DC Grid Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 (edited) A bad pattern seems to be emerging. Looking at this offseason in total (so far) it seems winning may be a goal for the Bills front office, but just a big is cutting the budget, even at the expense of wins. First they let Byrd walk, refusing to even franchise him as it would cost all of $9M...and their plan is to replace him with bargain basement young players already under contract (Duke Williams and Searcy) who both seem suspect. They proceed to spend as little as possible in FA in general and then they trade up to make a splash in the draft (I like Watkins, don't get me wrong). A splash that will put butts in seats and help make the business ledger a little better for the incoming owner. Then they cut Stevie and save another truckload of money, even though it is hard to imagine a scenario where he wouldn't beat out all but one WR the Bills have for a starting spot. These moves may be designed, and actually lead to more wins, but the only thing that is certain is that they ARE major cost cutting measures and attempts at generating more revenue. I get it, it's a business, but for all Doug's bluster about win now, because the fans deserve it, he just dumped two dynamic starters to save $18M in cash. Doug can say it's a new day in all that nonsense, but this certainly has the feel of the same old cheap Bills. Edited May 9, 2014 by DC Grid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-Man Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 A bad pattern seems to be emerging. Looking at this offseason in total (so far) it seems winning may be a goal for the Bills front office, but just a big is cutting the budget, even at the expense of wins. First they let Byrd walk, refusing to even franchise him as it would cost all of $9M...and their plan is to replace him with bargain basement young players already under contract (Duke Williams and Searcy) who both seem suspect. They proceed to spend as little as possible in FA in general and then they trade up to make a splash in the draft (I like Watkins, don't get me wrong). A splash that will put butts in seats and help make the business ledger a little better for the incoming owner. Then they cut Stevie and save another truckload of money, even though it is hard to imagine a scenario where he wouldn't beat out all but one WR the Bills have for a starting spot. These moves may be designed, and actually lead to more wins, but the only thing that is certain is that they ARE major cost cutting measures and attempts at generating more revenue. I get it, it's a business, but for all Doug's bluster about win now, because the fans deserve it, he just dumped two dynamic starters to save $18M in cash. Doug can say it's a new day in all that nonsense, but this certainly has the feel of the same old cheap Bills. That is your opinion. and it is based on nothing other than your feelings. I think that you are completely wrong..............and you should be glad that your team (IF I may assume that) has a young, intelligent courageous general manager . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bladiebla Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 That is your opinion. and it is based on nothing other than your feelings. I think that you are completely wrong..............and you should be glad that your team (IF I may assume that) has a young, intelligent courageous general manager . Not just his. It feels like one part of the organisation is trying to built a winner where another part of the organisation is just trying to be as profitable as possible without regard for results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterpan Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 I disagree. Its a cold hard fact that the Bills saved 18 million bucks, Byrd was a perennial pro bowler, and Stevie was our best receiver. Money may not be motivation, but it is suspicious. You don’t let two of your best players walk when you need to ‘win now’. Especially when the franchise tag is a one year deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-Man Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 (edited) I disagree. Its a cold hard fact that the Bills saved 18 million bucks, Byrd was a perennial pro bowler, and Stevie was our best receiver. Money may not be motivation, but it is suspicious. You don’t let two of your best players walk when you need to ‘win now’. Especially when the franchise tag is a one year deal. When you use terms like "dumped" (Poster #1) and let two of your best players walk (you) You demonstrate your "feelings" on this subject Both Byrd and Johnson were dealt with in a professional manner...........and your re-writing spin is a laughable way to try and make a point . Intelligent Bills fans know what you are doing. Edited May 9, 2014 by B-Man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alphadawg7 Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 I disagree. Its a cold hard fact that the Bills saved 18 million bucks, Byrd was a perennial pro bowler, and Stevie was our best receiver. Money may not be motivation, but it is suspicious. You don’t let two of your best players walk when you need to ‘win now’. Especially when the franchise tag is a one year deal. OMG...First of all, Byrd and Stevie are not our 2 best players. Second of all, we did NOT let them walk. We made a SUBSTANTIAL offer and a FAIR offer to Byrd...he chose to go to NO. We TRADED STEVIE for what will likely be a 3rd round pick, more than he's worth. Third, this team is being AGGRESSIVE in building a winner. I LOVE all the moves they have made. I think we have a potential GM of they year in Whaley and its the BEST DIRECTION this team has been headed in 15 years and the MOST talented overall team in 15 years. I can't even believe the amount of Bills fan whining going on right now...is mind boggling and absurd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KollegeStudnet Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 The sky isn't falling... Football is a business. Sadly, business includes moving into new directions. The team hasn't won a division title since Clinton was president. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Grid Posted May 9, 2014 Author Share Posted May 9, 2014 OMG...First of all, Byrd and Stevie are not our 2 best players. Second of all, we did NOT let them walk. We made a SUBSTANTIAL offer and a FAIR offer to Byrd...he chose to go to NO. We TRADED STEVIE for what will likely be a 3rd round pick, more than he's worth. Third, this team is being AGGRESSIVE in building a winner. I LOVE all the moves they have made. I think we have a potential GM of they year in Whaley and its the BEST DIRECTION this team has been headed in 15 years and the MOST talented overall team in 15 years. I can't even believe the amount of Bills fan whining going on right now...is mind boggling and absurd. Look I love the Watkins pick. I think this was an awesome gamble, and I think Whaley / this front office did an excellent job in the draft last year and trust their ability to asses players in the draft. But wouldn't a shrewd GM franchise Byrd again? He played great when healthy last year. If he won't sign long term, and you can't trade him (likely could) what you wind up being "stuck" with is a pro bowl safety. Where else are they spending the money? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Wiz Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 (edited) Look I love the Watkins pick. I think this was an awesome gamble, and I think Whaley / this front office did an excellent job in the draft last year and trust their ability to asses players in the draft. But wouldn't a shrewd GM franchise Byrd again? He played great when healthy last year. If he won't sign long term, and you can't trade him (likely could) what you wind up being "stuck" with is a pro bowl safety. Where else are they spending the money? Extend Glenn,Dareus,Gilmore, CJ, FJ, Spikes(if he plays out), Hughes, Pears. Other players too but just listing the ones that are starters (other than Pears). Not saying it will add up to 50 million which they are reported to have now but they money is going to go somewhere this season. Not including the players drafted. Edited May 9, 2014 by The Wiz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meark Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 Look I love the Watkins pick. I think this was an awesome gamble, and I think Whaley / this front office did an excellent job in the draft last year and trust their ability to asses players in the draft. But wouldn't a shrewd GM franchise Byrd again? He played great when healthy last year. If he won't sign long term, and you can't trade him (likely could) what you wind up being "stuck" with is a pro bowl safety. Where else are they spending the money? He (Byrd) clearly didn't want to be here. Why hold him hostage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Grid Posted May 9, 2014 Author Share Posted May 9, 2014 He (Byrd) clearly didn't want to be here. Why hold him hostage? Do you think the Pats ever let what a player WANTS dictate what the font office does? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillnutinHouston Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 A bad pattern seems to be emerging. Looking at this offseason in total (so far) it seems winning may be a goal for the Bills front office, but just a big is cutting the budget, even at the expense of wins. First they let Byrd walk, refusing to even franchise him as it would cost all of $9M...and their plan is to replace him with bargain basement young players already under contract (Duke Williams and Searcy) who both seem suspect. They proceed to spend as little as possible in FA in general and then they trade up to make a splash in the draft (I like Watkins, don't get me wrong). A splash that will put butts in seats and help make the business ledger a little better for the incoming owner. Then they cut Stevie and save another truckload of money, even though it is hard to imagine a scenario where he wouldn't beat out all but one WR the Bills have for a starting spot. These moves may be designed, and actually lead to more wins, but the only thing that is certain is that they ARE major cost cutting measures and attempts at generating more revenue. I get it, it's a business, but for all Doug's bluster about win now, because the fans deserve it, he just dumped two dynamic starters to save $18M in cash. Doug can say it's a new day in all that nonsense, but this certainly has the feel of the same old cheap Bills. Your thesis is that Whaley is clairvoyant: not only does he know who the next owner will be, but he also knows exactly what that owner wants and how to satisfy him. Care to rethink that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireChan Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 Do you think the Pats ever let what a player WANTS dictate what the font office does? The Pats have the luxury of a HoF QB and coach with impressive pedigrees and a surefire berth to a first round playoff bye. That's something we can't offer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kellyto83TD Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 A bad pattern seems to be emerging. Looking at this offseason in total (so far) it seems winning may be a goal for the Bills front office, but just a big is cutting the budget, even at the expense of wins. First they let Byrd walk, refusing to even franchise him as it would cost all of $9M...and their plan is to replace him with bargain basement young players already under contract (Duke Williams and Searcy) who both seem suspect. They proceed to spend as little as possible in FA in general and then they trade up to make a splash in the draft (I like Watkins, don't get me wrong). A splash that will put butts in seats and help make the business ledger a little better for the incoming owner. Then they cut Stevie and save another truckload of money, even though it is hard to imagine a scenario where he wouldn't beat out all but one WR the Bills have for a starting spot. These moves may be designed, and actually lead to more wins, but the only thing that is certain is that they ARE major cost cutting measures and attempts at generating more revenue. I get it, it's a business, but for all Doug's bluster about win now, because the fans deserve it, he just dumped two dynamic starters to save $18M in cash. Doug can say it's a new day in all that nonsense, but this certainly has the feel of the same old cheap Bills. I have not heard more pure crap than that post right there in a long time. And on this board that is saying something. BTW did you miss the part that Stevie will never be more than a #3 WR in SF and that SF will still draft a guy that they hope will knock him down to #4? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3putt Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 I find it. Interesting that Marrone has been eerily silent. Last year he was front and center with eh at the presser. Is this a Doug Russ thing or is the hc onboard? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 A bad pattern seems to be emerging. Agreed. TSW is full to overflowing of knee jerk blather with little substance behind it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HankBulloughMellencamp Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 OMG...First of all, Byrd and Stevie are not our 2 best players. Second of all, we did NOT let them walk. We made a SUBSTANTIAL offer and a FAIR offer to Byrd...he chose to go to NO. We TRADED STEVIE for what will likely be a 3rd round pick, more than he's worth. Third, this team is being AGGRESSIVE in building a winner. I LOVE all the moves they have made. I think we have a potential GM of they year in Whaley and its the BEST DIRECTION this team has been headed in 15 years and the MOST talented overall team in 15 years. I can't even believe the amount of Bills fan whining going on right now...is mind boggling and absurd. great post They got more for Stevie than I thought they'd be able to at this point. With the possible exception of going all-in on EJ, I can't think of a move Whaley has made that didn't make sense to me. I wish Stevie well, but am glad we did not waste one minicamp rep on him at the expense of Watkins, Williams, Woods or Goodwin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manther Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 Your thesis is that Whaley is clairvoyant: not only does he know who the next owner will be, but he also knows exactly what that owner wants and how to satisfy him. Care to rethink that? Great use of the word "clairvoyant". I think you just confused 90% of the folks reading this!! Awesome!! great post They got more for Stevie than I thought they'd be able to at this point. With the possible exception of going all-in on EJ, I can't think of a move Whaley has made that didn't make sense to me. I wish Stevie well, but am glad we did not waste one minicamp rep on him at the expense of Watkins, Williams, Woods or Goodwin. All well said! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swnybillsfan Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 i am really feeling confident in doug whaley and his staff right now, and after these next couple picks come in i have a feeling i will be even more confident in his ability and vision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alphadawg7 Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 Look I love the Watkins pick. I think this was an awesome gamble, and I think Whaley / this front office did an excellent job in the draft last year and trust their ability to asses players in the draft. But wouldn't a shrewd GM franchise Byrd again? He played great when healthy last year. If he won't sign long term, and you can't trade him (likely could) what you wind up being "stuck" with is a pro bowl safety. Where else are they spending the money? They did not franchise him in an effort to get a long term deal done. Why is this so hard for people to understand? Byrd did NOT want to be franchised and would have been pissed. Mean while he wanted to stay...the sides were just off on the money. They franchise him, he walks next year anyway. They chose to let him test the waters given they made a strong offer for him in hopes he would find his value to be what the Bills were offering. It almost worked until NO over paid. It also wasn't something we needed to do with Williams already extended and filling in for Byrd very well at a better price. Instead of dealing with a hold out situation and ugly contract negotiations, they went down the path that would best resolve the solution one way or the other. Pretty simple really...and a move I thought was correct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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