Kirby Jackson

MHJ is a monster. He’s EASILY 1200 yards and 8-10 Tds as a rookie. If the Bills had a chance to get him they’d be crazy not to. Unfortunately, I’m not sure that’s realistic. I can’t see the Bills getting higher than 9 with the Bears. I think that they’ll be making that call if Odunze, Nabers or MHJ were still on the board. I just don’t see it as likely.

Yes, but it isn’t so much about “Diggs replacement.” Getting a potential #1 WR, on a rookie deal, regardless of what happens with Diggs, is the top priority.

Good move

Yeah, Coleman for me isn’t in my top 10 WR targets. While he could be the guy that takes off, there are far too many questions. If I’m going to roll the dice on the athletic freak, it’s Xavier Legette for me. Here are 10 WRs that I prefer over Coleman (in no particular order): MHJ, Nabers, Odunze, Thomas, Mitchell, Worthy, Legette, McConkey, Pearsall, & Franklin. Cowing, Roman Wilson, Corley and the other 2 UW guys would also be in the conversation.

London was not on that list. Collins was the only guy that was even serviceable at the next level. They then did the other end of the spectrum and all of those guys were good. There are exceptions to every rule, ie Collins, but I’m concerned with guys that can’t separate.

For those talking about Coleman there was some talk about WR separation last week on WGR. I take most of what they say with a grain of salt but they went over the WRs with the least separation over the last 5-10 drafts. I don’t remember the number. With the exception of Nico Collins, all of the guys were garbage. Coleman doesn’t get any separation. Take that fwiw but I am not interested in Coleman (and I’m team WR).

I don’t disagree. The lack of stars has been frustrating. The Bills ended up with 1 of the top 101 players from 2023 according to PFF. As good as Josh is, you need more. Hopefully with Milano returning you have another star. Taron Johnson, Ed Oliver, Diggs, Cook, Kincaid, and Dawkins can each be elite.

It needs to be. This offseason may be where the dial starts to turn but we haven’t seen it yet. They’re limited in FA dollars so neither side was going to be a massive priority in March. I tend to agree that it is turning some. The guys on the rookie deals is fair but the rank that I provided is 2024. That includes those large contract defensive players leaving (Floyd, Hyde, Poyer, Tre) and being replaced cheaper. It has been a reset across the roster. I think Kincaid was a starting point. Obviously “X” receiver needs to be addressed by pick 60. The Bills cannot continue to invest top 100 picks and their bigger FA deals on the defensive side of the ball hoping that Josh will elevate whatever is left on offense.

That’s crazy. They’re 20th in offensive spend and 13th in defense. When you’re paying a star QB, you’d expect that gap to be wider. I could see the 10th highest paid offense and 20th highest paid defense. When you factor in the draft capital used on defense vs. offense as well it’s insanity. The focus NEEDS to be surrounding Josh with talent. He’s the reason that this team may win.

Throughout this thread, I’ve been of the belief that the Bills do not invest nearly enough in the offense. This is in terms of FA dollars and draft capital. This tweet was out there and it speaks volumes. Keep in mind that the Bills have already paid their QB: https://x.com/nfl_dovkleiman/status/1771193535280169236?s=46&t=aIi6rXjE4r9_s--847m7fQ

I’ve given things over the years but am cautious when someone asks me not to say anything.

Lol, I hear things from time to time. There isn’t anything else that I’m hearing. I was sworn to secrecy here.

I had heard about this almost 48 hours ago but kept 🤐

I’m starting to think a trade up is in the cards. I think it could be as high as Chicago at 9 if Odunze is on the board. Maybe it is something like: 9 for 28, 128, 144, 160 and a 2025 1st. I’m sure that the Bills would LOVE to not have to give up their 2nd this year. Chicago is in need of picks and depth players. The value of this would be something like 1350 points going out for Chicago and maybe like 1370 points going out for the Bills (I’m using 600 points for the Bills 2025 1st). The Bills would then pick (if they didn’t move around anymore): 9 - Rome Odunze 60 - Kris Jenkins 133 - Caleb Bullock 163 - Xavier Thomas 189 - Audric Estime 200 - BPA 204 - BPA 248 - BPA

Another box checked for team, “wr at all costs.”

I hear you. I’m simply suggesting that we are reading into situations without all of the context. The Sabres have largely been poorly run. The Bills haven’t been particularly well run on the business side either. Wins cure all in terms of perception. We need to dissociate the W/L record and how good they are at running the business. Those two things don’t intersect. If you’re dependent on good teams to sell, you don’t belong in that business. It’s easy to sell when winning. The talent rises when the situation is tougher. Those are situations that he’s proven effective in. As an aside, the Lakers were the most auto-pilot franchise in the league. They weren’t innovative, creative or progressive. It didn’t matter because they were the Shaq/Kobe Lakers. From the outside people probably thought, “look how great they are?” The reality is, if the Suns staff and Lakers staff traded places, the Suns people would have run circles around them. Guelli is a guy that has succeeded in less than ideal situations. That’s what you should be looking for. You don’t need to hire the Lakers staff.

One of the problems that people have when they look at sports business executives, is that they try to associate their success with on field / court success. I’m not saying that you are doing that here but others are in the thread. I know a good bit about the Charlotte NBA situation. The Hornets left on TERRIBLE terms with lawsuits between the owners. They were an AMAZING franchise until the late ‘90’s. The Bobcats situation was pretty much a disaster. Jordan coming in was not really the savior that people thought. He was not a very good owner on the court or on the business side. That’s hard for me to say because he’s my favorite athlete ever. The franchise turned up under Guelli’s leadership and by engaging NBA best practices. As stated earlier, the NBA has always been the best at the business of sports. When he was with the Bills they were like middle of the league in sponsor revenue I think. That’s impossible with an old stadium and garbage teams. That’s a credit to the creativity and staff that he had built. This is a very good hire for the Bills & Sabres. His experience dwarfs that of the last few people “running the show.”

I’m with you. His parents raised him right. He is a smart, genuine, thoughtful young man. He’s obviously a good football player because he made it to the NfL. He isn’t a great football player by NFL standards but he’s been a great representation for the team, city and family. The Bills have generally had good guys but Hamlin is high on that list.

FWIW, he’s a different personality. There were others in that regime that had similar “transgressions.” This dude is a standup guy.

He oversaw sponsorships when Russ was in charge. He was probably the 2nd most powerful guy in the room. He left and took the CRO job in Charlotte with the Bobcats. The NBA has ALWAYS had the best sports business minds. There’s a reason that so much innovation starts there. That’s where I last knew him. From what I remember the Bills sponsorship numbers were like middle of the league. That is crazy impressive, considering the old stadium and crappy teams. He’s quiet, assertive and smart. I never worked directly with him but knew his reputation. His resume is strong.

I think that I preferred Shaq. This feels like an either/or situation. Shaq is a solid run defender, contains well, bats down passes and gets occasional pressure. He has limited upside but as a 6th DE I think I prefer his solid floor. On a bad day he’s okay. On a great day, he’s pretty good. That’s what I prefer for a rotational back of the roster guy. I don’t need those guys to win games at their best. I just want them to not lose games at their worst.

Before someone asks, yes I know Pete Guelli. Yes, he is close with Russ Brandon. Yes, he’s a very smart and experienced sports business executive with local ties. He has years of sponsorship experience. It’s a shrewd hire prior to moving into the new stadium. There are lots of examples. His role has ZERO to do with football or hockey. He is in charge of the business of sports. He sells tickets, advertising, etc…

Lots and lots of words here and it’s further illustrating the point. What has worked are the good players that you’ve given Josh (Diggs, Kincaid and Cook). He’s also turned average(ish) talent into productive players (Gabe, Shakir, Beasley, Brown, etc). The Bills have invested HEAVILY in better talent defensively and it has failed. Regardless of the failure of guys like Basham and Elam, they remain a top 5(ish) unit. You can plug anyone in there and be okay. It is time to focus on Josh and only Josh. Give him MORE elite talent because that is what works. Stop trying to elevate Trent Sherfield or Jake Kumerow!! Give Josh AD Mitchell or Brian Thomas and watch the offense reach new levels. That has to be the plan moving forward. Enough insanity