The Bills are doing an excellent job in Free Agency

[GunnerBill]

Williams is a decent enough run blocker. He has, throughout his time in Chicago and then St Louis been porous in pass protection that is true, but he is going to be stepping into a nice situation at LG in Buffalo. Buffalo like to run the ball and the talent that the Bills have at C & LT is beyond what he has played next to before, if that and a new start and some good coaching can bring just a small improvement in his play I think it will work out well. I don't rule out the Bills adding a young guard in the draft... probably somewhere between 4-7, but the addition of Williams gives them an upgrade as a placeholder on Legursky and some versatility.

 

The other pick ups I think have been really solid. Spikes should have an immediate impact on our run defense, Graham give us much needed depth at corner, plus a special teams specialist, and Rivers very much fits a Schwartz defense. It also opens up the possibility of moving Lawson around the formation. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see him playing some DE in the 4 man fronts on obvious rush downs, because his ability to set the edge is very underrated. That allows you to continue to use Hughes as a pass down specialist.

 

As has been said elsewhere in this thread - these are free agency signings that are very much inkeeping with what was done last year. This is a Buffalo organisation now with a plan. They are going to build through the draft and add depth and role players in free agency with the odd starter. That plan might not work, but I really hope they stay the course with it. If EJ develops I think the pieces could be in place for a run at the division this year.

Edited March 15, 2014 by GunnerBill

[Big Turk]

Williams is a decent enough run blocker. He has, throughout his time in Chicago and then St Louis been porous in pass protection that is true, but he is going to be stepping into a nice situation at LG in Buffalo. Buffalo like to run the ball and the talent that the Bills have at C & LT is beyond what he has played next to before, if that and a new start and some good coaching can bring just a small improvement in his play I think it will work out well. I don't rule out the Bills adding a young guard in the draft... probably somewhere between 4-7, but the addition of Williams gives them an upgrade as a placeholder on Legursky and some versatility.

 

The other pick ups I think have been really solid. Spikes should have an immediate impact on our run defense, Graham give us much needed depth at corner, plus a special teams specialist, and Rivers very much fits a Schwartz defense. It also opens up the possibility of moving Lawson around the formation. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see him playing some DE in the 4 man fronts on obvious rush downs, because his ability to set the edge is very underrated. That allows you to continue to use Hughes as a pass down specialist.

 

As has been said elsewhere in this thread - these are free agency signings that are very much inkeeping with what was done last year. This is a Buffalo organisation now with a plan. They are going to build through the draft and add depth and role players in free agency with the odd starter. That plan might not work, but I really hope they stay the course with it. If EJ develops I think the pieces could be in place for a run at the division this year.

 

That's how most good teams are built...draft well, keep your own as much as possible, don't overpay for free agents(unless its a QB), and fill in holes with players that fill roles on your team. Really loving what they have done so far. And no matter how you slice it, Williams is a huge upgrade at LG from what we had. Marrone being a huge technique guy obviously must see something he thinks can be easily correctable with Williams. If you don't think good coaching is important look at McKelvin and Aaron Williams

[Dorkington]

You know what's awesome this year?

 

We don't have any gaping holes, leading up to the draft. Sure we have a couple weaknesses that we'd like to improve, but at the moment I'd be "ok" with heading into the season with this team, and be confident that we're at least as good as last year.

 

So what does that give us? Freedom in the draft. And that's a fantastic feeling.

Edited March 15, 2014 by Dorkington

[Chandler#81]

You know what's awesome this year?

 

We don't have any gaping holes, leading up to the draft. Sure we have a couple weaknesses that we'd like to improve, but at the moment I'd be "ok" with heading into the season with this team, and be confident that we're at least as good as last year.

 

So what does that give us? Freedom in the draft. And that's a fantastic feeling.

 

Fantastic, indeed! I agree that I'm overall happy with the way the team looks RIGHT NOW. Naysayers will spout that all the changes last year netted zero more wins -and they'd be right, but I can't help thinking this team is just about set. Imagine.. an entire Draft devoted solely to BPA.. Fantastic!

[Bills Fan of St Augustine]

I really like the job the Bills FO has done with FA on the D side of the ball. This unit should improve greatly from last year. I am a bit concerned about early down passes over the middle but we can plan for that. Teams won't be able to run against this group. 3rd down will bring on a nickle/dime package and we are better prepared to throw a fourth cover guy out there than we were last year. Loss of Byrd will be felt, but not to the extent most people think. We have not completely addressed the O-line yet and will likely do so via the draft. Williams doesn't seem the answer at LG, although he fits in as a versatile depth player and insurance in case no one steps up in camp and takes the job away from him. My guess is that two of our top five picks will be OL including an OT at #9.

Edited March 15, 2014 by Your Mom

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

 

 

Lovely sarcasm, but with all of your loveable underachievers, we finished 6-10 last year. The year before. And the year prior. Last in our division every single season. The end.

 

Better sarcasm and optimism than just reveling in perpetual hopelessness.

 

I mean someday it's going to get better, it will. And this new staff gets a shot, they might have the plan. Maybe they won't either. So what? Enjoy the journey and appreciate the chess game. Sulking in negativitity is a poor life choice (yes it's negative to say they've lost for 14 years so therefore it will never change, and everything is the same)

 

The team is taking a much different approach than the recent past. They aren't making choirboy status a must. They are drafting better. They are appearing intent on assembling talented players. Instead of making old rejected DCs head coaches, they are making a young rejected head coaches a DC. The decision makers weren't watching football in the AFL NFL days.

 

As evidence 3 bills made the Probowl. 3! When was the last time that happened? They went 500 in the division, when was the last that happened? They were competative in all but 3 games (taints, bucs, last pats) they are heading into the draft without a shopping list of gaping holes they need to address with rookies. In fact they appear to have acted as if they aren't banking on getting anything out of the draft.

 

So yes OP they are doing an excellent job in FA.

 

They now have a solid quality starter at every lb spot. They have depth. They have 3 starting caliber CBs. They got an O lineman considered a top nfl talent 6 years ago for a cheap. He's gotta be an upgrade. Maybe the crap fairy will strike and all 4 players will be disastrous, EJs knees will both explode Williams will quit (all of them) and they'll go 6-10 again.

 

But jeeeze, getting all eeyore over every move is just pathetic and sad.

Edited March 15, 2014 by over 20 years of fanhood

[Rockinon]

Fantastic, indeed! I agree that I'm overall happy with the way the team looks RIGHT NOW. Naysayers will spout that all the changes last year netted zero more wins -and they'd be right, but I can't help thinking this team is just about set. Imagine.. an entire Draft devoted solely to BPA.. Fantastic!

I wouldn't say right now just yet. Things are looking up, but we still need some offensive firepower. Maybe a healthy Hairston will help but while he did an admirable job at LT, he is pretty much unproven at RT. We need to upgrade there yet.

 

Also, I am pretty much sure that EJ is the guy the coaches are planning to ride through this season. He is going to need all the weapons he can get. TE, WR and maulers on the OL. I like our 330lb LG pickup, but he has struggled throughout his career. RT is shaky too.

 

You are right about one thing though. Our needs don't appear to be black hole sized problems like they have been in the past. Whaley looks like he is really doing his homework. I like it.

 

I really like the job the Bills FO has done with FA on the D side of the ball. This unit should improve greatly from last year. I am a bit concerned about early down passes over the middle but we can plan for that. Teams won't be able to run against this group. 3rd down will bring on a nickle/dime package and we are better prepared to throw a fourth cover guy out there than we were last year. Loss of Byrd will be felt, but not to the extent most people think. We have not completely addressed the O-line yet and will likely do so via the draft. Williams doesn't seem the answer at LG, although he fits in as a versatile depth player and insurance in case no one steps up in camp and takes the job away from him. My guess is that two of our top five picks will be OL including an OT at #9.

Buffalo was at the top of the league in interceptions before Byrd started playing last year. I think they will be all right. I like the addition of Spikes, but I am concerned about teams exploiting him in passing situations. He will need some coverage help, but I think if there is a team that can handle it, it's Buffalo.......wow, did I really say that.

[PromoTheRobot]

Since when did we start rounding up the years of no playoffs to 15? 14 years not enough? Getting a head start on next year?

Edited March 15, 2014 by PromoTheRobot

[Hazed and Amuzed]

I absolutely LOVE what Whaley is doing. Looking at these moves it seems to me that we are still very versatile as far as our front goes. I'd like to hear from who understands defense more than me, with the players we have can't we line up in either a 4-3 or 3-4 without worrying if we have the personnel? Jboyst? Bandt? Anyone?

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

I wouldn't say right now just yet. Things are looking up, but we still need some offensive firepower. Maybe a healthy Hairston will help but while he did an admirable job at LT, he is pretty much unproven at RT. We need to upgrade there yet.

 

Also, I am pretty much sure that EJ is the guy the coaches are planning to ride through this season. He is going to need all the weapons he can get. TE, WR and maulers on the OL. I like our 330lb LG pickup, but he has struggled throughout his career. RT is shaky too.

 

You are right about one thing though. Our needs don't appear to be black hole sized problems like they have been in the past. Whaley looks like he is really doing his homework. I like it.

 

Buffalo was at the top of the league in interceptions before Byrd started playing last year. I think they will be all right. I like the addition of Spikes, but I am concerned about teams exploiting him in passing situations. He will need some coverage help, but I think if there is a team that can handle it, it's Buffalo.......wow, did I really say that.

 

Seems like you can set up your d so he'd only ever need to cover a RB and pull him off of the field for 4 or 5 wide sets moving kiko to MLB.

 

It will be interesting to see how this add effects run d.

[Nanker]

You know what's awesome this year?

 

We don't have any gaping holes, leading up to the draft. Sure we have a couple weaknesses that we'd like to improve, but at the moment I'd be "ok" with heading into the season with this team, and be confident that we're at least as good as last year.

 

So what does that give us? Freedom in the draft. And that's a fantastic feeling.

 

You've got a nerve, you, you, you Pollyanna you!

Since when did we start rounding up the years of no playoffs to 15? 14 years not enough? Getting a head start on next year?

Get with the program... it's been two decades and counting!

 

[/s]

[Ramius]

You dug your own grave with the last statement. The Bills offered less money per season and I guarantee the guarantee was FAR less. The only way to get to 7.5, which came from two sources to TG (I love how you just assume TG is lying) with "30m" in the first three years is to pay him 4-5-6 in the last three of his contract. That's how he plays out the deal and the Bills have him for cheap, which is why it's a crappy offer. 28m guaranteed is the important figure. That blew the Bills offer away. If the 30m concept in the first three years was true, and I will believe it is, if the guaranteed number was anywhere close to that, that would have been the number leaked. It wasn't.

 

FWIW, Byrd gets 28 mil in the first three years, with 26.3 guaranteed, and about 26 in the next three, at 8.6 a year. That's 9 mil more than Bills offer.

 

Assuming TG is lying is a completely fair and valid assumption. The guy has little talent and virtually no professional credibility who only reports things that will benefit his ongoing personal agenda or petty childish personal attacks.

[thebandit27]

I absolutely LOVE what Whaley is doing. Looking at these moves it seems to me that we are still very versatile as far as our front goes. I'd like to hear from who understands defense more than me, with the players we have can't we line up in either a 4-3 or 3-4 without worrying if we have the personnel? Jboyst? Bandt? Anyone?

 

Sure ill chime in...

 

Personnel wise, the DL is more suited to a 43 look, but I expect Schwartz will mix in some 34 as well. The biggest advantage he has is that the DL is huge: Mario, Kyle, Marcell, Branch are all 290+.

 

It wouldn't surprise me to see a lot of flip-flopping on 1st/2nd downs with Branch and Dareus playing some end (you may also see Stefan Charles used like this as well). The size at end can really be a mismatch in the running game.

 

I also think you'll see some 34 when the matchup dictates it, with Kyle playing the nose. The nice part of that set up is you now have an inside thumper next to Kiko in Spikes, and plenty of rush LB candidates in Mario, Hughes, Lawson, and even Rivers.

 

So, the short answer is yes, it looks to me like you'll see more multiple look fronts this year...of which I'm a big fan.

[1B4IDie]

 

Sure ill chime in...

 

Personnel wise, the DL is more suited to a 43 look, but I expect Schwartz will mix in some 34 as well. The biggest advantage he has is that the DL is huge: Mario, Kyle, Marcell, Branch are all 290+.

 

It wouldn't surprise me to see a lot of flip-flopping on 1st/2nd downs with Branch and Dareus playing some end (you may also see Stefan Charles used like this as well). The size at end can really be a mismatch in the running game.

 

I also think you'll see some 34 when the matchup dictates it, with Kyle playing the nose. The nice part of that set up is you now have an inside thumper next to Kiko in Spikes, and plenty of rush LB candidates in Mario, Hughes, Lawson, and even Rivers.

 

So, the short answer is yes, it looks to me like you'll see more multiple look fronts this year...of which I'm a big fan.

 

At this point in time 9/11 penciled in starters are top 50 picks.

FS is a question mark and the 11th is Kyle Williams.

 

The athletic talent and raw potential is extremely high on defense.

[Kellyto83TD]

I really like what we have done, its about time to focus on the draft now. I still see OT, WR, LB addressed early

[LOVEMESOMEBILLS]

Assuming TG is lying is a completely fair and valid assumption. The guy has little talent and virtually no professional credibility who only reports things that will benefit his ongoing personal agenda or petty childish personal attacks.

Absolutely totally agree with you.Tim does have an agenda it seems.Just part of the newer age journalism,crap, piss, and moan about everything.

[Thurman#1]

You know what's awesome this year?

 

We don't have any gaping holes, leading up to the draft. Sure we have a couple weaknesses that we'd like to improve, but at the moment I'd be "ok" with heading into the season with this team, and be confident that we're at least as good as last year.

 

So what does that give us? Freedom in the draft. And that's a fantastic feeling.

 

 

To me, LG still looks like a hole.

 

So does Duke Williams at safety, though I haven't been to Bills workouts and could easily be wrong about that.

 

I wouldn't consider RT a hole, but a weakness, IMHO. My hopes for Hairston have been slowly dwindling since last training camp.

[thewildrabbit]

Yeah I read that too that doesn't mean it's accurate or the bloggers opinion is correct.

 

http://espn.go.com/b...lliams-contract

 

Only 3.5 mil is guaranteed but you have to assume he will play all of 2014. With a base salary if 1.5 million.

 

Again not really compelling numbers that force the Bills to start him.

 

Worst case he is a swing man for depth at has the contract that goes along with a depth player.

 

Thank you!

Thanks for posting the accurate numbers, as that does reinforce to me that they signed Williams to be a starter.

 

"Williams' deal averages $3.287 million per season, making him the 12th-highest paid player on the Bills. His $4 million guaranteed ranks 14th on the team. "

 

To me, LG still looks like a hole.

 

So does Duke Williams at safety, though I haven't been to Bills workouts and could easily be wrong about that.

 

I wouldn't consider RT a hole, but a weakness, IMHO. My hopes for Hairston have been slowly dwindling since last training camp.

It really is disheartening to see that nothing has really changed so far.

 

Perhaps in the draft...

[Thurman#1]

They can cut him after two years and save over 7 million in cap money. He took a risk. The 6 Million guaranteed in the third year is in case of injury. He wanted out and he took a risk in order to get out. Don't blame Buffalo's FO for that.

 

Again, no, they can't cut him after two years and save $7 million in cap money.

 

If they cut him after two years, they'd have $6.6 mill in dead money put on their cap.

 

They’d save $7.5 in cash to Byrd, and a full $9.7 mill in cap space, but would be hit with dead money charges of $6.6 mill. So they'd save $900K in cash minus dead money. If you only want to look at it in terms of the the cap, that's only $3.1 mill they’d save, and nobody’s that stupid, but especially not the Saints who’ve actually showed they’re smart enough to win a Super Bowl and contend consistently.

Edited March 15, 2014 by Thurman#1

[birdog1960]

Absolutely totally agree with you.Tim does have an agenda it seems.Just part of the newer age journalism,crap, piss, and moan about everything.

what does graham or sullivan or any reporter have to gain by reporting incorrect info? what do the bills have to gain by releasing incorrect or incomplete info? who is more likely to willfully mislead?