GunnerBill

He obviously doesn't think he is healthy enough to play. Players know their bodies. Of course some have higher pain thresholds than others, but I just don't see the sense of taking a risk at this point if he is saying he is not healthy enough to play.

There is a difference between forfeiting the game / not trying to win and pressing a player who is not fully healthy into action ahead of time. If this was week 18 and a win and you're in game, or it was a playoff game they should do absolutely everything to get Cooper on the field. But it isn't that. It's a regular season home game at 8-2. If you play Cooper this week and he re-injures or further injures the wrist I think that would go down as a bad risk/reward decision.

Even if they win this week I don't think this Bills team goes 3-0 out of the bye. Do I see the Chiefs losing two more games even if the Bills do beat them? Not without a Mahomes injury, no. So if it is a question of rushing Cooper back for this week or holding him out, letting him have basically a full month to rest the wrist and get it right for the stretch run I'd take the latter.

that is not true re. the Browns oline. They had pretty good offensive lines in the early part of the last decade - that 2010-2015 period. The teams stunk, sure. But the offensive line was by far their best unit in that period.

Definitely concerning, but I'm not going to freak out about this yet. I'm fine if they sit him this week and through the bye personally. I know what that means for our chances this week but honestly to get the 1 seed is a massive ask anyway.

Yes it would have to be this offseason (or a tag and trade next season I suppose). You wouldn't get a 1st. Maybe you wouldn't get a 2nd either... but you might get a 3rd and something else. That was what the Chiefs did with Sneed. Got the 4 years of excellent play, tagged, traded and got a 3rd and a late pick I think. And the benefit of that over comp pick is you get the 3rd straight away rather than waiting a year. Agree reality is it is moot.

Yep. Some of that is obviously driven by injuries the past two weeks to Cooper and Coleman but more of it is also driven by going into the season with Mack Hollins as a starter before the trade for Cooper. And that's on Brandon Beane. The fact that the Bills are 8-2 despite it does not change the fact it was a poor example of roster building.

Groot and Benford this year, Bernard next year is a pretty safe bet I think. Shakir is the wildcard, definitely think they keep him, but when they do it might depend if they think there is a saving to be made by going early.

Benford is the only one I'd definitely pay so in order of priority we are not that different. You are just wrong about Benford's talent level and the differencial to some other guy McDermott can find and get good play from. I'd be willing to extend Bernard but only on a shorter deal. If he will take 3 years I'd do it.... similar to Matt and Taron's first non-rookie deals. I think he is in a similar spot as they were.... non-premium position, has missed some time, but makes plays when he is out there. The Bills have ended up with all pro level play from those other two and I'd be willing to make the bet again with Bernard but if he wants a big 5 year commitment I'm not going there and regrettably I'd let him walk. They also did Milano after the expiry of his rookie deal just before FA and that would be my play on Bernard. I'm not doing it this spring, I'm trying to get it done next year before free agency opens. Shakir there is a level at which I'd be willing to do it, but it requires him leaving money on the table. If he wants north of $20m that is too much for any slot receiver not name Amon-Ra St Brown. Cook, like him though I do, I'm not even talking turkey with. I'm not paying a running back. I think the Bills will sign the first three though. Cook I do believe walks, but I expect the Bills to retain Benford, Bernard and Shakir. The slight cap management challenge when your GM misses on early pick and hits late is it means any extension is a cost rather than a saving cap wise in year 1. The Bills would save money on the 2025 cap by extending Groot (which I also expect them to do) but Benford, Bernard and Shakir would all be extra money on the 2025 cap if you do them this spring. Think that forces you to stagger them over 2 years.

I'm probably slightly influenced by the fact that when I started watching the NFL the Rams were still in their late "Greatest Show on Turf" era... but my head goes straight to Orlando Pace. Interesting to see so many throwing Trent Williams in. He is definitely a future HoFer and the best of this generation. Tyron Smith is the other guy from the past decade who was perennially elite but the last 2 or 3 years injuries have definitely affected him and he has sucked on the Jets this year.

See you are doing it again... Benford is atypical of the late round corners McDermott has a history with. The only thing he has in common with Jackson and Wallace is he was picked on day 3. As a talent he isn't even comparable.

He isn't a burner, for sure. But his first 10 of his 40 time were elite and you see that acceleration on the field IMO. He isn't a long speed guy who is chasing people down, but he can run with receivers. That first Miami game he ran with Hill twice in the first quarter and through that initial burst and perfect leverage was able to stay with him. I think the people who are not sold on him are guilty of holding his draft status against him and presuming he is just a try hard overachiever. But he has some of the physical traits you look for as well. He is talented.

His explosion and acceleraton is good. It isn't just size. And actually he is really good 1v1. If he was as you describe him, I'd move him. But he isn't. So I'm paying him.

DeJean has been a big part of the defensive turnaround in Philly since he cracked the lineup. There were people here pre draft calling him a lunch pail guy. They were dead wrong. He was 3 for 3 against both but all the catches v Benford were where Benford was playing soft and tackled Mitchell for no further gain. He had 3 for 31 vs Benford, 2 yards after catch 3 for 40 against Douglas 16 yards after catch. Douglas was the one getting toasted.

That is the word out of the media out there. I mean it is hard to believe but apparently Mara was 100% in the "we must extend Jones" camp. If it is true then that place is more dysfunctional than anyone thought. I think he is going to try really hard to keep Schoen and Daboll and give them a chance to pick their own QB. He was going to keep Joe Judge another year until he talked himself out of a job in that embarrassing presser and I don't rule out Daboll doing that at some point. But I think Mara knows that spinning wheels every 2/3 years is a mistake and it seems like Daboll in particular still has some good will from the fanbase for that first year, Schoen slightly less so.

Was earlier than that I think. Was not this regime. Was Whaley and either Rex or Doug.

This "not athletically gifted" thing.... where does it come from? It isn't true. Nor is it true that he got cooked on Sunday. There is a misconception with Benford that because he was drafted late he is Jackson or Wallace or Hamlin. He isn't. He is much closer to Kaiir Elam athletically only with the smarts to play the position. He went 6th round because he played at Vilanova. If he'd played at Pitt or Alabama like Jackson or Wallace he would have been a day two pick, no doubt. He has been a top 10 outside corner in the NFL so far this year. I'm not saying you must pay him, but if you don't definitely trade him because he is worth more than the single 3rd round pick you'd get back as a comp pick.

Yep. Targeted 3 times (all vs AD Mitchell) 3 receptions for 31 yards but only 2 yards after catch so it was basically yards given up by scheme rather than by Benford being beat. He definitely wasn't cooked.

Third actually. Fox drafted Trubisky, fired a year later. Nagy drafted Fields, fired a year later. Now Eberflus and Williams. Totally dysfunctional organisation.

Douglas wants to test his market. He will only be back if the Bills put the most $$s on the table.

That isn't true. Ed was terrific last year even after Jones went down, But he hasn't played anywhere near well enough on a consistent basis this season. I thought he might be rounding into form post injury with a decent day against Tennessee then an excellent game in Seattle but the two following games he has disappeared again.

I'd rather chop it off.

I mean they are kind of terrible in every way at linebacker.... but yea more terribly terrible in coverage.

The Dolphins linebackers are really bad, so makes some sense. But they are particularly awful in coverage and I don't know how much Dodson helps there.

If there was a deal to be done I think it would have been done last summer. He wants to maximise his $$s. This contract he is playing on (which was moderate not massive) is is only real payday as a pro. So he is after the biggest number he can get. That comes out at $18.4m AAV. Spotrac has him at $22.7m AAV. I think that is the range and suspect it falls somewhere between the two. AJ Terrell territory - $20.25m is roughly where I think he lands.