Einstein's Dog

$3.5M is a great price for a veteran TE2. I haven't been an OJ Howard fan but certainly better than Sweeney. And better than attempting a rookie. Good move. Eliminates a need.

First, you are putting a lot of stock in one game, we beat the Chiefs in the regular season. Plus the Chiefs are losing some pieces (safety/probably McKinnon). And yes, Mahomes can have an off game - like say what we saw against Cincy or the year before against Tampa. Secondly, you could still beat the Chiefs by playing them at home (vs on the road). It's looking like the AFC West will be much harder this year and we will be heavy favorites for each of our division games. I'm hoping the Bills will an impact pass rusher also. But the pool of available players is dwindling.

So far Beane hasn't been able to fill the pass rusher spot at his price point. I agree the draft is not the way to go for a difference maker there. But it certainly seems like Beane has figures in mind and sticks to them. There are others still out there but they need to come in at the right value or they won't be here.

For what they've addressed so far, I like it. They tried to solidify and slightly upgrade the lines. Looks good to me so far. But the big questions haven't been tackled yet. Need a pass rusher and another pass catcher (losing Sanders and Beas). If they don't get a quality pass rusher I'll be disappointed. They have more options this year, C Jones, D Hunter, Von Miller, Clowney. For pass catcher I would have preferred getting a quality TE and drafting a WR. But the good FA TEs are pretty scarce now.

Beas is nowhere near a long term plan. It would have been a slight set back even short term. Time to draft a stud WR. The grooming would be in splitting time with McKenzie - or just wait until McK gets hurt. McKenzie is not made for the beating that occurs over the middle. Beas has been beaten like an old RB. Time to move on. I think the plan has been get rid of Beas, keep a low priced replacement (which was preferably McKenzie), draft a stud WR, and get another good TE. One element - get McK has been done.

And Cleveland is notorious for not using talent. Hooper was a highly sought after TE before going to Cleveland. Great to see an addition yo the TE market because prior to this there was only Gronk and I think the odds of us landing him dropped significantly with the TE dollars going up and Brady coming back.

No, you've misinterpreted what you've seen and are mistakenly labeling it McDermotts plan. Yes, he wanted to retool his DTs, try to upgrade in a financially responsible way. That we see. But, DE is high on the must get list. Our drafted DEs are not enough. They will supplement it with the best they think they can do with the financial considerations as part of the equation. I think they are strongly trying to get a star in here - a C Jones or D Hunter, then maybe a Clowney. I think a lot of people on here, myself included, are worried the FO/McDermott may get priced out of the names/stars (like what happened last year w JJ Watt). Then they'll probably go back to a Hughes/Addison type. It may happen but it doesn't mean it was the plan.

He was in the Pro Bowl this year 2022.

At least he didn't try and pass along that Denver BS that they had Gregory rated as the best DE.

I don't think that model is clear. I think you are extrapolating a small sample size. And even there, I don't know if that is a solid conclusion. They traded for Diggs, one of the teams top names wasn't from the draft. Last year, if the reports are to be believed, they were in the running for JJ Watt. The Bills philosophy won't leave us disappointed if they are able to hit a C Jones or Gronk. The Bills FO has shown they have prices in mind, but that price may be a high one (see Diggs/Watt). And if we're in the same ballpark as lesser teams then other factors aside from price matter less and the Bills have a good chance IMO (like you were suggesting with your OP). I don't think the method is much different from other teams. They've bought a WR each year, tried for a DE (Watt), and tried for a TE (Ertz). I think they'll try for all of them again this year too (except this time the WR will be a high draft choice). The FO does have price limits and doesn't hit very often on big stars (at least so far). But the pass rushers haven't settled yet (possible C Jones/Von Miller/Clowney and a few others), and TE Gronk (doubtful)- maybe H Hurst.

I agree with you, we haven't seen anyone taking less in FA yet. And I don't think you get big differences. The advantage would be in getting someone to choose Buffalo from a set of similar market offers. FA isn't over yet, and if, for instance, C Jones has a bunch of offers in the same range we might get chosen. Where I do think we have seen the advantages of the winning ways and good culture is in signing our own. When they like where they are, and are given an early extension at market rates, it's easy to get them to take it. It's great not to have Josh drama. Most think Diggs will restructure to market rates. I'm hoping they quickly work out Knox's extension and contract - although that just jumped up. As for the money, I believe they can rearrange some things for at least one good signing. The name pass rushers aren't gone yet.

I would be very surprised to see Gronk go for $5M. $5M wouldn't get you Ian Thomas. Gronk played for around $8M last season which was around market value then. Now the market has sky rocketed and is North of $11M. I'd rather have Gronk then Njoku/J Smith/Ertz/Tonyan. I think the Bills have to go at least that high to even have a chance, there's TN, Cincy, and Tampa who could be in the mix.

with Engram going for $9M, Ertz for >$10M, and Njoku franchised at close to $11M, looks like $12-13M needed for Gronk. Might be too rich for Beane. I'd still like to see it though. We need another pass catcher - be it TE or WR. I would have preferred Gronk and a drafted stud WR. Looking like a long shot now though.

Pass Rusher - C Jones, Von Miller, J Clowney TE - Gronk, Engram, Hurst Guard - A Corbett, someone else recommended by Kromer That's it for my FA list - one from each category. Then draft stud WR and everything else needed. Might need a CB from FA too but I don't know the low level ones well enough.

I people are reading too much into the comments, C Jones remains a real possibility in my mind. First, the snap count thing. Yes, Jones may get slightly less percentage of snaps here. But most of the plays he would be out on are high percentage run plays. He shouldn't mind. Second, is opportunity. The Bills have been crushing lesser teams, have one of the highest point differentials. That is a great place to be for a DE that wants sacks. Third, players talk all the time about factors other than money, but money is generally the key driver. If Beane opens up the wallet, Jones will come.

Yes! Glad to hear. Keeps the plan I would like to see alive. McK back, get another good TE. And draft a WR early. That is a plan that covers short and long term success. Short term, McK and the new TE share slot responsiblities. Long term it allows a path for a drafted WR to quickly rise into a prominent role. J Williams type would fit nicely. Then Diggs gets restructured soon, Davis in 2 years, and good rookie 4-5 years. Great financial planning in the WR room. Unfortunately the TE portion just got tougher - Ertz is out, Gronk is a harder get w Brady back. Engram/Tonyan/Hurst are a tier down. I think Beane may have to go to a big offer to Gronk.

Yes, by designation, they are TEs. And for the Bills purposes it's not a bad idea to look for a backup TE that can play slot. Then they can have a veteran presence in the slot and a backup if Knox gets injured (which is something Beas or McKenzie don't offer). This would also allow for a nice path for a drafted stud WR to be worked into the lineup. If Gronk doesn't come here I think I would prefer Ertz over Engram. Ertz would be a temporary veteran and has better hands than Engram, which in this role seems quite important.

I don't think Gronk has indicated in any way that he is still pissed at the Bills for bypassing him. I don't see him carrying a grudge for that. I unfortunately think the Tenn tweets are more an indication that he is not coming as cheap as many of us had hoped. Tenn is a real threat to wanting/using him. I think Beane may have to pony up >10M at this point to get Gronk. I think that figure is giving Beane pause and Beane is considering other options. Engram's position would be TE. Several TEs have more of a pass catching role, but the Bills still need a good backup TE. Engram/Ertz/CJ Uzomah would be good fall back plans. Maybe Hayden Hurst if everything dries up. Gronk has been linked to the Bills in many tweets. People don't ask because Gronk/Bills negotiations aren't supposed to ba able to start until Monday.

With tweets of Tenn showing interest in Gronk, Gronk's price may be going over what Beane has in mind. Beane should be looking at all realistic good TE options. Gronk, Engram, and Ertz would all fit the bill for me.

I like a lot of it. Especially C Jones. My changes: Maybe A Corbett over Noteboom - let Kromer make the call. Better TE - Gronk, if not then Engram or Ertz. He says "Dissly"?..... please, that does nothing for me. To afford those you don't get C Kirk, you get the low priced loser of Beas/McKenzie. You also don't need 2 FA RBs, that's one too many. Draft - 1st round WR for Josh - a T Burks or J Williams stud. Brings financial progression to WR room - Diggs restructure soon, Davis in 2 yrs, Rookie for 4/5 yrs. Staying away from the shiny >$10M WR allows for the rookie to grow quickly. That's the mid-long term thinking we need.

seeing Mack go hurts some, that was one potential option no longer available. There are better options out there though, C Jones or Clowney will probably come at similar price with no draft capital expended. Just not a lot of those to go around, we'll see if Beane can get one. Also want a FA TE. Rookie TEs rarely are ready. Getting a Gronk would be a coup, if not, Engram or Ertz. Kind of slot like fill-ins for the departure of Beas. Then draft a WR in one of the first two rounds and groom and use. We can get a vet slot after the dust settles for cheap, kind of like the loser of McKenzie/Beas - the one who can't find a home. The vet slot would be the bridge (and insurance) as we groom and develop the drafted stud WR.

Good at TE? We've got Knox. Need another TE. TEs are almost never good as rookies, so this belongs in the FA bucket. For most (myself included) Gronk is at the top of the list. TEs are expensive, Clevelands TE2 Njoku just got franchised for $10.8M. According to Spotrac Gronk is now up to $9.5M and our other main man Ertz is listed at a reasonable $7.6M estimate. Otherwise, I'm with you. Spend the big money on a FA pass rusher. then TE2, and then find value at WR3 plus draft a WR early. Maybe wait on RB and take a discounted, mad, vet RB.

Actually Ertz is a FA. Spotrac puts him at a reasonable &7.6M. I'd rather have Gronk but now Spotrac raised Gronk's estimate up to $9.5M. With Geiski, Schultz, and Njoku (what is Cleveland doing?) all getting franchised for $10.8M the market for TEs is heated. I hope Gronk will still honor his home town discount.

Maybe Gronk? What? Any good dream scenario should be starting with Gronk. At a paltry $8M, he's a bargain. He was probably the person that came and saw Beane at the combine. Next add either C Jones or Von Miller. Just need one of the premier pass rushers. Expensive but needs to be done IMO. Then with Gronk on board the Bills can say No to all the high priced WRs. Decent WRs are getting $20M now - see M Allen. Draft one early - J Williams comes to mind. Get him up to speed during the year and then get close to that $20M production for a rookie contract for the next 3-4 years. Do an early season bridge with a McKenzie or Andy Isabella type.

Also, the idea that the Pegula's would be short-sighted doesn't cut it in my book. Forcing a short term interest boost at the possible expense of future winnings seems like a bad business decision. If the Bills remain good, the whole enterprise will be a money making machine. Losing risks everything. I think it's safe to think the Pegula's realize this and are keeping out of a well run football operation.