Bills resigning Rapp

[Buffalo716]

2 minutes ago, GASabresIUFan said:

The development of Rapp as a Bills' safety is on a very similar curve to Hyde and Poyer.  He isn't at the level they achieved at their peaks, but his improvement year over year has been something to watch.

 

Remember Buffalo wasn't Hyde or Poyer first stop.  Rapp started 48 of 57 games for the Rams before coming to Buffalo.  Despite starting all those games including 33 of 33 his final two years, the Rams let him walk and sign with the Bills for 1 year at 1.77.  The Bills then extended him this off-season. 

 

Hyde came to Buffalo after 4 years in GB and Poyer after 4 years in Cleve, but neither had Rapp's starting experience when they joined the Bills.  Rapp is just more evidence that Beane/McD know what they are looking for and see things in players, especially DBs, that other teams miss.  Douglas is also a better player here than he was in GB.

 

 

I said that weeks ago in a different thread

 

Rapp is literally on the same trajectory as poyer and he's had a lot of TD saving tackles this season 

[HappyDays]

1 hour ago, DJB said:

 

 

Just curious your thoughts on your own take earlier in the season. 
 

Hard to argue against Rapp he’s been terrific this year 

 

Can't speak for Gunner but I did not like the signing and I'm here to say I was wrong. Rapp has been pretty much exactly what I want at the safety position - not a plus starter who costs too much money for a devalued position, just a solid starter who hits his landmarks and makes some plays from time to time with a reasonable salary. He's also singlehandedly taken at least 5 TDs off the board this year. Just by memory two in the Jets game, one in the Indy game, two in the San Fran game. For a cap hit of 3.7M and 4M in 2025 and 2026 respectively, I am more than happy with that value.

 

Edited yesterday at 01:05 AM by HappyDays

[JimmyNoodles]

Always liked Rapp. A case could be made that he’s the MVP of the defense this year. 

[BillsFan130]

11 minutes ago, JimmyNoodles said:

Always liked Rapp. A case could be made that he’s the MVP of the defense this year. 

Interesting discussion for bills MVP on D. I would probably go:

 

1. Rousseau

2. Benford

3. Bernard (even though he's missed time)

 

But probably would have Rapp 4th or 5th. I just de value him a touch cause safety isn't a premium position, but he's been good to your point 

[dma0034]

Hey hey.... he did injury Taron Johnson! Other than that I got nothing. I wasn't against resigning him. I thought Poyer was slow and got burned on running plays his last two seasons with the Bills (doesn't look better for the Dolphins either)

[Rubes]

Solid player. Sometimes it just requires a little patience for someone to come in and learn McD's defense well enough that he can become reliable and play with confidence.

 

There's not a lot of patience in today's NFL with constantly churning coaching staffs and rosters, but one thing Beane and McD do well is stay patient and develop players with a long-term vision.

 

[JimmyNoodles]

12 minutes ago, BillsFan130 said:

Interesting discussion for bills MVP on D. I would probably go:

 

1. Rousseau

2. Benford

3. Bernard (even though he's missed time)

 

But probably would have Rapp 4th or 5th. I just de value him a touch cause safety isn't a premium position, but he's been good to your point 

Of the 3 you mentioned, who have all been good, Benford has been tremendous this year.  What a steal he turned out to be. 

[Aussie Joe]

Interesting thread to re-read 9 months down the track

 

Im going to give myself a little credit here about my thoughts on this decision   at the time   …I would say that plenty of others have gotten it wrong ..

 

This was obviously the plan for Rapp from the start when they bought him in for 2023 season and had him sit behind the aging Hyde and Poyer for 12 months to find his feet

 

In terms of value …It’s looking like they are on a winner for this year and the next two looking at his deal … 

 

 

[Green Lightning]

Hits like a truck. Forces fumbles and makes plays. His penalties are down and he's fitting in to McD's system. This is a great signing. McD and Beane get all the slack they need from me on drafting, trading for and developing safeties and CBs. 

Edited 10 hours ago by Green Lightning

[ganesh]

7 minutes ago, Aussie Joe said:

Interesting thread to re-read 9 months down the track

 

Im going to give myself a little credit here about my thoughts on this decision   at the time   …I would say that plenty of others have gotten it wrong ..

 

This was obviously the plan for Rapp from the start when they bought him in for 2023 season and had him sit behind the aging Hyde and Poyer for 12 months to find his feet

 

In terms of value …It’s looking like they are on a winner for this year and the next two looking at his deal … 

 

 

and if they can mold Bishop by next season, then we have our safety tandem for the next 2-3 years.

[Aussie Joe]

2 minutes ago, ganesh said:

and if they can mold Bishop by next season, then we have our safety tandem for the next 2-3 years.

I agree that this is no doubt the plan 

I just have the slightest nag that Bishop and Rapp are the same guy…  neither is the deep centre fielder  at the back ..
 

[NoSaint]

54 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

Can't speak for Gunner but I did not like the signing and I'm here to say I was wrong. Rapp has been pretty much exactly what I want at the safety position - not a plus starter who costs too much money for a devalued position, just a solid starter who hits his landmarks and makes some plays from time to time with a reasonable salary. He's also singlehandedly taken at least 5 TDs off the board this year. Just by memory two in the Jets game, one in the Indy game, two in the San Fran game. For a cap hit of 3.7M and 4M in 2025 and 2026 respectively, I am more than happy with that value.

 

yup. 
 

Ultimately, he was kind of part of a group of mid tier guys thrown at holes that on paper they could but were maybe not likely to fill. He outplayed his deal and 2 other vets were cut mid season 

as a strategy, this year we don’t save much with money wasted on MVS and Mike Edwards but next year we will be a little ahead. 
 

That we had him in house makes sense he had a better shot

[NickelCity]

13 minutes ago, ganesh said:

and if they can mold Bishop by next season, then we have our safety tandem for the next 2-3 years.

 

I'm not totally sold on Bishop as a prospect...but nor was I totally sold on Rapp as a full time starter. He's been great and the money looks great. These guys certainly have earned the benefit of the doubt, especially when it comes to the defensive backfield.

[PoundingDog]

Bishop runs 4.45 and Elam runs 3.39.

 

Benford. Douglas, Rapp all run in 4.6+ 40 yard time. Even for Poyer/Hyde, they were in 4.56+ range. 

 

Speed isn't everything but I bet you they surely like to add some speed in the secondary so they have more options, like playing more man, be more aggresive. We'll see how it goes.

[wjag]

He’s settled in nicely.  For all the preseason hand wringing on here, he’s made some TD and game altering tackles this year.  CMC being the latest. 

[sirebors]

18 minutes ago, PoundingDog said:

Bishop runs 4.45 and Elam runs 3.39.

 

Benford. Douglas, Rapp all run in 4.6+ 40 yard time. Even for Poyer/Hyde, they were in 4.56+ range. 

 

Speed isn't everything but I bet you they surely like to add some speed in the secondary so they have more options, like playing more man, be more aggresive. We'll see how it goes.

 

3.39 is really, really fast 🏃

[Jerboski]

1 hour ago, BillsFan130 said:

Interesting discussion for bills MVP on D. I would probably go:

 

1. Rousseau

2. Benford

3. Bernard (even though he's missed time)

 

But probably would have Rapp 4th or 5th. I just de value him a touch cause safety isn't a premium position, but he's been good to your point 

Agree with all of this 

[Joe Mama]

59 minutes ago, ganesh said:

and if they can mold Bishop by next season, then we have our safety tandem for the next 2-3 years.

Don't forget about Cine

[Buffalo ill]

35 minutes ago, sirebors said:

 

3.39 is really, really fast 🏃

If he runs a 3.39 the coaching staff needs to be fired yesterday for not moving him to offense. 😆

[Nephilim17]

Per Marino:

Rapp is just missing 3 percent of tackles. 
In coverage, targeted 17 times, gave up 9 passes for 114 yards, 2 INTs, and a 34.6 passer rating.