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Oline and WRs


Pete

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I'd rather keep both positions the way they are.  If they can trade for a young player on a cheap contract at WR or OG I'd be open to that.  But NO big name free agents please.  The Bills aren't going to the playoffs this year anyway.  and Bryant/Maclin aren't going to change that.  Let's take the opportunity to see what we have in Groy, Miller, Bodine, Newhouse,  Zay, and the rookies we just drafted at WR & OG.  Save the salary cap space for the future and address both positions aggressively next year if needed.

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Oline biggest worry for me..

 

Bodine and Newhouse both have that journeyman look about them and their campaigns in 2017 were nothing to write home about based on what I have read since they got picked up...

 

Hoping they are depth at best in 2018...

 

Best case scenario is Groy building on what he showed in 2016, and McDermott stepping up to secure the RT spot- there has been some buzz that the team is pretty high on him..

 

I would also add Teller being an immeadiate starter at LG but that is asking for too much.., more likely Beane picks up a solid post June cut on a reasonable 1 year deal... 

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It's highly unlikely that either the OL or the WRs "will be fine" despite all the whistling past the graveyard.

 

The Bills have a decent LT, a journeyman RT, and a black hole in the interior of the OL.  They are depending upon a backup and a rookie to replace a solid OC.  They are hoping that 1 of the 2 RGs who struggled last season can step up and play better.  AFAIK, they have only a name penciled in at LG to replace a Pro Bowl LG.  This is easily the worst pre-season OL the Bills have had since 2009.  They're depending upon backups to replace good starters, and didn't add any depth.

 

The WR unit stunk last season with 1 NFL-caliber WR (Benjamin) on the roster, and he only arrived in mid-season, and was hurt for much of his time with the Bills.   Jones was a bust, and will have to have a major turn around to even merit a starting spot on this poor unit.  All the others are STers or street FAs.  What have the Bills done to improve their WRs?   Nothing.  AJ McCarron isn't Tom Brady who can make useful WRs out of rookies and street FAs, and if Josh Allen has the misfortune to see the field (which seems likely because of the crappy OL), he's likely doomed.

 

I hope I'm wrong, but I'm really afraid that the Bills are going to struggle to score on offense even more than they did last year, which doesn't bode well for them winning many games. 

Edited by SoTier
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17 minutes ago, Magnum Force said:

How about either Luke Joekel or Greg Robinson as a reclamation project?  Both are young and highly touted out of college but haven't been able to put it together at the pro level.

 

Both are OTs which is not nearly as pressing a need as OC/OG, but the Bills could use upgrades at both OTs just for depth.  I'm not sure that the Bills can afford Joekel or Robinson, though, especially as depth players.  Established OLers, even when they're busts, are old, and/or injury-prone are expensive in FA.   Another concern is that Dawkins being only a sophomore,  he's not exactly a sure thing.  He wouldn't be the first kid to have an impressive rookie season and then fail to play up to that standard again.   The Bills may rue the day that they traded away Cordy Glenn, especially if Allen doesn't work out.

Edited by SoTier
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5 minutes ago, SoTier said:

 

Both are OTs which is not nearly as pressing a need as OC/OG, but the Bills could use upgrades at both OTs just for depth.  I'm not sure that the Bills can afford Joekel or Robinson, though, especially as depth players.  Established OLers, even when they're busts, are old, and/or injury-prone are expensive in FA.   Another concern is that Dawkins being only a sophomore,  he's not exactly a sure thing.  He wouldn't be the first kid to have an impressive rookie season and then fail to play up to that standard again.   The Bills may rue the day that they traded away Cordy Glenn, especially if Allen doesn't work out.

Didn't Joekel also play guard in Seattle?

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16 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

A young QB's best friends are a stout OL and a stout running game

But when he does throw, his next best friend are at least 2 legit top tier receivers who can gain separation and haul in those errant throws.

 

What gave you the notion that only matters if you throw 40 times a game?

 

 

Agreed.  Some of our posters here think the O Line is not as bad as I think.  I hope they're right.

 

My point was you don’t need 2 legit top tier receivers because there’s not enough targets to go around if you don’t throw a lot. For the offense they are gonna run Benjamin Clay and shady will eat 85% of the targets. O’Leary has shown flashes in the passing game and most of us expect a little jump in production from Zay. There are plenty of weapons for the style they wanna play. Very few teams have let alone need 2 top tier receivers 

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The GM is not denying there are still needs.  He won't fill them with anything but 1-year deals unless someone comes to market in a need position that has a future.  That would be rare -- but the Bills are in a position to back-end load a contract.  I think the end of next week will bring some vets to market to add to the ones already there in positions of need.

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6 hours ago, Magnum Force said:

Didn't Joekel also play guard in Seattle?

Yes he's a guard now and Robinson was tried there as well. Joeckel is a great fit for what we do imo. He actually played pretty well in Seattle before he got hurt, and he should come cheap at this point. 

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6 minutes ago, MrEpsYtown said:

Yes he's a guard now and Robinson was tried there as well. Joeckel is a great fit for what we do imo. He actually played pretty well in Seattle before he got hurt, and he should come cheap at this point. 

I feel the same way about Joekel....and like you said, he should come at a pretty reasonable price.

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6 hours ago, Magnum Force said:

Didn't Joekel also play guard in Seattle?

 

Joeckel wasn't impressive at Tackle but his more to Guard seems to fit him better.

 

Dawkins - 11 Starts

Groy - 11 Starts (7 of them 2 years ago)

McDermott - 0 Starts

Teller - 0 Starts

Playing too many of these young guys together will be a problem.

 

Don't be surprised if the starting OL to begin the season is:

Dawkins

Groy

Bodine

Ducasse

Mills/Newhouse

 

The younger guys will get looks during the season.

 

 

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2 minutes ago, Magnum Force said:

Ball park figure....what do you think it would cost to sign him and what term?

 

Spotrac and other were thinking he wanted 7 million or so per year to start FA.

No one touched him for that.

Seattle paid him 8 last year.

 

Maybe a 2 year 12 million or so could get him.  I'm not sure if teams would think that's too much.

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2 minutes ago, ColoradoBills said:

 

Spotrac and other were thinking he wanted 7 million or so per year to start FA.

No one touched him for that.

Seattle paid him 8 last year.

 

Maybe a 2 year 12 million or so could get him.  I'm not sure if teams would think that's too much.

Yes no or maybe at 10 to 12 million over 2 years?

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7 minutes ago, Magnum Force said:

Yes no or maybe at 10 to 12 million over 2 years?

 

I truly couldn't say but it doesn't sound unreasonable.

One would think they should bring him in for a visit at least.

It's one of the threads I look for every time I log in.

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33 minutes ago, MrEpsYtown said:

Yes he's a guard now and Robinson was tried there as well. Joeckel is a great fit for what we do imo. He actually played pretty well in Seattle before he got hurt, and he should come cheap at this point. 

 

If he can play guard even decently, then I'm for bringing him in.  He'd be an instant upgrade at LG (where there's no legit starter) and possibly at RG as well.

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My guess is Richie returns.  The dude loves football and he does not want to miss out playing with the up and coming Bills.  Richie was due $7.9 million I believe, but restructured.   He then fired his agent.  As is, Richie has zero leverage.  And he is costing himself millions this year by retiring.  Next year he is a free agent, he could set himself up for one last big payday if he plays well this year.  Richie likes money.  If Richie does return- Dawkins-Richie-Groy-Vlad-Mills is a returning line somewhat.  Not world beaters, but hopefully sufficient.  Miller-Bodine-McDermott-Newhouse-Teller-Redmond is great depth and could contend for starting.  This will be interesting camp battle.  And we will see who else is added to mix

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