Kelly the Dog Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 The fact is, whether the Bills made Byrd the highest paid safety in NFL history or let him walk, they were going to get crucified. Just depends upon which side of the fence you happen to fall. Whether you blame the Bills for this or not, it was a no win situation. The perfect "crap storm", if you will. The fact is, that was a POSSIBLE outcome that was made certain by what they did today, which is a big mistake, IMO. By tagging him, that was just a probability not a certainty. If it were up to me, I would have tagged him and tried to make a trade. If none were to be had that was worth it, I would have kept him and made him play. Some say he wouldn't, but I predict he'd play at least the 10 games he played this year, and probably 14-16. As much as I'd like to blame the Bills' FO on this, I feel like Byrd had all of the leverage and put us in a position to either overpay or let him walk. I know there are a lot of armchair GMs on this board, but honestly, if you understood the extent of what was being asked vs return, you wouldn't have a better plan either. Yes, the tag was the better plan. It's inarguable, IMO. Even if down the line we let him go for nothing like we are doing today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt. Dan's Revenge Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 Whaley is a !@#$ing idiot and needs to be fired. You don't let a guy like him just walk. The tag is there for a reason. If he isn't going to take a deal to stay here that may have made him the highest paid safety in the league, what the hell makes you think he'd even play under a tag???? They didn't tag him because they must (correctly) think that they can get a good compensatory pick from him for whatever other team pays him a boatload of money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoSaint Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 i think that's the first time the transition tag has been mentioned here. if they were at a all serious about byrd, that tag we be a no brainer. the only reason to not use it would be to not confirm that they really aren't serious. it removes any question that it's about anything but the money. so, it's obviously about the money. i certainly hope a reporter asks the question. the answer logistically is that it would take him out of the comp pick formula i believe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KOKBILLS Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 you make me ashamed to be a bills fan Why? How do his remarks have anything to do with you as a Bills fan or Bills fans in general? It's one guy on a message board...You're feeding the troll...Don't be a drama queen... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boyst Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 I have a feeling the timing of Tim Grahams last article and what may be coming out of OBD and media outlets next will have some interesting spins. And many truths Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan in San Diego Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 Maybe the transition tag would have been a better option. Too late now of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QCity Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 If he isn't going to take a deal to stay here that may have made him the highest paid safety in the league, what the hell makes you think he'd even play under a tag???? They didn't tag him because they must (correctly) think that they can get a good compensatory pick from him for whatever other team pays him a boatload of money. You mean like the compensatory pick we got for Levitre? Oh wait, we washed that one down the drain when we signed Alan Branch. It's looking more and more like Whaley got played. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave mcbride Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 The fact is, that was a POSSIBLE outcome that was made certain by what they did today, which is a big mistake, IMO. By tagging him, that was just a probability not a certainty. If it were up to me, I would have tagged him and tried to make a trade. If none were to be had that was worth it, I would have kept him and made him play. Some say he wouldn't, but I predict he'd play at least the 10 games he played this year, and probably 14-16. I'm not saying they shouldn't have tagged him, but I think you're crazy if you think he'd have played 14-16 games. This had 10-game vacation written all over it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebandit27 Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 This thread is becoming high-quality entertainment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boyst Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 You mean like the compensatory pick we got for Levitre? Oh wait, we washed that one down the drain when we signed Alan Branch. It's looking more and more like Whaley got played. why does everyone really still believe Whaley was incolve d? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryland-bills-fan Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 You do whats best tor your team, letting him walk for nothing is wrong! and your plan is/was? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebandit27 Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 You mean like the compensatory pick we got for Levitre? Oh wait, we washed that one down the drain when we signed Alan Branch. It's looking more and more like Whaley got played. The NFL has yet to award comp picks, so there's still a solid chance they get one. Also, am I reading correctly that your opinion is that it's better to not sign anyone and hope you get a comp pick than to try to make the team better? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maury Ballstein Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 I think you'll be surprised. I just don't see the mega-offer Byrd is expecting to materialize. Your joking right ? He's getting a huge check somewhere. Pro bowler attached to his name with plenty of turnovers forced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebandit27 Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 (edited) why does everyone really still believe Whaley was incolve d? I'm certain he was...the Bills have a chief negotiator, just like every team. That doesn't mean that the GM wasn't involved at all. Edited March 3, 2014 by thebandit27 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoSaint Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 The NFL has yet to award comp picks, so there's still a solid chance they get one. Also, am I reading correctly that your opinion is that it's better to not sign anyone and hope you get a comp pick than to try to make the team better? i dont think they qualify by our last tally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KD in CA Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 Whaley is a !@#$ing idiot and needs to be fired. You don't let a guy like him just walk. The tag is there for a reason. What good is that going to do? They tried that strategy last year, got nowhere on the negotiations, didn't trade him and they got 1/2 season out of the player. This year would be the same thing but with an even more toxic relationship impacting the locker room. The Bills aren't willing to offer top dollar and that's all Byrd is interested in. No reason to expend more time and money on a player who isn't part of the future plans. Move on and start to figure out how else to spend the money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt. Dan's Revenge Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 You mean like the compensatory pick we got for Levitre? Oh wait, we washed that one down the drain when we signed Alan Branch. It's looking more and more like Whaley got played. Is Alan Branch not an asset? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaaadThingsMan Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 If the reports are true that Byrd and his agent are still holding the team hostage then see ya Byrd, don't let the door hit u on the way out. The team converted Williams and drafted two safeties last yr to help with the transition. Although there could be some drop off in terms of overall skill I really think the money will be better spent on the offensive side and/or perhaps on a run stuffing LB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QCity Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 The NFL has yet to award comp picks, so there's still a solid chance they get one. Also, am I reading correctly that your opinion is that it's better to not sign anyone and hope you get a comp pick than to try to make the team better? We're not getting a comp pick for Levitre. We lost 2 people (Levitre, Reinhart) and signed 2 people (Lawson, Branch). There is zero chance of getting a comp pick for Levitre. And no, you are not reading my opinion correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 I'm not saying they shouldn't have tagged him, but I think you're crazy if you think he'd have played 14-16 games. This had 10-game vacation written all over it. He would lose 5 million guaranteed for what? To show the Bills he's mad at them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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