billsfan89

Loving this free agency frenzy.

Shaq at 10 million per year? Pass, not a tragic over pay but a significant one. I think you are just paying on speculation at that point.

Gave the Bills two good seasons fairly cheap. Dude has never had a big contract so I can't blame him for getting as much as he can.

I think he get 4 years 40 million. Not from the Bills but from another team.

Campbell is coming off of a 6.5 sack season, he will be 34 years old at a position where declines happen around 32/33, and he is a 15 million dollar cap hit. Not saying this isn't a good move for the Ravens but it comes with risks. If the Jags use that cap space wisely and then Campbell is shot this is a home run for the Jags.

Cam Newton was a bigger running QB and he got worn down.

The Titans line was also banged up and other starters were out, I wouldn't put it as a knock on Mitch.

I would guess, I think this is more of a camp body type acquisition.

This team had games where the O-line took over and closed out games. In particular the 4 minute offense against a stout Titans team ran down their throats with Gore to close out the clock.

2015 to 2016 I think they returned the same O-line of Cord-InCog-Wood-Miller-Mills (Unless I am missing something) and I can't think of the O-line changing much from 2016 to 2017 either besides Dawkins taking over for an injured Glenn. But before that I can't think of a time when the O-line had that type of continuity (certainly not in the drought era.) And unlike the 2015-2017 offensive lines (which were solid O-lines dominant in the ground blocking and average to below average pass blocking) you have a lot of quality depth behind them. Ty and Long are starting caliber players, while Bates is super versatile with potential. I was worried when McBeane in 2018 seemingly neglected the O-line (I give them credit in 2017 for at least investing a 2nd round pick in the O-line with Dawkins when the O-line in 2016 was coming off of a decent season.) But the complete rebuild of the O-line and O-line depth in 2019 with mostly mid-tier or lower acquisitions (Outside of Mitch there were no huge contracts and only a 2nd round pick was added via the draft) was something that showed me that they understand the importance of the O-line.

I wouldn't say the NFL is evolving back to running however I think that the running game is becoming more intricate to offenses now. I think Star stays on the team easily.

I don't like it, I would have just cut him and saved 5 million on the cap instead of taking a potential 3.4 million dollar cap hit vs. a 1.5 million dollar cap hit. 1.9 million might not seem like a lot of money but that is almost 1% of your salary cap and everything adds up. I think McBeane must really like Kroft in order for them to structure his contract this way. And Kroft is taking the higher guarantee and the increased freedom. But I don't see it with Kroft honestly.

PFF had them 21st overall and Football outsiders had them 16th. I couldn't find too many other rankings but from my eye test the O-line's play ranged from average to above average. But that was with 4 new starters and a lot of turnover in the coaching staff in the O-line and a rookie in Cody Ford starting. I think that the increase in continuity (which is big for O-line play) and a better year from Ford in year two will see the O-line improve to being a top 10 unit.I do agree that the Kroft restructuring wasn't the best, although I do like the Norman signing.

I should qualify that they are not brining in a big time free agent RT or spending a high draft pick at RT. They are rolling with the Ford/Ty and possibly Waddle or another lower tier free agent or late round pick at RT. The competition will be there but it is going to be from Ford/Ty and other more minor acquisitions. People here want Conklin or another big grab but I just don't see that happening. I think they want to see what Ford can do after finishing the season strong while having Ty as a backstop. The O-line play ranged from Average to Above Average last season. But keep in mind that was with a rookie in Ford and 4 new starters and 3 new backups. Only Dawkins remained from the previous season. And O-line play is improved with continuity. I think the O-line just having one season under their belt is a tremendous advantage and if you can get Ford to improve that will get them to be a top 10 unit in the league.

Shaq isn't worth 15 million even on a one year deal. I would love for the team to resign him at a good rate but I am not breaking the bank for potential. I would rather take those dollars elsewhere if he wants more than 9 million aav.

I would have thought this deal was "team friendly" at 6 million aav and fair at about 7 million aav. So 5 million aav and having one less starting position to worry about is good. Hopefully they can invest the major dollars along the D-line.

Ford wasn't good at pass protection early on, but after Ty got hurt towards the middle of the season and Ford came in and played all the snaps he was actually solid in pass pro and good in the running game. I think the Steelers game in particular he was very very good. Ford was a bit raw coming-out of the draft as are a lot of rookie O-line players. I think he will surprise a lot of fans who are skeptical. And they do have Ty as a backstop.

They have Ty (and possibly Waddle if they resign him) to push him make him earn his spot. They are going with Ford/Ty at RT. With an eye to have Ford win the job long term. I think the improvement in the O-line is going to come from a combination on continuity and Ford improving. They don't need to spend 15 million on Conklin when they have other needs and a limited amount of cash (esp when you consider they are going to want to roll over a chunk of their cash for extensions.)

Isn't Waddle a free agent? I would love to see the Bills resign him if his medicals are good. He would be the 9th O-line player and they can draft a O-line player late to bring some competition and get on the PS.

When the Giants won their Super Bowl in 2007 that O-line had 4 starters that had been playing their 3rd full season together and were a big reason they went on that run. In 2011, 3 out of the 5 starters along the O-line were the same from the 2007 season. I think continuity in O-line play is huge as is depth. Right now this team has kept together the O-line and retained its depth. This move along with Norman and the option pickup of Long are all good moves. Hopefully Shaq can come back at a good price too.

IF the Bills signed Conklin and kicked Ford in or traded him to get a WR I would love it as I think you can never be too good along the O-line. However in a capped league I think you have to manage your resources smartly as you only have so many dollars to throw around. Ford in year two will be improved enough at RT to where I think most will be comfortable with his caliber of play. I trust McBeane's drafting and Ford did play better last year deeper into the season.

I get the inclination to want to kick Ford inside and bring in a RT. But I think McBeane deserves the benefit of the doubt with Ford. Granted he was up and down his rookie year but played better deeper into the season (which is usually a sign of a player working out the kinks) so I think people are really nervous about Ford despite not taking into account the balance of his season and the regime that drafted him. With Spain back in the fold I think they are going with the idea that the O-line last year ranged from average to above average and two things will help push their level of play up, and that is continuity and Ford improving/developing. Don't they have Ty? I would love to see them resign Waddle if his medicals are good. Ty and Waddle would give some quality options behind Ford and Dawkins (as both can play both sides.)

I'd hate to break it to you but they are playing Ford at RT. McBeane drafted him (and traded up for him) and I think that they are rolling with Ford at RT with Ty as the backup plan in case he struggles. I think people here are underestimating Ford as he played a lot better to end the season. Give him another off-season to work out the kinks in his technique and work with his teammates he is now familiar with and I think he surprises you.

In a weird way that makes me nervous that the Jets are actually looking at a guy like Spain, maybe they learned their lesson from 2019 and aren't just going after a few big name free agents. But 3 years 15 million is a good deal for the Bills, not bad for Spain either who never had a big contract but a very good value for the Bills.

I hope Ford surprises a lot of people at RT this season, it would be good to see him and Dawkins anchoring the tackle positions the next 4-5 years or longer. I kind of trust McBeane and I Think Ford played better as the year went on.