NewEra Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 4 hours ago, Donuts and Doritos said: This is a big deal. Need to keep Bates or we end up w/ a huge hole on the O-line. We've let a lot of guys walk this off-season. (Only guys I think we've resigned McKenzie, Neal, Kumerow). Needed to go w/ the higher tender. Agreed. It’s def a big deal. He walks and we have to spend more that 2.5-3.5M to replace him or use a 1st or 2nd rd pick. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewEra Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 Just saw the news that the Pats are talking to Bates. I’d be shocked if we are able to retain him. If he leaves, drafting OL needs to shoot up the priority list imo. Protect out franchise 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 25 minutes ago, NewEra said: Agreed. It’s def a big deal. He walks and we have to spend more that 2.5-3.5M to replace him or use a 1st or 2nd rd pick. As a long term plan, we'd best use at least one high draft pick on a G and maybe a lower pick as well, in any event. Rodger Saffold on a 1 year contract is not a long-term plan. Bates may be a longer term plan, but he's started all of 6 games in his NFL career, we just changed OL coach, and we're about to ask him to switch sides to RG. That's not a lot of data to go on whether he's the next Wyatt Teller we've been heartlessly burying on the depth chart for years. 12 hours ago, YoloinOhio said: Too small of a sample size to really know his value. Draft a Guard please. This Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 11 hours ago, Georgie said: With the addition Safford do we assume Bates moves to RG or does Ford get another shot? I would miss Bates' versatility That may be part of the basis for why the lower tender; perhaps the Bills know he doesn't play as well on the R or something? I thought Bates played well, but it's a mystery then why he started the season #3 on the depth chart at LG. I'm not one of the "oh noes, the coaches are idiots and keep the good players on the bench for no reason while starting the bad ones" conspiracy theorists. 10 hours ago, Allen2Diggs said: If we lose Bates, guard become the team's #1 need heading into the draft. Ford has played terribly and Saffold is an older player on a one-year deal. I would like to argue that OG, along with CB, are the team's top needs heading into the draft whether or not we keep Bates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Barbarian Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 13 hours ago, YoloinOhio said: i expect we match his offer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollars 2 donuts Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 All the D signings have been great, but isn’t protecting 17 kinda…I don’t know, important to this team’s success? 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSBill Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 I will be very disappointed if we lose Bates. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted March 18, 2022 Author Share Posted March 18, 2022 1 hour ago, dollars 2 donuts said: All the D signings have been great, but isn’t protecting 17 kinda…I don’t know, important to this team’s success? Doesn’t need to be Bates. Rick did ok filling in last year but he’s a backup level guy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beast Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 (edited) If Bates leaves it will be time to trade Epenesa or Basham for a guard. Edited March 18, 2022 by Beast Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCbillsfan Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 4 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said: I would like to argue that OG, along with CB, are the team's top needs heading into the draft whether or not we keep Bates. I agree with you but would add WR. Bills could use another young cheap WR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEpsYtown Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 Time to get triggered: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted March 18, 2022 Author Share Posted March 18, 2022 3 minutes ago, MrEpsYtown said: Time to get triggered: Nothing triggering Bills fans about replacing Shaq mason with Rick bates 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEpsYtown Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 3 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said: Nothing triggering Bills fans about replacing Shaq mason with Rick bates Overall, I am not sure what the Patriots are doing honestly. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coach Tuesday Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 7 minutes ago, MrEpsYtown said: Time to get triggered: I predicted this in the Shaq Mason thread. It’s a vintage BB move - weaken a competitor while upgrading his own roster. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted March 18, 2022 Author Share Posted March 18, 2022 14 minutes ago, Coach Tuesday said: I predicted this in the Shaq Mason thread. It’s a vintage BB move - weaken a competitor while upgrading his own roster. *Josh Allen’s 7th TD pass of the day zips past* BB: “hey at least we got one of their depth guards to replace our pro bowl guard! This is the best RFA move I’ve made with the Bills since i traded a 5th to pay Mike Gillislee so they could draft Matt Milano” 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfan1959 Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 3 hours ago, dollars 2 donuts said: All the D signings have been great, but isn’t protecting 17 kinda…I don’t know, important to this team’s success? The D signings have been necessary to replace leaving players and upgrading the two primary weaknesses last year: the lack of a top level pass rusher and the run defense. Beane and McDermott both stated that the line will be a priority and I could be wrong, but I don't think adding Saffold was all they had in mind. They still have the remainder of free agency, the draft, potential trades, and post Jun 1 cuts. We'll see. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buddo Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 5 minutes ago, billsfan1959 said: The D signings have been necessary to replace leaving players and upgrading the two primary weaknesses last year: the lack of a top level pass rusher and the run defense. Beane and McDermott both stated that the line will be a priority and I could be wrong, but I don't think adding Saffold was all they had in mind. They still have the remainder of free agency, the draft, potential trades, and post Jun 1 cuts. We'll see. This is a fair enough point. The trouble is, that the actions, to an extent, aren't matching the words in respect of the O-Line. For sure, Saffold is an upgrade at Guard, but they have let Feliciano and Williams go, while also possibly letting Bates slip through their fingers. Should Bates get prised away, not only will we need more Guard help, which is probably coming through the draft, but also, we have no backup center, if memory serves me correctly. People seem to be getting a bit salty about the whole thing, but remember, the Bills obviously did want to keep Bates, otherwise they wouldn't have tendered him at all. They also traded for him in the first place, swapping a LBer for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted March 18, 2022 Author Share Posted March 18, 2022 (edited) 14 minutes ago, Buddo said: This is a fair enough point. The trouble is, that the actions, to an extent, aren't matching the words in respect of the O-Line. For sure, Saffold is an upgrade at Guard, but they have let Feliciano and Williams go, while also possibly letting Bates slip through their fingers. Should Bates get prised away, not only will we need more Guard help, which is probably coming through the draft, but also, we have no backup center, if memory serves me correctly. People seem to be getting a bit salty about the whole thing, but remember, the Bills obviously did want to keep Bates, otherwise they wouldn't have tendered him at all. They also traded for him in the first place, swapping a LBer for him. I think they have an interest in hanging on to him at the right price to them per his value, since they tendered him. The fact they traded a throwaway defender no one remembers the name of, who they were likely going to cut, for bates years ago was based on a different OL and scheme so I don’t put much meaning on that. As it pertains to moving on from Feliciano (who vocally said he want to play Center) and Williams (who was on a OT contract playing Guard) - once again this was expected as the intention is very likely to do a bit of an overhaul to the OL, vs maintain last year’s group, because of the change in OL coach. How Bates’ value factors into Kromer’s plan isn’t something we have access to other than seeing the $ they allot to him. What their plan at OL looks like will unfold, as it is 2 days into the new league year. Edited March 18, 2022 by YoloinOhio 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCBills Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 (edited) 14 minutes ago, Buddo said: This is a fair enough point. The trouble is, that the actions, to an extent, aren't matching the words in respect of the O-Line. For sure, Saffold is an upgrade at Guard, but they have let Feliciano and Williams go, while also possibly letting Bates slip through their fingers. Should Bates get prised away, not only will we need more Guard help, which is probably coming through the draft, but also, we have no backup center, if memory serves me correctly. People seem to be getting a bit salty about the whole thing, but remember, the Bills obviously did want to keep Bates, otherwise they wouldn't have tendered him at all. They also traded for him in the first place, swapping a LBer for him. Im still under the assumption that we tendered him simply because he’s fantastic depth with his ability to play all over. I don’t think Kromer views him as the starting RG in 2022. Maybe Beane loses him and we find out that they just misplayed their hand. However, with a new OL coach, and how we immediately cut Williams/signed Saffold, it just doesn’t seem like Bates was much of a priority. Given Rounds 1 & 2 look like CB/WR locks at the moment, I will acquiesce that having Ford penciled in as a starter currently, with only one viable backup in a young guy Doyle is nerve wracking for sure. I just keep going back to the 3.5M they seem to have allotted for a playmaker. Offered to McKissic, then immediately given to Howard… If we are cap strapped and they wanted Bates, they had the $$ for him… didn’t give it to him with the 2nd Round tender. Edited March 18, 2022 by SCBills Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfan1959 Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 Just now, Buddo said: This is a fair enough point. The trouble is, that the actions, to an extent, aren't matching the words in respect of the O-Line. For sure, Saffold is an upgrade at Guard, but they have let Feliciano and Williams go, while also possibly letting Bates slip through their fingers. Should Bates get prised away, not only will we need more Guard help, which is probably coming through the draft, but also, we have no backup center, if memory serves me correctly. People seem to be getting a bit salty about the whole thing, but remember, the Bills obviously did want to keep Bates, otherwise they wouldn't have tendered him at all. They also traded for him in the first place, swapping a LBer for him. I certainly do see your point and I am one that believes the real key to potential championships for this team is putting the best line they can in front of Allen and surrounding him with good skill players. With that said, they let Feliciano and Williams go because they just are not very athletic and do not fit what Kromer likes to do. As far as Bates, the level at which they tendered him tells you what his value is to them: he is a depth player for which they are only willing to pay so much. They said after the season that the Oline was going to be a priority and I would like to believe they will follow through on that to the best of their ability. It is the beginning of the just the 3rd day of free agency, so, we will see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted March 18, 2022 Author Share Posted March 18, 2022 (edited) 4 hours ago, dollars 2 donuts said: All the D signings have been great, but isn’t protecting 17 kinda…I don’t know, important to this team’s success? Their very first move in FA was to sign a pro bowl OG with experience in Kromer’s scheme and then extend the contract of 17’s Center. I think they know. Edited March 18, 2022 by YoloinOhio 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEpsYtown Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 Perusing what is left of the guard market there is not much left, especially when you consider that this team seems to be looking for the RAS guys. Unsurprisingly, Cody Ford had some terrible agility score. My conclusion is that we really need to try to keep Bates. Will Hernandez - Somewhat surprising to me, but he has some nice athletic traits. Hernandez did not have a great start to his career with the Giants, but really who has? There is upside there. Honestly, Hernandez is really the only guy out there who is still young with upside. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif? Maybe. Former Chief that was pushed out of a job. The Jets probably cut Greg Van Roten, who surprisingly, (at least to me) posted a great RAS score coming out but he was atrocious with the Jets. He was solid with the Panthers. We had rumored interest in him during free agency. My unrealistic dream is that the Falcons miss out on Watson, trade Matty ice, go into full rebuild mode, and trade us Chris Lindstrom. FYI The Vikings version of Tremaine, message board scapegoat, is Garrett Bradbury. It looks like they are thinking of Bates as a center upgrade. They should sign JC Tretter and leave our guy alone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloRebound Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 Kind of weird that meetings he has with teams are announced in the media unless it’s a requirement as a tendered RFA. He must have some promise if multiple teams are sniffing around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleeding Bills Blue Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 10 minutes ago, BuffaloRebound said: Kind of weird that meetings he has with teams are announced in the media unless it’s a requirement as a tendered RFA. He must have some promise if multiple teams are sniffing around. He does have an agent though. Telling the league he's meeting with minnesota is like - oh? Who is this Bates guy? Should we be calling too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo_Stampede Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taglientep Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 Wonder what the $ amount is that Buffalo wont match to keep him? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsbackto81 Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 It's a shame Beane and McD didn't put more of a priority on keeping arguably our most versatile O lineman. Let's hope they don't have to match some outrageous contract. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vtnatefootball11 Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 Damn, Bates is gone. Pats have plenty of cap space and just lost/traded away both their starting guards. Minnesota didn't have a lot of room wasn't as worried there, but NE will make an offer Bills can't match. Oh well, not too concerned. We have Saffold at LG, and then it will be between Ford/rookie for the RG spot. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
First Round Bust Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 I guess the Vikings visit did not work out ? they dont have much cao, but the Pats have more so I guess we are looking at him as backup or cheap starter and the Pats may pay him starter money Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo_Stampede Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 (edited) 4 minutes ago, billsbackto81 said: It's a shame Beane and McD didn't put more of a priority on keeping arguably our most versatile O lineman. Let's hope they don't have to match some outrageous contract. It’s completely possible the Bills wanted a multi-year deal but they disagreed on terms. They allowed him to see his worth around the league. Edited March 18, 2022 by Buffalo_Stampede 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TC in St. Louis Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 If somebody makes a big offer, the bills can match or trade. They lost Chris Hogan to the patriots under similar circumstances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAJBobby Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 And the paid for RFA trips for Bates Continues. Bills likely will match anything up to the 2nd round tender. So anything that is 1.5M or lower added to his current salary will get matched. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsbackto81 Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 5 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said: It’s completely possible the Bills wanted a multi-year deal but they disagreed on terms. They allowed him to see his worth around the league. Hope nobody values him more than us. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Franco_92 Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 10 minutes ago, vtnatefootball11 said: Damn, Bates is gone. Pats have plenty of cap space and just lost/traded away both their starting guards. Minnesota didn't have a lot of room wasn't as worried there, but NE will make an offer Bills can't match. Oh well, not too concerned. We have Saffold at LG, and then it will be between Ford/rookie for the RG spot. Not too concerned? This is a horrifying scenario lol. I don't want the line to be the think that clips our championship chances and the only reason we had a shot last year is because they pulled themselves together AFTER bates came in. The line pre bates was bad enough for this team to lose to Jacksonville. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TC in St. Louis Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 Beane has shown that if he wants to keep a guy he will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewEra Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 13 minutes ago, billsbackto81 said: It's a shame Beane and McD didn't put more of a priority on keeping arguably our most versatile O lineman. Let's hope they don't have to match some outrageous contract. Agreed. He rolled the dice like we did with Hogan. This could be a huge error on Beanes part. Hopefully we can match or draft someone better Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vtnatefootball11 Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 2 minutes ago, TC in St. Louis said: If somebody makes a big offer, the bills can match or trade. They lost Chris Hogan to the patriots under similar circumstances. They can't trade him he's not currently under contract, the Bills have to match or they get nothing. Just now, billsbackto81 said: Hope nobody values him more than us. Don't even waste your time hoping. Pats have PLENTY of cap room and holes all over the o line, including both starting guard spots. They will offer him prob close to $5mill per year knowing the Bills can't quite squeeze that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aristocrat Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 We could have tendered him and gotten a draft pick right? But didn't? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAJBobby Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 1 minute ago, vtnatefootball11 said: They can't trade him he's not currently under contract, the Bills have to match or they get nothing. Don't even waste your time hoping. Pats have PLENTY of cap room and holes all over the o line, including both starting guard spots. They will offer him prob close to $5mill per year knowing the Bills can't quite squeeze that. Not 100% true. He could sign the Tender, and then these visits even stop. But in theory Bills could say if you find an offer somewhere before signing let us know the numbers, then sign your tender and we will trade you there. 1 minute ago, aristocrat said: We could have tendered him and gotten a draft pick right? But didn't? Yep for 1.5M more could have tendered at the 2nd round level. That should tell people the value the Bills really put on Bates. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brand J Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 11 minutes ago, MAJBobby said: And the paid for RFA trips for Bates Continues. Bills likely will match anything up to the 2nd round tender. So anything that is 1.5M or lower added to his current salary will get matched. I heard it was the lowest tender, not the one that provided 2nd round compensation if he left. A difference of $1.5M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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