BarleyNY
-
Posts
10,427 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Gallery
Profiles
Forums
Events
Posts posted by BarleyNY
-
-
Making a comparison to the previous year’s team is always tricky. The team at the beginning of the season or end? Are you comparing what we thought we had or what we ended up having? There’s a lot of TBD on this team. How much do Von and Milano get back to form? Do aging players - like Diggs - fall off? And if so, how much? How much improvement do we get from young players - like Kincaid and Shakir? What’s the impact of the new coordinators? Lots of questions we can’t answer. Overall it looks to me like the offense will be in good shape, but I have concerns about every level of the defense.
-
1
-
-
1 hour ago, RussellDopeland said:
You forgot- The obvious: Anyone with a pulse is an upgrade from Settle.
I’d like him to be able to clear a higher bar than that.
-
1 hour ago, Turk71 said:
Let's pretend he's good!
We needed a depth signing. The good: It’s a 30 year old player who had a second round pedigree and logged a lot of snaps while starting 17 games last season for the Chargers. The bad: He hasn’t been good, especially last season coming off of a broken knee and MCL the prior season. The unknown: How well he bounces back in his second season back from that injury and how he does playing less snaps. So much comes down to what the contract is.
-
1
-
1
-
-
1 hour ago, peterpan said:
Dang I’m getting old, I remember wanting to draft Calais Campbell
Ha! I’m still pissed off about Ngata.
-
1
-
-
1 hour ago, MJS said:
There's always a case to trade back. Trading back and picking up a third would be good. But it depends on who is left on the board and how much Beane likes them.
Agree. Picking up an extra top 100 pick for sliding down from 28 into the second round would be very welcome, but you have to see who you’re giving up at 28 first.
-
2
-
-
16 minutes ago, PBF81 said:
Everyone's assuming that Milano will be 100% or close to it. It's concerning that he wasn't able to put any weight on his injured leg for two months. That's a long time for a reportedly simple break of his tibia. That's not normal.
That’s a fair concern. Seems like a much more unusual injury than a regular break. If he can’t get back to his usual self then we will have issues at every level of the defense.
-
1
-
-
11 minutes ago, Dr. Who said:
Coleman isn't anywhere near Thomas' speed.
True. Same mold, but not as fast.
-
1 hour ago, Virgil said:
Good breakdown.
In your opinion, who fits the mold of a X receiver in this draft and how many are there?
Thank you.
First let me say that I haven’t watched much film on the WRs so I am mostly using other people’s work on this. Obviously the top three - Harrison and Odunze look like of stud “do it all” X WRs. Nabors can probably do that job but would be better at Y/Z. He doesn’t have the physicality the other two do.
Jermaine Burton is a player that looks like he can do it all as an X. I’ve watched a little of him. Talent-wise he is no worse than my WR4, but he has issues on and off the field. He will be off of some teams’ boards and dinged on others. If the Bills brass are comfortable with the character concerns, then I’d be very happy with him wherever we took him - 28, trading up from 60 or at 60. The question is how far he will fall. He’s a guy who has the talent to be a real difference maker.
Adonai Mitchell can be an X. I’ve read that he can win at every level, but he didn’t do any agility testing and I haven’t watched him.
Brian Thomas Jr is an X, but one that is more in the mold of Metcalf. Big, fast and a contested catch winner. He can stress defenses deep, but his downside looks to be agility limitations that will limit his route tree. I don’t think he can separate quickly but he might be able to make up for some of that with contested catches (something Gabe Davis was terrible at).
Keon Coleman - same mold as Thomas Jr. but not as fast.
Malachi Corley - Y/Z mold
Troy Franklin - vertical receiver, not sure if he is physical enough (yet) to be an X.
Xavier Leggette - X receiver, raw with limited route tree but may have the ability to diversify that. Haven’t watched him, but seems like he might have the talent to do everything.
Ladd McConkey - Y and maybe Z
Jalen McMillan - Y/Z
Ricky Pearsall - Y and maybe Z
Ja’Lynn Polk - vertical outside WR who can make contested catches. I see him as an X if he can be physical enough. Apparently he was poor against zone coverage so I wouldn’t use any valuable pick on him.
Devontez Walker - X receiver. He’s not huge but should be big and physical enough to play on the LOS. Not polished, but very talented.
Xavier Worthy - Y/Z with elite speed.
I enjoyed typing this up and it should be a good summary for me during the draft. Hope it helps.
-
1
-
-
25 minutes ago, Virgil said:
As we get ready for the draft, and I get ready for the TSW Mock Draft staring next weekend, there's been a lot of conversation about needing to draft a wide receiver early. While I don't disagree with this, I do wonder what type of receiver we are looking for and what impact will they make on the offense. Before I can make that decision, there's a few things that need to be considered
- Diggs is under contract with a sizeable hit for this year and next. We could release him next season, but it would incur a 22 mil dead cap hit and only save us 5 million. Diggs has also gone on record saying that he will not restructure his contract to help the Bills cap space.
- If we bring in a capable number one receiver, how does Diggs handle being the number 2 guy? Emotional support isn't high on his capacities.
- We are stacked at inside receivers. Between Shakir, Knox, Kincaid, and Samuel, the slot position is locked up and deep.
- How do we even utilize a receiver that's not Diggs or a slot? My biggest criticism of Brady is that I don't feel like he really took advantage of the mismatches we could have created with two Tight Ends and doesn't scheme players open very well. McVay is a great example of a coach who gets people like Kupp wide open. Brady doesn't seem to be able to do that
- Was Davis' decline due to his ability or playcalling? To me, it's a little of both. Davis had some mental blunders in both routes and drops, but he was a big body speed guy, that on paper, most of us would clamor to draft again. So even if we get another player like Gabe, will we be able to utilize him?
- Free Agent Wide Receivers in 2025 look rough. There's isn't a #1 guy that will be available
With all that being said, do we need to prioritize a receiver that can become out WR 1, knowing Diggs is here for the next two years, or do we just need another weapon that can compliment what we have? Even with Davis being MIA in most games, Josh put up good numbers with who we had.
To me, the secret answer is what Beane did with Samuel. Samuel is documented to have the 3rd best separation in the NFL on cut routes, something badly needed on this team. Beane also wanted to bring in Harty for a similar goal. I think Beane wants quick guys that can create space, that Brandy can use wherever he wants on the field.
So what receiver, if any, needs to be a priority? A 6'+ receiver who can eventually take over for Diggs in 2 years? A burner, like Hill, who we can move around in motion a lot to create mismatches from motion?
My answer, and I vomit saying this, is best player available. If that happens to be a receiver that can lineup outside, then okay. But if there is a difference maker at another position available or a receiver that is only going to be lumped into our slot guys, then I go with the difference maker at another position. If this draft is so deep at receiver, I might wait and get someone in the mid rounds with the potential of a #1 guy, and if it doesn't work out, we have two more years to draft the right person.
I do not think we will see Diggs on the Bills in 2025. I’m very curious to see the direction we go as far as the type of WR they draft. As it stands Samuel is more in the same mold as Diggs. By that I mean a Y/Z receiver. What the Bills really need is do it all X. I will recap the different WR roles below to illustrate my line of thinking.
X - Outside WR who lines up on the LOS. Needs to be a physical player who can get off of press coverage and win deep. A big bonus if they have the agility to win short and intermediate as well.
Y - Slot WR or TE. Agility is key. Need to be able to uncover quickly and work the middle of the field. Effective at short and intermediate routes is mandatory. Ability to get deep (i.e. seam routes) is a big plus.
Z - Outside WR who lines up off of the LOS. Similar to Y except usually lines up on in-line TE side. Is the “move” WR.
So we’re pretty flush with Y and Z types in Diggs, Samuel, Shakir and Kincaid. But we don’t have that X. It is difficult to find an X who can do it all. It’s easier to find a Gabe Davis who can get deep, but isn’t good at uncovering quickly on shorter routes. Obviously if you can find someone who is big, fast and agile you go get that guy. But if you can’t, then what’s your next best option? Another Y/Z type where all of the WRs can share the load of being on the LOS? Or an X limited to deep and intermediate routes? The answer will depend on what Brady’s offensive scheme prioritizes and what Beane can reasonably attain in the draft. The WR we draft will tell us a lot about what the offense is going to look like moving forward.
-
1
-
2
-
2
-
12 hours ago, SoonerBillsFan said:
Heading into the draft, I feel pretty good about the Bills. The only thing lacking is a pash rush from the front 4. I am concerned Groot has had a couple seasons now and needs to step up and be a 10+ sack guy. I don't like depending so much on Von. Other than that I feel all the other positions are solid.
Depending on who is there at 28, I am tempted to move down, possibly with Carolina who may want to move back into the 1st. Possibly Washington as well to get a 3rd round pick. Maybe use a 4th and 5th( or 6th) to move up in the 2nd.
WR is still #1 on my list followed by DL. Safety in the 4th, along with just BPA from there on out.
How are you guys feeling about a month out from the draft?
I have the same concerns about our pass rush. We don’t have the horses to pressure QBs with the front 4. I expect the Bills to use blitzing and scheme (simulated pressures) to generate pressure. I do not think we have much on the back end of the defense either. Johnson is excellent at Nickel, but we’re pretty ordinary at outside CB and lack depth there. Our safeties look to be below average as we don’t have one on the roster that wasn’t a backup last season. That’s concerning. I expect to see a lot of two deep. Milano and Bernard at LB is a bright spot (along with Johnson). Still, I see a defense that is not going to be the reason we win games this season.
I am much happier with the offense. Other than needing to add an X receiver and a complementary RB it looks great to me. A fantastic QB, very good receiving corps, quality lead back and a solid OL is great to have in place already. It obviously going to be the strength of the team. It should make us favorites in the AFCE, but I don’t think we have the defense to make us as competitive in the playoffs as I’d like. Still, you never know what the landscape there is going to be like until the time comes.
-
2
-
-
1 hour ago, Ralonzo said:
I watched every snap as well. Safe to say my opinion diverges from PFF on this player, and citing this year's edition of Mancz doesn't move my opinion needle either.
Great job scouting our depth OL during preseason.
-
19 hours ago, Ralonzo said:
He did enough off the field and laying down preseason tape where the Bills had to carry him on the 53 for the entire season. That's not nothing. He would never clear waivers and Beane knew it.
LOL. You can’t be serious. I’d be lying if I said I remembered him from last year’s preseason scrub time - or that I even paid attention. I’m not saying that he didn’t deserve a spot on the 53. Maybe he did. But in preseason scrub time he earned a PFF grade of 46 with a 33.6 in pass pro. PFF is far from perfect in their grading, but that’s abysmal - and he wasn’t exactly lining up against NFL starters. Oh, and if you don’t believe me, then believe Beane. He just signed another IOL who has starting experience.
Edit: Those grades were from preseason 2022. He did better in 2023 preseason. 76.5 run blocking and 54.7 pass blocking.
-
13 minutes ago, Mat68 said:
I get the troll job. Gotta bring more than the guy with 0 scholarship offers who was raised on a farm doesnt work hard enough.
So no one that ever fought their way out of an ordinary situation and obscurity to find fame, fortune and success ever took their foot off the gas and coasted? Good to know.
-
1
-
-
1 hour ago, Billl said:
The biggest need on the team, IMO is a pass rusher. Floyd led the team with 10.5, and he's gone. Oliver had 9.5, but that was a massive outlier for him. He had 9.5 in his previous three seasons combined. I think his number decreases a bit next year, and maybe Von gets a couple to make up the difference. That puts a lot of pressure on guys like Rousseau and Epenesa who have yet to really prove themselves as pass rushers.
Agree on pass rusher being the top need. The Bills have no one that can get to the QB quickly. While I don’t have an issue with them taking a DE worthy of the selection, I fear that they will reach in the first to try to fill that need. As it stands they’re going to have to manufacture pressures with scheme and blitzing. That only goes so far though. I’m not comfortable with Rousseau and Epenesa as the starters. If we don’t get much from Von, the. that’s where we are. I just don’t see two starting DEs on this team today.
WR is a close second. The Bills really need an X, but they have three WRs that can go in week one with Diggs, Samuel and Shakir. If they’re going with a rookie to fill that - and I’m 99.9% sure that’s the direction they’re going - then they have to get the player in this draft. That will also ease the transition away from Diggs.
-
1
-
-
18 minutes ago, LabattBlue said:
Removing Bates & Morse from the roster leaves the Bills with Edwards, McGovern & O’Torrence on the IOL(unless I missed a FA signing…or one of the guys listed at OT can also be a viable IOL backup).
Unless they sign a couple of names before the draft, I would think IOL will be a Day 2 or early Day 3 priority.
I would not be surprised if IOL is a spot that the Bills throw a couple of Day 3 picks at. I hope they add a decent backup in FA at some point. As I see it they’ve got Van Demark backing up the OTs and pretty much no one backing up the OGs. Anderson has done nothing. It’s just speculation due to the Bates and Morse moves that he is a viable backup. I think it’s a hole on the roster. But one that should be fairly cheap to fill.
-
1
-
1
-
-
14 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:
Let me start by saying I come in peace! Just having a conversation here. I know this is kind of a negative Josh post.
What do you think? Does it matter to you if he doesn’t train or work on his game as much as he use to?
But seriously, no. Not since he got paid.
-
1
-
2
-
-
4 hours ago, Doc Brown said:
I'd put money on it only being a three year extension after his 5th year option with $28m guaranteed.
Looks to be the case. His $13M fifth year option was already guaranteed. $28M more is now guaranteed as part of 3 additional years. The new years are at about $17.5M each. An additional $1.75M/season in incentives is possible. Certainly a bit of a risk.
https://brownswire.usatoday.com/2024/03/20/browns-jerry-jeudy-contract-details-clarity/
-
1
-
-
29 minutes ago, nedboy7 said:
Are there any WRs that would not be worth the pick at 28? Or do we just pick any WR regardless of what’s left just cause of need.
90% of the people here are going to be outraged because the Bills didn’t take a WR in the first round - or they’re going to be outraged by the WR the Bills took in the first round. Then within two weeks those same 90% will have talked themselves into believing that the player the Bills drafted was 100% the correct decision.
-
2 hours ago, Doc Brown said:
Does the 41 million guaranteed include the 13 million guaranteed fifth year option?
That’s a big question. I suspect so since the other info we got was the “up to $58M” figure, but we will have to wait and see.
-
4 hours ago, GoBills808 said:
That's not the point I was making
The roi on dline has not been there. Time to take a different approach
Crazy thought: What if - and I’m just spitballing here - we leaned into our elite QB and gave him the help he needs to maximize his effectiveness?
-
4 hours ago, FireChans said:
It's an extension. Jeudy had a $13M hit this season for his option. They probably extended him with the trade to bring his number down.
They also had $31M rollover from last year, partially because Watson's contract was structured to have low cap hits first two seasons. This year, his hit balloons to 60+.
They are -47M over the cap in 2025, which will increase with this extension.
The Browns had already restructured Jeudy’s contract and added void years so that this year’s cap hit was minimized. I’d wait until the details on the contract come out before judging. People wigged over the Winston contract because they saw that it was $8.7M for one year. Except it was actually “up to $8.7M” and really only a much more reasonable $4M.
-
1 minute ago, Beck Water said:
When you say "too much smoke for it to be nothing", are you talking about trade rumors?
Or are you talking about rumors that all is not joy and sunshine in Dealing with Diggs at One Bills Drive?
It is a combination of everything. Diggs’ actions, rumors among NFL teams and chatter from OBD. It’s been obvious he hasn’t been happy here. He took the bag so he’s dealing with it, but he’s frustrated. And I think the team is with him too.
Now we are at about the point in the player-team lifecycle that teams move on from highly talented and highly paid players - especially ones who are a PITA. Diggs’ performance is starting to wane and soon we will see his contributions drop below his cost. The team sees it coming - and so does the rest of the league. They might not part ways this off-season, but it’ll be soon.
-
2 hours ago, Rew said:
Void year money is already paid (as a singing bonus). It stays with current team and probably accelerates. There are variations on signing bonus handling in contracts, but I believe this would be the typical outcome.
Correct. Void years are just used to spread out the cap hit from signing bonus money. All cap hits from void years accelerate when a player is cut or traded. Into the current year if by 6/1 or the following year if post 6/1.
-
1
-
-
6 hours ago, Beck Water said:
On the one hand....if a team is legitimately putting out feelers to shop a player, I imagine it's hard to keep a lid on it and it sounds like you have a good source.
On the other hand....Beane and the Bills are apparently notoriously close-mouthed and close-to-the-vest about trades, and Beane has said a lot of times when they are linked as being interested in a trade, it may have come to a couple "due diligence" type "hey would you be interested in...." "hey is this player available?..." type phone calls.
Here’s how I look at it: At one extreme it could be other teams looking at the situation here and Diggs’ history and making an educated guess. That does not necessarily mean anything is cooking. At the other extreme it could be that the feelers have been put out and the Bills are trying to find a trade partner. Either way - or somewhere in the middle - it isn’t difficult to believe that people who run in NFL circles - like Lombardi - got wind of the chatter.
As for what I think. There’s too much smoke for it to be nothing. I think that the Bills would like to be able to move on from Diggs as soon as possible, but I don’t know if it’s feasible to do so at this time. I think that if a team made it worth their while, then they’d do it. I just don’t know that it’s in the cards though. I think he’s probably here until next off-season when he’s a post 6/1 designated cut. But if a team gets desperate and the Bills draft goes well, then that’s a different story.
McDermott is feeling the pressure
in The Stadium Wall
Posted
Regardless of the Pegulas’ thoughts on McDermott, the job he’s done for them or their support of him, I would be shocked if he was not putting a ton of pressure on himself to bring a championship to Buffalo. That has to grow every season.