What does our O-Line look like now?

[T master]

I think this year the O line could be a huge upgrade from last year both in the run game & the passing game & although it may take some time at the beginning of the year of the players to develop the chemistry O lines need but before the mid season hits & as the move forward it will all start to jell .

 

By the end of the year & into the play offs they will get better & reach a their highest point of everything coming together when the SB rolls around .

 

GO BILLS !!! 

[billsbackto81]

On 4/29/2023 at 3:37 PM, chongli said:

 

No way Torrence is cut or traded.

Neither is McGovern

[Thurman#1]

On 4/30/2023 at 4:27 AM, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

 

One of those 6 in bold will get cut or traded, my bet would be on Boettger as typically teams go with 5 interior and 4 tackles.  Or could they make a more shocking move and cut Morse?

 

Not 100% certain Torrence will start, could be Bates instead.  But if they were to cut Morse, then Torrence starts at guard and Bates at Center

 

 

Greatly doubt they will cut Morse unless serious health problems crop up.

 

If they'd wanted to cut him, they'd have done it before paying him his $1M roster bonus on March 19th. On the same day, $1.36M of his salary became guaranteed, as well.

 

 

On 4/30/2023 at 12:18 PM, hondo in seattle said:

 

I personally don't think the Bills OLine looks even 'good' let alone 'terrific.'   But I do think it looks better than last year!

 

 

I disagree here.

 

Terrific, no. Good? Yeah, they do.

 

 

Edited May 4, 2023 by Thurman#1

[Thurman#1]

On 4/30/2023 at 5:29 AM, Big Blitz said:

 

Meh - the rookie drafted in RD 2 makes that salary easy to push down the depth chart to the role he probably belongs at and that’s backup Guard and a solid one.   
 

 

 

Bills' signing of Connor McGovern named among worst free agency decisions in NFL

 

Here’s PFN’s full breakdown on McGovern’s deal he signed with the Bills:

 

Had the Bills signed the other Connor McGovern interior offensive lineman, the one they saw twice a year for three years, the $7.5 million average annual value would make sense. He’s played at that level for a number of years now and still has some great football ahead of him.

 

But the Connor McGovern that played for the Cowboys has not been quite as successful. McGovern was a capable pass blocker last year and played that role at an above-replacement level, but he has always been an enormous liability as a run blocker. Not only that, his success as a pass protector was largely limited to one season, allowing defenders to quickly win off the snap and forcing the quarterback to scramble or get rid of the ball quickly.

 

McGovern has only had one season as a full-time starter, playing as an injury replacement in other years. In that role, he’s spectacular, and teams could do a lot worse than having him as a depth player along the interior. But as a starter making starting money, it’s a big issue — especially for a team that wants to improve its running game.

 

McGovern’s contract incurs a $3.6 million cap hit in Year 1, which is in line with his value. But after that, it explodes to a functionally guaranteed second-year cap hit of $7.5 million and hits $8 million in Year 3 — an unguaranteed year but a difficult one to cut because he would incur $4 million in dead cap space.

 

https://billswire.usatoday.com/2023/03/31/buffalo-bills-connor-mcgovern-worst-signings-nfl/

 

 

It's not too clear whether it's you or PFN saying this, but it says, "McGovern’s contract incurs a $3.6 million cap hit in Year 1, which is in line with his value. But after that, it explodes to a functionally guaranteed second-year cap hit of $7.5 million and hits $8 million in Year 3 — an unguaranteed year but a difficult one to cut because he would incur $4 million in dead cap space."

 

Hunh?

 

How is the second year "functionally guaranteed"? It's not, according to Spotrac. If they don't like him they could easily cut him. Wouldn't save any money that year, but would only lose $100K, and would save a lot in 2025. Cutting him before the 3rd year would save them a couple mill.

 

They did give him a signing bonus which will look too big if they don't like him. But they could easily cut him if they want to.

 

My guess is they're going to like him too much to want to cut him.

 

 

Edited May 4, 2023 by Thurman#1

[GETTOTHE50]

Brown is definitely the weak link. Too many times did players blow by him when Allen dropped back. He can improve though and I expect him to atleast be a little bit better. If not, then this will be his last season starting. 

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

4 hours ago, Thurman#1 said:

 

 

Greatly doubt they will cut Morse unless serious health problems crop up.

 

If they'd wanted to cut him, they'd have done it before paying him his $1M roster bonus on March 19th. On the same day, $1.36M of his salary became guaranteed, as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes but the cap hit was also very high, one of those were the salary almost equaled the cap hit.  But someone pointed out if they cut him in August is a $6 mil saving.  So wouldn't rule it out.   I'd imagine it would depend on how the other six all look and the 7th round rookie.  If they are afraid to cut any of them, then someone has to go either cut or trade.

 

Not a high likelihood of it happening, but most years usually include one surprise cut. 

[SoCal Deek]

The answer to this topic seems about simple as it can get. When the offseason dust settled the Bills chose to keep both starting Tackles and their Center. They’ll be swapping out both starting Guards for guys who weren’t even in the organization last season. So…it just comes down to improving Guard play…period. I’m guessing it’ll be better. It almost has to be. 

[finn]

6 hours ago, GETTOTHE50 said:

Brown is definitely the weak link. Too many times did players blow by him when Allen dropped back. He can improve though and I expect him to atleast be a little bit better. If not, then this will be his last season starting. 

I've been looking for Beane to add a veteran free agent, but so far it's all guards all the time. As you say, Brown might improve, but then again he might not, and he might get injured yet again. Quessenberry is just a warm body and would need help from Knox on virtually all plays. 

[SCBills]

My prediction, without anymore additions as of May..

 

Dawkins 

McGovern

Morse

Torrence

Brown

 

Quessenberry

Edwards

Bates

Broeker

Doyle

 

Im going Broeker over Boettger because, reportedly, he’s a Bates type player than we can cross train to play all 5 positions in a pinch.   I also think Beane is beyond sick and tired of having developmental guys poached .. and unlike Tenuta’s random metrics last year, this guy seems like a Kromer type prospect. 

[Warriorspikes51]

4 minutes ago, SCBills said:

My prediction, without anymore additions as of May..

 

Dawkins 

McGovern

Morse

Torrence

Brown

 

Quessenberry

Edwards

Bates

Broeker

Doyle

 

Im going Broeker over Boettger because, reportedly, he’s a Bates type player than we can cross train to play all 5 positions in a pinch.   I also think Beane is beyond sick and tired of having developmental guys poached .. and unlike Tenuta’s random metrics last year, this guy seems like a Kromer type prospect. 

 

 

Dawkins
McGovern

Morse
O'Cyrus

________  ?   

 

Gouraige

Broeker
Bates

Edwards
Brown

 

[finn]

3 minutes ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

 

 

Dawkins
McGovern

Morse
O'Cyrus

________  ?   

 

Gouraige

Broeker
Bates

Edwards
Brown

 

I didn't consider moving Bates to right tackle and having Brown be the swing tackle. If Brown hasn't improved, that might be the best option. 

[hondo in seattle]

7 hours ago, Thurman#1 said:

 

 

I disagree here.

 

Terrific, no. Good? Yeah, they do.

 

 

 

I'm not sure, Thurm.  The OL is definitely better and I'll be happy if they attain averageness this season, given where they've been.  But "good" - that's uncertain.  

 

Will Brown and/or Bates play better this season in their second years under Kromer and now playing alongside better people?   Not sure.  

 

How good will Torrence play as a rookie?   Not sure.  

 

Morse's concussions worry me, and I think some folks overrate him.  

 

McGovern is better than Saffold, but that's not saying much.

 

Edwards played decently a couple years ago but sucked last season from what I've heard/read.  I don't know what to expect from him.  

 

Dawkins is good and a warrior.  But he's not elite.  

 

But I see potential.  I see reasons to hope.  And I hope I'm wrong about them being average.   I really, really want to be wrong and you to be right.  

[Bruffalo]

7 hours ago, Thurman#1 said:

 

 

Greatly doubt they will cut Morse unless serious health problems crop up.

 

If they'd wanted to cut him, they'd have done it before paying him his $1M roster bonus on March 19th. On the same day, $1.36M of his salary became guaranteed, as well.

 

 

 

 

I disagree here.

 

Terrific, no. Good? Yeah, they do.

 

 

100% agree here.

 

A top 5 unit? Not with Spencer Brown at RT (unless he makes a significant leap).

 

A top 10 unit? I think it's possible, maybe unlikely.

 

A top 15 unit? If they aren't, the O-Line coach should be fired. 

[Beck Water]

8 hours ago, Thurman#1 said:

It's not too clear whether it's you or PFN saying this, but it says, "McGovern’s contract incurs a $3.6 million cap hit in Year 1, which is in line with his value. But after that, it explodes to a functionally guaranteed second-year cap hit of $7.5 million and hits $8 million in Year 3 — an unguaranteed year but a difficult one to cut because he would incur $4 million in dead cap space."

 

Hunh?

 

How is the second year "functionally guaranteed"? It's not, according to Spotrac. If they don't like him they could easily cut him. Wouldn't save any money that year, but would only lose $100K, and would save a lot in 2025. Cutting him before the 3rd year would save them a couple mill.

 

They did give him a signing bonus which will look too big if they don't like him. But they could easily cut him if they want to.

 

My guess is they're going to like him too much to want to cut him.

 

Yeah, I don't see that either.  WTH does "functionally guaranteed" even mean?

 

Per Spotrac, his 2024 salary is not guaranteed except for injury until after the 2024 superbowl, when $1.1M guarantees.  If a portion of it guarantees, then it's not guaranteed. 

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/buffalo-bills/connor-mcgovern-29126/

[Beck Water]

On 4/29/2023 at 2:33 PM, GunnerBill said:

 

I'm interested to see if they would consider Edwards a RT option. He played there in college and a bit in LA his rookie year. 

 

I've had exactly that same question.  Edwards made a point a couple times of how Kromer gives "everyone but the C" a chance to try all 4 positions. 

 

In LA, Rob Havenstein was pretty solid at RT.  At least last season, Spencer Brown was a lower bar to raise.

 

Of course, with Edwards, the first question is "how is his concussion recovery, really?" and is he more susceptible to another?

 

On 4/29/2023 at 2:50 PM, TheyCallMeAndy said:

Big Cy, IMO, will sit a year. Beane comments made it sound like they have a diet plan for him. 
 

They aren’t benching Bates, and nor should they. 

 

You do realize that if the Bills actually used a 2nd round pick on a OG they plan to sit for a year and a 3rd round pick on a LB who isn't ready to play defense, that would be a pretty crummy draft strategy?

Edited May 4, 2023 by Beck Water

[Simon Says]

I don't know how Boettger will look. 

Broeker most likely to PS

Keep in mind,Edwards was a pretty good RT in college.

That all being said,Beane might sign a FA.

[Saxum]

On 4/29/2023 at 3:40 PM, Ridgewaycynic2013 said:

2022:

2023:

 

I prefer swiss to processed cheese food.  Hoping this year team will be blue cheese.

[HaldimandBills]

Bates is the wildcard. A lot of people penciling him in as the back up center and interior rotation piece. I however see a world were Brown doesn't meet expectations and Bates is our starting Right Tackle. Not ideal but you could do worse. 

[LABILLBACKER]

On 4/29/2023 at 12:38 PM, BuffaloBillsGospel2014 said:

I'd like to see competition for RT Spencer Brown, he had a rough year 2 to say the least, I give him a slight pass for playing injured but I hope to see a huge improvement year 3.

Spencer Brown absolutely scares the living crap out of me. Every time I see him on the field I see Josh's right arm getting bent in half. We acquired all these new olineman,  but did we even remotely find competition for Spencer "anvil feet" Brown?

[MrEpsYtown]

9 hours ago, SCBills said:

My prediction, without anymore additions as of May..

 

Dawkins 

McGovern

Morse

Torrence

Brown

 

Quessenberry

Edwards

Bates

Broeker

Doyle

 

Im going Broeker over Boettger because, reportedly, he’s a Bates type player than we can cross train to play all 5 positions in a pinch.   I also think Beane is beyond sick and tired of having developmental guys poached .. and unlike Tenuta’s random metrics last year, this guy seems like a Kromer type prospect. 

Boettger is also going to be 29 this season. So im def keeping the young guy over him and imo Broecker is probably already better, he’s 22, and extremely durable.