Byrd or ...

[X-Era]

Just made this argument.

Which would you rather have?

Byrd at 9 mill in cap hit after next year (Tag)

or

Two Manny Lawsons, an Alan Branch, and a 2nd round pick? Lawson and Branch each had 3 mill cap hits.

Personally I'd use some of the 29mill in cap room and sign the guy. But the other version isn't potentially that bad either.

[DraftBoy]

The question isn't Byrd or...?

The question is do you believe Jarius Byrd is the best safety in the league and would want to pay him as such? If the answer is yes then you would keep him long term, if the answer is no then you will likely only see Byrd for the next year or two.

[X-Era]

The question isn't Byrd or...?

The question is do you believe Jarius Byrd is the best safety in the league and would want to pay him as such? If the answer is yes then you would keep him long term, if the answer is no then you will likely only see Byrd for the next year or two.So I agree that's part of the decision. I didn't get into that here. I'm assuming he's worth at least another year at the tag rate for this discussion.

Really because letting him walk without tagging him seems like losing him for nothing unless you really believe he will walk and then come back and take your lower offer.

But again, I'm under the premise of what's best for the team to do at the 9 mill cap figure for tagging him again.

[SpikedLemonade]

It is best for Ralph that the unspent salary cap not be spent.

[OpIv37]

So I agree that's part of the decision. I didn't get into that here. I'm assuming he's worth at least another year at the tag rate for this discussion.

Really because letting him walk without tagging him seems like losing him for nothing unless you really believe he will walk and then come back and take your lower offer.

But again, I'm under the premise of what's best for the team to do at the 9 mill cap figure for tagging him again.
If he becomes a FA, he walks. Someone will at least match Buffalo's offer. He's too good to leave then have to come back with his tail between his legs.

[BillsFever21]

Average starters and depth can be had in the draft for a million a year. To become a contending team then you need to have good coaching and a core of impact players that are used to playing with each other. Loading your team up with a bunch of average players will continue to yield average results.

Them type of players can be useful to fill in holes on a contending team but they're not as useful on a young team with a lack of top talent. We have been playing this game since the Jauron era.

[Buffalogic]

Pay him. Best young safety in the league. Better than Weddle imo.

[X-Era]

If he becomes a FA, he walks. Someone will at least match Buffalo's offer. He's too good to leave then have to come back with his tail between his legs.And so your answer to the OP would be?

[X-Era]

Average starters and depth can be had in the draft for a million a year. To become a contending team then you need to have good coaching and a core of impact players that are used to playing with each other. Loading your team up with a bunch of average players will continue to yield average results.

Them type of players can be useful to fill in holes on a contending team but they're not as useful on a young team with a lack of top talent. We have been playing this game since the Jauron era.Were are devoid of top end talent, I agree.

But I'd offer that a straight re-investment of 9 mill in cap room can buy a lot. 3 at 3 mill per plus the draft pick(s) or 2 at 4.5 or 1 at the full 9. I gave just one version, there are others.

Alonso cost a 2nd and looks good but can you get two Lawsons and a Branch out of the rest of the draft for the proposed 1 mill per?

[Scumbag College]

The Bills have to keep their draft picks that are successful. The only two top notch picks that have stayed after their rookie contract has expired on the team currently are Kyle Williams and Stevie Johnson (and to some extent McLovin.)

The Bills haven't hit on too many star players in the draft the past 6 or 7 years, so they have to keep the ones here that are panning out. If the Bills are going to keep drafting poorly, then they have to keep the guys here that they have drafted whom have had success.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

Just made this argument.

Which would you rather have?

Byrd at 9 mill in cap hit after next year (Tag)

or

Two Manny Lawsons, an Alan Branch, and a 2nd round pick? Lawson and Branch each had 3 mill cap hits.

Personally I'd use some of the 29mill in cap room and sign the guy. But the other version isn't potentially that bad either.

I'd pay the man what he wants. He's an impact player at an impact position and no amount of castoffs like Lawson and Branch are going to convince me to take them. 'Four quarters for a dollar' trades only pay out if you manage to get an elite player back, and our chances of that are quite slim.

[Night Train]

Or going forward, giving the $$ to a healthy Wood and then Spiller next off-season.

We'll see.

[Mr. Pink]

Pay him. It should be a no brainer.

[BillsFever21]

Were are devoid of top end talent, I agree.

But I'd offer that a straight re-investment of 9 mill in cap room can buy a lot. 3 at 3 mill per plus the draft pick(s) or 2 at 4.5 or 1 at the full 9. I gave just one version, there are others.

Alonso cost a 2nd and looks good but can you get two Lawsons and a Branch out of the rest of the draft for the proposed 1 mill per?

The longer we waited before signing Byrd then the least attractive it would be. If we tagged him one more season then it wouldn't be worth signing a then 29 year old safety to a 5 year deal. It all depends on whether it's done after this season or not.

Guys like Lawson and especially Branch aren't very difficult to replace with draft picks. Especially if you even do an average job at drafting for your system. It's not like these guys have lit the world on fire. They are low end FA's and that's why they only get a few million a year. They are marginal starters and great depth/rotational players at best.

When you let your top end talent walk just to get two or three marginal starters out of the deal you are never truly building a team. Instead of securing that position for a long-term run you are constantly replacing them with higher draft pick. Many times you also don't find the same quality of player out of the deal either.

Them higher draft picks could've been used on building up other areas of your team that are currently a weakness. The draft pick you don't need to replace the top end talent with could even be used to fill the spot that for guys like Lawson, Branch and many others over the years at a much cheaper price. Most likely you will get at least the same production and most likely even a better player.

Using this strategy that we've done has lead us to spending three 1st and a 3rd round pick on RB's in a single decade. We traded them for peanuts and keep using 1st round picks to replace them. That is also only one example.

We let Winfield walk and look at how many draft picks we've spent on trying to replace him over the years to find another #1 CB. Or even Jabari Greer to a lesser extent. We drafted McKelvin and then Aaron Williams high in the draft because we still couldn't find someone who worked out. Not to mention bringing in other FA's like Drayton Florence and other middle round draft picks. Had we just kept guys like that in the first place we could've used them high picks on other players. In the end we still brought in guys like Florence and paid them money. In the end we were worse off and still paying for free agent corners.

You can't keep all of your players but when you have a young top level talent you need to keep the majority of them. Letting them walk over money and using draft picks to replace them and signing a couple average players in their place keeps getting you 6 win seasons. You are never building a team and just continue treading water trying to replace them. Most of the time you still don't find a replacement as good as they were.

[BillsFever21]

We've been trying this entire failed method of signing two or three average guys for the price of one good guy for almost a decade. In the end we get a bunch of average guys that could've been had in the draft and using a high draft pick to try and replace the good player.

This method would be alright if you were strapped against the cap, had a core of elite talent and needed to fill a few holes to help contend for a championship. When you're on a team that doesn't have many elite players and almost 30 million in cap space then it doesn't get you anywhere. We just let one player go to use that money on 2 or 3 average players. That extra money rarely ever gets used to upgrade the team.

Average players are a dime a dozen in the NFL. You can find them in the draft for a million or so a year. Elite talent isn't that easy. When you're a young team you need to keep your elite talent and build around them players that eventually become your veteran core. Then you can use your draft picks to try and upgrade other positions to try and build a contending team.

[X-Era]

Or going forward, giving the $$ to a healthy Wood and then Spiller next off-season.

We'll see.That money will already be there... 29 can roll-over and we currently have 109 on the books for next year with likely a 123 cap... That's 29 + 14 (123-109) = 43 mill in cap room. Now it's not clear if the 29 covers Byrds tag. Sportract has us at 29 under with the tag as only salary and no cap hit. So my guess is it would be more like 22 rolled over... and then 36 mill in cap room.

Still theres plenty to work with so Wood and Spiller aren't really factors.

[X-Era]

We've been trying this entire failed method of signing two or three average guys for the price of one good guy for almost a decade. In the end we get a bunch of average guys that could've been had in the draft and using a high draft pick to try and replace the good player.

This method would be alright if you were strapped against the cap, had a core of elite talent and needed to fill a few holes to help contend for a championship. When you're on a team that doesn't have many elite players and almost 30 million in cap space then it doesn't get you anywhere. We just let one player go to use that money on 2 or 3 average players. That extra money rarely ever gets used to upgrade the team.

Average players are a dime a dozen in the NFL. You can find them in the draft for a million or so a year. Elite talent isn't that easy. When you're a young team you need to keep your elite talent and build around them players that eventually become your veteran core. Then you can use your draft picks to try and upgrade other positions to try and build a contending team.
The assumption though is that you can draft a player as good as a Lawson or Branch day one from rounds 3 and beyond and that it's a given. That is really not the case. It's very much a risk. And were aren't talking about landing 1 in rounds 3 or beyond to start from day one and play at a Lawson/Branch level, were talking about 3. Which means you really want to land three day one starters who play as good as Lawson or Branch from rounds 3-7 in the same draft.

What we have done is not re-sign our own. I agree. Nix started to change that trend. Hopefully Whaley continues. But, all I'm saying is that if were losing Byrd, trade him and re-invest the 9 mill you would have spent back into the team in UFA's.

It should work just like that.

And average starters are not a dime a dozen. They are a dime a dozen from free agency and maybe only a 25% chance of success from the draft (assuming you count on all 7 rounds to find one).

[JoeMama]

Even if we overpay Jairus Byrd now, it's worth acknowledging that he played for a massive discount the last four years.

Plus, the highest paid player at any given position is usually the guy whose ink is still drying on the paper. Even if we drive a dump truck full of money up to Jairus Byrd's house in January, I guarantee he WON'T be the highest paid safety by 2015 or 2016, because some other free agent will enter the market after the cap goes up and get showered in cash.

It's a cosmetic objection to oppose re-signing a guy simply because your resentful inner voice doesn't want him to be the #1 or #2 highest paid player at his position today. Wage rankings change every year. Nate Clements was once the highest paid defender in the NFL. Not because he was the best defender in the NFL. But because that's how the timing of free agency works sometimes given the reality of an ever increasing cap. Sometimes talent costs money.

"Jairus Byrd doesn't deserve #1 money, he's more of a #3! Let him walk!"

When do we ever draft top 3 players at any position ever??? Keep him. Don't be an insane person.

I'd sooner watch Byrd make plays than watch Ralph Wilson's checkbook collect dust. I'm not Wilson's ****ing accountant. I'm a guy who wants to witness a playoff appearance or two before I die.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

The assumption though is that you can draft a player as good as a Lawson or Branch day one from rounds 3 and beyond and that it's a given. That is really not the case. It's very much a risk. And were aren't talking about landing 1 in rounds 3 or beyond to start from day one and play at a Lawson/Branch level, were talking about 3. Which means you really want to land three day one starters who play as good as Lawson or Branch from rounds 3-7 in the same draft.

Why are we talking about Lawson and Branch like they are hard to replace? They're both on their third teams - and their previous teams were much better than us. So clearly it isn't that hard to find guys of that caliber in the draft.

Hell, we find average dudes all the time: George Wilson, Paul Pozlusnzy, Chris Kelsay, David Nelson, Eric Pears, Nick Barnett, etc. They are all over the place - which is why they are average.

Byrd is hard to replace. Byrd is an elite talent.


What we have done is not re-sign our own. I agree. Nix started to change that trend. Hopefully Whaley continues. But, all I'm saying is that if were losing Byrd, trade him and re-invest the 9 mill you would have spent back into the team in UFA's.

Yes but GOOD ufas are going to be heavily bid on. That's why you wind up paying Mario Williams 100 million with 50 guaranteed. And you have even less assurance that they will play well with your existing team. Who from this FA class would you have been willing to give up Byrd and/or Levitre to get? I said that the only one I would have been willing to lose them to chase was Joe Flacco, and that option never materialized.

[OpIv37]

Even if we overpay Jairus Byrd now, it's worth acknowledging that he played for a massive discount the last four years.

Plus, the highest paid player at any given position is usually the guy whose ink is still drying on the paper. Even if we drive a dump truck full of money up to Jairus Byrd's house in January, I guarantee he WON'T be the highest paid safety by 2015 or 2016, because some other free agent will enter the market after the cap goes up and get showered in cash.

It's a cosmetic objection to oppose re-signing a guy simply because your resentful inner voice doesn't want him to be the #1 or #2 highest paid player at his position today. Wage rankings change every year. Nate Clements was once the highest paid defender in the NFL. Not because he was the best defender in the NFL. But because that's how the timing of free agency works sometimes given the reality of an ever increasing cap. Sometimes talent costs money.

"Jairus Byrd doesn't deserve #1 money, he's more of a #3! Let him walk!"

When do we ever draft top 3 players at any position ever??? Keep him. Don't be an insane person.

I'd sooner watch Byrd make plays than watch Ralph Wilson's checkbook collect dust. I'm not Wilson's ****ing accountant. I'm a guy who wants to witness a playoff appearance or two before I die.

And honestly, what's the difference between #1 money for a S and #3 money? $1.5 million a year? Who is that going to keep us from signing? We can always ditch dead weight or do an amortized signing bonus or restructure someone and find a couple million. We're not talking about an astronomical difference in cap hits here.

[K-Gun]

"Jairus Byrd doesn't deserve #1 money, he's more of a #3! Let him walk!"

When do we ever draft top 3 players at any position ever??? Keep him. Don't be an insane person.

I'd sooner watch Byrd make plays than watch Ralph Wilson's checkbook collect dust. I'm not Wilson's ****ing accountant. I'm a guy who wants to witness a playoff appearance or two before I die.

I was under the impression that franchising Byrd means that he isn't walking? I'm not wrong that Bryd is playing for the Bills this season, am I?

[BillsFever21]

The assumption though is that you can draft a player as good as a Lawson or Branch day one from rounds 3 and beyond and that it's a given. That is really not the case. It's very much a risk. And were aren't talking about landing 1 in rounds 3 or beyond to start from day one and play at a Lawson/Branch level, were talking about 3. Which means you really want to land three day one starters who play as good as Lawson or Branch from rounds 3-7 in the same draft.

What we have done is not re-sign our own. I agree. Nix started to change that trend. Hopefully Whaley continues. But, all I'm saying is that if were losing Byrd, trade him and re-invest the 9 mill you would have spent back into the team in UFA's.

It should work just like that.

And average starters are not a dime a dozen. They are a dime a dozen from free agency and maybe only a 25% chance of success from the draft (assuming you count on all 7 rounds to find one).

There are hundreds of players like Lawson and Branch around the NFL. There isn't hundreds of players like Byrd or other elite talent.

You are overvaluing the worth of a guy like Lawson and Branch. There's a reason why they are both on their 3rd team in 7 years. Neither of their original drafted teams wanted to keep them and then they only lasted two years on their second team. Contrary to popular belief by some it's not very hard to replace a guy like Manny Lawson who has 18 career sacks in 7 years and is supposed to be a puss rushing LB/specialist. That's not very special by NFL standards. It's a lot harder to replace a guy who has 18 INT's and 10 FF's in 4 years though.

[BillsFever21]

I was under the impression that franchising Byrd means that he isn't walking? I'm not wrong that Bryd is playing for the Bills this season, am I?

Yeah for this season and maybe next season at the most. The topic was whether he was worth keeping around for the next 5 years.

One year of Jairus Byrd doesn't do very much for this current team since we're not a contending team this year. It's over the next several years as we try and build a team is when his production becomes important.

We already spent one draft pick on FS this season in case he walks and would probably spend another one if he does. Them are draft picks that could go towards solidifying other positions on the team. Instead we would just be treading water like we've done for 7 years now.

[JoeMama]

I was under the impression that franchising Byrd means that he isn't walking? I'm not wrong that Bryd is playing for the Bills this season, am I?

Ok, guy.

Follow along.

1) I pointed out that we can't pay Byrd (long term) until January.

2) I'm dogging Bills fans who reject re-signing home grown talent as part of a rebuilding plan.

This isn't rocket science or brain surgery.

I've seen your posts. You're not a ******ed person. I know you can read if you feel like it.

[BertSquirtgum]

8.5 million a year or trade him. If the greedy **** thinks he's worth more than that he can go **** himself.

[K-Gun]

Yeah for this season and maybe next season at the most. The topic was whether he was worth keeping around for the next 5 years.

One year of Jairus Byrd doesn't do very much for this current team since we're not a contending team this year. It's over the next several years as we try and build a team is when his production becomes important.

We already spent one draft pick on FS this season in case he walks and would probably spend another one if he does. Them are draft picks that could go towards solidifying other positions on the team. Instead we would just be treading water like we've done for 7 years now.

There's no reason to think that a long term deal won't get done at the end of next season. Byrd would be insane to play 2 years w/o a **** load of guaranteed money. He's the one who has put himself in a bad spot this season playing on a one year contract.

What I like about the new front office is the attitude that no one is bigger than the team. You don't win championships by collecting a bunch of individuals. You do it by building a team. I'm sorry that I can't sit here and say "stupid same old Bills." I think what we're witnessing is a front office with balls. Let's not forget that we own Byrd's rights next season too. I would LOVE to ammo up a run at the #1 pick and say goodbye to fools gold. If you catch my drift.

[K-Gun]

Ok, guy.

Follow along.

1) I pointed out that we can't pay Byrd (long term) until January.

2) I'm dogging Bills fans who reject re-signing home grown talent as part of a rebuilding plan.

This isn't rocket science or brain surgery.

I've seen your posts. You're not a ******ed person. I know you can read if you feel like it.

I actually edited the post b/c I posted it to soon. But it wouldn't let me re-post as I had over run the time limit. What I was getting at is this is a really stupid move on Byrd's part. I'm all for re-signing Bryd long term, which we'll do in Jan barring a catastrophic injury. I hopes he has an all pro year, we tag him again, and he signs a 5 year 40 mill contract. But if he pulls a Revis, god forbid, who's going to sit here and blame the Bills that he turned down a 40 million dollar contract w/ 20 million guaranteed?

[BillsFever21]

I actually edited the post b/c I posted it to soon. But it wouldn't let me re-post as I had over run the time limit. What I was getting at is this is a really stupid move on Byrd's part. I'm all for re-signing Bryd long term, which we'll do in Jan barring a catastrophic injury. I hopes he has an all pro year, we tag him again, and he signs a 5 year 40 mill contract. But if he pulls a Revis, god forbid, who's going to sit here and blame the Bills that he turned down a 40 million dollar contract w/ 20 million guaranteed?

If he had another All Pro season then it would only cost more to re-sign him next season. Goldson received more then that and the salaries only go up every season. Not to mention Byrd has been better then Goldson with much less talent around him. Byrd has averaged 7 takeaways a season between INT's and FF. Plus he is two years older the Byrd which makes a big difference.

[K-Gun]

If he had another All Pro season then it would only cost more to re-sign him next season. Goldson received more then that and the salaries only go up every season. Not to mention Byrd has been better then Goldson with much less talent around him. Byrd has averaged 7 takeaways a season between INT's and FF. Plus he is two years older the Byrd which makes a big difference.

Yeah, but the Bills can tag him again. I get why Byrd, his agent and fans think he deserves to be paid more than Goldson. But Goldson got the deal from another team. Bryd was franchised tagged and couldn't negotiate with another team. And he can't next season either. What's he going to do, sit out the regular season and lose 3/4 of his salary? Or sign a 40 something million dollar contract w/ 20 something mil guaranteed?

The balls in his court, he can get rich as a Bill of throw what amounts to a temper tantrum and break his toys. I think he's a pro, so I bet he signs long term at the end of the season.

[Buffalogic]

Why do we constantly want to repeat ourselves and find a rare talent that turns into a pro bowler and then just give him to another team in his prime? Young, home grown, and arguably the best safety in the league. It should be automatic. You need to keep your best players to develop into a good team.

[X-Era]

There's no reason to think that a long term deal won't get done at the end of next season. Byrd would be insane to play 2 years w/o a **** load of guaranteed money. He's the one who has put himself in a bad spot this season playing on a one year contract.

What I like about the new front office is the attitude that no one is bigger than the team. You don't win championships by collecting a bunch of individuals. You do it by building a team. I'm sorry that I can't sit here and say "stupid same old Bills." I think what we're witnessing is a front office with balls. Let's not forget that we own Byrd's rights next season too. I would LOVE to ammo up a run at the #1 pick and say goodbye to fools gold. If you catch my drift.
Not to be a Clowney but remember Lavaar Arrington? You can get fools gold from the draft easily.

[X-Era]

Why do we constantly want to repeat ourselves and find a rare talent that turns into a pro bowler and then just give him to another team in his prime? Young, home grown, and arguably the best safety in the league. It should be automatic. You need to keep your best players to develop into a good team.I honestly don't think we want to anymore. I think this regime is different. I think we'll get this done honestly.

[Night Train]

That money will already be there... 29 can roll-over and we currently have 109 on the books for next year with likely a 123 cap... That's 29 + 14 (123-109) = 43 mill in cap room. Now it's not clear if the 29 covers Byrds tag. Sportract has us at 29 under with the tag as only salary and no cap hit. So my guess is it would be more like 22 rolled over... and then 36 mill in cap room.

Still theres plenty to work with so Wood and Spiller aren't really factors.

When a new coach arrives, minor financial roster moves are made year one (Lawson, Hughes, Branch etc.). The coach needs to learn his roster and see who fits in the schemes. Then comes the spending for players already here and in Free Agency.

Pettine kept saying the safeties are interchangeable. If so, why pay Aaron Williams 800K and Byrd 9 Mil right away before we see his impact ? The Bills have a card to play with the franchise tag. He won't starve at 6.9 Mil and he's been hurt a couple times before.

The Bills have a lot of cap room. Good. I'll be the first to question them if they don't use it next off-season, after Marrone knows where he has holes and needs to upgrade. Plus knows who can pay and not play in his schemes.

[X-Era]

When a new coach arrives, minor financial roster moves are made year one (Lawson, Hughes, Branch etc.). The coach needs to learn his roster and see who fits in the schemes. Then comes the spending for players already here and in Free Agency.

Pettine kept saying the safeties are interchangeable. If so, why pay Aaron Williams 800K and Byrd 9 Mil right away before we see his impact ? The Bills have a card to play with the franchise tag. He won't starve at 6.9 Mil and he's been hurt a couple times before.

The Bills have a lot of cap room. Good. I'll be the first to question them if they don't use it next off-season, after Marrone knows where he has holes and needs to upgrade. Plus knows who can pay and not play in his schemes.There is roster change associated with a head coaching change. Purging players is also part of it.

And I think you're right. This year is a wait and see what we really have year. Next off-season should be a build on what we have year. Which should include some UFA spending. Maybe even significant spending. That's my hope. Names that might be out there, Brandon Spikes, Brian Orakpo, Brian Cushing, Johnathan Vilma.

[TacklingDummy]

The question isn't Byrd or...?

The question is do you believe Jarius Byrd is the best safety in the league and would want to pay him as such? If .

No.
I'd hope another team with an early 1st round pick does.

[better days]

There is roster change associated with a head coaching change. Purging players is also part of it.

And I think you're right. This year is a wait and see what we really have year. Next off-season should be a build on what we have year. Which should include some UFA spending. Maybe even significant spending. That's my hope. Names that might be out there, Brandon Spikes, Brian Orakpo, Brian Cushing, Johnathan Vilma.

As well as about half the Dolphins roster.

[jamze132]

Good luck signing Byrd at all after the season. His stupid ass ***** of an agent will not sign with Buffalo unless we are the highest bidders.

And it's going to be funny when Buffalo offers him next offseason what he wanted this offseason and he rejects it. Typical OBD roster mismanagement.

[better days]

If he had another All Pro season then it would only cost more to re-sign him next season. Goldson received more then that and the salaries only go up every season. Not to mention Byrd has been better then Goldson with much less talent around him. Byrd has averaged 7 takeaways a season between INT's and FF. Plus he is two years older the Byrd which makes a big difference.

Well, if Byrd truly wanted to be paid as the best Safety in the NFL & refused to take any less than that this year, it should not really cost much more if anymore to sign him next year.

Just pay him as the best safety in the NFL which if he has a Pro Bowl year, he may now be.

And he will have proven his worth in this defense this year as well.

[justasportsfan]

Just made this argument.

Which would you rather have?

Byrd at 9 mill in cap hit after next year (Tag)

or

Two Manny Lawsons, an Alan Branch, and a 2nd round pick? Lawson and Branch each had 3 mill cap hits.

Personally I'd use some of the 29mill in cap room and sign the guy. But the other version isn't potentially that bad either.


After this year, Marrone will have a clearer picture as to which players are playing lights out not only under Pettines system but Hacketts as well. That includes Byrd. If BYrd plays like a probowler I'm almost sure Whaley will offer more than what Byrd is making.

[ublinkwescore]

Or going forward, giving the $$ to a healthy Wood and then Spiller next off-season.

We'll see.

Wood kinda gives me the eeby jeebies... He needs to stay healthy otherwise, we replace him.

[better days]

Wood kinda gives me the eeby jeebies... He needs to stay healthy otherwise, we replace him.

If Wood does not stay healthy, I would be fine resigning him on the cheap.

[Night Train]

Wood kinda gives me the eeby jeebies... He needs to stay healthy otherwise, we replace him.

I agree, after 2 leg injuries. Yet he played well last year and if he does again this coming season without injury, he'll get a new contract with a good but not insane raise. But it's nice to get this year to watch and learn.

[Mike]

Just made this argument.

Which would you rather have?

Byrd at 9 mill in cap hit after next year (Tag)

or

Two Manny Lawsons, an Alan Branch, and a 2nd round pick? Lawson and Branch each had 3 mill cap hits.

Personally I'd use some of the 29mill in cap room and sign the guy. But the other version isn't potentially that bad either.

What would you rather have:
A) A team of Many Lawson's, Branches, and be $25-50 Million under the CAP (Todays Bills or even worst)
B) 1991 Bills: have superstar players all over the field, and be at the CAP.

I would chose B

[cookie G]

Just made this argument.

Which would you rather have?

Byrd at 9 mill in cap hit after next year (Tag)

or

Two Manny Lawsons, an Alan Branch, and a 2nd round pick? Lawson and Branch each had 3 mill cap hits.

Personally I'd use some of the 29mill in cap room and sign the guy. But the other version isn't potentially that bad either.

Or going after any of the following:

Or Jimmy Graham;
Or Brian Orakpo (he might end up at more than $9 million);
Or Jeremy Maclin, depending on his physical status)
Or Brandon Albert (maybe, I'm not as high on him)
Or signing Veldeer from Oakland and making sure Wood is resigned.

The options aren't limited to either or.

[DunkCityFan]

Pay your top players. This isn't the NHL where you are married to them forever. I'd love for the Bills to be in a position where they were winning with top talent and stars were restructuring in order to stay competitive. You only get there by having several stars and paying them like that.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

Or going after any of the following:

Or Jimmy Graham;
Or Brian Orakpo (he might end up at more than $9 million);
Or Jeremy Maclin, depending on his physical status)
Or Brandon Albert (maybe, I'm not as high on him)
Or signing Veldeer from Oakland and making sure Wood is resigned.

The options aren't limited to either or.

If Jimmy Graham hits the market you are going to see a feeding frenzy like it's meat swimsuit day at the shark tank. No way in hell we get him.

[JoeMama]

If Wood does not stay healthy, I would be fine resigning him on the cheap.

Eric Wood is one of the few guys I wouldn't label as "injury prone" even though he's been injured every year.

He suffers nothing but freak accidents.

It's not like he suffers from weird, nagging injuries. Just weird ones. I'd re-sign him.

[DunkCityFan]

Eric Wood is one of the few guys I wouldn't label as "injury prone" even though he's been injured every year.

He suffers nothing but freak accidents.

It's not like he suffers from weird, nagging injuries. Just weird ones. I'd re-sign him.

That is so true. He gets hurt because he is in the action. Sign him AND Byrd. Let's build a winner by paying our talent.

[Mike]

Or going after any of the following:

Or Jimmy Graham;
Or Brian Orakpo (he might end up at more than $9 million);
Or Jeremy Maclin, depending on his physical status)
Or Brandon Albert (maybe, I'm not as high on him)
Or signing Veldeer from Oakland and making sure Wood is resigned.

The options aren't limited to either or.

I hope you never ever excused poor FA moves by the Bills because they were building through the draft...

Why not sign Byrd & one of those players (Orakpo and/or Graham).
The Bills have more than enough $$$$$$$$$.

[BillsFever21]

Well, if Byrd truly wanted to be paid as the best Safety in the NFL & refused to take any less than that this year, it should not really cost much more if anymore to sign him next year.

Just pay him as the best safety in the NFL which if he has a Pro Bowl year, he may now be.

And he will have proven his worth in this defense this year as well.

Byrd has played well under two different head coaches and a few different coordinators and defenses already. If anything I would rather not pay a guy big money that is only a system player unless it was at a major position like QB or DL. If they are mainly a system player then there are many of other system players like them that you can draft and groom to take their spot.

He even played lights out last season under a horrible coaching staff and coordinating job under Wanny. The same coordinator that you use as an excuse for every player that didn't perform up to expectations last year. For some odd reason Byrd still had one of his best seasons under that pile of junk and horrible defense. It must only count if they didn't play well so it can be used as an excuse for their performance.

Some guys are good no matter what type of system they play in. Others are only successful under a certain type of system. Byrd has proven he's one of them players that can perform at a high level under any defense and not just somebody who is a system player.

[The Jokeman]

Or going after any of the following:

Or Jimmy Graham;
Or Brian Orakpo (he might end up at more than $9 million);
Or Jeremy Maclin, depending on his physical status)
Or Brandon Albert (maybe, I'm not as high on him)
Or signing Veldeer from Oakland and making sure Wood is resigned.

The options aren't limited to either or.

I can't see the Saints or Redskins letting Graham or Orakpo go. Maclin would make a good compliment to Stevie and let Woods/Goodwin develop. That said I'm not ready to throw TJ Graham away either. I have questions about Glenn too but not sold on Albert and if the Raider let Veldeer walk than they're easily the worst run NFL franchise.

[cookie G]

If Jimmy Graham hits the market you are going to see a feeding frenzy like it's meat swimsuit day at the shark tank. No way in hell we get him.

Orakpo also. And its unlikely we get either, although, at least currently, I don't think anyone is paying more than 9 million for a TE. Between Graham and Byrd, I chooose Graham in a nano second.

But that was kind of my point, When you are talking about paying 9 million a year for someone, you really aren't forced to limit your choices to 'keeping our own" or taking 2nd or 3rd tier FA's.

[cookie G]

I can't see the Saints or Redskins letting Graham or Orakpo go. Maclin would make a good compliment to Stevie and let Woods/Goodwin develop. That said I'm not ready to throw TJ Graham away either. I have questions about Glenn too but not sold on Albert and if the Raider let Veldeer walk than they're easily the worst run NFL franchise.

Probably agreed on Graham and Orakpo.

Maclin and Woods on the outside, with SJ in the slot, with complimentary roles of Goodwin and TJ, makes for a pretty scary WR corps.

I'm not totally sold on Albert either as a LT. Like Glenn, I think he'd be a kick ass guard.

Veldeer is a physical specimen who, unlike so many other physical specimens, really came on in the last two years. Veldeer, Glenn and Wood as the left side of your line would be formidable to say the least. As far as the Raiders go, I have no idea what they are plan to do.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

Orakpo also. And its unlikely we get either, although, at least currently, I don't think anyone is paying more than 9 million for a TE. Between Graham and Byrd, I chooose Graham in a nano second.

But that was kind of my point, When you are talking about paying 9 million a year for someone, you really aren't forced to limit your choices to 'keeping our own" or taking 2nd or 3rd tier FA's.

No, no one is paying 9 million for a TE, but then again it's still not a choice between Byrd and Graham. If we had been wise, we could have frontloaded Byrd's contract into this year, when we are sitting on a metric craptop of cap space, and then moved on Graham next year. Assuming he hits free agency, which he won't.

[better days]

Byrd has played well under two different head coaches and a few different coordinators and defenses already. If anything I would rather not pay a guy big money that is only a system player unless it was at a major position like QB or DL. If they are mainly a system player then there are many of other system players like them that you can draft and groom to take their spot.

He even played lights out last season under a horrible coaching staff and coordinating job under Wanny. The same coordinator that you use as an excuse for every player that didn't perform up to expectations last year. For some odd reason Byrd still had one of his best seasons under that pile of junk and horrible defense. It must only count if they didn't play well so it can be used as an excuse for their performance.

Some guys are good no matter what type of system they play in. Others are only successful under a certain type of system. Byrd has proven he's one of them players that can perform at a high level under any defense and not just somebody who is a system player.

The Bills CAN NOT do any deal with Byrd until AFTER the Season is over.

If he makes the Pro Bowl this year, I am all for paying him. If he doesn't make the Pro Bowl, then why is he worth all that money?

[GingerP]

No, no one is paying 9 million for a TE.

The APY on Rob Gronkowski's contract extension is $9M (6 Yrs/$54M). Granted, he may never see a lot of that money. Graham is likely to exceed that money, TE or no, because he is a franchise-type player.

Most of these guys discussed will be extended or tagged. You don't see too many top players reach FA.