KRT88 Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 (edited) After watching the race for QB, I think Tyrod Taylor has clear won the job. He moves the team consistently. I personally am worried about the red zone but Tyrod has that added benefit of his willingness to use his feet. EJ Manuel has looked good and he is far more willing to throw the ball up the field and try to make plays than Cassel. I can't see getting released after the way he played. Yes his one incompletion was a terrible throw but he threw some really great ball last, plus he bring great athleticism to the table. The big question becomes, is this coaching staff willing to take a risk and save $5.5 million of cap space and let Matt Cassel go?I don't know what they gain from that move and likewise I am not sure what they lose in having a veteran work with Taylor and Manuel. The NFL is cold and when teams can make a move to save money they almost always do so. Whatever, they do, I think it is safe to say that with all the offensive available, if this offense can't produce 20+ points per game, we will all be disappointed. What do you think, is Cassel going to have a job in two weeks? Edited August 30, 2015 by KRT88 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Caveman Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 With EJ's injury history and Taylor's zero games to judge, I'd be very surprised if we let any of the 3 qbs go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibs Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 $4.15M in cap savings if he is cut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBillsMagic1 Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Would rather you they trade him for a future pick than cut him. Think they could get 4 th or 5th rounder if time it right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2020 Our Year For Sure Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 What's the point of saving money this late in the game with nothing to spend it on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSBill Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 If he can be traded, yes. If not, keep him for insurance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibs Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 What's the point of saving money this late in the game with nothing to spend it on? Because with the rollover rules we can move it onto next year's cap number. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Yes his one incompletion was a terrible throw but he threw some really great ball last, plus he bring great athleticism to the table. His incompletion was tipped at the line taking the pace off it and slightly redirecting it which is why it looked like he had just thrown it at the receivers feet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Last Guy on the Bench Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 I think people are way overreacting to a handful of preseason throws. I strongly believe Taylor should be the starter, but we really don't know what we have in Taylor or Manuel, as they are both young and still developing. It would be crazy to throw away the one guy with an established record. Mediocre though that record might be, mediocre is better than terrible. And there is still a chance that TT and EJ might be terrible when all is said and done. I don't think so, and I certainly don't hope so, but it's worth a roster spot and a few million dollars to have some decent floor insurance. Two other reasons Cassel might be worth a lot more than his preseason appearances would suggest: 1) These game defenses are vanilla. In practice, however, all the QBs have been seeing the full range of NFL formations, blitz packages, etc. So if Cassel is handling the real defenses in practice better than the other guys, that has to weigh more than a handful of throws against cardboard preseason defenses. Only the coaches know for sure. 2) We don't know what effect Cassel has on the young guys and on the QB room in general. Maybe he is a great mentor? Maybe he is a great teacher? Who knows? (The coaches, maybe, but not us.) I wouldn't be so quick to assume that TT's and EJ's development has nothing to do with Cassel. Maybe he is a critical factor even when he is not on the field. Then again, maybe not. The point is that the coaches are working with a LOT more information than the fans or the media. And a lot more goes into the decision of who to start and who to keep on the roster than preseason stats. The stats aren't meaningless, but they are just a small piece of the picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 EJ's "terrible" incompletion was tipped at the line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shane nelson Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 None of the QB's should be cut, at least until after the NE game. With Brady out, I am sure the Pats will sign the QB we release. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rock'em Sock'em Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 2015 contract details Manuel - 1.2M - guaranteed Cassel - 4.65M - includes 500K roster bonus Taylor (as starter) - 3.15M - assuming playoff birth Taylor (as backup) - 1.3M Simms - 585K 2016 contract details Manuel - 1.6M - guaranteed Taylor (as starter) - 4.13M - assuming playoff birth Taylor (as package qb) - ~2.3M Taylor (as backup) - 1.3M 2017 contract details Taylor (as starter in either 2015 or 2016) - UFA Taylor (as backup in 2015 and 2016 and starter in 2017) - 1.2M Tough decisions for the front office. Should TT's contract affect the decision as to how much he plays? In Kapernick's rookie year GR limited him to about 8 plays per game. I am a big EJ fan, but I think TT has earned the job. So the nod should go to him with Manuel as the #2 and Simms as the #3. The 4M savings from using Simms instead of Cassel can be used to extend Incognito or to help extend other players such as Darius. #3 QBs rarely play. When they do, it rarely changes the outcome of the game. We would likely be the first team in NFL history to have a 4.65M #3 QB. Those resources are better spent elsewhere. http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/buffalo-bills/tyrod-taylor/ http://www.buffalorumblings.com/bills-news-notes/2015/3/18/8236345/tyrod-taylor-contract-details-buffalo-bills-qb-nfl-free-agency-2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Cut Cassel and then re-sign him after the season starts for half of what he's making. And you only have to pay him on a per-game basis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedy G Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Cut Cassel and then re-sign him after the season starts for half of what he's making. And you only have to pay him on a per-game basis. None of the QB's should be cut, at least until after the NE game. With Brady out, I am sure the Pats will sign the QB we release. If you cut Cassel now, Belichek will scoop him up fast, and learn Romans offense. It would save money if he's gone but why not keep all 3? Lots of insurance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryland-bills-fan Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Keep looking around for a place to trade Cassel for a 3rd or 4th round pick. You have to take some risk somewhere. We would also like to use the roster spot for a WR, TE, or safety, where we have quality backups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BreezeMafia Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Cut ties with Cassel and be done with it. TT #1, EJ #2. The advantage of this starter back up duo is if TT has to come out or gets hurt, the offensive mindset of the coashes and preparation for the players doesnt change because EJ is more plug n play with TT than MC is with TT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuoteTheRaven83 Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 (edited) Keep looking around for a place to trade Cassel for a 3rd or 4th round pick. You have to take some risk somewhere. We would also like to use the roster spot for a WR, TE, or safety, where we have quality backups. That was one of the funniest things I've ever heard. What team in their right mind is gonna give up a 3rd or 4th round pick on an overraged and mediocre veteran QB? LOL. Maybe then we can trade Fred Jackson for a 1st round pick... Edited August 30, 2015 by QuoteTheRaven83 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 That was one of the funniest things I've ever heard. What team in their right mind is gonna give up a 3rd or 4th round pick on an overraged and mediocre veteran QB? LOL. Who has just lost out to a guy most of the league considers a bust and a guy who has ridden the pine for 4 years. The only way someone trades for Cassel is a team who like Pittsburgh last week lose their vet back up and have no other guy on the roster capable of taking NFL snaps. Then you might get a 7th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALF Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 The Bills with too many good players and injuries , it will be very difficult for the final cut down. If there is space on the 53, I would keep Cassel for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D. L. Hot-Flamethrower Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 I hope they keep all 3 and put Simms on PS. I don't get the mentality that now we have options, let's start trading them to optimize. JMO, we will be happy we kept our options. This position is SO important it is just fine to have some redundancy. IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChasBB Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 (edited) ... The point is that the coaches are working with a LOT more information than the fans or the media. And a lot more goes into the decision of who to start and who to keep on the roster than preseason stats. The stats aren't meaningless, but they are just a small piece of the picture. That's the point I hope everyone understands. No one knows these guys better than the coaches do. Whichever QB is chosen to start week #1, I have 100% confidence in the decision the coaches arrvie at. It's great to know we have 3 capable starters if a guy goes down. Edited August 30, 2015 by ChasBB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsFan-4-Ever Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Cut the cord on Matt C The Bills have 2 capable QB's in EJ and TT one of which had a perfect passer rating of 158.3. Manuel was 7 of 8 for 170 yards and 2 TDs; Taylor was 12 of 13 for 122 yards and a rushing TD; Cassel was 6 of 7 for 38 yards; and not to be left out, Simms was 5 of 5 for 65 yards and a TD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Cut Cassel and then re-sign him after the season starts for half of what he's making. And you only have to pay him on a per-game basis Look around the league at what McCown, Moore, etc are making Cassel is getting the "going rate" for a vet backup No way he takes less. Injury bug will bite somewhere and he'd be sitting pretty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Look around the league at what McCown, Moore, etc are making Cassel is getting the "going rate" for a vet backup No way he takes less. Injury bug will bite somewhere and he'd be sitting pretty Moore is only getting $2.6M and McCown is going to be their starter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaryPinC Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 If they're serious about making the playoffs this year you keep all 3 so you have enough depth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarleyNY Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 (edited) Look around the league at what McCown, Moore, etc are making Cassel is getting the "going rate" for a vet backup No way he takes less. Injury bug will bite somewhere and he'd be sitting pretty I disagree. McCown is a terrible comparison as he's looked a lot better* than Cassel this preseason and is going to start for a team. If Cassel is going to sit 3rd string and mentor he is in a very different situation. A pay cut to hold a clipboard might be very preferable to a roster cut for him - especially if the reworked deal includes escalators based on playing time. * Okay, "a lot better" is an overstatement. McCown has shown the ability to throw deep while Cassel has only dink-and-dunked. Keeping defenses honest with the threat of vertical passing is necessary for success in the NFL today. Edited August 30, 2015 by BarleyNY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_Formerly_of_Roch Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Based on what's been seen on the field, Taylor should start EJ is #2, Simms #3, and I'd be fine with either trade or cut Cassel. However as was pointed out earlier in this thread, what we've seen in the games is all against vanilla defense. How will either Taylor or Manual look against a normal defense. It's quite possible in practices Rex has had the defense show much more regular season game looks and in the process Taylor and EJ have both looked very shaky. Alot of the reports from training camp stated that particularly against EJ. Conversely maybe they deliberately held back what they wanted Cassell to do so all were saw were check downs. No idea what the decision will be, but could understand if it's not Taylor as the starter, it may be due to how they've looked playing against more complex looks and Cassell has looked better there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chandler#81 Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 2 schools of thought; Yes, $4.something million added to the reported Dareus offer would move it out of 'dime a dozen' level, but, Arizona was on their way to being the best team in the League last year claiming a playoff spot earlier than any other team, when their QBs dropped like flies late in the season and quietly exited the playoffs. Do you think they wish they had Matt Cassel then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D. L. Hot-Flamethrower Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 2 schools of thought; Yes, $4.something million added to the reported Dareus offer would move it out of 'dime a dozen' level, but, Arizona was on their way to being the best team in the League last year claiming a playoff spot earlier than any other team, when their QBs dropped like flies late in the season and quietly exited the playoffs. Do you think they wish they had Matt Cassel then? Spot on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave mcbride Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 2 schools of thought; Yes, $4.something million added to the reported Dareus offer would move it out of 'dime a dozen' level, but, Arizona was on their way to being the best team in the League last year claiming a playoff spot earlier than any other team, when their QBs dropped like flies late in the season and quietly exited the playoffs. Do you think they wish they had Matt Cassel then? Exactly. Injuries are the reason you keep him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOE IN HAMPTON ROADS Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 If they're serious about making the playoffs this year you keep all 3 so you have enough depth. They are serious and this is why they will keep him. I've come 180 degrees on this since starting to read the thread, 4 mil is not a lot at this late stage and we may need a third QB to step in late. This is the best QB situation we could have hoped for this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Exactly. Injuries are the reason you keep him.Yep. And no one in the world knows yet how well the 2015 Taylor or the 2015 EJ will fare in the regular season with real bullets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BADOLBILZ Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Exactly. Injuries are the reason you keep him. I agree you keep him regardless, but if you are going to cut Cassel you do not cut him until at least AFTER the Patriots game. If Jimmy G gets hurt against Pittsburgh......and all it would take was a poor decision to run and a well placed hit by Shazier........then you get to face Ryan Lindley instead of a veteran like Cassel. I'd like my chances either way but Lindley = an automatic W regardless of BB's gameplan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Moore is only getting $2.6M and McCown is going to be their starter. Pish tush. Moore was making $4M + $1.5M prorated bonus last year. He took a hometown discount, it seems to stay with the Pfish, I don't think that changes the point. McCown was in a competition to start, just like Cassel here. Looks like he won (for now), doesn't mean he'll stay starting, doesn't mean a smart team tosses the vet in the trash if he doesn't start - way to keep a motivated QB room. Fitzie's getting $3.25M, he was the backup, now he's the starter. So the league turns. Cassel's getting $4.125M plus a roster and workout bonus already paid - that's really not that diff, I think the point stands that he's not getting that far off the "going rate" for a quality vet backup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PortlandiaEast Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Excellent point on cutting one now... BB would scoop cassel up instantly. Gamesmenship Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malazan Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 I'm amazed that people believe that because of last night that we now have 3 capable starters. We don't know if we have 1 capable starter for the regular season. The Steelers defense has looked like hot garbage all preseason. It was their 4th preseason game and they sat their starters early plus they were missing 3 starters to begin with... You keep all 3 and hope they manage through the season. Given the styles of play, it's a good bet EJ or Tyrod gets hurt if they are the starter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bladiebla Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 I think the question comes down to; do you want to risk playing Simms if it comes down to it or do you not trust Simms to be as meh as Cassel? If both EJ and TT go down I'd be fine with Simms tbh. Then again the dislike I have for Cassel (as a QB) is huge, the guy doesn't just reek of mediocrity he stinks, bad as in very foul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Pish tush. Moore was making $4M + $1.5M prorated bonus last year. He took a hometown discount, it seems to stay with the Pfish, I don't think that changes the point. McCown was in a competition to start, just like Cassel here. Looks like he won (for now), doesn't mean he'll stay starting, doesn't mean a smart team tosses the vet in the trash if he doesn't start - way to keep a motivated QB room. Fitzie's getting $3.25M, he was the backup, now he's the starter. So the league turns. Cassel's getting $4.125M plus a roster and workout bonus already paid - that's really not that diff, I think the point stands that he's not getting that far off the "going rate" for a quality vet backup. Just because 2 teams have high-paid backups, it doesn't mean the Bills should or even need to. EJ has started and won games before and Taylor backed-up a SB-winning QB. Cassel himself had 4 years to sit and learn from Brady, which is similar to Taylor. And if we're down to the 3rd QB during a game/the season, the Bills are in trouble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireChan Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Just because 2 teams have high-paid backups, it doesn't mean the Bills should or even need to. EJ has started and won games before and Taylor backed-up a SB-winning QB. Cassel himself had 4 years to sit and learn from Brady, which is similar to Taylor. And if we're down to the 3rd QB during a game/the season, the Bills are in trouble. Not if our 3rd QB is Matt Cassel. We'd be in trouble if it was Matt Simms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Not if our 3rd QB is Matt Cassel. We'd be in trouble if it was Matt Simms. If it comes down to that, call him up during the season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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