Serious question: Is this the beginning of a tank?

[Overdue Bill]

Not sure if you are serious but if you are I pretty much am of the same opinion and I dont see a big drop-off in talent if any at all, especially if Tre Davis plays like I believe he will. Tyrod still will have plenty of weapons offensively and an elite running attack.

 

And, we'll like next years draft for sure. Just in time for the Patriots fall from the mountain.

 

I think that this is a shrewd and calculated move. This front office has no ties to the previous one...the last two drafts did not produce talent that was a match for the current regime. No one expected the Bills to light it up this year...but now they are STACKED with draft picks for next year.

[mjt328]

For some reason, the Bills were desperate to move-on from Sammy Watkins.

There is no other explanation for getting so little in return. (A 2nd-Round Pick and below average starter...)

 

I think the Eagles trade was a domino-effect from moving Watkins. The Bills could not enter the season with nothing at receiver.

It just happens that the Darby/Matthews trade was actually a decent swap. The Bills make out pretty good on that one.

 

Anyone that thinks this was just about money... Don't forget that Matthews is also a free agent next year.

[Bills757]

I don't hate the moves or love them, but in either case I don't see how there's any argument against it being a tank move. At this point you should just commit to it further.

 

If Darby was a cap problem and they didn't pick up Watkins' option, how can this be considered a tank move? As I mentioned before, Sammy missed half the season last year and probably wasn't 100% for all 8 games he played in during '16. He was gonna leave after this year anyway so why not get some value. The Bills have two firsts and two seconds next year IIRC.....that's great to have in trying build a team.

[Bills Fan of St Augustine]

We traded 1k wr for another 1k wr and traded a db and got s db. Plus we got High picks. I think this season didn't change too much but long term could be amazing Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

With SW's injury problems and inability to stay on the field, I am fine with this swap of WRs and draft picks. Darby for Gaines is a big downgrade though. I think you have to look at the two trades as a package deal from the Bills standpoint and with all factors considered, it is a smart deal. Matthews is like 6'3" and 215 - good hands and speed, willing to block. Gaines needs to improve, but is a starting CB.

[jimmy10]

Why go after Anquan Boldin in the first place if the tank is on? Would he have been willing to come here had he known? Watkins I can almost understand getting rid of, but Darby? So many questions...

[Bills757]

For some reason, the Bills were desperate to move-on from Sammy Watkins.

There is no other explanation for getting so little in return. (A 2nd-Round Pick and below average starter...)

 

I think the Eagles trade was a domino-effect from moving Watkins. The Bills could not enter the season with nothing at receiver.

It just happens that the Darby/Matthews trade was actually a decent swap. The Bills make out pretty good on that one.

 

Anyone that thinks this was just about money... Don't forget that Matthews is also a free agent next year.

 

The risk of holding on to Sammy would have been directly tied to whether he could stay healthy. If he got injured this year and missed 3, 4 or even 8 games like last year, they wouldn't have been able to get anything for him.

[8-8 Forever?]

um... yes. hey, you all wanted Rexy poo gone, blow it all up you said. well, they are blowing it all up. doesn't end with the coaching staff, roster gets blown up too. Rags will be cut soon as well. told you it was a rebuild. tank for Darnold. works for me. should work for you too. go bills

[4_kidd_4]

The cynic in me thinks it was very smart of them to wait until literally the day after season ticket packages are no longer sold or renewed.

People want to put Pegulas on some sort of pedestal. They just want your money, same as any other business owners.

[BillsMedia]

There is no question, its a tank job.

[JM2009]

Josh Reed‏Verified account @4JoshReed 21m21 minutes ago

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The #Bills downgraded their talent at WR and CB but upgraded their FUTURE draft status. That tells me all I need to know about this trade

[RalphWilson'sNewWar]

Only a move like this. So smart. Could have pulled me out of Message Board retirement.

[mannc]

If they are going down this road (which many have advocated), McCoy should be next.

He has no trade value. None.

[Rockpile233]

If Darby was a cap problem and they didn't pick up Watkins' option, how can this be considered a tank move? As I mentioned before, Sammy missed half the season last year and probably wasn't 100% for all 8 games he played in during '16. He was gonna leave after this year anyway so why not get some value. The Bills have two firsts and two seconds next year IIRC.....that's great to have in trying build a team.

Downgraded with a net of draft picks. Definitely leaning more towards tanky than competitive. No big deal they should just own it and take it further.

[JM2009]

He has no trade value. None.

Why?

[LA Grant]

It's not a tank. They weren't going to be better than 7-9 this year before today. Now maybe they'll be 5-11 but with way more draft capital to install a better foundation next year.

 

It's vision and a clear plan, as opposed to the desperate scrambling we'd been accustomed to seeing.

[teef]

I will wait to see if we get any additional moves but I think that this is it.

 

They thought we could be as good of a team this year by making these moves while acquiring additional assets. Now if they move McCoy, Tyrod or Dareus then the tank is on.

no doubt. if you really put the emotions aside, this may not effect this year much at all. i'm in no way saying matthews is watkis, but sammy just hasn't shown the extraordinary production we all thought he would/could.

[QCity]

Here's some hard truths, you may need to put on the big boy pants for this -

 

Again, it's not a tank. They are not deliberately trying to lose. Sammy was on the way out the day the option was declined. If you were one of the posters claiming this was a "prove it" year for him, you were only kidding yourself.

 

The love-affair with Sammy around here is wayyy over the top, and mostly a product of the ridiculous amount of capital we invested in him via draft picks. Maybe one day he'll reach his potential, but so far he hasn't come close. You don't hand out big contracts based on potential.

 

And no, he wasn't going to put up a monster year with our QB situation. He was likely going to play ~13 games and put up an ~800 yard season and then unceremoniously leave. Getting a 2nd round pick for him with 1-yr left on his deal is about right.

 

Also, no, TT and Shady aren't getting traded. Why? Because it isn't a tank. Don't expect either of those players to be on the roster next year though.

[JM2009]

Thad Brown‏ @thadbrown7 7m7 minutes ago

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#Bills can add all the picks they want. If draft top 3 is Jets-SF-CLE, may not matter. Rights to creating Buffalo wings wouldn't be enough.

[Royale with Cheese]

Here's some hard truths, you may need to put on the big boy pants for this -

 

Again, it's not a tank. They are not deliberately trying to lose. Sammy was on the way out the day the option was declined. If you were one of the posters claiming this was a "prove it" year for him, you were only kidding yourself.

 

The love-affair with Sammy around here is wayyy over the top, and mostly a product of the ridiculous amount of capital we invested in him via draft picks. Maybe one day he'll reach his potential, but so far he hasn't come close. You don't hand out big contracts based on potential.

 

And no, he wasn't going to put up a monster year with our QB situation. He was likely going to play ~13 games and put up an ~800 yard season and then unceremoniously leave. Getting a 2nd round pick for him with 1-yr left on his deal is about right.

 

Also, no, TT and Shady aren't getting traded. Why? Because it isn't a tank. Don't expect either of those players to be on the roster next year though.

 

This is exactly what has been going through my mind.

Although I agree TT won't be hear next year, I think Shady still will....especially if he doesn't show any signs of slowing down.

[mannc]

Why?

Five reasons: (1) He's old, (2) he has a fat contract, (3) injury concerns; (4) he's a running back, (5) he's not the type of big, North-South runner that most teams are looking for these days. Doesn't mean he's not a good player, of course.