Alphadawg7

If you click on it you can see it on twitter. Clarifies that it was Beasley and his agent that asked the Bills for a trade, which the Bills agreed to grant them permission to seek one out. It wasn't the Bills who first put Beasley on the trading block. Beasley wanted out, could be because Beane approached him about a pay cut...could be he was frustrated (as he vocalized during last season) of getting booed and heckled in his own home stadium by fans near the bench...maybe a lack of commitment by Beane beyond this season...could be something totally different. There has been no leaks to allude to what prompted his trade request, so anything is just 100% pure speculation. But I think its a safe guess its likely something to do contractually (like us wanting to adjust his deal or something) or him just wanting a change in scenery after falling out of favor with his own fan base last year after things he kept arguing in the public eye. Maybe a combo of both. Who knows, but it was Beasley's side that requested a trade. Also: Beane publicly said more than once he expected Cole to be here for his final year of his contract when asked in the off season about his future prior to Cole's trade request. There is really no doubt whose side decided to seek a trade, and once he did, I am sure Beane was now of the mindset to cut him and take the cap savings if they don't find a trade given the player seemed to want out.

Nothing against Mack, but dude, to devalue draft picks we SORELY need right now is crazy to me. We still have to address CB and WR early and would much rather do that with a 2nd round pick in hand than without it. McBeane era (one just Mcd, the other with McBeane) they have used 11 picks throughout the first and 2nd rounds to draft and trade (Diggs) for players. They netted a top 3 QB...a top 3 WR...and a top 5 CB in Allen, Diggs, and White. One of which is a perennial MVP candidate, another led the league in receiving already since being here, and the other is a perennial all pro CB. Additionally, they added other guys that have resulted in multiple pro bowlers and key starters such as Ed Oliver, Edmunds, Dawkins, etc. That second round pick is valuable to us, and that is probably the leading factor here is that we did not have to give up any draft assets. I mean if we were going to trade, the better trade would have been Hunter not Mack. Plus not sure why they are saying Miller is more likely to miss games than Mack when Mack has had more injury issues. That doesn't even make sense. So yeah, there is a big reason why and its cost to acquire was more than just cap room.

They already lost players, including on defense, and likely at LT too. People keep assuming both Kamara and Thomas will be there still, but there is chatter Kamara may have to be included in the trade for compensation and cap reasons. So no lock he is still there once the trade would conclude. Just saying, this will not be the same roster as last year plus Watson. And they will continue losing guys each year in salary cap hell they are already in, and will still lose more this year even after the trade to get under the cap. And they wont have the draft picks to replace that talent either. So while the Saints will be better with Watons than without, they are no where near a lock for a SB birth, let alone a SB win. In fact, it can be argued he had as good of teams in Houston at times (not his last season where they got rid of guys, but the years prior) yet he never got anywhere near a SB and has just one playoff win (against us where we got screwed multiple times by the refs or he losses that game too). No one knows if Thomas can even hold up for a season at this point or what kind of player he will be at this point. They don't have a lot of other weapons on offense besides Kamara, who also has started dealing with injuries. The defense already lost a key player and now the OL is gonna take a big hit too. So, once again, Saints have consistently been in cap hell for a while now and have zero SB trophies to show for it during that time, not even a SB birth. They are not the "blueprint" for anything but how to have cap problems at this point. And it is going to take a monster rare trade to try and bail them out. If they miss out on Watson, they are still in cap hell with no QB and a weaker team still. That is what my point is, they are not some success story to follow like people keep touting here on how to manage the cap. They suck at it actually and one of the worst examples of cap management in the league. And I still think he is going to Atlanta if you ask me, I don't care what the "reporters" are saying...I think he is going there and teaming up with Allen Robinson and Fuller personally. But hey, I could be wrong...either way...

its a shame he is leaving the Bills in a weird divided state where some are grateful for his time here and bummed to him and go, and others are excited to see him go and can't stand him. Coles deserves some appreciation for what he truly did for this team: Played his heart out on the field, played tough for his small stature, and made a LOT of critical plays that led to us winning a lot of games. Played hurt, on a broken leg, for this team in the playoffs leaving everything on the field. Was instrumental in Josh's development, said by Josh himself, by always being in his ear non stop analyzing plays in practice or games, what Josh was seeing, what Cole was seeing, etc etc. Was a great locker room guy and teammate according to just about everyone in the locker room. I get there is controversy around him because of what he decided to be vocal about and how he went about it on social media. But putting that aside, he was a great signing and played a key role for this offense and for Josh. And for that, I will be forever grateful to you Beasley despite hard disagreements with a lot of your personal opinions and beliefs. Best of luck to you where ever you land.

To be honest, I didnt know a lot about him in college. I am basing my curiosity from the potential he has at times flashed on the field in limited opportunities in camp. By no means is he someone to depend on taking over, more so that they have liked him enough to keep bringing him back even though he had no real shot at the roster with Cole and Mckenzie here. Like I said a couple posts ago though, I fully expect Beane to draft or sign someone now that Cole is officially gone that can be a guy that can play that slot role regularly. So Hodgins IMO is just someone I am curious about, but still a long shot to ascend to the 53 man roster.

Good post, I will put my responses below each point below No disagreement from me, McKenzie has improved and why I really liked bringing him back. I was just comparing the skills to Beasley, who is one of the best route runners out of the slot in the NFL with great hands. That being said, the one thing that concerns me about McKenzie is the sample size of said improvement too though. I mean, there are a lot of guys who don't say have the most reliable hands have big games or make big catches here and there. But is that what you would see if they were relied on regularly is the question. But without question he has improved and I am still quite happy he is back in general. Good analogy and assessment here, agree with this too. This is maybe the only thing we weren't quite on the same page on, and probably my fault for not better defining what I mean by "tough". I wasn't referencing the ability to stay healthy or take a hit, I was talking more in style of play. McKenzie has been a finesse type player his whole career. Cole is a guy who can lay a big chip block on a run play despite being small. He is a guy who can catch the ball short of the first down, take contact and still get the first down. He is small, but he plays tough and strong despite the small stature. McKenzie just isn't that type of player, and I think thats a part of Coles game that goes under appreciated lately. And while McKenzie is certainly a lot faster, which is great, I think Cole is shiftier in making guys miss to get to that first down marker. He was great in that Pats game...however...I caution at putting too much stock into that. Its one thing to catch a team off guard and have an unheralded guy they weren't expecting and didnt game plan to stop come in and go off on them one game. Its an entirely other thing to be a main fixture week in and week out where teams are ready for that and create a plan to try and limit the damage that player can do. Also a very good point, just how cerebral and intelligent Cole is. I remember Josh Allen talking up how important Beasley was to him and his development off the field because Cole would be in his ear non stop every day going over plays, what went right or wrong on even a practice play, what he was seeing, etc etc. Im excited to see what Dorsey brings, and excited to see if we get 2 TE sets more into the offense with OJ Howard here as well. But I do feel like Josh has had such a dependable outlet at the slot position and took advantage of it in so many key situations the past few years that they will still try and have someone there that can be reliable for Josh. Especially since its been such a big part of his reads.

He wasn’t looking good in camp or preseason. It was questionable he should even start week 1 as Heinieke outplayed all preseason and camp. And that was before a serious hip injury cost him his season. His future likely is in broadcasting at this point.

Fitz didn’t look good before getting hurt last year. I think he’s done

Yeah I would prefer Beasley was here this year, but if we believe the reports it sounds like it’s just not in the cards. And yeah, they can get banged up which is why I am confident Beane isn’t banking on McKenzie as the full time slot WR given he’s pretty small. Beasley wasn’t big either, but he’s built pretty stout for his size and played physical because of it…plus we always had McKenzie as a backup when he did get banged up. Assuming the reports are accurate and Cole is as good as gone, then I would be interested to see if someone like Hodgins can ascend from the PS and finally grab an active roster spot as a slot option too. I wouldn’t say bank on any PS squad guy stepping up, but he’s flashed potential and been stuck behind Cole and McKenzie.

I love the two TE set potential with OJ Howard here. I’ve been advocating trying to get him for the past 2-3 years from Tampa. I think pairing his athletic ability with Knox own athletic ability is going to put a lot of pressure on defenses. But that being said, Cole wasn’t on the field for just 4 WR sets, he was a key component if this offense, even as just a guy the defense had to pay serious attention to on 3rd and 4th down which helped other guys as well. So I still think Beane is going to look for another guy to add at the slot position, and likely in the draft. He was also reportedly interested in Barrios before he signed elsewhere already.

I agree to an extent here…I agree in trusting and believing in Beane to make the moves necessary and in a way that’s best for the team and it’s future. But fans that “worry” about the cap are usually not really worrying about the cap, they are usually countering some outrageous and ridiculous approach or expectations by other fans here who would NOT do it the right way compared to Beane. I mean if it was up to the fans here, not only would we make this big signing, we would make 2 more and then also trade all our draft picks for another. So, I think the people you see most often advocating for not being stupid about our cap are usually countering ridiculous things people want done that are to the extreme.

Beasley > McKenzie in the slot and it’s not even close. That being said, I have full confidence Beane knows this and has no intention of heading into preseason with McKenzie as our starting slot WR for the season. I feel like the whole social media and vax stuff has caused fans to lose sight just how valuable Cole has been to Josh, how many huge third or fourth down conversions Cole made that were vital in a lot of games and wins. He is one of the best 3rd down WRs in the league. McKenzie isn’t as good of a route runner, isn’t as tough (people forget how many tough plays Cole makes too), and doesn’t have as good of hands as Cole. Don’t get me wrong, I love bringing McKenzie back, he’s a weapon, he’s just not on Coles level out of the slot. So with Cole seemingly done here, my expectation is they will look for a slot guy in FA still, or more likely in the draft…and possibly both. Josh loves hitting that slot guy on critical 3rd and 4th down plays, they will give him another weapon there before camp begins.

Funny thing is Saints haven’t won anything, are a total mess, and future is bleak and depends on a trade that may not happen to save their future. Yet people citing them as if they are the model to follow hahaha. Only on TSW

Cap is important, more important than fans want to admit. The difference is that we have a GM who is a master at managing the cap. Most teams don’t have that luxury and it blows up in their face. People want to cite the Rams, but over look the fact that while they did win the SB this year, it’s also the first time in history it’s actually worked. It’s not suddenly the blue print to throw away all your cap and draft picks to push for a 1 year SB run. It’s historically not worked a heck of a lot more than it has worked. Let’s put it this way, more teams have won a SB with a crappy QB than teams have won by mortgaging their future to buy one. And neither is an ideal choice on how to get one. Saints keep getting brought up, but why? They haven’t won anything. Why are they the poster child for why you dont need to worry about the cap? They have consistently had cap issues and had to lose players because of it, going all the way back to Brees favorite target Jimmy Graham. Saints lost players already this year and still don’t have a QB. They aren’t winning anything this year unless they land Watson (which I don’t think they will). And if they do get Watson, key players will have to be sent to Houston in trade as part of the deal too for both compensation and cap reasons. So no guarantee they can still win a SB even after the trade. This won’t be the same saints roster of last year with Watson. Bottom line is the cap can be manipulated, we all know that. But how well you manage that manipulation will determine if your SB window is 1-2 years or 5-10 years. I would much rather be the Patriots dynasty than what the Rams just did. Not only will the Rams likely not make it back to the SB this year, but they won’t likely win another one any time soon. Yes still they got one, but again, it’s the first time in history that has happened, not historically a sound strategy to get one. But again, the good news is we have Beane who understands maybe better than anyone in the league right now in how to balance aggression and intelligence when it comes to the cap. So we are in excellent hands and our future is bright.

Hes been a good blocker from what I have known. As far as the Achilles goes, it can take a full season to truly rebound from that, so I’m not too worried about it at this point, I expect him to be back to near he was this year.

Hard disagree. I mean we cleared a lot of cap to make this happen. And as Allens deal kicks in, we are gonna have to make further adjustments and cuts to deal with the cap. So to totally dismiss the cap is foolish. There is always a way to get a deal done, but consequences come. Look around the league at teams losing good players because they can’t afford them. You can only kick the cap can so far down the road. Im not against this signing by any means, I’m stoked we got him. I’m saying that cap management and responsibility structuring deals is still important. The good news is we have a GM who is a master at this and are in good hands.

He’s an athletic freak, but grossly under used in TB. He had Cameron Brate there who is also a very good TE and also Gronk the last 2 years. Then you have all the receivers and RBs catching passes. Just not enough balls to go around. He is big and very fast, he will be a matchup nightmare with Knox and him running the seams

THIS. TIMES 1000

I love this singing, been wanting to get him to B-Lo to play with Josh for 3 years

Sorry, but a 2 time Pro Bowl MLB is not a miss under any description of any kind. You may not like him, but no GM in the NFL would look at Edmunds and what we have gotten out him as a "miss". 4 year starter out of college, leads team in tackles, 5th in the NFL in tackles since entering the league, and 2 pro bowls. Fans can debate all they want about whether he is worth extending or not, but by no sense of the definition is he a "miss". To call Basham a likely miss is quite premature, especially since in limited snaps he showed some promise last year. But lets say he does become a miss, that would only be 3 misses in 11 players drafted or acquired in 5 years with first and 2nd round picks. Again, I laid out the actual track record. There is not a team and football who wouldn't jump all over that track record and take it in a heart beat. We have literally put a top 3 QB, top 3 CB, and top 3 WR on the field with those picks. Multiple pro bowlers besides those 3 and still have some young promising guys developing with exciting potential too. So, yeah...your suggestion they tend to "miss" on first and 2nd round picks is completely off base. Again, I mean no disrespect, just stunned anyone could even begin to suggest we cant draft in the first 2 rounds with that kind of track record.

I mean the Redzone was never his strong suit. Not exactly a TD machine.

Yes sorry, poor choice of words on my part, just verbally committed. Thanks for catching that

Huh? No disrespect, but I am stunned by this statement. 2017 - Tre White, Dion Dawkins, and Zay Jones 2018 - Josh Allen, Edmunds 2019 - Ed Oliver and Cody Ford 2020 - Diggs and AJE 2021 - Groot and Basham In 5 drafts, 4 of them with Beane and one just McD we have used 11 picks in first 2 rounds to draft or trade (Diggs) for a player. Of those 11 players, we have only officially "missed" on 2 as of now...Zay and Ford (he could bounce back under Kromer, but hes a miss as of now). AJE, Groot, and Basham are still up in the air, this will be the year to know what we got in them, they are also the 3 newest to the NFL and team. Of the 11, we have an MVP level QB, a first team all pro CB, a multiple pro bowl MLB, a pro bowl LT, an emerging DT who just had his best season, and a beast WR who is top 3 in the NFL. So how do we seem to miss with our 1st and 2nd rounders? I mean I see other people say this, and its like they only remember the one or two that didnt work out, and forget about the entire heart and soul of this team that was drafted in those first 2 rounds. I bet you would have a really hard time finding another GM with that kind of track record over the last 5 years.

We signed some good players. People had very unrealistic expectations prior to the start of FA like this was a Madden football game.

Its not true. Here is a link to the Super Bowl odds on March 11th across Vegas. Your brother likely saw some dude tweet that on Twitter, as there are a couple people saying that, but its not actually true. https://www.thelines.com/odds/super-bowl/ And here is a link today: https://www.vegasinsider.com/nfl/odds/futures/ Nothing has changed about where the Saints were 5 days ago and today.