MasterStrategist

I like the Cam re-signing (prob in minority). He brings versatility, 1 player who can play slot/safety/above avg ST. Not a fan of the Rapp re-signing. He looked like a backup LY, just don't like putting decent cap $s into backups this early in FA. He's the type of guy we could replace with a June signing or Day 3 pick. Rest of the guys released/not re-signed, Beane made tough but good decisions IMO. Be good to get our DE3 in FA, and our starting 1-tech DT. A starting safety would be ideal, not sure if Rapp is their answer but he shouldn't be. And 1 WR, in the Noah Brown price range. Then hit WR and OL early, fill out depth at DL and S later in draft

Happy has posted many injury "inside" info, during the season...ie: Groot foot, Knox wrist, McGovern knee, etc He's also posted signings/interest in future players, ie: Murray, Joseph, Ford, etc LY

This has been Beanes biggest issue....he finds a bunch of B/B+ guys to accompany Josh and Stefon, latter is now a B-type guy. It's a solid/very good roster, but not enough star power. Von was supposed to be the elite guy, along with Tre coming back from injury, but things went sideways. We need to be "elite" on one side of the ball at least. Either stack up the defense, or more suitable for this draft, stack the WR room and OL. McDermott is a very good defensive mind and we can win a SB with an elite offense and tier 2 defense. Just need another playmaker, upgrade on Morse, and hopefully we see Kincaid/Shakir continue improving. Rd 1 WR and Rd 2 G/C, just might put us at elite offense...if they hit on the picks and a WR4 in FA.

Spotrac tells a different story, than you're referencing above. Salary: all agree that was reduced significantly Cap in 2024: all agree this reduced by approx $8m 2024 Roster bonus: Spotrac shows this as "non guaranteed" (but ability to convert to signing bonus). This is where the difference lies with what you stated above. 2024 Guaranteed $: not yet clear, but if the roster bonus isn't guaranteed, then we're talking somewhere close to 8.5m as gtd $. And your original $10m estimate was low, it was closer to $17m for 2024 Incentives: yes these could put Von in better $ situation, but I personally like the "pay for performance" incentives (which don't count against cap) Future cap years: I'm not seeing how our future cap is implicated at all. Unless his roster bonus was indeed "guaranteed"/amortized across remaining years of deal (which would add approx $2m to each future year)

This $$$ has to be earmarked for DL reinforcements. Von did Beane a solid, and team. That $8m can go a long way to get a couple solid players, or a Floyd type on 1 year deal

Agents typically pump out the high end ("up to")...I'd imagine it will be backup/3rd safety type money (dime)

Just depends on perspective, Thurman/Bruce/Reed are Bills legends. White/Po/Morse were all very good players, but none of these guys ever contributed near the success. I just don't too attached to players, unless stars.

We've saved close to $30M (less Edwards and Haack agreements, likely in the 3m-4m range). I think they've actually missed a recent cut. Numbers should be close $15m-16m. Tre savings will kick in after June 1st

Those were Hall of Famers, core to our success. White, Poyer, Harty, Morse, and yesterday's moves...don't compare at all. It's necessary moves, the writing was on the wall for all these guys. Making too much/negative ROI right now.

100% agree. Going to be some X types available in the 3rd-4th, that are very talented. Jerry Rices son and Jalen Coker (top small school WR) are two that I wouldn't mind seeing us draft. Coker obviously played against lesser talent, but he high-points with some of the top tier prospects (he tested elite in vertical at combine). Rice is more talented, has the lineage and also a high production receiver in 2023 but has some things to clean up. Both these guys will go in the 3rd-4th range, IMO. Right where we should be looking to double-down on WR. If things align and Beane/staff did their homework, we could come away with our future X and a speedy playmaker. Lots of "ifs", but could be a 3-year draft that would have garnered us: Cook, Kincaid, Shakir, future X, and immediate #2 upgrade.

I don't think a big X is necessary, just a creative offense that's going to move him around and be used at all 3 levels of thr pass game. His speed/acceleration best used with some formation/alignment and using him in motion (ie: Hill/Waddle). Icing on cake is he's also a top tier PR. Risk is his size, but If I were Beane I'd double down at WR (4th round) with a size guy.

This is said about every 'slight' WR, but there many exceptions. Ppl said the same about Zay and Addison last year. Devontae Smith few years ago. Some guys have skills that translate very well to the NFL, IMO Worthy is that guy

Anyone questioning Worthy should check out some highlights. Yes highlights, but the guy has elite level speed and acceleration/ability to create YAC. He would instantly draw a safety over the top on his side, wouldn't be taken away 1-1 like Gabe disappeared. He's the exact fit we need on offense, and boost us to elite level playmakers. Kincaid, Shakir, Knox in the middle of field and Diggs/Worthy outside is a very balanced group of skill players. Then Cook, a new RB2, and Josh running. Will be difficult to stop that offense.

I'd argue Franklin had a much better QB, IMO. Worthy is plenty elusive

I like Keon, think he's very similar to Pickens talent. But Worthy has been my top choice for a while, reminds me of DeSean/Zay Flowers. Keon lacks some of the route running crispness, but he's way more fluid than Gabe. Ideally, we see us selecting Worthy. If he's gone, I wouldn't mind trading back to top of 2nd round (1st few picks)...Keon "might" be there still OR plenty of other very solid options. We need to get 3 immediate impact players (starters/high level depth) at WR, DL, and S from this draft. Be nice to double down on WR (4th round, or if we tradeback possibly in 3rd), get younger in secondary and a RB2 late.

Completely agree, that you're stating facts about what we've done in recent past. But, I think last year was a perfect example of Diggs having to play through injury because we had absolutely nobody to step up. Davis down against Chiefs, and we were relying on Josh/ground attack to move the ball. This offense will be next level/potentially elite with a 1st round WR and a 4th WR via FA. That's counting on 1st rounder panning out, but recent history has shown the top prospects contribute immediately (and this is a VERY deep class). Kincaid/Cook/Shakir each taking a step forward. I expect FA to fill holes on DL and depending if we cut Poyer, then a S. We'd be smart to cut some guys, ie: Harty, Morse, Poyer, Tre and sign 1 starter at S, 1 WR (Wr4 type), and bring back Jones. Use remaining cap on depth at DL. Then WR 1st round, S or DE 2nd and 3rd, then depth at DT and RB later in draft. Beane can restructure and maneuver some 1 year deals to "push" some cap to next couple years.

Not sure I'd call it "doubling down", that usually means putting more money/financial committment. I'd call it having "faith/hope" in Von, which isn't far-fetched. He looked better/closer to normal form down the stretch. Kinda like Tre in 2022, not quite himself but got closer each game. Then in 2023 looked back like himself. Regarding CB, and secondary in general, they need more speed/get younger. Elam has talent, albeit inconsistent, but I could see a Bernard (or AJE) type jump for him. It's either Douglas or Tre, that gets cut within the next few weeks IMO. Tre has been around since Coach started, his 1st pick. I think they cut Rasul and see where Tre is at late summer. Elam/Benford/likely Dane resigned/rookie late pick/PS type guys....then if Tre is fully recovered, we have a nice problem. At safety, I'm thinking we start over. Poyer is still good, but the "whole was better than parts" (him and Hyde), FA will have several options and a 2nd or 3rd round rookie - with Cam/Hamlin/Rapp or another FA as depth.

Agree it's weird at face value (just reading a tweet). But he was asked by a kid at a local community event in Pittsburgh, about playing for the Steelers. So sort of a leading question and Hamlin didn't want to disappoint the kid. Tough situation/response either way.

Give me speed at WR, I don't care about size. We need someone who can win the short/intermediate routes, with deep play ability who can be relied on as a #2 (potential for #1 in future). This will definitely be a key draft for Beane to get us over the hump. Then take another in thr 4th-5th, who is more deep threat/size type. We need a more balanced group of WRs, like GB built. Mix of different skill sets. We can make a significant jump in skill players this offseason, similar to Ravens/Pack, if our young guys keep developing and we hit big on our 1st rounder (WR) and can find a capable #2 back.

Your last point, I think is the primary issue. $15m next year would be a HUGE hit. I think we get better "value" keeping him this year, vs a replacement at $6.7m. And as mentioned, more importantly we can spread $15m dead cap over 2 years. People forget we signed Floyd for $7-8m against the cap (forget exact #), but built in a deap cap for this year. Beane isn't going to double up the problem by cutting Von and doing a similar Floyd signing. Better alternative is doing a Floyd type signing and keep Von. Financially we can do that

Usually mid to end of May

I lean toward players/injuries, especially lacking any elite guys at DL and secondary: 2020-our DL wasn't near good enough 2021- our DL wasn't near good enough/Tre injured and slowing down in secondary (safeties) 2022-injuries to Von/Hyde/Daquan and a 80% Tre White 2023- way too many injuries, especially at LB to defend what Chiefs like to do with their TEs and Rbs We were missing too many pieces to be aggressive VS Chiefs this year, and just too slow/banged up against Cincy. I think our scheme works, we play these high-caliber teams in regular season (ie: Chiefs) and can win. DL and safety will likely look alot different next year (younger/faster). Not necessarily better overall players, but it's all about staying healthy at key spots. I'd like to see Spags coach up/use his system here, it wouldn't work....he's been fortunate with injuries.

My evaluation of Joe Brady.. Pros: 1. Coaching style: Brought more energy/juice to the off room- including getting Josh back into a groove and fewer turnovers 2. Playcalling: liked we had better balance and used Cook/Kincaid in more ways. Better rhythm overall 3. Ability to improve: we've yet to see him install "his system", did a good job working within the existing system 4. Diverse scheme: we haven't seen it fully yet, but Brady has experience in effective and good schemes in the past Cons: 1. Passing game: struggled down the stretch vs expectations 2. Retread: hasn't been successful everywhere he's been. fired from Carolina I think he gets the job for 3 reasons: 1. Continuity/familiarity 2. We haven't seen "his scheme" yet, and he runs an offense that McD likes 3. WR2/weapons: not blaming everything on WR2, but when you want to run a short/intermediate attack (with select downfield shots), Gabe doesn't fit at all/we didn't have many options other than rookie Kincaid Get a legit WR in round 1 and another FA. We need to do a better job in FA at finding a weapon to use/worth the $ (Beane has invested, albeit low $s, that add up and haven't panned out)

Agree, we need to be more explosive on offense. But also maintain our ground game/short passing too. We just don't the WR weapons, simple as that. Took 3 chances deep yesterday, Sherfield 2x and Diggs 1x. All 3 were great passes. Diggs either playing through an injury or majorly regressed in 2nd half of season. I lean toward injury, based on what he showed to start the year. A legit #2, competition for Shakir, and some adjustments to scheme. Joe Brady showed he can run a short passing/efficient offense, but didn't "wow" me. He brought an aspect that Daboll and Dorsey lacked- a run game/short attack. He was running Dorseys scheme, so I'm confident he'd improve, question is how much?

I like what the Packers built over a 2 year span....guys like Dobbs, Watson, Reed. They all complement very well, though none are true #1s. I think we could have something similar with 1-2 additions via the draft, which is a talented class. 1st round pick and a mid rounder. Get a speed guy and a big bodied guy with solid hands. Diggs was either injured in 2nd half of year, or has dropped to a #2 type WR. Shakir is a hard worker, good role player, but we get zero separation with our current group. It's either skill or playcalling/scheme, possibly both.