Die Hard Sports Fan

The Bills unplugged the Chargers to improve to 5-1 on the year, and remain in control of 1^st place in the AFC East.

1st Quarter

The Bills got on the scoreboard (that wasn’t working) first with a field goal by Rian Lindell but Chargers QB Phillip Rivers owned the Bills offense.  He went 10 of 11 for 98 yards and a touchdown.

Chargers up after one, 7-3.

2nd Quarter

The Bills fought back in this quarter as Trent Edwards hooked up with Lee Evans on a fade pattern to the end zone.  Evans caught the ball one handed before getting both feet in.  The Bills also recorded 3 more points on another field goal by Lindell.

Bills go into the tunnel at halftime, up 13-7.

3rd Quarter

The Chargers would battle back to take the lead on a 12 yard TD pass from Rivers to WR Vincent Jackson.  The lead wouldn’t last long though as Marshawn Lynch would get a monster block form Fred Jackson, and Lynch would be able to trot into the end zone for a TD.  

Bills head into the 4^th, now up 20-14.

4th Quarter

No comeback needed in this one for the Bills as they actually had the lead to start the 4^th.  The Bills are able to hold the Chargers to no points in this quarter and add a field goal of their own to hold on and win 23-14.

Wrap Up

The Bills top rush defense held one of the best in the game (LT) to 41 yards on 14 carries.

Trent Edwards went 25 for 30, for 261 yards and 1 TD pass.

On the ground, Lynch had 70 yards, and 1 TD on 19 carries.  Backup Fred Jackson had 9 carries for 33 yards.

In the receving game, Lee Evans caught 8 balls for 89 yards and a TD.  Josh Reed had 3 catches for 32 yards while TE Robert Royal had 4 for 53.  

Greer and Paul Poz led the team in tackles with 8 and 7 respectively.  

 

The NFL.com Game Center: Post Game is attached.

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It is being reported today that Buffalo Bills cornerback Terrence McGee will be out for Sunday’s game against the San Diego Chargers.

That sprained left knee just hasn’t healed enough.  This is bad news for a Bills defense that might be out with pro bowl DE Aaron Schobel also. 

The only good news for the Bills secondary is that FS Ko Simpson praticed today and is listed as probable.  Also the Chargers #1 WR is listed at doubtful (Chris Chambers). 

Even more bad news came out though as CB Ashton Youboty was limited in pratice and is a 50-50 shot to play.

This means that 1st round pick, Leodis McKelvin will have a big role in the game Sunday.  Let’s see how the rookie does.  Lets go Buffalo!

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It is being reported by multiple sources that Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez is being shopped around in the NFL trade market.  The Chiefs are talking to multiple teams about their star tight end, although no one team has been mentioned yet.

 

My question is why don’t the Buffalo Bills try to take a run at him?  So I am here to list my reasons why they should.

 

1. They have the Cap Room

Tony Gonzalez does come over with a pretty nice contract (in the Bills eyes).  He did sign a five year, $35 million deal back in 2006 but $17.75 million of that is guaranteed.  The rest of Gonzalez’s contract calls for him to make $1 million in 2008, $4 million in 2009, $4.5 million in 2010 and $5.75 million in 2011. 

 

Now the number isn’t exact, but the Bills have about $20 million in cap space that they can still work with.  The Bills have plenty of room to add Gonzalez’s contract. 

 

2.  The Bills Need a Good Tight End

Sorry Robert Royal but you just aren’t getting the job done.  You are a very mediocre tight end that really shouldn’t be starting in the NFL.  You are a good run blocker but are not really a threat in the passing game which is a shame for your QB. 

 

Trent Edwards loves throwing to the guys underneath, like his running backs and tight ends but he doesn’t really have a tight end to throw to.  The 6 foot 5, 251 pound Gonzalez would give Edwards a huge target to throw to and also another red zone target.  Let’s be honest the Bills need another target on offense.  Marshawn Lynch is in a little bit of a slump, and Lee Evans is still drawing double teams with the Bills lack of a true #2 wide receiver (Josh Reed is more of a slot guy, rookie James Hardy still is learning the game, and Roscoe Parrish is out for the next few weeks due to a thumb injury).       

 

3. The Bills have been looking for a Good TE

Not sure if any of you guys out their remember it or not, but the Bills were taking a hard look at now Tennessee Titans TE Alge Crumpler during the off season but were unable to sign him.  They then went after guys like Courtney Anderson and Tim Massaquoi and even drafted Derek Fine in the NFL Draft this year (Anderson and Massaquoi were cut, and Fine has not been activated yet because of a thumb injury).  

 

They know they need a tight end and hopefully they are still looking for one right now.

 

4.  Sure Tony is Getting Older, but He is Still an Elite TE

Sure people take a look at his number this year, 21 receptions for 193 yards and 2 TDs, and say the 32 year old is done but that is mostly because he is on such a bad team and hasn’t had one QB throwing to him this season.  The Chiefs are just throwing random QBs in there each week and Tony’s numbers are really hurting because of it. 

 

Remember this is a guy coming off a great 2007 campaign when he caught 99 passes for 1172 yards and 5 touchdowns. 

He is just off to a slow start and has plenty left in the tank to be elite in the next few years.

 

5. The Bills Could Use a Vet

The Bills are a young team just learning how to win games in this league.  Why not bring in a 12 year vet that has been there before?  The Bills oldest player on the offense is 30 year old Robert Royal who never been on a playoff team.  

 

The Bills could really use a smart veteran like Gonzalez that would not only open up the offense more, but also provide some leadership to the young guys in the locker room.

 

6.  He is a High Character Guy

The Bills love their players to be character guys, who are not only good at football but also stay out of trouble.  Gonzalez is very active in charitable organizations like the Tony Gonzalez Foundation, the United Way, and the Boys and Girls club just to name a few. 

 

Not only is he a great player, but a great person too. This is a guy that the Bills organization would love to have.

 

7.  All of This Could Be Yours for a Draft Pick

It is being reported that all the Chiefs are looking for is a decent draft pick (or picks) in exchange for their star TE.  Earlier in the off-season, Saints TE Jeremy Shockey was traded for a 2^nd round and 5^th round pick, something the Bills could easily muster up (also keep in mind that Shockey is four years younger at the age of 28).  The Bills already have their young, core players on the squad.  This season they can afford to give up a couple picks to better themselves for the next few years with a star TE in their offense.  

 

 

 

Gonzalez is still an elite tight end who currently holds the NFL tight end record for receptions, touchdown catches and yards receiving.  He has also gone to 9 pro bowls in his career and could still make the trip for a few more.  I would love to see the Bills go after him in an attempt to make a run for the playoffs, something the team hasn’t done for over a decade.  

 

Don’t agree at all?  Think I am nuts?  Want the Bills to try to get this guy today?  Please write your reactions in the comment box below or send over an email to buffbillsfan517@yahoo.com.  Your feedback is gr

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Hello and welcome back to the site Bills fans. Only a little more than 3 days left before the Oakland Raiders take on the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson stadium. I know you guys out there are just as excited about the game that I am so let’s get into one of the big match ups that will decide the winner of the game, the Bills rush defense against the Radiers Running game. BUFFALO BILLS The Bills rush defense has looked much improved so far this season, especially compared with last season where they were in the bottom half of the league. This is not the same team that it was last year though. Newcomers Marcus Stroud and Kawika Mitchell have made sure to that. Second year linebacker, Paul Poz, who missed all but the first 3 games due to injury has also stepped right back in where he left off. Stroud has been a force in the first 2 weeks so far. He is deffienty the player that the Bills thought they were trading for in the offseason and even more. He is so big and powerful. He just pushes the offensive line the other way. He also draws double teams that open up the field for everyone on the defense to make plays. It let’s the linebackers roam free and it also takes some of the focus off of the Bills defensive ends. Stroud has had 7 tackles this year to go along with 2 sacks. Pro Bowl DE Aaron Schobel has 6 tackles with 1 sack, while linebackers Paul Poz has 12 tackles, Mitchell has 7 and 1 sack, and former backup now starter Keith Ellison has 4 tackles. Just one person can make the world of difference. The Bills rush defense has been rock solid so far. They have only let up 91.5 yards a game on the ground while holding one of the top runningback duos in the league last game to under 70 yards. If the Bills want to win this game, that will have to continue. OAKLAND RAIDERS The Bills caught a little bit of a break with top Raiders runningback Justin Fargas not being able to play this week due to a servere groin injury. That is going to put the workload on top rookie Darren McFadden and 2nd year man Michael Bush. The Raiders rushed for 300 yards last week against the Kansas City Cheifs and 164 of those yards came from McFadden. They don’t need 300 yards, but they need to keep control of the ball and take time off the clock. If the running game doesn’t get going the Raiders will lose this game. I guarnteed it. WINNER of this Match Up I got to go with the Bills on this one. Their front 7 has looked so good and they have a very capable saftey in Donte Whitner to come up and make the stop if needed. All the Bills really need to do is focus on the run. If they can stop the Raiders backs, they will win this game. Oakland certainly can’t pass the ball to try to stay in it.

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NFL Network’s Adam Schefter is reporting that the Jints have agreed to terms of a one-year contract with T Shane Olivea. According to this report, Olivea just had a four-game suspension lifted by the NFL for missing a drug test which violated the NFL Substance Abuse Policy. Shane, 26, appealed the suspension, telling league officials he was in a drug-treatment center at the time of the testing. Olivea must first work out and pass a physical with the Giants before a contract can be signed.

The New York Post pointed out that the 6-4, 312-pounder lived in Cedarhurst, NY. Phessional and I used to live across the street from each other in Cedarhurst a couple blocks from Lawrence H.S. Phessional used to come over every Sunday to watch Big Blue play, and then he moved to Jacksonville, FL for work. Those were the days. Olivea graduated from Lawrence H.S. before becoming a seventh-round draft pick out of Ohio State. That’s also where the late Lyle Alzado graduated from H.S. may he rest in peace.

Various articles state that Shane once looked like one of the most promising offensive linemen in the NFL. So why would a 26-year old player get cut by the Chargers? According to The San Diego Union-Tribune, “All the Chargers would say when they released him in February was that Olivea had seemed to lose his motivation. But those around the team have known for some time that Olivea partied himself out of the league.” That’s not a good thing for the Super Bowl champs. So the G-MEN are offering Shane another shot. The upside is that they only agreed to a one-year deal if it doesn’t work out as planned.

To view Shane Olivea’s Player Profile, click here.

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Chris Mortenson of ESPN.com pointed out that the Redskins made an offer for Chad Johnson, but the Bengals rejected it.  We don’t need more whining premadonna Wide Receivers in the NFC East.  T.O. is more than enough for me to stomach over the course of a season.  Who wants to watch a guy running around yelling “Ocho Cinco” with Hogettes in the background?

NFL.com reported that Shaun Alexander was released by the Seahawks.  The Seahawks will be coming to Giants Stadium in Week 5, and I’d rather they came with Alexander then without him.  What happened to Alexander?  This guy was an MVP a couple of years ago.  Then he had two horrific years.  It looks like he lost his love for the game or something.  Now Big Blue will have to face a real back in Week 5.

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com reported that the Vikings gave up three 2008 draft picks to the Chiefs for one of the best DE’s in the NFL, Jared Allen.  On top of the draft picks, the Vikings had to give Allen a six-year contract worh $74 million, with $31 million in guaranteed money.  This makes the Vikings ‘D’ more nasty then they already were.  The Giants will close out the 2008 season against the Vikes, and we don’t need any more reasons for Eli to throw 4 INTs.

Newsday:

Giants should trade unhappy Shockey - Arthur Staple tries to convince us why the G-MEN should trade Jeremy Shockey.  This article was really good so I’m not even going to summarize it.  Just go check it out.

Tyree gets knee scoped - Tom Rock also reported that David Tyree had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee last week and will be sidelined until at least the start of training camp in July.  The New York Daily News reported this yesterday.

New York Daily News:

Seattle pursuing Jeremy Shockey - Ralph Vacchiano found out that the Seattle Seahawks are also interested in Shockey.  Vacchiano didn’t include any specifics about a trade.  Ralph just wrote that Mike Holmgren is looking to upgrade the Tight End position.

New York Post:

GIANTS PICKING TE WOULD BE A REAL SHOCK - Paul Schwartz believes that if the Jints select a TE in the Draft then Jeremy will be traded.

The Star-Ledger:

Tyree forced to have knee surgery - Mike Garafolo got David Tyree’s thoughts on having surgery, “I’m not a big fan of surgery; I’m a big fan of hopefully God healing me. But God chose not to heal me this time. He said the Super Bowl was enough.”

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 As you’ll read below, there is a rumor that the Saints want to try to trade for Shockey again.  I loved Jeremy since we got him.  I loved how he played offense like a defender.  Then, just like Tiki, Shockey called out the coaching staff and his teammates in that Playoff loss up in Seattle.  Since then, Tiki continued to talk smack which wore out his welcome.  Shockey may have said something once more, but it didn’t go on and on.  Somebody made him shut his mouth in 2007 because he said nothing and his teammates and coaches were the same for the most part.  Besides his mouth, I don’t like the fact that Jeremy thinks he’s still a Hurricane rather than a Giant and continues to work out in Miami during the offseason.  Also, Shockey brings other Giants to train with him in Miami but none of them include Eli Manning.  Then there is the whinning on the field if he doesn’t get the ball.

I really don’t know what the Giants should do with Shockey even though Jerry Reese insists that he will be their Tight End next season.  Shockey has become less of a receiving threat on the Giants, but he’s become a more well rounded TE.  Jeremy is still a threat that opposing teams need to focus on, but not as much.  He’s a play maker so he gets double teamed often as well.  If all of that whinning really affects Eli then they should let him go.  I’m not on the field to know exactly what’s taking place, but on television it doesn’t look good.  Jerry Reese has to put the best team on the field.  As of right now, he stated that Shockey is the Tight End.

Giants.com:

Positional Breakdown: QB’s - John Schmeelk takes a closer look at the depth at the QB position.

Fans Take - A Giants fan expresses his thoughts about the 2007 season.

The Star-Ledger:

More Shockey rumblings - Mike Garafolo read something that Peter King, of Sports Illustrated, wrote today.  According to Peter King, the New Orleans Saints still want to trade for Jeremy Shockey.  Garafolo checked it out and couldn’t find any signs of Shockey being traded.  Mike felt like the Saints’ first offer was way to low so he believes that if the Saints are serious then they need to come to the table more prepared.

Garafolo also pointed out that the Oakland Raiders are only so close to the cap that they might need to make more room.  One of the things Oakland can do is trade Nnamdi Asomugha to the Giants since this has been rumored before.

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Based on the accuracy of this ESPN report, Mike Garafolo of The Star-Ledger passed on this trade rumor: the Atlanta Falcons have agreed to trade DeAngelo Hall to the Oakland Raiders for a second round draft pick.  Garafolo believes that Hall will get a six-year contract close to the six-year, $57 million deal that Assante Samuel recently signed.  The Giants weren’t going to come near that number.  Mike reminded us that the Giants are still interested in other big-time corners like Nnamdi Asomugha of the Raiders and Marcus Trufant of the Seahawks.

I was a fan of Hall’s skills on the field, but not all of the crap that comes with him - and a contract around six-years, $57 million to boot.  I didn’t want the Jints to trade for him so it can’t happen now if that report is accurate.  I’m happy.  It seems like Oakland is really shelling out the cash this year.  Now we have to wait and see what moves the Giants make…

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In addition to signing Asante Samuel, the Eagles also signed DE Chris Clemons from the Raiders to a 5-year contract.  The Eagles have been quite busy and they are even interested in going after Randy Moss…so are the Cowboys.  So the influx of talent in the NFC East will make it even harder to repeat.  The Cowboys also have been busy, but the Redskins and the Giants have not.  We will have to keep a close eye on the NFL Draft because that’s the route the G-MEN are going to take.

Giants.com:

Mailbag for February 29, 2008 - Michael Eisen answers questions from Jints fans.

Did you Know? - Michael Eisen had a Q&A Session with Rich Seubert regarding his tenure on the Giants.

Newsday:

Giants lose Mitchell, Torbor and Wilson - By the time I wrote yesterday, we already knew that Mitchell went to Buffalo and Torbor went to Miami.  Later on in the day, Gibril Wilson agreed to a 6-year deal with the Oakland Raiders worth $39 million according to Bob Glauber.  Damn…that was quick.

New York Daily News:

Giants lose three from defense - Ralph Vacchiano covered the same story as Newsday.

New York Post:

WILSON, MITCHELL, AND TORBOR LEAVE JINTS - Paul Schwartz covered the same story as Newsday.

New York Times:

Giants Lose Three Players in Free Agency - The New York Times covered the same story as Newsday.

Samuel Leaves Patriots for a 6-Year Deal With the Eagles - Judy Battista reported that the Eagles ended up signing Asante Samuel as rumored.  Samuel signed a 6-year deal estimated at $10 million per year.  I don’t want talented people in the NFC East that aren’t part of the Big Blue Wrecking Crew.  Samuel is good for a pick every other game, and now we have to face him twice a year for 6 years.

The Star-Ledger:

…but don’t rule out Wilson - Mike Garafolo stated that he believes that Sammy Knight visited the Denver Broncos and left without a contract.  He also said that Eugene Wilson is still available.

Coleman gone - Mike Garafolo pointed out that Erik Coleman of the Jets has signed with the Atlanta Falcons so cross him off the list of possible candidates.

Giants lose 3 starters

Needell: Don’t freak over losing Wilson, either

Wilson gone

Needell: Eagles sign Samuel

Afternoon tidbits - Mike Garafolo provided a few tidbits yesterday afternoon:

• The Giants are also interested in Trent Green as a backup QB.
• Yahoo! reported that the Giants are interested in CB Jason Webster and DE N.D. Kalu.
• Derrick Ward has not left the G-MEN yet.

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