Buffalo.

[Jan Reimers]

Re: On Ralph Wilson, the CBA and the small-market Bills

Terribly negative article. And unless I've missed it, the allocation of revenue from large to small market teams - via the mysterious "qualifier" process - still has not been determined. That has been Ralph's major problem, and after several months, it has still not been resolved. Jones, Snider and the boys want to squeeze the small market teams just as hard as they can.

The author never mentions this in his total blather and bashing of almost everything the Bills have done, instead implying that everything is a bed of roses for teams like the Bills.

This kind of "journalism" makes me sick.

[YardRat]

Re: On Ralph Wilson, the CBA and the small-market Bills

I took it that way also, Jan...I don't know where in the hell he gets his cap info from.

[OpIv37]

Re: On Ralph Wilson, the CBA and the small-market Bills

does that cap number include re-signing Kelsay and Lindell? I think the writer is a little disconnected.

[patmoran2006]

Re: On Ralph Wilson, the CBA and the small-market Bills

You have your right to an opinion to disagree with the merit of the article for sure.

However, its how the Bills are perceived nationally.. It's going to be that way for a while too.

And as far as the cap, the Bills are either 4th or 5th in the NFL as of right now in regards to cap room. Makes no sense to spend much money from here on it cause there isnt a lot out there.

I would be really stoked because next year we'll go into FA with a PILE of cap room, but I think realistically we all know that doesnt mean **** anymore with this team.

[patmoran2006]

Re: On Ralph Wilson, the CBA and the small-market Bills

does that cap number include re-signing Kelsay and Lindell? I think the writer is a little disconnected.

not as disconected as you think.

Only Minnesota, Houston and I think two other teams have more cap room in the NFL than we do right now. Cant remember which ones.. I think GB is one of them.

Regardless, right or wrong (debatable) its our decision to not spend a lot of cap room money.. But what is fact is if we CHOOSE too we could still sign plenty of playerse easily. Probably not worth it now though.

[Dr. Lecter]

Re: On Ralph Wilson, the CBA and the small-market Bills

They have way less than $27 million right now.


I would be really stoked because next year we'll go into FA with a PILE of cap room, but I think realistically we all know that doesnt mean **** anymore with this team.


Yes, we know that. As you accurately predicted this year they signed nobody to start after they re-signed Kelsay.

I should have taken you up on the wear a dress bet.

[Dr. Lecter]

Re: On Ralph Wilson, the CBA and the small-market Bills

http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/showthread.php?t=120913

They are about 16 million under.

[Don't Panic]

Re: On Ralph Wilson, the CBA and the small-market Bills

He pushed for drafting Hall... obviously he's clueless.

[patmoran2006]

Re: On Ralph Wilson, the CBA and the small-market Bills

They have way less than $27 million right now.


I would be really stoked because next year we'll go into FA with a PILE of cap room, but I think realistically we all know that doesnt mean **** anymore with this team.


Yes, we know that. As you accurately predicted this year they signed nobody to start after they re-signed Kelsay.

I should have taken you up on the wear a dress bet.

Ya.. Sign a starter, and then trade two starters to make up for the money.. and sign two more backups who now become starters.

You could homerize it all you want.. If this team trades Spikes right now, its a scummy Ralph is recouping money move. They dont even have anyone right now to take his place.. Coy Wire? Mario Haggan?

I guess Keith Ellison is that great already that he is not only a starter, he's suddenly our BEST OLB with Crowell in the middle.

Ellison-Crowell-Rookie.. Ooooo!! that sounds like a fearsome tandem.

[Jan Reimers]

Re: On Ralph Wilson, the CBA and the small-market Bills

What has really happened is that the cap has gone up significantly, but there has been no agreement on the qualifiers that determine revenue sharing between the large and small market teams.

So the Bills' costs have risen substantially, but to date it is unknown how much - or even if - their revenue from the CBA will increase.

That's not a good situation for any business, and I give the Bills credit for what they have spent in free agency.

[patmoran2006]

Re: On Ralph Wilson, the CBA and the small-market Bills

What has really happened is that the cap has gone up significantly, but there has been no agreement on the qualifiers that determine revenue sharing between the large and small market teams.

So the Bills' costs have risen substantially, but to date it is unknown how much - or even if - their revenue from the CBA will increase.

That's not a good situation for any business, and I give the Bills credit for what they have spent in free agency.

its went up for ALL small market teams.. Buffalo isnt the only small market team.

Cleveland is every bit as small market as we are. Yet you dont hear their owner crying to ****ing senators on a daily basis.

[Jan Reimers]

Re: On Ralph Wilson, the CBA and the small-market Bills

its went up for ALL small market teams.. Buffalo isnt the only small market team.

Cleveland is every bit as small market as we are. Yet you dont hear their owner crying to ****ing senators on a daily basis.

Come on, Pat. Cleveland is a much larger market than Buffalo, with a newer stadium, too.

I respect your opinions, but you sometimes seem to lose your perspective when it comes to the Bills.

[Mr. Pink]

Re: On Ralph Wilson, the CBA and the small-market Bills

Ok, I've lived in Cleveland...Cleveland economically is NO better than Buffalo.

Randy Lerner never once has complained publicly about funds and/or money. Where as Art Modell complained constantly and said he was losing money by keeping the Browns in Cleveland. Cleveland financially was in much better shape 12 years ago than they are today.

They have a new stadium because it was part of the deal to get the Browns back in Cleveland. No stadium = no Browns.

Look at some percapita income statistics, you'll see cleveland isn't exactly booming, and are nowhere near a large market team and/or city.

Cleveland and Pittsburgh and Buffalo are three rust-belt cities that are mirror images of one another.

[casdhf]

Re: On Ralph Wilson, the CBA and the small-market Bills

Who is left to spend this money on? Save it ... lets do some extensions.