Bills Restructure Kroft

[nucci]

14 hours ago, Bronxbomber21 said:

And what if he has a awesome year? I don't get this move 

 

it will help the Bills win games

[JMF2006]

The Bills could have just cut him so this helps out both parties

 

I hope he can stay healthy and turn things around here which would again be good for both parties 

[Nuncha]

16 hours ago, Bronxbomber21 said:

And what if he has a awesome year? I don't get this move 

 

An "awesome" year for Kroft would be 20 catches.  They should have dumped him and moved on.

[Dopey]

17 hours ago, wppete said:

I have a feeling Beane has something big up his sleeve in FA or a big trade!!!! He is freeing up even more money. Can’t wait till Wednesday!

I like your thinking!

[RoyBatty is alive]

17 hours ago, Rc2catch said:

Knox is the future as of now. 
I have been a big Kroft supporter since before he signed but he doesn’t have half the talent Knox does. 

 

Agree but with one major caveat...can Knox learn to catch consistently?

[SCBills]

Posters that say, “what if he has a good year?”, well, sure then we’d probably wish we had another year on that contract, but you can’t operate on hope.   
 

The Bills are operating off facts.  Fact - Kroft hasn’t gotten over the injury bug.  Fact - He’s a good player when healthy.  
 

We’ll see if Shaq’s rumored signing comes to fruition and what the numbers are, but it seems Buffalo is building a culture of believing in their players, fairness with their players and pushing players to be their best selves.  
 

The contract restructure, or in Shaq’s case, not picking up the fifth year is the “fairness” part.  
 

The negotiations after they come through and selling the player on who they can become here is the “culture and belief” part of the equation.  
 

 

Edited March 13, 2020 by SCBills

[billsfan89]

I don't like it, I would have just cut him and saved 5 million on the cap instead of taking a potential 3.4 million dollar cap hit vs. a 1.5 million dollar cap hit. 1.9 million might not seem like a lot of money but that is almost 1% of your salary cap and everything adds up. I think McBeane must really like Kroft in order for them to structure his contract this way. And Kroft is taking the higher guarantee and the increased freedom. But I don't see it with Kroft honestly. 

[krf139]

I’d much rather find a dynamic TE to pair with Knox than focus on Kroft and Sweeney 

[letsgoteam]

I would have to think everyone is happy with this deal. Team and player (if he gets hurt again he still gets $ and is protected financially)

 

Im not an expert but treating players with decency is good to attract other players to OBD.

[Chandler#81]

3 hours ago, ScottLaw said:

When was Kroft ever excellent? 

 

[CLTbills]

21 hours ago, Bronxbomber21 said:

And what if he has a awesome year? I don't get this move 

 

What if he doesn't?

 

[jwhit34]

My guess is they offered him two options, the restructured deal or releasing him. This is an okay option for the team, gets them out of the contract a year early. Probably not going after Hunter Henry or Hooper but doesn't preclude them from doing so because Knox is on a cheap 3rd round rookie deal. Kroft on roster for 1 year is a bridge to 2021 and a hedge in case Knox plateaus (I don't think that happens but it could). 

[ColoradoBills]

14 minutes ago, jwhit34 said:

My guess is they offered him two options, the restructured deal or releasing him. This is an okay option for the team, gets them out of the contract a year early. Probably not going after Hunter Henry or Hooper but doesn't preclude them from doing so because Knox is on a cheap 3rd round rookie deal. Kroft on roster for 1 year is a bridge to 2021 and a hedge in case Knox plateaus (I don't think that happens but it could). 

 

LAC just Franchise Tagged Henry.

[LABILLBACKER]

At this point TE is clearly not a priority for this team. Watch us keep Lee Smith to finish things off. Hope Knox improves or we're screwed. 

[ColoradoBills]

2 minutes ago, LABILLBACKER said:

At this point TE is clearly not a priority for this team. Watch us keep Lee Smith to finish things off. Hope Knox improves or we're screwed. 

 

I mean 1 September is a LONG way away.  Let's see what happens.  Just saying.

[Turk71]

16 hours ago, Locomark said:

 

So even if they declare failure, they still save $ when they cut him. Why don't you like cap savings???

 

14 hours ago, MJS said:

 

And why is there urgency to do that? Let him go to camp and if he doesn't produce they can cut him then.

  The restructure actually made it more expensive, and less likely, to cut him this year. $3.4 mil now guaranteed vs. $1.6 dead cap before the new deal. 

  Basically they retain him, and his cap hit(4) is only 2.4 mil more than if they had cut him(1.6). From that perspective it's a good deal for the Bills. I was hoping they would upgrade him, but now I'm hoping he can finally do something on the field. He's caught more than 11 passes only once in 5 seasons. 

[biggerdaddynj]

This means we’ll finally get a big comp. pick because Kroft is going to have a BIG year ?.  

[Buffalo Barbarian]

Another smart move

 

 

[Chandler#81]

8 hours ago, Buffalo619 said:

Everyone gets a trophy. Don’t want to hurt anyone feelings. 
 

Missing this bad on a top free agent is bad, bad news. Cut bait and admit the mistake. 
 

This has nothing to do with attractive other free agents. 

He straight up robbed the bills with his contract. Plus he costs us big time, penalty’s and mistakes. He sucks And injury proned. His one good year was a fluke. 

It’s a head scratcher for sure. Beane makes some odd decisions. 

Why are you even here? Seriously. All your posts are drenched in over the top vitriol about the Bills. 

Its a head scratcher for sure.

[Gugny]

I totally missed this thread/news.

 

Did they restructure his ankle???  

 

Well ... let's hope he is who we thought he was before last season.  Perhaps an entire calendar year of being healthy will get him there.  In Beane I Trust!!!

Edited March 14, 2020 by Gugny

[Bronxbomber21]

18 hours ago, CLTbills said:

What if he doesn't?

 

Then they just could've cut him

[LABILLBACKER]

On 3/12/2020 at 2:33 PM, ScottLaw said:

Doubling down on a bust FA signing last year.

 

Not a fan. Gotta hope Knox and Sweeney develop. 

I agree. Right now we have only 2 projectable TE's in Knox & Sweeney. I have absolutely no expectations for Kroft & Croom. And as far as Lee Smith goes he's the worst of the 5 and should be cut Immediately. 

[RocCityRoller]

16 hours ago, Buffalo619 said:

Everyone gets a trophy. Don’t want to hurt anyone feelings. 
 

Missing this bad on a top free agent is bad, bad news. Cut bait and admit the mistake. 
 

This has nothing to do with attractive other free agents. 

He straight up robbed the bills with his contract. Plus he costs us big time, penalty’s and mistakes. He sucks And injury proned. His one good year was a fluke. 

It’s a head scratcher for sure. Beane makes some odd decisions. 

 

Since when and by what measure was Kroft a top free agent?

If a team signed a 'top free agent' to a position why would they spend a decent mount of draft capital drafting two more people in that position in the same off season?

 

The penalties and mistakes were largely on Lee Smith, a different TE.

 

This FO does not, by it's nature make big splashes.

 

Mitch Morse was the 'big splash' top FA added last year and that worked out pretty well.

All of the below are middling or low FAs from last year. Pretty good track record to me.

Kroft - miss

Brown - success

Beasley - success

Spain - success

Feliciano - success

Long - miss

K Johnson - success

[4BillsintheBurgh]

On 3/12/2020 at 5:16 PM, Bronxbomber21 said:

And what if he has a awesome year? I don't get this move 

 

They will offer him a contract for what they think he is worth to the Buffalo Bills. He can choose to accept or he can look for work elsewhere, just like this restructure. When you have something going on as a team and organization it helps convince some middle of the road guys to stay.

 

Also see Spain, Quinton.

[1997WS6]

I think we need him on this team.  He had a 70.5% catch rate before he came to Buffalo.  Knox caught 56% of his targets.  If Knox can't fix his drop issues, his talent is of little use.

Edited March 14, 2020 by 1997WS6

[John from Riverside]

19 hours ago, Buffalo619 said:

Everyone gets a trophy. Don’t want to hurt anyone feelings. 
 

Missing this bad on a top free agent is bad, bad news. Cut bait and admit the mistake. 
 

This has nothing to do with attractive other free agents. 

He straight up robbed the bills with his contract. Plus he costs us big time, penalty’s and mistakes. He sucks And injury proned. His one good year was a fluke. 

It’s a head scratcher for sure. Beane makes some odd decisions. 

He costs us big time? Talk about your overreactions

[RocCityRoller]

2 hours ago, Buffalo619 said:

Do you not see? The guy is injury plagued. He hurt himself on the very first practice, he completely sabotaged his year.  Last year was his prove it deal and FAILED. 
 

After whiffing on Olsen, I’d expect Beane to at least attempt to improve the position. Kraft will be on IR, if he’s on the squad next year. 
 

3 year 18.75 mill (before restructure) is starter money and yes a huge disappointment. Yes, Upper tier for an injury plagued TE who has one decent year under his belt. 
 

Cut him and improve the position. 

 

 

You said he was a major FA signing. I asked you how is he considered a big FA signing?

 

His 5.4 million is 15th in the NFL among TE's. So your logic is a middling starter salary is a 'big signing'?

By that logic if Buffalo signs Cooper or Clowney you will be apoplectic.

 

Given the FA TEs his salary will slide down to 16-20 range.

Ertz is 12.5 million

Kelce is 11.2

Hunter Freaking Henry is 10.7 is he worth it? Same arguments about Kroft can be applied to Henry.

Darren Waller makes 7.5 (who?)

 

These salaries are not in line with us and our real world jobs. 5 million is like 2% of the cap. It's chump change.

 

Sometimes a restructure means less of a cap hit if released. In Buffalo's case it is a no penalty exit in 2021.

Kroft is officially in a 1 yr prove it deal now, and it would cost more to cut him than see what he can do on a one year $5 million deal as depth.

 

Last I checked the FA period hasn't started yet, and the draft hasn't either.

 

 

Edited March 14, 2020 by RocCityRoller

[John from Riverside]

8 hours ago, Buffalo619 said:

I love the Bills and make a valid point. Sorry you don’t agree.  Thanks for the contribution. 

You actually DONT make a valid point

 

Beane has been a excellent GM....no GM gets them  all right.....NONE OF THEM......crying over every miss while ignoring the wins makes you look foolish

Edited March 14, 2020 by John from Riverside

[Malazan]

On 3/12/2020 at 4:33 PM, ScottLaw said:

Doubling down on a bust FA signing last year.

 

Not a fan. Gotta hope Knox and Sweeney develop. 

 

It's literally the opposite. If they go into camp and he doesn't show something then the cap charge is only for this year (you know, the one where they have a ton of cap space before they have to hand out hefty contracts to some of the young stars). They basically gave him more money this year so they can give him nothing the next.

Edited March 14, 2020 by jeremy2020

[Mat68]

Makes sense.  He is a decent second Te.  Knox looks like the starter and has potential to be good.

[John from Riverside]

3 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

I’m aware.... also tells me they think they are set at TE.... slightly disappointing.

We really dont know that yet.....we went into last year's draft and too TWO tight ends after years of neglect at the position in the draft (in my opinion they hit on both of the TE's they drafted)

 

The way Beane drafts he could totally take another flier....also I want to see MORE Sweeney and not seem him inactive on game days....I think he is a player...and we know that Knox has big play ability

[Dopey]

3 hours ago, Buffalo619 said:

Do you not see? The guy is injury plagued. He hurt himself on the very first practice, he completely sabotaged his year.  Last year was his prove it deal and FAILED. 
 

After whiffing on Olsen, I’d expect Beane to at least attempt to improve the position. Kraft will be on IR, if he’s on the squad next year. 
 

3 year 18.75 mill (before restructure) is starter money and yes a huge disappointment. Yes, Upper tier for an injury plagued TE who has one decent year under his belt. 
 

Cut him and improve the position. 

 

Yep, I saw him take a sledge hammer to his foot that 1st practice. How do people come up with this stuff? 

[Don Otreply]

22 hours ago, Buffalo619 said:

Everyone gets a trophy. Don’t want to hurt anyone feelings. 
 

Missing this bad on a top free agent is bad, bad news. Cut bait and admit the mistake. 
 

This has nothing to do with attractive other free agents. 

He straight up robbed the bills with his contract. Plus he costs us big time, penalty’s and mistakes. He sucks And injury proned. His one good year was a fluke. 

It’s a head scratcher for sure. Beane makes some odd decisions. 

Yup, treating someone in a decent fashion is a horrible thing to do, when other players see that type of behavior they will certainly shy away from the Bills.  We should just be -icks to players because that always helps draw talent to the team.... nuthin but luv dude, but get back on your meds, ???

 

Go Bills!!!

[John from Riverside]

27 minutes ago, Buffalo619 said:

The topic of this thread is Kroft. Not how Beane is doing as a GM. 
 

Let’s stick to topic and if you can’t be nice, please ignore me. 

Youre implying he purposely hurt himself. Do you think that’s true??

Tell me your not this dense.....the topic IS about Kroft..then you proceed to question Beane in general.

 

You did that....own it....stop trying to defend a udefendable

[Dopey]

37 minutes ago, Buffalo619 said:

The topic of this thread is Kroft. Not how Beane is doing as a GM. 
 

Let’s stick to topic and if you can’t be nice, please ignore me. 

Youre implying he purposely hurt himself. Do you think that’s true??

Yeah, I'm the one who wrote "he hurt himself on the very first practice, he completely sabotaged his year".

Let me help you out:

ˈsabəˌtäZH/

Learn to pronounce

verb

1. deliberately destroy, damage, or obstruct (something), especially for political or military advantage.

Edited March 15, 2020 by Dopey

[Lurker]

A lot of angst being shed in this thread.

 

IMO, all Beane has done is make sure Kroft shows up to compete at camp.   I think it's 50/50 that he makes the team.    If he's cut and signs elsewhere, his 2020 cap number will be reduced by whatever amount his new team signs him for.    So likely only $2 million in dead cap, at worst...

[Don Otreply]

20 minutes ago, Buffalo619 said:

Cutting someone for not performing IS treating someone decently. Getting fired isn’t wrong or bad. 
What do you expect? A successful business/ team is only as strong as its weakest link. 

 

You need to re-evaluate your position, it’s not real-world. 
 

It would appear those that run the team don’t agree with you, just sayin ?

[John from Riverside]

18 minutes ago, Buffalo619 said:

Cutting someone for not performing IS treating someone decently. Getting fired isn’t wrong or bad. 
What do you expect? A successful business/ team is only as strong as its weakest link. 

 

You need to re-evaluate your position, it’s not real-world. 
 

OK Mr. Real World

 

What exactly makes sense about cutting a player you JUST aquired....when you dont have to......there were players on the team capable of filling whatever void that player might have filled.

 

Seriously.....stop trying to be smarter then everyone in the room and just think for a minute.....they just got the player and obviously liked soemthing the saw when he was healthy.....if it is not hurt the team to allow that player to heal and get a look for themselves (without HURTING the team...which it was not) then why not do that....Kroft is not old....he has had some injury history.   His contract was not prohibitive.

 

You really dont have a leg to stand on with this at all

36 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

I meant set as in they won’t bring much else to the table at TE....just my thoughts.... and that’s slightly disappointing because if Knox doesn’t improve the rest of the group leaves a lot to be desired.

To me its all about what they do at the wideout spot

 

TE was such a afterthought for this team for years and then they go and draft two guys (I would like to see both of them active on game day) with only so many slots.....it also needs to match whatever the OC wants to do with formations.......just put players on the field that fit his scheme.  I dont now if that includes several TE's.

[John from Riverside]

1 minute ago, Buffalo619 said:

We can upgrade the position. Why depend on a guy that, chances are, will be injured. 
 

Olsen proves our FO want an upgrade. Why settle when Kroft is predictable? 
 

 

IS  THIS in some way going to prevent the bills from upgrading the position with 90 million in cap space and a draft coming up

 

AND

 

Olson has also been injury prone......and is OLD

 

AND

 

There are only going to be so many TE spots on this team.....there will only be so many TE's even active on game day.   This team BIULDS THROUGH THE DRAFT and JUST drafted 2 TE's last year.  You gotta now get those guys reps.  

[Call_Of_Ktulu]

8 hours ago, LABILLBACKER said:

I agree. Right now we have only 2 projectable TE's in Knox & Sweeney. I have absolutely no expectations for Kroft & Croom. And as far as Lee Smith goes he's the worst of the 5 and should be cut Immediately. 

This will be the worst TE production ever recorded in Bills history if Knox gets injured.