BigBuff423

I really liked Reader as much as anyone else on this board (well, maybe not *that* much) but we really need to evaluate the value of the contract as much as the contribution because in the end that's what you're paying for: how their contribution fits within the larger framework of the team. Getting Jefferson and Butler on cheaper contracts with versatility helps spread out the liability while having some production and enhanced versatility along the D-line. I think we've all seen so far in the first three Off-Seasons of the McBeane era, they value versatility quite a bit. In the end, the Bills FO believed the price was too rich - and team that started with ~$90 in Cap space, that speaks volumes to me in how they wanted to go about their business. I also think Poyer's extension played a role in determining his demands were too costly. All things considered let's remember: every time you spend a dollar on one player, it takes a dollar away from another players. Allocation - and to me, Beane has done a very good job with it thus far, but only time will tell.

Well, the Bills let Lawson and Phillips go, so there's Addison and Butler, then Liuget could equal Jefferson. So, really they're presumably upgrading guys they lost, not just adding to the numbers. I realize your statement was probably sarcasm, but I'm just throwing this out there as a means to bringing some clarity to the "why" when this isn't the only place I've seen the question or concern about Buffalo targeting Defensive players over Offensive players.

Because, 1. They prioritized Offense last year in FA and the trade for a true, proven #1 WR is what they would have done in the draft without the NFL resume’ and 2. The Draft this year is loaded with great Offensive talent. Also, a slight aside, but RB is now the only Offensive position that really needs depth at this point in FA. And none of the signings preclude the Bills from taking any position (except QB) in rounds 2-4.

This is the exact type of value Beane and McD love and strive to obtain. I’m here for it! Beane keeps grinding these gears for great players.

Howard would have been nice, but really - IMHO - a luxury get at FA. Honestly, between WR and RB, this Draft can produce Day 1 starters through 3 Rounds, maybe 4. I completely understand the need to have Diggs come in for a 1st round pick, makes total sense and very good value at this point. However, spend too much money on a RB when a very good RB can be had in the 3rd or 4th round, or heck, if you really want one, get him in the 2nd. I'd think another DE, CB and OT would be targets at this point. Draft WR / RB / S would be priorities after that and maybe LB or CB depth. But money on a RB like Gordon, just doesn't compute in my mind. Give me Peyton Barber and Draft a quick change of pace receiving RB all day long and then sign Chris Harris and Bulaga or another RT the Bills love and Griffen for depth / situational pass rush.

I have to say I'm a little torn about this news, because in some ways I wanted the Bills to put him on his backside and stomp all over NE while he was the QB and take that AFCE Division crown by force. However, I'm also so very, very sick of seeing Brady in every game with NE came off as a the fair-haired god to football in the division and seeing him run for the hills of a different pasture as he nears retirement, also gives me a little happy pep in my step. Regardless, it's a new age, a new era and a fresh beginning for Buffalo that actually started three years ago, but comes to fruition in the Fall of 2020.

I was not in the Diggs camp when initially there were discussions about his potential trade to Buffalo - but honestly, after re-thinking this and going through all of the positives, namely his immediate contribution vs. Rookie WR that needs to learn and grow, along with his age being his prime productive years and his fair contract for 4 more years, while truly giving up a 1st this year and a 4th next year, this is a very fair and potentially tremendous value for the Bills. I'm all aboard the Diggs train, especially if the Offense continues to evolve and Josh Allen grows as a result. Let's Go Bills!

Indy is the team I would pick for Brady.

But if the agreement is contingent on a physical, then the actual in-person contact will need to be made to make the agreement binding. I’m sure there will be some legal hedging in the language to help protect against all of the “backing out” but I still wonder what the implications will be.

I wonder if the “agreement in principle” clause, due to the possibly long delay of pen to paper, will result in more defaults in agreement due to buyer’s remorse? Like, someone agrees, everybody is happy and then someone else gets more, and they think “Well, that’s messed up! I’m better than they are!” and then back out of the agreement. Just a thought...

Spain didn’t allow a sack and while that’s good - even better, it doesn’t prohibit the Bills from going hard on another Offensive Lineman or Drafting one. We all saw how important good depth was to make an important stride last year, Spain, Long, current starters and STILL able to sign / trade / Draft one only makes this team better.

Well, to be fair and accurate - he said they wouldn't be in the deep end of the pool, which *could* mean that they weren't going after "whales" of FA but instead of locating those medium sized fish / mammals that will contribute based on value and not money spent. Just a thought...

Beane strikes again! That man has the chops....I am definitely sounding like a broken record, but he continues to show me (and hopefully others) why I trust him to continue to make these decisions. Years ago, there would have been days of hand-wringing about what the contract is and how the Bills have overpaid - AGAIN - for a washed up player just because he's a "name brand", etc. First, I wouldn't have trusted the FO to make a good decision on talent, and then if they did, they would have botched the contract screwing the team for years to come. Beane and his whole Front Office staff are just plain terrific and brilliant. Love this GM and his people!! I also think McD is the perfect HC for this Bills team and given where they are in their progression as an organization, just my two cents.

Maybe Mods could just merge all of the "Cuts / Releases" into a single thread, Pin It, and then it can be updated?? Just a thought....no snark or sarcasm at all....

IMHO, I think that's good news. The Bills know that Harry's recovery could take some time and might not be ready for next season, plus Reader is a very good interior DL and the Bills could use the help in terms of improved interior line play vs. the run and getting push up the middle. As I've been vocal about before, I trust Beane - so if he thinks it's worth the money and investment, then I hope it happens.

There isn't a Bills fan alive that doesn't think the Bills need two more WRs with at least one having the potential / reality of being a truly great boundary WR. However, even with those additions, Foster had a really strong Rookie year with Josh and I wonder if he can find some of that electricity again with Josh. Foster *can* be a valuable commodity for the Bills Offense, IF he can come out and play more than just the long ball or the gadget sweep plays. He needs to be physical at the point of attack, run sharp routes and use his speed in space. We'll see if he can make the next step.

One of the few times a "sighting" or rumors of a player being Buffalo *actually* worked! I understand we're all still suffering some PTSD from previous Bills' years where they bring in name brand, "has-beens" only to see them flame away on the field. But, IMHO, Beane and his team have done things very differently. I completely trust Beane and McD to make this call. As I've said in other places, I may not agree at the time or understand it, but that's the beauty of trust - you don't have to feel like you know everything to feel comfortable that it will somehow work itself out. Kevin Johnson comes to mind when I think about this exact type of player. People were all over this board saying he was a JAG, but while his tackling could improve - he did make some good plays and generally contribute to solid coverage. If Josh Norman was brought in, then ultimately I trust Beane and McD to know how to use his talents to maximize his play....even thought it appears to have declined.

What we all need to remember in all of this is that even if the Bills go all in on the Cap this year, the new CBA is about to pop the top off the Cap. As soon as next year when even more players can come off the books there will be a major Cap improvement providing relief and re-set. So, since I truly do trust Beane, if he believes Reader is worth the price - then let it be so. I also think Beane is the guy who weighs strengths in FA against Draft strengths and Draft position + Draft capital to make moves. In the end, Beane will set this team up for this year and future years’ success. This, I have no doubt.

The simple answer is yes....the true answer is, like anything else in life or the NFL, it depends on the price. Fournette's year was almost a tale of two years. He started out much like the way he finished the year before, but much of his last year was very good albeit strangely missing TDs. If you get that version of Fournette, then he's worth a 4th Round pick - otherwise, based on value of his position, the Bills would be overpaying for his services.

Even though I have my reservations about Stefon Diggs, I'd be willing to trade for him at the right price. Trading Cole Beasley immediate gets the "Hell No" reaction from me. He was Josh's security blanket, a terrific route runner and has LOVED playing Buffalo. Trading him just a year after the new contract signals poor culture IMHO when Diggs doesn't do what Cole does so well. Yes, Diggs does other things very well - which is why IMO I'm good with trading for him, but Beasley in my mind is a non-starter.

Yolo - from the Morse contract last year, I do think Beane will spend big money on key positions he / they believe need to possess great or elite talent in order to be a Super Bowl team. Center / LT and maybe RT are positions that advance your entire Offense (and QB duh). DE is another position that can alter the course of a game by an elite player and I agree that if one were available and based on Cap management, I think Beane prioritizes it and spends the money. However, what I truly LOVE about Beane and his team is that they take a value based approach and won't overpay for a particular player, regardless of how much they like him. They stick to the objective standard model and hold to it. Gunner, agreed - and that's why IMHO Beane takes that kind of approach in FA and will swing for the fences in the Draft for a WR. I don't know if that's a trade in the 1st or just taking multiple WRs in the Draft, but I DO think it's fairly early i.e. 1st / 2nd Round. JMO, but when all of the stars align for good FA for DE / OT / LB / CB / S / and depth at WR, the writing on the wall is those are positions in FA to spend, while WR and RB, depth CB, LB, and DL are the Draft targets. Who knows, but it just seems to fit Beane's approach in my mind thus far.

I don't know about him specifically, but *that* is the type of FA WR I think Beane targets given the totality of circumstances and the state of the roster. In a Draft deep at WR, it makes a lot of sense to address the other areas that need improvement via FA and then use your Draft capital on the deepest position in the Draft. Only Beane et. al. know definitively what their approach will be, but IMHO, it just makes too much sense to do anything else....UNLESS, the Bills trade a 2nd or 3rd round pick for a good WR.

No thank you to both, for different reasons.

Not to parse out words here, but everyone is essentially saying the same thing, but just question the method by which we arrive to the same outcome. We all know, and obviously the Bills most importantly, that the Bills desperately need a top tier boundary WR. The concern is whether they can do that via FA or trade, or whether they believe that needs to happen via the Draft. Based on Beane's comments in past interviews, I'd say all of these interviews and exhaustive vetting has to do with contingency plans and preparation. If we're to take Beane's comments on face value, he would say the "needs" get done in FA and then BPA in the Draft. However, if despite all of their best efforts and work they're unable to get a great boundary WR (notice I didn't say #1 b/c I personally don't think that truly exists in the current NFL anymore) via FA or the Draft, THEN I think they sell out and do whatever they think is necessary and possible to get the WR they know Josh Allen needs. To other people's point, I can see the Bills Drafting 2 WRs if they Draft one early, or if they get their FA / trade WR, Drafting 1 in the mid rounds for depth.

I don't think I could disagree with a position or opinion more. The entire Defense is a different animal when Milano plays and Beane has been vocal about growing and paying the players they Draft. However, time will tell.