billsfan89

Rex Ryan always threw DL into coverage when he was with the Jets. If a DE or NT backs into coverage and you blitz off the edge mentally it throws QB's off as there are bodies where there shouldn't be. Personally I don't like seeing it often in a defense, but as a wrinkle thrown in now and again it seems to be effective.

Jags for the first time in a long are a very interesting team. Offensively they put up some numbers in 2015, Allen Robinson emerged as a legit number 1 receiver, Hurns emerged as a legit number 2 threat, and most importantly Bortles looked like he could be a franchise QB with over 4000 yards and 35 TD's second in the NFL. They also have a lot of offensive talent that could be tapped into Marquise Lee could be turned into a quality third receiver, Julius Thomas is pretty solid big target over the middle, and TJ Yeldon out the backfield could develop into a more than solid running back (Chris Ivory, Marcedes Lewis, and Denard Robinson are also solid secondary options depth wise). Their defense was pretty horrid but they added a lot of talent. Malik Jackson is a stud interior linemen, Dante Fowler could have an impact returning from injury, and they drafted two highly regarded defenders in Ramsey and Jack. Overall if their offense rounds out to be more consistent and their defense improves to be more solid they could win their division or make a run at the playoffs. But as far as their "No huddle" offense goes I don't think it will be successful if it is ran similar to the way Marone ran the Bills offense. But the offense is talented enough to make strides to be an elite unit and their defense could improve enough to give their offense enough support.

Berman had a good run, esp since he has been at it since 1979, at 61 I thought he would do it for a few more years before hanging it up. His style was a bit outdated but he was always fun to see.

True but mobile QB's also take more sacks because they keep plays alive. That has it's upside in that you sometimes see more mobile QB's have less intentional throw aways or rushed throws, but you also risk more sacks and fumbles. In the end good QB decision making is the key factor but sacks with mobile QB's can be a misleading stat. If a QB scrambles and loses a yard or makes no gain that counts as a sack even though throwing the ball away would have resulted in essentially the same thing maybe one yard more but it doesn't count as a sack.

No need to rush but if Sammy likely misses all of the pre-season and camp it could result in a slow start to the season for him. He can keep in shape relatively speaking but nothing can replace camp and pre-season in regard to getting ready for the season. Although I agree it would generally be a very easy transition for him to make.

I suspect Schwartz brought them in to be the Nickle and Dime backs. Honestly McKelvin excelled when Pettine put him in the Nickle and he kept that up the next two seasons when healthy. Brooks never show much and never got much of a chance to develop, he is a pretty solid depth option esp on the cheap. Nolan and Rowe will enter as the starters, given the resources Philly had to work with McKelvin and Brooks as you nickle and dime backs isn't too bad and it's made even better by the familiarity they have with the defensive coordinator and his system. Bradham should also be a pretty decent acquisition for them.

3 lockdown corners with Darby, Gilmore, and Seymour along with a good nickle/dime corner would be a huge advantage but lets see what Seymour can do when it actually counts

The XFL's lasting impact will be that it was the first league to popularize the sky cam. Still used in NFL and most leagues broadcasts. Other than that not much to be positively remembered.

I actually think Big Ben wouldn't have been very successful in Buffalo, early in his Steelers days that team was stacked and they minimized Big Ben's impact on games. They played with a great defense, solid Special Teams, and they had a offense that ran the ball a ton and only asked Big Ben to throw the ball when needed. From 2004-2006 Big Ben wasn't that great of a QB, 2007 he started to get better, 2008 he had an OK regular season but a phenomenal playoff run, 2009 he had a good season and since 2009 he has been putting together good to great seasons consistently. So in those developmental years from 2004 through 2006 I think that Big Ben wouldn't have had a chance to develop with the Bills. Let alone have enough talent around him to work through up and down seasons in 2007 and 2008. Granted it would have been much better than drafting Losman by trading away multiple good picks for a bum QB. But I am not so sure Big Ben would have developed in the same way he did with the Steelers in Buffalo.

As far as obvious moves that clearly should have been made at the time (No one realistically thought Brady should have been drafted by the Bills). Since 2000 the following come to mind. 1- Resigning Pat Williams 2- Drafting Gronk over Troup 3- Drafting Nagta over Whitner 3b- Drafting Mangold over McCargo 4- Not trading up for JP Losman 5- Not drafting CJ Spiller Honorable mention Orakpo over Maybin So many boneheaded moves made in the 2010 and 2006 drafts, on top of that throw in the Losman trade and the failure to resign Pat Williams and you have a long playoff drought. In 1 draft the Bills could have had Nagta and Mangold both would have anchored the interior of both the offensive and defensive lines for the rest of the decade and into the next one. In 2010 they could have selected Earl Thomas, Mike Upati, or JPP and then gotten Gronk. The Losman trade was throwing multiple premium draft picks after a bad QB. But the biggest blunder in terms of obviousness at the time of it happening was Pat Williams, Pat wanted to stay with the Bills seeking a fair offer, but the Bills beyond low balled him and he left for a more than reasonable contract with the Vikings where he was a monster DT from 05 to 09 (Not sure how good he was his last year there in 2010 but he started most of their games that season). The Bills let the man who could have anchored their defense for the next 5-6 years walk away because they low balled him. Just such a stupid move, everyone at the time knew it too which makes it that much more frustrating.

Another kick the tires type player, wouldn't mind bringing him in, but overall I think there are other vet options out there that they should bring in before him.

Would be worth kicking the tires on, more so as a punt and kick returner, the Bills could use an option. As a receiver though I don't think he is anything that much above or below the hodgepodge of what is currently there competing at the 3 WR position.

Boldin would be an interesting kick the tires type player, but 2 players That would be of real interest to the Bills would be Kevin Williams as a vet NT option and Vasquez on the O-line.

I don't see any reason why Tyrod wouldn't improve other than all 31 other defensive coordinators have a book on him. Tyrod has the same offensive weapons and general talent minus Hogan who wasn't the biggest factor and Harvin who got hurt, he has a full season of being the starter under his belt and a full off-season to continue to work with his team as the entrenched starter, and it's also his second year in the offense which should help too. I don't see regression likely but I also see a lack of progression as being possible too. So my biggest concern would be Tyrod having a season slightly below what he did last year and then the Bills have to decide on paying fairly big money to a average QB or letting Tyrod go and moving on. A full regression would at least signal the Bills to move on in a more clear and concise manner.

Probably put him on the PUP list to start the season and get him back around week 7. No need to rush him, one player will not make or break the defense but for the Bills to compete well into December they need him to be healthy.

Better now than during the season. Slightly over 2 months before training camp, should be plenty of time to recover and be back at or close to full force.

The team overall is very thin on offense outside of RB. The team depth wise is pretty thin which is a huge concern as even the best team in the league injury wise still get some players banged up. Hopefully some of the more lesser known players on the roster and some of the low key "depth" signings are as good as we think. Dray isn't very inspiring as a starter if Clay gets hurt, he is a solid backup, good blocker who can make the obvious plays receiving. Kind of shocked the team didn't bring back Scott Chandler, seems like he could be had on the cheap and could actually prove to be an effective supplemental weapon and could add depth. Edit: Just looked it up Chandler suffered a serious knee injury that will knock him out for 2016 and likely for his career. Sad always liked him when he was here.

I think Lawson gets 5-6 sacks if healthy. Which for a rookie is a nice boost to the pass rush and considering that he is a big player projected to do well against the run that's a nice value to add some sacks in the pass rush and hold edge well against the run. I also think with Dareus, Hughes, and Kyle Williams if healthy the Bills pass rush could round back into form much better, Maybe even Washington can add 3-4 sacks and make the defense feel more like a swarm.

Woods will get paid esp if he puts up the numbers we think he will, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Bills have at the very least a chance at keeping him. Right now I hope the Bills can sign Gilmore to an extension and then play out Tyrod and use the tag on him if needed. Woods will likely be able to test the market but I wouldn't be surprised if the Bills put up a competitive offer. I don't see it happening but the new ownership seems to be willing to spend so it could happen.

Past Sammy and Woods there are 3 spots to be had on this roster at WR (Easley has a good shot to be the 6th WR for Special teams purposes). Lewis, Goodwin, Listenbee, Hankerson, and the rest of the camp guys all will be competing for those 3 roster spots. Should be an interesting camp battle but really shows the lack of depth on the Bills roster at the WR position.

I would rank NT as the teams biggest need. Henderson, Mills, and Cyrus are nothing great but I think that it is possible one of those 3 could emerge and do a decent job at RT, not inspiring too much confidence but there is some room for hope there. But the team does not have a true NT on the roster. And for Rex's scheme I think you need a true NT. Dareus at the nose seems like a waste, Kyle Williams could be at the nose but he would also be a waste at the nose, and Washington is unproven and smaller.

Hopefully the Bills can resign Gilmore. I worry about having 2 big important players possibly hitting free agency in Tyrod and Gilmore. The Bills should let Tyrod play out the season, no reason to commit there and you can always franchise tag him if needed. But Gilmore needs to be locked up, the Bills can't have a situation where they tag Tyrod and then Gimore hits the market. 6 foot tall fast corners with good instincts don't grow on trees. The Bills could also free up some more cap space to roll over for next year by getting an extension done. If the Bills do have some money to play with I would likely target two positions for some cheap to modest acquisitions in June cuts. I think the Bills desperately need a true NT on the roster if there is a vet NT out there that they can scoop up at a cheap to modest price I would do it, it should be priority number 1. RT/Swing tackle would be another position the team should scour for a cheap option at. But I wouldn't splurge on anyone. 1- Because no free agents are going to command or be worth big money at this stage. 2- The Bills cap next season needs as much money rolled over to it as possible. Getting 8-10 million roll over for next season could cover half of Tyrod's contract if needed. But if a solid NT or RT is out there post June 1st I would like to see the Bills be active in trying to find some additional proven options there.

Pass, you don't give up a primo pick for a RT that's older and going to cost a lot on your cap. The Bills have to resign Gilmore and possibly give a big deal to Taylor. I don't think they can afford both if they add another big cap number. Now that's not saying RT isn't a big need on the roster but I would rather roll with what's on the roster right now if it means that they can have a good chance at retaining Gilmore and TT as well as keep their draft choices.

I think this could be Shady's last year with the team. He is a very good player but he always seems to get banged up in recent years. His guaranteed money ends after this season so cutting him would be fairly simple after this season. And with Gilmore and TT needing new deals they could really need the 8 million in cap space, they could also have a good RB in Karlos waiting in the wings. I think that he will still give the team good production but he likely won't be worth the huge cap commitment and I don't think he would restructure his deal to stay with the team. I think they get a solid year out of him this season and then trade or cut him, mainly because of how strapped the team could be in retaining key pieces.

By the time Sammy's contract is due up 3 years from now (2 more years left on his deal plus you assume they have a 5th year option) there will be plenty of space to fit him in even if TT, Glen, and Gilmore are on huge deals. First off as you said the cap increases are a plus but players will decline and their will be cuts, the McCoy's, InCog's, E.Woods, Kyle Williams, Jerry Hughes, and Clay's currently on big deals will likely decline and their bigger numbers be off the team at least that will be the case for most of them. I would worry about trying to fit Glenn, Gilmore, and TT onto next years roster as the amount of fat to cut next season will be a lot less and TT's contract could be huge. If they can make it with those three next year, I would feel very comfortable about fitting players onto the team soon after.