Buddo

It's not so much BS for this year though, and hopefully for the future. Last year, was definitely about need. I do think they got a bit lucky in that the Edmunds pick, gave them the value they wanted, to take him there.

Might not be anyone starting from last years O-Line. While I like bothe Dawkins and Teller, there is obviously going to be serious competition, and there's nothing to say that either of them are better than anyone else. Ty could quite easily beat out Dawkins at LT, and as others have said, he didn't look great at RT (Dawkins) when he has played there. That being the case, Waddle could well be the better option at RT. Dawkins can then only go to LG if he's going to start. Teller will have serious competition also, in both Feliciano and Long. Feliciano was behind some really good guys on the Raiders, and while the Jest signed Long to play center, he actually looked a far better guard for them, apparently. Our starting O-Line could very easily end up being the 5 guys we've just signed, Ty, Feliciano, Morse, Long, Waddle and even that should represent a significant upgrade over last year. I've no idea if that will be the case, but if the competition pans out like that, I wouldn't be either surprised, or lose any sleep over it. I absolutely love how they've gone about upgrading the O-Line. Morse was the guy they desperately wanted, the solid, vet center, who will help Allen. He got the big bucks (and to no surprise tbh). After that, they've found guys who are still hungry to start, as they have either done so with some success, before ending up either behind a better player on a depth chart, or sidelined through injury, and couldn't grab the job back. Or they have been very competent backups, stuck behind good starters. All of them have shown on tape the ability to be a starter, and we shouldn't have to worry about any of them being out there. Beane and his back room boys, have, on the face of it, at least, done a terrific job in getting the O-Line group re-vamped.

I've not heard the interview, but I did see his comments at the PC after the signings. I think you're right, and it is why I said earlier, that it wouldn't surprise me if we signed him eventually, for decent money. Decent money being towards, but below, $10 million per, probably around $8 million per. I think that's the price point they are interested at, assuming the shoulder checks out ok, and I suspect Ansah was wanting north of $10 million per. I'd also say that that is the top end of what he will get, eventually ($8million per) as there doesn't seem to be a great deal of interest in him atm, likely based off of money demands being known, but also possibly because he couldn't currently pass a physical (guess). Earlier in the thread, someone quoted me and wondered how I knew the shoulder was ok. I absolutely do not. Please read my earlier post again, it simply doesn't say that, at all.

I wouldn’t be surprised if we eventually snag him. Shoulder has to be proven ok, but if it pans out ok, it might be a 2 or 3 year deal for decent $

Thanks for posting that. Largely echoes what he said in the PC, but probably put a bit more succinctly.

I think it's because the talent level of what they have to go up against, is both much higher, and more consistent. You never get to take plays off in the NFL (not without having to pay for it anyway).

It's the same rationale behind the supposed Bills interest, in that both GMs are ex Carolina, and both teams have perceived needs there. Familiarity can play an important part in FA signings - from both sides. It's hardly a stretch to think either team is going to make a play for his services. I think there have been earlier reports that both teams are interested, and I don't believe they were simply 'joining the dots' reports, but as others have pointed out, there's going to be a definite need to get the injury checked out before committing big bucks, and he's likely to be getting a decent chunk of change thrown at him if the injury checks out.

I like what they've done as regards filling holes, even if not all are starters, they've certainly improved the roster. But, injury evaluations are a concern for me, as iirc, we still have the same medical staff we've had for years. I'm not too impressed with their track record tbh. Some of which would be from guys who have had off season work done, yet appear to be hurried back, only to get injured again. While I understand the pressure to get players back fit, I've got the impession that the Bills quacks are rather overly optimmistic in their assessments.

Fair enough, yet what actually is a groundbreaking plan when it comes to building an NFL team? I'm not sure there's one that hasn't been tried by someone, somewhere along the lines.

Wasn't Ansah cut? In which case there's no problem with him visiting today. And signing today

While we may well still improve with an additional signing or draft pick, at this moment in time, we have enough extra bodies to field a new, and much improved O-Line. I could see Dawkins moved to RT, and Nsekhe at LT, or vice versa. Morse at Center and Long and Teller at Guard. The line is already, by the looks of it, significantly upgraded, and we shouldn't be done yet. Nsekhe looks like the type of move switched on FOs make, and get right. The tape against Clowney is very impressive, and I can't remember the last time a Bills tackle played that well in one game against a premier rusher. (It was probably Jason Peters, if truth be told)

Different QB, and Watkins, for all his ability, was a rookie, and needed time to adjust to the NFL. It's not necessarily an unfair observation, but I feel the circumstances aren't close enough to allow that comparison.

Tbh, I would say that that is correct, but I'd also say that it's a signing that could, and was, done, with minimum fuss and bother, and allows you to focus on more important ones. (I hope)

I wouldn't think so. If it wasn't for age, it's actually a good mix with 2 guys who hit holes hard, and punish defenders, in Ivory and Gore, and the elusiveness of Shady. Tbh, I don't give a darn about age if Frank still pops out close to 5 yards a carry - and there's nothing aside from age and a crap O-Line, that says he can't.

I'm not sure quite why, but I really do love this. It must be the completely against the grain aspect of it. In fairness, Gore has still been productive, even at his relatively advanced age, and the cost is minimal.

$12 million per for someone on the O-Line.

Regardless, the Lions are making some noise atm, with this and the Flowers signing, and a DB also. Oh, and I forgot about Amendola as well.

While it was a bit back, I recall looking at the relative cap situation of the Bills and Jest, and where the Jest had more available room, they also had a lot less guys already signed to the roster. They could certainly outbid another team on any given player, but I don't think they can afford to do it much more than once, and still re-sign or sign, enough other players to fill out their roster. I think the Bills could (not necessarily should) afford a couple of high priced guys, if they are the right ones. I wouldn't be surprised to see them make a somewhat surprising move (or two), once FA actually opens. I would expect that they will be targetting the O-Line (no surprise of course), but it could be any one of a number of possibilities, from another vet Center, to a Guard or Tackle. The signing of Long (who Jests fans think is an ok guard but poor center) makes me think that it will be more likely a Tackle or Center they go after hard, and if they think the hand injury especially impaired Long's ability to play Center well, then I expect that Taclkle will be the position we see signed first.

Actually, that might just be more correct, I can't remember explicitly, but I thought the original question was along the lines of 'what do you think a #1 WR should look like?', and the reply was 'they come in all shapes and sizes'. I'd say also, that Beane doesn't really like the notion of a #1 WR, probably due to 'team' ideas in respect of 'the process'. That's not to say he doesn't want quality at the position though.

I thought that was a terrific read, and well worth the time. Thanks for posting it. There's a lot of intriguing stuff about the interview process as well. While it seems some teams employ professional character evaluators, many (possibly the large majority), don't and are reliant on the GMs and HCs ability to be able to see the wood from the trees, and it appears that many aren't well prepared to actually do that, yet still persist in thinking that they can. Ultimately, it looks like that a kids success at the combine interviews, is mostly going to be due to how well he can convince teams, that his sole focus in life, is to be a good football player.

Just looked up his stats on wiki. He obviously does have way more pass catching ability, than Smith. I'm rather concerned that the Patsies couldn't get more out of him though. Depending on price, you would think that the Bills and Lions would be more in the driving seat, as both of us have settled QB situations, with QBs who will throw the pigskin. Either of us or the Lions could give him an opportunity to get back to being a true all round TE. A more intriguing prospect than I first thought, and if we could snag him and James, we would be well set at TE for next year.

Smith didn't do that bad for us, but pretty much mostly as a blocking TE. Does Allen have more receiving ability than Smith did though? (He did manage to catch a couple of balls) TBH, I don't know that much about him, which is why I'm asking.

I like this move. The guy has made a few plays for us in the last year or two. Probably not ever going to be much more than a depth/rotation guy, but doesn't look out of his depth when he sees the field, and has made enough plays to warrant another year. I could see him sticking around after this year as well, as I think he gives enough production to warrant a proper contract, albeit not an especially large one.

Good, one hole less to fill. While I'm not 100% sold on the guy, he certainly has ability, and with Kyle retiring, the added continuity he brings, will help. Probably a 'prove it' type deal, but not necessarily especially 'cheap'. I like how he genuinely seems to want to be in Buffalo.

I'm not sure he was ever truly healthy last year, which is really my point. Where we are still 'rebuilding', I think we can stand to take a chance on someone like Murphy regaining his form - although I wouldn't be averse to adding a guy like Quinn, and seeing who wins a competition. We should still be able to cut Murphy and take on a new contract for Quinn, with the space we have, even if it isn't until just prior to the season starting. (Cutting Murphy) I think, to a small extent, we can still take a chance or two on other guys who are coming off of injuries, but as time goes on, I'd much rather we avoided them, assuming we have become regular contenders. All teams get injuries, I just don't think you need to import them also - unless you are genuinely prepared to sit a guy for a season.