Matt Milano: “I’m not focused on a contract. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else”

[BringBackFlutie]

There are a lot of Milano haters in here.

 

...people wanting to resign him.  Others want to resign him AND take his money!

[C.Biscuit97]

His agent coached him well. He is the exact opposite of AB. 
 

love the player but unless he settles for a hometown discount out of love being in Buffalo, I won’t be surprised if he is on another team in a few years.

11 minutes ago, BringBackFlutie said:

There are a lot of Milano haters in here.

 

...people wanting to resign him.  Others want to resign him AND take his money!

Can we do that? I’m intrigued 

[MJS]

Really like Matt Milano. I have since his rookie year. Hope we can keep him in the fold.

[nucci]

14 minutes ago, BringBackFlutie said:

There are a lot of Milano haters in here.

 

...people wanting to resign him.  Others want to resign him AND take his money!

do we re-sign him or resign him?

[Warcodered]

Love Matt Milano would be great if he'd be able to stay a Bill. This team keeps getting better and starts getting results though and we're going to have lose guys we really like. Not saying that should be Milano just an inevitable part of being a top dog is people will pay your players a ***** load of money that you have to spread around more.

[C.Biscuit97]

3 minutes ago, MJS said:

Really like Matt Milano. I have since his rookie year. Hope we can keep him in the fold.

That’s why, and I don’t want to because he’s a playmaker, I might let him walk.  I think he is going to struggle to stay healthy.  Then he will become a lot more expensive and OLB is one of the easier positions to fill.

[Victory Formation]

2 hours ago, Dkollidas said:

The way this Covid cap is gonna work in 2021 that might be the case. It’s gonna be strange times. I’m sure The Magic Beane has some tricks up his sleeve for working deals around a tight cap next season. 

Maybe lots of 1 year deals.

[BornAgainBillsFan]

34 minutes ago, ExWNYer said:

 

Milano's "bottom line asking price" does not need to be reasonable. What he and his agent ultimately ask needs to fit within the salary structure that the Bills perceive for both the position and the team. Milano will get paid handsomely, if he stays healthy, and the Spain situation is not a good comp. Spain is a borderline starter/backup while Milano is a key cog in Frazier and McDermott's defense as well as a team leader. Don't expect a 'hometown discount'. The Bills will pay him what he's worth or another team will, plain and simple.

 

Your 2nd sentence is exactly what I meant by reasonable. As in: reasonable in the eyes of Brandon Beane.

 

And Spain is an older player, but I've heard ZERO speculation about who should start at LG this year. Giving up zero sacks last year means the job is his to lose.

 

[BillsfaninSB]

Could the Bills pick up his 5th year option or did the deadline pass?

[nucci]

1 minute ago, BillsfaninSB said:

Could the Bills pick up his 5th year option or did the deadline pass?

that's for 1st round picks only

[GoBills808]

3 hours ago, Seasons1992 said:

Some around here don't think he's worth resigning, correct?

I'd love to keep him.

Correct

[Dkollidas]

39 minutes ago, Victory Formation said:

Maybe lots of 1 year deals.

That or deals where the money is 2021 is low and pushed forward, or made to be able to move around in order to give clubs some flexibility over the entire deal. 

[Florida Bills Fanatic]

3 hours ago, H2o said:

We'll see how Covid impacts the salary cap, but I am positive that Beane is going to try as hard as he can to keep both Milano and Dawkins. More than likely one will be re-signed and the use of the Franchise Tag on the other. 

You may well be correct.  People also should not lose sight of the older veterans that may not be kept or resigned next season.  Shedding them will free up some decent cap space.  There is a reason that Beane signed those veterans to contracts that don't create onerous dead cap money.  If nothing else, Beane has taught us that he knows how to build a roster and manage the cap.  I don't expect that to change.  I also expect Beane to sign the guys that are key contributors, like Dawkins, Milano, and White.

[billsbackto81]

5 hours ago, Mark Vader said:

I think that people would like to have him remain with the Bills, it's just that they don't think he's worth top 5 money at his position.

Beat me to it. Love Milano because he's a great zone/coverage LB. He's just not a Top 5 LB deserving of such a contract. He does deserve to be retained though. If he was more of a "thumper" and better tackler he'd get a lot more.

 

Dawkins will command a nice contract because of position though he isn't a Top 5 LT. If Buffalo doesn't pay him some other team will. Very good LTs are obviously highly coveted.

Edited August 7, 2020 by billsbackto81

[Chandler#81]

4 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

I'm with you.  Serious case of Milano love.  Man of few words, few posessions, and strong deeds

 

 

Loved him right from the start and really couldn’t understand all the hate and grief he got here following his rookie season. Most have shut their damn mouth since. Is there another player on the team more Process than Milano? 

 

I hope retires as a Bill.

[Mark Vader]

4 hours ago, Virgil said:

Do you think he is looking for top 5 money?  I’m think 10-15 money 

Agreed.  But I think they are still in good shape and he’d be a priority to me over some of the higher dollar depth players. 
 

Dawkins, Allen, Edmunds, and White are no brainers to me.  You figure everyone else out. 

I don't believe Milano is looking for top 5 money. I just think that the fans believe that he deserves a contract that is not too big.

[YoloinOhio]

4 hours ago, Sherlock Holmes said:

 

You called @YoloinOhio ?!?! Oh hey there Milano... I'll be his Snuggie blanket

Figured you wouldn’t want to miss Matty’s interview 

[Warcodered]

 

[ganesh]

10 hours ago, H2o said:

We'll see how Covid impacts the salary cap, but I am positive that Beane is going to try as hard as he can to keep both Milano and Dawkins. More than likely one will be re-signed and the use of the Franchise Tag on the other. 

It is hard to get a LT - so you sign one when you grow one

It is hard to replace an all-pro cornerback - you have to sign White 

 

Milano's contract may be tied with how Tremaine Edmunds and  Josh Allen perform this year.   If both have great season, then Milano is going to be the odd man out. Or the Bills would have to cut people like Star and Hughes to make room which then puts big holes on the DL.   

 

The moment a Josh Allen contract kicks in,  we would need to have been in a super bowl. 

 

The window of opportunity for the Bills is really 2020 and may be 2021 with this core group of players.   That is why they made the Diggs trade.   

[Buffalo_Stampede]

Brandon Beane said recently with the cap dropping next year it will cost them some players they really want to keep but won't be able to. Matt Milano seems like one of those players. 

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Same thing is said by every pending fee agent and then they moslty chase the highest dollar.  However there are many that take a few less dollars for the right fit - coaching staff, scheme, city. 

I'm not a hater of Milano I just think he is overrated by this fan base and board.  Someone on here called him rangy. Well that's not true at all. He doesn't play man coverage often and he doesn't cover that well. His greatest asset is quickness in small spaces and instinct.  To that end he is the exact opposite of Edmunds. 

He is a good player that has played well enough to earn a big pay day. If they cut Star and Murphy and draft DE in the first round then I'd be fine keeping him.  He would be a good player to tag assuming they extend Dawkins and White. Control him for another year and don't commit long term. That frees up more money down the road and gives them two drafts to find his replacement. Otherwise let him walk and get a 3rd round comp pick to replace him.

 

For the record, I'd keep only one between Dawkins and Milano. Not drafting an OT this year means I pay to keep Dawkins even though he is just average. That means a tag for one year or letting Milano walk.

Edited August 8, 2020 by Ethan in Portland

[GunnerBill]

This is good news. Because if there is one guy who likely will need to take a hometown discount to be back.... especially with the cap contraction in 2021.... it is Milano. 

11 hours ago, ExWNYer said:

 

Milano's "bottom line asking price" does not need to be reasonable. What he and his agent ultimately ask needs to fit within the salary structure that the Bills perceive for both the position and the team. Milano will get paid handsomely, if he stays healthy, and the Spain situation is not a good comp. Spain is a borderline starter/backup while Milano is a key cog in Frazier and McDermott's defense as well as a team leader. Don't expect a 'hometown discount'. The Bills will pay him what he's worth or another team will, plain and simple.

 

Spain is a borderline starter? The guy who gave up zero sacks? Yea. That is wrong. Spain is a really good player and last season wasn't even him at his best. At his best in Tennessee he was a beast. 

[billsfanmiami(oh)]

These are fun “problems” to be discussing. We’ve come a long way as an organization, and we as fans deserve this.

[Nelius]

Of course you resign Matt Milano. Absolutely love what he's saying about Edmunds, but it also makes it clear that Milano is currently a leader in that room.

[Doc Brown]

That's good news.  We can just sign him to the vet minimum every year.

[bigK14094]

22 hours ago, SCBills said:

Milano is a good LB in any scheme, but he’s a beast in ours.  As an undersized, speed LB, I think he knows that - hopefully that helps with negotiations.  
 

Definitely want him back.  He’s had a few games where he was the best defender on the field. 

HIs time as a safety in college gives him coverage instincts that other lb's don't have.  I think he has big play/ints in his future as those instincts pay off.

[Sammy Watkins' Rib]

Why can't they all have this mindset? Of course we will see how much he really wants to be here when the time comes I guess. Good to hear though. 

5 hours ago, Doc Brown said:

That's good news.  We can just sign him to the vet minimum every year.

 

We can throw in a one year membership to the jelly of the month club too.

Edited August 8, 2020 by Sammy Watkins' Rib

[SCBills]

10 hours ago, Ethan in Portland said:

Same thing is said by every pending fee agent and then they moslty chase the highest dollar.  However there are many that take a few less dollars for the right fit - coaching staff, scheme, city. 

I'm not a hater of Milano I just think he is overrated by this fan base and board.  Someone on here called him rangy. Well that's not true at all. He doesn't play man coverage often and he doesn't cover that well. His greatest asset is quickness in small spaces and instinct.  To that end he is the exact opposite of Edmunds. 

He is a good player that has played well enough to earn a big pay day. If they cut Star and Murphy and draft DE in the first round then I'd be fine keeping him.  He would be a good player to tag assuming they extend Dawkins and White. Control him for another year and don't commit long term. That frees up more money down the road and gives them two drafts to find his replacement. Otherwise let him walk and get a 3rd round comp pick to replace him.

 

For the record, I'd keep only one between Dawkins and Milano. Not drafting an OT this year means I pay to keep Dawkins even though he is just average. That means a tag for one year or letting Milano walk.

We can re-up everyone.. Allen, White, Diggs, Dawkins, Edmunds, Milano etc.. when the time comes, but it will take hitting on Defensive Line via the Draft and mixing in some low cost vets.   Hughes, Addison, Star, Murphy, Butler and Jefferson all come off the books in the next 2 years. That leaves Oliver, Harry, AJ and (potentially) Darryl Johnson if he progresses.   
 

If we’re going to have some high priced defensive players and protect Allen, while providing him weapons -  I’d suspect the areas where Beane and McDermott will go with low cost draft picks and scheme fit mid-level vets is the DL and RB. 

[GoBills808]

12 hours ago, Ethan in Portland said:

Same thing is said by every pending fee agent and then they moslty chase the highest dollar.  However there are many that take a few less dollars for the right fit - coaching staff, scheme, city. 

I'm not a hater of Milano I just think he is overrated by this fan base and board.  Someone on here called him rangy. Well that's not true at all. He doesn't play man coverage often and he doesn't cover that well. His greatest asset is quickness in small spaces and instinct.  To that end he is the exact opposite of Edmunds. 

He is a good player that has played well enough to earn a big pay day. If they cut Star and Murphy and draft DE in the first round then I'd be fine keeping him.  He would be a good player to tag assuming they extend Dawkins and White. Control him for another year and don't commit long term. That frees up more money down the road and gives them two drafts to find his replacement. Otherwise let him walk and get a 3rd round comp pick to replace him.

 

For the record, I'd keep only one between Dawkins and Milano. Not drafting an OT this year means I pay to keep Dawkins even though he is just average. That means a tag for one year or letting Milano walk.

This is exactly right on imo. 

[JoshAllenHasBigHands]

10 minutes ago, GoBills808 said:

This is exactly right on imo. 

I dont even think he has great instincts. He constantly attacks the wrong gap in run defense, opening those wide open holes opposing teams ran through last year.

[YoloinOhio]

2 hours ago, JoshAllenHasBigHands said:

I dont even think he has great instincts. He constantly attacks the wrong gap in run defense, opening those wide open holes opposing teams ran through last year.

Contract should be cheap then. Everyone has the same film eh

[Royale with Cheese]

2 hours ago, JoshAllenHasBigHands said:

I dont even think he has great instincts. He constantly attacks the wrong gap in run defense, opening those wide open holes opposing teams ran through last year.

If that was the case, he wouldn’t have been on the field nearly 100% of the snaps.  McDermott isn’t a guy to shy away taking a player off the field of he’s that much of a liability.

[GETTOTHE50]

He doesn’t have any accolades right? Like no pro bowls or AP awards? Just saying, if that’s not the case, then it should be easy to resign him without breaking the bank. 

[GoBills808]

5 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

Contract should be cheap then. Everyone has the same film eh

Wouldn’t surprise me tbh

[JoshAllenHasBigHands]

5 hours ago, Royale with Cheese said:

If that was the case, he wouldn’t have been on the field nearly 100% of the snaps.  McDermott isn’t a guy to shy away taking a player off the field of he’s that much of a liability.

 

 

We didn't really have much behind him. 

[Royale with Cheese]

33 minutes ago, JoshAllenHasBigHands said:

 

 

We didn't really have much behind him. 

That doesn’t mean you keep a huge liability on the field that often.  If he’s that bad, he’s easily replaced and not only that, we would have signed his replacement this past offseason....or drafted him.
 

We signed 6 players on defense and none of them are taking Milanos place.

[GoBills808]

6 hours ago, Royale with Cheese said:

If that was the case, he wouldn’t have been on the field nearly 100% of the snaps.  McDermott isn’t a guy to shy away taking a player off the field of he’s that much of a liability.

86% of defensive snaps last year, Edmunds 95%

[Royale with Cheese]

1 minute ago, GoBills808 said:

86% of defensive snaps last year, Edmunds 95%

If Milano was that much of a liability, he would be out there anywhere near 86%.  
 

He also I believe missed the 2nd half of the Titans game and didn’t play much at all in the season finale.

[GoBills808]

53 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said:

If Milano was that much of a liability, he would be out there anywhere near 86%.  
 

He also I believe missed the 2nd half of the Titans game and didn’t play much at all in the season finale.

He’s not a liability at all, he’s just replaceable and not someone to whom you should allocate significant cap space.

[Royale with Cheese]

18 minutes ago, GoBills808 said:

He’s not a liability at all, he’s just replaceable and not someone to whom you should allocate significant cap space.

Quit sh***** on my boy Milano or I’ll give you something to cry about.