Bills sign Matt Milano to 4 yr, 44 mill deal with 24 mill gtd

[SoCal Deek]

3 minutes ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

 

So you never complain about the president? 

Huh? I complain about everyone. Just ask my wife. 

[Don Otreply]

3 minutes ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

This post doesn’t make sense to me. McBeane have done an amazing job. But you couldn’t question trading up Zay Jones? Or trading for Kelvin Benjamin? Or signing Trent Murphy? Or repeatedly trying to make Peterman a thing? 
 

you know it’s ok to love a team and question a few decisions. And I don’t think I’ve seen one post not saying Matt isn’t a good player. But he does have some health concerns (tough dude but he is undersized) and even with the “discount”, it’s a lot of money that some think could have been used for something else that might be a bigger need. 
 

what’s up with our society that everyone just wants to live in echo chamber of the same thoughts? 

So your gonna cling to what happened three years ago? And ignore his taking the blame for screwing up, and then doing a far better job after that? 
 

No GM is perfect, we all know that,  but by all measurable standards the Bills have been doing really well in player acquisitions (draft & FA) over the last two plus years, and the trend is that it will continue as such. Beane’s success percentage is top five in the whole damn league, I’m not gonna search for it but there was a thread comparing all the teams success percentage a week ish back and showed this to be the case.  Anyway, it’s gonna be an exciting off season, with much happiness and gnashing of teeth, enjoy it. 

[C.Biscuit97]

2 minutes ago, SoCal Deek said:

Huh? I complain about everyone. Just ask my wife. 

Haha, everyone does. I am just saying you are allowed to question things and not totally agree with everything.  And it’s ok. 

[SoCal Deek]

Just now, C.Biscuit97 said:

Haha, everyone does. I am just saying you are allowed to question things and not totally agree with everything.  And it’s ok. 

Not arguing at all. My point was clear. These negotiations are not one and done deals based solely on market value as so many on here like to imply, predict or lament. The market changes by the year, and maybe by the hour at this time in the offseason. What seems like over paying today, can seem like a steal in a month or two. I’m honestly amazed that an NFL GM sleeps at all. They’ve got to be under tremendous pressure. 

[C.Biscuit97]

1 minute ago, Don Otreply said:

So your gonna cling to what happened three years ago? And ignore his taking the blame for screwing up, and then doing a far better job after that? 
 

No GM is perfect, we all know that,  but by all measurable standards the Bills have been doing really well in player acquisitions (draft & FA) over the last two plus years, and the trend is that it will continue as such. Beane’s success percentage is top five in the whole damn league, I’m not gonna search for it but there was a thread comparing all the teams success percentage a week ish back and showed this to be the case.  Anyway, it’s gonna be an exciting off season, with much happiness and gnashing of teeth, enjoy it. 

And no said he hasn’t been. Some of you get too sensitive about things.  There has not been one negative thing said about Milano the player. The only question (for discussion since this is a discussion board) is could the money have been spend in another way to help the team out more.

 

I mean we could have a cult here and just all say how awesome everything is all the time (and it’s been an awesome time to be a Bills fan no doubt).  But personally, I like differing opinions if they are rational. So saying Milano is a very good player but could the money be used for a more premier position is a fair discussion and it has been a fairly reasonable back and forth. JMO. 

Just now, SoCal Deek said:

Not arguing at all. My point was clear. These negotiations are not one and done deals based solely on market value as so many on here like to imply, predict or lament. The market changes by the year, and maybe by the hour at this time in the offseason. What seems like over paying today, can seem like a steal in a month or two. I’m honestly amazed that an NFL GM sleeps at all. They’ve got to be under tremendous pressure. 

Oh I definitely agree with that. I think some of the projections of what Milano could have gotten on the open market are a little off because the cap went down and there are going to be more quality FAs because of all the cuts teams have to make. 
 

but for sure, GM is a really tough job and we have a very good GM.

[Stank_Nasty]

21 minutes ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

This post doesn’t make sense to me. McBeane have done an amazing job. But you couldn’t question trading up Zay Jones? Or trading for Kelvin Benjamin? Or signing Trent Murphy? Or repeatedly trying to make Peterman a thing? 
 

you know it’s ok to love a team and question a few decisions. And I don’t think I’ve seen one post not saying Matt isn’t a good player. But he does have some health concerns (tough dude but he is undersized) and even with the “discount”, it’s a lot of money that some think could have been used for something else that might be a bigger need. 
 

what’s up with our society that everyone just wants to live in echo chamber of the same thoughts? 

Isn’t his cap hit this year like 7 mil? The larger money doesn’t kick in until the cap gets elevated after this year and the guy missed 4 regular season games in 3 seasons before this season. I personally think all the injury concern talks are wildly overblown. 
 

Like you said, there are plenty of opportunities that you can legitimately question the FO. I’m failing to see how this is one of them. 

Edited March 12, 2021 by Stank_Nasty

[BringMetheHeadofLeonLett]

Good player, and seems like a fair deal for both sides money-wise.  I am tired of crappy TE coverage, though... and missed tackles, guys getting plowed through, dragged, run over, etc.  Not putting that all on Milano, but I was looking at his spot as an opportunity to tweak the roster.   Not complaining he's back, but between injury history and the above, I'm feeling this one about a 4 out of 10 on the inspiring signings scale.  

[C.Biscuit97]

1 minute ago, BringMetheHeadofLeonLett said:

Good player, and seems like a fair deal for both sides money-wise.  I am tired of crappy TE coverage, though... and missed tackles, guys getting plowed through, dragged, run over, etc.  Not putting that all on Milano, but I was looking at his spot as an opportunity to tweak the roster.   Not complaining he's back, but between injury history and the above, I'm feeling this one about a 4 out of 10 on the inspiring signings scale.  

To be fair to Milano, a LB covering TEs is pretty much always a terrible match that every team with a good TE will try to target. I think Milano is definitely one of the better cover LBs in the nfl.

[Canadian Bills Fan]

Like this. Instead of using a high draft pick to replace Milano, we can now spend it to bolster a position of need like DE,CB or dare I say..RB!

 

 

[C.Biscuit97]

11 minutes ago, Stank_Nasty said:

Isn’t his cap hit this year like 7 mil? The larger money doesn’t kick in until the cap gets elevated after this year and the guy missed 4 regular season games in 3 seasons before this season. I personally think all the injury concern talks are wildly overblown. 
 

Like you said, there are plenty of opportunities that you can legitimately question the FO. I’m failing to see how this is one of them. 

So we just aren’t counting this season? How does that make sense? You can’t just ignore seasons in the nfl. He is a smaller guy at his position. I love the way he plays but I don’t think it’s a coincidence that he has missed 12 games while Tremaine has missed 1 at a a much more physical position. 
 

these are small nitpicks on a really good player.  I won’t want to pay an OLB big bucks unless they are an elite pass rusher.  But again, Milano is a very good player. 

1 minute ago, Canadian Bills Fan said:

Like this. Instead of using a high draft pick to replace Milano, we can now spend it to bolster a position of need like DE,CB or dare I say..RB!

 

 

We have spent 3rd picks on rbs in back to back years. That’s a huge investment in rbs in this era of football. 

[Don Otreply]

4 minutes ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

And no said he hasn’t been. Some of you get too sensitive about things.  There has not been one negative thing said about Milano the player. The only question (for discussion since this is a discussion board) is could the money have been spend in another way to help the team out more.

 

I mean we could have a cult here and just all say how awesome everything is all the time (and it’s been an awesome time to be a Bills fan no doubt).  But personally, I like differing opinions if they are rational. So saying Milano is a very good player but could the money be used for a more premier position is a fair discussion and it has been a fairly reasonable back and forth. JMO. 

Oh I definitely agree with that. I think some of the projections of what Milano could have gotten on the open market are a little off because the cap went down and there are going to be more quality FAs because of all the cuts teams have to make. 
 

but for sure, GM is a really tough job and we have a very good GM.

Don’t misunderstand me, it’s just that some here expect our GM and HC to be perfect and when they are not the “ I told you so” nonsense rears it’s head, humans don’t do perfect, and back and forth debates really do need to reflect that fact. I fully expect Beane to have at least one or two acquisitions that don’t pan out every season, it’s a given imo, 

[Stank_Nasty]

4 minutes ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

So we just aren’t counting this season? How does that make sense? You can’t just ignore seasons in the nfl. He is a smaller guy at his position. I love the way he plays but I don’t think it’s a coincidence that he has missed 12 games while Tremaine has missed 1 at a a much more physical position. 
 

these are small nitpicks on a really good player.  I won’t want to pay an OLB big bucks unless they are an elite pass rusher.  But again, Milano is a very good player. 

an injury plagued season can happen. plenty of players have had at least one year where they missed a bunch of games. i guess that makes them a concern too? the point is how about we look at the big picture instead of just ONE season when we form a narrative. the dude missed 4 freaking games in 3 seasons before this and now all of a sudden he has one season where he misses a chunk and its a concern..... you dont see an issue with that thinking?.... and again, 7 mil is big bucks? by the time his 11 mil a season kicks in the caps will be massive again.

 

again, i feel to see how theres much, if anything, to complain about with this signing. 

Edited March 12, 2021 by Stank_Nasty

[YoloinOhio]

 

[bobblehead]

1 hour ago, Jobot said:

Maybe we need to wait for the contract details.. but wasn't this board previously touting 10mil/year for Milano as walk-away from the table money?

I think what you’re saying is right, but that was with the belief that 10 mil would be on the books this coming season, which would have complicated what to do about Williams, Feliciano, etc.  which is fair to criticize .  Since finding out that only 7 mil is on the books this year as a result does improve things when it comes to that. Now I’m thinking if we can’t Sign Williams and/or Feliciano etc, the  Milano deal really isn’t the driving factor now . 

20 minutes ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

To be fair to Milano, a LB covering TEs is pretty much always a terrible match that every team with a good TE will try to target. I think Milano is definitely one of the better cover LBs in the nfl.

And, I think the real issue is.. where’s our TE that makes it tough on opposing LB’s to cover them? 

[TheFunPolice]

This is a great deal for all sides. 

 

The guys on WGR brought up a great point this morning: everyone said over the last year that there was probably no way the Bills could keep White, Dawkins and Milano. 

 

Not only did we keep all 3, but the cap is not too tight, especially considering the drop. 

 

[Southern_Bills]

Shocked he was signed but definitely pleased. Thought he was as good as gone.

 

 

[Sherlock Holmes]

2 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

@Sherlock Holmes clears calendar...

 

 

I might pull a Toobin

[Sammy Watkins' Rib]

9 hours ago, JGMcD2 said:

Can you point out his lack of availability beyond this season? You referenced it twice...  what other long significant stretches did he miss in past seasons? 
 

 

He broke his fibula in 2018. It happened late in the season so he only missed the last handful of games but obviously would have been much more if the timing of the injury was towards the middle or beginning of the season.

 

Back to back years with games missed with hamstring injuries after that season. This year being the worst in terms of games missed. 

[GunnerBill]

2 hours ago, CorkScrewHill said:

I did not see this posted above, but I didn't read all 26 pages in fairness.  This is  breakdown by Matt Warren prior to the signing based on recent comparable LB deals. 13+ million was expected .. so we did get a nice discount.

 

https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2021/2/2/22260683/contract-projection-for-buffalo-bills-linebacker-matt-milano-2021

 

 

Yea on the market $12.5-13.5m AAV was my thinking. He has left a bit of money on the table to stay in a scheme he knows and fits and that is a sensible move because Milano is not a scheme fit everywhere. He isn't even a scheme fit in every type of 4-3 base. There are about 10 teams in the league where I think he really fits what they do and I think had he gone to somewhere that doesn't suit his skillset he might have been one of those big FA disappointments who is cut after 2 seasons. 

[Sammy Watkins' Rib]

8 hours ago, Gambit said:

Still have to score on that defense that smacked us around. 

 

That is our biggest problem. Our offense is one dimensional. Part of growing out of that will be the continued development of Allen which I am sure will continue to happen. We need to utilize the RB's and TE's in the passing game more.

5 hours ago, NI Bills Fan said:

late response on this I know ... but I would argue that this move, in comparison to releasing your entire O Line as the Chiefs just did, does get us closer to beating them.

 

We have to hope the Chiefs defense loses some key pieces in their secondary. Their defense is designed to specifically shut down the way we run our offense through our WR's. We either have to change the way we play offense or hope they change the way they play defense. 

[Sammy Watkins' Rib]

2 hours ago, SWATeam said:

Do you think it may help if EVERY SINGLE ONE of our wr’s was not injured???

 

No because the way to attack the Chiefs defense is with RB's and TE's. See the Raiders success against them this year as well as the Super Bowl. Tampa Bay WR's were well below their averages in the super bowl while Gronk and Fournette went off.

[WhitewalkerInPhilly]

40 minutes ago, Canadian Bills Fan said:

Like this. Instead of using a high draft pick to replace Milano, we can now spend it to bolster a position of need like DE,CB or dare I say..RB!

 

 

I am surprisingly ok with a late 1st round running back pick. That's usually where cost and quality meet up.

 

I still want us to sink into the Offensive Line, especially at RT or Guard but I think we can do that with picks in rounds 2-3 and/or journeyman contracts

[CBennett]

I wonder what position of needed upgrade they give up now to do that...TE? , DE? or a player they have that may need resigned now or in the near future that now wont be like as a example Edmunds or someone like that..

[C.Biscuit97]

50 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

 

That’s interesting but do you do that with Qbs too? So like the Seahawks got Russell Wilson for a 3rd round contract then paid him a ton and the Cowboys had Dak on a 4th? So total picture, it’s a great value but in present day it severely affects your cap. 

56 minutes ago, Stank_Nasty said:

an injury plagued season can happen. plenty of players have had at least one year where they missed a bunch of games. i guess that makes them a concern too? the point is how about we look at the big picture instead of just ONE season when we form a narrative. the dude missed 4 freaking games in 3 seasons before this and now all of a sudden he has one season where he misses a chunk and its a concern..... you dont see an issue with that thinking?.... and again, 7 mil is big bucks? by the time his 11 mil a season kicks in the caps will be massive again.

 

again, i feel to see how theres much, if anything, to complain about with this signing. 

As someone else pointed out, he broke his fibula in 2018 but it was the last game of the year and he missed a playoff game.   But that will mostly would have been a season ender.  
 

dude is a baller and injuries can happen at any time.  But there is a pattern of getting injured.  He is an undersized guy.   It’s like Kiko. 

Edited March 12, 2021 by C.Biscuit97

[SCBills]

I’m ok with bringing Milano back IF we strengthen the DL.  
 

My assumption is that our FO feels Edmunds/Milano can ball out if they play behind a better DL.   
 

I’ll be underwhelmed if the only change to our DL is the return of Star.

 

This is a strong OL draft, and while I doubt we rely on two rookies to start, we could conceivably draft a very good RT at 30 and G/C in the 2nd.   I say that because I’ll be shocked if we bring back Williams now. 
 

 

Edited March 12, 2021 by SCBills

[GaryPinC]

Happy to see Milano signed.  Let's say Epenesa puts 10-20 lbs of muscle back on his frame.  Both Ep and Milano appear to me to be very intelligent during live action.  Ep also showed some burst at his trimmed down weight, he definitely needs to develop his game but if it happens quickly next year what does that mean for our pass rush?

 

Now you have Star eating up the middle, freeing Ed Oliver, Harrison Philips up to a much greater degree.  If Ep develops, with Milano you'll have two smart, quick, high-motor wily defenders that can get to the QB.  You'll also have Hughes on the other side, not smart, but still high motor and reasonably quick.  I see our pass rush becoming very effective by mid-season with scheme and varying alignments.

 

The big question mark is Edmunds.  I totally want the kid to succeed but haven't seen it consistently on the field despite his Pro Bowls.  All the tools with no instincts, slow to react, constantly playing catch-up and I think this affects Milano.  Milano has to cover extra space because of Edmunds which can put him in a poorer position to make tackles and expose him to more injuries.   

[BillsVet]

10 hours ago, BADOLBILZ said:

I was not in favor of paying Milano around $10M per year..........there are positions where they are going to need to fill on defense with players who don't make that kind of money.

 

Being that they spend more money than any team in the NFL on defensive lineman and have a $15M CB and two safeties making in the $8M range........an injury prone weak-side, non-pass rushing linebacker seemed like a logical place to show some fiscal austerity.   I think that was almost universally agreed upon.   He was not expected back.

 

Strategically, I don't understand this HC and how he allocates resources with his GM.  The push for defensive spending needs to be viewed in terms of how it affects their ability to fit pieces around Allen.  The QB is how they win games now and, especially in the playoffs against IND and KC, the defense failed them. 

 

They're spending almost 100M this season on defense at those positions.  And last season that still left them 14th in yards allowed, 16th in points allowed, and 15th in sacks.  The lone bright spot was being tied for 3rd in turnovers.

 

It's contracts like this for Milano which indicate the HC isn't going to change his stripes.  He became a HC in this league on defense and will not acclimate to what this team's identity should be...and offense supported by enough defense. 

[BADOLBILZ]

3 hours ago, MrSarcasm said:

You are all over the board here. Cherry picking years with random start and stop dates for certain players. 

 

Fact is Thomas Davis only started 1 game his first year( why you left that out?) and played a total of 9/48 games years 5,6, and 7. (Left that out?) If you are going to 'prove a point' you shouldn't have to cherry pick.

 

So by your own standards using (Thomas Davis's whole career)Milano literally has to only play 9 games in the next 3 years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I used years 2-3-4 for Davis because Milano didn't start much his rookie year either.   He was elevated above Humber......started 3 games, popped a hamstring in the fourth and that was it....his rookie season was over due to injury.    I didn't use the years AFTER because Milano hasn't played those years yet.......but yes it's possible that he will become less durable as he starts to actually accrue some snaps.  

 

To put his lack of action in perspective......every down LB CJ Mosley played 2100 snaps his first 2 seasons in the NFL.......Milano has played just 2400 in 4 seasons........he is very low mileage and yet he already has a track record for injury.  

 

I like Milano........*maybe* he gets smarter about how to protect himself without losing his effectiveness..........but I'd say that's less likely than him continuing to miss a lot of snaps to injury. 

 

 

[JGMcD2]

19 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

To put his lack of action in perspective......every down LB CJ Mosley played 2100 snaps his first 2 seasons in the NFL.......Milano has played just 2400 in 4 seasons........he is very low mileage and yet he already has a track record for injury.  

This is also random and cherry picked? You already acknowledged that Milano didn’t start right away as a rookie and came on late in the season... doesn’t that have an impact on the snaps he played? Especially comparing it day 1 starter CJ Mosley’s snaps played in his first two seasons...
 

Your use of numbers is disingenuous.

Edited March 12, 2021 by JGMcD2

[BADOLBILZ]

7 hours ago, machine gun kelly said:

He’s been available to play 54 of 64 games plus 5 playoff games.  So in the regular season 13.5 games on avg.  He didn’t always start in the beginning of his career.  He played himself into the starting role.

 

He had a tough year in 2020, but that doesn’t mean he’s only available in an avg. of say 9-10 games for four years.  $11 mil. On avg. was a nice price tag, and I started giving up hope Beane could sign him.

 

This was an excellent day for the signing.  He has months to rest up a and contribute in 21.

 

He missed the first McDermott playoff game with a hamstring injury........so he was available for 4 of 5.

 

The flip side of just saying how many games he was available to play is that he suffered a broken leg in 2018 that would have caused him to miss an entire season if it happened on opening day.  He suffered a torn pec that is generally an 8 week injury and often just a season ending trip to IR as well.   As a result he played just 31% of the regular season defensive snaps in 2020(equivalent of just over 5 games for an every down LB).

 

Edited March 12, 2021 by BADOLBILZ

[Don Otreply]

1 hour ago, ScottLaw said:

Sure... but I think the point made by some in this thread is an edge rusher is a bigger need than keeping Milano. This move may prohibit them from acquiring that guy. But again, maybe they can do both. 

And if they let Milano go they will have increased the teams needs, and the work needed to replace yet another position, folk need to realize Beane knows how to do more than one thing at a time, it’s not like these acquisitions are happening in a vacuum...

[machine gun kelly]

Just now, BADOLBILZ said:

 

He missed the first McDermott playoff game with a hamstring injury........so he was available for 4 of 5.

 

The flip side of just saying how many games he was available to play is that he suffered a broken leg in 2018 that would have caused him to miss an entire season if it happened on opening day.  He suffered a torn pec that is generally an 8 week injury and often just a season ending trip to IR as well.   As a result he played just 31% of the regular season the defensive snaps in 2020(equivalent of just over 5 games for an every down LB).

 

And Badolz, does the broken leg mean he’s injury prone?  Even a torn pec is not like tons of soft tissue injuries of bad knees, ankles, etc.

 

Hey everyone’s entitled to their opinion.  I disagree with you.  Players get hurt.  Watt just received $15.5 mil., Gronk was paid at top level and had multiple back, forearm injuries.  I’ve torn a pec.  If you’re stretching rigorously, using yoga etc., to keep yourself from unnecessary injuries, it doesn’t mean you still can’t get hurt.  Eric Wood missed 24 games in his 9 year history.  One was a broken leg.

 

Bottom line for me if he’s in the future injured, he won’t realize those dollars, as part of his contract.  You don’t like him, ok.  No worries.  I don’t see this as a problem.  I respect you’re opinion, just don’t agree it’s a big issue.  Hey, I could easily be very wrong in two years.  We’ll know then and they certainly can get out of the contract in two years.  Have a good one bud.

[BADOLBILZ]

2 hours ago, dave mcbride said:

Good points, but there is also the issue of him becoming even more instinctive over time because he understands the bills D, which is relatively complex. I think we tend to overlook how guys like poyer and hyde hardly ever seem to make mental mistakes. That comes with time and innate football smarts, and i think milano has that attribute. This is all to say he may get even better.

 

 

One of the big excuses made for the Bills defenders by film heads like those at Cover 1...........regarding LB play in particular.........is that they have become very predictable in the back 7.

 

If Milano were playing in a multiple defense........whether it be a Belichick scheme or even a Wade Phillips type..........then I would say that there is much to gain from maintaining that experience so that they can use very different game plans from week to week based on the opponent.

 

In this defense.........it's reasonable to question if the bang for the buck is there with just running back the same players in the same coverages that they've put on tape for the past 70 games.

 

It was pretty clear that the Chiefs had totally dissected the Bills defense on film before they met in that AFCCG.    It was as if they barely put the tape on for Cleveland.   They knew who they were going to be facing.   The fact that they could be pantsed so badly in their SECOND meeting of the year.......with all the money and draft picks they have invested in that defense......said a lot.  

 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

Tyrel Dodson seems to be planning on a meal:

 

 

[BADOLBILZ]

4 minutes ago, machine gun kelly said:

And Badolz, does the broken leg mean he’s injury prone?  Even a torn pec is not like tons of soft tissue injuries of bad knees, ankles, etc.

 

Hey everyone’s entitled to their opinion.  I disagree with you.  Players get hurt.  Watt just received $15.5 mil., Gronk was paid at top level and had multiple back, forearm injuries.  I’ve torn a pec.  If you’re stretching rigorously, using yoga etc., to keep yourself from unnecessary injuries, it doesn’t mean you still can’t get hurt.  Eric Wood missed 24 games in his 9 year history.  One was a broken leg.

 

Bottom line for me if he’s in the future injured, he won’t realize those dollars, as part of his contract.  You don’t like him, ok.  No worries.  I don’t see this as a problem.  I respect you’re opinion, just don’t agree it’s a big issue.  Hey, I could easily be very wrong in two years.  We’ll know then and they certainly can get out of the contract in two years.  Have a good one bud.

 

 

Gronk and Watt are HOF'ers who have put up unbelievable numbers and incredible plays around those injuries.

 

This is sorta' like the guy in this thread saying "the average player misses 2 games every year" for comparison and not noting that the average player makes $3M per year(not $11M) and that the median salary in the league is less than $1M.  

 

Like I said.........I expect this to end up being a 2 year $28M deal when they let him go after the 2022 season.    Which isn't as bad as the situation they have with Star Lotuelei but it's a lot like the situation they are in with Mario Addison........who they probably need to cut and will have cost them $14M for one season.

 

 

[BADOLBILZ]

2 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Yea on the market $12.5-13.5m AAV was my thinking. He has left a bit of money on the table to stay in a scheme he knows and fits and that is a sensible move because Milano is not a scheme fit everywhere. He isn't even a scheme fit in every type of 4-3 base. There are about 10 teams in the league where I think he really fits what they do and I think had he gone to somewhere that doesn't suit his skillset he might have been one of those big FA disappointments who is cut after 2 seasons. 

 

 

 

Be honest, GB..........a few days ago you were quite pleased to be mock-replacing Milano's roster spot with West Virginia OLB Tony Fields in round 5.

 

 

[GunnerBill]

Just now, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

 

Be honest, GB..........a few days ago you were quite pleased to be mock-replacing Milano's roster spot with West Virginia OLB Tony Fields in round 5.

 

I was. If Milano walked we needed a player to replace him, McDemott's scheme needs coverage linebackers. I am surprised they have kept him. 

[BADOLBILZ]

11 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

But what is a more valuable need? 

 

A dominant edge rusher who can disrupt the LOS and QB and essentially blow up a game.... or a good OLB? 

 

The answer is easy for me.... Let's see if Beane can do both. 

 

 

A lot easier to find that off-ball LB.

 

Milano was a 5th rounder and there are some guys in this draft who people think can also excel fairly early in their careers at this position that are likely day 3 picks like Tony Fields and Garrett Wallow etc..

 

Pass rusher is a tough one..........even when you see one with the physical attributes like Trey Hendrickson.........it could be several years before they emerge.    So it makes sense to pay for one of those in free agency if you need one urgently.   

 

As you said, hopefully they do both.

 

But people downplaying a $7M cap hit...........JJ Watt has a $5M cap it.........I didn't expect ANYONE they signed this season to have a first year cap hit as high as $7M.

 

 

[BADOLBILZ]

5 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I was. If Milano walked we needed a player to replace him, McDemott's scheme needs coverage linebackers. I am surprised they have kept him. 

 

 

I think they've reached the stage with this defense where they need to be able to mix things up more.

 

They are less multiple now than they were in 2017..........they are basically a 4-2-5 only operation.........I'd personally like to see them be able to mix it up and not have to justify having an undersized WLB on the field every down would have been a chance to mix things up more.

 

I know people point to the points scored in games where Milano wasn't on the field..........but AJ Klein was also the DPOW twice in that span and he made more big plays than Milano so it wasn't just a given that the defense as a whole would get worse without MM and with Klein and a rookie 5th rounder type.

 

The question really is where are they going to cut corners..........or are they going to just start playing it like this is their window like teams with veteran QB's do.   Something will have to give, most likely. 

[dave mcbride]

2 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

I think they've reached the stage with this defense where they need to be able to mix things up more.

 

They are less multiple now than they were in 2017..........they are basically a 4-2-5 only operation.........I'd personally like to see them be able to mix it up and not have to justify having an undersized WLB on the field every down would have been a chance to mix things up more.

 

I know people point to the points scored in games where Milano wasn't on the field..........but AJ Klein was also the DPOW twice in that span and he made more big plays than Milano so it wasn't just a given that the defense as a whole would get worse without MM and with Klein and a rookie 5th rounder type.

 

The question really is where are they going to cut corners..........or are they going to just start playing it like this is their window like teams with veteran QB's do.   Something will have to give, most likely. 

These are all great points, but it may be the case that after what happened in KC (and in Buffalo vs. Indy), McDermott agrees with you and figures his road to being more multiple is playing guys like Milano, who can do a lot of different things well. McDermott is not perfect, but he's a very good coach/coordinator who presumably self-scouts.