Einstein's Dog

I agree, the ingredients are there! J Brady and the offense will be cooking! It's Beane's job to keep this together. You need a decent salary for A Cooper and a pretty good salary for Shakir. Do it! A llot of the same people who were pounding the table for getting a top tier WR are now hemming and hawing about the price tag of Shakir. He's a fantastic young, Bills developed WR with great hands and YAC ability (along with fitting the culture). Do what is necessary to keep him! We can see this offense has the potential to be among the best in the league. Keep it together.

They tried to replace Beasley cheaply. The thought was to promote McKenzie (he had that great game against New England) and they got Crowder. I would prefer not to see this type of philosophy used again. Keep this good thing rolling. I hadn't thought much of the Shakir's affect on Kincaid. Just ride the hot hand. The Kincaid decision is a long way away. I'm inclined to think the FO will be extending him. Having two good players Shakir/Kincaid would be a good thing. While it will come down to the money, the advantage the Bills have is being able to give a market value guaranteed extension before his current contract expires, much like they did with Knox. If both sides are reasonable and fair this can work out, and I think it will.

I agree with your assessment of Shakir as a component, not a centerpiece. But he is turning into an excellent component so I hope he doesn't go away (then the Bills are left trying to fill that void again). The hope is Shakir realizes his place and that the Bills and Shakir can come to terms with that perspective in mind. A fair market price for a good slot receiver. You generally have to pay him with guarantees a year early to get those kind of deals. Do it. As for Coleman. I don't think WR1 is in the cards. I think the FO knew this when drafting him and he was always slated to be a better G Davis type. The FO purposefully let him fall out of the first round because they never intended to pay him the 5th year option rate. Right now it looks to me like the FO moves should be to extend A Cooper in a couple of months, extend Shakir, and let Coleman play out his rookie contract. And keep drafting WRs to develop.

You don't re-sign everyone, but you do re-sign a good home grown, young, developing, WR (Shakir) who is an integral part of your good team. Now I don't think you go anywhere near the $24M spoken about above. But you do give him market price a year early, a little more than G Davis money. I hope the FO knows that WR's are not a dime a dozen. Even slot WRs. Looks at the problems that occurred in that area after Beasley left - McKenzie and Crowder were not the answer. Give Josh weapons at the WR position, lets not backtrack and have to fill even more WR holes. WR is an area where money should be spent. As for not re-signing everyone, that unfortunately may have to be J Cook.

Diggs did not lose any gamble - Houston gave him all his guaranteed money this year. Sane misconception that is routinely bandied about. Diggs did not get less money, Houston gave him all his guaranteed money this year ($22.5M). This storyline that Diggs is such a competitor that he took less money to go to a contender is total BS and people on this board should not be falling for it. For me I don't know if I will ever put Diggs in the fold of admirable status of long time Bills players. Not based on his personality conflicts - over time I can forgive those - but Diggs not so quietly quit on the team. The second half of last season with the third downs, taking himself off the field. The plays where he loafed and jogged when the ball wasn't going his way. I (along with many on the board - there was a thread) thought Diggs was playing through a rather significant injury - one that would require post season surgery. I guess it was my way of reconciling my previous opinion of Diggs as a competitor with what I was seeing on the field. Then we see him running around at the pro bowl playing flag football. Inexcusable.

No problems. I obviously carry over a little bitterness with Diggs. I think a lot of his forcing movement had to do with his wanting big numbers. That's not the design or intent with J Brady's offense. Here's to hoping A Cooper understands and can accept the role J Brady wants.

Diggs did not take less money -he got $22.5M from Houston and would have less from the Bills (see my previous cutout of ESPN article). Diggs and his agent knew he was never going to get the full amount listed on his contract from Buffalo in 2025. So no, if money was his top priority Diggs would not have stayed in Buffalo for $18M when he gets $22.5M from Houston.

They not only took his contract, they enhanced it. Per ESPN below: "As part of their blockbuster trade to acquire wide receiver Stefon Diggs, the Houston Texans wiped out the final three years on his contract, giving him the ability to become a free agent after this season, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Texans also took the $3.5 million guaranteed to Diggs next season and moved it up into this season, giving him a raise and assuring him of $22.52 million in guaranteed money in 2024." Lets not fall victim to the picture Diggs wants to paint of him just being this incredible competitor that wants to go to a winner.

How is it a fact that Diggs took less money, where are you getting this? It was my understanding that Houston took his contract and gave him a raise along with shortening his contract. Pretty much the opposite of what you are saying. Secondly, yes Diggs had drama prior to J Brady but it didn't seem to affect his performance. Diggs took his drama to another level with J Brady - he showed it on the field. It is unacceptable and Diggs had to be moved. The non-movement off the line, and the taking himself out on 3rd downs were all only on J Brady's watch. I respectfully disagree that Diggs took less money and thought he had any better chance of the SuperBowl - that is just his cover for his behavior.

It looks like you're insinuating Diggs took less for a chance to win a Super Bowl - complete hogwash IMO. Diggs main motivation for leaving IMO was the promotion of J Brady and what was to be the offensive philosophy of the Bills. Diggs wanted out. it seemed like Diggs was actively undermining J Brady - from not trying on several plays that weren't designed for him, to taking himself out at critical times (like 3rd downs). One benefit of this injury is it would seem like it would greatly diminish (probably end) S Diggs HOF chances.

To me, the Bills biggest weakness had been the lack of a top tier WR, they now have one and are a contender. They not only got a top tier WR, but one who looks like will fit in the team philosophy, team first, non-diva. I am hoping Beane is giving it a few months of a test run and if everything is what it appears, give A Cooper an extension during the season. A top tier WR wasn't a temporary weakness and the earlier it is fixed the better. And from all indications to me, A Cooper is a great fit. Beane may have just left a bad situation with a WR contract but he needs to get over it and carry on - I think A Cooper is it. As for having one truly outstanding guy at a key position - the Bills have Josh Allen.

It was weird coming from the Bills, that DaBoll/Schoen went with keeping the mediocre QB and also not trading Barkley that year. It seemed like the opposite of what the Bills did, when they decided to move on from Tyrod and move on from paying RBs (moved on from Shady).

For that point (team assembly) I think there are a couple of things at play. One is the longer season and more injuries. A move based on an injury makes a lot of sense for any contending team - this was our R Douglas move last year. Kind of hoping KC is left out of it, but they would be in this category. A second thing I think is starting to happen is the culture of playing hurt, coming back as soon as possible, is going away. This year players with hanmy's are going on the IR - Nico Collins for example. E Engram took 4 games from a pre-game hamstring. C Kupp extended his time off and SF seems to be load managing McCaffrey for the playoffs. Even for the Bills, J Cook out with a toe injury. And yes, I think Beane will keep looking at the possibility for another adjustment at S or LB if he can find one that fits. I'm just glad he found the WR piece - because it makes me think this squad is a contender. As to your overall thought in the OP, it's not declining for me. Fantasy Football and betting aspects can make routine games interesting.

How was his tone?

To me, the above reads of a person disappointed in actually realizing they fell for the BS that the FO was selling. The diehard Bills fans who made themselves believe the "WR room quietly got better" or Beane is trailblazing into the "WRs are a dime a dozen". BS...BS...BS....just PR from the FO, sorry for those of you that fell for it. Lets not rain on the parade of those of us who are rejoicing in having what we considered the largest problem addressed. For me, this restores a lot of faith back in Beane. Smart guy who is working hard to address the Bills needs. I was worried after the 3-0 start and people were crowing on about how this new look was so dominant - that Beane/McD might be thinking that. This move is more like the move off of Tyrod even though they made the playoffs- don't rest at 4-2, you can make the playoffs but you are not a contender. Today, the Bills are a contender! Let those of us that thought this was the missing piece celebrate!!!

I don't think so. I believe Beane had wanted a top tier WR all along. The lack of a top tier WR was obvious (a lot of people on here just didn't want to admit it- we did not quietly get better). Beane had monetary constraints - some of his own doing, some circumstantial - but whatever- without a top tier WR this team was severely handicapped. I'm extremely pleased that Beane/McD didn't let the 4-2 start lull them into inactivity and call it a good rebuild year. With A Cooper the Bills are back in the discussion as a legitimate contender.

I'm taking it you're feeling pretty good about this too!! Great to see the FO do this when we're 4-2, recognizing the need even with a good record. Brings Beane back into a favorable light for me. Now he just needs to still add another WR next draft.

To the OP, certainly looks good IMO for the A Cooper side. I think your analysis though misses that the Bills were without a top tier WR for 6 weeks. We're lucky to be 4-2. The future is bright, a top tier WR was the missing piece IMO. Woo Hoo!!!!!

A couple of thoughts on this: A. A Cooper is on a limited time contract, it would be against his interests to cause waves - his future value would decrease - odds are he will be quiet the remainder of the season (see S Diggs in Houston as an example). B. A Cooper should certainly be the alpha - even in a potentially diminished alpha role, he is the Bills top WR. And if the Bills do well, A Cooper will get a lot of positive press. C. Even in a lesser alpha role, if A Cooper performs well and fits the culture, the Bills have a history or paying/recognizing such behavior.

Huge difference - in Miami the team made had a huge win and there was no downside in showing his emotion. With the A Cooper development there, while internally McDermott is probably excited, he doesn't want to show it, primarily for two reasons: 1. If McDermott showed excitement for A Cooper it would mean that the current players weren't good enough. The locker room culture is extremely important to McDermott. 2. McDermott probably does not want A Cooper coming in as a prima donna. He doesn't want a WR that demands a certain target share.

DHop leads my list. If you look at the relevant variables such as: goog veteran WR, on a team that stinks, affordability, and not too much of a diva - DHop scores well.

Beane should be thinking the Bills can win this year. But I am hoping this doesn't require Beane to rush into anything - this should have been thought out a long time in advance - probably back when they let Diggs go. But IMO it doesn't/shouldn't just be a win this year thing -which IMO eliminates D Adams. Getting DHop at under half his $13M salary for the remaining portion of this year and adding on 2025 at a G Davis type rate of around $13M would be a solid move for the near term and mid term. As it stands right now, WR is not just a problem this year.

It may be that all along Beane wanted a top tier WR but is under cost constraints (ie nothing has changed). So Beane would inquire, and nothing will be done in regards to D Adams - there is no way IMO that he is a fit- too costly, bad attitude, only half year rental. But DHop or Cooper are much more reasonable IMO. In a couple of weeks DHop will be a bargain. I would hope the FO would get him for not only this year but 2025 as well - because a top tier WR is a need for 2025 and you might as well fill that need now. DHop's last contract was at G Davis levels, DHop hasn't had near the negative press as most of the malcontent WRs, and they could find a reasonable way to get a year and a half deal IMO. I'm hoping this was considered a possibilty when they unloaded Diggs. Of course I've been hoping for something like this all along and it has never materialized (I thought when Tre money came in they would go after one).

I'm hoping the FO is not just looking for a half year rental out of some trade. This would probably eliminate D Adams - which is okay with me. But DHop or Cooper might be able to be worked for the half year and 2025. That would help eliminate the need to find a top tier WR next off-season.

Sometimes you having me shaking my head in disbelief. You're nitpicking an actual statistic and in the same post have this beauty: "It's 100% factual that had the Bills been forced to play start to finish all four games, that not only would Shakir....." That is not a fact, that is you with a strong belief. There is an irony that is not lost here when you nitpick someone who is quoting an actual fact and saying the missing context is pushing a narrative while stating an opinion as fact to push a narrative.