Taylor Rapp Signing with Bills

[DJB]

32 minutes ago, BillsFan130 said:

How did the Bills get him for so cheap?

 

Serious question 

Mcdermott has compromising photos 

[3rdand12]

1 hour ago, JGMcD2 said:

 

He was my pick absolutely when i was sure Poyer was a goner to Miami.
For any limitation he might present, I expect McD to make the best use of his qualities. Smart kid and will learn Bills D quickly i expect

4 minutes ago, DJB said:

Mcdermott has compromising photos 

Or a silver tongued Brandon Beane ?

[BigAl2526]

19 minutes ago, JayBaller10 said:

He ran a 4.78 at the combine 

Wow.  That's even slow for a linebacker.  

[QLBillsFan]

13 minutes ago, BigAl2526 said:

Wow.  That's even slow for a linebacker.  

Who cares he’s a good player. Great tackler. Coverage average is average. PFF likes him whatever that means 🤷🏻‍♂️

[TheyCallMeAndy]

I wonder if 3 starting caliber safeties is due to the fact we will either have a rookie, Dodson, or Bernard starting at MLB.

 

We may see more 5-1-4 looks this year. 

[QLBillsFan]

1 minute ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

I wonder if 3 starting caliber safeties is due to the fact we will either have a rookie, Dodson, or Bernard starting at MLB.

 

We may see more 5-1-4 looks this year. 

Hmm great point I think Milano and Edmunds were a unique pair.. a different look may be the answer in alignment 

[freddyjj]

9 hours ago, DrDawkinstein said:

And Poyer couldnt even break into the starting lineup of a 4-12 Browns his entire 4 years with the crappy team.

Not true as Poyer started all 6 games he played in 2016.   Had a Season ending injury in game 6.  He was a starting safety for CLE coming out of camp that year.

7 minutes ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

I wonder if 3 starting caliber safeties is due to the fact we will either have a rookie, Dodson, or Bernard starting at MLB.

 

We may see more 5-1-4 looks this year. 

So playing the vaunted Rex Ryan 10 man D.   

Edited March 28, 2023 by freddyjj

[freddyjj]

2 hours ago, BigAl2526 said:

I think that JaQuan Johnson needs to be looking over his shoulder as he is likely the odd man out.  He's smaller than Rapp, and similarly slow.

Jaquan was so worried he signed wIth the Raiders last week!

[Beck Water]

8 hours ago, Beck Water said:

Another place where I differ is at DL.  We currently have 3 of last year's 4 DL rotation under contract.  We don't have 2 3TDT of starting caliber on the roster, and unless we plan to extend Oliver, we will have 0 on the roster next season.  So it seems like a fairly basic roster need that has yet to be filled.  I don't agree entirely, but Ryan O'Halloran's TBN piece is pretty good:

https://buffalonews.com/sports/bills/ryan-ohalloran-bills-have-stood-pat-on-defensive-line-in-free-agency-an-addition-is/article_a736556e-cbf8-11ed-ac35-2b92af8fa11c.html

 

Crass to follow my own post, but I got news

 

On Ed Oliver. Beane sounds like he plans on him being here and even mentioned extension:

Also, it's reported Jordan Phillips has been to Buffalo on a FA visit.  Since he knows the facility, I would assume that would be for a physical check and maybe a look at how he's working out, maybe a chat about the defense?

 

[Beck Water]

8 hours ago, sunshynman said:

Barkley is a QB asst. coach at this point. He might not make it out of camp this year. Unless Josh wants him to stay. 

 

We have zero DT's signed passed this year. They will draft some. 

 

 

I think we'll see a DaQuan Jones extension, and possibly from comments Beane has dropped an Ed Oliver extension.

Beane has made it clear in the past that before FA and the draft, he focuses on renegotiating contracts/extensions only as needed to generate cap.  Then after the draft, he gets busy looking at extensions.

 

I'm sure they'll draft DL as well, the question is where?

Edited March 28, 2023 by Beck Water

[Sierra Foothills]

 

9 hours ago, Beck Water said:

Spotrac gave him a market value of $10M/yr - 3 years. $30M

 

Did anyone else read McDermott's comments about supporting Damar Hamlin?

https://www.si.com/nfl/2023/03/26/bills-sean-mcdermott-vows-total-support-damar-hamlin-comeback

 

McDermott speaking as though Hamlin may not make up his mind one way or the other until just before the season, which means the team really needs other plans at Safety.  Maybe this signing is a signal that Hamlin is leaning towards "no" at this time, or at least a season off.

 

My gut feeling is that Hamlin will not play for the Bills again. 

 

9 hours ago, MrEpsYtown said:

He has really struggled in coverage in the past, but he is really good around the line of scrimmage. But its functional depth considering both safeties are older. I do trust McDermott when it comes to DBs. Maybe they play some big nickel? That has been a conversation pice on this board for a while here. 

 

Rapp did play some linebacker in the Ram's nickel sets. If you were, for instance going to draft a Jack Cambell-type linebacker, you might protect him for a year by subbing a guy like Rapp in pass situations. Maybe? I don't know. I like Rapp, good dude, seems like a weird fit with how we play our safeties. But maybe he took less money and just wants to be a part of it. That's a good thing. 

 

Thanks to both you guys for consistently raising the level of discussion and adding value with every post. There's a few others who do the same and it's those good posters that make wading through all the detritus worth it.

 

 

[TheyCallMeAndy]

48 minutes ago, Beck Water said:

 

Crass to follow my own post, but I got news

 

On Ed Oliver. Beane sounds like he plans on him being here and even mentioned extension:

Also, it's reported Jordan Phillips has been to Buffalo on a FA visit.  Since he knows the facility, I would assume that would be for a physical check and maybe a look at how he's working out, maybe a chat about the defense?

 

I’d love to see them re-sign Philips

[1ManRaid]

4 hours ago, QLBillsFan said:

Wondering if anyone can find positive fan posts about this guy. From what I’ve read this is an excellent signing. 

 

Yeah, our safeties are getting older and have shown to not be immune to injury, and our new depth was a starter for a Super Bowl team before a down year on a collapsing cap-crunch team?  Sign me up.

[DrPJax]

On 3/27/2023 at 8:48 PM, BillsFan130 said:

How did the Bills get him for so cheap?

 

Serious question 

        Really is a great question; have no idea after watching the film on him how he didn’t get grabbed for a lot more.  My only thoughts are maybe they sold him on the reality of Hyde coming off neck surgery, on his last year of this contract , and Poyer is coming off multiple injuries and also could be his last year if the bills would win a SB (PER POYER).   Great chance he gets significant playing time this year and could be the starter the following year and look at the run Hyde/Poyer have had; play well as a vet and he has a shot at starting along with a good chance of extension and stability.  Great tandem to learn from , HC is great with developing defensive backfield talent , plus throw in playing on a team with a franchise qb , and maybe those factors were enough to see a bigger picture for the future and some runs at a SB.  Also , get a chance to go against great QBs conference wide. Just seems we got lucky  on this one. 

Edited March 29, 2023 by DrPJax

[MJS]

3 hours ago, JayBaller10 said:

He ran a 4.78 at the combine 

It was at his pro day and he had an injury, I believe.

[Airseven]

3 hours ago, BigAl2526 said:

Wow.  That's even slow for a linebacker.  

I recall Buscaglia touting him as a “big nickel” candidate during his draft year.

[John from Riverside]

Not surprising if you think about it, that they would bring him in
 

Yes, Poirier, and hide are back together again but they both had a lot of injuries us last year

 

We needed a real back up. He also would serve as a big nickel.

[Behindenemylines]

7 hours ago, QLBillsFan said:

Who cares he’s a good player. Great tackler. Coverage average is average. PFF likes him whatever that means 🤷🏻‍♂️

We need tacklers.  Last years missed tackles was embarrassing 

[newcam2012]

4 hours ago, DrPJax said:

        Really is a great question; have no idea after watching the film on him how he didn’t get grabbed for a lot more.  My only thoughts are maybe they sold him on the reality of Hyde coming off neck surgery, on his last year of this contract , and Poyer is coming off multiple injuries and also could be his last year if the bills would win a SB (PER POYER).   Great chance he gets significant playing time this year and could be the starter the following year and look at the run Hyde/Poyer have had; play well as a vet and he has a shot at starting along with a good chance of extension and stability.  Great tandem to learn from , HC is great with developing defensive backfield talent , plus throw in playing on a team with a franchise qb , and maybe those factors were enough to see a bigger picture for the future and some runs at a SB.  Also , get a chance to go against great QBs conference wide. Just seems we got lucky this on this one. 

I agree. The guy is a solid player. I really like this pick up. I suspect it was a pretty cheap acquisition. The safety market seems pretty dry.

5 hours ago, MJS said:

It was at his pro day and he had an injury, I believe.

Correct. It's been reported he had a hip issue. 

 

Watch his recent tape. He's speed is fine. Not a burner but it's more than adequate. He's a solid safety. 

[Charles Romes]

Wiki says he ran 4.78 at the combine. How do you run 4.78 as a DB and still get drafted, let alone the second round. 

[Don Otreply]

10 hours ago, QLBillsFan said:

Hmm great point I think Milano and Edmunds were a unique pair.. a different look may be the answer in alignment 

Exactly, adjustments to scheme/alignments/play calling for personnel available, and opponents is always the correct way to address what the defense is able to do,

[Don Otreply]

2 hours ago, Behindenemylines said:

We need tacklers.  Last years missed tackles was embarrassing 

Yup, the Bills ranked 31st in missed tackles this past season, no where to go but up 😁👍

[GolfandBills]

28 minutes ago, Don Otreply said:

Yup, the Bills ranked 31st in missed tackles this past season, no where to go but up 😁👍

Could go to 32nd 

[dollars 2 donuts]

20 hours ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

move Poyer into the box on a lot of looks to essentially be the MLB?

 

 

I don't think it is a stupid question, Warrior, to bring up possibilities outside the norm of what they are thinking about here above and beyond some of these guys just being safeties.

 

No, I don't think they should reinvent the wheel with a safety/LB hybrid, but there seems to be a little bit more of their thinking with this other than just signing a guy.

 

...or...really maybe it is just that...kicking the tires to see if he could turn into even half the player that Hyde and Poyer are.

 

 

Edited March 28, 2023 by dollars 2 donuts

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

8 hours ago, MJS said:

It was at his pro day and he had an injury, I believe.

Unfortunately, the 4.78 was MPH. 🙁

[Airseven]

9 hours ago, 1ManRaid said:

 

Yeah, our safeties are getting older and have shown to not be immune to injury, and our new depth was a starter for a Super Bowl team before a down year on a collapsing cap-crunch team?  Sign me up.

Last year was Rapp’s best season statistically.

[Don Otreply]

3 hours ago, GolfandBills said:

Could go to 32nd 

Give it time…, 😁👍

[Chandler#81]

12 hours ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

I’d love to see them re-sign Philips

I think it’s all but signed. He had the time to seek mo’ $$ than what he knew/figured the Bills would give him. He’s back for a physical so I expect the signing when Beane returns.

[Captain Caveman]

23 hours ago, Logic said:

I'm not understanding why a 2nd round pick in his 5th year, just entering his prime, would sign with a team that's already set at its two starting safety positions.
 

 

IMO looking at the age and history of our safeties he thinks A. there's a good shot to get on the field, and B. given our defensive coaching staff he thinks he's gonna have a chance to shine and make some coin next year.

[Brand J]

I read a report that Rapp was “surprised and confused” by the 4.78 time. He said he hadn’t ran anything in the 4.7s since high school. He also said a year earlier he was timed at 4.56 and up until that 4.78 had been running consistently in the 4.5s and 4.6s. He didn’t make any excuses for the time though, no injury blame. Even though some had speculated the added muscle slowed him down, he owned it and said “it is what it is.” But put on the tape because he plays faster and is always in the right position. 

[machine gun kelly]

A solid depth pick near our current studs.

[Beck Water]

7 hours ago, Don Otreply said:

Exactly, adjustments to scheme/alignments/play calling for personnel available, and opponents is always the correct way to address what the defense is able to do,

 

This is actually the reason I posted a look-back to 2017, when the Bills managed to field, not a great, but a middle-of-the-road defense with Preston Brown and Ramon Humber as their LB. 

 

 

1 hour ago, JayBaller10 said:

I read a report that Rapp was “surprised and confused” by the 4.78 time. He said he hadn’t ran anything in the 4.7s since high school. He also said a year earlier he was timed at 4.56 and up until that 4.78 had been running consistently in the 4.5s and 4.6s. He didn’t make any excuses for the time though, no injury blame. Even though some had speculated the added muscle slowed him down, he owned it and said “it is what it is.” But put on the tape because he plays faster and is always in the right position. 

 

Yeah, probably worth pointing out that Josh Allen ran what, a 4.76 40 time?  But most players would, I think, tell you he plays faster than that time.  Allen himself joked that he runs faster when people are trying to catch him and clobber him.  Anyway, pajama Time is one thing, playing speed in cleats and pads is another.

[frostbitmic]

Solid signing IMO. As the #3 Safety in this system, he'll get a lot of playing time giving both Hyde and Poyer breathers.

 

Maybe a change of scenery and a new defense will bring back the player who was a second round pick.

[NewEra]

Mcdermott told him-  the last two under the radar Safeties that came in here ended up making 10M per year.  You can be next, just come in and learn this year.  We’ll try some exotic packages and utilize your ability along with Poyer and Hyde at the same time.  
 

He’s a versatile player and gives us something we sorely missed last year- great tackling while also having the ability to cover.  Nice chess piece for a great price. 

[DrPJax]

12 hours ago, GolfandBills said:

Could go to 32nd 

Hahaha!  My kind of guy!  Always seeing the upside, the positive side to every situation ; and knowing it’s very unlikely with our luck that we ever get to experience that side of life !   Yep, RAPP may interfere with our destiny to reach # 32!  😂👍.  I like the way you think , no dream is too small to be shattered ! 😂

[1ManRaid]

21 hours ago, Airseven said:

Last year was Rapp’s best season statistically.

 

Good I guess heh.  I was just working off what I've been told, don't really know the player.

[T master]

From anything i've been hereing this is a great signing not only for this year incase of injuries but for the future seeing as both Hyde & Poyer are either at the end of their contracts or closer to the end of their careers than this guy .

 

Beane is looking to the future ! Good move ...

[wppete]

Taylor Rapp gets #28 and James Cooks goes back to #4. I like the Jersey numbers. 

[Warcodered]

 

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

This could be a very underrated signing. The one thing I trust about McD/Beane is their DB evaluations. Poyer & Hyde were fairly mediocre Safety’s before they came to Buffalo.