PromoTheRobot Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 (edited) https://theathletic.com/1569231/2020/01/29/are-the-bills-shaking-the-siberian-stigma-it-depends-what-matters-to-nfl-players-in-free-agency/ Bills still have much to overcome. Quote “Very unattractive,” Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jurrell Casey said. “I think just the weather itself, but also the fact that’s in New York but isn’t New York (City) messes with people’s minds. “They’re so far away from a real city that they lose sight of what’s out there. And when you get there, there’s really nothing.” Casey is under contract, but three of the most prominent players in the 2020 free-agent class — receiver Amari Cooper, tight end Austin Hooper and edge rusher Shaquil Barrett — also were frosty about the idea of Buffalo. The next Bills stadium better be a dome. Edited January 29, 2020 by PromoTheRobot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigdaddyinOrlando Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 I feel like though if they take the visit and hear what McBean and the other players have to say about the organization and what the area really is like then they will be more inclined and possibly excited to be here. Plus a look at the new training facility is huge bonus. JMO 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 And yet, Green Bay is a contender year after year, and attracts UFAs pretty well. $$$$$ overcome plenty of reservations at the end of the day, especially for guys signing their first FA contract... 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulldog Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 Two items matter most to attract Free Agents: 1. Money ($$$$ -- lots of it). 2. in some cases, a chance to win a championship is what ultimately matters to top flight professional athletes. Any other perceived "problem" in attracting top talent can be overcome by increasing the amount of $ involved in item #1 or the perceived chance to achieve item #2. Other considerations are secondary in most cases. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCOrange Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 (edited) 7 minutes ago, Lurker said: And yet, Green Bay is a contender year after year, and attracts UFAs pretty well. $$$$$ overcome plenty of reservations at the end of the day, especially for guys signing their first FA contract... Yeah, the article touches on that. Basically says Green Bay has the aura around it that Buffalo currently does not. Also mentions that Buffalo has to offer more money than almost any other team due to the income taxes in New York. Teams like the California teams can get away with it because players want to live in LA, but Buffalo gets hit by the income tax as well as being a relatively undesirable place to live. I tend to think that we can sign almost anyone we want if we're willing to overpay them. Sounds like some guys like Amari Cooper wouldn't even go for that though. Edited January 29, 2020 by DCOrange 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Call_Of_Ktulu Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 19 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said: https://theathletic.com/1569231/2020/01/29/are-the-bills-shaking-the-siberian-stigma-it-depends-what-matters-to-nfl-players-in-free-agency/ Bills still have much to overcome. The next Bills stadium better be a dome. I agree, we need a dome to give us a better chance at some of these FA’s. The weather is so bad in Buffalo that it dictates what kind of offense you run on some days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted January 29, 2020 Author Share Posted January 29, 2020 Honestly, players more worried about stuff to do maybe aren't McDermott process-type players anyway. I mean how much free time do players have in-season? Tuesdays? And most of the time you are doing community stuff that day. 11 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sig1Hunter Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 9 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said: Honestly, players more worried about stuff to do maybe aren't McDermott process-type players anyway. I mean how much free time do players have in-season? Tuesdays? And most of the time you are doing community stuff that day. I was about to reply with just this exact sentiment on your original post. Well said! 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 18 minutes ago, DCOrange said: Sounds like some guys like Amari Cooper wouldn't even go for that though. In other words, not good "process' guys--so the Bills probably wouldn't target them either. The Bills are in a better position to sign UFA's than at any time in the past twenty years (competitive team, big pot of money to spend). And they could always give them the key to the city, if need be... 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg S Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 The funny thing is when players get to Buffalo many of them love it. Look at Kelly as an example. He blew off the Bills to go to the USFL but now the guy is Mr. Buffalo and made it his home. Thurman is another one who moved back here fulltime. Kyle Williams loves the area. There have been so many players who loved playing in front of Bills Mafia where they get a real home field advantage. Is the weather really that much of a factor during football season? August, Sept its hot. October still not bad, November (minus that freak snow storm a few years ago) still not that bad. December and January is when you have to deal with the possibility of snow. If you are playing in January nobody will care as it's the playoffs. When the season is over these players can leave the area. They certainly can afford multiple homes if they want. As far as the other elements like wind and rain that can happen anywhere. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatdrinks Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 As fans, we can say whatever we want and counter these points of view, but that doesn’t matter at all. What does matter is that actual NFL players have these views and perceptions, and that’s a problem. Denying them or trying to minimize them doesn’t make them go away. Green Bay is mentioned, but it still has a certain “ championship” aura to it and they still have Rodgers. That gives the organization credibility. Yes, money matters but these players are going to get paid somewhere. That means Buffalo has to pay more, and that is a big disadvantage. Other “ cold” NFL teams are near a major city, so there isn’t a lot attractive about Buffalo to a player with options. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delirious Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 How many times do we need an article on this? Remember hearing about this last year before free agency. ? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dat Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 I think the new state of the art training facility and locker rooms was a step in the right direction. Last year Beasley was impressed enough to comment about how much better they were than the Cowboys. This with the family, friends and team culture in the whole organization will help change minds along with winning and making the playoffs as long as they can get them to come visit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaninATL Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 Unfortunately perception is reality for these players Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloRebound Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 This again? Where are the articles about free agents who go to New York and LA for reasons other than football and don’t live up to their contract? Give me the guys who care about football. NYC and LA can have the guys who want their own reality show. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corta765 Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 7 minutes ago, delirious said: How many times do we need an article on this? Remember hearing about this last year before free agency. ? That's where I am at. The Bills could win 100 straight SB's and it will never completely change that some players will view the area as cold snowy not NYC etc.. Whatever don't care, their doing a good job building the team as such regardless of this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jahnyc Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 These articles perpetuate a perception that may be changing by including a number of negative quotes from players who have no real experience with Buffalo and who may have no idea about the current team and coaching environment. i kind of wish they would stop publishing these types of articles until after we have had some additional winning seasons and playoff appearances (hopefully over the next couple of years). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 i really want hooper and cooper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Bills Fan Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 In all means there talking crap. Don't need them anyways. Looking for process players who can help the team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProcessAccepted Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 1 hour ago, Lurker said: And yet, Green Bay is a contender year after year, and attracts UFAs pretty well. $$$$$ overcome plenty of reservations at the end of the day, especially for guys signing their first FA contract... $$$$ and winning change everything. If players feel that they'll see the playoffs and some prime time games they'll change their opinion on Buffalo. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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