Morse Released

[Matt_In_NH]

12 hours ago, Realist said:

Aging, concussion history, 8 million cap hit...not sure why so many are surprised at this one.

So they should waive Taron Johnson too right?   The concussion thing is so overblown with Morse.  

[BobbyC81]

15 hours ago, bills6969 said:

Painful.  Our Oline was finally good again.  Big hole to fill now

I don’t know.  Some of you guys frequent sites like All22 that can provide more details but I just remember Morse frequently getting pushed by a rushing DT right into Josh.

 

It was time to put a younger hopefully better guy in there.

Edited March 7 by BobbyC81

[John from Riverside]

I honestly don’t think that it’s set in stone that McGovern will get that center spot
 

There are some centers in this draft that look pretty good

 

take An offensive lineman every year

[Call_Of_Ktulu]

Rebuilding year for sure

[Spiderweb]

6 minutes ago, Call_Of_Ktulu said:

Rebuilding year for sure

A wasted year on Allen's career seems likely...

[stuvian]

It was always a point of pride that we had the highest paid center in the league as long as we did but I never felt that we have had an elite o-line as a result. 

[Freddie's Dead]

Farewell Mitchell Morse, and we thank you.

[Blank Stare]

Classy dude!

[Matt_In_NH]

1 hour ago, Spiderweb said:

A wasted year on Allen's career seems likely...

Over Morse, Poyer and White?  White has not been available for years, Poyer was showing his age.  Morse is a hit but something that can be absorbed.   I totally disagree, this is retooling and will not impact overall results expectation very much.

[Bruffalo]

1 minute ago, Matt_In_NH said:

Over Morse, Poyer and White?  White has not been available for years, Poyer was showing his age.  Morse is a hit but something that can be absorbed.   I totally disagree, this is retooling and will not impact overall results expectation very much.

Totally. Douglas played at an extremely high level for us last season, arguably better than White ever has. 

 

Poyer/Hyde were awesome but the age caught up and they were playing at a baseline acceptable level last season. You don't pay 8 million for acceptable. 

 

Neal, Hines, Harty? Basically losing nothing. 

 

Morse is the only contributor that can't be obviously replaced, but it seems like they have a plan.  They must have seen things from Edwards and McGovern that makes them think this move makes sense.  They can draft a lineman early-ish too and I don't think anyone will be that upset. 

[ddaryl]

I love the aggresive moves. I'm in the mindset we need to rip off the band-aid... reset... and prepare for Allens back 9. We can not do that if we keep kicking the can down the road. Time to bullet bite, get younger and create cap space for this year and have cap space flexibility for the next few.

[Captain Hindsight]

4 hours ago, Matt_In_NH said:

Over Morse, Poyer and White?  White has not been available for years, Poyer was showing his age.  Morse is a hit but something that can be absorbed.   I totally disagree, this is retooling and will not impact overall results expectation very much.

Agreed. Emotionally, the moves hurt as those are all guys I like. But it shows me the team is going to be moving forward and getting younger. The last few years have shown that we need some new blood at certain positions. They held on for one more year, but it was time to move on from these guys 

[Buffalo Super Fan]

7 hours ago, Call_Of_Ktulu said:

Rebuilding year for sure

Disagree it’s never a rebuilding year that is just a made up excuse from management, coaches and players to explain failure and there shortcomings. Every team in the NFL has salary cap cuts that isn’t unique to the Buffalo Bills. The Kansas City Chiefs were fine so will the Buffalo Bills. The Bills are just going to be a more offensive team instead of a defensive team which is a good thing when you have a quarterback like Josh Allen in my opinion. Go Bills! Let’s Go Buffalo 

[Shaw66]

5 hours ago, Matt_In_NH said:

Over Morse, Poyer and White?  White has not been available for years, Poyer was showing his age.  Morse is a hit but something that can be absorbed.   I totally disagree, this is retooling and will not impact overall results expectation very much.

I agree.  

 

Turnover is part of the program in any well-run franchise.  

 

Morse generally wasn't physical enough from my point of view.  As others have said, he'd get pushed around in pass pro sometimes, and he wasn't a great power blocker.   What he was was a solid leader in the middle of the line, in charge, standup guy.  That will be missed.  Also as others have said, this move isn't leaving a vacuum.  They have a plan for the position, and no doubt a backup plan, too.  And a center probably will be added to the equation someplace along the way, starter or backup.   I'm not concerned. 

 

I often repeat what I heard Colin say one day.   He asked a Las Vegas odds maker how much it would affect the point spread if JJ Watt (at the time he was the reigning defensive player of the year) was out of the lineup.  The odds maker said, "maybe a half point."   So, if JJ Watt is a half point in the point spread, what is a solid but not spectacular center?   The league is full of talented athletes, well trained, committed.   Some are better than others, of course, but the difference between the starter and a quality replacement often is pretty small.  

[Lost]

Any chance Morse or Poyer end up back in Buffalo at the start of camp?   The safety market is pretty saturated this offseason.   I'm not sure what Mitch is looking but he seems like the kinda guy would want to retire in Buffalo if he's not liking the kind of offers he's getting out there.

[Buffalo_Stampede]

1 minute ago, Lost said:

Any chance Morse or Poyer end up back in Buffalo at the start of camp?   The safety market is pretty saturated this offseason.   I'm not sure what Mitch is looking but he seems like the kinda guy would want to retire in Buffalo if he's not liking the kind of offers he's getting out there.

No. Reason is they took on dead cap to release them. They’re gone.

[Shaw66]

37 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

No. Reason is they took on dead cap to release them. They’re gone.

I'm cap ignorant.  Can you explain this?  I thought when the Bills cut a guy, they took the cap hit, and the guy became a free agent.  As a free agent, he's free to sign with any team, but there's an additional cap consequence if he goes back to his former team? 

 

Or did you just mean that once the franchise takes the hit, it's making a commitment to getting younger at the position, so they actually don't want the guy back?  Frankly, I'm expecting that the Bills will bring in a veteran free agent to start at some position, safety, center, even guard, really anyplace up and down the lineup.  So, if it were Morse that they needed for a year, you think the Bills wouldn't be interested?

 

I'm not challenging what you said; just trying to understand what you meant.  

[Nextmanup]

On 3/6/2024 at 4:09 PM, Beast said:

Not a fan of this.

 

We will be taking a clear step back next season.

We may very well take a step back next year, but it won't be b/c of the cuts that were made.

 

This team was always going to look a lot different in 2024.

 

 

[Buffalo_Stampede]

4 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

I'm cap ignorant.  Can you explain this?  I thought when the Bills cut a guy, they took the cap hit, and the guy became a free agent.  As a free agent, he's free to sign with any team, but there's an additional cap consequence if he goes back to his former team? 

 

Or did you just mean that once the franchise takes the hit, it's making a commitment to getting younger at the position, so they actually don't want the guy back?  Frankly, I'm expecting that the Bills will bring in a veteran free agent to start at some position, safety, center, even guard, really anyplace up and down the lineup.  So, if it were Morse that they needed for a year, you think the Bills wouldn't be interested?

 

I'm not challenging what you said; just trying to understand what you meant.  

They terminated the contract of Morse taking a $3 million dead cap hit they can’t erase.
 

It just wouldn’t make sense to sign him back. If they wanted him on the team next year they would’ve worked out something.

[stinky finger]

On 3/6/2024 at 4:09 PM, Beast said:

Not a fan of this.

 

We will be taking a clear step back next season.

Well - this seals it.

 

Beane done good here.

1 hour ago, Lost said:

Any chance Morse or Poyer end up back in Buffalo at the start of camp?   The safety market is pretty saturated this offseason.   I'm not sure what Mitch is looking but he seems like the kinda guy would want to retire in Buffalo if he's not liking the kind of offers he's getting out there.

Why? Now is the time to get younger - and better. What we had didn't work. Why on earth go back?

[Shaw66]

1 hour ago, Nextmanup said:

 

This team was always going to look a lot different in 2024.

 

That's true in a lot of ways.  They signed Miller to be an impact player in 22 and 23 and hoped for the best after that.  The writing was on the wall for Poyer and Hyde, although the timing was still unclear.  Diggs would be in his prime, and they'd have Davis on a cheap contract.  And remember, Edmunds was the start of the parade out the door.  

 

2024 was always going to be like this.  But as others have said, it just doesn't look to be too bad.   The offense needs two players - a center or guard and a receiver.   The defense needs a safety and probably a corner, although Douglas, Benford, Elam is a very nice fallback plan  There are some things that would be nice, but that aren't essential.   That's five players, with a tight but manageable cap budget and a boatload of picks.  

 

Beane will get Brady a receiver, and rest will be up to him.  McDermott will get the defensive backfield together, and the Bills will be a contender.   

Edited March 7 by Shaw66

[Buffalo_Stampede]

One thing that I found odd about all of this was the report that McGovern was moving to center. Why release that information? It just was odd to me? I mean the Bills have suspended reporters for releasing lineup information at training camp. This one is odd.

[Shaw66]

1 minute ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

One thing that I found odd about all of this was the report that McGovern was moving to center. Why release that information? It just was odd to me? I mean the Bills have suspended reporters for releasing lineup information at training camp. This one is odd.

That's a good point.  Probably someone made a mistake.  

 

Or here's a theory.  They don't know who's playing guard or center.  McGovern is a possibility.  Getting the word out lets everyone know the Bills are in the market for either.   If they didn't say it, people would assume the Bills have high need at center and none at guard.  THis gives them options.  Just a guess. 

[Buffalo_Stampede]

4 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

That's a good point.  Probably someone made a mistake.  

 

Or here's a theory.  They don't know who's playing guard or center.  McGovern is a possibility.  Getting the word out lets everyone know the Bills are in the market for either.   If they didn't say it, people would assume the Bills have high need at center and none at guard.  THis gives them options.  Just a guess. 

There was a little walking back from what I heard on the radio today but they were pretty clear yesterday a source told them McGovern is moving to center.

 

I just wonder if Aaron Kromer is the source.  Kromer has leaked stuff to reporters before back in Chicago.

[Shaw66]

10 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

There was a little walking back from what I heard on the radio today but they were pretty clear yesterday a source told them McGovern is moving to center.

 

I just wonder if Aaron Kromer is the source.  Kromer has leaked stuff to reporters before back in Chicago.

That's an interesting theory.  Not that I know him, but my sense of him is a real matter-of-fact guy who is pretty casual about things like that.  

 

If I recall it correctly, there's some miscommunication and recommunication about Dorian Williams and middle linebacker.  

 

I suspect McDermott's view is that every position is open for any solution and they aren't going to presuppose anything.  And McDermott would rather that his coaches haven't formed an opinion yet.  McDermott's challenge to the coaches is create competition and see who's good, and don't presuppose anything. 

[Malazan]

I don't think it's that complicated. McGovern is moving to center unless another option presents itself. Since no such option exists at present.. that is the plan.

Edited March 7 by Malazan

[FitzShowUsYourTitz]

On 3/6/2024 at 4:28 PM, Lagoon Blues said:

Gonna miss Mitch....always gave the impression of a good dude.  Wonder how josh feels about this one.

I think guys understand completely that it’s a business.  Not only that but it’s a business with centers making $10mil + a year AND a salary cap.  Another way to say the same thing is:  Morse is not (necessarily) being cut because the team doesn’t want to keep him, but essentially they can’t… or let’s just say they can’t keep everyone.

 

I don’t think Josh or anyone else is that naïve.

On 3/6/2024 at 4:36 PM, Aussie Joe said:

 

Could see them using one of their 6th Round picks on a Punter 

was thinking the exact same thing yesterday…

maybe even go and get a great one in the 5th.  

[aristocrat]

Use the second on a center and set the spot up for years. Commit to the o line and protecting josh

[John from Riverside]

17 hours ago, Call_Of_Ktulu said:

Rebuilding year for sure

It’s more like a on the move retool

 

The core pieces are in place

[zow2]

On 3/6/2024 at 4:28 PM, Lagoon Blues said:

Gonna miss Mitch....always gave the impression of a good dude.  Wonder how josh feels about this one.

 

Behind the scenes, is there more to this release than money?  I know he's had concussion issues.  I agree, the QB-Center relationship is big and I can't imagine they would release Morse if there was any way to restructure or make it work for both side.  

But what would I know...maybe his play really fell off and I didn't notice.

[Sgt. Ski]

On 3/6/2024 at 3:06 PM, BuffaloBillyG said:

 

Hopefully they will resign him to  a 1 year deal 3 mil/year. 

[Mr. WEO]

wow 10 pages!

[John from Riverside]

Even days later, I think this is the one that bothers me the most
 

I mean I get it it’s just that our line was actually good last year. Don’t want to do anything to mess it up.

[schoolhouserock]

16 hours ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

One thing that I found odd about all of this was the report that McGovern was moving to center. Why release that information? It just was odd to me? I mean the Bills have suspended reporters for releasing lineup information at training camp. This one is odd.

This is a really thought provoking question. In the whirlwind of that day, it flew right by me.

[Fan in Chicago]

48 minutes ago, Sgt. Ski said:

Hopefully they will resign him to  a 1 year deal 3 mil/year. 

 

[Prospector]

42 minutes ago, Fan in Chicago said:

 

a drunk ran over the stop sign in my neighborhood... the city came and put a new one in. It was re-signed

Edited March 8 by Prospector

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

1 hour ago, schoolhouserock said:

This is a really thought provoking question. In the whirlwind of that day, it flew right by me.

1. Belichick is gone.  The league is now operating on 'total disclosure'.

2. Bills playing 4-D chess.  One week before the season, the Bills release McGovern, and move Elam to C.

🤔

[Buffalo_Stampede]

Might find a job quick.

 

 

[NickelCity]

18 hours ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

One thing that I found odd about all of this was the report that McGovern was moving to center. Why release that information? It just was odd to me? I mean the Bills have suspended reporters for releasing lineup information at training camp. This one is odd.

 

Perhaps a half hearted attempt to pretend they're not in the draft market for a center.

[BuffaloBillyG]

21 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

Might find a job quick.

 

 

He should. He's still playing at a quality level and a quality and experienced center isn't an easy find. 

 

My only question was if he would even want to keep playing having to start all over somewhere at his age. Guess he does.