MasterStrategist

I'm posting just to clarify how suspensions impact the salary cap. Since you posted this and received alot of likes/agrees...just want ppl to understand full dynamic at play. Perhaps someone already posted on this, i haven't read all 19-20 pages. Cap implications: 1. Base salary: whatever Hoecht and Ojis salaries are, divide by 17 and multiply by 6. That amount is forfeited by the player (weekly gamechecks) and Bills re coup in cap space 2. Signing Bonus/Performance Bonus: Im not sure, but think "likely to hit" performance bonuses can be adjusted based on suspensions. But more importantly, signing bonus prorated amount for 2025 will have same "math" applied as bullet #1 (players will pay back this portion and team counts as a credit toward cap). So we will get a salary cap windfall from this. If we have the contract details, we can do the calculation. My guess is Larry's will be the biggest savings, perhaps close to $2m (will depend on void years). Hoechts will largely depend on how much is put into salary/Bonus for 2025. Also, any guarantees could go out the door...might make cutting Larry easier, depending on how contract is structured (although not sure we approach like that). Main point, it doesn't make those numbers "shocking", we essentially get to reduce a Sizeable portion of 2025 cap by >33%

We will REALLY miss you at the new stadium

It's a good point, but honestly how many of these moves occur across the NFL each year? I'm assuming that figure is 5 or less but it would be interesting to determine. Bigger issue is hitting on the draft. Young/talented, everything but change of scenery from what you said. We'd be in a better position if we could stack 2-3 consecutive years of very good drafts.

How did Rico Dowdle enter the conversation? lol. You want to cherry pick stats to find a comparable.player is just lazy. How about Brock.Purdy threw for more yards than Josh Allen, on fewer attempts? Or that Justin Herbert had a better TD/INT ratio across more attempts? You want to argue those guys should be making Josh money? At some point, you take off the blinders/agenda and recognize the facts. Cook has significantly improved in so many ways as a player and continues to get better. If you want to argue his pass pro isn't good enough, sure that's a fight you'll win. But so many around Cook have helped praise. If you've seen him at training camp every year since his rookie season, in person consistently, you see a much more confident and complete back. Hes our best RB playmaker since McCoy and so many looking for ways to bring him down. Fluke season, can't play 3rd downs, etc.... Hes a huge reason our team had the success it did LY. I could go game by game down the schedule and find games where Josh needed someone else to "be the man" that game/pitch in and who esle was it but Cook...week 2 at Miami, Cook explodes on the scene when Josh was having a so so night. Point being, you say people are quick to forget his fumbling/lack of scoring TDs...I say you're quick to forget our Devin Singletary/Zach Moss seasons where we're stuck with true "Rico Dowdle", plodders. Cook and Josh's, the OL and offense in total, went hand in hand LY. Rico Dowdles of the world are cheap for a reason, let's not go comparing based on stats.

Don't quit your day job, Sherlock

Sorry missed that...pls excuse me as I leave lol

Wait what? lol....where did I mention trade

I'd be shocked to see us draft a back in the 4th-5th, IMO. I get keeping an eye toward the future, but how does that back make it's way onto the 53? I can't recall keeping 5 backs, classifying Gilliam as a back. But either way, we already go light ish at WR with just 5...trying to figure out the 53 math.

This is made up from you watching on TV? If Elam was some sort of elite CB, he'd be playing here still. McD and staff aren't coaching traits out of players. If Elam regressed, it's because he was unable to adapt to the NFL game. Somehow Benford developed into a very good corner, while Elam regressed. Yep, coaches picking favorites. Elam was a panic pick by Beane and staff. Happens, every GM hits a bust. But there was not a clear consensus on drafting Elam amongst the staff.

We gave up 11 point the entire 2nd half....I don't think coaching was the issue. And Elam was playing off coverage, bc he gets too grabby and slow recovery with his footwork. Elam became a headcase because he couldn't get away with tugging WRs anymore at the NFL level. And his instincts were never truly his calling card. Bills thought they could coach away the grabiness. Just a case of scouting not hitting on this pick.

Was not expecting this!!! Huge benefit just to dump that salary. Hope Elam does well there, but not expecting it. Now, we can grab a vet and a draft pick within our 53 man roster.

Let's revisit after draft. Fully expect 1, possibly 2, premium picks used on DL. Daquon could be let go. Aje isn't a lock, but I'd say highly likely to stay as of now. Beane has options, which he usually prefers heading into draft.

Agree. I'm not a fan of remaining CB options. Samuel isn't high on my list all and don't feel like wasting $4-5m on a 3rd corner type, when we have Elam for that role. I'm hoping we can grab Epps or Blackmon to compete for a starting role at S. I lost a bit of trust in McD last year with secondary decisions. I know Bishop was injured/missed camp time, Edwards missed a huge chunk of camp, but our secondary play was bad. Hopefully they turn it around this year with decisions.

I still think Epps or Blackmon are options. Just like LY, we brought in Edwards to compete-that ultimately failed due to injury/other reasons. Epps is a concern coming off ACL, but he's a very good player when healthy. We had interest in Blackmon LY, that could go one of two ways depending on how that final conversation unfolded.

My number one concern is secondary. Beane/McD have said they want to get bigger/faster across the board on defense. Seeing that play out at DL signings. I want to be able to shut down the run and a solid #2 CB. I'm leaning now toward drafting a CB in Rd1 and a 1 tech in Rd2, where plenty of DT options will be there still. I see no reason to sign a vet, unless they don't plan on drafting someone high. The CB numbers game, would Beane cut Elam/waste the $4m+ cap?

Yeah no argument with any of that. I'm confident in Bishop improving, but time will tell how much. We've had some players thrive after year 1 and some squander/never reach potential. Point being, I really was hoping for a proven/impactful safety. Rapp is our best safety now, that's not good enough IMO. If Bishop take a huge leap, the perspective changes. This is similar to MLB with Bernard a cpl years ago. Need Bishop to rise up and be a playmaker. We have given out next to nothing for our safety room, draft capital and cap. Maybe McD truly thinks he can get by with that, but it's a dramatic difference vs our Poyer/Hyde combo. I thought they'd at least try and find another FA to bring in.

Love Hamlin, but sincerely hope he isn't our starter this season. Hamlin is quality backup, Rapp is a borderline starter. Still think we need to grab another FA to compete, and hope Bishop steps up.

Couple names to watch today....Julian Blackmon and Marcus Epps

We're seeing things alike up front 😁. Daquon is the big ? now...we can get some savings from letting him go, then grab a very good player early in draft to replace his snaps. FA playing out like I thought yesterday am, grab a couple DL on 1 year deals....I'd be surprised if we make any more moves up front (other than releasing Daquon). DT: Oliver Larry Carter 1st or 2nd rounder De: Groot Aje Bosa Hoecht(de/dt hyrbid) Draft pick Solomon CB, 1 tech, S are my biggest NEEDS right now.

I don't expect us to be a hybrid defense at all, but we're grabbing versatile players/can play multiple spots along the front. Not unlike most years, ie: Smoot LY, just better guys now IMO. Watched Larry alot with Steelers, he can generate pressure up the middle alot more consistently than what we got from Carter/Phillips/Johnson/Jefferson/etc last year. I saw very little "push" from Carter LY, in pass rush. He played solid against the run prior to injury though. He's a rotational piece, bounce between a 1 and 3 tech. We need to grab a DT early in draft, and be curious if we cut Daquon who looked like toast LY.

Pretty certain that was the plan, regardless of Bosa signing. Too much talent at DT this draft to not take our shot.

Good chance we carry 10-11 DL like last year. Smoot was the Swiss army, Hoecht is an upgrade at that role. Solomon is back roster depth, we need a 4th impact pass rusher. I don't think Aje is getting moved, but could easily see Daquon being cut. Still plenty of 1 tech rotational players out there, unless they are comfortable with keeping Jones. Going to be several very good DT prospects around our 1st pick, or we can wait and get a rotational piece in Rd 2. I'm torn on DL vs CB in round 1, will have to see how rest of FA shakes out.

Beane swings for doubles in free agency. Goes for the homerun in draft, but mostly doubles and a triple here and there. I think he needs to be more of a risk taker in feee agency/trades. His "grind" and built thru the draft is ideal approach, but problem is when you miss on too many 1st or 2nd rounders. He needs to "stack" talent quicker/more consecutively. 1 great draft, then 1 so so draft, isn't going to get it done....UNLESS, he swings bigger in FA/trades.

I think there are options that could upgrade us at rotational pass rusher and interior. 1 year deal types. Still think cutting Daquon is likely. I think there is a good chance we look for a S in free agency to compete. Rapp is a borderline starter, Bishop needs to take a HUGE step this offseason but I'm hopeful he'll do it. If anything we find a 3rd safety as depth Doesn't make alot of sense to draft and sign...but maybe. Main reason I say that is Elam. Doubt we find a trade partner. Is Beane willing to eat his entire cap hit (no savings)? Or is he still valuable as a CB3? I'm not against sign and draft, but depends who we sign.

I am strongly against Asante, but I'm not scouting guys full time like Beane and staff. Just think Asante is too undersized, injury prone. He'd be a nice upgrade in coverage though. Just think we could find a more reliable option in the draft, if we target someone early.