March over the bulldogs here is ESPN's. John Clayton hi John. -- okay. That the fans have been pretty sad here since hearing about can't holes that as have we and I'm guessing that you know him a little bit. He was quietly one of my favorite bills just because it was such a good person and I think -- He was able to try to get the person how this came kind of that hard working bring here. Lunch -- to -- type a guy who has very professional very good at what He did and I thought his leadership on the offensive line. It's trying to keep everything together trying to keep the the offense going with just. Huge and so. It in this the first set at the age of 51 field to lose him like that it was scary because I know when to -- the players. Who played in the seventies and they're very they have the -- all the actuaries say that 55 is going to be the you know what which -- mortality rate and we have fortunately. They were wrong and a lot of players listeners 60s70s and are still alive but now. When He sees something like this and noticed it's been a tough year for our -- NFL and losses in the NFL and losing a class act like can't hole is really tough. He was fifty actually yeah okay yeah with the fifty years old -- column. How much have you worked on if at all John. Mean what might explain that is it really just the of the physical polls that we're talking about on the body and and and that really is the starter. Oh no question the question I mean just the the pounding -- -- that's why worry about this current group of players because there's so much bigger. And the players from the ninety's and you've got -- what -- two ladies 300 are now 33360s. And in other I think that there even going to be in for a tougher type of thing because it now you've got to worry figures say out of football for a year to you're not trading -- -- today. And so -- you got here with the weight starts to go up. And so then you start getting the diabetes in the start getting all the other things but. You know they they hits and I think now we -- with a lot of hits -- concussions that's been an issue I think that does the pressure that's on the heart because. It all the all the adrenaline rushes -- you have to have all the physical exertion you have to have. And I think it just takes a weird here and -- think people appreciate what players and -- they'll have to go through and all you have to do is go to some alumni event. And walk around and see the players that have had. This joint replaced this hip replaced this knee replaced some of the physical problems they have. They -- they're out there like warriors performing for the fans sure they get paid they get good pay for it but. I don't think people appreciate the sacrifices they've made it to be able to stay in the sport. Like John it wasn't until. And we've -- knew it a few syllables when Mike and I first started working together. Don't back like 89 years now. That was one of the blues that the think that made the biggest impression on me. All the fanfare around miserable and what -- need expert today's scene of the former players in their fifties and sixties. Walking around and really frankly having trouble walking around. I'll never forget watching guys walk around and and just think in a while there is a poll. Oh yeah there's no question about it and would also says to -- so many of these players have a lot a lot of the money that they had. And they talked about the legacy fund and all those things about for real well that a lot of players are really suffering and it's sometimes -- a lot of the older players doing a lot of bad things. But a lot of the bad things that they do were relating to the fact that all of a sudden there's -- -- is seeping in his problems that have depression going in all the different things. And it's just scary and it's it's a very very difficult life and that's why I I just -- fans if you look at such a class act like -- hall. You see that the lawsuit community has the National Football League all the former built players in the gulf and -- golf fans haven't. And I just realized you know these guys. Our icons these guys there somebody that you could really look Gupta because of in the ultimately rightly that team and all that whole group they go to the right way. John Clayton without us I've got one more question on this in your great got to ask this to. Now because you're you but you go back the seventy Steelers. Bomb when when you talk to guys as you do. About their mortality if that ever comes up about just like the whole we're talking about the football takes to they regret anything about playing in the league -- We we recognizing most people recognize this physical toll I don't think. We we failed to do that but it's a it's a choice that. You pretty much what you'd expect that wouldn't you when you get in the football especially you know. As as you become a professional wouldn't you think. That this would happen maybe you don't dwell on it or focus on it but I wonder if guys as they get older who played regret doing so. I'm sure they start to go through the surgeries in the financial hole of those surgeries. There is the regret that goes on -- but also. You realize this is what you aspire to do that you're an athlete you wanna be the best at what you can do. And getting in the National Football League is the best thing you're striving to do it and if you -- fortunate enough to be on a great team. That makes it that much better so I'm sure that when you you know when you look back and all of a sudden the players that the end to get the chance to kind of reflected he's talking over things they don't regret playing I mean they may regret the pain that comes later. But also -- they realized the opera. Community was -- -- take advantage of it. And also that two people remember them and a lot of people. Go to their lives in total obscurity nobody knows who they are -- football player everybody knows He or you gotta you gotta light that is great. Certainly it's gonna have no consequences later on. But I think that you'll almost to a man if you start to ask yet they may regret the pain that they've gone through but they're not gonna regret the light that they had. Remember a story in Sports Illustrated -- a few years ago there was a poll taken. And remember how long ago maybe a decade ago or so all Olympic. Hopefuls I think it was were were asked would they give ten years of their life. To win a gold medal or something like that in the vast majority said yes. Where where where young week we just don't respected as much you know as as we do when we get older than me. The have a different perspective John lasting for me on this just how -- how good are great players you think analysts. Thought it was great and it may be about the hall of fame level but clearly one of the best interior offensive lineman. That age because of what He was able to do as far as his leadership. As far as how He could handle things and you know when you see the real good ones and they -- solidify. What you wanna do and He was just so good at -- at at all that even kept everything together and so are. If He Hala it's it's hard to make the whole thing that's one of the things that's so and I you see it too with. -- what we're going to try to get Andre reed lite support getting a solid state. It was hard to get more than 34 or five players in the certainty the certain Europe. On that -- still would there in there's such competition and we go there we have been going out since 1988. And you know what you get to that final fifteen. You're saying no to nine players -- you know in any given year you could say yes to. Investigated that it -- very difficult and particularly to you know this is that a group -- -- And Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas and there's been -- a lot of good players make it He was one of the good ones that didn't make it but that doesn't take away from anything that he's -- a great Buffalo -- career. John Clayton with us as He is Thursdays at five each week -- show -- the Bulldog on WGR okay bills giants last week. A second very tough loss for the bills who were in great position to win it four minutes left the tie in driving. How if at all has your opinion of them changed from this game. Also for couldn't continue the show that they can stay with any team they're facing on their schedule I think that bodes well. I think that the I still worry about the attrition with injuries how that's going to affect the team because I think that if they're about as deep as some of the -- at the top of their competing against. But I think that what you can see it's six weeks into the season whether it's the giants whether it's Oakland who ever it is they can stay with that team. And I think what's most impressive they can stay with the team on the road. I think what we conceive in the last two weeks is that. You know they need to make sure as we've seen in Cincinnati in the New York Giants need to get over the top in the fourth quarter to take these close games and turn -- -- victory. Nobody seems like. We see that. They can do that stop home it's a little bit Koppel on the road not something the basis posting I think I think it's encouraging. It that they can stay with any team in any games so far worry about the injuries -- about how they're starting to get that the wide receiver position you know three guys out in the front seven on defense that's a little bit concerning. But now they have a chance with a bye week to try to get rested try to get some guys back and then start to see how they start to get into the division games and do. Yeah boy that that injury point is a good one John there are talking about Kyle Williams missing a gamer to even with the bye coming here and there some question as to whether he'll be. A 100% healthy even the rest of the year bone spurs in. Mentioned as what the problem is with a foot and you know the if you wanted to think I and I did. The bills would be improved defensively and especially against the run really started with the arias and Williams plane next to each government on the line. Are yet to an output that that you concede the pressure without in the port on the the linebackers and how it made Andra Davis a little less effective and let this is. Benching and change there and so I think overall which you can see is that it is very. Very difficult when you start losing you know good players and arguably cowboys might be the best offensive players they have. You'll be interested to see how He great doubt ultimately against Marshall -- When you lose guys particularly at at the point of attack. Whether it's the left tackle whether it's a guard whether it's a nose tackle that it's tough to find the guy to replace can -- hard enough to find the guys to be able to play those positions. John -- with -- us well it was a a a good game a close game. But it's a tough loss to and I wondered just how much optimism. Is right to have for the bills as a play off team at this point we have. Asked -- some questions like this every week but. Since He won again and an Oakland not only one but -- -- Carson Palmer -- what you think about that. Pittsburgh is -- to the jets won not exactly the best week for their chances. No other alternative early in the union know that it's gonna be top outside the division when -- on the road I think. That's why at least they're establishing himself against those scenes. -- that seemed to -- -- since they lost was proper because at this stage can mean they're playing like a better football game in Cincinnati -- -- of these records four and two. But they're playing better than the Cincinnati Bengals and the Bengals to just kind of think think think think think the other defense is playing well because with the exception of the game against Ryan Fitzpatrick. They may Iraq's ranks second but they take at all all young quarterbacks in NFC west quarterback. You know most of those quarterbacks are not doing very well also I think that pops up stats. And make all those things in the AFC north look a little bit better to clean up for the second half of the season is going to be how they do the division they've already got a home game against the patriots. What they cannot afford to do is lose the home game to the New York Jets. That would be devastating because now if you start talking about -- two and four divisions schedule that is going to be pretty much they'd win seven win team. They need to come out at least three in 34 and two they've got and make sure they get this week against the Miami Dolphins. And that gets split now they've already got the at the first part of it against the patriots but they've got a wind -- home game against the New York Jets. How alarm how how tough. Do you think that beat the jets specifically John. Even modest capital of the last two years or not the same team in New York. And there's a lot of leakage on that team you can see they're older and they're slower in the in the secondary and order a slower on the front seven of their defense. -- -- The linebackers aren't getting to the place and if you attack. Particularly running now -- on the parameters you're having great success. Still if you're running -- outside linebackers this great success there you can run up the milk. They are not good running the football that's another problem does all of a sudden ground and how that turned the being pounded. Got the big issue and also I still think that they've made. Some major blunders of wide receiver because -- they golf infatuated with Plaxico Burress in yes he's done some good things. But he's done things I think only a third receiver can do got a number two. He's their number two if so I think they've taken a big drop off because they've lost speed and it got -- order wide receiver. Guys are not getting open they're not getting separation may be other than Santonio all. And so they're not as good as the team and that's why I think that he'll have to build our what were starting to see that they are. They can at least win this game and beat them until last two years it was time. It's not tough now Mark Sanchez is struggling in what they start to do some of the things that they did two weeks ago with George Wilson and try to get some. So that's confusing type defense is move -- and around. They immediately get a couple more picks against more exchanges in when that football game. John Clayton with us John do you like the Carson Palmer -- -- you really like it. I think it's understandable. I don't I think it was an overpayment is not an overpayment that they can stay in the playoffs for the next two years what you've got to see now. Are you getting the Carson Palmer -- 2006. And 2007 the throws for 4000 yards complete 64% of the passes. Are you getting the banged up Carson Palmer. That is completing 61%. And he's going from seven point three yards -- an attempt to six point seven. We still need the big drop off as an interesting comparison I wanna see if what you guys think about it. -- -- -- -- -- -- Getting the new version of Drew Bledsoe I think there's a comparison there because obviously when Bledsoe was in his prime in New England. He's like Carson Palmer was an elite quarterback. 4000 yards being able to try to get to the playoffs almost every year He was that type of quarterback but when He got over to buffalo He was not the same. Are they getting that and that that's the case. It will that take that that would not probably take them to a point where they can get. About San Diego because Philip Rivers is a better quarterback so -- -- some kind of wondering did you say there's a comparison to. Now -- all -- so absolutely John yeah -- I got right there right away assumes we heard about it and -- the thing that was stunning to me about it is that. The the the Bengals managed to get. Almost twice the return. Mean the bills gave up 11 round pick for blood so -- was an off season so maybe it's different. But same number years in the league similar careers. Similar enough I mean what sort of Super Bowl appearance by then. But. The fact that they got that second that now can the second turn into wanderers -- that that is -- -- Some debate about it but the understand that everybody is going on is that they make a championship game go to the AFC title game in any one of those two years. Then they'll get a first round pick in 2013. If -- they would get a solid second round pick so. If they have the success of this straining get back to the championship Ellen what the raiders are looking at -- that they're getting a stronger taller version of which they haven't they know they'll be fine to be happy to get that first round pick. But they don't get to the championship and that's gonna be a He had disaster from the standpoint that they only have a fifth and sixth round pick next year. And they -- about three consecutive years without first round pick and also going to be very tight against the salary cap. Another of the many similarities Paul -- Bledsoe is the -- -- neither old at the time of the trade Palmer's 31. I believe and I remember John Bledsoe put up huge numbers for about eight games here we. Started the -- -- season they were a big story in the league but it ended right around men and in all four they played some weak teams at the end and He did well but it was close to the end at that point -- No question and I think that that's what nobody knows at this stage -- one thing that I think He does get the benefit and I've been very critical for years of what the -- is about a wide receiver this is actually a pretty good group of wide receivers at the raiders have. They've got a young rookie receiver the various mortal I think it absolutely sensational Jacoby Jones has speed to dot dot at various -- -- speed. They've got a lot of guys that are going to be game breakers I think that there isn't gonna end up being the best that receiving group of the pretty competent tight end Kevin Boss and so. I think in many ways. He has better weapons that He left in Cincinnati. When they had Carol -- one step at the end of his career and also having Chad Ochocinco not running the routes as precisely as He did years ago. So a lot of times I think but He was betrayed by the talent at the receiver position if He can get -- the bulk of these quick guys with speed and ideally a lot of big plays. Now we've got to buy for the bills in -- -- recently known on you don't worry about jinx thing the bills like coming to their game where are you going this week. This we're got going to Houston and Tennessee and probably the most understated divisional game. In the lake and the other than maybe the NFC west -- seems like nobody cares about the AFC south. Without Peyton Manning a ball which I find very curious I mean this is one more I think it's. One of the best games of the weekend but nobody seems to care much about it I just find that very very -- usual because. If you've got Houston right now scrambling they won't have probably Andre Johnson they already lost Mario Williams for the season -- shops all banged up. Trying to go against a Tennessee team that's kinda -- recapture some things that the 35 year old quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. You'll be their torture -- Will be no one else out there with you so you can put your feet up sprawled out a little bit different. Much and that's one thing and -- -- -- around the web go to the national people going this week and I don't know where most of the national next week it's even stranger because this is not a lot of different type again next with the early gains are really brutal back I'm probably gonna stay here and wait to see the Cincinnati Bengals coming against Seattle. I'm John I'm going to San Diego every week. I mean if -- yeah. The great -- need to be at 1 o'clock games and He goes for television and writing purposes there's just not many -- 1 o'clock games they're very good next week a couple this -- and Atlantic beach writes a pretty good one. Certainly is interesting to see the you'll be Andrew Luck bored out of Miami where Tim Tebow is going against the great Matt Moore so that was in the interest they would. Miami yet in the -- against the Denver Broncos -- Yeah that the lead early games next week -- You download candidates not pretty -- we gotta go. And for our region next -- schedule. John great to chat with you is always. -- next week John clay.
