BuffaloBillyG

To be fair, I believe there are disconnects from reality on both sides of the argument. Certainly the cap as it sat this year was restrictive. However there are still big dollar moves that Beane COULD have made (and still can) that for whatever reason they have chosen not to. Using the Over The Cap estimates the Bills could still clear the following off the cap this year: White restructure: $5.8M Dawkins restructure: $6.4M Morse restructure: $3.3M (and a Morse cut or trade saves $8M against the cap) Bates restructure :$1.9M Extensions for Jones and Taron Johnson clear a few more million off the cap this year. And of course the ever popular fan obsession: Oliver trade: $10.7M Now while I will agree that making all of these moves isn't in the longterm best interest of the team to wring our collective hand and cry poverty isn't completely true either. Understanding that Beane is planning for next year and the year after just as much as this year when it comes to cap space. But at some point just getting to the playoffs and being competitive isn't going to cut it for Pegula IMO. Not when he's watching the guy he coveted (and reportedly was talked out of getting by McDermott) in Mahomes bounce the Bills from the playoffs and winning championships.

Well with the way the draft looks right now...I think there are a lot of positions that are going to be team specific as to who is drafted at what spot. The "experts" mock drafts will be in complete shambles. After maybe the 18th or 19th pick many of the guys selected will likely have round 1 grades by some teams and a 3rd or 4th rounder by others. My prediction is there will be a LOT of guys taken that the Mel Kipers of the world throw the word "reach" out there after the pick. And they will be baffled at some of the guys that they love sliding a complete round or 2 later then they predicted. But teams will grade based on their systems and different guys will get taken over more popular picks. We see it to some extent every year...but I think this year is going to be insane with unexpected picks and late 1st round trades. Buffalo may be in an EXCELLENT spot to trade back.

For me, there are 2 guys I want. And the BOTH come from Florida. 1. O'Cyrus Torrance OG. I know he doesn't fit the mold of a Beane OL pick. That's entirely the point. We need someone that brings a little something different to this line. We have enough of the high RAS score, uber potential linemen on the roster. McD said he wanted an edge to this team. Torrance is that guy. A road grading run blocker who never gave up a sack in his college career? SIGN ME UP for that! Kromer has coached these types of guards before...including Incognito and Saffold. He can definatly be worked in. 2. Gervon Dexter DT. Another Florida product that would bring some surge to the middle of the defense...much like Jordan Phillips in his first go around with the Bills. These 2 guys would bring some nasty to our lines...which is something I would love to see, If we get one of them I would be happy. (I've already come to terms with the likelyhood of a WR in the first or second, so not likely we take both).

Using a different mindset would lead to common sense leading in a different direction IMO. Let's think this through fully here. You have a play that while showing flashes has not been consistent enough to justify a huge contract. Stinks, but hey it happens. SO who is trading for him and what's his value? In my mind, there is no team that will move a first round pick or even a second rounder on a player like that. A third? I mean maybe but I would still say as a 1 year rental at $10M (which is what Ed would be as he wants that huge contract he hasn't really earned) I don't see his value any higher than a conditional 4th. Maybe lower. So this is where a GM has to think of the situation. Worst case scenario, Ed falls flat on his face. Still wants big money and we let him walk. Second scenario, Ed balls out in a contract year like so many others have. Maybe he even prices himself out of the Bills plans. Now, we are looking at a very solid 3rd round comp pick in addition to him having a monster year this year. That's a win. Best case scenario, the light clicks on, Ed balls out and we get him under contract for long term and see him reach new levels of his play. Tha's a win. Yes, the cap relief this year would be nice, but Oliver strikes me as that type of guy that really shows up at contract time. Not saying that in a bad way. Just saying that this is the year for him to earn a new contract somewhere. He's going to be more motivated than we have ever seen. Rather take that chance he will break out for us than some other team.

Beane really has never been the kind of GM to talk up a player. There is always a ton of truth in his statements and how he addresses what he sees in a player with the media. No, he doesn't throw guys under the bus at all...but he doesn't gush about guys either. I take his statement about Brown (as well as Davis and Oliver) pretty close to face value. I also think that the guard position has question marks still. I would say McGovern is close to a lock to start at LG. Then you have Bates who you say is not great and Edwards who is coming off a down year with the Rams that was ended by injury. I still see the benefit of adding talent there as it would free Bates up to back up all 3 IOL spots. If Edwards steps up, great. If not that spot is open again.

The only issue I have with this thought process is it takes Taron Johnson off the field and replaces him with...who? Johnson is very solid against the run. Until White returns to form (assuming he does) or Elam takes a step forward Johnson would be our best CB IMO. Taking him off the field for a 3rd LB would really weaken the defense IMO.

Now, I fully understand that making Brown (along with Gabe Davis) the new whipping boys are what all the cool kids are doing these days. I get why. But the fact is, Brandon Beane overwhelmingly believes in Brown's potential. Now, I still expect someone else to compete for the position...but my hope is that the rational that Beane has for the struggles Brown has had will be on the money. Brown was always going to take a bit to come into his own....but I can see this as a make or break year for him for sure.

I think the main thing to remember here is that they liked him enough 12 months ago to spend a 3rd round pick on him. They didn't do that with last year in mind. If Beane believed in his ability enough then, he's going to get the opportunity to earn that starting spot now. A GM is going to believe in his guys and his plan...and I wouldn't really want a guy in that role that changed his mind every 12 months. We will see if he was the right pick...but frankly no one really knows what we have in this guy yet.

Bates being the backup at all 3 IOL spots would be the perfect world IMO. Either way regarding Morse, there is a fair amount of risk with him. When healthy he is still a darn good C. Has experience and has been Josh's C for a long time. But that concussion situation as you point out is a concern. From a play standpoint I don't see a huge dropoff between Mitch and Bates. There is some, for sure...but not anything that is a red flag for me. and that cap space they could clear would be huge in getting an additional pass rusher and possibly another target for Josh. I see both sides to this one and would think that overall Beane would go with the experience and leadership Morse provides...at least for one more year. I think we are starting to see a slight (and it's only slight at t his point) shift in the though process this off season. With some of the moves they have made it points to me that they may be slowly realizing that status quo may not be enough unless a perfect storm hits. Having McDermott call the defense and the possibility of a more aggressive look there. Moving on from McKenzie to Harty stands out for me. Going from a guy that is better at "Water bug quickness" than pure straightline speed. Harris over Singletary may be a sign that they know they need a physical presence between the tackles from time to time over a "steady Eddie" that is consistent but neither a bruiser or gamebreaker. And what better type of G to run Harris behind than Torrence? Also, just as an outside the box thought...we all know that when we have Allen go for that QB dive on 3rd and 4th and short...he goes right. That would be likely right where Torrence would plug in. Lining Torrence up next to the mountain of a man Spencer Brown is...it's appealing to me to say the least. I think Kromer can use him in the same manner he used Incognito.

I think there are some signs that point to Torrence being a legitimate candidate for the Bills. I realize he doesn't fit the scheme or the athletic traits (RAS score) that Beane typically looks for in an OL pick. But there are a few things that stand out with him that align with what McDermott and Beane have said this off season. 1. They want Josh to take less hits. While McD was mainly talking about sliding when running I believe they realize he get hit (and possibly takes harder shots) in the pocket. Well, what would help that more than a guy that gave up exactly ZERO sacks in over 3000 snaps in his college career? 2. McD has mentioned....several times...about seeing the defense play with an edge. However I believe that he would like more edge and nastiness wherever he can get it. Mr. Torrence plays with that nasty that lacks on our OL. 3. They have had 2 visits with him (That I have seen reported) including a Top 30 visit. 4. IOL has been a priority upgrade for them this season. I believe that in addition to shoring up a weak spot...we know Beane also is always looking at more than just "this year". The signings of McGovern and Edwards combined with how much they like Bates tell me they may be looking into a future without Mitch Morse. If Edwards can return to form under Kromer or Torrence is selected Bates could slide to C this year or next and save the Bills about $8M on the cap by trading/releasing Morse as a post June 1st. They need that money and Bates is solid at C. Makes some sense to me. Again, while I admit Torrence isn't a perfect fit for the scheme we have seen up to now...I think his attitude on the field, talent level and upside may be enough for Beane to take a chance on in a weak draft

I hope so. Or trade out of the 1st completely. There are so few guys coming out this year with actual 1st round grades that if they pick at 27 it will likely be a reach. If a player they like slips to the early 20s I would suspect Beane to be aggressive and move up...especially if they are down to the last guy on their board with a 1st round grade...much like Elam last year.

At this point, I'm thinking that the end result will be DHop staying in Arizona under a reworked contract.

That Gabe Davis is a solid #2 WR. He's not a 1A like Tee Higgins. But he is a guy that could start on roughly half the teams in the NFL.

Hyde and Poyer are on the back 9 of their careers. Hyde is in the final year of his contract and Poyer's contract is not a huge deal to get out from if either or both have age catch them and under perform. Poyer coming off many various injuries last year and Hyde a pretty serious neck injury. I dont call it a lock either are back next year. I like Rapp and think he can fit, however he's not signed past next season either. Benford still may transition that way, sure. But how will that go? No one knows for sure. We are covered for this year however Beane seems to like drafting guys a year before a hole opens up. Safety in round 3 or 4 is what I expect.

His contract is set up so it can be restructured on a yearly basis. It clears about $30M against the cap each season to do so. They will simply continue to do so.

I think we will see more 5 man blitzes than we have in a long time. The biggest factor IMO is we no longer have Edmunds and that wingspan clogging the middle. That will change the whole approach to what they can do on defense.

I will go with: O'Cyrus Torrence Gervon Dexter I think the Bills try and work on both lines early in the draft. Focus on Safety, WR, and possibly LB help a bit later than most want to believe.

So, what's everyone's upset special this week? I actually am going with Detroit over the Packers.

Had White played this week and aggravated anything on the poor Jets stadium turf...the same people bashing that he's inactive this week would suddenly be saying "Stupid McDermott playing White on that field. What a dumb decision".

You're already behind...

Sometimes high caliber athletes coming off serious injury have a harder time being mentally ready than physically ready. The knee heals but there is still some fear and uncertainty involved. Now I'm not saying with 100% certainty that is what is going on...but it really wouldn't shock me if he's going through some confidence issues in relation to how the knee will respond come game time.

To quote the (not) late and (not) great Douglas Marrone: "Obviously"

He gets to practice against Diggs and Davis all week. Think that will suffice. lol

Not shocked and frankly kind of relieved that White's first game back will not be on that poor stadium turf.

McD made it a point to say this week that getting Hines in on Tuesday as opposed to Monday has a surprising effect on getting him into the gameplan. I take this statement at face value. I think giving Hines a very light day today also gives the nod to James Cook that "hey, you're still part of our plans" With that in mind: 2 carries for 6 yards 1 catch for 9 yards 2 PR 14 yards. Fans will be disappointed and win or lose the hot takes on the trade will be magic all week.