BarleyNY

Truth

Denver offered a first for Thomas two seasons ago. The Browns wanted more so the deal didn't get done. And it's definitely not insane to ask for a first plus more for the best LT in football. The Browns don't have many quality vets to build around so why should they let their best player go for something less than what they would need to replace him? If they do find a QB somewhere, Thomas will be huge in giving him a chance to develop. Why throw that away?

MAJBobby is correct. Getting Joe Thomas for a day 3 pick is a joke. The Browns probably wouldn't trade him at all, but if they did it would require a 1st plus more. The Bills are better off making RT a priority in the offseason - either via free agency or in the draft.

You are correct that the team would have taken the full cap hit of the $10M this season if the contract has not been restructured. The team did kick $7.5M down the road. But that doesn't matter when looking at the impact of cutting Clay. That's because taking the additional $7.5M hit in 2016 would have reduced the cap carryover by $7.5M. The amount of remaining cap space is exactly the same in both instances if Clay is cut. You're concerned that Clay's dead money is high if he's cut soon - and it would look high - but it doesn't matter if you understand that it's only high because the team's other choice was to take the cap hit earlier. The real problem was the original deal that guaranteed Clay such high payouts of cash so early. Cash paid out must be taken as a cap hit so it was just a matter of determining when the team would take the hits.

Your numbers are wrong. Look at Spotrac's page. Read the comments below the numbers too. You are also missing the effect of paying out the $10M as a roster bonus. http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/buffalo-bills/charles-clay-7893/ NoSaint has it correct.

TT is the same QB as last season, but we needed progress from him and we haven't gotten it. Defenses are also better prepared for him and are forcing him to do things like stay in the pocket. He might still be our best option next season, but we will be better off if we can find a better option.

I got pulled away before I could finish my post. The only difference between pre- and post-restructure is the distribution of the $10M bonus. Pre-restructure it would have all hit the cap this season. Post-restructure it hits the cap $2.5M in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. If he's released or traded before then the remaining portion accelerates. So the result of the restructure is that the Bills currently have $7.5M more cap space than they would have if they hadn't restructured, which is exactly the additional amout of dead money releasing him would currently cost the team (versus before the restructure). The net result to the team's cap is $0. After next season (2018) the Bills will have an additional $5M in cap space due to the restructure and Clay's release will result in $5M more dead money than it would have without the restructure. Net difference in cap space between pre- and post-restructure if released will still be $0. After 2019 both figures will be $2.5M and net will still be $0.

Yes, dead money is lower after the restructure because under the previous structure the entire $10M roster bonus hit would have been taken last season, instead of only $2.5M of it. That would, of course, mean the Bills would have $7.5M less in cap room right now. The net is the same against the cap. It might look better to you because you're just looking at the dead money.

Again, not correct. The full cap hit would already be on the books without the restructure so the total cap hit from his release would be exactly the same whether he was restructured or not. The Bills just deferred $7.5M of it. The problem was the contract, not the restructure.

That is incorrect. The only thing the restructure did was change his $10M roster bonus into a $10M signing bonus so it's cap hit would be spread out rather than taken all at once.

He is owed $27.5M next season, but his $13M base salary for 2018 also guarantees. $40.5M for 2 seasons is the full guarantee. I'm scouring my other options in the week leading up to the new league year and the two days before his bonus is due to find a better/cheaper option.

I've got no problem with Clay missing a game for the birth of his child. None. I don't have any problem with his play when he's on the field. He's the same player he's always been - a multifaceted TE who is good at everything, but not great in any single facet. My problem has always been with the asinine contract the Bills gave him. That is not on him, it's on Whaley. I notice that the "he's worth it because defenses will find it difficult to match up with him" and "we paid what we had to to pry him away from Miami" crowds have quieted. That's refreshing. It's the same as it ever was: good player, terrible contract.

Same here. I enjoyed him and Skip Bayless being on the same show so I could miss them both at the same time.

I agree. He's still got a long way to go though. He's on pace to get about 500 yards this season, which isn't starter material. It also isn't nothing. I don't mind keeping him around as a depth/developmental WR. I did not. At all. How about this? If Goodwin finishes the season with 500 yards receiving, he will lead all Bills in receiving yards. Currently he's second to Woods' 493 with 364 yards. Let that sink in. If Goodwin doesn't hit 500 yards we probably won't have a receiver who does, unless Watkins gets 319 more yards the rest of the way out.

My plan would be: - Attempt to sign (or trade for) a better option at QB (as defined in my post above) within the first two days of free agency. - Allow TT to walk if successful. If not, keep him with the understanding that he'll be getting $40.25M over two seasons, but that the search for a better option will continue. - Draft a QB. Make it a priority. - If Taylor is retained, then focus on getting what you can from him in 2017 while developing Cardale and drafted QB. If Tyrod is not retained have his replacement compete with Cardale and drafted QB. What's your plan?

I can't believe anyone wants to see more of EJ. It's over. Let it go, ALF. That's the rub, isn't it? Tyrod doesn't seem to be the ultimate answer, but is there a better short term solution? I'll note that his bonus is due on the 3rd day of the league season. Maybe a better option can be found - and by "better" I mean either straight up better or comparable and cheaper.

BS. 18 of 35 for 191 yards, 0 TDs and 1 INT. 1 fumble, lost. 3 rushes for 30 yards and 1 TD. That's Tyrod's stat line. I'm not sure the Bills will find better next season, but they damn well need to be looking because that kind of performance isn't close to good enough.

I agree with the OP. One more loss (or out of hand game) and it wouldn't hurt to get Cardale on the field. I'd avoid throwing him out there if he's not at all ready or if we are up against a tough defense though. Get him some experience and see what we've got to work with.

I did. Again, it might just be a defense mechanism to save me from being disappointed, but I called it. Oakland has an excellent offense, there was plenty of time left and Carr has a slew of comebacks this season so it was pretty logical too. At the point I made the prediction I thought we'd lose on a late 4th quarter drive by Carr - or maybe even squeak it out for a close win. I didn't see it getting out of hand and losing by two TDs though.

Yeah, just like it was too early to call him a success after the first 3 games. Wentz has a couple pretty glaring issues that have been exposed - he's horrible under pressure and his delivery is long, slow and awkward. It's common for QBs attempting to correct their throwing motion to revert to their old habits when in game situations, especially when they are under pressure. If Wentz can correct his mechanics and keep them corrected, then he will probably be a good NFL QB. If not, he'll just be another highly drafted bust.

Up by 15 and I said "Time to lose in the most Bills-y of fashion". I was only half joking. Oakland scored a TD to close to 8 and I thought "Well, there it is." I knew what was coming at that point. Up by 15, I think it was mostly a self-defense mechanism. But you could just see Oakland step up and the Bills step down after that.

Wow. That explains a lot.

You had me going. Nicely done.

I'm not in Twitter so I can't see PFF's approach. If you can, please post or link their metrics on this.

Antonio Brown is 5'10". Two seasons ago he led the league in receiving. Last season he was 2nd. This season he's currently 3rd. T.Y. Hilton is 5'9" and sits at 5th. Taller is better (in general), but short WRs can be outstanding as well.