FrankoElTanko

I still don't like trading the picks we have at all for anything other than a trade up or a player in the draft. There are too many FA options available (I think). Not to sound like a rooster and at the risk of sounding argumentative, this is bullish time at its height, how was it well known we offered a #2? Other than INcarceratedBob?

Is this real life or is this a fantasy?

Now that Tyrod is gone, we can justifiably move forward with a new "bridge" QB without having the locker room/fan divide of whether or not he should be a starter or "the guy". Now if/when we draft our future QB early, by trading way up, we can without controversy, move forward. I think we should do so with Bridgewater on a 2yr-3yr (option) deal. He is competitive, young, and pretty much guilt free if he couldn't make it through a season or if the rookie outplayed him. Also, we could get lucky and he could have a great year and end up as valuable trade bait in a year or two (a la Bradford 2015-16). I just do not want to risk trading ANY picks for a QB when there are viable options on the FA market. What do you guys think?

Michael Bennett (this week), not Martellus*sp

Yeah, your'e right. I was leaning toward the notion that these other teams front offices' as well as the "big-name" players (or former superstars) are not even taking 'preferential' trade requests (i.e., Randy Moss willing to go to NE for a 3rd (I think) and far less money than he would have gotten as a FA) to get to NE as often as often as they once used to. I understand they are two different situations but the Pats are getting less of both types of talent (willing athletes to waive no-trade clauses and take less money as well as those from FA). I mean last year they signed S. Gilmore for booku money. When was the last time they needed to spend that type of money or even made such a deep FA splash, usually people jump to give them their "busts" and they kill it (a la Corey Dillon) or trade them their malcontents (a la Randy Moss) for nothing in addition to it seeming like these players also would choose NE for less money (a la Rodney Harrison) in FA as well. I just wrote that in correlation to a M. Bennett article that I read (sorry no link), where I had read that because the Pats were late to the trade party, the Eagles wouldn't even make a deal (although it was rumored that the Pats offered a 4th).

Truth... I remember the days where Corey Dillon, Randy Moss, Rodney Harrison, etc. would actually take pay cuts to sign. Now we get to see Talib (for whatever reason) not go, M. Bennett not go. and hopefully, the trend continues and there are others.

Hallelujah it is not the Pats

AJ Green Big Ben (likely a FB HOF) Close, but Matt Ryan because he seems to stay healthier however, Julio dominates games when he is on Eli (likely a FB HOF) Close, but Jameis Winston (only bc he is a QB and aside from last year the Bucs have been 'better' (still putrid) with Jameis) Alex Smith (this one isn't that good as Tyreek is relatively new) Drew Brees (who is a FB HOF)

Im having a difficult time understanding why a 21yo RB who is all but guaranteed to be a well compensated professional athlete next season would require or be administered a similar psychological evaluation as that of a future law enforcement agent? Moreover, why would they/should they tolerate similar or be conditioned for such testing...

I appreciate your honest input so here is my chance at an explanation. There are a TON of things that my employer would like to know about me the same way that there are things I want to know about him/her. However, there are things he/she has no business knowing about me because they are unrelated to my performance, at work (whether on the clock or representing myself as an ambassador of that company). Those things are protected legally by the Civil Rights Act, Title VII (1964). It is not necessarily that I would care to tell my employer that I may be married to man or a woman or that my mother may have sold dope, herself or whatever else SHE may have done to survive. These rules and laws exist exist are to safeguard interviewees and potential employees against EVERYONE ELSE's perception of these personal matters. Traditionally, as you already said, ""none of us work in a such a volatile business where millions of dollars are at stake based on someones simple reaction...". You may be right however, because this is such a rare scenario (essentially interviewing for a multi-million dollar salaries as 20yo) that is even more of a reason to have that protection. YOU are the one with everything to risk by answering intimate questions. Say the interviewer asks you if you were gay? You responded, "yes". Now although nothing has changed for you (not that anything could by you responding yes or no, YOU are still being interviewed for the 'job'), you know that your responses will be taken back to that respective team's ENTIRE front office and ALL of your responses will be scrutinized and taken highly into consideration come draft day. Now you and I both know that it is not only ONE person who makes the decision to draft/sign/resign a player, it takes an organization. With that being said, the odds are simply higher that someone may have a problem with you admitting something (potentially) controversial during this line of questioning (regardless of whether or not they were ONLY asked to gauge their reaction, like you said). So now on draft day as an athlete (maybe gay, maybe not?) I have to wonder if there MAY be someone in the organization who does not want to select me or even worse wants to select me because they need me but they may have a problem with my sexual orientation? I know that me answering those questions when they asked it would not change my love for football or my commitment, only leave me to wonder why it would even matter to an NFL front office? Who knows? Maybe they ask those questions and they see what type of reaction I have and that is what it is, just questioning. I go on and have a Hall of Fame career and nobody is ever offended. Maybe? Maybe just avoid the entire thing and not ask? A team worth billions could likely find some alternative, equally effective form of LEGAL questioning to screen future employers... Again, if not, the athlete is being interviewed, screw that job, try another one (there are 31 others out there) you literally know exactly what you are worth coming out (depending on which round).

^ 100%

Exactly this. I do not understand the argument that, "they should have thicker skin, they should be tougher, they will get it worse as a pro etc."? If it is offensive and it is illegal/out of line (still discrimination, Title VII, Civil Rights Act (1964)) then don't do it. I am no psychologist but if the point of asking these asinine questions it to see reactions, etc. then why not just change the question to something within the rules... Silly non-argument, if you are being interviewed (as D. Guice), then I would imagine that there are 31 other teams who would likely just avoid that type of situation all together that you could justifiably give the finger to the team asking you such nonsense.

Yea... except they're not future cops in the field... they are 20-24yo who are interviewing for a job as an athlete, how are those similar?

This is an excellent move. All things considered, we seem to be adding for next year's comp pick formula that is for sure. Realistically it was either going to be Cadet, a rookie, Tolbert, or Jonathan Stewart backing up LeSean next year. With this move we get the best combination of experience/talent/diversity/mileage out of the lot of them. Plus this is a non factor for the comp pick formula next year. Good add for sure. In regard to the money.... I am sure we can spare the $5.5mil/2yr or whatever we gave, the money we gave him is a total non-issue.

It would almost vindicate not (even attempting to) resigning J. Matthews and would definitely be an almost unprecedented win on the Rams trade in particular. I know this is a stretch (I am being a homer) but if we resigned Watkins and Gaines (albeit more unlikely after Vontae), we would have then traded Sammy to the Rams for a second and Gaines and still ended up with both under contract and their second. IF and that is a HUGE IF, this were to take place, I would imagine it is very very rare. In fact, I would love to know, as I am unsure as to how often something like that goes down in the NFL. I mean literally it would be trading a player to be rented for one season (at 800yds, 8tds(ish)) in exchange for a more than plus starter (when healthy) and a second rd pick... Only to come back and resign the same player that they traded earlier.... That would be like twilight zone GM moves. But then again, it's Friday and I am in a very lofty mood.

I feel like this would be a huge 'get' for our Bills if he slipped into the second round. It seems that it is becoming more likely that we are giving up both of our 1st(s) for the shot at a QB. However, the real suspense afterward is whether or not we will have any available draft capital after the move up. If so will we have any picks left in (a). this year's 2nd rd. and/or (b). next year's 1st/2nd rd/combination of both. With that being said, if we can work magic to keep both of our 2nd rounders this year and possibly only (not ideal) lose next yr's 2nd rounder to move up. Then we could keep both this year and use one of them to snag Price, all of a sudden if he is available in the second then he goes from a luxury to a must.

I would be ecstatic to bring Sammy Watkins back. Albeit I would not want to spend $8-9 million/yr. If we could like a 3yr/$21-24 million deal going I would be pumped! He admittedly loved being a Bill (hes a fan too) and also publicly acknowledged his immaturity and seemed sincere from what I have read. I am not sure what his value is in FA because of his injury history and while it would be (what I feel) an excellent career move to sign with SF and develop with Jimmy G, I would be so happy to bring him in for rd. 2 with KB, here! If not for anything else but his willingness to prove himself all over again as the face of the Bills. Which other FA or draft pick aside from a new QB would come (back) into out organization with such a chip on their shoulder? Being the face of Buffalo is something he has openly desired to do and I think that bringing back whether it worked out or notcould alleviate some pressure from a rookie QB. Realistically though, it is unlikely he comes back and thank God for Brandin Cooks because I feel like Sammy would be too rich for the Pats blood and too similar of a WR to Cooks (for the Pats) to justify paying both. He was by no means the best here and well over-drafted, especially in such a rich WR draft class *facepalm* but in his defense he was constantly hampered by the foot and other minor injuries. Also, I believe that there was a stretch there where we can all agree he looked amazing (i.e., the first half of that KC game was a Madden type effort before we stopped throwing to him...). If we were to bring him back, so as long as the price is right I believe that we would benefit from the (re)surgance of a healthy Sammy Watkins, who is still only 25yo. However, the key being his health, he is worth nothing for no amount of money as a WR if he cannot stay on the field. I honestly feel though given our organizations familiarity with his previous injury history in conjunction with his first healthy season in the last few years, I would take a flier on him for sure! I mean we need our draft picks for seemingly everything including a QB, why not? This may sound condescending and I dont mean it to be but who else in this years FA market do you think the BIlls (OUR BILLS, lets be real) would target? I feel like Sammy Watkins is as game as anyone, if not more than anyone else.

His analysis are great color for the draft and hes very likable in regards to watching/listening to him however, he has to be the most inaccurate to ever do it. Ironically enough he seems to be the poster child for the 'mock draft'? Lmao, its almost a better omen that he has us going 180 degrees from a QB. If they measured his 'success' at ESPN by how many hits he had he would have lost the job decades ago.

Im weak... This is unfortunately so so so true, especially with this one.

Yea ^ this... Great read on Dareus. I wish we would have tried harder to reclaim a 3rd overall All-Pro under 30, already signed for the next few years though.... Whatever it's done and in comparison to the TT situation, I find it almost nil that he is traded unless some team like Denver or Arizona were to make a move and with the rest of the market (I think Cousins will go to the Donkeys) I find it highly unlikely AZ or anyone else in a similar predicament places that phone call. I mean nobody could have predicted Alex smith would be TRADED for a 3rd and a DB when he was already likely to get cut. Total Synder move and NOT par for the course.

No way. He's good (when he decides to be...) but I would rather have Dontari Poe for 5-6mil or DaQuan Jones for similar money. I hope/it is (what i think to be) more likely to be Star. I do hope however we do not mortgage the rest of our line by throwing a ton of coin at Star. I agree with DC Orange in that he has not played as well the last few years so I would hope he signs for a (little bit) of a McD connection-esque discount. Or give me Poe and draft H.Phillips in the second.

So trade our best player... for Nick Foles and sign DeMarco Murray? Why on earth would we do that. We could just draft a QB and keep our best player? or bid for Cousins without giving up Shady. I cannot understand this one.

1st (22), a conditional (next yrs, 3rd (or to a 2nd depending on playoffs/starts/ProBowl)) and Tyrod for the 14th overall? I really wouldn't want to give up a 2nd next year but if we could preserve one of them this yr then we could potentially use it as trade bait to move from 15 to somewhere higher if need be, to make sure we get our guy, whomever that is (a la Philly, with the Wentz trade). Or we could accidentally get lucky and catch a slide at the Cards pick and use the next 1st to build the OL/DL/LB? Essentially... Tyrod, the 22nd ovr, and a 3rd(up to a 2nd) next yr. to move up 6/7 spots? While freeing what will be future dead cap space.

the NFL.com draft leaves us with Lamar Jackson (which is to be determined) but to stay put and land the rest would be amazing!

1billsfan, is on point with the Mahomes and Watson thing. I don't think that the new regime allows Buffalo to not even swing at one of the bigger names.