Bills shot their '16 FA wad this year, too

[YardRat]

They'll probably have to purge a few vets to boot, based on Whaley's comments.

http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/in...nings-20150328

Don’t look for the Bills to do any trading involving draft picks in an effort to get back into the first round, which they vacated for this year to move up for Sammy Watkins in 2014.

Don’t look for them to part with draft picks, period.

“Next year, we are going to be the Green Bay of free agency, we’re going to sign our own,” Whaley said. “So, with that, you want to keep all those draft choices because we’ve got to start getting those young guys in the pipeline – young, cheap guys, because we’re starting to get a lot of expensive guys. Not older, but mid-prime years, 26- to 27-year-old guys, so we’ve got to get those young guys in for ‘cheap labor,’ so when those guys get to 30 and plus, they’re in there and they can start taking over without us having to force a rookie to play.


“And that’s our goal, that’s our philosophy, to have those guys in for two or three years, have them on special teams and add depth. And when their number’s called, they’ve been in the system for a while and they’ll have less propensity to make mistakes.”

[Night Train]

Fine by me.

A new coach comes on board and makes instant moves to get the team going immediately with key Vets. It's a 1 time deal to make this many moves but I love it. Now to draft the future to develop behind them.

Naturally some Vets will hit the wall in the next year or 2 due to age/declining play. Fred J, Wood, Kyle Williams and a few more. That will free up money for other things like the next Dareus deal and more.

I'm not worried about 2016 and beyond. I plan on enjoying this upcoming promising season.

[YardRat]

I thought was a nice little revelation of how they are not only approaching this off season but next year's as well.

Also interesting that he basically says he doesn't expect some of these guys to see the end of their contracts, if they plan on dumping them when they 'get to 30 and plus'.

[Night Train]

I thought was a nice little revelation of how they are not only approaching this off season but next year's as well.

Also interesting that he basically says he doesn't expect some of these guys to see the end of their contracts, if they plan on dumping them when they 'get to 30 and plus'.

It's the way I view all FA's when teams announce those deals. Most are back loaded and you know the so called total value means little. The guarantee is king and the first 2-3 years with the bonus is all most see. By then, the dead cap hit is usually gone and teams take a hard look at the player.

[YardRat]

It's the way I view all FA's when teams announce those deals. Most are back loaded and you know the so called total value means little. The guarantee is king and the first 2-3 years with the bonus is all most see. By then, the dead cap hit is usually gone and teams take a hard look at the player.

Yeah, most of us look at it that way but it's kind of unusual for a GM to allude to it.

[The Beef]

I love Whaley's comments.

If he locks up Glenn, Gilmore and Dareus that's a huge success.

This team has one glaring hole at QB, and an upgrade is needed at OG. We need depth at DL and LB, but for the most part starters are locked up across the board.

[swiper]

I love Whaley's comments.

If he locks up Glenn, Gilmore and Dareus that's a huge success.

This team has one glaring hole at QB, and an upgrade is needed at OG. We need depth at DL and LB, but for the most part starters are locked up across the board.

Those are the targets. Dareus being the most important (obviously). As far as the other two, a lot depends on how Gilmore plays this season.

[YardRat]

I would contend we need starters at DE and DT, and an upgrade at C also, but one or two of those could come from the next two drafts.

[swiper]

I'd like to see Wood this season under new coaching/blocking scheme before I write him off.

[Night Train]

I fully expect the 1st round pick in 2016 will be a QB. This year, OT,OG, C types would seem the priority.

Seems like they thought this out and are comfortable with the plan. Can't say I disagree. I just hope we can get decent QB play this year, since the weapons are now obvious. Who cares who it is.

[psubills62]

I've always thought that's the philosophy you're supposed to have, and one that succeeds ...as long as you draft well.

[BertSquirtgum]

I would contend we need starters at DE and DT, and an upgrade at C also, but one or two of those could come from the next two drafts.

Bills don't need an upgrade at center. Wood is good.

[better days]

Bills don't need an upgrade at center. Wood is good.

I doubt the Bills get rid of Wood.

He is a team first type of guy & I think he will accept a restructure of his contract to stay a Buffalo Bill.

And if they find someone that can play Center BETTER than Wood, he can move to Guard.

[Oaf]

Based on Whaley's comments about what they're expecting from their draft picks (backups/contributors) I could see them being pretty open to trading down and netting an extra 4th or something.

[BertSquirtgum]

I doubt the Bills get rid of Wood.

He is a team first type of guy & I think he will accept a restructure of his contract to stay a Buffalo Bill.

And if they find someone that can play Center BETTER than Wood, he can move to Guard.

For what reason? He is being compensated exactly how much he should be.

[better days]

For what reason? He is being compensated exactly how much he should be.

Wood is being paid like a top 10 Center.

Last year, he did not play like a top 10 Center.

And he KNOWS that.

He will have to play BETTER this year or accept a pay cut.

IF he does play better, the Bills can still renegotiate his contract to get more cap room next year if needed without Wood taking a cut in pay.

[BertSquirtgum]

Do people really not understand that a center has no chance of looking good when the two guys next to them are turnstiles?

[better days]

Do people really not understand that a center has no chance of looking good when the two guys next to them are turnstiles?

I do. And I think GOOD Coaches do as well.

Wood should have better players next to him this year.

But he will have to have a GOOD year in 2015 or accept a cut in pay in 2016.

And I think Wood will be willing to accept that cut in pay if his play is not BETTER this year than it was last year.

[YardRat]

Wood is good, I'm not saying he needs to be kicked to the curb, and I agree coaching and the talent around him probably affected his level of play last season, but I've always felt he doesn't bring enough power and stoutness to the position. He's not the mauler I had hoped for, and I'd like one in the middle of the line.

[Night Train]

I still see Wood getting pushed like a blocking sled deep into the backfield by former UB star Kalil Mack during that horrid Raiders loss. I already had reservations about his ability to anchor anymore, based on earlier play... but when a LB who is 50 lbs. lighter does that, my eyes open wide and I start to wonder about him.