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“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself – nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.” —Franklin D. Roosevelt at his first inaugural, 1933. "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall." —Ronald Reagan at the Berlin Wall, 1987. "If we can but prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people, under the pretense of taking care of them, they must become happy." —Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 1802. “When one side only of a story is heard and often repeated, the human mind becomes impressed with it insensibly.” —George Washington, letter to Edmund Pendleton, 1795. "Our friend Elmo is right." —Joseph R. Biden, addressing the users of Twitter/X, 2024. If were were watching "Sesame Street" together, this is when the cast would start singing, "One of these things is not like the other..." Presidentish Joe Biden's social media people thought it wise on Tuesday to jump into the Great Elmo Controversy of 2024. You remember, Elmo, don't you? He's the squeaky-voiced young Muppet who likes to be tickled and learn gentle life lessons. https://pjmedia.com/vodkapundit/2024/01/31/joe-biden-just-entered-the-presidential-quotes-hall-of-fame-really-n4926000

That's Edmunds money.

Looking back it is amazing the way things fell into place. First, we went into the draft -- or rather into the draft season -- with 2 first round picks, but both of them were late (back-to-back in the 20s). One of those picks came via the trade with KC on the swap of 1st round picks the year before, where KC netted Mahomes 10th overall. The other came via the Bills having made it to the playoffs for the first time in 17 seasons the year before. Beane also traded Tyrod Taylor to Cleveland in exchange for the 1st pick in the 3rd round. Beane traded Cordy Glenn to the Bengals to move up 10 spots, which had us sitting at 12 on draft day. When the Jets made the move with Indy to move up from 6 to 3, everyone knew they were going QB there. Everyone also knew that Cleveland was going QB at #1 overall. Knowing that at least 2 QBs would be off the board by the time the 4th pick came along, Beane had tried all through the pre-draft to move up. He tried to work out a deal with his old mentor from Carolina (who in 2018 was GM of the Giants) to move up to 2, but they were not willing to budge. After having taken their QB at #1 (Mayfield), Beane thought he had a deal in place with the Browns to move up for their next pick (at 4) but they reneged and took Denzel Ward. The Ward pick had a rippling affect, because the Broncos (like most pundits) thought that the Browns would take Bradley Chubb there -- and when Chubb was available, the Broncos themselves backed off the trade they had in the works with the Bills (at least the Broncos made it clear ahead of time that the trade was contingent on the one player they coveted NOT still being on the board). Both of those deals would have involved Beane parting ways with that other 1st round pick. At #6, the Colts were dead set on Nelson and were unwilling to move down. Tampa was willing to trade down to 12 but they wanted the same deal that had been in place with Cleveland/Denver, the Bills other first round pick. The two sides eventually agreed to the Bills' two second round picks. On an unrelated note, Beane used that pick acquired from Cleveland in the Tyrod trade to move up in the 1st to net Edmunds. Funny that Edmunds was almost as polarizing a figure in Buffalo as Josh. LOL

You're a lot likelier to get a great draft haul when your first four picks are #12, #18, #34 and #45 as the Lions did. The Lions fourth pick was #45. The Bills are likely to have only one pick that high this year. Their second pick will be #60. And their fourth pick (since they traded away their 3rd rounder for Rasul Douglas, but will likely get a 3rd round comp pick for losing Tremaine Edmunds) will likely be #128 or very close depending on how many comp picks are given out in the 3rd. #128 is a lot less likely to get you a starter for your 4th round pick than #45 as the Lions had. To sum up, the Lions first four picks last year were #12, #18, #34 and #45. The Bills first four picks this year are #28, #60, about #99 and about #128. The Lions did a great job acquiring picks. I wish the Bills would start one of those conveyor belts of picks like the Pats used to use, where they'd trade a 4th rounder for next year's 3rd, then the next year trade that one for a next year's 2nd and so on. That will start getting you better chances at better players.

It was Buffalo who had a deal in place with the Broncos at 5, not the Cardinals. But Chubb was on the board so they turned the Bills offer down (which did include a future first rounder and the 12th pick). The Bills called the Colts, but their OL Quentin Nelson was on the board, so then they tried Tampa. Tampa fielded calls from both the Cardinals and the Bills, but the Cardinals were firm in what they were willing to part with and that didn’t include a future first rounder or a 2nd round pick. Tampa tried to fleece the Bills for both 2nds AND a future first but Beane balked. He said something to the effect of “just because I have the capital doesn’t mean I’m giving it away.” Both clubs ultimately came to an agreement on both 2nd rounders (which was an overpay) and the deal was made. If only Beane knew that Arizona wasn’t willing to part with a 2nd (or first), he could’ve played his hand differently and held onto those picks. I read an article about how it all went down shortly after that draft and still remember the details. I just wish he hadn’t traded up again for Edmunds, Leonard and Warner (who they really liked) went later and were both better football players. Oh and I hated the Allen pick. I said shortly after on this board that “it was like having our choice of Aaron Rodgers or JP Losman and we went for Losman.” But like with all Bills draft picks I was going to sit back and give him a chance. Never happier to be so wrong on my assessment!

I gots to know where he stood on Edmunds, before I can offer an opinion. 🤔

Oh wow, I knew about the LBs but not the safety group. 2017 feels like forever ago when I remember there was skepticism when the Bills went out and plugged in a couple of journeymen (Hyde and Poyer) into safety and it wound up being the most underappreciated safety tandem in the league for years. Linebacker this year speaks for itself. I was legitimately worried at the departure of Edmunds, not so much because I thought Edmunds was a runaway All Pro, but feared the drop off in his place. Terrel Bernard stepped in and by Week 2 looked completely comfortable and then played to the point where I still wonder if we win that Chiefs game if he's on the field. And even with those losses Dodson, Spector and a rookie Dorian Williams all looked ready to play. Considering these were 3rd round or lower picks, clearly coaching had something to do with it, they weren't getting into the league with elite measurements. I would have loved a more experienced guy like Vrabel, but I would prefer to keep young talent if possible. I see a youth movement coming at OBD I guess you'd love to come back for another few years on the cheap then? Pretty please?

Sean's D gave up 3-game winning drives that ended up in losses and almost lost to the Giants as well. His aggressiveness backfired at times. In 2022, Leslie Frazier’s top ranked D went 13-3 missing the following players... Micah Hyde - 15 games Tre White - 11 games Von Miller - 8 Games Christian Benford - 7 games Damar Hamlin - 5 games Jordan Phillips - 4 games Jordan Poyer - 4 Games Gregory Rousseau - 3 Games Tremain Edmunds - 2 Games Ed Oliver - 2 Games Daquan Jones - 1 Game (Bengals Playoff!) Boogie Basham - 1 Game Dane Jackson - 1 Game

I don't agree, we drafted a LB in the first round we got a good 5 years out of and was not worth the value to the Bills he was to another team. It is ok to let guys go. I believe Beane wanted to resign Edmunds but he could not justify it cap wise with the other people he signed. I Believe if Von was not signed, that money may have went to Edmunds and then we would not have learned what Bernard is.

If you are here to say the cap does not exist this thread is not for you. I find it interesting the Chiefs are in a much more healthy salary cap position than the Bills and many other teams and they are playing in Super Bowl's most years. They have chosen to not sign some big free agents on their team, trade a unicorn WR and draft/develop. The Chiefs have carefully paid guys in FA but they also have the highest priced player in the league. Under Beane the philosophy has been draft develop retain and sign some key free agents. Personally I think they have retained a little more than they need to and signed more FA's than needed which has resulted in a tough cap situation and a situation where draft picks struggle to make the team. When you let guys go (for bigger dollars) it provides opportunities for other guys on the roster. For instance Tremaine Edmunds moving on provided an opportunity for Terrell Bernard. The Chiefs philosophy has been to focus on the trenches and defense in the draft vs "we need more and more weapons" which is the complete opposite of what most think the Bills should do. Beane has tried to extend nearly every draft pick who has worked out which includes guys like Knox, Bass and Oliver who I was not crazy about any of those contracts when they were given. Oliver has lived up to it but not so sure about Bass and Knox. For the past few years 6th and 7th round picks have mostly not made the final roster (Benford is an exception) and most of those players ended up on other teams rosters, none have developed into all stars yet but what is the point of having those picks if they can't make the team. The Bills fill the roster with vets that have experience and they push those rookies off the team. Personally I would like to see most of the draft picks make the team and have opportunities to play when the situation arises. Some will bust out but others will provide cheap depth and possibly grow into something much above their draft status. At this point I would seriously consider offloading some contracts through cuts and trades (if possible) and open up cap for future years while drafting 10 guys and having most of them make the team who will grow into key contributors down the road. The Chiefs have proven they can with the SB while offloading talent (Hill) because they have Mahomes and are well coached. I am good with a first round WR but I think that position gets talked about way too much. This team needs to get young on the DL and backend of the defense.

The Bills D isn't as bad as they're being portrayed. Last I checked, they had essentially full access to their defensive line vs the Chiefs (Daquan Jones returned a week prior), they had their two starting safeties (Hyde and Poyer) and their two best CBs (Douglas and Johnson). Bernard was the biggest notable absence, and the Chiefs took advantage of Klein no doubt. But Mahomes/Kelce ran circles around the elite Ravens D, and I've seen them run circles around elite and fully healthy Bills defenses of the past (with Milano and Edmunds on the field). I don't know why it's assumed the Chiefs wouldn't have torched McDermott's fully healthy D in the playoffs this time just like they did the prior two times, and I don't know why it's assumed the Bills wouldn't have slowed the Ravens. The Bills D has been plenty good the last 4 years including in the playoffs except for when they play the Chiefs, or another elite QB like Burrow (in the snow). The Chiefs lost their best safety Bryan Cook to injury in early December, his replacement at safety Mike Edwards exited the first defensive series with concussion vs the Bills. The Chiefs had to roll the entire game with 4th-round rookie Chamarri Conner, who ultimately played a career-high (by far) 76 snaps vs the Bills. The Chiefs' best LB Willie Gay exited early with injury vs Bills (he was supposed to be the spy on Allen all day). The Chiefs were already without their best run-stuffing DL Derrick Nnadi. The way it's portrayed, you would think the Bills had a full roster of backups on the field.

Edmunds too.

As a GM, the only trade up I would do (in general) is for a QB. Maaaybe I would trade up for an athletic freak at DE, but all other positions? It’s proven they can be had anywhere in the draft, just gotta hit on the right guy and get lucky. We traded up for Elam when much better corners went later. Traded up for Kincaid (hated it at the time) and although that pick worked out, another player was drafted later who is at least on par with him. Traded up for Edmunds when Darius/Shaquille Leonard and Fred Warner were still on the board and in Warner’s case went much later. The draft is a lottery and if I were a GM, I’d try to stockpile the most 1-5th round picks I possibly could year after year. I’m not sacrificing those to move up, because in doing so I’d be sacrificing the chance to hit on a guy who could be a steal.

They used it to move up from 22 to take Edmunds

We traded that to Baltimore to move up to take Edmunds. They then traded to the Raiders who picked OT Brandon Parker.

The guys who are good start early. Tre White. Tremaine Edmunds. Josh Allen. Ed Oliver. Greg Rousseau. Taron Johnson. Dawson Knox. Dalton Kincaid. O'Cyrus Torrence. Christian Benford. Then the likes of James Cook, Dion Dawkind and Matt Milano came on late in their rookie years. The guys that don't play early are the guys who are not ready to play.

Besides Edmunds, Oliver, White, Dawkins, Ford, Singletary, Knox, Epenesa, Moss, Bass, Rousseau, Benford, Cook, Kincaid, and Torrence you are correct.

Did Edmunds ever have a prime?

Tremaine Edmunds never had a "prime". he displayed a statistical regression every year since his rookie season.

No excuses for not having a LB on your team that doesn't know how to call the Defense other then AJ Klein who was sitting on his arse at home for most of the season. It's ridiculous that Dodson which has been here for yrs can't wear the green dot . Mof I'm calling horsesht on that because Dodson started a few games in place of Edmunds in previous seasons and filled in very well. The excuses Mcd has are awful and if that's the case it's a fireable offense either way.

I did research it before responding to you. I even provided cap figures for you to prove spending is in favour of offense. ??? Here's our top three picks by year since McD took over: 2017: Tre (defense), Zay (offense), Dawkins (offense) 2018: Josh (offense), Edmunds (defense), Harry (defense) 2019: Oliver (defense), Ford (offense), Singletary (offense) 2020: Epenesa (defense), Moss (offense), Gabe (offense) 2021: Rousseau (defense), Basham (defense) Brown (offense) 2022: Elam (defense), Cook (offense), Bernard (defense) 2023: Kincaid (offense), Torrence (offense), Williams (defense) We used our top pick on defense 5 of the 7 years, but then went offense in 9 of 14 picks over the next two selections. Have we been aggressively targeting defense with our 1s or did it just fall that way? Also, it's not an accident that we chose to use trades and FA to beef up the offense in Josh's early years with guys like Diggs, Brown, Beasley, Morse, Sanders, etc. You don't give your young and struggling QB a bunch of rookies to play with. Maybe some of this was by design.

I understand but I just feel most coaches have these issues. The defense has also bailed out Josh on many occasions over the years. If you think having probably a top 3-5 defense combined over the last 4-5 years is a fluke then Ok. I wish I knew why Poyer, Hyde, Milano, Oliver, Rousseau, White, Johnson, Jones, Edmunds, Floyd, Epenesa, Miller, Douglas couldn’t make a single play whenever they play the Chiefs in the playoffs. I don’t think it’s just a McDermott problem but it would be great if it was. That’s an easy fix.

Chance to reunite with Edmunds....how can you say no. This plus Babich's interest from the Giants... McDermott better decide what he's doing and quickly.

we might get a 3rd comp pick for edmunds, but we have a lot of like 5th and 5th round picks, like 11 picks total we are going to have to let guys go for cap savings, and guys are off contract too (von and groot are our only signed DEs). we will have low round picks getting burn at DT and DE, and likely safety too. cb when healthy we are good (we could cut tre imo, but we have tre, douglas, elam, benford for 2 spots), and LB we have an oddly deep group (dodson, milano, williams, TB, spector). given how zero impact our safeties and DL had vs kc, i'm fine w that. time for mcd to make chicken salad out of chicken poop on D. we need to get better on O, and just fill out the roster otherwise. I expect a thumper RB to get drafted, at least 2 DL, and 1 S, but we need a real stud WR more than anything and can just find street FAs to fill in lots of spaces on D. cripes, we had aj klien doing SFA in our biggest game

I'm not sure if I'm totally ready to talk about next season, but I'm pretty sure I don't have the stomach to talk about this season, so here it is. Everyone is aware that we have a fair number of big decisions coming that will most likely see us move on from a number of players who have been considered "core" for a while now. So who do you think is moving on, and how do you see us filling in the roster? Here is what I see as being likely - Gone - Hyde, Davis, Floyd, Jones These contracts are up, Hyde is not the same player he was and I honestly hope he will retire with the health issues he's faced. Davis I expect will earn more on the market than the Bills will (and should) spend. I would expect we will have some big holes to fill on the D line as well with Leonard Floyd and DaQuan Jones both having expiring contracts and having played well enough to earn more than we can likely pay. Big Question Marks - Poyer, White, Morse, Epenesa I am kind of expecting Poyer to move on, I know he has another year left but he didn't seem to be the same player this year and if he does play I think the Bills should look to upgrade / improve. With Tre White, I don't know if anyone is expecting him to be ready to start the season, and whenever he is ready to play I don't think most are expecting him to regain his form. Again, he might be our CB2, or might be depth (or moved to safety?) but depending on cap considerations I could see them moving on completely. Mitch Morse is going into the last year of his contract, is going to be 32 and everyone knows about the concussions. He may play out the contract, but I believe it's important. that we have a worthy successor going into next season. AJ Epenesa has played through his rookie contract, and may have played well enough to earn a contract paying him well somewhere, but based on his production I'd be surprised if it's here. Other Question Marks - Milano, Rapp, Knox, Diggs Matt Milano's injury could be hard to come back from. I'd be surprised if he's not ready to go, but I think we need to be better prepared at backup LB going into next season. Is Taylor Rapp going to re-sign here? He was a backup, but I could see the Bills offering him a contract and making him a longer term replacement at one of the 2 open safetly positions - the question will be how much $ is he looking for and what can we afford with our cap situation. Which brings me to Knox - I have heard some people mention that the Bills could save some cap space this year by cutting him. I'm not sure of the details, but it's an interesting thought to consider. And lastly, Stefon Diggs. I don't think there's any chance he's gone next year, but I do think the Bills need to be looking very carefully into the future at WR, and not just at WR2 / Gabe Davis Replacement. Diggs may be getting to the point in his career (based on age and the 2nd half of this season where it just wasn't hapenning for him) where he's more of a WR2 and needs another great receiver to take some pressure off him. So - in terms of positions of need, I see S, WR, DL, CB, LB and possibly TE, with several positions needing to replace starters and in some cases needing multiple reinforcements. In terms of draft capital, we likely have 10 picks coming, but weighted towards the back of the draft. First round: Own pick. Second round: Own pick. Third round: (likely 3rd round compensatory pick for Tremaine Edmunds) Fourth round: Own pick. Fifth round: Own pick. Pick from Green Bay. Sixth round: Own pick. Pick from Los Angeles Rams. Pick from Houston Texans. Seventh round: Own pick.