billsfan89

I think Olsen is done, age 35 with a serious injury history and a lot of miles on him I don't see him having much left in the tank. Would I hate signing him to a one year deal on the cheap? No, he isn't the worst stop gap option to replace Kroft and help mentor Knox/Sweeney. But I think this team could do better at TE.

From a football perspective Brady makes sense for the Titans, they have a top 10 defense, a beastly ground game, a good O-line and solid receivers (AJ Brown is a good WR, Humphries seems like a white slot receiver that would work great with Brady, and Smith as a TE is decent.) But I don’t see Brady being a game manager as a good deal for the Titans unless Tanny wants too much money and they would rather commit to Brady for one year than have a huge cap number for Tanny the next 2-3 years? The more and more I think about it if Brady is going to leave he is going to the Raiders. Vegas presents a glamour opportunity and a fit football wise. Assuming the Raiders trade Carr for picks and little salary the Raiders would have about 76 million in cap space along with another up to 20-30 million in space depending on roster cuts. The Raiders could give Brady a one year 30 million dollar deal and still have 40-70 million dollars in cap space to play with along with two picks in round 1 and two picks in round 3 and whatever picks you would get in a Carr trade to build the roster around Brady. It just lines up much better as the Titans would almost be improbably lucky to retain Conklin, Henry and add Brady let alone have any space to add players.

The cheerleaders and the gimmicks (along with the general marketing of the league) contributed to a bad image that turned off the general public from the product. As they righted the rules of the game as the season went on the league had already had a toxic image that turned off anyone that would have been willing to give it a second chance. But I do agree that the quality of the football was the major factor of what held the league back.

McD's focus on the roster was to gut the roster and build it and the culture of the team from the ground up. The 2017 team was a fairly mid-level offense with some of its best players often injured (Glenn, Clay and Watkins) and a lot of other key players on the older and likely to be declining side (Shady and InCog.) The QB was a decent QB but one who had limitations and had most likely reached his ceiling. I think a tear down was completely justified. And it took 2 years to trade away players or let their contracts get into a place where they could be cut. I do agree that in 2018 they could have handled the QB situation much better as I think the plan was to never have Josh start on that depleted offense for a large chunk of that season but they bungled the whole Peterman thing big time. But by 2019 they spent almost all of their cap space and 3 out of their first 4 draft choices on the offensive end. Yes the WR position was left a little lacking but they did bring in two quality professional WR's and there was only so much they could do in one off-season. I think that once McBeane had the cap space to build around the QB they really started to invest in the offense in a real way. They essentially rebuild and O-line, backfield and upgraded the WR position significantly in one off-season, when all they had were 2 starters from 2018.

He was just chronically overpaid for some reason. He was a decent player, ranged from solid rotational DE to a JAG but never outright bad. But he was paid like a starting DE. Never got paid as an elite player but always was getting paid between 5-8 million for a period of 5-6 years for some reason.

That's on the Bills management for not seeing through him and taking Orakpo. Maybin tried hard when he was here (Or at least that's how I remember it), he just wasn't a good enough athlete to make it work in the NFL. I don't hate players that try hard but just end up sucking. You give your best effort and act like a professional is all I ask from anyone on the Bills. It is lazy players that I hate as a fan. I think Mike Williams strikes me as a player who will always piss me off.

I think the XFL could be successful as it seems like they have actually thought out the rules more. The rules seem to be developed by football people and not marketing people like the first time around. The game seems to be more focused on being a spring football league as opposed to a XTREME League where they play real football. I think their general approach seems to be much better than the 2001 approach.

Given that Sammy is still young I think he could develop into a DeSean Jackson type burner which is a solid mid-level WR1. But the Bills drafted him to be a complete game changing WR one of the best at his position. He just never lived up to that billing and he might not even get to that D Jax level he flashes the potential to be.

Although I think Sammy did have his issues that were on him I could understand what he is saying IF (and this is unknown) McD had assured Sammy that he was a big part of their future and that they want him there long term (which considering his age at the time and the fact that he was a blue chip player inherited by McD is possible) and then they turn around and trade him would scar a players trust in coaches. Sammy had probably by 2017 never had an issue staying on a team or believing a coach when they said they wanted him. I would assume he was heavily recruited out of high school and was a star in college, he was then drafted by Buffalo high up and survived a coaching change from Marrone to Rex. Then suddenly a new coach trades you in pre-season (possibly after being reassured you are part of the teams plans) and you are in a position as a player you never have been in. I don't think that is an unreasonable emotion for a player to have. And I don't blame McD for pulling that type of move, for one he could have actually felt that Sammy was a part of the team's future when he got there until realizing he had attitude issues or he just wanted to preserve his trade value by not announcing he was trading Sammy. It just ended up being a bitter situation for both parties that needed to end when it did. Sammy seems to have matured a bit the past year or so and he is doing well. The Bills got a pick used to trade up for Josh and a good season out of a corner for him.

Depending on what this team does in free agencyI can honestly see this team going with a WR in 2 out of the first 3 picks, either going for value in round 1 with an Edge or Corner and then double dipping into WR pool in round 2 and 3 or going with a WR round 1 and going back and getting some depth in round 3. Beasley is older and Brown is only signed for 2 more years and has a bit of an injury history. I can’t see them going WR in both rounds 1 and 2 but I think they could easily go 2 out of 3 in another fashion. WR is not only an immediate need but the position is older and lacks depth (not too impressed with Foster, jury still out on Duke and Mac is more of a gadget WR) so I can see them pushing the talent at WR up a notch and getting younger quickly.

Ty is older but he only has 66 games played and 17 starts in the NFL. He didn’t start his pro career until 24 years old and even then he played 3 years in arena football and several years as a backup. So the mileage on him isn’t as bad as a typical 34 year old he even came back from his injury this year to play so I would understand them feeling comfortable with Ty as a plan B in case Ford struggles. I agree that they should resign Spain but then I think a lot of fans are worried that if they resign Spain that means they likely are sticking with the Ty/Ford combo at RT (as it would be unlikely they would want Ford and Ty on the bench.) Personally I trust this regimes ability to assess the talent on the roster and if they feel good with the Ty/Ford combo then I think that’s the best move. I don’t think they are going with a RT in round 2 unless they let Spain walk (Then I see them kicking Ford inside and drafting a tackle up high) but I think the more prudent move would be to resign Spain and stick with the Ford/Ty combo. Now if they resigned Spain and drafted a RT in round 2 I wouldn’t hate it as I am almost always in support of improving the O-line and it would make the Bills O-line by far the deepest in the league. But in a league with limited draft resources and cap space I think the regime resigning Spain would be a sign that they are comfortable with what they have and would more likely add a mid round pick and add depth as opposed to adding a starting piece.

He is a nice gadget player but I don't see Hill being someone worth sinking a draft pick and 3-4 million into. He works so well with the Saints but I think his impact with Buffalo would be limited.

Sure, this study kind of goes over it. Compared to Western Europe, Japan and Canada the US produces about 36% of all new drugs put out on the market. Which sounds like a huge win for the private sector but keep in mind the US's population is 5 times greater than the UK and the UK produces about 10% of new drugs. And a large chunk of the US's new drugs are developed by the NIH which is a public enterprise. There are many nations that produce a lot of new drugs at or near the rate of the US. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2866602/ Pharmaceutical innovation is an international enterprise. Higher prescription drug spending in the United States does not disproportionately privilege domestic innovation. Conversely, many countries with national health systems and drug pricing regulation were significant contributors to pharmaceutical innovation.

I wonder if they are fine with the Ford/Ty combo at RT and will resign Spain and just keep the o-line together (while maybe adding a depth player or two.) I know fans weren't too thrilled with Ford's play and the general consensus is that Ty was decent but an upgrade is desirable. However I think that Ford played better down the stretch after Ty got hurt although he was still a bit up and down. I wonder where they go with the RT and LG position. Dawkins at LT is a lock, Mitch at Center is a lock and Feliciano at RG is a lock but the LG and RT positions are definitely up in the air. They could resign Spain or let Spain walk (save cap space) and kick Cody in at LG and then draft or sign an RT to compete with Ty at RT. Or they could resign Spain and keep things together? I think given the track record of McBeane's drafting they are likely to stick with Ford/Ty at RT and resign Spain. As a fan I am OK with either option. I think the O-line last year was good not great but good and I think Ford could improve enough to help the O-line get better along with the O-line having a year together which will result in better chemistry. But I am never against any attempt to add more to the O-line.

The rate of innovation from the National Institute of health (the US tax payer funded drug research program) is greater than the US private sector. Even France and other nations with socialized medical research innovate at rates at or above the US private sector

Newark has some decent spots mostly in the Iron bound that are gentrified (I enjoy seeing a hockey game there). Everywhere has ***** areas and places that aren't safe so I dont know many cities or states that lack areas you could "do without". I lived in Northern NJ up until late 2018 and while I couldn't stand the harsh winters I always enjoyed the area. But yes the pompous nature of a lot of people in NYC can be infuriating. As though you couldn't really possibly enjoy living in a different area.

According to Sportrac the players you want would cost about Cooper 19.7 million Yannick 17.1 million Conklin 15 million Hooper 10 million That's about 62 million in cap space for 4 players and that's on the middle of the road for them as I suspect that would be closer to 70 million to get them and that pretty much takes you out of the running to resign your own free agents. Yes the Bills do have the cap space to make it work but I just think you are setting yourself up for disappointment to think Beane would sign 4 top free agents like that. One big splash is a good chance, two possible but unlikely, three or four almost impossible. McBeane has shown to like depth and salary flexibility. These big names tie up huge signing bonuses which would hurt this team's ability to resign players long term.

Bojo and Haush should be given camp competition to earn their spots. Both had very uneven and inconsistent seasons last year and they should have to earn their spots in camp. Ferguson seems OK, Roberts is a quality return man and I think DiMarco (ST ace supposedly) all will have a niche on the roster on special teams.

I don't have anything "against" kickers but I don't like having too much of a game coming down to a kicker. I get that not matter what there are going to be games where kickers are the difference between winning and losing. But I would prefer to have a niche position like kicker not decide the game as much as possible.

Loving the XFL rules (although I think they will have to adjust one or two) in general. I think overall it is excellent to see a league experimenting with rules that speed up the game and minimize the kicker.

Hunt wouldn't be a bad addition, but I don't think he fits with what the Bills need out of a running back behind Singletary. Singletary in my mind is a Lev Bell (although not as talented and a bit smaller) type lead back who can be used in both passing situations and early down situations. What the Bills need is a big time bruiser back who can work over the short yardage situations and take some early down work off of Singletary. Hunt in my mind is more of a receiving back who can do some early down work (like Singletary) but certainly isn't a bruiser or short yardage back. Now since Hunt is talented I wouldn't mind adding him at the right price. But overall I just don't see him being the kind of player the Bills want and that's just talking about on the field fit. Factoring in the off-field issues I would say this team definitely stays away.

I do think Murphy is likely to be cut although not a lock. Given the front offices love of depth along the O-line I expect them to restructure Long's deal and keep him (He is a solid versatile backup.) But it is possible they cut Long and spend that money elsewhere. As far as your surprise cuts. Andre Roberts- No way he is cut 0% chance, he makes peanuts and brings good production for his position. No idea why he is on this list. Star- I also see a very low probability he gets cut. Yes his cap number is huge but the savings are minimal. Star also turned it on late last season (After a rough mid-part of the year and a so/so start) and showed that he can anchor a run defense. Haush- I think it is a good chance he stays but a real possibility he is cut. I think his roster status is fairly safe but if he struggles in camp and pre-season and a kicker in competition with him does well I could see the team cutting him loose. Kroft- I think this should be in the expected cuts category. I think it is a great than 80% chance he gets cut. DiMarco- As a fullback he is massively overpaid for a niche position. But he is supposedly a special teams ace and given that his contract is fairly low I think they keep him although there is a slight chance they cut him. Lee Smith- They love having Smith in the locker room with Knox and Sweeny. Yes his position is very niche (and he isn’t that great at it) but I think this is another example of a veteran player McBeane loves and will show some weird loyalty to. Yeldon- 50/50 on this one, he is a decent third string RB who isn’t on a massive contract. But he isn’t a big special teams guy. Depending on what other competition they have at that position for him and how well he does in camp will determine if he makes the roster. Out of this list I would only say that Kroft is one I for sure expect to get cut. I think Long will if he refuses to restructure his deal while Yeldon and Haush could be victims of camp battles but that is going to be determined in the process of training camp. I would also say Murphy is likely to be cut but not a lock. The rest I don’t see getting cut.

I wouldn't mind a one year deal in the 7-8 million range. Draft a rookie in round 1 or 2 behind him and have Perriman there as a stop gap to ease a rookie in. Then after a year let Perriman go and get paid long term elsewhere. But I think Perriman is going to try and get paid long term which may or may not happen.

Pass, you would see 2-4 teams like the Bengals become intentional bottom feeders renting cap space for cheap draft picks and selling it off for money. I think that there could be some trades like the Oswiler trade where the Browns absorbed a bad contract and got a 2nd round pick in exchange for a 4th rounder.

Eli Manning had two of the All-Time best playoff runs in NFL history. In 2007 he beat Tampa Bay away (Modest upset) and then upset Tony Romo and TO's Cowboys away, beat Brett Farve's last ride Packers teams in Lambo, and then upset a 18-0 Pats team. All with clutch plays in each of those games to seal a victory. In 2011 Eli Beat Matt Ryan at home in round 1 (probably the only game in this 8 game stretch they were favored and the only one they were at home for), then beat a 15-1 Packers team that was the defending champs led by Aaron Rodgers with a stacked team in his prime, then went on the road to a very tough 49ers team led by Harbaugh's break out team, and then beat one of the stronger Pats teams who sported a great O-line, Gronk and Hernandez in a unique two tight end set along with Wes Welker at his best and Dion Branch who came back to have a decent season. Overall that's two of the best playoff runs I have ever seen a QB put together to go 8-0. I also think that Eli had some good years in the regular season and from 2005-2012 never had a losing season. Eli's career record from 2005 (his second season) to 2016 had a 107-85 record (a 56% winning percentage.) I think overall while his career in the regular season is very Drew Bledsoe like you take a good but not great regular season resume and combine it with 2 spectacular all time great playoff runs I think you get a HOF player.