billsfan89

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.

I think McBeane drafted Ford because they want him at RT and given that Ford was far from tragic his rookie year (I would say he was average overall, rough early but finished better) I think they are comfortable with him (and they have Ty as a stop gap) at RT. This dream so many on this board have of Ford getting kick inside isn't happening (At least I don't think so.) I think they are rolling with the same O-line as last year hoping that continuity and Ford developing more takes them from an above average O-line to a very good one.

Fair enough, I was more so thinking of 2020 and not beyond. I think they will extend Feliciano and Dawkins and then draft a O-line player late and stash him on the PS to get a bit younger on the bench after 2020 as both Ty and Long are up after 2020. But With Spain and Mitch on long term deals and Ford with 3 years left on a rookie deal (And I think Bates is a restricted free agent after 2020), I think they just need to extend at least Dawkins to be fine over the course of the next 3 years. I love Feliciano so I would love to see him resigned too but you have to at least get your LT taken care of.

O-lines tend to play better the more they have played with each other. I think McBeane are banking on two things to improve the O-line play. 1- Continuity and 2- Ford developing. If the line having a full season under their belts results in better play and Ford takes a step up this should be a top 10 O-line.

This is a genuine question. IF Spain is resigned then where are the major moves? The starting line would be the same as what ended last season Dawkins-Spain-Mitch-Feliciano-Ford off the bench would be Long, Ty, and Bates. I don't know where you are usurping someone along the line and what else you would need besides another depth player and some camp competition. If they resign Spain then where else are you making moves along the O-line besides maybe one more piece of depth? I know a lot here think Ford at RT isn't good but McBeane drafted him in round 2 and while he was up and down he got better the more he played in my opinion. I think they are fine with Ford at RT. Mitch and Dawkins are locks to be starters, Spain is too if they are resigning him, and I see no reason why Feliciano isn't the starting RG either. So how is "mostly set" not accurate? If Spain is retained I don't see where the major move comes. If Waddle's medicals are good I would love to see him brought into camp along with another low end veteran O-line player and a late round pick who could be placed on the PS. I think this team is set along the O-line beyond just adding that 9th O-line player and some camp competition which could be done with a low cost vet and a late round pick.

If Spain resigns then the O-line is mostly set (rolls 8 deep with TY, Bates, and Long off the bench) just need a couple of extra pieces for depth, a low end vet signing and a late round pick would do the trick.

There is a major difference between trying to give people accurate information and being in a state of complete denial. Trump was literally lambasting the media as blowing up a non-issue just several days ago. But now you want me to believe that Trump is super serious about this? Get the ***** out of here. You say that everyone has Trump derangement syndrome or just listens to the mainstream media. I don't have cable, don't watch cable or mainstream news, and I mostly get my news from the AP. I follow Trump on Twitter he was downplaying this for weeks. You can suck off Trump all you want all the time but a straight reading of his Twitter feed by anyone would show you a man with both too much time on his hands and in a serious state of denial. Also the Swine Flu was not as easily transmitted because it had a much shorter incubation period. It's not the same, quit trying to defend everything the guy from the Apprentice does.

I think so but now they get a chance to see what he has to offer in camp and kick the tires before cutting him. In fact they get less dead cap if they cut him late in camp than they would if they just cut him outright.