Buffalo Bills 2026 Thread

[SwampD]

1 minute ago, That Aud Smell said:

I think I get where you're coming from -- you think the centre is the most important position on the O-Line from a football standpoint.

Money talks, though, innit? Left tackles are the league's highest paid offensive linemen.

So, in that way, it is at least "remotely true" that left tackles are the most important players on the O-Line because they are the most  monetarily valued players on the O-Line. (I realize there may be some exceptions to that rule.)

Asked and answered. Money is most definitely not the only way to value a position.

[Dude]

4 minutes ago, SwampD said:

Asked and answered. Money is most definitely not the only way to value a position.

Most teams would disagree with you, at least when it comes to the value of a center versus a LT.

Edited March 12 by Dude

[That Aud Smell]

2 minutes ago, SwampD said:

Asked and answered. Money is most definitely not the only way to value a position.

But money certainly is a way to measure the value of a position. Some would even say it's the best or most reliable way.

It's therefore untenable to say that it's "not even remotely true" that left tackles are the most important O-linemen.

And, really. Shame on you for making me go into Pedantic Mode.

[JustOneParade]

I think the center's ability to make the right line calls is terribly underappreciated. Additionally, they are protecting the shortest gap between a defensive player and the QB. Instant pressure up the middle is more worrisome to a QB than blindside pressure.

[SwampD]

1 minute ago, Dude said:

Most teams would disagree with you, at least when it comes to the value of a center versus a LT.

Thats because their decisions are money driven. They want to protect their asset.

[JustOneParade]

Just wondering: if the QB is left-handed should the RT be the highest paid offensive lineman?

[Dude]

Just now, SwampD said:

Thats because their decisions are money driven. They want to protect their asset.

Yes.  So wouldn't they devote the most money to the position most important to achieving that?  

Just now, Dude said:

Yes.  So wouldn't they devote the most money to the position most important to achieving that?  

Theoretically, yes.

[SwampD]

I already stopped caring. Money isn’t the only way to value things, or even the best way, but whatever. ‘Murica.

[Dude]

8 minutes ago, SwampD said:

I already stopped caring. Money isn’t the only way to value things, or even the best way, but whatever. ‘Murica.

K

[That Aud Smell]

24 minutes ago, SwampD said:

Money isn’t the only way to value things

 

3 hours ago, SwampD said:

Not even remotely true.

[Night Train]

As long as Beane can balance it all out, I'm fine with everything.

 Have to give it a chance. More moves and picks coming. 

[Taro T]

22 hours ago, SwampD said:

Thats because their decisions are money driven. They want to protect their asset.

If you don't have a good C, your line will stink.  And the QB will have no time at all in the pocket.

If you don't have a good LT, you can still have a good offense, but the risk of catastrophic injury to the QB goes up sigificantly.

[That Aud Smell]

Beane gave an interview to Lance Lysowski on Monday about the Bills' activity in the free agency market. You can find it on the Buffalo News site - I won't link because the paywall is annoying to those who don't have a subscription. I did excerpt some quotes below.

I don't recall Beane  ever having been so transparent (self-servingly so, IMO) following a free agency window.

Am I misremembering? If not, is this a function of McDermott's departure? Is it Beane trying to burnish his image?

"At that point [in the Maxx Crosby talks], we were also working on the DJ Moore thing and decided, you know what, this makes the most sense for us and let’s lock it in. The trade with Maxx was not moving as fast and I get it. They were trying to get as much for the player as they could and at some point you have to make a decision. You don’t want to be sitting there over the weekend and DJ’s been traded and you still don’t have enough ammo or what makes wise sense, from my seat, for what you have to give up to get him. 

....

Listen, if anything falls apart [as it did with Crosby to the Ravens], my mind goes to, ‘How the hell can I pull this off?’  That’s the truth about anything. But when it happened, a lot of the league was like, ‘A lot of dollars are already committed.’ For me, could I have backed out of some deals? Yeah, but that’s not how I’m going to do business.

....

I’m going to stay in it until I know I can’t afford it [regarding Hendrickson]. We’ve landed many deals that, quite candidly, didn’t think we’d be able to, but you stay in it long enough to form a relationship if it’s legal. Sometimes myself or a coach will call a player and say, ‘Hey, I know you might get more elsewhere, but come here.’

....

I’ve got to protect (No.) 17. I would crush myself if I didn’t put the right people in front of him, but I also know I have to affect the other team’s 17, whoever they’ve got. ... My role in that is personnel and Joe and Jim will make sure schematically, we have to make sure we’re better against the run than we were. I have to make sure I’m doing my part."

[Demoted]

So just more PR responses. The only thing that matters is this next season is 100% on Beane and all that matters is the win. 

[Dude]

1 hour ago, That Aud Smell said:

Beane gave an interview to Lance Lysowski on Monday about the Bills' activity in the free agency market. You can find it on the Buffalo News site - I won't link because the paywall is annoying to those who don't have a subscription. I did excerpt some quotes below.

I don't recall Beane  ever having been so transparent (self-servingly so, IMO) following a free agency window.

Am I misremembering? If not, is this a function of McDermott's departure? Is it Beane trying to burnish his image?

"At that point [in the Maxx Crosby talks], we were also working on the DJ Moore thing and decided, you know what, this makes the most sense for us and let’s lock it in. The trade with Maxx was not moving as fast and I get it. They were trying to get as much for the player as they could and at some point you have to make a decision. You don’t want to be sitting there over the weekend and DJ’s been traded and you still don’t have enough ammo or what makes wise sense, from my seat, for what you have to give up to get him. 

....

Listen, if anything falls apart [as it did with Crosby to the Ravens], my mind goes to, ‘How the hell can I pull this off?’  That’s the truth about anything. But when it happened, a lot of the league was like, ‘A lot of dollars are already committed.’ For me, could I have backed out of some deals? Yeah, but that’s not how I’m going to do business.

....

I’m going to stay in it until I know I can’t afford it [regarding Hendrickson]. We’ve landed many deals that, quite candidly, didn’t think we’d be able to, but you stay in it long enough to form a relationship if it’s legal. Sometimes myself or a coach will call a player and say, ‘Hey, I know you might get more elsewhere, but come here.’

....

I’ve got to protect (No.) 17. I would crush myself if I didn’t put the right people in front of him, but I also know I have to affect the other team’s 17, whoever they’ve got. ... My role in that is personnel and Joe and Jim will make sure schematically, we have to make sure we’re better against the run than we were. I have to make sure I’m doing my part."

I'm glad they were out on Crosby.  The Ravens offered 2-1st rounders including this year's 14th overall.  The Bills were picking 26th and the difference is a mid-2nd rounder.  He's not nearly worth that bundle of picks.  I'd rather have Chubb for 1/2 the price.

[TageMVP]

Broncos just got Waddle for a bunch of picks. Beane blew it. I'm happy with Moore, but Waddle would have been better 

[nfreeman]

Here are some interesting numbers on DJ Moore & Jaylen Waddle:

 

https://x.com/GregTompsett/status/2033926923412193429?s=20

[That Aud Smell]

1 hour ago, TageMVP said:

Broncos just got Waddle for a bunch of picks. Beane blew it. I'm happy with Moore, but Waddle would have been better 

Broncos paid a steep, steep price.

The Bills would have had to pay more still for an in-division trade of a coveted player.

[That Aud Smell]

54 minutes ago, nfreeman said:

Here are some interesting numbers on DJ Moore & Jaylen Waddle:

https://x.com/GregTompsett/status/2033926923412193429?s=20

One of the local Bills bloggers posted a podcast/video clip of a couple of other guys talking about DJ Moore's profile. I wish I could find it. The conversation was balanced - pros and cons.

The one thing that encouraged me was that one of the cons -- that Moore is a bit of a freelancer and therefore quickly fell out of favour with Ben Johnson (who is maniacal about route precision) -- was something that both of the analysts seemed to agree could be a better fit with a Josh Allen led offense. 

The old story goes that Allen would tell Diggs: This route concept says you're supposed to get the ball when you are X yards down the field. But if you think we're better off at .75X or 1.5X, just go. If you're open, I will get you the ball.

[K-9]

The Dolphins decided not to trade Waddle to the Bills at the last trade deadline and that will end up being a big blessing in disguise. 
 

And on another WR front, the Bills restructured Moore’s deal as predicted when they made the trade to get him. Freed up another $17m in cap space. 

[That Aud Smell]

2 minutes ago, K-9 said:

The Dolphins decided not to trade Waddle to the Bills at the last trade deadline and that will end up being a big blessing in disguise. 
 

And on another WR front, the Bills restructured Moore’s deal as predicted when they made the trade to get him. Freed up another $17m in cap space. 

i saw Jeremy White retweet something this morning about how next season should occasion another restructure for moore and a similarly large cap savings.

those void years come home to roost, eventually.

but until then, wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

[Dude]

21 minutes ago, That Aud Smell said:

Broncos paid a steep, steep price.

The Bills would have had to pay more still for an in-division trade of a coveted player.

And will have to give him $40M/year.  No thanks.

[K-9]

21 minutes ago, That Aud Smell said:

i saw Jeremy White retweet something this morning about how next season should occasion another restructure for moore and a similarly large cap savings.

those void years come home to roost, eventually.

but until then, wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

While void years come home to roost, their impact is lessened each year as the salary cap rises. And no cap in pro sports rises like that of the NFL. Void years are a hedge bet in that regard. 

[Taro T]

25 minutes ago, That Aud Smell said:

i saw Jeremy White retweet something this morning about how next season should occasion another restructure for moore and a similarly large cap savings.

those void years come home to roost, eventually.

but until then, wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

The year that Allen retires, the Bills will be VERY bad.  But, hopefully they get the next Josh Allen in the draft after THAT season and with almost all their dead cap taken care of that season, the GM will have a clean slate and a QB on a rookie contract to build around him.

Lather - Rinse - Repeat.

[That Aud Smell]

4 minutes ago, Taro T said:

The year that Allen retires, the Bills will be VERY bad.  But, hopefully they get the next Josh Allen in the draft after THAT season and with almost all their dead cap taken care of that season, the GM will have a clean slate and a QB on a rookie contract to build around him.

Lather - Rinse - Repeat.

As night follows day.

I would never dare to dream that the Bills could get another Allen in my lifetime. But I take and agree with your point.

(And I allow for the reality that the Bills don't necessarily need an other-worldly athletic alien at QB to win a Super Bowl. It's just that he's been so fun to watch.)