BarleyNY

I agree. I think too much gets made of big short yardage backs. It’s not like smaller backs can’t find creases that big ones can’t. Also I love the thought of using 21 and 22 packages with a back like that. Defense goes big, we split out 3 or 4 wide with Singletary alone in the backfield. If the D goes light and fast we go with a two back set and keep one or two TEs tight. A RB like that can help put pressure on a defense.

I agree. I’m far more concerned with getting a RB who can catch than I am with getting a bruiser. If they could also be effective splitting out it’d be even better.

I would not be surprised if the Browns asked him to take a pay cut or did something else to reduce his cap hit this season (ie a real or voidable extension), but I’d be shocked if they cut him before replacing him and created such a huge hole. Chad Thomas is the Browns 3rd DE right now. That’s a huge step down. Now if it came to light that Griffen had agreed to terms with the Browns then I could see it. But if that’s the route they’re going to go then why even ask him to take a cut? FWIW I have only heard that the Browns are looking at their options with Vernon. I haven’t heard anything about them asking him to take a cut (yet). Doesn’t mean it could not have happened though, obviously.

This is just speculation from Mary Kay Cabot based on Vernon’s salary. She is an awful reporter in general and her contacts with the Browns left when Hue Jackson got booted. This is not even an article, just part of an answer to a fan question about whether she expect the Browns to go after former Vikings like Griffen. FWIW Vernon is only due a $250k workout bonus this off-season so I highly doubt the Browns are in a hurry to cut him. I wouldn’t bank on them parting ways with him this off-season, but even if they do I can’t imagine it happening before they replace him.

I do expect at least one trade that brings a player here this off-season. Just how FA looks like it’s going to fall leads me to think that way. Yup. It’s a narrow path and it’s not worth working toward at the start of this off-season. If we are well into free agency and things happen to fall that way, then sure.

It’d be nice to start getting ahead of that curve.

Yeah, there’s really no point in it and I see Ruiz as a C. I guess that’s my whole long-winded point.

Yeah, big uglies early is generally a good thing. This particular player isn’t my favorite from a need/fit perspective. I love that he is expected to do well in a gap scheme, but his knock seems to be his length. Thus there is some disagreement about how well he’ll fare at OG (even among the reports on the linked draft network profile). Everyone seems to think he will be a fine C though. Morse is in his prime and under contract for three more seasons. I’ll note here that even though I consider his AAV to be high, the new cash in those seasons is very reasonable so I wouldn’t expect him to go anywhere before the end of his deal. He may even be extended in a couple seasons. I don’t care to draft a player at 22 that I then have to play at his second best position for several years before I can move him to his best spot. Especially when that player is an interior OL where we’ve already invested so much. I think Ruiz will be a fine C (and he may even be a fine OG), but I don’t see the fit this season with the Bills. If Morse was 32 or a year away from being a FA, then sure. Now he’d be a big luxury pick.

I was really surprised when comp picks came into existence. That’s a whole extra round - 32 players - that get drafted rather than have a say in which team they play for. Comp picks do help the “Haves” to somewhat counterbalance their FA losses. I’d love to see the Bills get to a point where they are one of those teams and I’d hate for them to be eliminated about the time that happens.

With the cap space the Bills have - and the cash they’re required to spend- I just don’t see them having a net loss of FAs this off-season.

That rule was changed before last year’s draft. They can be traded now.

Thanks for posting. It was a fair analysis.

I agree. Probably not, but it happens. And what if he only gets a little more somewhere else? Maybe the cost of moving and the uncertainty of new coaches, teammates and scheme all factor in enough to make it worth his while to stay. Even if he doesn’t stay at least he left on good terms. Maybe he gets way overpaid somewhere and it doesn’t work out. In a couple years he could have a role here again.

Yup. That’s how I see it too. It’s also a respectful way to do business.

Yeah. I think it means that his contract demands are way too high right now. He will almost certainly get paid more elsewhere, but it’s not 100% certain. Phillips testing the market and the Bills leaving the door open is the right thing for both. No surprise.

I pretty well agree with all of that. The only exceptions are that: 1) I do not see the Browns moving on from Baker that quickly unless he is a disaster this season and 2) they need two starting OTs, not just one.

I’m sure there’s a market for this, but it’s not me. Just not the ambiance I’m looking for when I grab a drink with my food I never even think about getting a beer at Chipotle, which is at least a step up in that regard.

I am odd with music. I listen to a lot of different kinds. I’ll get into a style and stick with it for 10 years or so then move to something else. My phase that included Van Halen was over 30 years ago. Oddly that would’ve been about the time I was listening to Van Morrison.

David Lee Roth

Yes, but I don’t have any specifics on that (two way street, one way street, rules, whatever). And again, that’s all just unverified rumor.

I agree. I’m telling him to slow down immediately or I’ll be recording and reporting him to Uber and the cops.

Exactly the kind of thing I’d expect to hear from a ranch dressing loving, bleu cheese hating monster. I went to one of the 5150 shows. It kinda sucked. Bad. Diamond Dave was a much, much better lead singer for them. He always made it fun and kept things loose. That really covered the shortcomings of the band. Hagar didn’t have that going for him. Without that fun edge they were a little sad. Soulless really. Roth could get away with fun, mindless stuff like Jump. OTOH Hagar couldn’t get away with stupid lyrics like “Only time will tell if we can stand the test of time.” Who does that? Roth was a lot better than that.

Rumors floating around is that it would be in line with typical Baker activity, but that it is not an issue with Emily. That is just rumor, however.

Stefanski was an OC. He’ll be heading up the offense and is expected to call plays this year. It’s not any different than many other teams where the HC is in charge of one side of the ball. McD called the defensive plays in 2018. Honestly I’m not sure if he called them last season or not, but it’s still his defense.

A couple media people I know who report on the Browns had this to say about Van Pelt: - Mayfield will be his job - he’s a teacher, not a buddy - he holds everyone accountable - he’s a quality QB coach - Aaron Rodgers loved him - he will coach hard if needed