(S)Chilling Moments

(S)Chilling Moments

Why Curt Schilling Belongs In Cooperstown: Part II

In November of 2012, I wrote a piece about the Hall of Fame candidacy and worthiness of former Red Sox ace Curt Schilling, where I (incorrectly) predicted that Schilling would be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Here we are four years later, and I make the same case.

Curt Schilling deserves induction in 2017, and here's why:

During his 20-year career, Schilling amassed just 216 career wins against 146 losses. He never won a Cy Young Award (a victim of the steroid era). But his numbers still pop out of the page at you. He finished third in Strikeout to Walk ratio, his 3,116 strikeouts rank 15th all-time. His pitching WAR, according to an article by Deadspin writer Tim Marchman, is on par with Bob Gibson and Steve Carlton. A six-time All-Star, Schilling led the National League in strikeouts in 1997 and 1998, and also led Major League Baseball in wins during the 2001 and 2004 seasons. In 1993, Schilling earned the NLCS MVP award by pitching to a 1.69 ERA with 19 strikeouts over two games. In 2001, he posted a 22-6 record with a 2.96 ERA as the Arizona Diamondbacks went on to defeat the New York Yankees in what many people consider to be among the greatest World Series of all time, and what I consider to be one of the worst days of my childhood. Schilling's postseason success that year, including going 4-0 with a 1.12 ERA and winning his only decision, led to him being named the World Series Co-MVP along with Hall of Famer Randy Johnson. Schilling won 23 games the following year.

After a sub-par 2003 season, Schilling signed with the Boston Red Sox, where he broke my heart again. He posted a 21-6 record and led the league with a league-leading .778 winning percentage. His 21 wins also led the league. During the playoffs, Schilling won his only start against the Angels in the ALDS. Then came his magical performance in the ALCS against the Yankees. After a disastrous Game 1, Schilling famously pitched Game 6 on his injured ankle, where he hurled seven strong innings, giving up just a single run on four hits with four strikeouts. He was the runner-up for the American League Cy Young Award. His 2005 season was spent recovering from his injuries as he posted an unimpressive 5-5 record with a 5.69 ERA. He rebounded in 2006, starting the season 4-0 with a 1.61 ERA, and finishing the season 15-7 with a 3.97 ERA. In his final season, he went 9-8 with a 3.97 ERA before retiring due to age and injuries. On June 7, 2007, he came within one out of a no-hitter. During the four-year period from 2001-2004, arguably his most dominant stretch, Schilling was 74-28 with a 3.11 ERA. By comparison, Randy Johnson went 67-33 with a 2.70 ERA during that same time period. His 2.06 ERA in the World Series is the third lowest of a pitcher in the World Series, behind Bob Gibson (1.89) and Sandy Koufax (0.94). His 8.6 strikeouts per nine innings among pitchers with 3,000 or more innings ranks third, behind Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson, and Sandy Koufax.

Schilling led the league in Games Started in 1997, 1998, and 2001, in winning percentage in 2004. He led the league in WHIP during both the 1992 and 2002 seasons.

Schilling was never the "best" pitcher in the league. He finished as the runner-up for the Cy Young Award three times and finished fourth in 1997. He only won 216 games over 20 years, three fewer than Pedro Martinez did in 18 years. Nevertheless, his numbers speak for themselves. For a period of time, Schilling was one of the best pitchers in baseball, and as someone who watched him repeatedly dominate to postseason when the games matter the most, I am adamant that Curt Schilling is a Hall of Famer.

In Defense of Bud Selig

A Second Look at Selig

Former Commissioner Deserving of Induction

Last month, the Veteran's Committee announced that former Commissioner Bud Selig will be a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame class of 2017. Selig joins Atlanta Braves executive John Schuerholtz, who built the formidable Braves teams of the 1990s, including the teams that lost to the New York Yankees in both the 1996 and 1999 World Series.

While Schuerholtz's selection was met with near-universal praise, that of Selig was met with the opposite, with many fans blaming him for the steroid scandal that plagued Major League Baseball in the 1990s and 2000s and continues today, albeit to a lesser extent than in the past. 

Selig first rose to prominence in 1970, when he purchased the first-year Seattle Pilots franchise and moved them to Milwaukee. He would spend the next 22 years as owner. He then moved into a front office role, eventually being named acting Commissioner in 1992, before being officially elected to the office in 1998.

As Commissioner, Selig oversaw incredible revenue growth in Major League Baseball. He instituted re-alignment and the Wild Card rounds (both first and second), he created inter-league play 20 years ago, consolidated the offices of American and National League President into Major League Baseball in 2000, instituted instant replay, and created the World Baseball Classic. He also instituted the highly controversial Home Field Advantage rule for the winner of the All Star Game, which lasted for 13 years before being shelved this past winter as a condition of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Selig presided over 21 years of labor peace in baseball.

However, many criticized him fiercely for his role in the steroid era during his term. In addition, his refusal to act on a Mets ownership change in 2011 during Fred Wilpon's ponzi scheme financial problems  which decimated the club, while simultaneously forcing Frank McCourt to sell the Dodgers, gained him a fair amount of criticism from fans. His unprecedented 211 (later reduced to 162) game suspension for Alex Rodriguez's second steroid admission in 2013-14 had him fall out of favor with many fans. 

Despite his obvious shortcomings as Commissioner, Selig oversaw a period of great growth and success in Major League Baseball, and his Hall of Fame election, though rightfully controversial, is well-deserved.

A National Treasure

A National Treasure

Baseball Needs to Keep the Tradition

I am a longtime Yankees fan, who for my entire 20 year life has watched the team play game after game under the American League's 1973 rule 5.11.

A hitter may be designated to bat for the starting pitcher and all subsequent pitchers in any game without otherwise affecting the status of the pitcher(s) in the game. A Designated Hitter for the pitcher, if any, must be selected prior to the game and must be included in the lineup cards presented to the Umpire-in-Chief. If a manager lists 10 players in his team’s lineup card, but fails to indicate one as the Designated Hitter, and an umpire or either manager (or designee of either manager who presents his team’s lineup card) notices the error before the umpire-in-chief calls “Play” to start the game, the umpire-in-chief shall direct the manager who had made the omission to designate which of the nine players, other than the pitcher, will be the Designated Hitter.

Year after year, CBA after CBA, the debate rages on: Should the National League adopt the designated hitter? Should the American League drop it? Fans of both styles of play have very strong opinions about it. As a fan myself, so do I. 

We need National League Baseball.

Pure baseball.

Please understand that I am not suggesting that the American League should eliminate the DH. I enjoy the extra offense and the chance to see power hitters and offense in the lineup. But National League Baseball is real baseball. The game the way Babe Ruth played it. The way Don Larsen played it. The way Walter Johnson played it. The way it was meant to be played.

Why is it that pitchers, whom some people consider the best athletes on the field, can't hit their way out of a paper bag? Or successfully bunt their way on base? These people are obviously amazing athletes or they wouldn't be playing in the major leagues, so why can't they compensate? Managers have to make tough decisions on whether to leave them in the game and for how long? Bench players get more playing time as pinch hitters for pitchers. The game is overall better with National League baseball staying the way it is. 

Yes, pitchers will get hurt. Yes, pitchers will continue to strike out. Yes, fans, owners, and others may complain. 

But in the end, Bartolo Colon, Carlos Zambrano, and Madison Bumgarner should be allowed to continue to hit. There is an option for pitchers to go to the American League as free agents if they so dread wielding the bat, but for those pitchers above, as well as countless others who at least enjoy trying to get that elusive hit or occasional home run, why ruin the game? 

Critics argue there are two leagues, playing by two sets of rules. And they are right.

That's what makes the MLB the best sports league. The NFL, NBA, and NHL have a unified set of rules, making their conferences and leagues identical, and therefore just for show. Don't turn the MLB into that as well. Don't cater to the "casual fan", who would probably be watching or doing anything else besides baseball were the option open. Don't cater to the generation of people too spoiled by an era of steroids and cheating, desperately begging for more offense. 

Cater to the tradition and strategy that actually makes the game different, and makes the game interesting. Eight other players go up ready to clobber home runs over the fence, Make it so one actually has to bunt, has to swing the bat and barely get that blooper over the second baseman's head. Make Inter-League play more entertaining by letting the fans see pitchers hit, like we do now. Because in the end, baseball made a great decision in 1973 to adopt the designated hitter.

And the National League countered with an even better decision to stay out of it.

http://m.mlb.com/video/v138948683/mianym-colon-drives-in-recker-with-a-double

Rocket Man!

Rocket Man

It's Been A Long, Long Time

With all of this controversy surrounding the resurgence of disgraced Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez, as well as the upcoming number retirement of Andy Pettitte, the time has come for the Yankees to ask a very important question.

You see, every year I sit and wait, like so many other fans, to see who the Yankees invited to their annual Old Timers' Day. It is a time to celebrate and commemorate the great moments of past Yankees, especially, as Yankees radio announcer John Sterling says, World Champions, All Stars, and even a few Hall of Famers. While I am well aware that he will never be the latter, it is time to bury the proverbial hatchet and invite Roger Clemens to the 2016 Old Timers' Day festivities.

Clemens, seen here with the Yankees, has been absent from team functions since his retirement in 2007. Photo courtesy of RealClearSports

Clemens spent six seasons with the Yankees, during which he amassed an 83-42 record and a 4.01 ERA, good for a .664 winning percentage. Not to mention a 7-4 postseason record, coming through when it counted most.

Full disclosure: I loved Roger Clemens. As a kid, I practically worshiped the man for all of the "super-human" success he had. Well, time has passed and I have lost that childlike innocence. I'm not stupid. I know full well that the reason for his success was more than likely caused by some form of performance-enhancing drugs, and as much as it pained me to learn, we all need to look ahead as well as what's past.

Last year, the San Francisco Giants hired Barry Bonds, Major League Baseball's home run king, as an advisor. The St. Louis Cardinals hired Mark McGwire as hitting coach in 2010, though he is now with the Dodgers. The Chicago Cubs hired Manny Ramirez as a hitting consultant.

The Yankees have embraced A-Rod, arguably the biggest cheater of all-time, as one of their own again. Never mind that Rodriguez, who has a career .263 postseason batting average, has been a perennial playoff choker, and the only player in baseball history to end his team's season two consecutive years with a strikeout. Yet Clemens remains locked out. Clemens, the two-time World Series Champion. 

On a hot summer day in 2016, John Sterling (or Michael Kay) will call out his stats. "He was the ace of the Yankees staff..."; "His 20-1 start to the 2001 season..."; or even "His intense demeanor on the field..." will be remembered. But most of all, he will be back in the one uniform where he belongs, Yankee pinstripes.

So I'm calling for Hank and Hal Steinbrenner, Randy Levine, and Debbie Tymon, (who organizes the annual event) to end the boycott! You let A-Rod back in after he wronged you several times.

It's time to give Clemens the same treatment.

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) Courtesy of CBS Cleveland

In Defense of Andy Pettitte

Recently the Yankees announced that they would retire the numbers of three of the greatest players in franchise history, and give them plaques in Monument Park. Bernie Williams, Jorge Posada, and Andy Pettitte. Posada, a decent Hall of Fame case notwithstanding, and the great Bernie Williams have certainly earned the honor. Pettitte, however, raised many questions, due to his use of the banned-substance Human Growth Hormone (HGH). Many were appalled at the notion that the Yankees would knowingly honor a cheater.

But is Pettitte a cheater? That answer isn't what you might think.

Pettitte admitted in a 2007 press conference that he did, in fact, use HGH in 2002 in order to heal his ailing elbow quicker and return to form in time to pitch again during the season. There is no question about that. He was never banned or suspended for the incidents.

Because he never used a banned substance.

HGH was not banned by Major League Baseball until January 2005, nearly three years after Pettitte used it. Furthermore, it does not appear to have given him an edge, as his win total actually decreased from 15 to 13 during the season, due in part to his injury. There is no evidence that Pettitte benefited at all from his use of the HGH.

His numbers speak for themselves, 256 wins against 153 losses, and 19 postseason victories (an MLB record). His 2,020 strikeouts in pinstripes are a Yankee record, 219 wins third all-time, and 438 games started tie for first with Whitey Ford. His 148 wins from 2000-2009 were the most of any pitcher during the decade, and he played a vital role in five World Series Championships (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2009).

And according to the rules, he really did do it all clean.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3156305

Le's Go Mets! W-O-R!

When the Yankees moved to WFAN-AM in October, it marked the end of a 27-year partnership between New York's premier sports radio station and the Mets.






However, soon the Mets found a new home, WOR-AM, the Conservative radio station of New York City, and it was announced that Mets executives and the Wilpons had inked a 5-year deal to air games on the station.






Apparently, the station reluctantly agreed to bring the beloved radio voice of the Mets Howie Rose back, but Mets executives borderline forced them to retain Rose, 60, who is a living, breathing Mets history book.




Recently, it was also announced that Josh Lewin would return on what was only described as a "short-term deal". Rose and Lewin, now in their third year together, instantly meshed.


And then there was one.




The Yankees have power and influence in New York, due in large part to their success and the hard-nosed, my-way-or-the-highway style of the Steinbrenner family. When they moved to WFAN, John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman moved with them.




The Mets do not, with Wilpon's lack of backbone in forcing decisions. And it is why I am writing this now.




For nearly 30 years, Ed Coleman, WFAN's Mets reporter, broke vital news on the team, including David Wright's new contract. He is beloved by fans, players, and management.


But apparently, not by WOR.


Coleman will likely not move to WOR to cover the Mets, staying at WFAN to report.


Coleman is 65 years old, and he has been with the team for a long time. He serves as a fill-in broadcaster when Lewin or Rose are unavailable, he hosts pre-game and post-game shows, he reports on team news, and he has shown that he still has a sharp mind, and a passion for the game that is unrivaled.


Why would anyone want to break that up?


And so, my plea to WOR-AM 710 is very simple.


Please,


Don't break up a good thing.

One Giant Loss

One Giant Loss

Giants' Season Over: But Who's To Blame?

The New York Giants kill me sometimes. After an 0-6 start, they rebounded, gave me hope as they seemingly came to be a formidable contender, but ultimately were done in once again and now stand with another playoff-less season. So who is to blame for this mess. It runs far deeper than one guy. It runs higher than a player or a coach. But it is something that can be fixed by 2014.

There are three key areas that cannot be overlooked for Big Blue to have a winning season and return to the glory that they once held.

First off: The Giants' offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride, as anyone and everyone who watches knows, a proponent of the "run and shoot" offense. It does work, but it requires a RUNNING GAME in order to work. According to ESPN, the Giants as a team have 1,052 yards as of today. They need new running backs by 2014 to be a formidable opponent.

Second: The Giants' offensive line needs to be fixed in the draft. They need to find a replacement for David Diehl, who will turn 34 early next season and is an impending free agent.

Third: Their secondary needs an overhaul. Antrel Rolle, who is owed $7 million in 2014, has just 5 interceptions for 23 yards. If he starts slow, he may be released. He is owed a lot of money in their cap.

Corey Webster, in decline at age 32 next year, is owed just $1 million. He should be the first player released after the season ends. A new cornerback should be drafted in 2014 to take his place.

Their running game needs a new face. Brandon Jacobs and Andre Brown added a well-needed boost, but if David Wilson cannot return, the Giants need to draft a new running back in April.

If Jerry Reese wants this team to return to glory, these areas will be addressed in April's draft.

I Want to Wake Up In A City That Never Sleeps

I Want To Wake Up In A City That Never Sleeps

Giants' Coaches Living Out A Nightmare, Will it Ever End?

After many years of watching the Giants, I have become used to many things, the second-half collapses, the criticisms of the coaching staff, and the rediculous amount of injuries we have every year.

So, I decided to look more into the situation. I studied the histories of our coordinators and coaches, and even the statistics of players, trying in vain to dispel the myths of the Giants' failures and uncover the truths behind my beloved team's struggles. And this is what I found...

Kevin Gilbride, our highly-despised offensive coordinator, is far better than we give him credit for. In 2004, the Giants hired Tom Coughlin as head coach, and he hand-picked Gilbride as his quarterbacks coach. In his three years in that role, Eli Manning went from losing every game but one in 2004, to winning the division in 2005, and making the playoffs again in 2006. Since he became the OC, Gilbride has helped lead the team to two Super Bowl victories (XLII and XLVI), and has presided over the greatest period of offense in the teams' hsitory, including four years of scoring 400 or more points, as well as many years of breaking team records.

Jerry Reese is overrated. So what, he had one great draft in 2007? He's doled out money to injured players over the last four years. He let Brandon Jacobs leave after 2011 with no suitable replacment. He kept Aaron Ross around when it was clear he had no place as a starter on the team. He has let the secondary decline for years, doled out huge money to awful safeties and cornerbacks, and kept older players around past their prime while letting good players leave. You want to see why this team is poised to finish under .500. Look no further. He's been here since 1994. Relieve him of duties and move him to another position, he may be useful as a scout. If we really got younger players that can stay healthy, we would make perennial playoff appearances/ 

John Mara and Steve Tisch are the best owners in the league. How many coaches would keep their jobs after four years of second half collapses?

And the number one thing I've learned as a fan? The Giants will break your heart, make you question why you are still so loyal, and even have you pulling your hair out, screaming at the top of your lungs, and pacing the floor. But at the end of the day, when they win Super Bowls, playoff games, and even go on unprecedented winning streaks, there is no team that I would rather love, than my Boys in Blue...

The New York Football Giants!

O-C D?

O-C D?

Giants' Gilbride Not the Best, But Better Than Most of the Rest

For so many years, Giants' fans have demonized our Offensive Coordinator, Kevin Gilbride. A man with over two decades of NFL coaching experience, and a longtime favorite of Tom Coughlin.  They look at the Giants' lack of success over the last few years and demonize him as a "washed-up" coach who has no grip on the modern day league and how it works.

Gilbride began his coaching career with the Houston Oilers as a quarterback coach in 1989. In his sole season, Warren Moon passed for over 3,600 yards and threw 23 touchdowns. Moon's success prompted the team to name Gilbride offensive coordinator the following season.

In his five years as OC, the Oilers finished among the top five scoring teams each year except two: 1992, when he was diagnosed with a rare form of kidney cancer and was unable to coach for a majority of the season, and 1994, his final season in Houston.

In 1995, the Jacksonville Jaguars hired their first head coach, Tom Coughlin, and he in turn hand-picked Gilbride to be the OC on his team. The worst two years of Gilbride's career were spent in Jacksonville, as the team finished 27th and 14th in his two years. He was then hired by the Chargers as a head coach.

After two years, he returned to his more familiar role as OC when he was hired by the Steelers in 1999. He spent two years in Pittsburgh and his offense finished 17th in the league both times.

These sub-par years cost Gilbride a chance at another coaching job in 2001. The following year, he was hired by the Buffalo Bills, who improved to 8-8 and set SEVEN team offensive records. A sub-par record in 2003, when the Bills finished 30th in the league caused his firing. But not for long...

In 2004, the New York Giants hired Tom Coughlin as head coach and he hand-picked Gilbride as the quarterbacks coach. Working closely with rookie Eli Manning for half the season before he assumed the starting role, their relationship helped shape the Giants' upcoming success.

In 2005, Manning's Giants won the division for the first time since 2000, and the following year they again made the playoffs, being ousted in the first round.

This was not enough for John Mara and Steve Tisch, who gave an ultimatum for the 2007 season. That year, the team finished 10-6 and swept the playoffs before capturing the franchise's third Super Bowl title. Four out of Gilbride's five years (not counting 2013), the Giants have scored 400 or more points in a season.

Their 2011 playoff run was a true testimony to his brilliance and the Super Bowl XVLI matchup allowed the team to capture their fourth title, the most under any coaching regime since Parcells. That season they had the ninth ranked league offense.

Their 429 points in 2012 were the sixth in the league, and the current team's turnaround, as well as Eli Manning's resurgence, are all you need to know about our OC, Kevin Gilbride.

He has presided over the most successful Giants teams in decades, captured two championships, and, in the end...

Canton may come calling....

They Might Be Giants

They Might Be Giants

Big Blue On Course to Re-Write Season

My beloved Giants are BACK BABY, and so am I!

Over my time operating this blog I have been an outspoken critic of the Giants, but my fandom has never waived! I have criticized players, coaches and personel alike, while hoping my beloved Big Blue can become top of the list like I know they can be, and have had the honor of covering their Super Bowl XLVI championship.

So you can only imagine my frustration at the 0-6 start. Screaming at my television and radio alike, pressing questions on Twitter to Patricia Traina, Giants writer (and a must-follow)! And also staying true, praying that John Mara and Steve Tisch not fire our coaches.

So with a two-game winning streak on the books, our season may be ready to turn around after all.

Future Hall of Famers, Quarterback Eli Manning, Head Coach Tom Coughlin, and OC Kevin Gilbride have been instrumental in our rise.

The NFC (L)East is readily available to be claimed, and I KNOW Big Blue can do it! 9-7 or 8-8 is not out of reach here!

And that my friends, is just what I want to hear!

Jets Free Agency 2013

The New York Jets have released LB Bart Scott, LB Calvin Pace, S Eric Smith, and OT Jason Smith, and TE Josh Baker.

New York Jets

Special Teams Coach Mike Westhoff retired and was replaced by Ben Kotwica.
O-Linbackers Coach Mike Smith left.

GM Mike Tannenbaum was fired and replaced by John Izdik.

Bill Hughan, strength and conditioning coach was fired and replaced by Justus Galac.

David Lee replaced Matt Cavanaugh as quarterbacks coach.

Marty Mornhinwig replaced Tony Sporano. I warned y'all this wasn't gonna work.

Mike Pettine joined the Bills as DC, replaced by Dennis Thurman.

LBs Coach Bob Sutton is replaced by Brian Van Groder

Tim MacDonald becomes DBs Coach.

O-Line Coach Dave DeGuglielmo was replaced by Mike Devlin.

Louie Aguiar becomes assistant special teams coach.

Steve Hagen becomes tight ends coach, and Ron Heller becomes assistant O-Line Coach

Pierre Ngo is assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach

Assistant D-Line Coach Jeff Weeks

Bobby April III is now defensive quality control coach.

Bills 2013: Coaching Staff

Doug Marrone: Head Coach

Offensive Coaches Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks – Nathaniel Hackett Running Backs – Tyrone Wheatley Wide Receivers – Ike Hilliard Tight Ends – Greg Adkins Offensive Line – Pat Morris Offensive Quality Control – Kurt Anderson Offensive Quality Control – Jason Vrable

Defensive Coaches Defensive Coordinator – Mike Pettine Defensive Line – Anthony Weaver Linebackers – Chuck Driesbach Linebackers – Jim O'Neil Defensive Backs – Donnie Henderson Assistant Defensive Backs – Samson Brown Defensive Quality Control – Brian Fleury Defensive Quality Control – Jason Rebrovich Special Teams Coaches Special Teams – Danny Crossman Assistant Special Teams – John Anselmo Strength and Conditioning Head Strength and Conditioning – Eric Ciano Assistant Head Strength and Conditioning – Hal Luther

Bills 2013: Special Teams

Shawn Powell had 65 punts with a 44 yard average. Keeper

Lindell had 21/24 and 50 yarder as long.

McKelvin will return as the punt returner.

Buffalo Bills 2013: DEFENSE!

The Bills defense in 2012 was vastly improved.

Mario Williams due $6.5 million in 2013. After a season where he had 10.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 37 tackles while playing injured, he will be a huge part of the team in 2013!

Shawne Merriman had 12 tackles, just 1 sack, and no forced fumbles in 2012. Going on 29 in May, the Bills might look to let him go as a free agent.

Marcell Dareus is due over $2 million in 2013. 26 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 2012 puts Dareus amoung the Bills best defenders in 2012. Look for him to continue his dominance in 2013.

Spencer Johnson had just 10 tackles and 2 sacks with one forced fumble in 2012. At the age of 31, he will likely not be retained. Jay Ross looks to compete for his job in 2013.

Kyle Williams is due just under $4 million in 2013. He had 27 tackles and 5 sacks in 2012. Alex Carrington had 2 sacks and 1 forced fumble to go with 12 tackles. Both will be back in 2013.

Mark Anderson is due $2.4 million while coming off a season with just 10 tackles and 1 sack. He needs to improve in 2013 for the Bills defense to be better.

Kyle Moore had 3 sacks and 24 tackles in 2012. As an impending free agent, the Bills must make him a priority on defense.

Bryan Scott had 47 tackles, 2 forced fumbles and 4 interceptions in 2013. This is one man the Bills have to retain.

Kelvin Sheppard had 56 tackles and two sacks in 2012.

Kirk Morrison had two, that's it, just two tackles in 2012. Give me a break, goodbye. As a backup, he will only return on a really cheap one-year deal.

Nigel Bradham had 37 tackles in 2012. He will return being paid $480,000 in 2013.

Chris White and Greg Lloyd  should compete for a roster spot in camp.

Aaron Williams had 24 tackles in 2012. He is under contract for less than $1 million in 2013. He will be back if he is healthy.

Crezdon Butler had 3 tackles and 1 forced fumble. He is under contract in 2013.

Stephon Gillmore had 52 tackles, 1 interception, and 3 forced fumbles. He will start over Butler.

TJ Heath may be the odd man out.

Da'Norris Searcy and Ron Brooks will battle for the SS spot vacated by George Wilson.

Jairus Byrd will retain his FS spot and be re-signed, and Mana Silva will be on the bench.

Buffalo Bills 2013: Offensive Line

LT Cordy Glenn, a young phenom, will certainly return and provide some sense of stability to the Bills, while Thomas Welch is under a very-friendly $650,000 contract for 2013.

RT Sam Young, making $630,000, will likely retain his starting job in 2013.

LG Andy Levitre, known for his versatility, may be expendable, as Kraig Urbik, one of my favorite Bills, recently inked a 4-year, $15,000,000 extension, and Keith Williams, making $480,000 in 2013, should be a favorite to replace Center Eric Wood if he is not healthy.

Wood, under contract for $2,300,000 in 2013, is coming off a knee/MCL injury, but hopefully should be fine by August. If not, rookie David Snow ($480,000 due in 2013) is ready to go.

Bills 2013: Tight Ends

Scott Chandler (43 catches for 571 yards and six touchdowns in 2013) is due just over $3 million in 2013. While he certainly isn't the worst tight end out there, the Bills do need to consider giving Lee Smith (4/13 with 2 TDs) a chance at a starting role. Chandler should look to accept a backup role or be traded before the season.

Provided Chandler is traded, the Bills will look to the draft for a new TE.

Buffalo Bills 2012: Running Backs

The Bills running backs provided a boost to the offense during a down season for Fitz.

CJ Spiller (207 chances for 1,244 yards and 6 touchdowns) provided a good backup to Jackson in 2012, while Fred Jackson (115 chances for 437 yards and 3 touchdowns) was stellar before tearing his MCL in Week 14.

Tashard Choice (47 chances for 193 yards and one touchdown) was a huge disappointment in 2012. At the age of 28 (29 in November), he will almost certainly be let go as a free agent.

FB Corey McIntyre, also an impending free agent, and recently passed his 34th birthday, is a toss-up. With Dorin Dickerson, 10 years his junior, waiting in the wings, it may be time for him to go.

Buffalo Bills: Wide Receiver

The Buffalo Bills wide receivers were pretty good in 2012, despite a less-than-stellar year by Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Star, Number one receiver Stevie Johnson (79 receptions for 148 yards, 6 touchdowns and only one fumble), put up a stellar stat line after signing a major contract in 2011. Provided he stays healthy, he will be a force in Buffalo for many more years.

Ruvell Martin (4/6 for 41 yards) made a small impact in 2012. As an impending free agent, I do not think he will be retained.

Brad Smith (14 receptions for 152 yards and 2 touchdowns) looks to see his role increase in 2013. After signing a four-year contract in 2011, he needs to make a greater impact or risk being released.

Rookie T.J. Graham (31 receptions for 322 yards and 1 touchdown) is still under a good contract paying him less than $1,000,000 in 2013. Look for him to see an increased roll in 2013 under Marrone.

Marcus Easley had 3 kickoff returns for 75 yards in 2012, and Chris Hogan, the undrafter free agent from Monmouth are expected to add a breath of youth to the receiving corps.

Buffalo Bills: Free Agency 2013

I'm Back!

The 2012 Buffalo Bills were a gargantuan disappointment to say the least.

The Beginning starts with the Quarterbacks, a position which was a very disappointing in 2012 to say the least. Ryan Fitzpatrick (24 TDs; 16 INT for 3,400 yards) was a disappointment after signing a 6-year, $59 million extension. Backup Tavaris Jackson (30 yards 0 TDs and 0 INTs) recently re-signed to a 1-year, $4,500,000 contract, leaving Tyler Thigpen (3/5 for 30 yards) as the odd-man out in 2013.