billsfan89

Cassel to me is a sign that they really want EJ to improve. Cassel is a fallback option a complete game manager. If Cassel is the only QB they go after its a sign they are hoping for the best with EJ and preparing for the worst by having a decent backup option.

Bring in Hughes and a good guard, then resign Searcy and bring in David Harris is my very unlikely dream scenario. Then the team could draft a tight end in the second round to add one final piece to the offense and then just draft for depth the rest of the way. Sadly I don't see Hughes coming back as I think some team with a lot of cap space is going to overpay him with a 10+ million dollar contract. If that's the case then the Bills should be much more aggressive with smaller and mid sized signings. Go after a good guard and tightend. Sign David Harris and resign Searcy.

I like your idea of teams renting cap space. But I think that it would only lead to cheap owners selling off massive amounts of their cap space for mid to late round picks simply as a way to reach the floor and avoid having to spend while at the same time getting cheap young players. It would really throw off the competitive balance of the league. I could imagine the Bengals selling off 30 million in cap space every year.

I think he goes to Denver on a one year deal. Denver is going to lose their powerhouse run stuffer to the Raiders in all likelihood. With their cap situation not being the best they might want to find a cheaper vet to fill that role. That being said I would love to see Wilfork come here. Imagine a 3-4 D-line look of Kyle Williams-Wilfrok-Dareus with Mario and Hughes (If we are able to keep him) at the OLB. That being said I don't think it will happen but it would be a very Rex Ryan like move.

Plenty of fat on the roster that can be cut as well (Urbik and Williams combined saves the team 5-6 million as another poster mentioned) Mario restructuring also could add about 5 million to the cap. So assuming they rework Mario's deal and cut one of those more costly guards could save Hugh's cap hit alone. Then the team could go after a big acquisition or spread the remaining cap room around. I also think they could rework McCoy's deal to save 2-3 million on the cap as well which could help. The cap isn't a major issue for this team although the impending resigning of Dareus could lead to a tough decision or two next year.

I suspect that the Bills will either resign Hughes and then make a couple of smaller to mid-level additions or the Bills don't resign Hughes they will be much more active at least going after two more meaty acquisitions.

No he hasn't, until this team gets to the playoffs everything is right to question. However he shouldn't be view as a idiot either, a healthy skepticism is the right tone.

Harris as a Running down MLB in a role similar to Spikes on a one year reasonable 3-4 million a year deal would be great. It adds depth and someone who can help out with the finer points of Rex's system.

Matt Ryan was pretty good his first year (3500 yards, 16 TD's to 11 INT's, led the Falcons to a playoff game). He has since gone on to be a top 10 QB in the league. Matthew Stafford really caught on in his third year after struggling on the field and with injuries. Cam Newton was pretty good his rookie year (4000 passing yards and 21 TD's to 17 INT's along with 700 rushing yards), Newton looks like he will develop into a pretty good QB although he seems to have been a little up and down the past few years. Tony Romo sat his first year and then played well his second year and really broke out in his third year. Aaron Rodgers sat his first three years and then played well out of the gate. Phillip Rivers sat for two years and played pretty well out of the box. Ben Rothlisberger played in a Wilson like system where he wasn't asked to carry the team and then grew into a much better QB in his 4th season. Just a few more examples.

I wounder how much the Raiders, Jags, and Jets and teams with 40+ million in cap space will spend. All three of those teams don't have major extensions like the Colts and all 3 have a lot of needs.

I think they are hoping the market for Hughes isn't as good as he thinks (Lots of pass rushers on the market) or that they hope to negotiate in good faith similar to the way they locked up Stevie. But I wouldn't be surprised to see Hughes on another team. Without Hughes the team has a ton of cap space even if Dareus getting an extension. Hopefully they can take the money and spend it on a guard and tight end. Then go after a pass rusher who may be cheaper.

I don't see this happening. EJ will get a chance to be the starter. I suspect the team will bring in a QB to challenge EJ and give a backup plan.

I would love to have Stevie back as I think the combo of Stevie, Sammy, and Woods would be really good with Hogan the 4th WR and maybe draft or sign a cheap big body. But signing Stevie would need to be accompanied by getting a good tight end either through the draft or through free agency. The team could use Stevie who I think could make for a great slot WR but the team would also still need to get a big more dynamic red zone target too. That being said I don't think Stevie would return unless the market for him isn't there and the Bills offer him a one year mid-level prove it deal. I think Stevie would rather go to a team with a really good QB and try to pile up good numbers and chase a ring.

Pass plenty of guards out there that could be had. I guess if the first tier guards go over priced he might be a decent fall back option.

I think the team will be active in free agency. Hughes resigning is 50/50 but I do think they will pick up another guard at a more than modest price. I also think they could make a couple of other mid level moves mostly on offense. Either way it should continue to be an interesting off-season.

Wynn is definitely a guy that could be useful in Ryan's scheme and provide a lot of helpful depth. Would like the move if they did it.

True Charles Clay could command in the range of 6 million but teams could look at those contracts and not want to give out big money to those mid level tight ends. Markets always go up and down due to performance of previous contracts. So it could be a sort of market correction. I wouldn't invest more than 4-5 million in Clay, his injury history is a huge concern.

If the price is fair then I think its a solid move. Clay would be a good combo with Chandler as Clay is really versatile in blocking and where he can play.

Goodwin is on the bubble, I assume. The Bills will give him a good shot to make the team but if he doesn't preform well in the pre-season I think its likely Rex would cut him.

I think they are worried about Searcy costing a lot. Spikes is a role player who will likely command low to mid level starter money. I don't see how they could let Searcy go if he only commands a modest salary.

EJ got really hamstrung by the injuries he incurred his rookie year. That was the year he would have gotten a full 16 games to start with low expectations. But the Bills great defense last season put a lot of pressure on him to win now and he didn't get a full 16 in the year before due to injuries.

I would rather spread the money around rather than go after Revis or resign Hughes. Go after a big ticket guard in the 5-7 million a year . Gilmore, Graham, and McKelvin all are pretty good and I think Robey could be a solid dime back. I would much rather go after a guard and bring back Searcy and Spikes than spend the money on Revis or even Hughes. Rex had an outstanding CB duo with Revis and Cromartie in 2010. They basically dialed up a ton of exotic blitzes and packages while having those two lock down the top receivers of the opposing team.

The NFL does need a farm system. Sometimes players have warts in their games that can be fixed or improved with playing. QB's and even most other positions don't really get developed if players struggle out the box. Playing time in the NFL is very limited, coaches and GM's are playing for their jobs now they don't have that much time to develop a player. A farm system would really help players get a second lease on life as well as improve the overall quality of the league (players improving their game with playing time will lead to better players in the league). Baseball has local A, AA, and AAA teams plus the Japan and various other international leagues. The NHL has the AHL and the NBA has various Euro leagues and has really started to develop the NBA D-League. The NFL use to have NFL Europe and the CFL still exists but the CFL isn't the same rules and the NFL teams have no direct relationship.

If they sign McCown its a sign they are all in on EJ. McCown is a solid veteran backup but by no means should really be a starting option. I would like to bring in a better QB like Sanchez or Locker one that could actually improve over EJ as opposed to just being an option if EJ fails.

Bills still need depth at WR, if you aren't going to go after a big TE you should go after a WR like Jackson. Only thing is what free agent WR is going to come here with the QB situation we have.