BuffaloBillyG

To me that was always a problem with both coaching and player. On the one hand they really never allowed him to come in and stick to learning/getting reps in one spot. The kinda jerked him all over a bit. On the other hand, Ford never made any spot they did try him in "his" spot. That shouldn't be an issue with Torrence. He should slide in at RG and stay there for a loooong time.

For my money, Bates is almost as much of a roster lock as can be due to his versatility. Beane even talked 2 days ago about how in addition to the IOL flex, Bates can get you out of a game at tackle if need be. His cap hit isn't unreasonable. My own thoughts are Bates is a valuable back up and may even start the season at RG before Torrence eventually takes over. Next year Bates makes for an ideal bridge C while a rookie is drafted. As far as Josh's input...he gave input into Beasley and Brown coming back last year. He (I'm sure) had input into Tanner Gentry eating up a PS squad spot all these years. I could even see Hollister being someone Josh spoke up for. And we know Josh was instrumental in bringing Matt Barkley back. Luckily, he a better QB than GM 😂.Of course he'll go to bat for Morse and want him kept...but I'm hoping Beane calls the ball on this one..lol

Beane has said that they wouldn't hesitate to make the moves "if it made sense". Which I believe you are right...he's not going to clear the space just to clear it. As for next season we are in FAR better shape than it looks. Looking at around being able to clear up $65-70M with restructuring and extensions. Time for Terry to get drilling.

I detailed last week in another post that basically there are still moves that could be made to clear about $30M worth of cap space. Not advocating that every one of those moves SHOULD be made...but they are options. Oliver extension alone could clear anywhere from 5-7M this year. Still a lot of flexibility should the right guy come available and to get the rookie class under contract.

I am with you where I expected the Bills to snag a C. There seemed to be some good ones coming in this year. As for Bates, I know they seem to like him at that spot. At very worst I think Bates backs up Morse. And while I still think Morse is a solid vet player...spending what we do on him with the concussion history is risky. I could see this being Mitch 's last year in Buffalo, taking a C next year and Bates working as a bridge starter in 2024. As you say, we shall see where it goes. But I know I'm looking forward to seeing the IOL battle that's coming up.

Heading out of the draft I would much rather grab a couple of these guy over spending the money to fit DHop. For me: Ford or Ionnidis and Ingram or Quinn

Yes, typically a lot of teams start to talk about guys that can help on ST in their rookie year right around the 3rd round. Easiest way to make sure that guy makes the active GameDay roster as a rookie. That doesn't mean they can't or won't contribute in other ways. You do realize that, right? Seems like a lot of teams passed on Jones. Over and over again . Why do you believe that was a miss? 32 teams felt comfortable passing on him a lot of times...betting there's reasons. Happens every year. Guys that Kiper and his type love that fall far because of other reasons. Without knowing what those reasons are (medicals, attitude, possible criminal charges coming down) first hand....kinda hard to say it is a miss. The pick of Torrence may very well free up Bates. That takes care of the C pick you want. In addition, there are other guys rostered with C flexibility. It's obvious that Beane didn't force picks for positions. That's actually a good thing.

I get what you are saying as value is important. However I believe the concept of value and importance of it is somewhat overblown by fans and pundits. Sometimes it just boils down to taking a better player that can help your team and fits what you do over value.

The IOL battle in camp is going to be fun to watch and see how it plays out. I would be inclined to think that McGovern is a pretty sure bet to start the season at LG. After that...who knows. I have a feeling the season will start with Morse at C and Bates at RG. Something just tells me that Torrence being a rookie will be the primary backup to start. But someone is going to get "Wally Pip'd" there and if Torrence sees the field due to injury I don't see him heading back to the bench. I like the extra picks next year for multiple reasons. As stated, yes the next class looks to be stronger. Also, it opens up flexibility to slide up and down the draft board a bit next year. Late round picks are excellent deal sweeteners. The extra draft capital also lends to the idea that with the extra picks in his pocket, Beane would be more likely to be a buyer at the trade deadline should we need to add someone to bolster the roster. All good things. I'm really excited to see this rookie class in action. From the highlights I've watched Williams looks to be something McD was looking for. Tackles through people and plays with some edge to him. Now on to the 2nd wave of FA haha.

We've added to the offense a lot this off season. I think I'm comfortable enough to head to camp with what we have and see how it shakes out. If guys like Shakir, Davis, Hines, Harty or Sheffield fail to impress we have a lot of draft capital for next year and can easily be buyers at the trade deadline. If we are still looking to add to the team...grab me Poona Ford and Melvin Ingram....likely combined for less money combined than DHop.

Now we're talking many moons ago so memory is a bit muttered. But I remember people saying he would have been there in the 2md. Don't recall the mock drafts from that long ago.

All kidding aside...he did have a 10 year NFL career with 3 Pro Bowls. Made a ton of money doing it. Yeah, I'd classify his career as greatly successful.

Donte Whitner /ducks

Not the Mims I wanted. But he's the Mims I deserve.

I vote him "Most likely to get poached off the practice squad".

No idea. But I believe I saw the Bills brought him in (wouldn't count as top 30 visit due to local area rules). And if any team would be able to look into a heart problem...Buffalo medical team may be uniquely qualified.

Sean Tucker still out there. Gotta imagine he's on the Bills radar.

Age, concussion history and $8M freed up against the cap. I don't agree with it...but I understand it.

For a 7th rounder...sure why not.

To a small extent, yes every GM does it. However Beane historically shoots pretty straight. Typically I see when he wants to keep an answer in house he (and McD for that matter) just say something along the lines of "Hey, I respect that question but I'm not going to get into that right now".

I mean, this has been the off season in a nutshell: Beane: We believe the Edmunds replacement is in house. Fans: Hogwash. Beane: We are hoping to get Ed Oliver extended soon Fans: They will trade Ed Oliver Beane: Spencer Brown, we feel will take some steps forward. Coming from a small school and the back injury cost him. We believe in Brown. Fans: Pfff...GM speak. RT round 1. Beane: We hope to get Gabe Davis extended. Love Davis. Kid works hard and is still improving. Fans: Nah, trade for Hopkins, Mike Evans, Draft one high and then figure out a way to get Cooper Kupp. None of what has happened should be shocking. They gave you guys the spoilers all along. And they literally weren't. Collecting draft picks? Sure. But if Allen wasn't there that would have been spent in other ways and the Mason Rudolph era would be about closing right about now.

I'd rather have pick next year anyway. Should be a much deeper draft class.

To the bolded: Beane actually mentioned briefly last night how now in year 2 with Dorsey and Kromer they are better able to refine exactly what they are looking for and how they want to set the offense. There was some getting used to what they wanted last year more than this. To your second point, while true that he isn't known as a pulling G, he doesn't have to be. Morse is excellent pulling and Torrence can set the point of attack. He will prevent the quick penetration that blows up a run play. We needed that especially with all the really good DTs in our division.

That I can agree with. I think we now have the flexibility to be more down and distance and matchup friendly. But pretty sure a 4-3 could use a MLB...unlike what the OP says😂😂

They have literally said they believe the replacement was in house all off season. Don't understand why this is such a shocking turn of events for some.