D. L. Hot-Flamethrower

Not a big deal. Methinks this has nothing to do with the performance of the DBs this year!

The Tattoo parlor was very busy today. Lots of high level discussion going on! Very, very emotional too!

I think that McBeane have made themselves pretty clear in interviews that they think Top 20 Tyrod isn't what they are after. They have stopped short of outright dismissing him now because they don't need to. They want at least a Top 10 guy. The train starts down the track to this interesting spring in 1 1/2 months. And, until FA and the league year start, it is all about familiarizing yourself with the different scenarios and formulating a strategy. I think they have some ideas already, but it is a very fluid situation and subject to change. These could be some of them JMO. We don't know if the Bills have any interest in Kirk Cousins or even Case Keenum other than rumors. You (Shaw)in other threads, and I agree, have made a very compelling case that there could indeed be a bridge from Bills to Cousins. Assuming something could get done is one path, this leads to many more draft options and no doubt creates one FA strategy. This IMHO is the easiest path, but in all probablity is less likely to occur than the second path below: The second assumption might be that nothing works out with either FA QB deemed intriguing. The next viable strategy could well be a trade of some type and doing the requisite groundword on availability and cost. I think it is fair to say that trading draft capital, and potentially a great deal of it, is possible depending on how you view the QB. Andruw Luck would require alot, and could be that Top 10 guy if healthy, maybe even Top 5.....if available as some have speculated. Alex Smith, rumored to be available, would cost less, is arguably Top 15, perhaps some would say Top 10. There are of course others. This leads me to a point, and that is, it's almost like the team strength required is inversely related to how good a QB you need. And, the more draft capital you give up, the less likely you can build a strong team. The point made in the article about Top 5, 10, 20 and needing a Top 3 defense is well taken. And, why I think, if they haven't reached it already, McBeane will end up making a strong push in FA for a QB. They realize that a situation with a ready made Top 10 guy, and the draft picks to strengthen the team around him is ideal. We have the cap space. A trade would deplete how much help the draft can provide and is less ideal. If it gets to the point where we are getting to the draft and nothing has worked out trade- wise I believe this is the scariest scenario. To get a QB to start Day 1 in this draft will completely deplete any chance we have of getting other top players in the draft. This team is not in a position like Kansas City was last year to move up into the Top 10 and still have a strong team. Too many holes, and an unknown rookie QB doesn't sound to me like Plan A for McBeane. Maybe its just wishful thinking on my part, but I think the Bills will have figured out their QB situation well before the draft.

Jeez! take it easy and don't be so emotional, we don't know everything.

@By Jerry Sullivan

New OL coach! Fire Castillo

It happens ALL THE TIME!!!!

Based on what ...your sources? Quite frankly, and its not the case I'm sure, if either one of them believes NP is a viable option next year...they should be fired. We shall see on the no one trading with Bills. Personally, I think a team like the Giants or Colts may well be in play by the time the draft comes around. As I"ve said before, if they can't/don't sign Cousins or another FA (Keenum), they will likely make a trade for someone like Alex Smith, Sam Bradford, Teddy Bridgewater etc. long before they put NP behind center in 2018. McBeane is also more likely to give away the farm (your phrase), and move up near the top......... than Nate Peterman is the starter in 2018. I put the odds of Nate Peterman as our starter in 2018 as .00000001

Interesting thoughts!

I agree with this, these guys are the Tier 1 guys so to speak. The best things about Cousins are that you'd only have to spend money, and if you believe he's a potential franchise guy you do it. And, he's proven in the NFL that he can do a TOP 10 job at QB. The best thing about the young guys is they hit you less in the wallet, which I don't think is the Bills problem going forward. I suppose you could argue that Rosen and/or Darnold may have a bit higher ceiling too. Luck, if healthy, Is the most intriguing guy because he has proven he can carry a team, again if healthy. By the way, NICE TOPIC Virgil!

I think the Bills Wire draft is more like Plan D. Plan A sign FA (Cousins) Plan B trade for (Smith, Keenum, Luck) etc. Plan C trade up for the guy you like (Rosen, Mayfield) etc. Plan D Tyrod, with a project draft like (White) Plan Z start Nate Peterman, release TT and go with Savior Peterman plan The reason I think McBeane like plan A and B is they can then retain draft capital to restock SOME positional needs. They will of course have to give a higher pick up depending on who you're trading for.

I see one quality DT signed in FA (Lotulelei), and one drafted in the first 4 picks. It is intoxicating to think of 2 stud first round draft picks playing DT. Then when everything settles down, you realize that is not the game anymore with the draft, FA, and the cap especially - balance is required. Especially for a team that needs to fill alot of holes and get a QB.

never heard of jump the chark?

Please, Please that would be great for us!

Allen looks so raw it will be years if ever that he can play.

I like Marcus Davenport, Harrison Phillips and Michael McCray.

Shaw you've got me fired up! This needs to happen.

Agreed. I don't know that a FA QB has ever been in a better position than Cousins.

The only people who disagree with this seem to be those who are somehow engaged with the system.....can you say careers? Nobody "circles the wagons" like the institution that is the NCAA trying to protect the NCAA. That may be a bit hyperbolic, the Federal Gov and many other huge institution always work hard to save the patient and not necassarrily what most reasonable people would think is right.

Yes that is likely the case. I'm just worried about him looking at our receivers as a deciding point between comparable offers.

Me either. We have the ability to do what we need to do. The strength of your team is inversely proportional to how good a QB you have. Now we just need to get Kirk to come here! Easier said than done. Signing a Paul Richardson early in FA to go with KB could help as I brainstorm. But, really he should be a top 10 QB easy the next few years.

Sorry I guess the link won't transfer or I screwed it up. I like the idea of signing a free agent QB like Cousins and then using the plentiful draft capital we have on other needs . If we could for example draft the DT Phillips from Stanford to go with Lotulelei, and a LB candidate like Edmunds from VA Tech or Evans from Alabama. I feel that Cousins is the 6th rated passer the last 3 years and with Star and resigning Gaines, perhaps Paul Richardson we gain flexibility with our draft picks as well.

For those of you who are interested, If you use the Fanspeak salary cap manager(i'll include a link) it uses OTC data I believe; it does a reasonable job, I think, of simulating the different situations. In the included scenario I have for arguments sake removed Tyrod, Cordy and Wood, this has the Bills at just shy of 56M in cap space. I then went ahead and offered EJ Gaines 3 years/ 4M 40% signing bonus, Kirk Cousins 5yr/ 25 M 60% signing bonus and Star Lotulelei 4yrs/8.5 they all accepted in this scenario with still 30 M in cap available https://fanspeak.com/mtc/freeagency.php. I have done this type of scenario with Paul Richardson and 5 yrs 9 M before and the other approximately where they are. It doesn't always work...sometimes Cousins take 27.5 and Lotulelei 9-9.5 and you get rejected, but it gives and idea. FWIW

Why so snarky?48 posts and you don't know me and I don't know you. I have an opinion and so does everyon else. Being rude just labels you as a tool!

If we can get a healthy Andruw Luck at a reasonable price I would do it. Don't think there would be any question with Beane either. The problem is will anybody really trust that he is healthy? Big decision for Indy, has it already been made? They could perhaps get Josh Rosen and trade Luck for picks and be on their way. Much cheaper option.