Einstein's Dog

Exactly, they could have paid Singletary and chose not to. The point is so far the FO has not paid RBs a lot of money. I've liked that philosophy and don't want them to break it for Cook. It's unfortunate because Cook can be exciting. And Cook would be a good value this year if he played on his current contract. But it now looks like there are problems ahead and it might be time to move him.

They chose not to extend Singletary. Singletary got paid elsewhere. If they were going to extend Cook the FO would have wanted to give him a guarantee at market value now for a few years in exchange for the early guaranteed money and signing bonus - much like Shakir. The market value of RBs like Cook - D Henry/J Mixon had been around $8M/yr. Cook is talking $15M, not even in the ballpark.

Because the FO philosophy of not paying big money to RBs is smart. I don't want large expenditure and void years for an RB.

Maybe Cook could have been had for $12.5 but most of us in the Bills forum are glad they didn't do it. It's been the FO philosophy not to pay RBs big money, and its been a good one. Don't do it for a two down back. Ideally you would have Cook play out his last year here - he's good value now. But I could understand the FO if they jettisoned Cook as part of a package in a trade - Cook looks like a potential problem. Ty Johnson should be re-signed, he's good value and a good player. R Davis can be groomed to be the lead back and draft another one. An RB by committee is a smart way to go.

When you don't factor in cost it seems easy to me: Garrett, Crosby, then DK. This exercise gets a lot harder when put up against the draft/price considerations. Garrett is universally coveted as a top 10 player and will be really expensive while DK has a smaller amount of teams clamoring for his services and should come significantly cheaper. And to me, DK is an incredible fit to the Bills as they want this new physical option. DK along with this 6 OL and Knox and Hollins is a tough task for most defenses in January in Buffalo in single digit temps. If it is presented as Garrett + Tut Atwell or DK Metcalf + K Mack + J Holland, then my preferences change.

What?? I know Von hate can cloud opinions but this is getting ridiculous. Von Miller was a force the very first game he was in a Bills uniform. He was pretty much a man against boys scenario. Von came here in great shape and seemed like a leader. As I remember it, Von had pretty much the game sealing sack against the Rams. And during the half season he was on the line the Bills became the Superbowl favorites. Von came here in great shape and significantly improved the Bills. I'm sorry if this gets in your way of Von hate.

I take it you didn't watch the "Receivers" show on Netflix. The only receiver that didn't come across as a self-centered diva was Kittle. J Jefferson/Deebo/St Brown/ D Adams, all started out decent but as the show progressed, Big Brother style, and the receivers relaxed and showed their true colors - they all came across as people I just didn't like. It took a while longer to dislike Amon St Brown - but I got there. Kittle was a hoot (in the Hollins variety). For Adams in particular, he mentioned how he cleared the QB change. There was almost the oops section where after the Raiders won and then Adams had a tirade about not being used enough. And then later on the show the coach - the interim guy at the time- was clearly afraid/sucking up to Adams. It was disgusting.

I think an adjusted version of this ranking should include D Adams and C Kupp who would be slotted in at 2 and 3 respectively in terms of talent. Then Beane needs to incorporate cost and culture fit into the equation.

Yes, I can see that as a slight problem. But Kupp is a good player and J Brady and Josh would just have to adjust to make it work. Plus the Bills seem to have very little depth behind Shakir who is a very important part of the offense. Kupp/Rams could offer Beane a lot to work with in terms of negotiating a contract. Looks like on spotrac Kupp has a $12.5M base salary From a Bills fan perspective, Kupp is a lot easier to root for than Adams.

What are we going to do? Get a WR! The draft is for the future, drafting another WR would be a great move for the future but I doubt it will be done in the first round. As for the veteran WR the Bills get, a lot depends on how much investment is put in the DE (Garrett or Crosby). 1. DK Metcalf - what a fit! But would cost draft and money - unlikely if draft and money is used of for DE just money 2. C Kupp - minimal draft capital required (if any if they wait) but has a large salary/cap (almost $30M which is why the Rams are unloading). 3. D Adams - need to make sure he could handle the anticipated reduced role - he did seem able to split headlines w Wilson at the Jets 4. A Cooper - not ideal, but they claimed he played hurt. The offense was pretty good, respectable culture fit and can accept distribution limitations. 5. D Slayton - fills a speed role, should come cheaper. 6. Hollywood Brown - cheap role filling player

Yeah, that is a bit of a problem. Seemed like in a few episodes Adam's true colors came out and is was all about his targets/catches. I may have to revise my wish list. If the Bills can get a big fish DE then I might put C Kupp above Adams because of culture and fit.

But what if you want Garrett and a WR? If you get use lots of draft capital to get Garrett (or Crosby) then the FO would probably only want to use money. Of the FA WRs (or soon to be), D Adams is probably the top available. And I would rate D Adams above Cooper and even Godwin.

And I'll add to this, it's Beane's job to have a plan and put values and odds of happenings for each event/player. For instance, he may (as many of us do) want Garrett but if the deal looks like it can't materialize until June he may not want to put all his eggs in one basket. I think the Bills have the cap and draft ammo for a move and Beane is feeling out where he can use it. If Garrett and Crosby are not in his range, maybe DK could be. Then he makes the big move for DK and fills in the defense with remaining money and draft capital. It would be nice to see a big move for Garrett and pay/add D Adams but I wouldn't mind a DK move along with a pay/add Mack.

And the $15M is listed as "up to" which suggests to me, Shakir would have to improve to get that amount. Seems like Shakir took his current market value in an extension to get guaranteed money and a signing bonus.

The phrasing of "one trick pony" seems harsh to me, doesn't capture a lot of the attributes DK would help bring to the team. 1. DK is a known work out warrior. Something the FO wants out of both Coleman and Kincaid - some strength. 2. DK would add blocking, he is a man-child that would fit in well with the 6 OL formation. Imagine the 6 OLman, DK, Knox, and Hollins and what they could do to a finesse defense in a 2 deep shell. 3. DK for a top tier WR hasn't gotten the ball the same amount as most of his caliber and hasn't complained. Seems like he could handle the Brady "everyone eats" distribution scheme. 4. Incredible culture fit. The workout attitude mentioned above with the non-diva attributes. And lets not forget one of his signature plays of running down the CB from the other side of the field. Remember that one, Seattle QB threw an INT to the CB right near the goal line and DK sprinted after him from the other side of the field and tracked him down. If the Bills are going to reset with the philosophy of putting money into the premium spots QB/LT/WR/DL/CB, then IMO DK is a great person for the WR investment.

I don't follow you on the Seattle doesn't need an RB thought. K Walker had <600 yds with a 3.7 ypc. He was put on season ending IR in Dec 2024 Their second RB is Zach Chabonnet who had <600 yds with a 4.2 ypc. Then K McIntosh as #3 who had a total of 172 yds Then there is George Holani - who? Seriously Holani has a total of 10 yards! on a 3.3 ypc. Seattle was 30th in rushing yards and 23rd in ypc

I agree with a lot of what you're saying here - Garrett or Crosby first. But it seems like those could be drifting away. Cleveland not dealing and the Raiders potentially adding Stafford to at least appear competitive to keep Crosby. Where I differ is on being able to compete with the Pack. Doubs is a troubled WR that I think Green Bay is hoping to unload and make it look like a deal sweetener. Much in the same way I think Beane would dangle J Cook. I think Kincaid and Coleman are in the Shakir category of highly coachable, team oriented, culture players that are here for the long haul. Cook is questionable in that regard IMO and could be trade bait in any of the major moves.

If Cleveland is holding firm on not trading Garrett and the Raiders reload with Stafford (thereby signaling they aren't tanking and appeasing Crosby), I think the FO pivots and turns to third on the overall list of big moves and goes for DK. It doesn't mean they give up on D line, it just modifies the way they go about it. The big draft capital and money goes to DK and a decent sized FA goes to the D line with a lot of the remaining draft capital going to D.

I'm with you on this one Alpha, I don't think Shakir has changed the plans at all. This was the plan. The FO has reasonable numbers for their own first. And while DK seems like a long shot, I think he always was a long shot. But if the stud DE's don't materialize and Seattle is ready to make a deal, the DK move could still be on the list.

I agree, I think/hope that the FO is trying to get back to the plan of paying franchise QB/LT/DE/WR1. They've got the QB+LT, now need to try again with DE and WR1. A stand out DE will take draft capital and money for a Garrett/Crosby so I don't think the FO would invest both draft + money for the WR also, which IMO makes DK a long shot (which is unfortunate IMO but understandable). With the overall offensive success with a mediocre A Cooper the FO may have revised and lowered their anticipated investment in a top WR. I'm hoping they don't go too cheap, I'd like to see D Adams or C Godwin at the $20M mark. Then there is the drop down to DHop, Slayton or Hollywood Brown.

Wow, to me you're all over the place. You don't like the Shakir deal which I love - yes, Shakir is getting G Davis money but Shakir has incredible hands and was a huge part of this offense. Secondly, you think Cook at $13 per is some sort of deal. Cook should be signing up for D Henry/J Mixon money - $8-9M. Instead Cook took to social media with a $15M claim.

Also, the player involved needs to take the prevailing market rate, for the years extended and in return they get a guarantee early - just like Shakir. In the case of Cook he may have done Beane a favor going to social media, the fans now see why J Cook will not be handled like Shakir. J Cook does not want a reasonable market rate for future years now along with a guarantee. J Cook wants top of the market.

I would like to keep Rousseau. More like give 1st in 25, 1st in 26, 2nd in 25, 4th in 25, along with J Cook + AJE + Elam for Garrett and Newsome and a 3rd and 5th coming back. Something huge like that. I think Maxx is in play, he is just handling it intelligently. He is allowing the Raiders to get good value for him and keep a good relationship with the fans.

But what about when they brought the big fish Von in? I'm talking with the unhurt version right of Von right out of the gate. Didn't he start by making his presence felt in the first game, against the Rams? The Bills were Superbowl favorites. Lets replicate that with Garrett as the new piece.

This is why I would like him in a big package for the Garrett or Crosby. It clouds the value of the trade. You put in J Cook, Elam, and AJE along with draft picks.