billsfan89

Yeldon should only be used to spell Singletary in a limited number of snaps in passing situations. I don't see the need to make him anything more than a backup piece. I don't hate him as a backup receiving back but let's not get carried away with this. The Bills shuffling around Duke and the other backups are marginal moves that might not make a lot of a difference. This game is going to come down to how well Brown, Beasley, Knox, and Singletary perform in the passing game and how they can get the ground game going with Singletary.

There was also less concern about throwing INT's down the field. A lot of times QB's on third and long would take shots deep and force things into coverage because coaches felt that INT's 50 yards down the field weren't that much worse than punts. Of course coaching and the attitudes towards INT's have changed a lot since. Man were they right. Bills still had some success towards the end of the decade but that game was the end of that era.

He is the 28th highest paid DE in the league by aav. I don't hate Murphy but his production level is not up to his contract. He is a nice player to have as a rotational 4th DE. But he is paid starting caliber money. It is more about value vs. production. He isn't producing up to his value. I think they are better off cutting him and using his money to help off-set resining Shaq.

It was the right position to target at the deadline in 2017. The team was 5-2 and looking to end a drought. They had 2 third round picks and once again they desperately needed a WR who could command attention and bringing a big body to target was a plus. It obviously didn't work and I was shocked that McBeane knowing KB from Carolina didn't know to stay away from him due to his attitude and poor work ethic. I would qualify it as the right move in philosophy (getting some help to try and break the drought) but it was poor in execution that means it is a mistake. I think the Dareus trade was a bigger mistake as I think it basically exposed the run defense the rest of the season (as bad as Dareus played relative to his contract he was still a good run stuffer, he did improve the Jags run defense that season.) I think they should have cut or traded Dareus in the off-season but hey it all worked out the drought was broken.

I hope so, this team has everything in place to be 10+ wins for the next 2-3 years at least. But a lot rides on Josh who as much as I like him still needs to progress significantly if this team hopes to be truly great.

I wouldn't be opposed to seeing what is on the market. But I am not sure Barkely is that much better or worse than your average backup QB.

I want the Bills to keep Shaq and sign Yannick. However if Shaq gets a bit too pricy you have to let him walk. I think you are OK with paying retail to keep Shaq but you shouldn't be gouged. As good of a player as Shaq is, he only had 6.5 sacks this year and wasn't doing much the three previous seasons. 10 million aav for him is steep but I might be wiling to pay it if the guarantee is low and easy to get out of after 2 seasons. 10 million aav puts him as the 16th highest paid aav (although more around 20 by the time new contracts get handed out.) That is already a considerable overpay. Ideally I think he sits in the 8ish million range but the market can get crazy sometimes. So I wouldn't go anywhere over 10 million aav and even then only if it is a limited guarantee. I think that if you do keep Shaq and Phillips at a total of 20 million aav combined and you sign Yannick to a 15 million aav deal while cutting Murphy your D-line spending as a unit in 2020 balloons to over 60 million (Star and Hughes 20 million, Shaq and Phillips 20 million, Yannick 15 million, Ed 4.5 million, Phillips and Johnson both under 1 million.) That's a lot to spend on 8 players but you quickly can get out of Star and Hughes after 2020 so that number can come down and Murphy's 1.5 million in dead cap comes off so that helps. Once again this team I think can balance adding 2-3 starting pieces via free agency, while retaining our key players and keeping enough roll over to handle future extensions.

The NFL roster size should be expanded to 57 and the amount you dress should be 53. Teams are so thin in general even if they were able to dress everyone. I don't see why a few extra backups and a few extra active people would hurt. This would allow players to come back from injury slower. I also think the NFL should have a "disabled list" where you can put guys on it for 4,6, and 8 weeks and then call up a PS player to replace them for that amount of time or sign a guy off the street. It would allow teams not have to force to carry and rush back hurt players because they need the bodies. The current IR designated for return tag isn't that great it puts guys out for far too long. You could limit the amount of slots you are able to use but there needs to be a complete overhaul of the NFL's injury system.

I have a good feeling about this game but I still rank it as a toss up. On the road in the playoffs is not an easy task and Watson is a super dynamic QB. But the Texans defense is not good. If Josh can move the ball on the Texans D with some consistency then I think the Bills can pull it out. Tons of fun given the Bills underdog nature. But the Bills should start to expect more. 10 wins and playoffs is great however a playoff win on the road is completely the type of culture setting thing this team needs. Not only does it advance you in the playoffs (duh) it gets you more experience playing on the road in the playoffs which for an ascending team learning how to win high leverage games is something that they need.

He is a fairly replacement level rotational DE who is being paid starter or high end rotation money. I think unless he takes a paycut the team is going to cut him. I think they are better off cutting Murphy and Kroft and freeing up about 10 million extra in salary cap space to spend on resining the current free agency, chasing after 2 or 3 starting pieces, and having roll over space for when extensions kick in. He isn't a bad player but he just hasn't lived up to his contract. Which is unfortunate because I thought year 2 removed from his major injury he might have a breakout but he just never got it going besides flashes here or there. Hughes has been a quality player this season while Star has really turned it on since the team's rushing defense woes of the middle of the season. Star largely has been responsible for the team's improved rushing defense against some of the better rushing attacks in the league. I think that while you could argue that Hughes and Star are overpaid a bit they still provide value that is not easily replaced. If Trent was your 4th DE making 2.5 million I don't see why you wouldn't keep him. But he makes a lot of money and only produces like a JAG. It would be virtually impossible for them not to take the 7 or so million they would be spending on him and get better value elsewhere.

The Pats can go screw themselves. They went 12-4 with one of if not the best defenses and special teams units in the league and they act like they are a bunch of bums. I really hope they lose to the Titans and just get completely outclassed physically by them. I hope Brady leaves and does well elsewhere while Billy B wins 8 games win a mediocre QB. I really hope the Bills start a sustained run of success that puts them to lead the division for the next 4-5 seasons.

I love it, but the more I think about it winning in Houston would do a lot to set the culture for this team. A loss in Houston while disappointing wouldn't be the end of the world and the season is still a success. But even just getting one playoff win on the road while also getting to play a second road playoff game is both culture setting and valuable experience this team needs. I also think considering Houston isn't a powerhouse I don't see why the Bills can't set expectations higher.

I don't really know what Daboll has done that would justify head coaching hype. Josh is still a work in progress. I love Josh and I think he has potential, he already has come a long way but is he a top 10 QB? Is he even a top 15 QB (very arguable.) The offense has been lower mid-level overall (which is fine considering they still need more weapons and it is helmed by a developing QB.) I don't understand how some coaches get this hype while others don't.

The issue with InCog was never on the field. Even in 2017 when his play declined a little bit (considering he was a Pro-Bowl caliber player in 2015 and 2016) he was still a better than average starting caliber guard. Hopefully Gruden and that organization can keep his head on straight. Odds are if he kept himself mentally in a good spot he would be still starting where Spain is right now.

I would give him a B. Was thinking about a B- but his clutch factor and the context to which he plays game (being up late in games and having a defense that makes almost any game close) kind of moved it up to a B. 2 to 1 TD to turnover ratio 3600 passing and rushing yards in essentially 15 games is a fairly mid-level stat line with a completion percentage that leaves a little to be desired. But when you factor in that Josh won games often times coming from behind or closing them out I think you can give him a plus in that regard. His numbers actually kind of mirrors Trubisky's 2018 numbers. But hopefully Josh doesn't have the same type of massive regression. Josh has a long way to go in order to become a top 10 QB in the league. However he took a positive step forward this season and his supporting cast does need to improve esp at receiver opposite Brown. But give Josh some playoff experience, a couple of more weapons, and an off-season to continue to work in the system and improve and I think he can get there.

The Pats having to beat a Titans team that will beat you up a lot at home and then having to win a road game in round 2 against KC (if they win) is a tough road to go on compared to having a bye and playing at home in round 2. The Dolphins really made the Pats road to a super bowl a lot harder. BUT until you beat Brady in the playoffs I still favor the Patriots in all matchups. I never count them out. They have the ability to win anywhere. The Pats got really amped for the Bills game. They viewed it as not only for the division but as a matchup against the team that is really coming for them. I think they had a hangover from that game and the Fins are both not an easy out and a team that always tends to beat Miami in a fluky manner.

The Browns have a young QB with a lot of potential, one of the best skill position corps in the league, and on defense they boast one of the best pass rushers and a shut down corner. They also have 50+ million in cap space and could have about 70 million with some doable cuts. I put them above the Jags because the Jags cap/roster and QB situation suck and they aren't that much less of a dumpster fire in recent history outside of 2017. The Browns are a team that you could see coming together talent wise if they get some help on the O-line and add some pieces to the defense all of which they could do. It is more so about managing the egos that could prove to be a headache. Out of the 6 openings I only put them ahead of the Jags and Redskins who aren't exactly good situations. The Redskins have a toxic environment one that I wouldn't go near since the owner is very meddling and has his goons always high up undermining the coaches and competent staff. Remember a few years ago when the Skins were doing decent with Cousins and they had a lot of great coordinators and seemed to be turning things around? Well Snyder's goons pulled a power play and ousted a lot of the people who were beginning to build up the roster post RGIII. I don't see it being that good of a situation for any coach due to the owner's meddling. They are the Knicks of the NFL.

I think they keep Phillips for sure and I think they make a significant attempt to resign Shaq and Spain. They are likely not going to overpay for either but they will pay their market value. I think that Cody has in my mind solidified himself as a starting caliber RT so I don't get why you would want to slide him in based off his recent play. My point was that even if you resign all 3 and it take 30 million in space to do so, you are still fine cap wise to both add a big piece, add some depth/role players, and have enough space to roll over and take care of future players.

If I had to rank the desirability of the potential coach openings I would put them as such. 1- New York Giants - 70 million in cap space (that could go up to 90 million easily), some talent in place, good ownership, big prestigious market, high end franchise, and the only negative is that Gettleman is the GM and possibly Daniel Jones at QB depending on your evaluation. 2- Dallas Cowboys - A talented roster with a good QB in place, they have a lot of cap space (85 million) but that is before resigning Dak and Cooper who could occupy a lot of that room, and certainly a prestigious franchise. The negatives are that the owner is notoriously not easy to work with and Dak might not be a top flight QB and you have to pony up 30 million or more for him. 3- Panthers - Another roster with a solid amount of talent. Their cap situation is decent they have 20 million in cap space but they could go up to 60 million if Cam is traded and they make some other modest cuts. Their ownership is a little off but they tend to stay out of football ops and aren't cheap. The negatives are what to do with Cam, the market isn't that desirable, a so-so cap situation, and the ownership can be a little off. 4- Cleveland Browns - Another roster with a lot of on paper talent. They have a young QB any offensive mind would like, a great array of skill position talent (among the best in the league) and major pieces in place on defense. They have a fairly good cap situation at 50 plus million in space with up to 70 million if they make some easy cuts. The Browns ownership is decent, they spend money and stay out of things but they can't seem to get anything going for some reason. The negatives are the teams reputations and recent lack of success, the team also has a lot of personalities to manage which is a headache for a lot of coaches. But this job holds some appeal as the roster is good and they have flexibility to improve it rather easily. The Browns won’t attract a top candidate but it isn’t the bottom of the barrel. They need to find someone who can manage the personalities which will be hard. 5- Jacksonville Jaguars – This roster is far less talented and they have a bad cap situation (assuming they don’t pick up Dareus’s option they have about 20 million in space with only about 30-40 if they make some cuts.) The ownership isn’t afraid to spend and stays out of things but they aren’t a prime time market and the team could very well be in flux. They do have 2 Rams first rounds picks coming up which is a huge plus. They don’t have a good QB situation as I think Foles only works in Philly. This job is likely going to attract second tier retreads or an up and coming coach. If the Jags were smart they would follow in the McD mold and hire an up and coming executive and coordinator to execute a 2 year rebuild using the Rams picks and the draft to rebuild a roster in the short term and build to cap flexibility in the long term. 6- Redskins – Not a very talented team, not the best QB situation, a franchise that has fallen from grace, and a toxic owner. The only positives is that Snyder will spend money and they have a good cap situation. But other than that it is a turd of a situation. I know Rivera is taking this job but this is a situation that I don’t think many can have success in. This is the Knicks head coaching job of the NFL. You take this simply to get money. That’s the way I see the head coaching situations playing out. I can’t see any other situations opening up for the most part. With the exception of the Skins and Jags these are some pretty decent situations for coaches. Each of them has flaws but those top 4 jobs all come with significant positives.

Tomlin worked miracles to get that team to 8 wins and in contention for a playoff spot. They were on their 3rd string QB and had many major injuries elsewhere on their offense. They have successfully rebuilt their defense to be one of the top 5 in the league (with many young pieces in place) and they have some pieces in place on offense (good QB in Big Ben if healthy, Connor and Ju Ju at the skill positions and a good O-line.) Granted the Steelers are not in a good position cap space wise and they don't have their top draft pick. But Tomlin should be safe no matter what happen there.

Cut Kroft and sign a veteran receiving TE. I like Knox but I think he is still going to be smoothing out the edges of his game in 2020, Sweeney is a backup TE good depth but not someone I think has a future as a starter, Lee Smith is a blocking TE a role player and Kroft is worthless and overpaid. I wouldn't be opposed to signing a vet TE in the 3-4 million range to add some depth and flexibility. But yes long term I can see Knox as the starter and Sweeney as the backup.

This team has plenty of cap space to resign Shaq, Phillips, and Spain (or at least 2 out of the 3) and add a big piece like Ngakuoe at around 15-18 million aav, without compromising the ability for the team to give out extensions. This team if they cut Kroft and Murphy (two players of little value) will have about 100 million in cap space. Even if it takes 30 million to resign Shaq, Phillips and Spain they still have 69 million left in cap space. They can make that big splash and still have over 50 million in space. They can even spend 10 million more on other depth/role needs and still have 40 plus million to roll over and kick in once extensions are needed in 2021 to the 2017 draft class. Then once you need to resign the 2018 draft class players after 2021 you will have plenty of space as guys like Hughes and Star come off the books. The window to win in the NFL is small and I think if you can add 2-3 starting pieces to this team via free agency you do it esp considering you have the cap space to be prudently aggressive. I wouldn't be opposed to signing Shaq in the 9-11 million aav range. He is a quality player and I would like to see him stay here and continue to develop but I wouldn't keep him at all costs either. There are a lot of edge rushers out on the market and I don't trust Shaq as a starter opposite Hughes, I think he is best as a 3rd DE who plays on rush downs and in rotation on passing situations.

Cooper disappears a lot and if I am going to invest WR1 money into a player I want him not to have a case of the drops. Since Cooper entered into the league he has the most drops by a WR. Cooper getting a 15-20 million aav contract is a very dangerous risk. I would much rather go after one of the top pass rushers like Ngakoue who could probably fall closer to the 15 milion range due to the market being more flooded at that position (there are 3-4 top pass rushers compared to just Cooper as the top WR.) If I am going to go after a WR I would try and sign Perriman or another mid-level vet with upside on a one year deal even if it is in the 8-9.5 million range and draft a WR in round 1. That would add both depth and production to the position while not locking the team into a long term deal that could hinder keeping other players that need extensions long term.

I think given what this team will have to pay to keep its own 3 major free agents (Spain, Phillip's and Shaq) or at least keep 2 if you let Spain or Shaq walk along with the extensions needed for players currently under contract it would be wise to be a bit more prudent in free agency when it comes adding pieces. However I do think considering the cap space is plentiful they can add a couple of pieces to supplement the roster and be fine long term. The major piece I would like to see added is a major edge rusher. A big time piece like Clowney or Ngakoue would set the pass rush up to an elite level. I think they could also get another starting caliber player on a mid level deal such as a CB2. Right now keeping our own talented core is going to come at a cost but the NFL's window to win is short and this front office needs to not be afraid to add at least 2-3 starters via free agency.

The Bill's are thought of as a winning situation which will help lure free agents. I don't think many think of Buffalo as a prime time city. 75% of NFL free agency is about cash and most of the rest is about winning.