MattM

As far as we know on that last part....

Don't sleep on Moeaki. If he's healthy (and can stay that way) he's a stud. I suspect that's why we didn't go TE this draft.

It occurred to me after a quick look at our roster that our combination of youth and contract status going into 2015 may have dictated our willingness to trade up for Watkins. Namely, we have very few starters aging out next year (Fred and Pears came to mind) and relatively few guys to resign next offseason (Spiller, Hughes and Spikes). With the pick of CK and trading of Stevie, we've taken care of the Pears issue and helped ourselves financially to resign at least 2 of those 3 if we want to. Personally, I suspect Hughes walks (someone else will overpay), but we may resign Spiller and Spikes. We should have some ammunition to sign FAs, too, I suspect, depending on the new owner's appetite. I think all of the above factored into the decision to roll the dice with Sammy and with that context the trade makes more sense .

The problem with Moeaki, injuries aside, is he's only signed through 2014, so if he regains his prior form he can walk next year

All you guys hoping for a TE seem to forget we have Tony Moeaki on the roster this year. Guy was looking like a potential Pro Bowler with KC before the injuries started. If he's fully healed and can stay healthy watch out....

This--Prisco gave the Pats* an A grade for reaching for a DE with 2 bad knees who they could have traded back at least 10 spots for

Remember that they've also got Tony Moeaki at TE, who looked like a stud at KC before getting injured. If he can stay healthy, we're set at TE

Hey, if the Pats*' Dennard hasn't been disciplined for his DUI, parole violation and punching a cop, then Marcel should have nothing to worry about, but we all know the NFL doesn't work that way....

I met him only once myself--at training camp about ten years ago. He was just mixing with the crowd in the merchandise tent at SJF. I thanked him for keeping the Bills in Buffalo when he could have easily about doubled his money by moving to LA. He literally said to me something along the lines of "Pshaw [which I thought was odd at the time, but have since learned that from a young age he was wholly against swearing], what else am I going to do--sit in my kitchen and count my money?" in a joking manner. I think he was serious in that he viewed keeping football and the team here something of importance, to both the city/region and himself.

Certainly not the DUI. The punching of the cop in the face maybe--see a pattern here? This guy's done worse things than other folks who've actually been suspended (like Lynch, who had a traffic citation violation and a charge of carrying a gun (which I believe was registered to him) in his trunk), but will almost undoubtedly get off, largely based on who he plays for, much like guys like Vince Wilfork (4 fines in one season) have skated in the past....

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/05/patriots-alfonzo-dennard-released-after-35-days-in-jail/ Want to bet he gets no suspension from the League? Where's WEO? Remember our friendly disagreement on this a few weeks ago? Now that he's out of jail, let's see what happens. Remember that Marshawn got 3 games off for things that earned him 0 days in jail, while this guy got sentenced to 2 months in prison.

^^^^^ This--it also keeps us flexible to draft BPA overall, which is also a great thing. I personally really like this offseason's moves. Whaley really seems to get it. IMHO, if we upgrade via the draft at 2-3 of S, RT, LB and Abigail receiving threat (either TE or WR), with a RB taken in the mid to late rounds, we've had a great offseason....

We have bigger needs, post-FA, like S, RT, TE and a big WR.

One of the worst called games EVER. Wade pulled his team off the field in protest. The league should have immediately started a corruption investigation. Who knows, maybe that was the start of the Pats* seeming mind control of the refs....

Oh, what a sad day it is. Rest in peace, Mr. Wilson. I'm so sorry the team never won the Big One for you, but we all appreciate what you've done for WNY and the Bills....

I think that's correct--but they also had only 19k season ticket holders as late as 1991, I believe

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/15/afc-east-free-agency-update/ Look at this and tell me that we're the worst in FA in the AFCE. Byrd is really our only loss, year over year, and he only played 2/3rds of a season last year. I'd say we've actually done quite well, myself, although I'll wait to see it on the field before declaring this offseason a success....

You're comparing Lafell to Moss?! That's a laugher--don't believe me, just look up their stats! More like Reche Caldwell, if you ask me....

Someone's going to have to break the news to Brandon that since he's no longer a Cheat* he's now got to play by the normal League rules and can no longer expect special treatment from the refs, may as well be Schwartz, who I'm sure will not appreciate the 15 yarders his old play would draw. BTW, when's that Dennard suspension coming down? Maybe that's why Browner signed there, too--extra protection from the piss man!

I don't quite think that last part's accurate. I want him to play hard and tough, but not dirty, albeit that can be a tough line to determine at times. I also think Schwartz will need to sit him down and lay out for him the new "rules" as a Bill, in particular how things he got away with in NE* will draw flags and ejection in a Bills uni. I also worry a bit about his "free spirit" influence on Dareus, who already has trouble being on time to meetings. All that said, I do actually agree with you that this is a good signing--he fills an obvious need and gives us draft day flexibility.

The best part of this move and the other moves is that we're now pretty freed up to draft BPA in May--no real glaring holes. I'd say we could use an upgrade at RT, WR and S, with LG and LB a possibility, but filling at least 2-3 of those holes in the draft is possible, especially if Whaley can repeat last year's performance.

Spikes I'd wager

This-- I believe he's the rare bird that's both a PED offender (while Seattle led the League there the last few years as per PFT, the Cheats* weren't far behind, so this may put them over the top) and substance abuse offender. Maybe he figures joining the Cheats* gives him a better chance of not getting suspended in the future. Hey, it worked for Dennard, why not him?

BillsNation is with you in this fight, Jimbo....

Brandon Browner visiting the Cheats* as per PFT.