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I just did some research to see what cap hits were for safeties in 2014. Only 5 safeties are over 8 million in total cap hit, only 1 over 8 million for base salary, only 3 safeties north of 40 million, and only 1 safety north of 20 million guaranteed. These all include the outlier that is the Eric Berry contract. I'm thinking that Parker severely overplayed his hand. Byrd on the open market may be able to get 5 years 40 million but it doesn't appear that any team is jumping at the chance to give it to him. I am hoping that Parker screws the pooch for him here. Whether he has to come back to Buffalo at the deal they offered or gets stuck taking a sub par offer from another team. Mostly because I can't stand his tactics as an agent even though I understand them. To this point he has been successful as well so some egg on his face would make me happy. I agree with this. If he is having a hard time getting 8 million at 28 how much can he reasonably expect at 31?

So the Bills have approximately 25 million in cap room. Leaving 5 million out for rookies how would you spend your 20 million? Rules: 1. Lay out the contract (years/money) for ease of the game just divide salary by years. 2. Spend as much as you want however you want (extensions for current players/fa signings) 3. Build the best team possible! My signings: 1. Austin Howard RT 4 years/ 20 million total - 5 million spent 2. Geoff Schwartz LG 4 year/ 20 million total - 10 million spent 3. Jairus Byrd S 5 years/45 million - 19 million spent (you didn't think I'd let him go did you!)

Matthews. He played 3 years there in college and excelled.

Yes he is.

I'm starting to think there was a bit of genius in what the Bills did. First they float that they will franchise him. This may cause some teams to not exactly due to their diligence on him as he won't be available so why bother. They then craft their off-season plan without him in consideration. Second they float 3 years 30 million dollars. This lets teams know that it will take 10 million per year to get him. Even if they had thought about him this had to give at least a couple of teams pause forcing them to re-evaluate whether they wanted to spend that kind of money on a safety. This strategy (if I'm even close) forces teams to make high dollar decisions rapidly without a lot of preparation. I'm a kool-aid drinker and an optimist so I may be just imagining all of this but I'm starting to see the logic and ingenuity in all of this. Aaaaannnnddd just as I post I get brought back to reality. He is only looking for 9 million a year but turned down 10 from the Bills? Maybe he does just want to leave then . This is going to be an interesting few days...

I just want to know why? What has he shown in his 3+ years in the league? Besides some college highlights what makes you want him? I for one don't want him. As a low cost free agent signing I would be intrigued but to give up a draft pick? Hell no. Major character concerns in college and poor performance against players no longer in the league lead me to that conclusion. What makes you say yes? His strong arm? There are many players throughout league history who have failed with strong arms. One needs much more than that to be succesful. So what would you be willing to give to the Pats* and what would be your expectations of Mallet? Superstar qb? If they thought he would be one do you think they would shop him let alone to a division rival?

In CNY it will be about 30% picking Cuse at least. All of the people who fill out brackets but don't pay attention will pick them. I agree about your strategy and will also be picking Wichita St to win in at least one of my brackets.

I agree completely and would say if they win they would definitely get a 1 seed. I would prefer a 1 seed but as long as they go Buffalo MSG I don't really care what seed they are. I would love to see them win the ACC tournament but that would be a tall order with their short bench. However since they don't play until Friday they will have only played 1 game in 10 days by the time the game rolls around. Hopefully that is enough time for them to get their legs back, Keita's knee to recover more, and Grant to feel better.

Good win... forget everything I said above lol. It was nice to see them finally respond to the other teams run. Miami closed it to 1 and then I believe they went on an 18-2 to seal it. Grant is such a huge difference maker for this team. He gives them that 3rd offensive answer and is by far our most complete big man. I think everyone can step back from the ledge now. If they can make the ACC final I think that a 2 seed is certainly attainable. Looks like if everything goes chalk we will have another Duke Cuse game.

Yes this is correct. I wouldn't play grant and would try to get fair and cooney as much rest as possible results be damned. Having them fresh for the acc and ncaa tourney would matter much more. Beating fsu in the process would be nice but getting rest and healthy would be my top priority.

I saw this on Walter Football as well but haven't been able to track down anything about it. Can anyone find a link that speaks more about this or was it said on a radio show? It would be a great signing and sounds like one of the guys Whaley was talking about when mentioning that they would be aggressive. As for the wanting RT or LG he can actually play both which allows for some flexibility in the draft. Whatever the bpa is at either of those positions can be selected and Schwartz can play the other spot. He took over as the Chiefs’ right guard in Week 12 because of an injury to Jon Asamoah, starting five of the next six games, only resting for the Week 17 game against San Diego. Schwartz showed his versatility in that game, however, as he played right tackle. He played in 14 games total last season, including three at left guard, where he also made one start. It also appears that he played some rt for the Panthers. It does appear that G is his best position but RT isn't out of the question. Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2014/02/28/4856386/chiefs-show-interest-in-bringing.html#storylink=cpy

I think Allen and Mario would get along great. Both are outdoors-men. Unfortunately I can see him taking a discount deal to go to a contender. I would love to add him though.

I'm kind of surprised that there is no mention of Watkin's pro day here... Here is a link and there is more on Bleacher Report as well. Any inside scoop from Twitter about how it went? It appears that 31 teams were there - who the missed it?! It seems he let his combine performance speak for itself. Maybe that is why nobody started a thread

Yes cutting off your nose to spite your face is always the best strategy.

I fancy myself a bit of a football nut and did a who? when i saw this but I loved that video. Loved everything he said including loving the physicality of the game, having to be the leader, and having to be vocal. Now I'm gonna have to do some digging...

I think that is actually a good thing. With how far below the cap they are taking the hit now would be a benefit before the big dollars of the contract kick in. Say it was even a 4 million bonus. That means they will be paying 5.5 for those 4 years which makes the contract an even better deal. The numbers really seem to be in the Bills favor if AW can play as good as last year let alone get better.

Chandler Jones is under contract for 2 more years so I don't think he'll be a target...

Except he won't. It is an EXTENSION. JW can correct me if I'm wrong but the 4 years and 26 million will kick in after his rookie deal expires. Meaning next year he will make $1,673,185. Thomas - 2013 3,500,000 next year 5,175,000 Chancellor - 2103 3,878,402, next year 5,725,000 Goldson - 2013 8,735,295 next year 9,000,000 So after next year is it reasonable to think he would command 6.5 million on the open market? Considering that would make him the 8th highest safety right now before this year and next year's free agency (TJ Ward and Byrd will certainly command more) which would make it at most the 10th highest safety contract, yes I think it is very reasonable to assume. edited to include link to cap hits.

I really can't see him sitting out and blaming health as the reason. This would be huge detriment to him going into next years free agency. Back to back years with injuries does not get someone a huge multi-year deal. If he does plain sit out then the contract will be pro rated for the games he signs for. The reason he got the full deal last year is he signed it before the 1st game so as not to lose any money.

Many people have said this so it is directed only at you but.... Byrd, if he were to be tagged, could not employ the same tactic as this year. Does anyone really think a team would be willing to pay 3 years 30 million to someone who has missed time the last 2 years due to injury? It would hurt his stock much more than the isolated incident of this year. Even if he says it isn't an injury but he isn't happy with the organization's designation. He is telling every team that he isn't interested in helping the team out he is interested in helping himself out. This would also scare away some potential suitors. Add in the fact that he will be 28 next year and a 10 million per year salary would be even harder to get for 3+ years. Tagging him definitely seems to be the smart thing to do unless as some have speculated, that the Bills have made their final offer and told him if he can get more good for him and if not the offer will be here. I could see that as a positive and a way to actually improve their reputation with players around the league. The Bills will treat you fairly would be the takeaway. It may well be but how many big deals get negated in the first 3 years? The only way that happens is if Byrd doesn't live up to the deal both this year and next. Even if injured next year he would certainly get year 2 to show he had recovered and more than likely even year 3 as the first would be dismissed as it takes time to get your game back. The chances of him not getting at least 3 years completed are infinitesimally small to me. Now there may be a steep cliff after the first 3 years but I would be surprised if it dropped to 4 mill as KTD estimated.

Safety is one of those positions that is becoming more valuable instead of less. Much like TE and opposite of RB. As the league trends more to a passing style it makes sense that they would and will become more expensive to keep. I put some info earlier in this thread that there is money to sign Byrd without it causing too much trouble down the road as well. I'll agree with your player comparisons and that Byrd doesn't play like them except for Reed. Both of them were much more ball hawks than they were that extra lb. Reed was a roamer and had amazing ball skills. Much of that had to do with the talent in front of him. Polamalu was the rare blend of hard hitter/ball hawk that Thomas may also turn out to be.

Am I reading this wrong? Doesn't this say McDonalds has the best wings?!!?!?

That is what I thought. I would think this would be great move for the Bills. It would fill a definite need and push down the priority of drafting one at 9. It would certainly give them options heading into the draft.

I'm not sure. I'm also wondering, in conjunction with this, since he has been cut is he free to negotiate now? Or does he have to wait until March 11th as well?

Philly is notorious for not caving to players fwiw. This deal is an incredibly rich one for Peters which is why it likely got done. 5 years and 50+ million invested in a guy who has 2 blown out achilles in his past, is 32, and has only played one full season since 2006.