Kim Pegula, President and co-owner of the Buffalo Bills and Sabres, is an extremely astute professional business woman. The paramount aspiration of this commentary is recent events of a star running back of the Buffalo Bills who at some point of time accepted the long-standing nickname of “Shady.”
Pegula is very much aware that with the ongoing LeSean McCoy incident, there will be different views about him. It is not unfamiliar territory for Shady to be heavily connected to a troublesome situation, only to deny involvement and then go in to the unheard from mode as his lawyers attempt to work magic attempting to have accusers back down, assumptions that a cash settlement comes along with that outcome.
Shady, possibly the Bills fans favorite player, most likely would be a former Bill if exposed guilty. That said, if he either has the case vanish the way he becomes quiet after a carefully worded denial was made public, or if it goes through the entire justice system and he walks away not guilty, his days as a Bill could still be finished. Obviously if he were found guilty he would not be at the mercy of Kim Pegula or the NFL sanguine they respect non-guilty but would be facing heavy legal penalties.
This isn’t his first rodeo. His name has been aggressively associated with other legal infractions over the years, but he has been fortunate enough to be able to stay in the league. At 30 years old, which is a senior citizen in running back years, Pegula would be less willing to overlook things if something is found on McCoy. She would probably cut ties setting the tone for zero tolerance since he would not be in the plans to be a featured heavily utilized back much longer after this season or next anyways one would guess.
This is all just speculation, rumors or media opinions. The Bills as a football team, need McCoy to be successful, especially with so may question marks at the QB and wide receiver position. I might as well throw a big question mark beside the offensive line as well. To complete the evaluation, the new offensive coordinator, Brian Daboll with an entire new offense being implemented puts the Bills offense in a deeper question mark status than the previous years where our biggest worry was a QB who didn’t turn the ball over, occasionally made highlight film plays, but did not throw the ball with aggression, the needed “touch”, the needed frequency and most noticeable not nearly enough in yardage to be a threat at coming from behind or taking control of a close game expanding the difference on the score board.
As a corporate culture impact, cutting him as soon as they could do it without it being too prematurely reactive, but executed flawlessly with facts, timing, well scripted explanation done with extreme professionalism as the decision would be scrutinized with a magnified glass.
Things we know about the Buffalo Bills this week:
- ESPYS Executive Producer Maura Mandt: “The inspirational attitude and unparalleled positivity Jim Kelly has exhibited, throughout not only his battle with the disease but also his entire career on the field, is an example of what we should all strive to be.” Kelly received the Jimmy V Perseverance Award Wednesday night which is given to a deserving member of the sporting world who has overcome great obstacles through perseverance and determination.
- Terrell Owens‘ agent says that Owens is all in on his comeback.
“He still feels like he has some football years left in him. He just loves the game and wants to get back to playing whether it’s the CFL or NFL.”
The last time he publically played organized football Owens was with the Bengals and he put up very impressive stats. At age 37 then, Owens had 72 catches for 983 yards and nine touchdowns. That was one year removed from his one season in Buffalo being the same timeframe he had his own reality TV show. He still holds the key to the Queen City in case anyone has forgotten.
If there is a guy that cannot play for almost a decade, and comeback in his mid-40’s, it would be Owens.
Scott Bryk is a contributing writer for Full Press Coverage who covers the Buffalo Bills. Follow him on Twitter at @skotbrick1970 and @FPC_Bills for Bills coverage.
