Kaspers Korner

     With just 48 hours passing Michael Vick could be in the fight for his freedom for the rest of his life.  As a report is now going to be making the rounds that Vick will be charged with more crimes soon.

     Pro Football Talk has learned that the Atlanta Falcons informed the National Football Leauge that Michael Vick will be charged with crimes on the state level.  Which, at this point is freaking miracle in its own.

    Gerald Poindexter is the prosecuter in Surry County Virginia.  Poindexter has been slower than a tortise to bring charges against Vick.  His case has been on going since the day that Surry county Sheriffs accidentally stumbled on to the dog fighting ring.

    However, with this being state level charges look for some kind of prosecuter to be appointed by Virginia’s attorney general.  What charges will be brought on is unknown at this point, but the likely hood is that Vick’s number of days being free are coming to a close, especially with the possibility of Vick facing tax evasion.

      It was pointed out today to Mike Florio by readers that Vick will face tax evasion charges for not reporting his gambling winnings. Former Minnesota head coach Mike Tice settled his case with the IRS after coming clean with the fact that he scalpped super bowl tickets.

     So, Mike you better enjoy watching the sunset outside of a prison wall, because you not going to be able to see many outside of jail very soon.

     With Michael Vick now indicted by a federal grand jury the case against Vick is moving foward.  There is one charge that can lead to more charges against Vick.  

    In an article on Pro Football Talk.com Mike Florio points out that the conspiracy charge can lead to a much more serious indictments.  The conspiracy charge is a broad and easy charge to prosecute for federal prosecuter that is a stepping stone to other charges.

    The two charges that can come Vick’s way is a RICO claim, and a gambling conspiracy charge.  Both, which can be easily satisfied with the general evidence that the feds have.  Both charges have a sentence up to 20 years in jail.  However, the the coup de gracie will be the witnesses.

    Florio also went on to make another great point that is key to the two charges.  A name that was not in the indictments that has been central to the case.  That name being Davon Boddie, who is Michael Vick’s cousin.  Surry county authorities carried out a seach warrant on Vick’s home due to suspicion that Boddie was selling drugs, then the authorities stumbled on teh dog fighting by accident.

     Boddie was not indicted by the federal authorities.  Why, the obvious of course, which Florio also pointed out, Boddie was flipped by the prosecutors.  Meaning that he struck a deal with the Feds and has become a cooperating witness.  Which, is not good for Vick.

    Boddie most likely has details of the whole thing.  Also, he might mention other National Football league players that he saw.  There are many out there.  How do I know?

     Well there was a caller on WGR’s Mike Schoop and the Bulldog show that called in and stated that at a dog fight he attended on the west side of Buffalo a Arizona Cardinal brought a Rotwiler in for a fight.  The Cardinal players dog won accoding to the caller.

    Vick is going to get everything that he deserves, and I am lovin every moment.  I hope he palys this year to get tortured with all the who let the dogs out chant from fans.  After all he deserves some torture himself.

 

     Lions defensive tackle Cory Redding reached a long term deal with his club today.  The deal being seven years 49 million dollars, with a 13 million dollar signing bonus.  The deal sets the bar for Walker and the Bills.

    Redding last year had eight sacks, and 37 tackles.  Walker had six sacks and 27 tackles.  With Walker having similar numbers as Redding you can look for Walker to want a similar deal. 

     The deal is that the Bills are going to be up to their designated cap when all their draft picks are signed.  So, that is not good news for Bills fans.  Unless, the Buffalo Bills scrap their cash to cap plan Walker will go back to the Philadelphia Eagles, and then be cut.  The Bills will get a sixth round pick instead.  Woopie freaking do.

     Not getting a deal done with Walker will be one of the teams biggest blunders in franchise history.  Yes, Takeo Spikes wanted to leave due to the direction the team was going, but they should have never signed Dockery to the kind of deal they did. 

    When you team is refered to the guy that the Bills signed, which is the same as Redding.   You know that people around the league do not respect your signing.  I hated the singing, instead they should have committed to using Duke Preston and Terrance Pennington. 

     In the end to justiify letting Walker go back to the Eagles a couple of players must show up.  Dockery first and foremost, and the linebacker group must also improve upon last year.  Anything less than good performances from those people is a failure.

    So, Bills in less than two weeks it is time to put up or shut up.

     It is essentially believed that if a contract extension is not reached by August 5 Darwin Walker would return to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a sixth round pick.  Then Philadelphia would release him.  With a huge rival having interest in him after his release the pressure is on Levy to get it done.

     A report in the Miami Herald reports that the Dolphins could make a push for Walker.  Since, after getting rid of quarterback Duante Culpepper they would have significant cap space.  This would be a huge blow for the Bills, and Levy’s perception as a general manager.

     Walker going to Miami would be a huge swing.  Instead of the Bills securing a position that needs to get better they would allow their enemy to get better.  Eventhough, Miami is regarded as the basement team of the AFC East; Miami would get a huge boost on defense from Walker. 

     The winner of the division is going to be the team that is able to shut down their opponents running game.  Each team has a top back that either has promise, or has performed.  Yes, it is important to stop the opposition’s passing game, but stopping the run is the first, and most important part, of a game plan. 

      Jim Overdorf is the man that is doing the negotiating for the Bills, but Levy is the eyes and ears of Ralph Wilson.  Wilsons own words speak volumes, overheard by Peter King, “How are we going to stop the run.” 

    How do the Bills stop the run?  First you get Walker’s contract done first and foremost.  Then hope that Kyle Williams, and John Mckargo improve on last year.  Then you have a good chance of stopping the run.

     Dwight Freeney signed a monster deal.  A deald that could end Arron Schobel’s days as a Buffalo Bill.  Since, Schobel would like a new contract.

     The problem is that Schobel will not be the highest priority of the Bills next offseason.  That will be Lee Evans and JP Losman.  Both will have one year left on their rookie deals after this year.  Schobel is signed through 2009 season.

    The other thing is there is no way that they are going to be able to fit the tye of deal Schobel will comand under their cash to cap system.  Schobel will be right up there with Freeney, since Schobel was one of the leading sackers this year.  Freeney only had 5.5 sacks last year. 

     The thing that pisses me off is a guy wanting a new deal when there is multiple years left.  When you honor a contract then you must honor that contract.  If I was an owner of a team I would put into the contract that if a player fails to carryout the contract then that player forfeits the entire signing bonus.  This should easily shut up players.

     Losman and Evans are way more important then Schobel.  Schobel has not even been that good in run support.  Most of the time lately he has been caught up field going after the quarterback.  That is a problem in itself.

     The problem is that when a defensive end comes up the field too much, then that leaves a huge hole for a running back to easily run through.

     Freeney’s deal should have significant impact around the league.  Players like Jason Taylot and Shaun Merriman will want new deals as soon as they have one or two years left.  So, thanks a lot Bill Polian you just gave everyone one big pain in the ass.

     It was formally annouced today that the National Football League will like to have a team in Toronto within ten years.  Being a business owner myslef one thing is clear to me, and that is the NFL needs the Buffalo Bills.

     The annoucement came of no surprise to anyone.  However, the NFL is over estimating its drawing power, especially in Cananda.  Hockey is the life blood of Canada.  It is the game that they invented.

     Hockey is not just a sport it is a way of life.  It is who they are, and what they do.  You really think that the NFL will have the type of drawing power as it does here.

    Okay, first off where is the Toronto team going to play.  It will have to start off in the Sky Dome.  New stadiums are a way of doing business in the NFL,  and they draw in fans.  However, you cannot build one over nite.  So, what will draw people to the games.

    A good team is usually a drawing point of any fan.  However, an expansion team does not become good for years.  Look at the Houston Texans they still stink today. 

   So, what else would draw fans in?  Well a franchise player would, which they would get, but that does not guarantee he will be good.  David Carr was the Texans first ever pick, and first of the NFL draft.  However, he flopped thanks in part to a horrible offensive line.

    There is one thing that will draw fans instantly, and that is a border war game between the Bills and the Toronto team.   You hear it all the time here in Buffalo on teh Jim Rome show.  There is nothing more passionate then patriotic pride.  you make fun of one country, and I can guarantee you a ton of people will come looking for you.

     Also, with Toronto being just twio hours away a ton of Buffalonians will travel to Toronto for the game.  Which, would influx needed revenue for the city, and the team.

     The fact is that the NFL needs the Bills.  If they are going to be successful outside of this country.

     Pittsburgh Penguins ower Mario Lemiux is lobbying for Pittsburgh to be the site of the ice bowl.  The thing is that if it wasn’t for WGR’s Mike Schoop and the Bulldog none of this would be a possibility. 

     Lemieux’s wanting Pittsburgh to be the host of the Ice Bowl is perplexing to me.  I heard this morning on the radio from someone that visited Pittsburgh that they think Buffalo is more snowier than them.  The fact is that the cities are equal thanks to the lake.

    Eventhough, Buffalo is not going to be the originator an outdoor NHL hockey game this is our idea.  The original game was forgotten.  Heck, I never even heard that it happened untill Schoop and the Bulldog said it on their show.  The fact is that Buffalo being known for its cold weather is perfect for it. 

     Why, well thanks in part to the perception that we get so much snow.  With that perception people think that we have nothing to do except go to Sabre games.  Well, that might be true, but we realized that it is up to the people to come up with ideas like this to get our economy going.  After all the government is like a slug when it comes to this.

     So, in other words back off Super Mario.  For once we have a good idea that is goin to most likely work, and you got to go and steal it.  Then if the NHL has the audacity to go along with Pittsburgh, well then I go to words for you.

Fu*k You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh PS: Over our dead bodies will we let this happen!!

     Rookie camp for the Sabres have been on going at the Pepsi Center in Amherst, NY.  If Hockey Buzz.com blogger scouting is right, then Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff will have a hard time on deciding who gets to stay with the parent club.

    Rookie camp is a time to get a look at the future of the Sabres.  However, this year is a little bit different, since the Sabres have holes to fill.

    With the departure of Danny Briere and Chris Drury rookie camp became emensly important.  The camp gives head coach Lindy Ruff a chance to look at which guys have improved.  Hopefully, some have improved enough to crack the big club, and perform well. 

    Obviously , there is one guy at the camp that is a sure fire lock to make the club.  That of course being foward Drew Stafford.  Stafford in a short aount of games showed that eh belongs with the big boys.

    Danny Paille is the second person that will be looked upon to contribute.   If Drury or Briere were kept most likely Paille would be the foward that would be switching places with Andrew Peters in the lineup.  However, circumstances call for him to be the fourth line center.  Paille did not show much last year due to breaking a finger after he got called up. 

     The third spot, which is now the spot that will alternate with Peters will be interesting.  Many people have Mike Ryan to be the guy that will be getting the last spot, but if you have read my blogs before then you will know who is my choice.

     My choice of course is Pat Kaletta.  According to Garth Kalletta has gained strength and muscle.  Obviously his tiem with the club rubbed off on him, especially Chris Drury’s routine.  Garth also mentioned that by the looks of him he has dedicated himself to the weight room.  Kalletta last year made some noise by hitting everyone in sight in training camp.  Look for him to take it up a notch again as a lot is riding on the line.

     Ruff has some hard decisions to make.  He saw a lot fo the prospects with his own eyes last year due to injury.  Hopefully, this rookie camp will gie him a good idea of what he needs to do.

     I decided to do my own math today.  Going by a simple formula, and with Thomas Vanek’s contract setting the standard for restricted free agents Derek Roy could be in a big pay day.

     The average of Vanek’s contract is over seven million dollars.  Vanek’s contract will most likely be the standard that agents will be going by when arbitration hearing commence.

     Arbitration hearings themself have been one big problem.  The Buffalo Sabres realized that last year when former Sabre Danny Briere was rewarded a five million dollar contract, eventhough he did noy play a full season.

     How does this all figure into Derek Roy’s situation.  Well it is simple.  Arbitrators first will look at how many games Roy played, which is 75.  Then they will project his stats over all 82 games, which would have given Roy around 69 points. 

     Then the arbitrators will look at what the benchmark is, which of course is Vanek.  Vanek had 84 points over all 82 games.  If you go by Vanek’s contract Roy is going to easily get over four million.

     How did I figure this out.  Okay here is what I used:

          x                   69

    7,000,000            84

     seven million times 69 equals 483,000,000.  Then divided by 84 then equals 5,750,000.

     The fact is that the Sabres, and Sabre fans alike are going to be blown away.  Even myself is blown away by that number.  However, we are talking about arbitrators, and most of the time they like to split the baby. 

    If this becomes reality then it will be goodbye Sabres, and Hello Hamilton, ON.

 

 

     Just when you thought things were about to settle down, and not get any worst.  Well things just got ugly down right ugly.  As the agent of Daniel Briere shot down a statement that Larry Quinn made in a press conference this past monday.

    Pat Brisson, Briere’s agent, stated in a interview with Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo news that the Sabres never called his office at any point during the season.  This is in stark contrast to Larry Quinn’s comment that the Sabres called Brisson, but never got a call back from him.

    Brisson’s comments are another blow to the Sabres image.  As Gleason pointed out Brisson has nothing really to gain except clearing his name.  With this being said, who the hell is going to trust the Sabres.

     Sabres owner Tom Golisano really needs to think long, and hard, if Larry Quinn is a person that should be running the Sabres.  Actually, the question is NO!!!  Quinn should be fired on the spot.   He was the person that ran Ted Nolan out of town, and was the president when John Rigas was the owner. 

     Brisson’s agent even stated that Briere would have stayed for a lesser price if the Sabres just have showed interest in him.  Which, is yet another shot in the gut to fans.

     The statement that Brisson made tell me one thing.  Quinn cannot be trusted, and needs to be fired now.  He is unable to run a business, let alone a hockey franchise, and will run the Sabres into the ground, again.