Bills sign Latavius Murray to a one-year deal

[CapeBreton]

6 minutes ago, JohnBonhamRocks said:

I think they usually have 5 total counting Gilliam and the PS. Speculation is Kincaid and Shavers respectively make Gilliam and Jones expendable. 

 

Shavers could make Jones expendable, but how would Kincaid make Gilliam expendable? 

[BillsShredder83]

2 hours ago, SCBills said:

Love it.  Harris is really good, but injury prone.  Murray gives us insurance in that role. 

Isnt Murray injury prone too? LOL the newest EJ Gaines situation here

[JJGauna]

Gordon was an absolute wreck for the Broncos last year fumbling every play, Murray stepped in and they immediately improved. Great signing, he has always been underutilized so there should be plenty of tread left.

[Yawning Frog]

[Low Positive]

5 minutes ago, CapeBreton said:

 

Shavers could make Jones expendable, but how would Kincaid make Gilliam expendable? 

Jones has already been expended. He’s an unsigned UFA.

[Warriorspikes51]

7 minutes ago, CapeBreton said:

 

Shavers could make Jones expendable, but how would Kincaid make Gilliam expendable? 

Gilliam offers blocking as FB or TE, which Kincaid won't be doing 

[NewEra]

32 minutes ago, Paup 1995MVP said:

I hope you are not bashing Duke Johnson.  Duke could still play.  And the Bills buried him on the depth chart behind Moss Singletary and Cook.  Just like they did to TJ Yeldon when he could play as well.  

 

Murray is solid if not spectacular.  And a backfield of Murray Harris and Cook is excellent.  Hynes will be the kick and punt returner.  And can be an option out of the backfield in special situations.  

Not bashing either of them. 
 

I thought Duke Johnson was Motor/Cook insurance. 

 

I think Murray is Harris insurance.  
 

edit:  and as @Motorin' pointed out-  Murray is more like Yeldon as there’s a good chance he makes the team and is just inactive - as opposed to Duke, who was a PS player.  

Edited May 1, 2023 by NewEra

[Brand J]

10 minutes ago, Paup 1995MVP said:

Baller can Edwards play RT also?  It seems odd that we have drafted a RG with a high pick, and signed two guards in Free Agency, one getting a big contract, and have two decent guards already on the roster in Bates and Boettger.  (Ike when healthy is at least fairly competent and tough if not very good) And have not signed anyone to specifically compete at RT.  (Do the Bills think that Tommy Doyle if healthy can compete w Spencer Brown for the starting job at RT?)

Edwards has the height, weight, arm length, and all that jazz, but he’s a marginal athlete. Only put up 16 reps on the bench too, so I’m not sure he could even be more than a Quessenberry. I share your same concerns regarding tackle, both sides. Dion has above average spurts, followed by average ones. Spencer’s struggles are well documented. Someone from inside will have to kick outside. A media member asked if Torrence could play out there and Beane of course said he’d start on the inside. Wouldn’t it be great if our 2nd round pick somehow defied his athletic limitations and beat out Spencer?

[JohnBonhamRocks]

10 minutes ago, CapeBreton said:

 

Shavers could make Jones expendable, but how would Kincaid make Gilliam expendable? 

This is not necessarily my take, but what I heard was Kincaid’s pseudo-H-back abilities are somewhat redundant to Gilliam’s. 

[Warriorspikes51]

3 minutes ago, JayBaller10 said:

Edwards has the height, weight, arm length, and all that jazz, but he’s a marginal athlete. Only put up 16 reps on the bench too, so I’m not sure he could even be more than a Quessenberry. I share your same concerns regarding tackle, both sides. Dion has above average spurts, followed by average ones. Spencer’s struggles are well documented. Someone from inside will have to kick outside. A media member asked if Torrence could play out there and Beane of course said he’d start on the inside. Wouldn’t it be great if our 2nd round pick somehow defied his athletic limitations and beat out Spencer?

 

Did he not start at Guard for the Rams SB season?

[Brand J]

23 minutes ago, KDIGGZ said:

I see a lot of "I bet" and "hopefully" and "it's likely" when it comes to McGovern. Yes hopefully he's better and not worse. Both are possible outcomes. Too early to say our OL is any better let alone "vastly improved" and "leaps and bounds better."

By this logic it’s too early to say that tight end has improved, because what evidence do we have that Kincaid is better than Morris?
 

All we have is the paper to judge and on paper the IOL is better than last year. 

Just now, Warriorspikes51 said:

 

Did he not start at Guard for the Rams SB season?

Yeah Edwards has been a guard in the league. The other poster was asking if he could kick out to tackle.

[Virgil]

28 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

I'm slow.  Don't the Bills carry four running backs in the 53?   Harris, Murray, Cook, Hines.    Or is Gilliam one of the four?   

 

I agree with others that Taiwan Jones, nominally a running back, is likely done, and his special teams role will be filled by others.  

For me, 

 

1st down backs are Cook and either Harris or Murray 

 

3rd down is Hines and Cook.  
 

I don’t see a need for both.  We couldn’t use Motor, Moss, and Cook in a good rotation. 
 

Also, who replaces Jones on ST?

 

I think it will be Cook, Hines, Jones, and then Murray or Harris.  I can’t see them keeping 5 

[Beck Water]

3 hours ago, Roundybout said:

 

Duke Johnson replacement?

 

 

I don't understand this at all - can someone explain it to me, using small words?

 

What does our running back room look like after this signing?  How are the various backs used and who is game-day active?

[JGMcD2]

2 hours ago, KDIGGZ said:

Your answer is above

So your well thought out opinion is that Saffold, despite being miserable last year, is a veteran who was named to Pro Bowls in his career, which means he wasn’t miserable last year? 

 

2 hours ago, KDIGGZ said:

The rookie only plays on the right side so he is the backup to Bates until we see otherwise. MCgovern may or may not be better this year than Saffold who is a multiple pro bowl veteran player, we'll see. People seem to be accepting that as a fact for some reason 

 

[Big Turk]

Love it...adding varied skill sets all over the roster...

[NewEra]

3 minutes ago, Virgil said:

For me, 

 

1st down backs are Cook and either Harris or Murray 

 

3rd down is Hines and Cook.  
 

I don’t see a need for both.  We couldn’t use Motor, Moss, and Cook in a good rotation. 
 

Also, who replaces Jones on ST?

 

I think it will be Cook, Hines, Jones, and then Murray or Harris.  I can’t see them keeping 5 

I think/hope that we’ve seen the last of jones as a bill.  I will do my best to manifest this.  Just as I manifested not drafting Mazi Smith in rd 1.

[Warriorspikes51]

5 minutes ago, Beck Water said:

 

I don't understand this at all - can someone explain it to me, using small words?

 

What does our running back room look like after this signing?  How are the various backs used and who is game-day active?

Cook - Speed, elusiveness, pass catching 
Harris - Physical, Power, Speed, Goal line

Murray - Punisher, Goal line, Close out games
Hines - Motion, Wheel routes, screens, ST

As for the down usage, I think it can really be changed up to keep defenses guessing.  I'd also expect some 2 back sets. Especially inside the 10

Edited May 1, 2023 by Warriorspikes51

[Big Turk]

3 hours ago, CaptnCoke11 said:

I can’t seem them having Hines, Harris, Cook and Murray all active game day 

 

Likely will be gameplan specific.

[TampaBillsJunkie]

3 hours ago, KDIGGZ said:

RB might be the only position group besides TE that we have improved at. Everything else is the same or worse. They really seemed to focus on getting some veteran help at that position this year.

OL is better  Safety is better.  WR's are better.  QB is better (Allen > Keenum)  CB should be better with Elam and Bedford gaining experience, Trey recovered.  
Jury is out on DL/LB.  But I think we may bring in some vets here soon.  Overall, the team looks improved. The question will be if the Jets/Dolphins improved enough to pass us.

[Big Turk]

6 minutes ago, Beck Water said:

 

I don't understand this at all - can someone explain it to me, using small words?

 

What does our running back room look like after this signing?  How are the various backs used and who is game-day active?

 

It gives them versatility and ways to attack teams differently to expose what they are weak at. Who is active will likely be gameday specific in regards to how they plan on attacking the team.

 

Basically it gives the Bills a lot more options, which is what is seems lile they have been focused on doing offensively this off-season.

 

Bringing lots of guys in with different skills sets to give more options and ways of attacking teams.

Edited May 1, 2023 by Big Turk

[hondo in seattle]

19 minutes ago, BillsShredder83 said:

Isnt Murray injury prone too? LOL the newest EJ Gaines situation here

 

But what are the odds of Murray and Harris being injured at the same time?

[Sierra Foothills]

21 minutes ago, BillsShredder83 said:

Isnt Murray injury prone too? LOL the newest EJ Gaines situation here

 

As was ALREADY stated upthread, Murray has missed a total of 10 games in 9 NFL seasons as a running back.

 

1 minute ago, hondo in seattle said:

 

But what are the odds of Murray and Harris being injured at the same time?

 

Good question.

 

What do you think the odds are?

 

 

[Beck Water]

2 minutes ago, Virgil said:

Also, who replaces Jones on ST?

 

That's unclear yet, but WR Trent Sherfield clocked a 4.45 40 and plays teams.

DB Zane Anderson  clocked a 4.44 40, and played 69% of the snaps for the Chiefs last year

I think our taller 5th round WR Shorter played teams but I don't know if he returned or played another position.  He ran a slower 40, 4.55, but I think he plays faster

Tyrell Shavers, our UDFA from San Diego, is said to be an ace gunner. 4.59 40

 

[SectionC3]

48 minutes ago, Paup 1995MVP said:

I hope you are not bashing Duke Johnson.  Duke could still play.  And the Bills buried him on the depth chart behind Moss Singletary and Cook.  Just like they did to TJ Yeldon when he could play as well.  

 

Murray is solid if not spectacular.  And a backfield of Murray Harris and Cook is excellent.  Hynes will be the kick and punt returner.  And can be an option out of the backfield in special situations.  

You lost me at Yeldon could still play. 

[Warriorspikes51]

9 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

 

It gives them versatility and ways to attack teams differently to expose what they are weak at. Who is active will likely be gameday specific in regards to how they plan on attacking the team.

 

Basically it gives the Bills a lot more options, which is what is seems lile they have been focused on doing offensively this off-season.

 

Bringing lots of guys in with different skills sets to give more options and ways of attacking teams.

WISHBONE FORMATION BABY!  😆

 

 

[hondo in seattle]

52 minutes ago, Sierra Foothills said:

 

He's consistently had juice.

 

He's a 9 year vet with eight straight seasons of at least 500 yards. Only once has he averaged less than 4.0 per carry. He has power and speed and doesn't fumble the ball.

 

 

I've always maintained that McDermott (from his comments) is a neanderthal football coach at heart. We pass because we have Josh Allen but McDermott would love to be able to play smash mouth football. I'm getting visions of Ottis Anderson running against us in Super Bowl XXV.

 

 

This fires me up.

 

Downhill, punishing... excellent vision. It's been about 10 years so people forget that Murray ran a sub 4.4 forty at the combine. This is a big, physical, durable, dependable, running back who can still outrun linebackers.

 

Also he's averaged 10.5 yards per reception... a part of his game that's been underutilized.

 

The Bills can go jumbo with the 2 TE set and teams will be overplaying the run when Murray's in the game.

 

 

 

Not to be Debbie Downer but the video was not super impressive.  With maybe one exception, I feel like Motor had the vision, power, and speed to make any of those runs.  

 

On the other hand, I think the new RB room of Harris, Murray, Cook, and Hines is the best group of RBs we've had since Shady was the headliner.  And I like the variety.

[Warriorspikes51]

Just now, hondo in seattle said:

 

Not to be Debbie Downer but the video was not super impressive.  With maybe one exception, I feel like Motor had the vision, power, and speed to make any of those runs.  

 

On the other hand, I think the new RB room of Harris, Murray, Cook, and Hines is the best group of RBs we've had since Shady was the headliner.  And I like the variety.

 

Personally, I thought he looked much bigger, stronger and faster than Motor. He also does not fumble. 

[PBF81]

3 hours ago, CaptnCoke11 said:

I can’t seem them having Hines, Harris, Cook and Murray all active game day 

 

I don't see him making the final roster.   He brings nothing to the table that we don't already have.  33 years old too.  

[Beck Water]

12 minutes ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

Cook - Speed, elusiveness, pass catching 
Harris - Physical, Power, Speed, Goal line

Murray - Punisher, Goal line, Close out games
Hines - Motion, Wheel routes, screens, ST

As for the down usage, I think it can really be changed up to keep defenses guessing.  I'd also expect some 2 back sets. Especially inside the 10

 

Thanks for the response. 

 

I guess I was partly looking at it from the perspective of the team composition as a whole.  In another thread, I think it was @JGMcD2 who put out a pretty good post-draft guess at a 53 man roster and suggested we might roster 3 RB + a FB and 7 WR, vs 4 RB + a FB and 6 WR.  The thinking is that we drafted a WR (usually keep those guys on the roster), we just signed an UDFA who excels as a gunner, and we're no longer keeping an RB roster spot for ace STer Taiwan Jones - instead we may need roster spots at WR and S for STers.

 

 

[PBF81]

3 hours ago, NewEra said:

Welcome Duke Johnson 2.0-

 

Different style, but what, a 33-year old RB with marginal prior performance.  Not sure what, if anything, he actually adds.  

 

 

[NewEra]

Just now, PBF81 said:

 

Different style, but what, a 33-year old RB with marginal prior performance.  Not sure what, if anything, he actually adds.  

 

 

Obv different style.  As I added later in the thread-  he’s more Yeldon as he’ll be on the 53- yet inactive.  What he adds is insurance.  He’s not a bad back-  he’s a solid north south option- especially as a 4th option. 

[Warriorspikes51]

Beane is on OBL right now heaping praises on him.  Leadership, film last season was impressive. Big, long arms, strong. Mentioned short yardage usage 

[Virgil]

20 minutes ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

Cook - Speed, elusiveness, pass catching 
Harris - Physical, Power, Speed, Goal line

Murray - Punisher, Goal line, Close out games
Hines - Motion, Wheel routes, screens, ST

As for the down usage, I think it can really be changed up to keep defenses guessing.  I'd also expect some 2 back sets. Especially inside the 10

 

To me, Cook and Hines are similar.  Cook can handle more early down carries as well

Harris and Murray are very similar, with Harris being more of the power back.

 

I feel like we are locked into Hines and Cook, which is why I think Harris or Murray will be the odd man out

[Dr. Who]

5 minutes ago, PBF81 said:

 

I don't see him making the final roster.   He brings nothing to the table that we don't already have.  33 years old too.  

He brings consistency, toughness, and can back up Damien Harris who has some injury history.

Also, I'm not too inclined to agree with your takes, especially when it's your 666th post. The Universe sometimes gives a signal.

[Beck Water]

17 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

 

It gives them versatility and ways to attack teams differently to expose what they are weak at. Who is active will likely be gameday specific in regards to how they plan on attacking the team.

 

Basically it gives the Bills a lot more options, which is what is seems lile they have been focused on doing offensively this off-season.

 

Bringing lots of guys in with different skills sets to give more options and ways of attacking teams.

 

Well, yeah but.... there are limited roster positions overall.  So if you're carrying 4 RBs, you're carrying less guys somewhere else.  And we have a lot of "versatility" to find roster spots for already between Harris, Cook, Hines then in the WR room Harty, Sherfield, Shorter and maybe Shavers.

 

Then there's the idea that RBs hit a "wall" and their performance falls off after age 29 - Murray is 33.

 

I guess if we brought him in to give the room that vet presence McDermott values and help keep the young guys taking care of their bodies and film, and we plan to Duke Johnson him/he's OK with that, it makes sense.

 

 

 

[NewEra]

5 minutes ago, Virgil said:

 

To me, Cook and Hines are similar.  Cook can handle more early down carries as well

Harris and Murray are very similar, with Harris being more of the power back.

 

I feel like we are locked into Hines and Cook, which is why I think Harris or Murray will be the odd man out

I think jones is the odd man out

[Virgil]

6 minutes ago, NewEra said:

I think jones is the odd man out

 

I plead ignorance here.  Jones clearly does something on special teams that they love.  Whatever that is, I think they would need someone to fill that role.  I just don't know who that is, or what that is.

[bobobonators]

Well based on last year, Hines will only be used in special teams returning kicks and punts. So that only really leaves us 3RB, one of which will very likely get injured leaving us 2RB. 
 

Make sense now? 😊

[Big Blitz]

RB

Cook/Hines

Harris/Murray

 

WR 
Diggs

Davis 

Shakir

Shorter 

Harty

Sherfield 

Knox

Kincaid

 

OL depth everywhere now - this group is better.  Insert obligatory *if Spencer Brown can* then it’s potentially elite.  

 

Depth at LB - upgraded backup to Milano

 

Depth at CB

 

Depth at Safety.   

 

Add a 1 tech DT and another edge guy.  Dline is the last piece.  

This team is close to ready to roll.  

 

[ColoradoBills]

2 hours ago, Royale with Cheese said:

Is it possible Hines doesn't make it?  Hardy and Hyde both have punt return experience.  Kickoffs, I'm sure we have multiple that have done it as well.

 

I think he makes the roster this year.  His contract is set up that next season ($5.5M) could easily be in doubt to make the team.

It would make sense to use him fully as a returner this year and be looking for his replacement next season.

 

4 minutes ago, PBF81 said:

 

Different style, but what, a 33-year old RB with marginal prior performance.  Not sure what, if anything, he actually adds.  

 

 

 

Murray's role for a number of years has been either splitting time or 2nd string.  He will be Harris's backup insurance.

It makes perfect sense.  He's also a very, very good pass blocker.  He hasn't been overworked for years.

He's got 57 TDs in his career and 4.2 YPC.  If that's marginal as a bruising RB, I guess you have your opinion.

I wouldn't make too much about his age, he's a 3rd string running back on this team.

He's filling these roles with a 1-year contract for cheap money to try and get a ring.  He will give the effort when called upon.

 

I like the signing a lot.