DrDawkinstein

Imma say something crazy: I'd rather pay Cook than throw that money at Higgins. Pay Cook and draft a WR early over paying Higgins and drafting a RB. Higgins will disappoint at that price tag. Cook has already lived up to the salary. Plus, Cook's $12-14M is less than Higgins' $20+M. JMO. (I look forward to getting the red x from @GunnerBill )

Not a Higgins fan, going all the way back to his time at Clemson. Seemed too frail even back then, and that has played out in the NFL. He's no where near a true #1, but he'll be paid as such. No thanks. Bringing Higgins in as our top WR would only continue our track record of having lesser-thans at the position. Need to go chase that Diggs and above talent level. Higgins is no Diggs.

I hadnt even considered this, but now that you mention it, it makes perfect sense. He's funny af. Peyton, Eli, and others have hosted. He absolutely should as it will help expand his brand, and set a foundation for endorsement work/money even in retirement.

Terry always makes the decision, ultimately. But he went with Rex after Russ convinced him, while Whaley wanted Hue. He still was working off advisement from other people and far less involved than he is with the Sabres. That was probably part of it. But Kim didnt spend decades around football already, like Terry did hockey. Kim didnt build Penn State a football stadium like Terry built them a hockey rink. She wasnt meeting with former players and execs before the purchase like Terry was with LaFonatine and others. The situations were very different.

Because Cook has 1 ability that no other RB currently on the roster, or on the Bills in the last 10-15 years has had: the ability to take it to the house on any given play. He's a one-man deep threat. If he gets to the 2nd level clean, look out. Poyer learned the hard way as he watched Cook blow right by him. You have great stats and analysis comparing numbers. Fine. Make those say whatever you want. But neither Ray Davis nor Ty Johnson are breaking off a 50yd TD run anytime soon. Cook had MULTIPLE this year alone.

That's the name. Rest in piss. (lol, is that harsh? Go Bills) No one in the Bills FO cares about the social media posts as much as you do, or at all really. No one in the locker room either. Thank god the fans dont run the team.

Totally different situation. Terry is a huge hockey fan. He bought the Sabres as a fan, to be part of his favorite sport. He was already an NHL insider, rubbing elbows with former players and coaches. He considers himself a "hockey guy". He is very involved with the hirings. Terry does not know football. He bought the Bills as an investment, almost being forced into the purchase by WNY, having never been around the NFL. When the Pegulas came into OBD it was a major shock and eye-opener being part of a Trillion-dollar league. They knew immediately they were in over their heads. That is why he relied heavily on Russ and Whaley to hire the first coach (Rex), and why he hired an outside consulting group to advise on the next hire (McDermott). His handling and role of the teams could not be more different. If we moved on from McDermott, I'd expect that same consulting group to be tapped again.

I forget his agent's name, but that guy was a notorious a-hole and HATED the Bill FO. I put a lot of that on him.

Every 2nd contract deal Beane has ever done for a rookie has been an extension added onto the rookie deal. Any new contract Cook signs will almost assuredly be an extension where the higher numbers start in 2026. Cook still gets his signing bonus right away. Win-Win.

It's not entitlement. It's reality. The Jets are a dumpster fire. Miami totally effed up their roster last year throwing too much money at Tua, Waddle, and Hill and Hill already wants out. And the Pats, while closest to knocking on our door, are still a ways away. See, we pretty much agree. But Miami is no where close to catching us. Worst case, we split with the Pats and go 5-1 in the division.

You are being too general. "Most coaches" that take over teams are taking over bad teams as there was a reason the coach was fired. Coaches that take over winning/playoff teams have a much better record. John Fox to Gary Kubiak (wins a SB) Tony Dungy to John Gruden (wins a SB) Cowher retired at 8-8, Tomlin goes 10-6 and then wins a SB his 2nd year Pederson to Siriani in Philly (2 SB appearances, 1 win) Those are just off the top of my head. I'm sure there are others. It is NOT rare for a new coach to take over a winning team and have success. As a matter of fact, it is more rare that a new coach takes over a winning team and does worse.

The AFC East stinks and will continue to stink. We have a Josh. We will be in the playoffs for the next 3-5 years just by showing up. What type of setback are you worried about?

I think it would be a huge surprise if quiet, mild-mannered, man-of-few words James Cook tantrumed his way off of the Bills. So far he has never pitched a fit or been anything but a good soldier within One Bills Drive. 2 small social media comments dont count for anything. The Bills will likely make Cook an extension offer soon. They may negotiate a couple times back and forth, but not too much or otherwise they are just negotiating against themselves. If they dont get it done, then theyll wait until after the season and make the offer again. At that point it's up to Cook if he wants to take the money on the table, or test the RB market. I do not see any shouting matches, meltdowns, or blowouts forcing Beane to trade Cook.

Arguable that Ralph paid players. We definitely signed some normal/high contracts, but his entire Cap-to-Cash program was a fiasco that kept us noncompetitive. That is what Mike Brown is doing now. Cap-to-Cash, and it will ruin the decent team they currently have. You make an interesting point about private equity. I wonder if the Brown family prioritizes cashing out just so they can give that money to players, or continuing to be the sole owner. Given the history, I'd lean sole owner. But we'll see...

Not sure I consider lack of testicular fortitude a good reason.

I'm pretty certain it has had zero effect on anything real. The only effect it has had is putting sand in the panties of a bunch of adult fans on social media. The Diggs manipulation was far more in-house stuff than anything posted on social media. The storming out of locker rooms, the conflict and walking out on McDermott, the conflicts with Josh, etc. Those are all real things that actually effect the team. Social media posts do very little to move the needle with the team in reality.

It's crazy to me how personal Bills fans are taking/making this. Dude is staring at his (likely) one chance to get paid. Of course he should be pushing for as much money as possible, any and every way possible. We'd all do the same thing for ourselves and our families.

Fear-based decision making. Right up there with Playing not to lose. Sounds about right.

I know you arent advocating strongly for it, but drafting a RB early would be a major waste of resources. And drafting a RB early to gain leverage in Cook negotiations would almost be a fireable offense. Beane can and will get a deal done. That's the real option. And with that option, folks need to just tune out and not get so worked up over a couple of social media comments. It's like a middle school here in the offseason.

No, not at all. This is old school message board posting. We arent following individual people to get information from/about them. We're anonymous commenters.

Ignore social media. That's just a general rule for all of us to live by, too

That is your opinion on something we arent involved in. Maybe it is a line in the sand. Doesnt matter to me or you one bit. It'll come down to the conversation between his agent and Beane.

The dialogue is between his agent and Beane. And I promise you that Beane doesnt give 2 ***** about a couple of small, social media comments.

She looks like a franchise QB. Boom, roasted.

He made a couple of social media comments. Not even posts. We have no idea what his agent has asked for or will ask for. But all yall are up in your feelings about it. "It" being social media comments... If that is their starting point, then it's all but guaranteed he will settle for less. Both sides come to the table at their extreme. I know that happens around the NFL, and can happen anywhere. But it isnt the Bills MO. First, there is much more back and forth, and the Bills will surely counteroffer (maybe only once, but they will present a full deal with bonuses, incentives, and guarantees outlined). This has happened with nearly everyone Beane has had to re-sign. And outside of Edmunds (who we didnt care to re-sign), and when Shaq and Jordan Phillips chased the money, Beane has re-signed everyone at a team-friendly yet player-fair deal. And I'm sure all of those negotiations started with the player/agent asking for more than they ultimately got.