Okay, here we go...
Bear with me as this is my first actual post after what seems like an entire lifetime of lurking and questioning whether or not the Bills will finally get 'their guy' or any Qb of the future for that matter. I have never been overly pro-Tyrod (I do love the lack of turnovers after the last few Qbs) however, I was never an anti-Tyrod guy. He gave us the best shot to win at the time (with the argument being whether or not we should have taken D. Watson, last year). However, I think that we handled (at least this year) the situation poorly by not building around his strengths and seemingly highlighting his weaknesses with poor scheme flexibility and inadequate skill players/play-calling. With that being said, we need to move on. Tyrod was never the Franchise but it's too late to decide about it still either way, we never built around him (and if we did, I am not saying he would be successful... We just do not know) so we need to move on plain and simple.
Now, with the A.Smith trade yesterday, things may get interesting. Although Smith going to Washington all but ensures Cousins free agency, it is interesting to note the connection between the Jets new offensive coaching staff and Cousins familiarity. I believe that both the Jets and the Broncos would arguably provide the best environment for Cousins which in turn could benefit us very much or hurt us (depending on the Jets draft plans post FA). I am of the opinion that we should find away to grab one of the top four somehow, without jeopardizing next year's first. To do so we would benefit from Denver snagging Cousins in FA. Not only would Cousins open up Denver's first for availability (I would assume) it would allow us to jump the Jets and have arguably the second or third rated Qb on the board.
On the other hand, if the Jets somehow snag Cousins, it may open up their pick for business however, the Jets would likely attempt to fleece us if we needed the number six overall for a Qb. That leaves us with the Colts number three and the Browns number four, which will take a fortune to obtain. This is where I will likely lose some people and have people disagree. I think that Cousins is a more than serviceable Qb who will be vastly overpaid as a FA (as they always are). Although, I believe (due to the money he has already made alone) Cousins will ultimately decide to play between the Jets and Broncos, the Bills need to make a competitive offer against Denver and over the Jets. Let me emphasize that I do not prefer Cousins, especially for what will be an ungodly amount of money with the A.Smith extension. Although, in spite of the Jets being forced to gamble on a rookie and Denver ultimately signing Cousins, the Bills would benefit from the gamble. If, and it is a substantial *if, the bidding for Cousins comes down to Denver, NYJ, and the Bills and the Bills out bid the Jets. Cousins will likely choose Denver, we could then trade for Denver's pick and all but ensure blocking the Jet's pursuit of Cousins AND forcing them to select a Qb after us. If not, we can land Cousins (who may work out excellent, or may not. He may be an All-pro or he may be a necessary contract dump in a couple of years due to his extremely front-loaded FA deal this year). Either situation would allow us to block a division rival that, let's be honest was much better than we thought and a Qb away from replacing us as a Wildcard team. Let me know what you all think?