Beck Water

He has a point: It's for reals that the man seems to need a mirror. OTOH, I do think the degree of furor over this particular tweet is overblown. I could say "it's childish; stop attacking him for acknowledging that the NFL is a business and regardless of what he prefers, at this time of the year a player can be swapped or cut."

Not to take away from your point, but it's not even "the top 2 guys drafted at any position". Look at the 2018 QB draft. I think there's a clear consensus at this point that the top-2 guys are Josh Allen (the 3rd QB picked) and Lamar Jackson (the 5th) Look at the 2022 WR draft - the first two WR drafted were Smith-Njigba and Quentin Johnson, but the next two WR drafted (Zay Flowers and Jordan Addison) out-performed them last season. And Rashee Rice (drafted at #55 in the 2nd round) outperformed everyone else drafted in the first 3 rounds. To further your point that the draft is a crap shoot in many regards, the best receiver in that 2022 draft so far was drafted in the 5th round.

I will just say I am not following your reasoning on this point. I do know that you understand the cap. I'm sure that you understand there's no such thing as a "post june 1" designation for a trade as there is for a cut, where the team's obligations for this season void but the cap stays on the books until post- june 1 ( a trade can actually occur on or after June 1 of course, but the team incurs the obligation of all this season's guarantees) So can you explain what you mean by the statement "Diggs nets us $19M in total cap dollars in 2024 if we cut/trade him after June 1"? If we cut him today with a post-June-1 designation, Check. If we trade him after June 1 - that entirely depends upon whether and how much of his then fully-guaranteed $18.5M salary the trade partner takes on OR if he's cut after today, upon whether he has offset language in his contract which precludes "double dipping" and offers us relief to the extent of any salary in a new contract he signs I'm also puzzled by the "in theory Diggs could give us $24M more dollars if we don't touch the $19M this year". I think this isn't a way contract impacts on the cap are usually viewed, perhaps for good reason.

The Diggs contract is complicated because his $18.5M 2024 salary guarantees..........tomorrow. So if we cut Diggs today and designate him as our other post-June-1 cut (Tre White being the other), we are no longer obligated for his salary guarantee; the portion of his amortized bonuses assigned to this year count against this year's cap (that would be $8.849M, giving us something like $19.36M savings this season); BUT, we roll the rest of his dead cap from amortized signing bonuses onto next season's cap (that would be $22.25M by my calculation). At least, that's how I understand it to work.

Josh needed (and something he said last off-season makes me think he knows this) to be the "bad guy" and step up and shut it down. It's a hard thing for him to do, because it seems his Dad engrained in him to "share praise and accept blame" and that's normally a trait I think we all admire, vs. Aaron Rodgers and sometimes even Mahomes last year, calling out his teammates and throwing them a bit under the bus at times. But Josh isn't always there. There's a lot of watching film in the WR room and sometimes as a "receivers room" including TE and RB (where the position coach may be there), and just hanging out at dinners and etc (where the coaches aren't there). There needs to be leadership and accountability in each position group. That's my question and point - has there been? who has there been with the pedigree, production, and stature to counterbalance Diggs?

This seems like a common enough trait of successful, productive WR in the prime of their careers (Odell Beckham, Antonio Brown, etc) that one wonders whether it either goes with the ego and personality needed to successfully play WR in the league, or whether it results from all the head-blows these guys inevitably take.

Dude, please try to keep up. Samuel has been excelling as a slot receiver who can be versatile and play outside. What is usually meant by "#2 WR" is the flanker or Z receiver, the guy who plays outside and stretches the field. Since Samuel has played a large number of his snaps for the last 4 seasons in the slot (excepting 2021, when he was IR'd early in the season), including his most successful career year under Joe Brady, it seems reasonable to conclude that Brady is likely to continue to use him primarily in the slot, or at least as a mix of slot vs outside. Therefore unless we think Shakir is ready to take on that outside receiver role almost full time (which, I guess we might?), we still need a #2.

I can't believe it took until page 42 for someone to launch this perfect (and factually correct) zinger. Someone with a twitter or X or Insta or Meta or whatever it calls itself now account, ought to make that rejoinder to Diggs. He was indeed not ready for that. I've been thinking about this, and I'll put it out there. When Diggs came in 2020 and 2021, there were two guys in the room who were senior to him in tenure with the Bills and arguably on-par with accomplishments. Diggs was coming to the Bills off back-to-back 1000+ yd seasons. Brown had just had a 70+ reception 1000+ yd season, and he had one earlier in his career. Beasley didn't have the yards, being a slot, but he had >100 targets close to 800 yds and 37 1st downs. Diggs 1st year he came *this* close to breaking 1000 yds. So in the kind of nebulous and invisible pecking order of an NFL WR room, from 2020-2021, there were at least 2 WR there with the production and seniority to tell Diggs to pipe down and shut up. But in 2022, that all changed. After Crowder broke his leg and went out, the WR room was Diggs, 3rd year guy and 50% catch rate Gabe Davis, bit player Isaiah McKenzie getting his first chance to start and struggling with it, and rookie Khalil Shakir. It was reported that Isaiah McKenzie and Gabe Davis went to Beane and asked him if he'd consider signing Cole Beasley. The fan interpretation has been, "Bills were so desperate for WR talent they signed guys off the couch". But then there's the report that in 2022, Diggs used to yell at Allen in the locker room for perceived mistakes or miscues and Allen just took it, but got to the point where other guys were uncomfortable and where Allen wasn't talking to Diggs and their relationship was fundamentally broken. What if the reason McKenzie and Davis went to Beane was that they were searching for a solution, and in signing Beasley they would be bringing back a "Dad" player everyone respected for his unquestioned mental and physical toughness and who had a good relationship with Josh, who could maybe rein Diggs in? Now in 2023, the Bills moved on from McKenzie but only brought in a "gadget guy" in Hardy and a replacement for Kumerow in Sherfield, then a late round rookie in Shorter and some UDFA who quickly became non-factors. So the WR room dynamic was unchanged. Although to his credit, I saw glimpses of Diggs encouraging other guys on the sideline and bucking them up vs. telling the tight ends to "cool off 'cuz I need my Bag." and apparently he cobbled together enough relationship with Josh that they were talking again. But with the thought that possibly, the dynamic with Diggs in the WR room has been a bit "me first" and short on accountability for Diggs, listen to some quotes from Hollis from the Atlantic article, linked in Mack Hollins Hates Soup thread. "Every spot in my mind and in every receiver’s mind is up for grabs. Just because he got a nice signing bonus, there’s no free lunches now that I am here. If you’re a prima donna, this isn’t the room for you. You’ll get called out for it, at least by me. I don’t like soft people." and “I think scholarship kids are pampered,” he said. “Now, a lot of them worked hard and that’s why they got scholarships, but in my mind, they’re just pampered. Just like early draft picks are pampered. I’ll always think that no matter what. I was a fourth-round pick, I was pampered too. I got away with more stuff. It made me feel soft, I didn’t like that.” Just maybe, part of the logic behind the Bills signing Mack Hollins is that he sounds like he's got a bit of the "Honey Badger" in him (He Don't Care!), and might feel comfortable calling Diggs out if he mis-behaves?

Considering Tampa, the team that won the south, had only 2 more wins than Atlanta and a record of 9-8, that could be true.

It's an option, but is it a good option for a team that wishes to contend? Let's look at last year's crop of 1st round WR (click to enlarge) We see that they all played, which doesn't always happen. The best contributor, Jordan Addison, contributed 70 receptions and 911 yds. That would still leave a 40 reception, ~300 yd deficit over what Diggs contributed last year (which was a big 'down year' for him. Now let's look at who else is playing for Minnesota - Justin Jefferson, one of the best WR in the league. Addison undoubtedly benefited from defenses worrying about Jefferson. Expecting a 400-600 yd contribution might be more realistic, and that would downgrade the Bills offense at a point where we all want to see upgrade. IMHO it would make a lot more sense to draft a WR high, and let him develop behind Diggs. Perhaps knowing that he's eligible to be traded in 2025 would motivate Diggs to "put his best foot forward" and having a talented rookie in the room would push him (not to mention this cray-cray ST guy and multi-team captain in the room who thinks every job is up for grabs) Dude. Other teams can not pick up "a chunk of the dead cap". That is money already paid. If you think that happens, please give specific examples. I don't believe you'll find any.

OK. But if we double down on WR in the first two rounds of the draft, then we need to sign more FA at S and DL. You say "Ideal in a SB window year? No, but...." but it could leave the Bills offense kind of toothless - far less than ideal. It would also leave the young WR with Mack Hollins and Khalil Shakir as the guys showing them how to get things done.

You didn't answer my question: "Therefore, if the Bills trade Diggs and incur $3M more than the $27.8M cap hit he currently carries for being ON our roster as a very good WR available to play for the Bills, the best on the team last 4 years - we need to replace him. How, and with whom, when we take our limited cap space and turn it into $3M less cap space?"

This is a piece about him last season with the Falcons but interesting attitude: and Interesting times!

This are highlight plays obviously, but one of the Cover1 guys said he thought Hollins was an upgrade on Sherfield (who was an upgrade on Kumerow) and based on these, I might believe it.

Indeed. His comment on the DB he toasted: And another one:

That may be, but that's for a trade MADE after 6/1. It's truth that there's no trade equivalent of the "cut designated post-June 1" where the team is no longer responsible for any guarantees or bonus payments, keeps the cap hit on their payroll until 6/1, then splits the hit over a couple years. I know this has been said before, but let me try again: Diggs is still a talented receiver. Maybe not an elite WR any more, but good to very good (top 10 to top 15), and the best on our current roster. With me so far? You agree with the above, because you've stated you want a 1st round pick for him in trade compensation. Teams don't hand out 1st round picks except for very good WR. So you must think Diggs is still a very good WR. With me so far? Therefore, if the Bills trade Diggs and incur $3M more than the $27.8M cap hit he currently carries for being ON our roster as a very good WR available to play for the Bills, the best on the team last 4 years - we need to replace him. How, and with whom, when we take our limited cap space and turn it into $3M less cap space? Hint: 1st round rookies don't always pan out, and even those who do pan out, don't always do so year 1.

Thanks for posting that. Definitely his own guy, walking to his own drummer but he came across very personable and easy to get along with. I kept looking at his tan lines and trying to figure out what his off-season sport must be. Anyone?

If you're talking about Diggs, he's not 33 he's 30. His cap hit is $27.8M in Buffalo. If he's traded, it rises to $31.1M because of amortized bonuses accelerating into this season. And you didn't ask but before someone else does, there's no such thing as a trade made now, but dated post-June 1. That only applies to cuts. I don't know who those people are, but I've never felt that way so I'm unchanged on wanting us to draft a top WR.

Where have I been trying to argue whether or not TikTokBoi is a "true #1 receiver"? That seems to be a regular straw scarecrow you've inserted here. You've been arguing that Smith-Schuster is mediocre and hasn't been very good for years based on the fact that he contributed little in NE in 2023. My point is simply that isn't a very logical or fact-based evaluation for his performance in KC and previously. 1. KC signed its 2022 3 vet WR within $1.8M of each other, and they were all minescule cap hits. But as players, Smith-Schuster had the best and most consistent prior performance of the 3 before his 2021 injury - that's why I think they were expecting the most from him as a WR that year (and in fact, got the most from him of their WR). They also in the end, paid him the most but because of his previous year's injury and NFL rules were able to package it as "unlikely to be earned incentives" which is smart cap management. They didn't exactly have a lot of cap. 2. After they pay their elite QB, that's what teams do - they have 1 receiver they pay (for KC, that's Kelce) and other than that, it's first contracts and lower-tier FA. Whether they expect "a huge year" is not directly correlated to the player's salary for that reason - do you really want to "go there" to argue expectations and salary are always linked? 3. As far as paying JSS more, for all we know someone did offer, but he chose to go to KC on a "prove it" year to try to parlay a big 2nd contract. Worked. "Elite" is not a label I've tried to apply to TikTokBoi any more than "true #1". If you really want to play the "I'll set up strawmen you aren't actually arguing game", I got better things to do. Where have I been trying to argue whether or not TikTokBoi is a "true #1 receiver"? That seems to be a regular straw scarecrow you've inserted here. You've been arguing that Smith-Schuster is mediocre and hasn't been very good for years based on the fact that he contributed little in NE in 2023. My point is simply that isn't a very logical or fact-based evaluation for his performance in KC and previously. 1. KC signed its 2022 3 vet WR within $1.8M of each other, and they were all minescule cap hits. But as players, Smith-Schuster had the best and most consistent prior performance of the 3 before his 2021 injury - that's why I think they were expecting the most from him as a WR that year (and in fact, got the most from him of their WR). They also in the end, paid him the most but because of his previous year's injury and NFL rules were able to package it as "unlikely to be earned incentives" which is smart cap management. They didn't exactly have a lot of cap. 2. After they pay their elite QB, that's what teams do - they have 1 receiver they pay (for KC, that's Kelce) and other than that, it's first contracts and lower-tier FA. Whether they expect "a huge year" is not directly correlated to the player's salary for that reason - do you really want to "go there" to argue expectations and salary are always linked? 3. As far as paying JSS more, for all we know someone did offer, but he chose to go to KC on a "prove it" year to try to parlay a big 2nd contract. Worked. "Elite" is not a label I've tried to apply to TikTokBoi any more than "true #1". If you really want to play the "I'll set up strawmen you aren't actually arguing game", I got better things to do. I'm not interested in arguing relative resources of Buffalo vs KC, I'm just responding to the points I'm responding to. Where have I been trying to argue whether or not TikTokBoi is a "true #1 receiver"? That seems to be a regular straw scarecrow you've inserted here. You've been arguing that Smith-Schuster is mediocre and hasn't been very good for years based on the fact that he contributed little in NE in 2023. My point is simply that isn't a very logical or fact-based evaluation for his performance in KC and previously. 1. KC signed its 2022 3 vet WR within $1.8M of each other, and they were all minescule cap hits. But as players, Smith-Schuster had the best and most consistent prior performance of the 3 before his 2021 injury - that's why I think they were expecting the most from him as a WR that year (and in fact, got the most from him of their WR). They also in the end, paid him the most but because of his previous year's injury and NFL rules were able to package it as "unlikely to be earned incentives" which is smart cap management. They didn't exactly have a lot of cap. 2. After they pay their elite QB, that's what teams do - they have 1 receiver they pay (for KC, that's Kelce) and other than that, it's first contracts and lower-tier FA. Whether they expect "a huge year" is not directly correlated to the player's salary for that reason - do you really want to "go there" to argue expectations and salary are always linked? 3. As far as paying JSS more, for all we know someone did offer, but he chose to go to KC on a "prove it" year to try to parlay a big 2nd contract. Worked. "Elite" is not a label I've tried to apply to TikTokBoi any more than "true #1". If you really want to play the "I'll set up strawmen you aren't actually arguing game", I got better things to do. I'm not interested in arguing relative resources of Buffalo vs KC, I'm just responding to the points I'm responding to.

I don't think Diggs is a big camping guy.

TBH, I'm not even sure Diggs is trolling. He loves him his cryptic tweets and the 'wutever' he's ready for could be the two women he checked into suites at the same hotel and his plans for the evening, the success of his fashion line - anything.

NP I had to take a calculator to all the bonuses in Spotrac to be sure I had it right. That's actually an interesting question. What makes Diggs "untradeable" to the Bills, is all the amortized bonuses (signing, option, restructure) that would all accelerate into the current year. We have to pay more to cut or trade him than we pay to keep him, AND we need to feel confident we've replaced his average of 111 catches and 1300 yds since 2020 (or at least 100 catches and 1000+ yds). What the trade partner normally takes on is any roster or workout bonuses due, salary and incentives. So those can 100% be reworked to make him a more attractive trade partner. Sometimes the trading team agrees to eat part of the salary, sometimes the player extends his contract and renegotiates, the receiving team can also convert part of his salary to bonus (since they have no bonus already on the book, the trading team ate them). But the part that makes him a "poison pill" for the Bills to move on from - his amortized bonuses that accelerate into now PLUS the need to replace his talent - as far as I know, that's all money the player has already received and I don't think the CBA allows give-backs on those.

Yeah, that's the paradox - if we're willing to move him, either his talent level has plummeted or he's Trouble in the Teepee behind the scenes. Intrinsically, that means another team isn't going to see high value in a WR who'll be almost 31 when the season starts, and who is due $18.5M in salary.

Ah Wat? Diggs has no "cash bonus" due 3/17. His 2024 salary does guarantee on 3/17, but it would still cost the Bills extra cap ($31M vs $27.8M) to trade him, and leave us a gaping hole on offense at WR. And it's his salary, not a cash bonus. The dead cap does NOT include his 2024 salary, just signing and restructure bonuses. His dead cap is not that much larger than his cap hit (only about $3M) but the main problem is where are you gonna get the extra cap AND replace the talent? Maybe if some team is willing to trade us a talented young receiver on their 1st contract but why would they do that? It would, but then we have to replace the talent level. And if another team is willing to give us a 1st for him.....he's still got the talent level.

Yeah! Oh....wait.....