BillsFan4

Still kind of seems to me like McDermott is betting against Tyrod being his future QB. I don't think they cut 3 years off the guy's contract just because Tyrod said he was open to a restructure and because they felt obligated to save money. Sure, they saved money This Year, but his salary cap hit next year is already higher than it was under his previous 5 year contract, and if he establishes himself as a true franchise QB his cap hit in 2019 and beyond is likely going to be much higher than it was under his previous 5 year deal (whether that's on a new deal, or using the franchise tag). IMO, if McDermott was truly betting on Tyrod being The Guy, he'd have picked up his option that essentially only tied Tyrod to the Bills for 2-3 years anyway (hen his dead cap would be palatable). But now he's only essentially tied to the Bills for this year only. Cutting him next year costs $8M to save $10M. I'm not saying that he will be cut, just that he can be. If he truly believes Tyrod is likely the franchise QB, he made a poor, short sighted move IMO. But personally, I think he's betting against Tyrod being the guy. Edit - maybe I shouldn't say betting against. But I think they're betting more against him being the guy than betting for... If you remember me from BBMB, you know I am a Tyrod fan. I argued for him to start over EJ. I argued to keep him, and I've argued that he has ran this (top 10 scoring) offense much better than he gets credit for by some. I also don't think he's as easily replaceable as some think, otherwise we'd have had a QB as good as him in these last 12+ years. I am excited to see what Tyrod does this year, and I still think he has a chance to be our long term solution at QB. I am just trying to look at the situation as realistically as I can. I'd love it if TT proves to be our future QB, though.

I haven't felt this type of confidence in what the Bills are doing in, well, I can't remember when... It's been a very long time. I don't expect things to turn around next season. But I do finally feel like things are headed in the right direction. I love the way both the HC and GM have filled out their staff. It's been impressive IMO. That was good interview. I am left more and more impressed every time I hear this guy talk. What a change... I liked how he said that he won't just fill a job because it's open. He said they will make due this season without a director of college scouting if they don't get one of the guy's they want.

Was Allen still under contract with KC? Or was he available? Is this a demotion in title? Seems like it to me. Director of college scouting to national scout? I was kind of expecting him to be named director of college scouting here... Anyway, just curious. Definitely happy with the hire.

Damn, what is it with Bills 2nd round picks (that they trade up for) and knee injuries? Hope Zay is ok...

Can't really say I know much of anything about him but it seems like it could be a good hire... That is what I was thinking/hoping too. I was glad when I seen this guy was just the asst. Gave me hope Allen is still coming here.

This is pretty much the point I am at. As I'm sure you remember, this whole Tyrod Taylor "war" has been going on since BBMB (it got WAY out of hand there), and now it has spilled over to here, with a lot of the same people on both sides arguing back and forth. It's absolutely pointless to just keep arguing at this point. Nobody on either side is going to change their minds no matter what is said, that much is clear. I got dragged into it at BBMB, to the point where I was discussing it almost daily. But I've reached the point now where I hardly ever enter into the TT discussion and if I do I say my piece once or twice and I'm done. (I am pro Tyrod Taylor, BTW as you might remember from BBMB). It's just pointless, it really is. I really like this place and I absolutely do not want to see it devolve into what the BBMB had become at the end. The thing is, we are all just fans anyway. We have zero influence in what the team does. What does it matter if other fans don't agree? I tell ya though - it's a lot easier now to just sit back and let things play out now that I feel like we have a very competent crew at OBD running things. I had little faith left in Whaley to address the QB position.

Another great hire (on paper) by Beane. Future is looking bright.

Simple question for you man. Not trying to start an argument or anything... Why do you think McDermott decided not to pick up Tyrod's 5 year contract (that would have been very reasonable cap hit for a guy viewed as a franchise QB), and instead gave him a 2 year deal that allows the Bills to move on after this season with only $8M dead cap? If he were truly convinced that Tyrod is the future QB, why did he kind of bet against him by shortening the contract? If Tyrod proved to be the franchise QB, it will most likely cost a lot more to keep him now.

Huge hire if true! We are putting together an all star front office IMO. How can anyone be complaining over these hires? Or saying "more of the same"? I can see being unsure of Beane at first, and what his role was vs McDermott. But hiring Schoen, Gaine and now Allen... I just don't see any way that they are just "yes men" to McDermott. They are all WAY too well respected around the NFL to come here and not have actual input into the players we pick. IMO They wouldn't have taken this job if that were the case. I am thrilled with this front office staff. So far I couldn't have asked for more. I know it's early yet, but so far I think this is looking like the best front office staff we've had in decades. Obviously we have to wait and see what they do in Buffalo, but all of these guys have a good track record of identifying talent (especially Gaine and Allen, who I'm more familiar with than Schoen)

Really? I don't see it. Switch Yates and Cardale, and I see that as the most likely outcome. Not that I wouldn't love if Cardale could grab the #2 spot. I would. IMO I just think he is so much farther behind Peterman in his development (even though this is his 2nd year here) that I can't see him beating him out, let alone both Peterman and Yates. I think Cardale's in for a big fight to even make this roster. Having Tyrod, Peterman & Cardale (or Cardale and peterman) earn the top 3 spots would be what's best for the Bills future. So that's definitely what I'm rooting for.

That's a damn good point. Also, maybe his trust (or lack there of) in Whaley and his scouting staff's evaluations played a part, too. And if he knew Whaley was out the door right after the draft, maybe he didn't want a new GM coming in and being tied to a top 10 QB pick that he had no part in making.

IIRC Kraft gave Belichick full control of the entire football operations when he was hired in 2000 and he has been the de-facto GM ever since. Belichick then chose to hire Scott Pioli to help him out. So he had much more power than McDermott when he was hired in NE. Belichick has always had control over the football operations with the Patriots. Kraft immediately gave him a ton of power.

This guy is well respected, so I trust what he says - Neil Stratton @InsideTheLeague "Had heard this was coming. Seemed unlikely due to lateral move, but league sources made it clear Gaine was seeking a fresh start w/#Bills. " Sounds like maybe he was ready to move on from the Texans, plus wanted to be a part of the Bills. I also heard Beane on the Nohn Murphy show today. He said they are going to give Gaine even more responsibility than what he had in Houston. He said they plan to help Gaine grow and, basically, ready himself even more for a GM job. He did also get a raise and a promotion. So I'm sure it was a lot of things that factored in.

Oh, I wasn't trying to say it will be some big, open competition. I think Tyrod is the starter unless/until someone legitimately Takes the starting job from him. I don't see it being an open competition like in 2015 when TT earned the job. I think Tyrod will run with the 1's. I was just speaking to that stuff about him saying Tyrod is our QB of the future. I think that is still very much TBD, and I don't think McDermott is settled on him being the Bills QB of the future. I think unless Tyrod unequivocally locks down that starting job and leaves absolutely no doubt that he is the franchise QB of the future, they will be looking hard at drafting a QB high in next year's draft. Look at it this way Transplant - if he were so sure that Tyrodmis the Bills future QB, then why did they insist on re-negotiating Tyrod's long term deal? You'd think he'd want Tyrod,locked in for 5 years on a very reasonable starter salary. But instead they made it a 2 year prove it deal that kind of bets against Tyrod and allows the Bills to walk away after this season if they really want to. If he does very well, he will be making more per year then he would have on that long term deal and it will likely end up costing the Bills more than it would have if they just picked up that deal.

Yeah I don't see it as an issue at all. I couldn't be more excited about this Gaine hire. I just seen it continue to get brought up, which is why I posted that article. The Texans were desperate for a QB. And who knows, had Jimmy Sexton given Elway the chance to match that Texans offer, he may have done so. He was offering $16.5M per year on a multi year deal, then the Texans offered $18M and Sexton took it without giving Elway the chance to match it (according to that article). Like you said though, I think Osweiler wanted out of Denver.

To be fair though, he also said that the Bills has their #2 wide receiver on the roster before the draft. Then they traded up to get Zay Jones. Tyrod may be his guy, or it may just be that pretty common "coach speak". I think it will really be up to Tyrod, and what he does on the field this year. As well as what Peterman/Cardale do behind him. Plus where we pick in the draft, which QBs are available to us and how much McDermott/Beane (etc) like those QBs will also play a part, unless a QB on the roster really take a strangle hold on the starting job and leave little doubt that they are our franchise guy. Like Beane said today, they will continue turning over every rock for a QB if there is any doubt as to whether or not they have their franchise guy.

Here's a good article breaking down how Osweiler was acquired, and what I felt were some of the key points - http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texans/article/Osweiler-acquisition-began-in-film-room-ended-6886807.php 'O'Brien and Smith had agreed from the beginning that if there was a chance the Texans could get Osweiler, they would vigorously pursue him.' "Rick did a heck of a job," Bob McNair said. "He said, 'I'm going to get you a quarterback. Regardless as to where he might come from, we're going to get you a quarterback". '... Smith and members of his personnel department were scouting college quarterbacks and preparing their reports for the coaches, who would check them out after the season. Brian Gaine, who serves as the director of player personnel, oversees the pro department. Part of his responsibility is to compile scouting reports on players in the last year of their contracts and present them to Smith.' '... O'Brien took off a couple of days before returning to the film room. First, he evaluated each of the Texans. Then, he turned to prospective free agents and watched tape before filing his report with Smith. When O'Brien finished, Osweiler was at the top of his list of quarterbacks.' '... Smith brought in his scouts from around the country. They set their draft board. Then, Smith, O'Brien and the assistant coaches reviewed the analysis of each prospective free agent prepared by Gaine and his staff. They decided how they wanted to attack free agency - what players Smith was going to pursue when the legal tampering period began March 7, two days before the start of the new league year when free agents could sign with other teams. To make sure they were on the same page, Smith and O'Brien went to the film room and watched hours of tape on the 6-8, 240-pound Osweiler. "We came out of the film room agreeing that Brock Osweiler was the quarterback to lead us where we want to go," Smith said.' So it sounds to me that all Gaine did was help put together a scouting report on Osweiler and any other potential free agent (which is what his job entailed). It sounded like it was mostly all Rick Smith and Bill O'Brien to me. From what I've read (in this article and others) Rick Smith was hellbent on getting Bill O'Brien a QB for that following season, and him and BOB decided pretty early on that Osweiler was the one they wanted. They agreed months before that if he hit free agency that they pursue him hard.

Wow, I thought he was just joking around and trying to be funny when I read that quote you posted. But he was dead serious... lmao. What an absolutely horrible article. I mean, seriously... wow.

I know, this is strange. Every hire they have made lately has been universally praised across the entire NFL. All very well respected guys. Same with the Sabres hire of Botterill. Even the other team's fans have praised the hired and bend upset to see these guys go. I am not used to this... lOL If people were excited about the Rex Ryan hire and they're not by this new staff, I really don't know what to tell them... (except that they're nuts, maybe. lol just kidding)

There's a few different versions of the story out there, but none I have read really link Gaine much at all to the deal. Most stories say it was BOB and Rick Smith working together, or Rick Smith acting more on his own. I don't think they were even allowed to meet with him before signing him (the Texans owner said something to that account) I guess it was a pretty rash/hasty decision because they were in a bit of a bidding war with Denver (I believe Denver dropped out of the bidding war after offering roughly $16M per year on s multi year deal). Honestly, I'm not worried about it. Gaine has helped bring a ton of talent to Houston.

OMG! This is a fantastic hire. He has helped bring a ton of talent to the Texans. I would have been happy with him as GM. I am very very impressed by this hire. Bills seem to be putting together a great staff top to bottom (front office and coaching staff). I am getting super excited! lol

McDermott said the same thing about having our #2 wide receiver on the roster before the draft. Then they traded up to get a receiver. I think it's just coach speak. But I am glad they are open minded about it. Tyrod deserves a chance to establish himself as the Bills QB. I love his work ethic. Seems like he never leaves One Bills Drive, even during the offseason.

Yes, he fabricated that whole story and later admitted it.

Poor Jeff (and Billsareback). You doing ok bud? We can get you some counseling if you're traumatized.

I'm not going to say that I didn't enjoy watching scantily clad women dancing on the sidelines. But I think the Stampede Drum Corps adds a lot more to the game experience. I grew up playing percussion though, and have been in drum corps myself, so maybe I am biased.