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The Cousins Plan


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I've taken some time recently to think bout what direction the Bills should take with the most important position in sports QB. I think the majority of fans have also we fall into basically 3 categories 

 

#1 Team Trade Up

#2 Sign a Vet and draft QB to develop. 

#3 Sign Cousins and use our draft pks. 

 

I thought about these 3 plans and read about many opinions on this board . The best one i believe is #3 sign Captain Kirk.

 

Signing Kirk makes sense on so many levels

When building a team the most important factor is building threw the draft i can't see the Bills giving up nearly 2yrs of pks to bank on a QB developing or even worse not developing . McBeane want to build this team in there image and there not gonna do it via free agency . These guys want custom made culture guys that fit there systems and the best place to find them are in the draft. 

 

Cousins fits the Bill.

This is where Cousins comes in . Captain Kirk is a process type guy. If the Bills were drafting a QB i believe Cousins would be the type of guy they draft. He has all the characteristics and intangibles there looking for as far as Durability, Leadership, Work ethic and being a God fearing man . Ntm he's ready made top 12 QB in the NFL averaging 4250 yds, 31 TDs and over 65% completions over his last 4 seasons. The arrow is pointing up with Cousins as he's just entering his prime at 29yrs old.  Now i know people will say 27-30 mil per season that's alot of money and i agree it is but the Bills set themselves up for this type of cap hit . Going into 2019 we have nearly 90mil in cap space with no big dollars free agents on the horizon we should be able to absorb that cap hit easily. Ntm we should be able to land cheap talent and starters at the top of the draft.

 

The Plan

Well this is where the fun starts not only for McBeane but for us the fans. We get to use all our high pks 5 in top 95 to fill major holes on this team.  This gives McBeane great flexibility during the draft to trade down and even collect more assets . Imagine what these 5pks can do for us moving forward these players will get some much needed experience as rookies in 2018 . With these pks and some savvy free agent additions the Bills will be able to again compete for the playoffs in 2018 hopefully get there and win a gm or 2. But the eye of the prize will definitely be on 2019 where we still will have great cap flexibility with a Franchise QB in place and a young nucleus of talent and another draft to really begin to build for the future yrs and make some noise while doing it. 

This is the Cousins plan and hopefully we get to see it happen. 

 

 

 

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I am firmly in Team Trade Up and I actually believe the Bills will.  

 

EDIT: I don't hate the Cousins plan and I do see the advantages but I just feel like he is going to get an astronomical sum for a QB of his standard and he pretty much fixes you into building through the draft around him. The Bills may have cap space going into 2019 but they will hopefully also be starting to think at that stage about signing a young shutdown corner long term (Tre) and a young franchise left tackle long term (Dion).  So while you have some cap space for short term FA deals in 2019 and 2020 you don't have room to tie yourself into big FAs on 4 or 5 year deals.  I think if you find your Quarterback in the draft you have a little more flexibility as to how you build the team around him.  

Edited by GunnerBill
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9 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

I am firmly in Team Trade Up and I actually believe the Bills will.  

I am also to a certain extent.  But i just can't see McBeane giving up the house for a unknown commodity. 

13 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

I am firmly in Team Trade Up and I actually believe the Bills will.  

 

EDIT: I don't hate the Cousins plan and I do see the advantages but I just feel like he is going to get an astronomical sum for a QB of his standard and he pretty much fixes you into building through the draft around him. The Bills may have cap space going into 2019 but they will hopefully also be starting to think at that stage about signing a young shutdown corner long term (Tre) and a young franchise left tackle long term (Dion).  So while you have some cap space for short term FA deals in 2019 and 2020 you don't have room to tie yourself into big FAs on 4 or 5 year deals.  I think if you find your Quarterback in the draft you have a little more flexibility as to how you build the team around him.  

I think that's what they want to do build threw the draft. McBeane are not gonna be signing much big money free agents. In this case there signing 1 big guy that fills the biggest need on the team at QB . Plus he's a culture fit . They wont have a prb overspending on a QB then lets say other postions that usually don't end up panning out for teams. 

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11 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

I have to say I'd be surprised if they are willing to go to the $$s Kirk wants.  I think they'd rather move up in the draft (people remember the trade back last year but McDermott traded up twice too for Zay and Dion) than do that but I might be wrong. 

If they trade up to #3 or #4 , its gonna cost them 3 firsts , 21,22 and 1 in 2019 so with that how do we fill our needs then.  Via free agency right.  We are gonna spend the money anyways. In this case id rather spend it on the QB.  QBs especially the good ones and there hardly available via  free agency there usually great pkups even though u might be overspending some. There are far more big money signings that flat out bust at other positions.  Look at Suh or Haynesworth,  Mario etc,  etc 

The price for them 3 firsts are low cost players that fit needs immediately.  I'd rather have Cousins and my 5pks . Then Mayfield and some extremely overpaid free agents.  We all know big name free agents don't come to Buffalo unless we are severely overpaying.

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Too many other teams want a QB this year, unless it’s a smokescreen (don’t believe it is).  Cost would prevent a trade up.  Probably our 2 firsts this year, an early rounder this year and a first next year.  Not with it for this QB class IMHO.

 

The Bills need more than a QB.  Need Oline, RB, LB, WR along with QB.  Need to hit a few in FA, but drafting starters and depth will be very important also.  I believe there are enough FA QB’s this year to address that position for us.  I also believe the Bills May want to give Peterman another year to develop before tossing in the towel on him.

 

I prefer they use all there picks to draft new players because it helps keep salary cap down, and sign a few good 2nd tier FA’s.  As far as QB, sign a starter in FA, that’s where they’ll  need the $$$$. 

 

All that that being said.  If they have a conviction about a certain QB in the draft? then just do it. Whatever the cost is, just get your guy.  I just don’t believe there is that guy this year.

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4 minutes ago, davefan66 said:

Too many other teams want a QB this year, unless it’s a smokescreen (don’t believe it is).  Cost would prevent a trade up.  Probably our 2 firsts this year, an early rounder this year and a first next year.  Not with it for this QB class IMHO.

 

The Bills need more than a QB.  Need Oline, RB, LB, WR along with QB.  Need to hit a few in FA, but drafting starters and depth will be very important also.  I believe there are enough FA QB’s this year to address that position for us.  I also believe the Bills May want to give Peterman another year to develop before tossing in the towel on him.

 

I prefer they use all there picks to draft new players because it helps keep salary cap down, and sign a few good 2nd tier FA’s.  As far as QB, sign a starter in FA, that’s where they’ll  need the $$$$. 

 

All that that being said.  If they have a conviction about a certain QB in the draft? then just do it. Whatever the cost is, just get your guy.  I just don’t believe there is that guy this year.

No matter what QB cost money via free agency at the end of the day id rather spend 27mil on Cousins then 21 on Keenum.  Btw i got that # from spotrac. 

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I'm going to ask this question again... What makes any of you believe that Cousins would want to sign with Buffalo vs Denver, Ariz, Wash, NYJ etc... He can have his choice of any of these cities assuming he doesn't want Clev which has the most $$$ to pay him whatever he wants...

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15 minutes ago, DefenseWins said:

I'm going to ask this question again... What makes any of you believe that Cousins would want to sign with Buffalo vs Denver, Ariz, Wash, NYJ etc... He can have his choice of any of these cities assuming he doesn't want Clev which has the most $$$ to pay him whatever he wants...

 

Oh he won't. I am convinced Cousins ends up in Denver. Elway is starting to face questions about his job... he is not going to risk missing on a 1st round QB twice in 3 years. He is going to throw cash at the problem. 

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7 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Oh he won't. I am convinced Cousins ends up in Denver. Elway is starting to face questions about his job... he is not going to risk missing on a 1st round QB twice in 3 years. He is going to throw cash at the problem. 

This is my gut feeling as well.

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2 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

I have to say I'd be surprised if they are willing to go to the $$s Kirk wants.  I think they'd rather move up in the draft (people remember the trade back last year but McDermott traded up twice too for Zay and Dion) than do that but I might be wrong. 

 

 

I think it all depends upon which college QB the Bills like in the draft -- if they like any of them enough to consider trading up -- and if the team thinks it's possible to get to him.  In this case, the Bills won't consider Cousins.  If they don't like any of the college QBs or if they don't think they can get to him, then maybe Cousins is in play -- if Washington lets him finally walk.

 

 

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3 hours ago, NastyNateSoldiers said:

I've taken some time recently to think bout what direction the Bills should take with the most important position in sports QB. I think the majority of fans have also we fall into basically 3 categories 

 

#1 Team Trade Up

#2 Sign a Vet and draft QB to develop. 

#3 Sign Cousins and use our draft pks. 

 

I thought about these 3 plans and read about many opinions on this board . The best one i believe is #3 sign Captain Kirk.

 

Signing Kirk makes sense on so many levels

When building a team the most important factor is building threw the draft i can't see the Bills giving up nearly 2yrs of pks to bank on a QB developing or even worse not developing . McBeane want to build this team in there image and there not gonna do it via free agency . These guys want custom made culture guys that fit there systems and the best place to find them are in the draft. 

 

Cousins fits the Bill.

This is where Cousins comes in . Captain Kirk is a process type guy. If the Bills were drafting a QB i believe Cousins would be the type of guy they draft. He has all the characteristics and intangibles there looking for as far as Durability, Leadership, Work ethic and being a God fearing man . Ntm he's ready made top 12 QB in the NFL averaging 4250 yds, 31 TDs and over 65% completions over his last 4 seasons. The arrow is pointing up with Cousins as he's just entering his prime at 29yrs old.  Now i know people will say 27-30 mil per season that's alot of money and i agree it is but the Bills set themselves up for this type of cap hit . Going into 2019 we have nearly 90mil in cap space with no big dollars free agents on the horizon we should be able to absorb that cap hit easily. Ntm we should be able to land cheap talent and starters at the top of the draft.

 

The Plan

Well this is where the fun starts not only for McBeane but for us the fans. We get to use all our high pks 5 in top 95 to fill major holes on this team.  This gives McBeane great flexibility during the draft to trade down and even collect more assets . Imagine what these 5pks can do for us moving forward these players will get some much needed experience as rookies in 2018 . With these pks and some savvy free agent additions the Bills will be able to again compete for the playoffs in 2018 hopefully get there and win a gm or 2. But the eye of the prize will definitely be on 2019 where we still will have great cap flexibility with a Franchise QB in place and a young nucleus of talent and another draft to really begin to build for the future yrs and make some noise while doing it. 

This is the Cousins plan and hopefully we get to see it happen. 

 

 

 

As you know, I am behind this plan from my posts in other threads. I'll remind you that as Plan A, this requires strong contingency plans because it likely will be tough to make happen. There will be a ton of competition for Cousins, and it really will depend on the situation he wants to be in. The money will all be relatively equal.

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No offense to the OP. Nothing wrong with what he would like to see happen and his post is well thought out but shouldn't all threads like this one start with "I hope the Bills can do something like this", or "I fantasize the Bills can do this", or "In my dreams the Bills did this" etc. Nothing can happen without a willing partner and although it seems likely that Washington will release Cousins, until they do, this can't happen. The Bills also can't trade up, trade down or sign any other QB in free agency until there are free agents to sign. So you can come up with all sorts of scenarios about how you can get done what you want to see, but right now, none of it can happen. Cousins could sign a long term deal with Washington at the 11th hour, there may be no willing trade partner up or down and there may not be any free agents available that the Bills want. All of those things could happen too.

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1 hour ago, DefenseWins said:

I'm going to ask this question again... What makes any of you believe that Cousins would want to sign with Buffalo vs Denver, Ariz, Wash, NYJ etc... He can have his choice of any of these cities assuming he doesn't want Clev which has the most $$$ to pay him whatever he wants...

 

I don't foresee Cousins being a Bill, but looking at the other options:

 

Denver: About the same cap space as Buffalo (for now...sounds like they plan to release Aqib Talib and possibly Demaryius or Sanders), I think Denver is a low-key bad situation though; old team that's rumored to be cutting one of the few weapons Cousins would have to throw to

 

Arizona: Nowhere near the cap space needed to sign him

 

Washington: Definitely have the cap space. Is their relationship too fractured at this point though? Not to mention that's another team with poor weapons around him and a pretty bad defense

 

NYJ: Seems like a good fit if the Jets are interested; I've seen rumors stating that the Jets plan to bypass free agency and focus on the draft to address the QB position though. But hypothetically speaking, they have a lot of cap space, a pretty talented defense, and a couple promising WRs. They'll need all of the cap space they have to fill other holes though.

 

Cleveland: Probably unlikely due to their reputation, but I think it's his best option honestly. $111 million in cap space, an extremely talented WR in Gordon, a promising young TE in Njoku, a great receiving RB (which Cousins loves) in Duke, a talented but injury prone WR in Coleman, a good O-Line, and a pretty solid defense (they really just need an upgrade in the LB core and maybe one corner). Sign Cousins, take Barkley and Fitzpatrick/Edmunds/Roquon, probably sign one of the solid WRs in free agency and that team could be pretty good pretty quickly IMO.

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3 hours ago, NastyNateSoldiers said:

I've taken some time recently to think bout what direction the Bills should take with the most important position in sports QB. I think the majority of fans have also we fall into basically 3 categories 

 

#1 Team Trade Up

#2 Sign a Vet and draft QB to develop. 

#3 Sign Cousins and use our draft pks. 

 

I thought about these 3 plans and read about many opinions on this board . The best one i believe is #3 sign Captain Kirk.

 

Signing Kirk makes sense on so many levels

When building a team the most important factor is building threw the draft i can't see the Bills giving up nearly 2yrs of pks to bank on a QB developing or even worse not developing . McBeane want to build this team in there image and there not gonna do it via free agency . These guys want custom made culture guys that fit there systems and the best place to find them are in the draft. 

 

Cousins fits the Bill.

This is where Cousins comes in . Captain Kirk is a process type guy. If the Bills were drafting a QB i believe Cousins would be the type of guy they draft. He has all the characteristics and intangibles there looking for as far as Durability, Leadership, Work ethic and being a God fearing man . Ntm he's ready made top 12 QB in the NFL averaging 4250 yds, 31 TDs and over 65% completions over his last 4 seasons. The arrow is pointing up with Cousins as he's just entering his prime at 29yrs old.  Now i know people will say 27-30 mil per season that's alot of money and i agree it is but the Bills set themselves up for this type of cap hit . Going into 2019 we have nearly 90mil in cap space with no big dollars free agents on the horizon we should be able to absorb that cap hit easily. Ntm we should be able to land cheap talent and starters at the top of the draft.

 

The Plan

Well this is where the fun starts not only for McBeane but for us the fans. We get to use all our high pks 5 in top 95 to fill major holes on this team.  This gives McBeane great flexibility during the draft to trade down and even collect more assets . Imagine what these 5pks can do for us moving forward these players will get some much needed experience as rookies in 2018 . With these pks and some savvy free agent additions the Bills will be able to again compete for the playoffs in 2018 hopefully get there and win a gm or 2. But the eye of the prize will definitely be on 2019 where we still will have great cap flexibility with a Franchise QB in place and a young nucleus of talent and another draft to really begin to build for the future yrs and make some noise while doing it. 

This is the Cousins plan and hopefully we get to see it happen. 

 

 

 

 

Yeah, but we only have 30mil this year.  With ~10mil for rookie contracts, resigning our free agents and/or signing other free agents, not a lot of money to work with UNLESS the captain is willing to back load his contract and accept 5 to 10 mil this year with a whole lot of guaranteed money to offset risk of injury.

 

http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/buffalo-bills/cap/

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