folz

Agreed. And hopefully that is what is different about this Bills regime (now that they are out of cap trouble) from previous Bills' FOs. In the past, too often at certain positions, they would count on a player like Teller taking that next step and when they didn't, the team had no backup plan. I think Beane and company still HOPE that Teller will develop into a solid starting OG, but I don't think they will COUNT on it. I expect them to bring in another starting-caliber OG or two and let the best men win the jobs. McDermott is all about competition and earning your spot. Nothing will be handed to Teller. But, I guess we will see one way or the other, over the next month or two, how they play it.

But who was throwing the ball to those other guys and in what offense? That kind of makes a difference. Now, I'm not saying Zay is as good as say JuJu, but Zay had Tyrod, Peterman, Anderson, Barkley, and rookie Allen throwing to him in an offense that could barely muster 10 points until late last season, while JuJu had a Hall-of-Fame QB throwing to him, and an All-Pro WR on the opposite side of the field drawing double teams, both of whom had been in the same offensive system for a long time. You kind of have to take those things into account. Yes, some rookie WRs come out of the gate hot and put up some nice numbers their rookie year, but there are a hell of a lot more guys who take a few years to develop. That is why there is the belief of the 3rd year being a potential break-out year for WRs. Zay is going into his third year. I'm curious to see if he can take that next step. Plus, I think the coaching change may be a very good thing for all of the WRs this year. Zay's rookie year, he had his college WR coach, who may not have really been ready to make the jump to the next level or simply didn't know the league that well yet. Plus he wasn't teaching Zay anything new, since he had been coaching him already for a couple of years. And then last year, it sounds like Robiskie might have been a bit disinterested, or not really grinding (per rumors). So, maybe with better coaching and QB play (Josh progressing), Zay breaks out this season. Don't forget too that Zay and Josh didn't get a lot of practice time together until later in the year. One reason Foster may have come on was because he and Josh got to practice more together in camp, preseason, and early on in the season. This offseason, Josh is the guy and if Zay remains one of the top three WRs, they will hopefully be able to get on the same page, be more comfortable with each other, trust each other, etc. Did we all expect more out of Zay to this point, yes. But let's let it play out before we label him a bust. Players do get better with experience.

Guys, the cupboard is completely bare right now at TE. Jason Croom is the only TE on the roster. Remember that most teams carry a blocking TE as well as a pass receiving TE. This site about the construction of a 53-man roster points it out well. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1640782-the-anatomy-of-a-53-man-roster-in-the-nfl "Tight Ends (3) Unless you are the Green Bay Packers, who at one point had five tight ends on the 53-man roster in 2011, most teams will keep three active tight ends. The typical breakdown is the starter, who is a threat in all phases of the game. The backup is usually a blocking tight end who is not much of a threat in the passing game. The third tight end is a hybrid type who can also help on special teams." Croom is the hybrid, Allen would be the back-up/blocking TE, and the team will obviously still try to fill the starting role vacated by Clay (but hopefully at an upgrade, be it a FA or draft pick). And most TEs coming out of college are not polished blockers. That is usually a skill that is honed once in the NFL. So, it makes sense to get your blocking TE in free agency rather than the draft. A guy who has already proven himself in the league. Plus, we all know that the offensive line was a problem last year, which crushed the running game. Obviously the team is going to address the O-line heavily this offseason. So, think of this move as part of that. The signing (if it were to happen) won't prevent them from getting that more athletic, versatile, pass catching TE. "Bill Belichick often praised Allen for his blocking in the run game..." Plus, his rookie year, he did catch 45 balls for 521 yards and 3 TDs, he also had seasons with 6 TDs, and 8 TDs. So, it's not like he can't catch at all. I'd be all for the move. Solid #2 TE.

I agree with the first bold statement, that the first draft was McDermott's draft (not Whaley's), although he was relying on Whaley's team's scouting info, and that is probably why, as another poster stated, he may have gone with guys from the senior bowl because they were players that he and his coaches actually got to see/interview/scout themselves. I would just point out with the 2nd bolded statement that I think you mean McDermott, not McBeane. I agree that Peterman was probably McDermott's pick, but obviously Beane didn't have anything to do with it. I assume that was just a typo on your part. But after that, your post seems to go off the rails and seems to be a bit short-sighted in my opinion. At best, this was going to be 3 year rebuild (maybe 4 years since Beane wasn't here the first season). A brand new team doesn't magically appear, it has to be built. In years one and two, they assessed the team they had, built their defense, got their QB, and purged the salary cap (and the team of players that weren't a fit, either scheme-wise or culture-wise). This offseason is obviously the year to build the offense. It is part of the plan. Why would a defensive coach without a QB start building the offense first? It was a much better plan to build the D (to try and stay somewhat competitive), get your QB, and then build the O around that QB (players that will compliment him once you know his strengths and weaknesses, etc.). You make it sound like they have blown all of these 1st to 3rd round picks on offensive players that have busted, but your only examples are Zay Jones and Dawkins (both of which were McDermott picks, not Beane picks btw). But, neither of whom I would call a bust yet. It's not like they have thrown all of these assets at the offense and failed miserably. Instead, they have been trying patch-work it together with temporary players while they dealt with other issues (because they didn't have the capital to fix everything in the first two years). And now this offseason is to rebuild the offense. To claim they have already failed at something they haven't really been able to attack yet seems foolish. You can complain about the trade for Benjamin, but pretty much everyone else was a stop-gap player, outside of draft picks. Now, Dawkins had a very good rookie year and then a rougher sophomore year. But two things about that, first, he has admitted that he kind of thought he arrived and took his foot off the gas a bit, but has owned up to that and is determined to turn it around. A lot of players have that sophomore slump for similar reasons. Plus you have to remember that Ritchie wasn't next to him this year. The offensive line is so dependent on each other, if you have someone next to you not playing well, your play appears to go down as well. Happens all the time. Way too many people ignore how big a blow losing Eric and Ritchie was to last year's team. With all of the dead money and a bad draft for O-linemen, the team just couldn't adequately fix that problem. Which also plays into the year that Shady had. Shady's problem wasn't that he suddenly got old, it's that he was met 2 yards in the backfield on most of his runs. And sure, I'd rather have Smith-Shuster than Zay and to this point Zay has not lived up to his draft status yet, but he's shown improvement and he's heading into his third year, which for many WRs is the breakout year. Let's at least give him one more season before labeling him a total bust. Let's see about this spotty history of 1st to 3rd round draft picks: 2017: Tre White, Zay Jones, Dion Dawkins 2018: Josh Allen, Tremaine Edmunds, Harrison Phillips So, what? You're calling Jones and Dawkins definite busts and you don't expect Josh to be the guy? Seems a little too early to be making those determinations. And you talk about holes to fill and other players getting older, so there will be more holes to fill. Well, why do you think they drafted Harrison last year, because they knew Kyle wouldn't be around long. Seems like they are planning ahead. You again, make it seem like they have no plan, no foresight, and their good picks are lucky, and any bad pick/bad move was obvious to everyone in the NFL except for these dopes. You may not like or have confidence in McBeane, but the picture you are painting of them is far from the truth. The way you tell it, they should be fired tomorrow and never work in the NFL again because they are so incompetent. It seems that you are taking a 6-10 season in the 2nd year of a total organizational and team rebuild and acting like that is the final product with no more improvements to come. Their plans may or may not eventually work, but I think you have to at least let it play out before making such sweeping conclusions. If I'm hired by a big company to fix their business and I tell them it will take me 4 years to clean house, change attitudes, implement new plans, hire new staff, etc. and then they fire me after two years because things aren't fixed yet, did I fail or was the company just too impatient to wait for the results they desired? Sometimes you have to take a step back in order to go forward, rather than just constantly tread water.

Three words: Billy Joe Hobert (Not sure how the writer could have overlooked him considering he played in the same era as AVP.)

Just curious, did you watch the video of his CFL highlights that the OP posted? In that video, he definitely did not look slow or unathletic to me at all. Are you basing the bolded statement on just his combine numbers/draft reports or have you actually watched him play or something? I'm admittedly just going on a handful of videos and what little I've read about him. But, I do agree with you that we can hope he develops into a nice #1 or #2 receiver, but the Bills should definitely not count on it by any means. I beg to differ, the best vertical jumper in the world does not stay airborne longer than say a long jumper or a high jumper, because he goes straight up and down while the other two go out, or up and over (with a running start), which extends their time in the air. Who is in the air longer, Michael Jordan jumping straight up and down, or MJ getting a running start and launching himself from the foul line, tongue hanging out, towards the basket for a dunk? In football, rarely do you ever just jump straight up and down without any momentum in a particular direction or slight angle of your body to the ground. So, having the best vertical jump doesn't necessarily mean that you can hang in the air longer or that you have the body skills to high point a football on a dead run and adjust your body in the air to make the catch. If it did, we could just move Harrison Phillips to wide out then. And its the same for forty times. They can give you a general idea, a general range, but they can't measure a player's game speed, which for some players could be at the top of that general range and for others it could be near the bottom. But, maybe I just wasn't accurate in how I described what I was talking about. It's that he seems to jump earlier than the CBs and then kind of extends his body and glides with his momentum, so by the time the CBs jump, he's already in position to catch the ball. To see what I mean, watch his receptions in the CFL video at :00, :53, 2:12, 2:31, and 3:44. I just found that interesting/ a bit unique.

Yes, he will probably need to work on beating the press, since so little of that is done in college and they can get a running start in the CFL, plus the CBs in the CFL are not NFL-caliber. But he is definitely an intriguing talent and if he works hard, who knows how good he could be. Plus, with his size and strength, he should definitely have the ability to beat the press, he just might need to work on the technique of it. Also, it was hard to tell from the highlights how good of a route runner he is, since so many of the catches were deep balls. So, that could be another thing he'll need to work on. You need to run precise routes in the NFL. In the CFL highlights, speed does not look to be an issue for him. It looks like he has football or game speed, kind of like Josh Allen. They actually play faster on the field than their size or 40 times would have you believe. Granted, its a highlight reel and against CFL talent, but he routinely seems to get behind guys and there were a few plays where he was outrunning the defenders. But, what I find really interesting is his hang time when going up for a ball. Its like he jumps too early for the pass, but then just hangs up there until it arrives, and sometimes kind of hitches again to actually snag the ball. He kind of forces the DBs to jump with him, but he can stay up there longer, so by the time he's grabbing the ball, the DBs are already on their way back down. And he seems to have great vision/concentration on the ball too. Couldn't agree more. How many times in the last 20 years have our GMs counted on something to happen with no backup plan? And when that player doesn't come through or gets injured, there is no other option. How many times have we gone into seasons saying, well If this and this and this happen, we could have a good season? No more IFs, we need plan B, plan C, and plan D. So, while Duke's signing is exciting because he seems to have a ton of talent, it shouldn't prevent the team from still drafting a WR somewhat high or signing good receivers in FA. If they all come through, great, then we're stacked. But, if one or more of them don't, then we'd still have other options. It won't be game over.

Totally agree. Like most other sporting events, they should only allow one reporter and camera, from the network covering the game, on the field immediately after the game. It was so bad that for the first time in my life I actually had a smidgen of sympathy for Tom Brady. Let the guys celebrate with their teammates, let the opposing team's players congratulate him (because those players want to get off that field fast). Those photographers have phenomenal zoom lenses, just look at some of the amazing photos taken in game. They do not need to be two inches in front of Brady's face. If they all stood back, they could all get some nice shots. In that scrum, how many good pictures could they actually get? Half of them probably don't even have Brady in the frame. And wouldn't your readers rather have a nice shot of the players hugging and celebrating with each other, rather than probably an annoyed looking Brady surrounded by a bunch of other photographers? It makes no sense. And if you have a mic, what are you going to get but some cliché answer to how he feels that everyone hears anyway because it is being broadcast on CBS. There is no scoop there. You'll get better quotes from him when you are actually able to ask specific questions and he is in a more reflective mood, post the locker room celebration. I cannot think of any reason or benefit for that type of media scrum.

Although I think it is a bit much to say he's better than Gonzales, because playoff opportunity and success has a lot to do with what team you're on and who is your QB, you may have swayed me into being more open to Gronk being in the first ballot conversation. You're right, what he has done in the post-season is quite impressive and that holds a lot of weight with HOF voters because it is the history of the game.

Yes, the TD numbers are impressive for Gronk, no doubt (he had 17 in one season), and championships always help...but I think championships are such a team-based thing for non-QBs. But, just to give a little more perspective: Tony Gonzales is 2nd all time in NFL history for receptions (for all receivers, not just TEs), only one spot behind Jerry Rice. Gronk is tied for 130th in receptions. Tony G is 6th all time in receiving yards (again, all receivers), while Gronk is 104th. First ballot should be for guys with all-time numbers.

Gronk should and will get into the HOF, but I don't think he should be a first ballot hall of famer. Some people questioned whether even Tony Gonzales should be a first ballot guy or not, and compare his stats to Gronk's: Tony Gronk Years 17 9 RECs 1,325 521 YDs 15, 127 7,860 TDs 111 79 They each had four seasons with more than 1,000 yards. But Tony had 13 seasons with 850+ yards, while Gronk had just those same 4. Tony had 14, what I would call, elite seasons. Gronk had 5. Now, of course, Tony did indeed get in on his first ballot, but first ballot should be reserved for sustained numbers like his. Plus Gronk didn't innovate the TE position in any way. That had already happened with guys like Gonzales and Gates. So, as great as Gronk has been when healthy, he should be a vote or two behind guys like Tony. First ballot is for the best of all time type of guys. I don't think Gronk quite reaches that status due to his overall numbers and injury issues. Definitely a HOFer, just not first ballot.

So, according to your list, the Bills currently have: 2 of their 63 current players who came over from Carolina 3 of 31 coaches/trainers with a Carolina connection (1 of the 3 who didn't even coach in Carolina when McDermott and Beane were there) and 1 of 27 FO/personnel people from Carolina So, six out of 123 people (or just under 5% of the team's players and staff). That is hardly a pipeline. And even if there are a few more that you forgot and you add in the other players you listed who are no longer with the team, it would only bring that percentage up to maybe 9-10%. So, to paint it as they only or mostly hire Carolina guys or that they hire Carolina guys to the detriment of the team seems like kind of an inaccurate picture. And Benjamin seems to be the only real mistake out of those hires. Klay, Webb, Brown, and Johnson were all just stop-gap players while the team got on its feet. They filled their role. Even Tolbert, who was not good on the field, filled his role in the locker room, setting a tone and helping to teach the process. And they let all of those guys go when they were able to upgrade their positions. We don't know yet about Farwell or Dorsey and Morgan and Worswick appear to be doing a good job. So, why complain about this Carolina connection? Is it hurting the team in some way? I don't understand the angst over it.

It's a strange dichotomy for me... Over the years, the more hype, press, pre-game, etc. that the game gets, the less important the actual game seems to be. Sometimes after the halftime show (which I never watch anymore and which is too long), you almost forget that there's still more football to be played (unless its your team in the Bowl). I think the Super Bowl is a victim of its own success/popularity. They let it get so over inflated that it isn't as interesting or entertaining as it used to be. And as to the commercials, there was a brief period in the 80s and 90s, where we weren't yet totally saturated with media and companies would spend a lot of money coming up with funny or big production commercials that were worth watching. But for at least the last 10 years, the commercials haven't been anything that interesting anyhow. So, if I did see them before the game, no big deal. I don't think people really watch the game for the commercials anymore, that just gets said because for a while it was true and the TV networks want companies (who spend a fortune for a time slot) to still believe that.

For those who say the move doesn't help Culley's chances of becoming a head coach, think about this... Josh made big improvements as the season went on this year, so Culley can take (at least partial) credit for that. And if Josh keeps getting better, well he helped lay the foundation. If Josh doesn't improve, well, it's because he left. And now he moves on to a team with another young, raw QB. Jackson may or may not become a franchise QB, but if he improves his passing under Culley (which he should at least to some extent for the simple fact that he is young and raw), then Culley has "groomed" or done well with two, young, raw QBs. And he might get that "QB whisperer" tag. That type of tag can definitely lead to a head coaching gig for a team with a young QB or one planning to draft a young QB. Plus he is basically a co-coordinator, which is less of a jump to HC than from QB coach. And the Asst Head Coaching title may seem almost honorary to us, like he just got it so its not a lateral move or to satisfy someone's stature in the league, etc. But it also says, another head coach in the league really wants this guy on his staff, enough to give him that extra title and it says, I'm going to lean on this guy. He will be in the upper level of planning. So, I would think it is not really a meaningless title in NFL or owner's circles. Plus as others said, Baltimore is a much more high profile team than Buffalo. More press, more nationally televised games, etc. After a year or two in Baltimore, especially if Jackson and the offense improves (the Ravens have traditionally not been a great offensive team), his standing in the league and possibly for a head coaching position will be much improved over deciding to stay in Buffalo as just the QB coach. Seems pretty obvious.

The kid is talented, no doubt. And when I watched the video of the incident, I too didn't think it was as bad as how it was being portrayed. But, I don't think we really need him at this stage in our team's development. The problem with our running game was the offensive line. so If we get that fixed, I have confidence that Shady can still play at a high level. And I'd rather see the Bills draft a young RB who is a better culture fit and one of our guys (DNA) to add with Shady, Murphy, and a vet (Ivory or whomever). I mean, why did KC drop him so quickly. Were there other incidents or character issues? I just feel it isn't worth the risk for our team right now. But I also think he should be given a second chance, I'd just rather it not be with the Bills.

He's smart, fast, tall over the middle, and can cover. But what I like most is his tackling ability. He's very decisive and explosive when tackling. And I love how he wraps a guy up first with those long arms of his and then kind of whips his body around or slides down the player, using his length and weight to spin or drag the guy down. He doesn't try to lay the big hit or use his helmet in any way, which players often bounce off of anyways, instead, he just puts the guy to the ground with textbook tackling. The kid is going to be really good, very soon. I mean, that sack of Tannehill over Drake in the finale was a man among boys type of play. I literally shouted "Wow" when he made that play. Give him a full off season of learning and NFL level nutrition and strength and conditioning, etc. And watch out!

No...I tend to root for Green Bay over a lot of other clubs in the NFC. I think its the similarities: small market team, loyal and rabid fan base, cold weather. Plus, we never lost a Super Bowl to the Pack. Top teams I don't like in the NFC: Dallas, NYG, Washington, Seattle. And I'd probably also add Chicago and Atlanta to that list.

Just curious. There was almost the same scenario this year for the Steelers. If Baltimore lost, the Steelers would have been in the playoffs with 9 wins (like Buffalo had last year). How many people would have been saying the Steelers got super lucky? Or, what if the Baltimore game ended before the Bills/Miami game last year. So, we already knew if we win we're in. Would that have changed the perception of if the Bills were lucky to make the playoffs last year? I think a lot of people feel it was lucky because of how it played out. But that stuff happens every year for teams, maybe not 4th and 12 on the last game of the season, but every team gets lucky at different points of the year. A win they shouldn't have had that they squeaked out, a call that goes their way to give them a game, help from other teams to get them in the playoffs, an opposing team's star player(s) were injured when they played them, etc. But, still, I'm glad the way it worked out. That was an all-time Buffalo Bills moment (and I was around for all of the Super Bowl years). I wouldn't trade it for anything, so, to me, it just feels like it is diminishing that moment of team/fan camaraderie and release to keep repeating that they just got lucky. As to the Bills not picking Mahomes, you have to remember that Doug Whaley was still the GM, so McDermott was working with Whaley's staff's information. Plus, more importantly, they (Pegulas/McDermott) knew they were going to be replacing the GM, so, you may not want to pick a QB that you aren't sure the new GM will be onboard with. That could cause friction right from the start. They smartly waited to have their GM in place and for the draft that was supposed to have better talent. Probably a good move at that time. As for Daboll, I was pretty down on him early in the year, but the offense got more creative as Josh was able to handle more and they found some speed. And players (Zay, Josh, Robert) seem to be developing well under him. Plus, it's kind of hard to fault him too much for the beginning of the season, he had lost a Pro Bowl Center and Guard (that weren't adequately replaced) and was starting Peterman and then a raw Josh Allen at QB. With Anderson and Barkley thrown in there too. Plus, he was saddled with Castillo. He didn't get to pick his own offensive staff. So, he had to get the coaches up to speed with what he wanted to do too. Those were some tough odds to overcome. And he may have not done well his first time around as OC, but a lot of guys don't make it on their first gig, but do well in their second go around. He then went back to New England and then on to Bama (where he picked up concepts from the college game). I don't know if he will ultimately work out or not, but I also don't assume he'll have a bottom 10 offense directly because of his coaching. The jury is still out, but he did enough to get a 2nd year and keep continuity for our QB. Plus his New England style offense is said to be complicated and multiple. Maybe year two, when a lot of the players are more familiar with it and have run more variations of it, we will see major improvements. (Side note: we also may not have Robert Foster and/or Levi Wallace if he didn't become a Bills coach last year, just saying.) I know the last 17-18 years have been tough, but to me it feels like we are finally heading in the right direction. We made the playoffs last year and it was going to be really hard to win this year (especially after losing Wood and Incognito) due to purging the salary cap. But that was an absolute necessity for the team's future. You can either be down about a 6-10 season and think same old Bills, or you can look at the reasons why and both the draft and financial capital they have for next season and be excited for the future. But, I guess if you just don't like McDermott, Daboll, and/or Josh Allen there will probably be no opinions changed here until they ultimately either sink or swim.

A big guy that can get downfield and adjusts to and fights for the ball? Sign me up. Welcome to Buffalo Duke, I hope your past is behind you and your future is bright.

Should be a no brainer: Don Coryell Isaac Bruce Tony Gonzales Second Tier: Ed Reed Tom Flores I'm not 100% sold on any of the other candidates as sure HOFs. How Tasker isn't in there ahead of some of those guys is mind boggling. Wish the voters would give up their bias against special teams.

Here are Crossman's Special Teams Units rankings per Football Outsiders (the only place I could find ST rankings going back to 2005 quickly): BILLS 2018 32nd 2017 10th 2016 22nd 2015 12th 2014 4th 2013 30th LIONS 2012 30th 2011 29th 2010 11th PANTHERS 2009 29th 2008 10th 2007 30th 2006 24th 2005 5th Top 10 appearances: 4 in14 years (29% of the time) Bottom 4 in the league (29th-32nd): 6 times in 14 years (43% of the time). Think about that for a moment. For 43% of his career as Special Teams coach, his units have been one of the four worst in the NFL. 8 of his 14 seasons, his unit was ranked in the bottom 3rd of the league (57% of the time). It was high time for a change. https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamst

If you prorate their stats from the last seven games out to a 16-game season, they would look like this: Foster: 57 receptions, 1,168 yards, 7 TDs Jones: 62 receptions, 806 yards, 14 TDs If the team adds one more talented WR to that mix, through either the draft or FA, this could be a very scary bunch next year with Josh throwing the ball.

Exactly, one of my off season wishes was for McDermott to let Dabol change any offensive assistants he wanted to (Castillo being the major one of course), since Dabol inherited most of the staff. I was a little unsure of Dabol himself early in the year when the offense was so bad. But he won me over down the stretch, by adapting to Josh's skill set, being more creative, and obviously doing a good job developing players (Zay, Foster, Allen). So, McD needs to let him bring in any of his "own guys" that he wants to teach his offense exactly as he wants it to be done. Player development is an often overlooked aspect of coaching...but McD and his staff seem to be doing a really good job at it. Look at all of the young players that have come along this year. Guys actually moving up off the practice squad and making significant contributions, etc. Yes, you have to pick the right guys first and foremost, but if you don't teach and develop them, some or most of those guys will never live up to their potential. Culture (the expectation to work hard) and teaching are as important as Xs and Os at making players be the best they can be.

Thank you Kyle!!!!!!

Josh has been making progress and getting better each week. Maybe that would have been a natural progression on its own, maybe its the coaching, maybe its the QB room and mentorship of DA and Barkley. Most likely it is all of the above. But the key is, it is working. So why break that Up. I think DA gets another 1 year contract for next year and you keep the QB room in tact for one more season. Then when Josh is going into year three, you can bring in the prospect QB (maybe just on the practice squad) and let DA retire, keeping Matt as primary backup and sounding board. Matt played a hell of a game vs. the Jets. Yes, it was only one game, but what makes it more important than his other 6 starts in the league (2 years ago for CHI) is that it was with our coaches and players, plus two years have passed since those 6 starts. Just as Josh made a leap from having some starts and then sitting for a while before coming back, maybe Matt has gotten better in those two years as well. People usually at least get marginally better with more experience. Plus it's not like they will ask him to go out and play like Josh if he has to go in. They won't ask him to do things he can't do. Just like every other team who is starting a backup, you simplify the game plan, you rely on your defense and RBs, and don't ask them to do too much. I feel pretty good about Matt being able to manage a game and hold the fort down for a couple of games when called upon. Very happy with the signing. Congrats Matt!