Kris Baker‏
@SabresProspects
SHL preseason: Rasmus Asplund scores on the power play as Farjestad falls to Leksands 4-1. Asplund 1+2 in two exhibition tilts

Trades happen, but trades that make your team worse after most of the tickets have been sold is dishonest IMO. This is why people don't trust Brandon, and Pegula to a lesser extent. No one can convince me this trade makes us better this year, and people were under the impression that playoffs were still a goal this year

That's obviously not true now
- jcragcrumple

Delusional ppl were under the impression we might make the playoffs this year
Also...
what if this trade did make us better?
Not saying it will...
but that would still have u pissed based on your "ppl paying to see Sammie" argument

Injuries & trades happen
Ppl that can't deal with that shouldn't buy tix
They'll always be upset

I just know how this press conference is gonna go

"We think this is a move that benefits us not only this year, but sets us up for years down the road"

Meanwhile, season ticket holders who thought they'd at least get to see Sammy go deep now get to watch Tyrod attempt to figure out the 10-15 yard range which he hasn't been able to do yet.

This move should have been made in the spring. if i were a ticket holder, I would be FURIOUS that what i bought actually isn't what i bought

It's like going to a U2 concert, and at the last minute, they say, "Well U2 isn't here, but you get to see Coldplay and you can't get your money back"
- jcragcrumple

You truly believe the majority of fans that go to the Stadium/Pay for their seats give a poop about Sammy Watkins or Tyrod Taylor "figuring it out?"

They don't.

They seek a winner.

Yeah but we both know that's only partially true. I said this a couple pages back, but if you're serious about the playoffs, you make the Darby trade and not the Watkins trade
- jcragcrumple

I just don't think we drop off too much with Matthews, the numbers are comparable. I know it's comparing apples to oranges, but honestly there probably isn't much difference.

Sure...
but even 1,000yds by Sammie are more valuable than 1,000yds by Matthews
Defenses schem for Sammie, opening other things up
Matthews is just a guy

So the overall numbers don't tell the entire story
Sammie is a much better WR than Matthews
And has ABSOLUTELY shown it
- jdfitz77

Yes when he is on the field, and a 2nd round pick is included in the trade...and may I say thats is a steep price in todays NFL...trades for draft picks that high are rare.

You truly believe the majority of fans that go to the Stadium/Pay for their seats give a poop about Sammy Watkins or Tyrod Taylor "figuring it out?"

They don't.

They seek a winner.
- MEBSabresFAN

So they don't want the starting wr on the ir pro bowl?

Yes when he is on the field, and a 2nd round pick is included in the trade...and may I say thats is a steep price in todays NFL...trades for draft picks that high are rare.
- sabreswarpath

I'm not saying I didn't like the trade
Am I?
Show me where...

All I'm saying is that Sammie is much better than Matthews
I like the trade A LOT

Delusional ppl were under the impression we might make the playoffs this year
Also...
what if this trade did make us better?
Not saying it will...
but that would still have u pissed based on your "ppl paying to see Sammie" argument

Injuries & trades happen
Ppl that can't deal with that shouldn't buy tix
They'll always be upset
- jdfitz77

Look, my point is this: last night people got to see what an electrifying player Watkins is. He's the player that people get excited for, and buy tickets to see. Yeah people go for the name on the front, but people want to watch players with names on their backs that get them excited.


Brandon and the marketing team spent the spring putting pictures of Watkins on the FB and all that, and halfway through training camp, the Bills trade 1 of their 3 best players away. They used him to sell tickets and then traded him away.

It's dishonest. The morale in that locker room is probably terrible. The bills just confirmed what the rest of the league thinks, we don't hold on to our best players

So they don't want the starting wr on the ir pro bowl?
- homiedclown

Be kind homie, not everyone has our more enlightened perspective

I'm not saying I didn't like the trade
Am I?
Show me where...

All I'm saying is that Sammie is much better than Matthews
I like the trade A LOT
- jdfitz77

I think you may have "triggered" the Warpath dude

p.s. my students taught me that word and i like it

I don't ever care at all about these types of articles either way
It's completely beyond me why anyone would give a sh!t about what some random writer has to say?
- jdfitz77

You don't need to be a brat about it.

I think you may have "triggered" the Warpath dude

p.s. my students taught me that word and i like it
- MEBSabresFAN

Look, my point is this: last night people got to see what an electrifying player Watkins is. He's the player that people get excited for, and buy tickets to see. Yeah people go for the name on the front, but people want to watch players with names on their backs that get them excited.


Brandon and the marketing team spent the spring putting pictures of Watkins on the FB and all that, and halfway through training camp, the Bills trade 1 of their 3 best players away. They used him to sell tickets and then traded him away.

It's dishonest. The morale in that locker room is probably terrible. The bills just confirmed what the rest of the league thinks, we don't hold on to our best players
- jcragcrumple

And when they're "marketing" they do so based on the players here NOW
They don't know if the GM is thinking of trading that player
Who knows if this trade was even remotely available then when they were being "dishonest"
Even if they did...
is the GM gonna go to the marketing department & say, "don't promote Sammie, I might trade him in 3 months"
Of course not

You sound absolutely ridiculous

And it's also their job to do what best for the Bills franchise,
which INCLUDES future years
Teams make trades for future benefits ALL THE TIME

You don't need to be a brat about it.
- Der Kaiser

Not saying you or anyone else can't get all fired up about it
I just don't see the point & think it's dumb to care what random sorts writers think

I think you may have "triggered" the Warpath dude

p.s. my students taught me that word and i like it
- MEBSabresFAN

Hahaha
Better break out my armor then!

Yes when he is on the field, and a 2nd round pick is included in the trade...and may I say thats is a steep price in todays NFL...trades for draft picks that high are rare.
- sabreswarpath

That's about the only thing that is giving me comfort on this. We now have a comparable amount of draft capital as the Browns. Browns have an extra pick in round 2, but we have an extra 3rd. Slight advantage to Cleveland still, but it's 1a and 1b scenario in the league.

Matthews is ok. Wanted Bills to get him in 2nd round when coming out of Vandy then the Sammy deal put the kibosh on that. Matthews was talk of SeniorBowl practices. Eagles fans have love/hate relationship with him. Makes a great catch, then makes a crucial drop in a big moment. What's even worse is talk out of Eagles TC was Agholar passed Matthews on the depth chart and Agholar has been a bum to this point in his career.

Sammy on record saying his class was going to change how players were going to get paid in the league. Might not have been in the cards beyond this year anyway. Where's 89? Could really use him to remind us the dude is a China Doll right now.

Gaines for Darby hopefully is a wash. Darby sucked last year, but probably won't be playing as much man in Schwartz's scheme nor would he have in MickeyD's/Frazier's.

Fasten your seatbelts Bills fans. War Matthews playing like he has a chip on his shoulder.

Look, my point is this: last night people got to see what an electrifying player Watkins is. He's the player that people get excited for, and buy tickets to see. Yeah people go for the name on the front, but people want to watch players with names on their backs that get them excited.

- jcragcrumple

What did you see last night that was electrifying?

What did you see last night that was electrifying?
- adambuffalo

His screen saver is a lightning storm, ironically soothing without sound

Incoming lukewarm take:

...feeling that you're entitled to certain things when you buy season tickets for the Bills, or any other sports franchise, is a joke.

Just because you decided to dump a ton of cash up front for an organization does not give you any clout. It's a business. Things change. Are they going to run all the potential trade ideas by you first? Are you on the payroll?

It drives me insane when people call in to WGR and say, "You know, I've been a season ticket holder for 15 years!" It doesn't matter. It does not make you special.

End of lukewarm take.

Pass the kale.

And when they're "marketing" they do so based on the players here NOW
They don't know if the GM is thinking of trading that player
Who knows if this trade was even remotely available then when they were being "dishonest"
Even if they did...
is the GM gonna go to the marketing department & say, "don't promote Sammie, I might trade him in 3 months"
Of course not

You sound absolutely ridiculous

And it's also their job to do what best for the Bills franchise,
which INCLUDES future years
Teams make trades for future benefits ALL THE TIME
- jdfitz77

People don't buy future years tickets, they buy season tickets.

They bought tickets for the season to watch certain players that have now been replaced by players of a lesser caliber.

I don't even dislike the moves, in fact I think they're logically smart. I just think the timing makes it look and feel gross. They did the bait and switch.

If I sound ridiculous, so be it. It's how I feel. I was excited for the season, now not so much

You truly believe the majority of fans that go to the Stadium/Pay for their seats give a poop about Sammy Watkins or Tyrod Taylor "figuring it out?"

They don't.

They seek a winner.
- MEBSabresFAN

From what I gather about bills football post 2000, most people go to get poop faced in the parking lot, pork a fatty in the stands and/or make a spectacle of themselves. A guy I went o high school with got kicked out for fighting a dude In the stands and also the cops. Had to go to Bills Fan university to learn how to behave ina football game before he's allowed back in.

What did you see last night that was electrifying?
- adambuffalo

He had 4 catches and 40 yards in 8 mins of work. He was a focal point of the offense, something that the fans have been wanting.

Sure it was only one quarter of a preseason game but when have you ever seen the Bills get the ball into their skilled position players besides turning around to hand off?

A healthy Watkins was something I as a fan was excited to see. This trade deflated a ton of the fan base just like the Eichel injury deflated the start to the NHL season.

From what I gather about bills football post 2000, most people go to get poop faced in the parking lot, pork a fatty in the stands and/or make a spectacle of themselves. A guy I went o high school with got kicked out for fighting a dude In the stands and also the cops. Had to go to Bills Fan university to learn how to behave ina football game before he's allowed back in.


- Da_Cashman

Fans are terrible

People don't buy future years tickets, they buy season tickets.

They bought tickets for the season to watch certain players that have now been replaced by players of a lesser caliber.

I don't even dislike the moves, in fact I think they're logically smart. I just think the timing makes it look and feel gross. They did the bait and switch.

If I sound ridiculous, so be it. It's how I feel. I was excited for the season, now not so much
- jcragcrumple

I disagree. I think anyone who has bought season tickets the last few years are investing in the future. No one thought the bills/Sabres were winning a championship this year, and I doubt anyone bought them just to see Watkins/Darby play.

People don't buy future years tickets, they buy season tickets.

They bought tickets for the season to watch certain players that have now been replaced by players of a lesser caliber.

I don't even dislike the moves, in fact I think they're logically smart. I just think the timing makes it look and feel gross. They did the bait and switch.

If I sound ridiculous, so be it. It's how I feel. I was excited for the season, now not so much
- jcragcrumple

This.

I think the moves can be smart. But they should have done this a month ago, and I don't buy that they couldnt have