Ickybaluky
08-24-2008, 01:51 PM
Adam Schefter reports (http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story;jsessionid=D7B87ECFDF1824AD4A582545362698C5?id=09000d5d80a3e78d&template=with-video&confirm=true) ...
Dick Jauron's contract year:
Jauron is entering the final year of a contract that neither he nor the Bills have been in any rush to extend. The two sides have talked, those discussions have hardly been acrimonious, but each side prefers to wait to see how this season goes before commiting to the other for any period in the future. But for now, Jauron is in the last year of his deal.
"All you need is one," Jauron said, declining to go into specifics about his thinking.
Each side is gambling. If Buffalo has the type of season it is hoping for, Jauron will be able to walk away like the unrestricted free agent he would be. But if the Bills finish with their third straight 7-9 season, then Jauron's price likely would fall below some of the skyrocketing coaching salaries.
While the Bills have been trying to resign wide receiver Lee Evans, and wondering when offensive tackle Jason Peters might report, Jauron's contract has gotten zero attention. But it should. And it will. And as the season goes on, it will become more and more of an issue.
Jason Peters holdout:
Peters has dug in on his stance of landing a lucrative new contract, and the Bills are dug in on their stance that they will not talk until Peters is back with the team.
It would be one thing if the two sides were at least talking; but neither side can remember the last time there have been any talks. There has been no communication between Peters and the Bills. Nor are any talks planned for anytime soon. It is the NFL's version of a cold war.
In fact, Peters has had next to no communication with any of his teammates, either. The only Bills player believed to in contact with Peters is his left guard, Derrick Dockery, who has swapped text messages with Peters throughout the summer. But those texts never get into the contract stalemate; they are more of a friendly variety, checking in to see how the other is doing.
Privately, Peters continues to maintain that he plans to sit out the regular-season opener, beyond the opener and as far into the season -- even the full season -- until he has the deal he wants. He is prepared to do it while foregoing his $190,000 weekly in-season paychecks. The Bills are as resolute as Peters.
Jabari Greer is becoming a very good CB:
When the Bills drafted cornerback Leodis McKelvin in the first round last April, they did so with the idea that the Patriots played with three wideouts on about 55 percent of the plays, and Buffalo could not match up. With McKelvin, Buffalo believes it has a better chance.
Yet the Bills cornerback that has generated the most conversations amongst his teammates is left cornerback Jabari Greer, a veteran undrafted free agent out of Tennessee.
"He's become a really good corner," said Bills safety Donte Whitner, who was not the only player to cite Greer's play.
With Greer, McKelvin and Terrence McGee, Buffalo should be better equipped to challenge Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Jabar Gaffney.
Edwards outlook improving on the leg injury:
Good news for the Bills: After missing Sunday night's game with a leg bruise he suffered last week, quarterback Trent Edwards is expected back at practice Tuesday, in time to be ready for Buffalo's preseason finale against Detroit and the regular-season opener against Seattle.
Outlook on offense:
Look for the Bills to be far less predictable on offense this season. They are working on a no-huddle attack, while allowing Edwards the freedom to change plays at the line of scrimmage. They also are moving around Lee Evans, who always lined up on the left side last year. Opponents are going to have a difficult time recognizing Buffalo's offense this season.
Dick Jauron's contract year:
Jauron is entering the final year of a contract that neither he nor the Bills have been in any rush to extend. The two sides have talked, those discussions have hardly been acrimonious, but each side prefers to wait to see how this season goes before commiting to the other for any period in the future. But for now, Jauron is in the last year of his deal.
"All you need is one," Jauron said, declining to go into specifics about his thinking.
Each side is gambling. If Buffalo has the type of season it is hoping for, Jauron will be able to walk away like the unrestricted free agent he would be. But if the Bills finish with their third straight 7-9 season, then Jauron's price likely would fall below some of the skyrocketing coaching salaries.
While the Bills have been trying to resign wide receiver Lee Evans, and wondering when offensive tackle Jason Peters might report, Jauron's contract has gotten zero attention. But it should. And it will. And as the season goes on, it will become more and more of an issue.
Jason Peters holdout:
Peters has dug in on his stance of landing a lucrative new contract, and the Bills are dug in on their stance that they will not talk until Peters is back with the team.
It would be one thing if the two sides were at least talking; but neither side can remember the last time there have been any talks. There has been no communication between Peters and the Bills. Nor are any talks planned for anytime soon. It is the NFL's version of a cold war.
In fact, Peters has had next to no communication with any of his teammates, either. The only Bills player believed to in contact with Peters is his left guard, Derrick Dockery, who has swapped text messages with Peters throughout the summer. But those texts never get into the contract stalemate; they are more of a friendly variety, checking in to see how the other is doing.
Privately, Peters continues to maintain that he plans to sit out the regular-season opener, beyond the opener and as far into the season -- even the full season -- until he has the deal he wants. He is prepared to do it while foregoing his $190,000 weekly in-season paychecks. The Bills are as resolute as Peters.
Jabari Greer is becoming a very good CB:
When the Bills drafted cornerback Leodis McKelvin in the first round last April, they did so with the idea that the Patriots played with three wideouts on about 55 percent of the plays, and Buffalo could not match up. With McKelvin, Buffalo believes it has a better chance.
Yet the Bills cornerback that has generated the most conversations amongst his teammates is left cornerback Jabari Greer, a veteran undrafted free agent out of Tennessee.
"He's become a really good corner," said Bills safety Donte Whitner, who was not the only player to cite Greer's play.
With Greer, McKelvin and Terrence McGee, Buffalo should be better equipped to challenge Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Jabar Gaffney.
Edwards outlook improving on the leg injury:
Good news for the Bills: After missing Sunday night's game with a leg bruise he suffered last week, quarterback Trent Edwards is expected back at practice Tuesday, in time to be ready for Buffalo's preseason finale against Detroit and the regular-season opener against Seattle.
Outlook on offense:
Look for the Bills to be far less predictable on offense this season. They are working on a no-huddle attack, while allowing Edwards the freedom to change plays at the line of scrimmage. They also are moving around Lee Evans, who always lined up on the left side last year. Opponents are going to have a difficult time recognizing Buffalo's offense this season.