Bills potential interest in Pats UFA LG Joe Thuney?

[BigBuff423]

The general board sentiments of avoiding prior Pats Offensive Linemen rings true in my ears. But....this is a different FO and a different coaching staff. IF, and that's a big IF, Beane and company believe Thuney is worth the money and investment, despite my PTSD reaction to big money contracts to FA OL due to past regimes, I will trust Beane and his merry band of FO mates. They have absolutely earned that right  based on how they've done over the last couple of years on the whole. Nobody is perfect, but they have generally done a terrific job in adding pieces via FA and the Draft. 

[Stank_Nasty]

1 hour ago, YoloinOhio said:

Speaking of Conklin.. not sure how informed this guy is but he tweeted this last night as well

 

 

How are the jets just handing out yearly monster deals? 

[BuffaloHokie13]

8 hours ago, njbuff said:

What’s his marker value?

3 washable crayolas and a silver sharpie. 

 

I'm sorry. I had to.

[NoSaint]

44 minutes ago, machine gun kelly said:

agreed.  We don’t need to spend that kind of $ in free agency, when we should just sign Spain as he played well for us.

we absolutely do need to spend just not sure if the highest paid guard/center combo with him and Morse is the premium ROI for the dollars. 
 

I like a good interior line but seems we have options to save here and spend elsewhere 

[Call_Of_Ktulu]

I just watched some super bowl game tape and read up on how Thuney did against Aaron Donald. Still need to watch a little more but this guy stonewalled the best D-Lineman in the NFL in that SB. Thuney’s main responsibility was Donald and he had him solo 13 times and didn’t make any mistakes in keeping Donald from taking over that game. He is entering his prime and looks to be well worth the investment.

[The Jokeman]

35 minutes ago, SlimShady'sGhost said:

Hell,  I'm still waiting for the last Patriot player the Bills signed, LaAdrian Waddle to step onto the field. 

 

Injuries happen, I'd bring Waddle back next year, as he did start as an undrafted rookie in Detroit his first two seasons when our O-line coach was there. 

Edited January 29, 2020 by The Jokeman

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

9 minutes ago, The Jokeman said:

Injuries happen, I'd bring Waddle back next year, as he did start as an undrafted rookie his first two seasons when our O-line coach was there. 

 

For only 2 Million why not ..

 

[Coach Tuesday]

I understand the hesitancy to spend on a guard and agree that ex-Patriots often don’t replicate their successes elsewhere - but Thuney was the best or second-best guard in the league in 2019.  He’s objectively great.

[atlbillsfan1975]

8 hours ago, WideNine said:

 

The Pats never overpay and they have always been able to turn middling o-line talents into rock stars. But usually their stars are not able to replicate the same success elsewhere. 

 

Brady usually gets rid of the ball quickly or throws it away, or in the dirt in front of him because he rarely if ever gets called for intentional grounding.

 

Their o-linemen usually do not have to hold their blocks as long. Also, they have had the services of arguably one of the best offensive line coaches still active last year to coach up a unit - Scarnecchia. Looks like he is hanging up the whistle for good this time so good news for Buffalo. He ranked right up there with the best in the business Hanifan, Bugal, the homer in me always though McNally was pretty darn good too.

 

I don't see the Bills getting into a bidding war for a guard sitting near the top of the FA pool, but who knows. I could see them going after a cheap FA someone like Van Roten because they take chances on players who are dinged up but were playing at a high level if they feel they can get them back into playing shape. He would come far cheaper than the FA guard top-list targets, and there is the Carolina connection.

 

 

I agree that the Bills won’t overpay for him.

anything to hurt the Pats. 

[YoloinOhio]

31 minutes ago, The Jokeman said:

Injuries happen, I'd bring Waddle back next year, as he did start as an undrafted rookie in Detroit his first two seasons when our O-line coach was there. 

We would use the OT depth. 

[Big Turk]

9 hours ago, Mr Info said:

Thuney will be a FA. #2 ranked guard this year.

Projected 5 yrs $75M with $33.9M guaranteed....that’s a lot of $ for an IOL.

 

 

I don't trust any Pat player to have the same level of performance when he goes to another team.  Very few of them have played at a high level after leaving NE.  Notable exception has been Chandler Jones who has been a baller for the Cardinals, going to 2 Pro Bowls since leaving and becoming a 2 time All-Pro. Certainly not a good enough track record to pay that kind of money to a guard. But I mean is there any justification to EVER paying that kind of money to a guard??  The position just doesn't make enough of a difference in the grand scheme of things to justify it. 

 

Just kick Ford inside or draft a guard in the 3rd or 4th round that you can plug in.

Edited January 29, 2020 by matter2003

[HappyDays]

Chad Forbes has a track record of being wrong. He's an Incarcerated Bob wannabe.

[Florida Bills Fanatic]

As usual, most of the comments already made on this subject have it exactly correct.  There are better options available than Thuney based on a cost vs. talent comparison.  Brady received more pressure up the middle than he had in previous years.  It's pretty telling that the Cheatriots extended one interior lineman and not Thuney.  They obviously didn't think he was worth keeping around at a price that he would demand.  Beane won't break the bank for a marginal upgrade (if it is an upgrade at all). 

[aristocrat]

if you're gonna improve the roster o line is the way to go. this guy is a couple years younger than spain so you are getting younger at the spot. 

[Rc2catch]

Thuney might be a good guard. But I am NEVER paying a patriot offensive lineman. 
Has anyone ever left there from the O line and been good? There is monster free agent busts on patriot linemen. Something about New England and that line seems to work there but the guys fall off a cliff when they leave. Is it the refs letting them hold non stop? Just the scheme? I do not know. I would not pay top dollar for any linemen from that team though. 

[Manther]

9 hours ago, atlbillsfan1975 said:

Drive up the price so either Pats overpay and hurts them with other signings or he leaves which hurts the Pats too.

IMO the Pats* aren't paying anything close to that price tag for him.  Thusly, he will not be back with the Pats*.

[thebandit27]

Don’t get me wrong, I love Joe Thuney’s game. I’m out on signing him for big money. I think this team can get close to equal play by sliding Ford to guard, or simply re-sign Spain for half of what Tunes gets on the open market and make do with Spain being 75% of the player that Thuney is.

 

My concern at RT is limited to Nsekhe’s health. He was fine at RT; clearly better than Ford. I’d be okay signing a swing OT and drafting a guy to take over for Ty in 2021. 

[YoloinOhio]

33 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

Chad Forbes has a track record of being wrong. He's an Incarcerated Bob wannabe.

Is he just making stuff up out of thin air or is he hearing things from #sources and they end up wrong? These types of things (FA interest) are tough to say he was wrong ... because it doesn’t mean they will sign with the team, only that the team is interested and there is agency connections with other players that might assist with that effort. 

[2003Contenders]

Hmmm, no need to pay heavily for an OG in free agency this year. I think we were pretty good at those interior positions and just need to keep the guys we have. Now, fortifying the RT position is a different story (unless Ford makes great strides and doesn't have to play inside).

[SCBills]

Interesting..  I would've thought we might be in on a RT given Feliciano's ability to play G/C, the potential re-signing of Spain and Ford's ability to play G. 

 

Does this indicate they feel good about Ford's 2nd year jump at RT?

 

I certainly don't hate investing in the OL, so if this is who they like, I trust them.

[Call_Of_Ktulu]

51 minutes ago, Rc2catch said:

Thuney might be a good guard. But I am NEVER paying a patriot offensive lineman. 
Has anyone ever left there from the O line and been good? There is monster free agent busts on patriot linemen. Something about New England and that line seems to work there but the guys fall off a cliff when they leave. Is it the refs letting them hold non stop? Just the scheme? I do not know. I would not pay top dollar for any linemen from that team though. 

This guy is very athletic and does everything well and stays healthy. I agree that certain O-Line are system based but I think Thuney is the real deal. 

[The Jokeman]

2 minutes ago, Call_Of_Ktulu said:

This guy is very athletic and does everything well and stays healthy. I agree that certain O-Line are system based but I think Thuney is the real deal. 

The question is are we going to be zone blocking or power blocking. It makes all the difference in the O-lineman you want, to me with us having bigger guys like Felciano and Spain I think we're more power based yet never really studied the Oline last season what we were running. 

[Lurker]

10 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

 I assume they mean Kroft but I guess it could be Lee Smith. 

 

Doesn't seem like much of any leverage to me.  Why would a guy looking for a $75 million contract give a fig about Kroft or Lee Smith??

[HappyDays]

14 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

Is he just making stuff up out of thin air or is he hearing things from #sources and they end up wrong? These types of things (FA interest) are tough to say he was wrong ... because it doesn’t mean they will sign with the team, only that the team is interested and there is agency connections with other players that might assist with that effort. 

 

I don't know his exact schtick but it seems like he makes a lot of guesses based on team needs and who players have as agents. His Twitter profile says he is an "NFL Insider" but doesn't say how he got those connections. Is he a media guy? Former scout? His profile says he is a "frequent contributor on national radio." Ok... what national radio? I listen to plenty of spots radio and never heard him before.

 

It would help if his predictions made sense. The Bills have not brought in many big ticket free agents since McDermott got here, and if we're going to sign one or two this offseason a LG doesn't fit our needs. Just because Kroft is his agent, that means we're tied to him? We could just re-sign Spain or move Ford to that spot so I'll be surprised if we spend big money there.

[Rc2catch]

9 minutes ago, Call_Of_Ktulu said:

This guy is very athletic and does everything well and stays healthy. I agree that certain O-Line are system based but I think Thuney is the real deal. 

I’m not knocking him, I haven’t watched him closely to see if he’s any good or not. But, can we name one offensive lineman to come out of New England and be successful? I even did a quick look just to kinda reference it but every lineman I find from there is terrible after. 

[atlbillsfan1975]

This brings up an interesting issue. The Pats have for years benefited from Brady being the QB and getting the ball out quick. With it looking more and more like Brady won’t be back, or if he is not as good, the Pats will need to find a different approach. 
I have heard the theory that the Pats will plug another QB in and be just the same. I don’t think it’s going to be that easy. If it was wouldn’t that devalue Brady’s legacy? 

[YoloinOhio]

29 minutes ago, Lurker said:

 

Doesn't seem like much of any leverage to me.  Why would a guy looking for a $75 million contract give a fig about Kroft or Lee Smith??

He’s referring to the agent, not Thune

[Rc2catch]

4 minutes ago, atlbillsfan1975 said:

This brings up an interesting issue. The Pats have for years benefited from Brady being the QB and getting the ball out quick. With it looking more and more like Brady won’t be back, or if he is not as good, the Pats will need to find a different approach. 
I have heard the theory that the Pats will plug another QB in and be just the same. I don’t think it’s going to be that easy. If it was wouldn’t that devalue Brady’s legacy? 

I think they have already began the transition the last two years. Establishing a better run game with Michel and the short pass game with white and Edelman. I think that’s the offense they’ll go with regardless if it’s Brady or another non mobile quarterback. 
I have also guessed a few times they may trade for cam newton or sign Mariota and try their own version of the Baltimore wildcat offense and mimic them. The way they have tried to run the ball and play solid defense should keep them in the hunt with or without Brady. 

[Call_Of_Ktulu]

22 minutes ago, Rc2catch said:

I’m not knocking him, I haven’t watched him closely to see if he’s any good or not. But, can we name one offensive lineman to come out of New England and be successful? I even did a quick look just to kinda reference it but every lineman I find from there is terrible after. 

I agree, you have to really put in some time when signing a O-Lineman from the Patriots. I just got done looking at some college games, highlight reels, combine and super bowl performance against Aaron Donald. 
 

To me he looks like a all pro guard who can play every position on the O-Line and stays healthy. He appears to check every box for a big contact.

[atlbillsfan1975]

2 minutes ago, Rc2catch said:

I think they have already began the transition the last two years. Establishing a better run game with Michel and the short pass game with white and Edelman. I think that’s the offense they’ll go with regardless if it’s Brady or another non mobile quarterback. 
I have also guessed a few times they may trade for cam newton or sign Mariota and try their own version of the Baltimore wildcat offense and mimic them. The way they have tried to run the ball and play solid defense should keep them in the hunt with or without Brady. 

I get what you are saying, but I just don’t see it working. 
I think the mental edge the Pats  possessed will be gone without Belichick and Brady. I really think in 2 years Belichick will be gone and the Pats will be in full blown rebuild.

[GunnerBill]

3 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

Speaking of Conklin.. not sure how informed this guy is but he tweeted this last night as well

 

 

 

If the Jets are in on him I would expect their intention is to pay him as, and initially try him at, left tackle. If that is the case then I think everyone else (including Buffalo) is out on him.

[Call_Of_Ktulu]

Just now, GunnerBill said:

 

If the Jets are in on him I would expect their intention is to pay him as, and initially try him at, left tackle. If that is the case then I think everyone else (including Buffalo) is out on him.

It looks like he could be a solid fill in if your starting LT goes down but I doubt a team signs him at starting LT money to play LT. 

[Lurker]

32 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

He’s referring to the agent, not Thune

 

Meh.   Agents work with most teams.   I don't see how the Kroft relationship gives the Bills a "3-D chess" advantage.     

 

As someone else suggested, it sounds like the agent ( https://prioritysports.biz/football/ ) whispering in Forbes ear to drum up rumors.   Or make New England come to the table to keep him away from division rivals...

 

Edited January 29, 2020 by Lurker

[thebandit27]

11 minutes ago, Call_Of_Ktulu said:

It looks like he could be a solid fill in if your starting LT goes down but I doubt a team signs him at starting LT money to play LT. 

 

You never know—the Raiders did that with Trent Brown last year 

[GunnerBill]

9 minutes ago, Call_Of_Ktulu said:

It looks like he could be a solid fill in if your starting LT goes down but I doubt a team signs him at starting LT money to play LT. 

 

If I was the Jets and didn't have a left tackle, I'd happily sign Conklin to play there. I have always had the view that he can be an NFL left tackle. He played left tackle at Michigan State and while I don't think he is likely an elite NFL LT I think he could play to a Dion Dawkins, top half of the league type level.

[warrior9]

So you sign Spain for 6-7 a year or this guy for 10-12? 

I think Thuney next to Dawson and Morse would be unbelievable. 

 

I'm sure there are internal debates going on about this. If we can get Spain at 5-6/ yr over 3 years, I think you'd have to do that. 

Edited January 29, 2020 by warrior9

[whatdrought]

I really wouldn't love this... Would much rather throw a stack at Jack Conklin and put Ford at Guard. 

[Call_Of_Ktulu]

13 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

If I was the Jets and didn't have a left tackle, I'd happily sign Conklin to play there. I have always had the view that he can be an NFL left tackle. He played left tackle at Michigan State and while I don't think he is likely an elite NFL LT I think he could play to a Dion Dawkins, top half of the league type level.

He reminds me a lot of Jonah Williams, he has short arms but has great agility and feet to recover. I wouldn’t be surprised if Thuney plays LT at a high level. 

[The Jokeman]

13 minutes ago, warrior9 said:

So you sign Spain for 6-7 a year or this guy for 10-12? 

I think Thuney next to Dawson and Morse would be unbelievable. 

 

I'm sure there are internal debates going on about this. If we can get Spain at 5-6/ yr over 3 years, I think you'd have to do that. 

Spain for 2-3 years nothing more. 

[Don Otreply]

Not seeing this as a likely target by Beane, RT is the question mark on the O line, Beane is “usually” unwilling to pay stupid money at “almost” every position, so this one is likely not a consideration.

 

Go Bills!!!