And with that said, there will be a thread here for every big named FA there is
Hope peppers falls into a diff makerAlways easy to point out the failures, but again, if you can add a difference maker- especially at a position of need- do it.
Hope peppers falls into a diff maker
Jarius Byrd and his huge contract hasn't made the Saints' defense any better yet.
Whaley is looking like one of the best young GMs in the league.He sure got alot of fans on this board.
Buffalos D looks pretty good so far without him
ok. lets see the practice squad ilb's on the other 31 teams. I would be willing to bet there is one out there that could help our team, and another dlineman. It takes some scouting, but the John Beason's of the world are out there.
About the whole buyer beware thing in regards to Byrd, he did sign a long-term contract, so he could still work out for them just fine.
In more general terms, it's tough to sign a guy and ask him to come in, learn the system, and be a stud all in the first year. Sometimes it happens, but I think it's more reasonable to ask a guy to be a contributor in year 1, and then hope he becomes the stud (using stud loosely btw) in the future years of his contract.
These kinds of discussions always revolve around the big names.
He's another kind of example to chew on.
In 2013, the Bills were 28th. in the league in ground yards surrendered and 23rd. in average run surrendered at 4.4.
That's with 3 Pro Bowlers in the D-Line and a decent player in the 4th. spot.
In 2014 to date, the Bills are 5th. in ground yards surrendered and 3rd. in average run surrendered with 2.8 with no changes in the front 4.
What's going on with that dramatic improvement?
Did the Bills cut back on the jet rushes to stop the run? Not really. They had an outstanding 3.6 sacks per game last year and a very good 2.8 sacks per game this year. Believe me, these guys tee off on any down approximating a passing situation.
Are they just keying the run at the expense of the pass in the back 7? Not really. Their passer-rating-against last season was 3rd. in the league at 74.2. In 2014 to date it's still very good at 86.8 for 11th. in the league. The difference is easily accounted for in losing Byrd to free agency and Alonzo to an ACL, with 8 INTs between them last season.
The most plausible answer, and the one that pops out with any kind of eye test, is the signing of MLB Brandon Spikes to a 1 year, $3 million deal in free agency to anchor the middle. Alonzo was just too soft to play MLB and was going to be moved to the outside before he blew his ACL. Bradham, a second year player, took his spot and has been quite decent.
But it's Spikes, a load in the middle, who sticks out in fixing that run game. He came in with a rep as one of the top MLB enforcers in the league. Just what the doctor ordered.
After I first saw Tullock play in Detroit after he was initially signed by Detroit in 2011 free agency, I was quite surprised to look up his salary and see he was signed for 1 year at $2 mil. He played well enough to get a 5 year/$25 mil deal from Detroit the following year and he's earned that money...until his freak celebration injury anyway.
That's just a couple of examples of bargain players who made an impact.
Nobody ever talks about those kinds of guys.
These kinds of discussions always revolve around the big names.
He's another kind of example to chew on.
In 2013, the Bills were 28th. in the league in ground yards surrendered and 23rd. in average run surrendered at 4.4.
That's with 3 Pro Bowlers in the D-Line and a decent player in the 4th. spot.
In 2014 to date, the Bills are 5th. in ground yards surrendered and 3rd. in average run surrendered with 2.8 with no changes in the front 4.
What's going on with that dramatic improvement?
Did the Bills cut back on the jet rushes to stop the run? Not really. They had an outstanding 3.6 sacks per game last year and a very good 2.8 sacks per game this year. Believe me, these guys tee off on any down approximating a passing situation.
Are they just keying the run at the expense of the pass in the back 7? Not really. Their passer-rating-against last season was 3rd. in the league at 74.2. In 2014 to date it's still very good at 86.8 for 11th. in the league. The difference is easily accounted for in losing Byrd to free agency and Alonzo to an ACL, with 8 INTs between them last season.
The most plausible answer, and the one that pops out with any kind of eye test, is the signing of MLB Brandon Spikes to a 1 year, $3 million deal in free agency to anchor the middle. Alonzo was just too soft to play MLB and was going to be moved to the outside before he blew his ACL. Bradham, a second year player, took his spot and has been quite decent.
But it's Spikes, a load in the middle, who sticks out in fixing that run game. He came in with a rep as one of the top MLB enforcers in the league. Just what the doctor ordered.
After I first saw Tullock play in Detroit after he was initially signed by Detroit in 2011 free agency, I was quite surprised to look up his salary and see he was signed for 1 year at $2 mil. He played well enough to get a 5 year/$25 mil deal from Detroit the following year and he's earned that money...until his freak celebration injury anyway.
That's just a couple of examples of bargain players who made an impact.
Nobody ever talks about those kinds of guys.
These kinds of discussions always revolve around the big names.
He's another kind of example to chew on.
In 2013, the Bills were 28th. in the league in ground yards surrendered and 23rd. in average run surrendered at 4.4.
That's with 3 Pro Bowlers in the D-Line and a decent player in the 4th. spot.
In 2014 to date, the Bills are 5th. in ground yards surrendered and 3rd. in average run surrendered with 2.8 with no changes in the front 4.
What's going on with that dramatic improvement?
Did the Bills cut back on the jet rushes to stop the run? Not really. They had an outstanding 3.6 sacks per game last year and a very good 2.8 sacks per game this year. Believe me, these guys tee off on any down approximating a passing situation.
Are they just keying the run at the expense of the pass in the back 7? Not really. Their passer-rating-against last season was 3rd. in the league at 74.2. In 2014 to date it's still very good at 86.8 for 11th. in the league. The difference is easily accounted for in losing Byrd to free agency and Alonzo to an ACL, with 8 INTs between them last season.
The most plausible answer, and the one that pops out with any kind of eye test, is the signing of MLB Brandon Spikes to a 1 year, $3 million deal in free agency to anchor the middle. Alonzo was just too soft to play MLB and was going to be moved to the outside before he blew his ACL. Bradham, a second year player, took his spot and has been quite decent.
But it's Spikes, a load in the middle, who sticks out in fixing that run game. He came in with a rep as one of the top MLB enforcers in the league. Just what the doctor ordered.
After I first saw Tullock play in Detroit after he was initially signed by Detroit in 2011 free agency, I was quite surprised to look up his salary and see he was signed for 1 year at $2 mil. He played well enough to get a 5 year/$25 mil deal from Detroit the following year and he's earned that money...until his freak celebration injury anyway.
That's just a couple of examples of bargain players who made an impact.
Nobody ever talks about those kinds of guys.
Thompson apparently doesn't agree. It's interesting that the only "big name" free agents signed by Thompson were 1st round elite talent. Pickett, Woodson & Peppers. Ted is very choosy. I think Byrd was drafted 42nd which means the Packers passed on him.I actually think Byrd was worth the investment...i remember when some people in Green Bay wanted to give up on Charles Woodson when he first got here after only o few games...probably even some of you. In time he turned out to be ok
I didn't watch the Saints, but he was signed to a 6 year contract. I don't think 5 games will define that contract. I'm not surprised he got off to a slow start, though, because he had to learn a new defense. I would expect him to be better next year.
I actually think Byrd was worth the investment...i remember when some people in Green Bay wanted to give up on Charles Woodson when he first got here after only o few games...probably even some of you. In time he turned out to be ok