So, the Bills opted not to use the franchise tag on star safety Jairus Byrd.
Byrd says he could still wind up playing for the Bills… or does he?
“The door is not closed on anything. I’m not closing the door on any opportunities at all. The lines of communication are still open,” Byrd told ESPN.com. “I’ve talked to [CEO] Russ [Brandon] and [general manager] Doug [Whaley] a couple days ago. We’re talking. So it’s not anything that’s hard feelings or anything like that. The conversations that we’ve had, we know what’s going on. We’re all on the same page. We’ll go from here.”
OK, let’s dissect what that actually means.
The lines of communication are still open.
Translation: “I’m a professional football player without a contract. Between now and March 11, the Bills are the only team that is legally allowed to change that. Maybe they’ll decide to give me ALL of their money… who knows? Just in case, I haven’t changed my cell phone number.”
I’ve talked to [CEO] Russ [Brandon] and [general manager] Doug [Whaley] a couple days ago. We’re talking.
Translation: “I’ve spoken directly with the people who don’t sign the contracts. Meanwhile, my agent has been busy NOT speaking with the guys who DO.”
We know what’s going on. We’re all on the same page. We’ll go from here.
Translation: “They think I’m a good football player and they’re right. In fact, I’m the best football player. We know that the best football player gets the most money when his contract is up. And we know that free agents can go wherever they want. And we know that I don’t have any interest in being here. And we know that the team doesn’t have any interest in paying me so much money that I change my mind. So, yeah, we’re on the same page.”
BradRiter Heh. I suppose when I wave and yell “Hi, Bills!” As I drive by the Ralph, I’m talking to them too.
BradRiter He is still talking to the canoe driver however.