As the calendar continues to turn and we get closer to the NFL Scouting Combine and after that, free agency and the draft, now is the perfect time to “put a bow” on what needs to be done to kick of 2016. To that end, here are the 5 things that I believe need to happen to allow even the most ardent of doubters a moment to say, “wow, they’re in a good place” going into training camp.
Fixing the Cap Conundrum: As we are all well aware, the Bills are somewhere between 200k over and 20k under their 2016 Cap. After the assumed cut of Mario Williams (sigh) and re-doing the roster bonus of Charles Clay, they’ll be +20 million in the ledger. Additionally, they’d be at (with a 155 million dollar static cap in 2017) currently at 52.8 million dollars in 2017 cap space.
However, that space is without an extension for Glenn or Incognito (see below), as well as 2017 FAs Stephon Gilmore and Tyrod Taylor. While the jury is still out on Taylor, Gilmore should be re-signed if possible this year if only to prevent a Sophie’s Choice (look it up) of franchising your QB and losing your #1 corner or vice-versa.
On thing to note re: cuts – with each, you’re going to need to replace their production and/or exceed their 2015 product this year, which is why I’m betting some of them are replaced by (cheaper) vets. With that in mind, other cuts may be made in an effort to give Rex Ryan the best shot at filling holes on his team with veterans, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
Cuts can include: Leodis McKelvin (+3.9m), Dan Carpenter (+1.76m), Kraig Urbik (+1.75m), Kyle Williams (+5m) and Boobie Dixon (+1.15m).
Re-Signing the Left Side of the Offensive Line: Both Cordy Glenn and Richie Incognito earned their keep this past season and the tandem are worth whatever they get in free agency. Hopefully, they’ll get that salary from the Bills. I cannot understate how much I enjoy watching Cordy Glenn play. One of the last vestiges of the Nix regime (at least that no one will burn at the stake), Cordy has played quite well the past 4 years. If the Bills decide to play games and let him walk – this will be Peters all over again (no @s). An emergent 26 year old left tackle that has done what few thought he could – play left tackle well – needs to be rewarded by the team that drafted him, full stop.
With regard to Richie, not only was he a good citizen, but he produced. The left side of the Bills line was quite good in terms of running the ball and in pass protection. With his age, his contract shouldn’t be too cost prohibitive – and again, rewarding a player that has been on your team is something that would be good for not only the player, but the overall team morale as well.
Figure Out the Issues on Defense Communication Wise and End the Debates: One of the biggest advantages I’ve seen to having a billionaire own your favorite team is the lack of a salary cap on coaching staffs. With Rex bringing in Rob as well as Ed Reed to help with the defense, I am hopeful that finally, whatever issues he claimed (outside of Mario bc scapegoat) held his vaunted defense down gets cleared up. And of the myriad issues that popped up, communication was the biggest one in my opinion.
Whether it was player to sideline, player to player, or sideline to player, there were a lot of screw ups, particularly against up-tempo teams. I sincerely hope that Rex, Thurman and Rob can sit and figure out how to maintain the complexity of the defense while simplifying the calls and checks for the defenders. If, however Rex wants to go out on his shield and do things entirely his / the Ryan “way”, I have little hope there will be improvement in this regard.
Prepare for Life without Shady for Some(??) of 2016: Because as of this article’s writing charges haven’t been filed, we’re in a bit of a gray area here. But make no mistake – if Shady is in any way implicated when this all shakes out, in the current climate he’s going to get suspended. Is it a game, four games, the season, who knows? But the Bills will not be able to trot out the excuse of “we didn’t know he’d be unavailable”, since this saga started well before free agency and the draft season began. Thankfully, Karlos Williams and Mike Gillislee are on the roster already, so they’d only have to pick up a 3rd back until the suspension was lifted – Joique Bell Perhaps?
Draft with the Team In Mind, Not Saving the Neck of Rex and Co: This is one of the biggest things they have to do. With the stories coming out via the Buffalo News’ Vic Carucci of the treatment of Jim Schwartz and the difference in the schemes, the Pegulas cannot allow draft resources to be squandered for the sole purpose of “making the Ryan name great again.” In a draft that is deep with linemen, to grab a player at 19 under the guise of “well Rex cut x so we now need y” is going to be dangerous for the team long-term. The Bills need playmakers, but those players also need to be put into position to make plays. Seeing Robert Nkemdiche play patty cake and 2-gap for an entire game will not make the most of his immense talent.
Drafting Carson Wentz because you think long-term he can be the guy is fine; drafting him because you’re afraid to pay Tyrod in a year is lunacy. The Whaley/Ryan/Brandon/Pegula brain trust have to make sure that these decisions are team focused or in a year they’ll be firing Ryan and making a new head coach deal with the wake of the decisions allowed in 2016.
Should each of these items get checked off the list, I would definitely look forward to seeing the 2016 Bills in action. Truth be told, we’ll all at that point be looking forward to their return, but at least with these actions we won’t have to gin up some enthusiasm – the moves will have done that for us already!
Let me know what you think – and don’t forget the challenge remains. If you want to join our team and provide #content you think is lacking from either a representative standpoint or just takes, fire a tweet at me @RDotDeuce or Joe @Buffalowins and we’ll chat.
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