Free Agency News and Updates - around the league

[YoloinOhio]

2 minutes ago, BigBuff423 said:

 

I don't know about him specifically, but *that* is the type of FA WR I think Beane targets given the totality of circumstances and the state of the roster. In a Draft deep at WR, it makes a lot of sense to address the other areas that need improvement via FA and then use your Draft capital on the deepest position in the Draft. Only Beane et. al. know definitively what their approach will be, but IMHO, it just makes too much sense to do anything else....UNLESS, the Bills trade a 2nd or 3rd round pick for a good WR.

Unless it’s an elite pass rusher,  these are types of FAs that will help this team the most. Otherwise build through the draft. I would give out a big market setting contract to an elite pass rusher in FA just not sure one will be available. 

Edited March 3, 2020 by YoloinOhio

[GunnerBill]

15 minutes ago, DCOrange said:

Not a rumor, but the more I've thought about it, the more I think we might see Beane pursue Paul Richardson as a free agent. There were rumors we were one of the teams most interested in him back when he ultimately signed with Washington and he would make a lot of sense for us still today.

 

I don't mind Richardson as cheap deal that at least gives you a third credible guy to throw out there but to me he is only improves your depth. He doesn't give you a true extra playmaker.

[Royale with Cheese]

13 hours ago, ScottLaw said:

The whole premise of my post was responding to a poster who suggested they can't afford to sign high priced FAs because they have future players to resign. I believe they aren't going to resign everyone and they'll let guys like Milano or Poyer walk if they are looking for a big pay day(which they will be) and figure they can replace them with cheaper options via the draft of FA. They put more of a value on guys like Edmunds, Dawkins, and Tre.

 

You seem to think that because Milano was out on defense a lot this translates to him being great. He's a solid OLB but he had his fair share of struggles last season. 

 

You went from Milano "hasn't been very good since his injury" to now "solid".  

 

Yes Scott, I think Milano is a very good linebacker....which is why he's never taken off the field.  You seem to think that OLB isn't a premier position for McDermott when he has one on the field 100% of the time.  The Panthers, when McDermott was the DC...drafted Shaq Thompson in the first round who is an OLB.  Why the F did they do that if it's not a premier position with McDermott?  

I thought it was obvious that fast linebackers who can cover is vital for McDermott's defense but you seem to not think that.  

 

 

[BuffaloRebound]

20 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

Unless it’s an elite pass rusher,  these are types of FAs that will help this team the most. Otherwise build through the draft. I would give out a big market setting contract to an elite pass rusher in FA just not sure one will be available. 

Despite our recent upswing, I still can’t see the Bills landing a glamour free agent like Clowney.  Money talks, but any of the elite pass rushers who hit free agency will have many suitors.  Still think our best shot of landing an elite pass rusher is trading our 1st rounder for somebody who’s unhappy like Bosa, but that’s still a long shot.  Most likely scenario is we over-pay for Lawson.  Beane can’t let both Lawson and Phillips walk without replacing them with an elite pass rusher.  

[YoloinOhio]

2 minutes ago, BuffaloRebound said:

Despite our recent upswing, I still can’t see the Bills landing a glamour free agent like Clowney.  Money talks, but any of the elite pass rushers who hit free agency will have many suitors.  Still think our best shot of landing an elite pass rusher is trading our 1st rounder for somebody who’s unhappy like Bosa, but that’s still a long shot.  Most likely scenario is we over-pay for Lawson.  Beane can’t let both Lawson and Phillips walk without replacing them with an elite pass rusher.  

Bosa unhappy? That’s new... where did you hear that?

Edited March 3, 2020 by YoloinOhio

[BuffaloRebound]

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jayparis/2020/01/31/la-chargers-joey-bosa-is-seeking-a-super-payday-this-offseason/#4435aa707901
 

Chargers might be dysfunctional enough for Bosa to hold out for a trade.  

[BigBuff423]

 

38 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

Unless it’s an elite pass rusher,  these are types of FAs that will help this team the most. Otherwise build through the draft. I would give out a big market setting contract to an elite pass rusher in FA just not sure one will be available. 

 

30 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I don't mind Richardson as cheap deal that at least gives you a third credible guy to throw out there but to me he is only improves your depth. He doesn't give you a true extra playmaker.

 

Yolo - from the Morse contract last year, I do think Beane will spend big money on key positions he / they believe need to possess great or elite talent in order to be a Super Bowl team. Center / LT and maybe RT are positions that advance your entire Offense (and QB duh). DE is another position that can alter the course of a game by an elite player and I agree that if one were available and based on Cap management, I think Beane prioritizes it and spends the money. However, what I truly LOVE about Beane and his team is that they take a value based approach and won't overpay for a particular player, regardless of how much they like him. They stick to the objective standard model and hold to it. 

 

Gunner, agreed - and that's why IMHO Beane takes that kind of approach in FA and will swing for the fences in the Draft for a WR. I don't know if that's a trade in the 1st or just taking multiple WRs in the Draft, but I DO think it's fairly early i.e. 1st / 2nd Round. JMO, but when all of the stars align for good FA for DE / OT / LB / CB / S / and depth at WR, the writing on the wall is those are positions in FA to spend, while WR and RB, depth CB, LB, and DL are the Draft targets. Who knows, but it just seems to fit Beane's approach in my mind thus far. 

[GunnerBill]

2 minutes ago, BigBuff423 said:

 

 

 

Yolo - from the Morse contract last year, I do think Beane will spend big money on key positions he / they believe need to possess great or elite talent in order to be a Super Bowl team. Center / LT and maybe RT are positions that advance your entire Offense (and QB duh). DE is another position that can alter the course of a game by an elite player and I agree that if one were available and based on Cap management, I think Beane prioritizes it and spends the money. However, what I truly LOVE about Beane and his team is that they take a value based approach and won't overpay for a particular player, regardless of how much they like him. They stick to the objective standard model and hold to it. 

 

Gunner, agreed - and that's why IMHO Beane takes that kind of approach in FA and will swing for the fences in the Draft for a WR. I don't know if that's a trade in the 1st or just taking multiple WRs in the Draft, but I DO think it's fairly early i.e. 1st / 2nd Round. JMO, but when all of the stars align for good FA for DE / OT / LB / CB / S / and depth at WR, the writing on the wall is those are positions in FA to spend, while WR and RB, depth CB, LB, and DL are the Draft targets. Who knows, but it just seems to fit Beane's approach in my mind thus far. 

 

The other advantage of Richardson is, I think, a cut so he doesn't count on comp formula etc.

[thebandit27]

21 minutes ago, BuffaloRebound said:

Despite our recent upswing, I still can’t see the Bills landing a glamour free agent like Clowney.  Money talks, but any of the elite pass rushers who hit free agency will have many suitors.  Still think our best shot of landing an elite pass rusher is trading our 1st rounder for somebody who’s unhappy like Bosa, but that’s still a long shot.  Most likely scenario is we over-pay for Lawson.  Beane can’t let both Lawson and Phillips walk without replacing them with an elite pass rusher.  

Clowney has a good relationship with Gaine...Gaine was the GM that was ready to back up the truck for him in Houston.

[Royale with Cheese]

8 minutes ago, thebandit27 said:

Clowney has a good relationship with Gaine...Gaine was the GM that was ready to back up the truck for him in Houston.

 

You're making me love the idea of Clowney more and more each day.  

[JaCrispy]

23 minutes ago, thebandit27 said:

Clowney has a good relationship with Gaine...Gaine was the GM that was ready to back up the truck for him in Houston.

Something about Clowney just doesn’t sit right with me...like I don’t trust him with a lot of money...kinda like Darius...

Edited March 3, 2020 by JaCrispy

[YoloinOhio]

11 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said:

 

You're making me love the idea of Clowney more and more each day.  

He would be an upgrade to Shaq - matches his strengths in the run game/edge setting but pumps up the pass rushing effectiveness 

1 minute ago, JaCrispy said:

Something about Clowney just doesn’t sit right with me...like I don’t trust him with a lot of money...kinda like Darius...

He’s had a lot of money for years. I don’t see any similarities to Dareus. Jmo

[JaCrispy]

1 minute ago, YoloinOhio said:

He would be an upgrade to Shaq - matches his strengths in the run game/edge setting but pumps up the pass rushing effectiveness 

He’s had a lot of money for years. I don’t see any similarities to Dareus. Jmo

I had heard he doesn’t have the best work ethic...

[YoloinOhio]

1 minute ago, JaCrispy said:

I had heard he doesn’t have the best work ethic...

I actually never heard that but could be... was that a report or inside info 

[Buffalo Junction]

4 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

I actually never heard that but could be... was that a report or inside info 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thebiglead.com/amp/posts/peter-king-says-jadeveon-clowney-not-worker-bee-work-ethic-could-interfere-with-long-term-extension-01dxqcwqfff7

 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000327799/article/jadeveon-clowney-spurriers-work-ethic-dig-just-an-opinion%3fnetworkId=4595&site=.news&zone=story&zoneUrl=url%3Dstory&zoneKeys=s1%3Dstory&env&pageKeyValues=prtnr%3Dcollege-football%3bplyr%3Dgeorge_ingram%3bplyr%3Dstephon_gilmore&p.ct=CFB%2b24/7&p.adsm=false&p.tcm=%23ffffff&p.bgc1m=%23000000&sr=amp

[Saint Doug]

12 hours ago, JDubya76 said:

Or to send them to the minors. They do risk losing them for nothing if they send them down.

You can send them to the minors, but you only get very limited cap relief, while paying them their full NHL salary. 

[YoloinOhio]

10 minutes ago, Buffalo Junction said:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thebiglead.com/amp/posts/peter-king-says-jadeveon-clowney-not-worker-bee-work-ethic-could-interfere-with-long-term-extension-01dxqcwqfff7

 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000327799/article/jadeveon-clowney-spurriers-work-ethic-dig-just-an-opinion%3fnetworkId=4595&site=.news&zone=story&zoneUrl=url%3Dstory&zoneKeys=s1%3Dstory&env&pageKeyValues=prtnr%3Dcollege-football%3bplyr%3Dgeorge_ingram%3bplyr%3Dstephon_gilmore&p.ct=CFB%2b24/7&p.adsm=false&p.tcm=%23ffffff&p.bgc1m=%23000000&sr=amp

Reading that sounds to me like It’s coming straight from Bill O’Brien using it to make himself look better for getting rid of him. If Gaine’s opinion is different then Beane will trust him. 

[JaCrispy]

23 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

I actually never heard that but could be... was that a report or inside info 

Not sure...I think it might have stemmed from his final year in college, leading up to the draft...

[Buffalo Junction]

6 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

Reading that sounds to me like It’s coming straight from Bill O’Brien using it to make himself look better for getting rid of him. If Gaine’s opinion is different then Beane will trust him. 

I think so. It harkens back to Spurriers comments at South Carolina where his injury problems were referred to as “want to play” rather than couldn’t play.

 

The perpetually playing dinged up worries me more than anything else honestly. His work ethic has never been something I questioned, just whether or not he was available for work. 

[aristocrat]

I don't think clowney is going to have the suitors he thinks he will.  I could see him getting a 1 year deal at pretty high money like 15-16 mil but i dont think anyone is giving him 20 mil for years. 

[davefan66]

14 minutes ago, aristocrat said:

I don't think clowney is going to have the suitors he thinks he will.  I could see him getting a 1 year deal at pretty high money like 15-16 mil but i dont think anyone is giving him 20 mil for years. 

I felt the same way. 
 

Hate guys like him.  Feel they turn the jets on in contract years just to score the big payday.  Not comfortable he’d do what is needed to be consistently great.

[aristocrat]

2 minutes ago, davefan66 said:

I felt the same way. 
 

Hate guys like him.  Feel they turn the jets on in contract years just to score the big payday.  Not comfortable he’d do what is needed to be consistently great.

 

he does have that big game playmaking.  3 sacks all year. then 1.5 in the playoffs. 21 solo tackles all year 9 in the playoffs. he turns it on and off. 

[davefan66]

14 minutes ago, aristocrat said:

 

he does have that big game playmaking.  3 sacks all year. then 1.5 in the playoffs. 21 solo tackles all year 9 in the playoffs. he turns it on and off. 

Don’t want to pay the big, big money for inconsistency.

[Herc11]

2 hours ago, BuffaloRebound said:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jayparis/2020/01/31/la-chargers-joey-bosa-is-seeking-a-super-payday-this-offseason/#4435aa707901
 

Chargers might be dysfunctional enough for Bosa to hold out for a trade.  

 

This dude is good but damn the head aches... Does he want this payday enough to have his second holdout before his rookie contract is even up???

[thebandit27]

30 minutes ago, davefan66 said:

Don’t want to pay the big, big money for inconsistency.

He has the 4th-most TFLs in the league over the last 4 years. The guys ahead of him are Aaron Donald, Chandler Jones, and Cam Jordan.

 

He’s really good 

[Royale with Cheese]

5 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

AGAIN, IN MY OPINION, they aren't going to tie loads of cap and money into the LB position. 

 

Theyll prioritize paying Edmunds, but I think they'd let Milano walk when his contract is expiring.... they'll find a cheaper replacement via the draft or FA. What the ***** is so hard to understand about this? 

 

 

Who cares if they prioritize Edmunds?  Why can't you have two good linebackers under contract?  You know, kinda like McDermott had with Keuchly and Thomas Davis while in Carolina?  Or recently with Keuchly and Shaq Thompson?  Thompson didn't receive his extension under McDermott but he was drafted by him....because McDermott does think linebackers who can run and cover as premier players.  If he didn't think it was premier, he wouldn't have two linebackers out there every play.

 

But you'll argue with your stubbornness "McDermott doesn't feel OLB is a premier position....just because he has Milano out there 100% of the time means nothing!"  

[H2o]

7 minutes ago, Herc11 said:

 

This dude is good but damn the head aches... Does he want this payday enough to have his second holdout before his rookie contract is even up???

I'd be good with paying Bosa the $$ Yannick is TRYING to get. 

[YoloinOhio]

24 minutes ago, Herc11 said:

 

This dude is good but damn the head aches... Does he want this payday enough to have his second holdout before his rookie contract is even up???

How is it a headache that he wants a big contract? Wouldn’t you if you were him?

2 hours ago, BuffaloRebound said:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jayparis/2020/01/31/la-chargers-joey-bosa-is-seeking-a-super-payday-this-offseason/#4435aa707901
 

Chargers might be dysfunctional enough for Bosa to hold out for a trade.  

Nah he likes it there and they will pay him. It’s different than the Melvin Gordon situation. The GM isn’t stupid. They may move on from Ingram though. 

[Pete]

Get me Clowney, Spend 3 of first 4 picks on 2 WR and RB.  That's 4 added play makers,  We still have tons of cap room, and 6 more draft picks for oline and defense

[Kirby Jackson]

4 minutes ago, Pete said:

Get me Clowney, Spend 3 of first 4 picks on 2 WR and RB.  That's 4 added play makers,  We still have tons of cap room, and 6 more draft picks for oline and defense

Works for me

[Smitty75]

I don’t know your opinion about it, but I think that with this last season who was a success, the Bills are now « more » attractive and a better option for the free agent.

I think that we could be able to sign « a big name » if we want to.

 

1) We went to the playoffs last year, and we definitely want to improve.

2) We have a young QB that is respected by a lot of peoples apparently from what I read, and he’s definitely a hard working guy.

3) The defense is « elite » imo so the good defensive free agents are gonna be like « sounds interesting to join this great D »

4) We have one of the best fan base in the NFL.

5) McDermott is a great coach imo 

 

?

 

 

[hjnick]

26 minutes ago, Smitty75 said:

I don’t know your opinion about it, but I think that with this last season who was a success, the Bills are now « more » attractive and a better option for the free agent.

I think that we could be able to sign « a big name » if we want to.

 

1) We went to the playoffs last year, and we definitely want to improve.

2) We have a young QB that is respected by a lot of peoples apparently from what I read, and he’s definitely a hard working guy.

3) The defense is « elite » imo so the good defensive free agents are gonna be like « sounds interesting to join this great D »

4) We have one of the best fan base in the NFL.

5) McDermott is a great coach imo 

 

?

 

 

I think if the Bills added a high end speed rusher like Clowney and lessened the time the opposing QB could hold the ball on obvious passing downs would make this defense truly elite.   

[eball]

38 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

Works for me

Ditto

[YoloinOhio]

 

[njbuff]

Here we go with the Clowney talk again.

 

?

[hjnick]

8 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

I agree that there’s risk but there is risk with the guys that I mentioned. Clark and Hill have been horrible human beings and if they were to repeat past behaviors would be suspended. Beckham doesn’t have that hanging over his head. The Bills had a deal for Antonio Brown last year. He’s worse on the field and off the field than Beckham!! He has  (to a lesser degree) the domestic issues of Hill and Clark. He also has been a HORRIBLE teammate. In addition to yelling for the ball, he ripped his QB, organization, young receiver, the league, etc... I know it to be true that the Bills had an agreement in place for him. He’s a bad guy. 
 

Beane knows that he needs ELITE playmakers not more playmakers. Personally, I’d give up 22 for Beckham in a second, especially if the top 3 receivers are gone (and I think a 2nd would get it done). While I think guys like Jefferson are going to be really good pros, I already know Beckham is. He’s a guy that they have to game plan against. He’d be the only guy besides Josh on the roster like that. With the Bills cap situation I have no issue with paying stars. OBJ is that.

 

In terms of fracturing a locker room the Bills leadership is strong. FWIW, Beckham’s teammates have always liked him. He just demands the ball. In a good locker room (which he has yet to see) he may actually be an even better player. 

I think we're pretty much on the same page other than the amount of compensation to give up for ODB. 

 

For me, the depth of this WR class is what drives down ODB's worth.  If you project good quality potential WR's all the way through the 3rd (prob not ODB level obviously), I find it hard to trade no more than a 3rd round pick (or multiple lower level picks) for him.

 

Maybe ODB is just looking for that perfect team fit that will miraculously fix all his ills.  Maybe he needs a strong armed QB that wants to throw it 70 yards and he runs under it to catch it...  Who knows with this guy.

 

Either way it will be a gamble to take him or gamble on the draft pick, but I wouldn't give up our first where we can get a great WR, OT, DE that will fill a spot on the team for 5 years...cheaply.

Edited March 3, 2020 by hjnick

[Reed83HOF]

4 hours ago, Royale with Cheese said:

 

You're making me love the idea of Clowney more and more each day.  

He has that effect. He has the data and solid logic behind it to back it up too

[davefan66]

2 hours ago, thebandit27 said:

He has the 4th-most TFLs in the league over the last 4 years. The guys ahead of him are Aaron Donald, Chandler Jones, and Cam Jordan.

 

He’s really good 

I don’t doubt he’s good.  I feel he could have been better since he came in the league.

[thebandit27]

8 minutes ago, davefan66 said:

I don’t doubt he’s good.  I feel he could have been better since he came in the league.

Probably. A lot of that has had to do with scheme fit. He’s a speed-to-power guy, so traditional methods of lining him up at 9-tech and 2-point aren’t the best way to make use of his skill set.

 

He’s best off playing 7-tech and 8i rushing out of a 4-point. There’s a reason that his best sack numbers came when JJ Watt was hurt and Clowney got pushed closer to the OT.

 

Which brings me to the idea that he’s a great fit here. The 7-tech spot is the position where Greg Hardy and Charles Johnson had their best production in McDermott’s D. It’s the position that took Shaq Lawson from a total non-factor to a potential big-$$ FA. Clowney is a perfect fit there, and McDermott will get more out of him than what we’ve seen.

[Smitty75]

2 hours ago, hjnick said:

I think if the Bills added a high end speed rusher like Clowney and lessened the time the opposing QB could hold the ball on obvious passing downs would make this defense truly elite.   

Right, or a similar player !