Florida Bills Fanatic

Sounds like something that a troll or agent would throw out there. I guess they're one in the same ....lol. IMHO fat chance anyone is going to pay Phillips $15m per year or risk being stuck with that sized contract to try to facilitate a trade.

Good points! There are some reasons that players will want to be extended. Any contract that White signs will pay him significantly more than the fifth year option for that year. As others have pointed out, his new contract will have some significant upfront money and guaranteed money. Don't underestimate the value of having millions of dollars a year or two earlier. The reality of injuries is real. It does not have to be a career ending injury to have a major impact on the future value of a contract. Some players and agents do subscribe to the bird in the bush philosophy to take what is there when it is there. IMHO the chances of an early extension are a long shot, but not impossible.

Unless Beane has a better player under contract to fill their roster spot, why would he cut any of these guys? $9 million more when you already have over $80 million in cap space doesn't make a compelling case to create a bunch of holes in your roster. With some better free agent signings, I can definitely see some of these guys being released. I doubt that they cut Sweeney in any of these scenarios. I say that because they didn't try to move him to the practice squad and risk losing him. He is a low cost player with some decent upside potential. If Beane decides that he requires more cap room and lacks better roster options, he can also restructure some more contracts.

I would not call Murphy, Kroft, Morse or Long high risk. Other than Morse, the other three were not huge dollar signings and therefore not much risk involved. Guys like AJ Green aren't going to sign low cost contracts because some desperate GM will pay them. Not for big money. Risk was fairly low.

I don't expect Beane to take on any high risk players. I can't think of one that is worth spending money to get. AJ Green is a decent guy but has developed an injury history that is typical for players his age. When you look back at the recent moves made by the Bills, they haven't signed any head cases or players with any red flag character issues. There are other low risk options available to address the Bill's roster issues.

You could be right but the complex funding arrangements made to make the massive LA construction cost work, presumed two occupants. Someone would have to ante up some big money to move the Chargers. I find it unlikely but the NFL never ceases to amaze me with some of their decisions.

and some decent size to make plays in the red zone

Excellent post! The hard salary cap insures that the competitive aspects of teams on the field remain reasonably close. Revenue competitive differences come into the picture with what an owner is able or willing to spend for coaching staff, training facilities, medical staff, player support, etc. Some owners are also cash flow strapped so that they are unable to spend as much on signing bonuses and other up front payments. Fortunately, Pegulas are in the top one-third of owners in terms of personal wealth so some of these factors are less critical to them. They will most likely look at things in terms of their return on investment and growing the value of their franchise. They also have to endure the whining of fellow owners that complain about their smaller revenue take when they play on the road in Buffalo. Make no mistake, the Pegulas are in this to make money and will do what optimizes their opportunity to make money for the long term. Having not seen their economic analysis of the options to build new or renovate, I won't venture a guess. The only thing that is a given is that a bunch of money (private and public) is going to be spent to enhance the profit generated by the Bills.

You are correct that the Bills value talent but it will not be acquired without other considerations. They didn't make a trade for AB. It was reported that the Bills were involved in the discussions to acquire him. Whether they were serious about getting him or were just trying to drive up the price, is still not known for sure. I believe that Beane will avoid players that will be distractions, locker room problems, or not adhere to assignments within the scheme being played. I don't care what kind of label people put on this; culture, process, etc..

Gase does have some expertise regarding incompetence. In fact, he also has some considerable experience with incompetence. Just when Jests fans think they have seen it all, their team pulls something new and unique to confound everyone. You couldn't make this stuff up.

I agree with you. Ralph had three good years in the mid-sixties and the Kelly years. There were a couple of other decent years sprinkled in but other than that he was a dumpster fire. Current ownership is off to a good start but needs to put together a sustained level of performance to prove that recent improvements are not an aberration. When it comes to the Sabres, Pegula is very Ralph like. It has been pathetic.

I guess the NFL doesn't think interested viewers have a DVR to watch when they want to. OOPs..I guess that goes for the rest of us that don't like the change...just sayin'.

I believe that you are correct. Jags won't just let him walk and get nothing in return. He will be in high demand, if they make him available. This will drive the price up. Chasing him doesn't seem to fit Beane's approach to team building.

Just so you understand the point of the point of the original post to which I responded. I was agreeing with another person that was tired of the mindless rhetorical drivel that is purveyed as absolute knowledge of future Bills actions. I prefer to read opinions that are based on some semblance of knowledge and data. I do hope that your version of the correct answer above proves to be accurate. ?

Again, clearly you missed the end of the original post.

Obviously you missed the point. Have a nice off season.

The more relevant question is probably who I think will win the SB. My point in my response was that the endless speculation about the draft picks is being made without three of the more important pieces of information. These being which of their own free agents do they sign, which of their players under contract do they release, and which free agents from other teams do they sign. Other posts declare in absolutes that the Bills will do specific things in the draft. IMHO this is ridiculous. I find more value in the posts from people who identify information about some of the hidden gems in the draft that the mainstream sports media misses. To put your analogy in this context, it is tantamount to picking your super bowl winner before the season is played. We all know how valid those kinds of predictions are.

You are absolutely correct. Many posts deal with speculation around draft picks before we even know what needs remain following free agency. Thanks for the dose of common sense.

As usual, most of the comments already made on this subject have it exactly correct. There are better options available than Thuney based on a cost vs. talent comparison. Brady received more pressure up the middle than he had in previous years. It's pretty telling that the Cheatriots extended one interior lineman and not Thuney. They obviously didn't think he was worth keeping around at a price that he would demand. Beane won't break the bank for a marginal upgrade (if it is an upgrade at all).

Right now a McKenzie replacement is probably way down Beane's list of priorities. When they do get a receiver in either the draft or free agency, I believe they will be looking for a guy with decent size, speed and hands to play outside opposite Brown. I think they will pass on getting another smurf. Their activity in free agency as well as the value of the available players at pick 22 will determine whether they go WR, DE, or fill another need.

All I can say for sure is that it's great that the Bills aren't involved in any of this QB turmoil. If anything materializes for Buffalo, it may be an opportunity to upgrade the backup QB position.

I was thinking the same thing. Teams have a tendency to push down the draft value of guys that appear to be injury prone. With so many good WR's in this draft, he may slip to round two.

I'm talking about game tape. Watch all of his plays. This guy can play and really showed it at the end of this season when he finally got to be featured. After Evans and Godwin were injured, Perriman became the number 1 target, saw a lot of double coverage, and still produced. After watching him play, consider whether he would be a significant upgrade over what we have now. IMHO the answer is yes. For those that don't think the guy can play, who do they want Beane to target? Rookies coming out of the draft seldom make the immediate impact desired in their first season. It makes sense for Beane to get a good free agent without breaking the bank and draft a good prospect to develop. Perriman would be a good first step in implementing this approach.

Look at who was throwing him the ball and the length of the passing targets that he received. Watch some game tape, it tells the story on this guy.

I agree with you. Perriman is exactly what the Bills need (size, speed, and great hands). He may cost a little more than some people will expect because he will have more than one team interested. His cost will be less than some of the bigger names being kicked around. I believe that Beane will get an experienced free agent and draft a good prospect to develop. Some people will want the Bills chasing guys like Cooper and Green but I think the cost isn't going to be worth it.