Bills sign Latavius Murray to a one-year deal

[Solomon Grundy]

4 hours ago, TheBeaneBandit said:

Cook as trade bait?....... kidding, kidding......or am I?

🤔

[Bulldog]

5 minutes ago, ColoradoBills said:

 

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.

 

 

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.  

I like it too - acquiring solid veteran depth - someone with some history of NFL success - is a solid signing. 

[Big Turk]

27 minutes ago, Beck Water said:

 

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.

 

 

 

 

Taiwan Jones was on the active roster and was an RB so perhaps they are making concessions somewhere

[Freddie's Dead]

I missed this earlier, but this guy is a 2nd team Key & Peele All-Star, so he's got that going for him, which is nice.

[Paup 1995MVP]

1 hour ago, NewEra said:

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.  

The lack of use of Yeldon really burned me up.  He had game.  Came out of Bama and was a 2nd round draft pick of the Jags in 2015.  He had a little burst and had good hands.  He wasn't a star, but was an NFL RB.  And after one fumble against the Pats, he almost never saw the field again.  

[colin]

in the playoff loss to cinci, the fourth loss on the entire season, we got pushed around and abused w a big back blasting up the middle and efficient passing scored quickly on us.  going the other way, we had trash blocking and only one WR showed up to play and the wheels straight fell off.

 

now, at the end of the season, we will be able to line up Dawkins, Mcgov, morse, torrence, brown (with a healed back) and two tight ends in kinkaid and knox, and any combo of josh allen, Diggs and and other WR, and one of our now 4 backs.

 

I think we now have a package to pass or power run out of and dictate to the D without over committing before the snap.  we simply didn't have this arrow in the quiver last season.  after watching saffold physically give up on plays i'll take anyone on our roster who can play G over him.

 

we talked about how we need more blocking to get our RBs to produce, well now we have that and some new bigger RBs who can push the pile.  allen and diggs along w that is a scary sight

[Ethan in Cleveland]

I'd be fine keeping him. 

Get rid of the FB and you can keep an extra RB.

[Paup 1995MVP]

1 hour 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?

Dam 16 reps in the bench for an NFL O lineman is not good.  My son did 23 reps weighing 235 pounds at his pro day, and he hadn't benched in a while because of a broken finger.  Heck when I was younger I did close to that before age and bone spurs in my left shoulder cut out the heavy lifting.  Lets hope someone steps up to play on the outside reasonably well.  What do you think of Tommy Doyle's chances to be a serviceable O lineman?

[Warriorspikes51]

6 minutes ago, colin said:

in the playoff loss to cinci, the fourth loss on the entire season, we got pushed around and abused w a big back blasting up the middle and efficient passing scored quickly on us.  going the other way, we had trash blocking and only one WR showed up to play and the wheels straight fell off.

 

now, at the end of the season, we will be able to line up Dawkins, Mcgov, morse, torrence, brown (with a healed back) and two tight ends in kinkaid and knox, and any combo of josh allen, Diggs and and other WR, and one of our now 4 backs.

 

I think we now have a package to pass or power run out of and dictate to the D without over committing before the snap.  we simply didn't have this arrow in the quiver last season.  after watching saffold physically give up on plays i'll take anyone on our roster who can play G over him.

 

we talked about how we need more blocking to get our RBs to produce, well now we have that and some new bigger RBs who can push the pile.  allen and diggs along w that is a scary sight

 

I'm sort of holding out hope that we acquire a higher end WR. If Hopkins, Keenan Allen or someone else is cut. 

A trade for a handful of different receivers could also still be possible. With that said, Kincaid will be on the field a lot and Shorter may be impactful

 

Actually, with our current trend toward being much bigger on offense, Mike Evans would make sense

 

Edited May 1, 2023 by Warriorspikes51

[TampaBillsJunkie]

42 minutes ago, PBF81 said:

 

  He brings nothing to the table that we don't already have.  33 years old too.  

6'3" 230lb. He's the biggest back in the room and still has some speed and juice in the tank. A crafty veteran who has been around and will help the RB room with his experience. He's insurance in case of injury and can grind out tough yards that will save wear and tear on Cook and Harris.  It's another weapon to be deployed. 

[LABILLBACKER]

4 hours ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

Bizarre. I sort of liked who they were riding with before. Too crowded. 

I agree. I wanted Hines to get more touches. Now that's unlikely?

[Solomon Grundy]

#28 is available 😀

[colin]

1 minute ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

 

I'm sort of holding out hope that we acquire a higher end WR. If Hopkins, Keenan Allen or someone else is cut. 

A trade for a handful of different receivers could also still be possible. With that said, Kincaid will be on the field a lot and Shorter may be impactful

 

 

i suppose, but if they signed a real stud, who gets bumped?  i get that the marginal players we signed can all just get cut or whatever, but w RBs, TEs, and a small splash of new WR talent (better than the literal retired retreads we had last season) it looks like the entire O is better, skill positions and blocking.  

 

that said, would love to see hopkins come in and put us over the top.

[LABILLBACKER]

9 minutes ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

I'd be fine keeping him. 

Get rid of the FB and you can keep an extra RB.

Exactly,  do we really need Gilliam?

[TampaBillsJunkie]

Just now, LABILLBACKER said:

I agree. I wanted Hines to get more touches. Now that's unlikely?

He's not taking away from Hines.  Hines is not your 3rd and 1, 3rd and 2 guy or even 1st and 10 run.  He'll take away touches from Harris and that's okay. Keeps guys fresh for the end of the year. 

[PBF81]

45 minutes ago, Dr. Who said:

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.

 

So you're saying what precisely, that none of our other RBs are tough?  Or consistent?  

 

Just to clarify.  

 

 

[MrEpsYtown]

6 minutes ago, TampaBillsJunkie said:

6'3" 230lb. He's the biggest back in the room and still has some speed and juice in the tank. A crafty veteran who has been around and will help the RB room with his experience. He's insurance in case of injury and can grind out tough yards that will save wear and tear on Cook and Harris.  It's another weapon to be deployed. 

This 100%. A vet in a room full of young guys. He’s produced with limited opportunities in the past, he is great insurance and a great teammate. 

[LEBills]

3 minutes ago, LABILLBACKER said:

Exactly,  do we really need Gilliam?

this is so true, doubt he would even be picked up by another team so you could keep him on practice squad or speed dial

[Dillenger4]

4 hours ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

He had 700 yards and 5TDs in 12 games last year.  I think he makes the 53.  Keep 4 RBs

 

Yep - he actually had 760 yds, 6 TD's in 12 games. YPC is 4.4. 132 receiving yards.

 

Singleton: 819yds, 5TD's, in 17 games. (Let's call it 16 games as the Bengals Hamlin game didn't really count). YPC is 4.4.  280 receiving yards.

 

*Murry's average receiving yards are on 11-15 yard receptions. Interesting.

 

 

 

 

[PBF81]

31 minutes ago, ColoradoBills said:

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.

 

 

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.  

 

Yes, I'm familiar with his role on other teams, but as stated, he's 33.  That's old for a RB contrary to what opinions may be otherwise.  

 

I'm not sure that I see us carrying 5 RBs, and again, other than for injury insurance, I'm not seeing what he adds given our offense, which already underutilizes RBs.  I still say that there's a good chance he's not even on the 53 come opening day.  

 

There's an awful lot of defensive posturing on this signing as if it has any significance in achieving wins.  The size of the contract says something.  

 

That is all.  

 

And BTW. 4.2 ypc is incredibly average.  FWIW  

 

 

 

 

Edited May 1, 2023 by PBF81