BarleyNY

Didn't Depodesta work for Shapiro?

Agree on EJ. Time to be done with him - a little late actually. I'm all for drafting a quarterback, but I also want to see a vet signed as an additional player. I'd expect a guy at the end of his career who can help the rookie and TT understand the game.

The big problem for the Chargers is that an LA team would dramatically reduce their market size. Right now they're the only team in So Cal and have it all to themselves (even though there are many fans of many teams in LA). Still, it is the Charger games getting broadcast in So Cal and they're the only close stadium. If a team moved into LA then all that would change. Suddenly they'd have a fraction of their old base and coverage. The 2010 Census has the LA area with just over 12M people and San Diego with just under 3M. Sharing the whole market (or, better yet, remaining the only So Cal team) is a far better option business-wise. I don't think they had a real choice barring some insane deal from the city. As someone born and raised in Cleveland I wholeheartedly agree.

The expectations of most Bills fans were overinflated, but they were more realistic - or pessimistic - everywhere else. Heck, most fans of other teams probably would say that they had no expectations of the Bills making it to the post season (why would they?) and that 8-8 was pretty decent for them. I had the Bills as a fringe playoff team (6th seed, loss in WC round) and they just missed the postseason by a game or two. A slight letdown? Sure, but still pretty close to expectations.

I've had the same gripe. It makes sense to do what he did if a team is poised to challenge for a title in the short term, but not the long. That clearly wasn't the case here. The lack of a proven QB alone should have precluded spending that way. Any GM can bring in talent that he significantly overpays for. Finding value consistently in the draft and free agency is another matter. Whaley has primarily done the former.

Bravo for Woods stepping up like that. Stuff like this is why Harvin nursing injuries and taking a powder were such slaps in the face to the team.

It's good to have guys like Woods on a team. He works hard, knows his responsibilities and has adequate (or better) NFL talent across the board, but he's never going to be a stud. The problems occur when you either overpay for such a player or that player is your expected starter for the season. Guys like Woods are there to push the youngsters with more talent, step in when they're needed and show the value of dedication to their craft.

Only concern yourself with what's best for your own team. If something has no substantive effect on your team, then go with whatever makes you happy. Personally, I liked that Bills showed heart this past Sunday. I thought the Jest would win that one since so much was on the line for them and really nothing but pride for the Bills. But the Bills showed me a lot, including that they'll still play for Ryan.

Yup,

Probably. I remember thinking along those lines at the time. Here's a guy who did OKAY at Syracuse, but wasn't anything special and supposedly all these NFL teams are suddenly fighting over him. No way. It didn't make sense then, it didn't make sense last offseason and it doesn't make sense now.

Agreed.

He's got a good agent trying to make it look like he's in demand.

I'm hearing the Browns have already agreed with Brian Kelly (Notre Dame HC) and Duke Tobin (Bengals DPP) to be the next HC and GM, respectively. They are going through formalities with the HC search and waiting for Tobin to become officially available (once the Bengals are no longer in playoffs).

I think Marrone's agent is working overtime to make it look like he is in demand. Just like last offseason. There doesn't seem to be any more substance to it this season than there was last.

Harvin's last two years voided so he is automatically gone at the season's technical end. Obviously he could be re-signed, but that's incredibly unlikely.Clay's restructure will move $7.5M into future years.

Yes, Whaley has overpaid for a lot of the talent the Bills have, but I don't blame players for their draft cost. I see three issues capping Watkins' production:1) Taylor's reliance on pulling the ball down and running on such a high percentage of called passes. That directly limits Watkins' opportunities and also indirectly limits them because Roman has to limit the number of hits Taylor takes by calling more running plays. 2) The lack of a deep threat opposite him. Watkins isn't going to beat dedicated double coverage very often, he just doesn't have the size. Defenses eventually adjusted when he was the only real receiving threat at WR and took him out of games. In the second half of the KC game there was a CB up tight and a S over him. After a tremendous first half he got nothing in the second due to that adjustment. 3) Injury. He's had issues missing time due to injury with his current workload. If he gets more use, then he's going to take more punishment. I hope his body is maturing and can handle it, but it's a huge worry right now.

He's a great NFL HC candidate, but I think he's smart enough to know that Stanford is both a tremendous fit for him and a rare situation. I doubt he goes anywhere for a long time. I've been saying the same thing for two years.

The Bills' offense desperately needs a deep threat across from Watkins. It honestly might be their biggest single priority (although I'd probably put the collective OL ahead of it). Sanu or Benjamin would be FA possibilities if they make it. As for Gordon, Cleveland won't be letting him go and he's looking for a big payday as soon as he can get it. He's in debt to his agent already.

I agree that fans care more about rivalries than players. There are exceptions, but those are usually between teams that are in fights for playoff spots and/or meet in the playoffs year after year - Steelers v. Ravens is a good example. The Bills need to be more relevant for that to develop.

That's fair. If his new contract fits his ability to contribute, then I'd be happy to keep him. No more return duties though.

You're dropping 15 players, most of whom are starters or important backups (nickel CB, 3rd WR, back up QB etc.). The Bills are also going to part ways with Harvin, another starter. How are you going to fill all of those holes in one offseason, much less think the team will improve?

Totally agree on Shaw. As for Chip, yes, his GM job was horrible, but he didn't adjust his offense enough for the NFL. It was way too simple for the pros.

Correct. But your original post had numbers that were way off because that article is from March.

EJ. has $1.4M guaranteed, but the team has offsets. That means if he's waived then whatever another team pays him gets deducted from that. Keep him into TC and see what he does. Or trade him if someone comes calling. I wouldn't rush him off the team, but his name would be written lightly in pencil because not much good can come from him remaining in Buffalo.Agree with Mario. Probably have to part ways. A trade would be best. Agree on Kyle. Not sure why some are rushing to part ways with him or why they think renegotiation is a good solution. Much like with Mario, he's likely to play under his deal or not at all. Unlike Mario I don't see him going anywhere this offseason. Gilmore is heading into his option year. Perfect time to lock him up - and save a little cap room for 2016. Agree on Glenn and Incognito. Both should be huge priorities right now, but I worry we will miss the boat on Glenn. Less worried about Incognito, but still concerned. Agree with the rest, except Aaron Williams would only be a $1.2M hit if cut/traded/retired. That could be done (or designated) post 6/15 to push most of that out to 2017 though.

Not sure where you're getting the cap info, but you're way off. Everything I've seen about cap space has been in the $150M-$153M range. Example: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/12/05/nfl-salary-cap-will-rise-above-150-million-in-2016/ The Bills currently have $5.3M in cap space for this year that they can carry over. http://overthecap.com/salary-cap-space/ They sit at $154M in cap expenditure for next season. The figures assume Harvin is gone but they'll add the carryover and another $7.5M in space from the inevitable Clay roster bonus restructure. 50 players will be under contract. They'll need to make moves to free up some space though.