Don't cut a player until you need to-
Be willing to make trades-
Be willing to pay big money-
Pay to keep your own-
Whaley has surprised me. I pictured him as a timid yes man. And maybe he is behind the scenes. But by the Bills actions it really seems to me that he is a mover and a shaker. And for better or worse the team is changing much more rapidly than maybe ever before.
- For years we would release players just before the start of free agency to free up cap room. I like that Whaley didjn't release Chandler until he needed the cap room. Hold on to the players you have until you are about ready to attain better.
- Urbik has not been cut yet. I don't think he's worth keeping but he could be depth if a youngster emerges and we don't sign an upgrade. If Jahri Evans is cut soon and we go after him I'd expect us to cut Urbik at that point.
- Being nice to players by releasing them early and then losing out on a free agent messes with your depth... You lost both.
Be willing to make trades-
- The Bills have made 11 trades under Whaleys watch. Keep it up. You often get good proven players often at the cost of draft picks which could never materialize into anything. If you think you get a better player through a trade then by signing one outright, do it.
- I'm glad we made the Watkins move. There is no QB in this draft that I want in the 1st round. And after that position we have the ability to find players in free agency or later in the draft. No issue with moving up or back to target a guy you want.
Be willing to pay big money-
- There is a difference between big money and stupid money. McCoy's new deal is big money. Dockery was stupid money. If a market rate deal is structured such that we get cap relief early and an ability to get out without going into cap hell it can be a good deal.
- Pay for younger talent. McCoy is 26. Hughes is 26.
Pay to keep your own-
- In my opinion I can't think of a previous GM that would have paid Hughes. That was a bold move that required eating into cap space and paying a big contract on a pass rusher. But the teams best unit stays in tact for another year. I love the move.
- Dareus could be the tipping point. By all rights we should extend him and keep the DL together for a long time. But it will cost huge money and be a major investment. Again, will Whaley keep the strength of the team in tact? I think he very well could.
Whaley has surprised me. I pictured him as a timid yes man. And maybe he is behind the scenes. But by the Bills actions it really seems to me that he is a mover and a shaker. And for better or worse the team is changing much more rapidly than maybe ever before.
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