BigBuff423

All of those comments above are one of the reasons why I fricken love Beane. I don't know how he'll do over the long-term, but I love what I've seen from him the first couple of years. He takes an honest assessment of the players, keeps those who play to the level AND fit the culture and let walk the others who may have talent or good guys but don't contribute on the field. It also shows that while it seems truly genuine that Beane and McD are friendly and get along well, Beane doesn't let that hinder him "challenging" him on how to take the players and make them better, regardless of personal relationships. The bolded and underlined text was enlightening to me. I think in my mind, when Beane said "...and vice versa", he was referring to Murphy. Trent Murphy showed flashes at times in the season but also disappeared for games at a time but he had a good to great game in Houston. IMHO, that statement says, that Murphy had a good game in Houston, but that doesn't mean he'll be back. If that's the case, again to me it shows Beane's ability to take a 10,000 foot view and not just narrowly focus on one, singular point.

I don't know if anyone else sees this, and I may be wrong, but I watched his high school highlights, it appears Josh is throwing a 3/4 to sidearm pass. It's as if it's more of a baseball throw than a football one. And to consider this is where he was at the time when he was just about to enter college and to see where he is now, it's no wonder he's had this development curve because he's had to learn so much of the fundamental mechanics at this stage of his career when many others, if not virtually all of them, have gone through this teaching process for years.

Lee Smith was brought in to block and be a Vet for the young TE room. He did that. Murphy has had injury issues but he also showed his value at times and his cost wasn’t prohibitive in a year when they were trying to not over-commit to the Cap. Star is so misunderstood by so many fans on exactly what he’s asked to do, that this discussion is a longer one. Darby was a trade b/c he didn’t fit in the type of Defense McD was installing. But Smoke might have been one of the best FA signings all season, Beasley, Morse, Spain (who didn’t allow a sack), Nyseke when he was healthy, Spencer Long and Feliciano was solid to great, Gore for his mentoring of Motor, Barkley who has been good for Josh, trading Sammy for a 2nd who hasn’t done much on two Super Bowl caliber teams and yes he had one good game with the Chiefs but that’s not worth keeping him, Andre Smith - Pro Bowler on ST..... But you choose to see what you’d like.

I'll respectfully disagree to all points, but specifically where "last year was one of the deepest WR drafts the last 20 years", because I don't claim to be an expert, but I don't recall anyone making that determination. 2014 was supposed to a phenomenal year for WRs and I think it was a good one and most of the Draft "experts" are claiming this one is even better. Furthermore, a good GM and his team can find great talent anywhere in the Draft and there are just too many examples to use for this. As for WR, there is something to be said for youth on the team that develops in-house and with Smoke and Beasley, they have their Vets. I posted in another thread I'd like to see the Bills get a guy like Funchess because he will be reasonable, has the size and talent to turn into a great boundary WR especially if he isn't getting all of the attention but he has to stay healthy. I'd also like them to get Dorsett for his slot speed in 4 WR sets. However, that STILL wouldn't preclude me (if I were GM and we're all thankful I'm not) from taking a very good to great WR in the 2nd round where in many years that same WR would be Drafted in the top half of the 1st. Also, there is no reason to panic regarding "window is closing" because Allen and others are on cheaper / Rookie contracts. Again, great GMs know how to manage the Cap. Look at New Orleans who've had Brees for all these years and paid a metric ton of cash and yet every year, they find ways to Draft and keep their best players and get a FA here or there. Pittsburgh is another example, Baltimore another, and the list goes on. If you're doing it right, you pay the guys you've Drafted, you don't become Daddy Warbucks throwing money at FAs....and IMHO, Beane et. al. have done an incredible job of building this team thus far - so I have the fullest of confidence in how they manage it moving forward. It's a sublime feeling to know that while I don't always understand their decisions, I've for sure come to trust them.

In some Drafts you may be right, but between a couple very good FAs scheduled to hit the market and this being maybe the deepest WR Draft we've seen in 20 years or more, *this* year is NOT the year you trade a 1st Round pick for a WR. You utilize it's depth, take another player in the 1st Round that meets value and keep your assets. JMO

While not just in Round 1, but *this* is how the Bills found themselves in horrible situations year after year. They'd focus on how to upgrade their team via Draft crossing their fingers the ideal player fell to them. But Beane has demonstrated and reinforced it in an interview, that he fills the needs via Free Agency and then uses the Draft to go BPA (for the most part...I don't think anyone does it as strictly as some project). IMHO, that's one reason why this team has gotten better with the roster overhaul as quickly as it has. He knew OL was a big problem, so he went and spent money on 4 new OL starters and some depth. Then he Drafted one for posterity and to get him to grow so they can focus on other areas in future years. I'd say WR / RB / DE / LB and CB all look about the same in terms of how he approaches it, again IMHO. I'm not saying I'm for or against a RB in the first round because for me, and I said this last year, Beane et. al. have shown very good decision making when it comes to FA and Draft...overall. Kelvin Lazy-A** Benjamin notwithstanding (which was a trade, I know). I trust Beane and what a secure and warm feeling to truly believe in the competency of the Front Office and Scouts and to see most if not everyone in their positions remaining with the team. Consistency and demonstrated excellence - what a breath of fresh air.

I didn't see this posted in the thread so I'm linking to Spotrac's Free Agent List: https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/ To that end here's an answer for me (based on need / fit / and money): WR: Funchess and Lazard / Dorsett RB: Peyton Barber - that's the only guy for me that would make me want to spend any FA money on this position b/c he balances Motor well enough and that means DiMarco would be cut and the Bills could use Barber as the power RB / FB hybrid and he can catch out of the backfield. OLB: Nick Vigil / maybe Campbell but will cost a pretty penny TE: Olsen at right price OT: D. Williams or Conklin - this is where you target 1 of 2 priority FAs G/C: Scherff - not a priority FA target...but you spend the money; if Karras makes it out of NE, this your IOL Swiss Army Knife guy, started a C this yr for Pats DE: Ngakoue is 2nd priority FA target but if he goes elsewhere / Clowney or if Armstead makes it out of San Fran, then he can go here as well CB: Byron Jones - a CB opposite White is a sneaky issue for the Bills The rest to me are depth guys who can rotate in and help the team but shouldn't be pushing the younger guys out of the way. WR is the position that needs depth and some versatility but the Draft is deeeeeeep in WR this year and with Smoke and Beasley on the team, you don't need big money WR ala Cooper, IMHO - you need that cash for OL, DE, and a CB to help Tre out. The rest of your team is then well suited for the Draft, again IMO.

Not that Beane is asking me, but I'm fine with Olsen as a Vet TE to help school and support the young TEs on this roster - I think it's a great idea and not one that they were able to take advantage of with Kroft on IR most of the season. However, I hope that the Bills go into this knowing what they're getting and reason they're getting it: play some, tutor / mentor even more. Knox had serious drop issues, but you also saw the real advantage to having him as a pass catching option at times in the season. Knox can be a very good TE, but needs some support and guidance from a guy like Olsen. And let's not overlook Sweeney - I really think he can also be a versatile in-line blocker and decent pass catcher for the Bills. Olsen as a receiving threat in a two TE set with Knox or 3 TE set with Sweeney / Kroft is a good idea but I hope they realize you're not getting Olsen to duplicate his prime years, you're getting him to contribute some on the field, to help Josh in tough situations, but mostly to be a player-coach hybrid for the youth in that room, much like Gore to Motor. If that happens at a reasonable price, b/c we all know the Bills have a ton of Cap room, then I love this move if it were to happen.

I've said it in other places, and while to me it didn't need to be stated to be understood, thanks Hap for sharing because this to me was a major advantage for Mahomes in KC vs. coming to Buffalo. We've had that discussion ad nauseum and in another thread so I won't take it there. Mahomes' ability to learn, even for just a year, behind a former #1 overall pick was very important and instrumental in getting him to think and act like a Pro. Of course Mahomes was already supremely gifted and had the internal drive to be the best, but having a mentor of sorts to guide you through that first Rookie season when everything can seem overwhelming, has a profound impact on the first year development. Good for Mahomes and Reid being able to speak openly about it and for Mahomes to be as humble as he was to state that a player who is no longer on the team contributed to his success.

I did see that and it was awesome! Whomever is writing their Twitter responses deserves a cheeseburger and beer on the team's account just for that response! IMHO, Beasley is the kind of guy who if you can get the right amount of money in the contract, would be a nice supplement to the former Lorax position. In certain situations you can turn him loose on the QB and make that his mission while using a mid-round Rookie to take 1st and 2nd down or a guy like AJ Klein. Neither option is ideal, but as covered in another thread, Beane is most likely piecing two players together to get what Lorax and another player did as well anyways.

Not to mention, football is just different now than when the Bills were the "Glory Years" Buffalo Bills. The game, the rules, the type of money, the players, the fans...the experience. Everything has changed. The Bills need to be contemporary in every way, and that includes a domed stadium. Right now there are still many dye-in-the-wool, hard-nosed fans that grew up in those glory years or older folks who still remember football the way it was intended. However, and this is gi-normous in terms of what to do now - society as a whole has become softer and more progressive in their approach to human comfort. The dome gets little kids, the next generation who spend a lot of time indoors, to be comfortable and yes, I know I sound old (I'm not that old, in my 40's) but this is just reality. Build a dome, make it young fan friendly, Offense friendly, year-round use, have it become a full day experience for kids and families, and make it the, The House that Allen Built.

I used to feel this way as well, but with the constantly changing Cap number and it's always going up, new CBA coming, and the fact that every year in this NFL era - it's been shown that if you have a truly great QB, and the GM can Draft well enough and use FA appropriately, there are always ways to get replacement level value players at every position and the team can win. Now, building a core and keeping them together is a different animal and one that hails the feelings of nostalgia, but in the contemporary NFL, it just isn't done much.

I don’t know if I’m in the minority here, but this comes as no shock to me. Given Pegula’s determination to see the process through with getting recommendations regarding location and stadium build ideas, and that nothing has been started to this point toward construction, it was a foregone conclusion they would need to see the lease through. This provides a 3 year window to get it all together and opened. Makes sense to me and despite all of the money invested over the last seven years, those were necessary changes to keep the stadium and its facilities at a professional level, they were not indications that the Bills / Pegulas would not build a new one. Personally, I think a dome is on its way - and it should be.

Here's the other thing sometimes we overlook: in San Fran, if Mahomes was Drafted - much like it would have been in Buffalo - he would have HAD to start right away. In KC Alex Smith was already the entrenched QB, who at the time looked like he was there for several more years, and Reid knew that. He knew Mahomes wasn't going to need to start right away and they could still win with Smith. That...makes a big difference when evaluating the situation for players, especially QB.

I think the Bills add a Vet RB, others have mentioned Drake and I like him but I think he wants to go somewhere to start. Henry is a pipe dream for several reason AND he also wants to be the feature back and to me Singletary needs a complimentary guy so they can have a 70/30 split. Yeldon and Thompson fit an interchangeable mold that makes sense for versatility reasons and then a bruising RB in the Draft is where my money goes. Edit: after looking at the whole FA RB list on Spotrac, I'm changing my tune. Sign Barber from TB, then take a speed RB in the Draft. Barber is only 26 and underrated IMHO, and keep Yeldon active on gamedays, then get rid of DiMarco.

I've weighed in on this subject in other places with far more words, so I'll do what I usually don't and keep it simple: Build a domed stadium to advance the Buffalo Offense, keep young fans coming, and add to the general pleasure of the experience no matter the weather.

The general board sentiments of avoiding prior Pats Offensive Linemen rings true in my ears. But....this is a different FO and a different coaching staff. IF, and that's a big IF, Beane and company believe Thuney is worth the money and investment, despite my PTSD reaction to big money contracts to FA OL due to past regimes, I will trust Beane and his merry band of FO mates. They have absolutely earned that right based on how they've done over the last couple of years on the whole. Nobody is perfect, but they have generally done a terrific job in adding pieces via FA and the Draft.

I hear your point, but it wasn't about what I think Miami "would" do, but my original post was what - IMHO - is best to do. Bring Rivers in, give Rosen another year and put players and good coaches around him, then let him fly in 2021 and give him the whole year. Mayfield had loads of talent around him more than Rosen, and Josh Allen was just in a better situation because he's had better coaches and mentors around him, the way Rosen needed them. Darnold was a turnover machine and it got much better after the second half of his second year and nobody has ever doubted Darnold's talent - just if his mechanics will get in the way of production. Time will tell. See post above - but to me - it's too early to pull the plug on Rosen when you (I) consider the situations he was in and the lack of support he's had. JMO.

Which is why I started out saying he's been put in two terrible situations. There are a number of QBs who start slow, get a different head coach / offensive coordinator, and start to put things together. I do think Rosen "could" be an NFL QB, a decent to good one at that. But he needs to have the proper support from coaches, to scheme, to players - like nearly all good QBs. He's been in two situations that could NOT have been worse during those first two seasons (except maybe Cincy come to think of it). It is far too soon, IMHO, to throw in the towel on Rosen....he needs a fresh set of eyes with a solid supporting cast and if Rivers could / can hold the unit down for a year while Rosen has another year to learn the same Offense, Miami can bring in more support on the Offensive Line and Rivers can tutor Rosen a bit, you could have a very good starting QB. Rosen has all of the tools and mental acumen needed - does he have the work ethic and dedication to the game? That's the one X-factor in my mind he hasn't answered and really can't answer until he is given an entire season to start and play.

Honestly it’s too early to give up on Josh Rosen IMHO. He’s been put into two terrible situations and one of the best things for him would be to sit another year and let Rivers lead the Miami team for a year. If the Fins could do that and get him to buy in for one more year, it might help both the franchise and Rosen in his development.

There is no volume or quality of words that an adequately express the profound loss we feel when those we love depart from this earth into the next dimension (however one chooses to define it). Burying newborn children is a horror no average person should EVER experience but to have that and then have a parent taken unexpectedly as well, is just a devastating hole of sorrow I cannot imagine and sincerely hope and pray he finds solace, strength, and relief by whatever means necessary.

Has to do with a certain arrest when he told the police officer he, ahem...um....would leave his DNA in the officer's wife's ocular receptacle. (Mental gymnastics to keep it PG-13)

In particular this year's WR crop is very, very deep. In most mocks you can get Bryan Edwards / Michael Pittman in 3rd Round and sometimes the likes of Justin Jefferson or others in the 2nd. IMHO, you use the depth as the means to locating the best talent that can be developed. Asking a 1st rounder to come in and be the receiving savior for a team is a recipe for disaster. But asking a 2nd / 3rd round WR to come in and learn behind Smoke and Beasley can be a much more palatable option for all the reasons we don't need to dissect. Give me BPA in Round 1, even if it is a defensive player, and then use the 2nd, 3rd, 4th rounds on RB / WR for gaining value. Let's not sleep on LB as a need for good players and depth or CB as well.

I agree that Offense needs to be the focal point, but with guys walking in the Off-season, you will HAVE to add Defense somewhere. Lorax, J. Phillips, Lawson, K. Johnson, are all guys slated to leave and were important parts of the Defense.

I agree, in my own Mock where I prioritized LB in the 1st and got Pittman Jr. in the 2nd, I still took Claypool in the 6th at pick 168. Now, so much has to happen before then and I doubt he lasts until the 6th but if so, it's a great value if it were to happen.