freddyjj

It is apparent that many of this board's subscribers are up in arms over the recent Jets trade up to #3. While admittedly that is disconcerting, one has to take solace in the fact we now sit at #12 and 21 now as oppose to 21 and 22. OBD still has options and will likely draft a QB who will be our eventual starter. For more on that, please read all the surrounding threads. I would like to talk about several areas of need/concern for OBD to address in the remaining FA moves and the 2018 draft. The Bills were one of the oldest teams in the NFL last year and a quick review points to four areas where some key performers need to be replaced this year or next: LG will be an area of need in 2019 as Richie is on last year of contract and will be 35 by time the season starts. In a new Power Blocking scheme, his role is pivotal so OBD would be wise to find his replacement in this years draft and possibly play that player at RG in 2018. Will Hernandez from UTEP is an ideal replacement but would likely take pick 22 or a high 2nd to grab. There are several other strong LG candidates later in the draft. Sidenote: The Bills Oline will be one of the lowest priced Olines in the next few years as Dawkins, Groy, 2018 rookie TBD and Miller/Ducasse, Mills/ Conor McDermott are not expensive contracts. This is an area I see OBD building through the draft and scouring the wire in 2018. Look for a Guard or C/G to be drafted in the upper half of 2018 draft with an eye for a possible 2018 starter at RG with position versatility to also play LG or C in time The same age issue is true with the 3 technique DT - Kyle Williams, who will also be 35 by training camp. 2018 will be his farewell tour in NFL and will be OBD should look for another off the nose DT. Little help on the roster as Adolphus Washington is really a 5 technique DE without a home in this D and could be a training camp casualty if OBD finds an affordable cap casualty FA or a good 3 technique in this draft. Maurice Hurst, Taven Bryant or Harrison Philips would be late Rd 1 or Rd 2 picks who could play this position with the same tenacity, penetrating style and technique that Meatball exhibits. Kentavious Street is a mid-late rd candidate too. Suffice it to say OBD will not want to have Kyle on the field for 65-70% of plays like in 2017 again. SAM LB. Lorenzo Alexander will be 35 by training camp as well. This position may be least worrisome to OBD of the 3 as in today's NFL this is primarily a run down, set the edge position with some TE coverage responsibility. This should be easy to fill in the draft as there are some really athletic options here - Lorenzo Carter and Leighton Vander Esch come to mind. Scheme play a role here as McD/Frazier played 4-2-5 Nickel for 65-70% of plays late in the year with Lorax being replaced by Leonard Johnson or another DB. Lorax, if on the field in passing downs, will likely be playing with his hand in the dirt as a Pass Rusher, not as on off the ball LB. RB1. Shady will be 30 by training camp, and, despite my being a huge fan, OBD should look for an eventual replacement in this deep RB draft. And his primary backup, RB2 Chris Ivory will also be 30 by OTAs. The $$ paid this past week to Cadet, Jones and Murphy at RB3, 4 and 5 do not preclude their being released prior to camp. David Johnson the AZ Cards RB was a 3rd rd pick in 2015 and Alvin Kamara went in 3rd round to Saints last year. OBD could hit gold from a list of RBs such as Nick Chubb, Royce Freeman, Rashaad Penny, Kerryon Johnson could all be there with pick 32 of the 3rd round. Lets hope we are as lucky as AZ and NO! Of course, this is all just IMHO. Much will depend on what draft pick collateral could be surrendered in a move up to draft a QB. Even in that case, the above needs might lead to OBD surrendering 2019 draft assets instead of this year's especially to Cleveland as they already have 12 picks this year. All in all, the next 7 weeks will reveal what OBD's strategies truly are and how they plan on addressing these areas of need.

Heads Up - Bradham reupped with Eagles. Murphy is like Lorenzo and can play OLB or DE.

Sure that is the case but a likely scenario is we commit $32mm of the $40mm cap available this year and then roll over some $8mm to 2019. Coupled with reduction in dead moneys and increase in cap, even when you account for the players to be signed in FA and drafted this year in 2019, we could have $65-$70mm avaialble cap in FA in 2019.

Shaw66, wow that's a different take, never occurred to me. My take is they are moving up the board in 2 steps to get their QB ala the eagles in 2016 when they snagged Wentz. My take on FA QB is a McCown, Moore, Henne signing to be the sage to the youngster. Rosen or Mayfield are likely to play early on in 2018.

So looks like we gained $4.8mm in cap room by trading Glenn.

Bradham was a key to Eagles D in 2017 - especially after Jordan Hicks got hurt as he wore radio headset and split time between SAM and Mike. Appears he matured in his on the field responsibilities. Wonder if his off-field has done the same. Had a weed pullover stop in BUF and had a weapons issue in PHL tenure. He fits the speedy body-rocker type McD's D demands.

Best of luck Tyrod in the next chapter of your story. You were always the epitome of class in your dealing with the fans, media and team mates. Stay Healthy, be the leader you are and win some games for that team on the other end of the lake!

lol - I made a rookie mistake. Fixed the year. Thanks for pointing out. Good stuff on the comments btw!

https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-where-cb-tredavious-white-won-in-2017 This article from PFF has some great insight into his rookie year - the stats back up what we all saw. NFL QBs averaged a 21 rating throwing toward the boundary on out routes when Tre was in coverage. They averaged out at 72 rating throwing to his zone. And only 58 rating throwing at him in man to man. Most amazing - he either made a pick or broke up a pass 19.5% of the time when thrown on. Playmaker Index was 10th for all CBs in NFL. Let's hope OBD finds some other gems this year!

Wonder if he could play down in the box as the nickel safety / small LB as 15-20 lbs heavier than Hyde and Poyer. His stats dropped last year as only 6 starts so seems he was phased out by Titans. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SearDa00.htm Always liked him with Bills and he seemed like he was a team guy - took a pay cut last year so maybe sign on 1 or 2 year deal for $1.5mm per year. Would seem like a low profile, low risk deal for OBD. Thoughts?

Some basic facts about the guys dealt away or cut: Sammy - Always hurt, when somewhat healthy was having agent call GM and coach about lack of targets. Not committed to off-season workouts while a Bill. Wasn't going to stay here and wasn't worth franchising IMHO. Jonathan Williams - Had an Arrest (subsequently found not guilty of DWI) while a Bill. Pass blocking, receiving skills and Value as STer questionable. Darby - Man scheme only CB with "poor" ball skills. Benched in 2015 by coach that drafted him. Kevon Seymour - Man CB with poor ball skills in college (needed eye exams to correct) and questionable tackling skills.

So one must imagine they feel Humber will be back in 3 weeks after bye as no LB signed. Believe Jenkins and Hodges still out there.

If it was a run or return of some sort only, its a TD. As it was a reception he needed to maintain control through his falling to the ground. So would have been ruled as called on the field.

Thanks for the great work and providing the gifs of plays. It is very telling. I for one would like OBD to consider making 2 changes after Bye week. RG - Look to replace Miller with Ryan Groy who should be better one scheme G and will help run game immediately. Also consider using Dawkins here if Glenn and Henderson play tackle spots. RT - Assuming Cordy Glenn heals up, let Henderson and Dawkins compete and split time at RT. Loser is Swing tackle. or kick Dawkins in to RG and let him compete there too. Most draft experst had him as a G candidate and I believe he is Richie's long term replacement as devastating as a Run blocker

Just heard on Sirius NFL that Dennis Pitta was Waived Injured by Ravens. Maybe this makes Gary Barnidge more critical as a signing for Ravens as Ben Watson still recovering from Achilles tear. On the other hand it frees up $$ to sign any player

McD later made clear, when questioned if Cyrus was rehabbing from his hip injury or the incident in Elma, that he meant he was doing well in rehabbing from the hip injury. Cyrus, this is your brain on drugs is a topic for another thread.