Ian Rapoport: Bills will franchise Byrd again if no deal is reached.

[bigvinny]

https://twitter.com/RapSheet

 

"The #Bills still want to do a deal with S Jairus Byrd. If not, I’m told they plan to franchise tag him. Won’t let him get away for nothing."

[L2duis]

Good!...

 

About time they do something smart.

[bigvinny]

Good!...

 

About time they do something smart.

 

I am just sick of years and years of drafting pro bowl caliber players and letting them walk when their 1st deal expires.

[1968_bills_fan]

If Byrd is such a super great, HOF, pro bowl linebacker, why don't we have teams knocking on our door all the time? I think the Bills would take a 2nd to high third round for Byrd- something in the 35 to 80 range for him to end the affair with the drama queen and dump the 2nd highest salary on the team. We might franchise him and then let the street know we will entertain offers (if that already isn't obvious). The other team would lose a draft pick but get a known commodity who is a veteran, rather than getting a "maybe" (even the best looking draftee, often bombs), and a guy who knows the ropes and will be there at close to 100% on the first day. (with which Byrd might be game 6).

 

The value of a player is best decided by the open marketplace- professional people vote with their own money and resources. That is a true test. A bunch of football fans BS'ing on a internet board is just amatuers giving opinions.

 

If Byrd is worth all that money for the Bills, why isn't he worth it for some other team- or do they all have all-pros?

[Buffalo13]

I am just sick of years and years of drafting pro bowl caliber players and letting them walk when their 1st deal expires.

 

Who specifically? Because to me, starting when we got Buddy Nix in there 4 years ago, we've resigned Stevie Johnson, Kyle Williams, Eric Wood, got a great deal on Leodis McKelvin which nobody talks about. Do you wish that Andy Levitre was still on the team for the amount of money he got? How about Donte Whitner?

 

I can't think of a lot of former Buffalo Bills who are starring elsewhere in the league other than Lynch and he was traded.

 

For the most part I think we've kept our truly good players. The problem is that we haven't drafted enough of them.

 

I don't think you can really afford to pay your safety 9 million a year. There are other cornerstone positions that need that money like DE, LT, and CB. So if they just pay Byrd whatever it takes to keep him, then we'll all be bitching when they don't resign Dareus or Gilmore or Aaron Williams, or Glenn because Byrd will have all that money.

 

I want to keep Byrd too, but if they get a 2nd rounder for him in a really deep draft AND replace him with a free agent who is solid and, though not as good, costs half as much I think I'll be okay with that.

[jurr80]

The Bills did this one with Peerless Price, and it was a stroke of genius.

[GSWJ23Richardson]

If Byrd is such a super great, HOF, pro bowl linebacker, why don't we have teams knocking on our door all the time? I think the Bills would take a 2nd to high third round for Byrd- something in the 35 to 80 range for him to end the affair with the drama queen and dump the 2nd highest salary on the team. We might franchise him and then let the street know we will entertain offers (if that already isn't obvious). The other team would lose a draft pick but get a known commodity who is a veteran, rather than getting a "maybe" (even the best looking draftee, often bombs), and a guy who knows the ropes and will be there at close to 100% on the first day. (with which Byrd might be game 6).

 

The value of a player is best decided by the open marketplace- professional people vote with their own money and resources. That is a true test. A bunch of football fans BS'ing on a internet board is just amatuers giving opinions.

 

If Byrd is worth all that money for the Bills, why isn't he worth it for some other team- or do they all have all-pros?

 

 

R u srs?

 

If Byrd is such a super great, HOF, pro bowl linebacker, why don't we have teams knocking on our door all the time? I think the Bills would take a 2nd to high third round for Byrd- something in the 35 to 80 range for him to end the affair with the drama queen and dump the 2nd highest salary on the team. We might franchise him and then let the street know we will entertain offers (if that already isn't obvious). The other team would lose a draft pick but get a known commodity who is a veteran, rather than getting a "maybe" (even the best looking draftee, often bombs), and a guy who knows the ropes and will be there at close to 100% on the first day. (with which Byrd might be game 6).

 

The value of a player is best decided by the open marketplace- professional people vote with their own money and resources. That is a true test. A bunch of football fans BS'ing on a internet board is just amatuers giving opinions.

 

If Byrd is worth all that money for the Bills, why isn't he worth it for some other team- or do they all have all-pros?

 

 

R u srs?

[lavuuk153]

If Byrd is such a super great, HOF, pro bowl linebacker, why don't we have teams knocking on our door all the time? I think the Bills would take a 2nd to high third round for Byrd- something in the 35 to 80 range for him to end the affair with the drama queen and dump the 2nd highest salary on the team. We might franchise him and then let the street know we will entertain offers (if that already isn't obvious). The other team would lose a draft pick but get a known commodity who is a veteran, rather than getting a "maybe" (even the best looking draftee, often bombs), and a guy who knows the ropes and will be there at close to 100% on the first day. (with which Byrd might be game 6).

 

The value of a player is best decided by the open marketplace- professional people vote with their own money and resources. That is a true test. A bunch of football fans BS'ing on a internet board is just amatuers giving opinions.

 

If Byrd is worth all that money for the Bills, why isn't he worth it for some other team- or do they all have all-pros?

 

Regarding the true value of a player, watch what happens if the Bills just let him go without tagging him. I'm sure multiple teams will offer him a huge deal that is probably higher than the Bills want to pay, especially if they don't also have to give up a draft pick. I think that's part of the reason we don't hear much about teams wanting to trade for him. I think the reason we don't hear about teams falling over themselves to get Byrd via trade is it will cost a boatload of money and a high draft pick.

 

Personally I'd have no problem giving Byrd a similar deal to what Stevie got. Depending on how much more he wants, it makes sense to tag him again and see if you can either work out a more favorable deal than he wants or trade him for at least a 2nd or multiple 3rds.

 

If Byrd is such a super great, HOF, pro bowl linebacker, why don't we have teams knocking on our door all the time? I think the Bills would take a 2nd to high third round for Byrd- something in the 35 to 80 range for him to end the affair with the drama queen and dump the 2nd highest salary on the team. We might franchise him and then let the street know we will entertain offers (if that already isn't obvious). The other team would lose a draft pick but get a known commodity who is a veteran, rather than getting a "maybe" (even the best looking draftee, often bombs), and a guy who knows the ropes and will be there at close to 100% on the first day. (with which Byrd might be game 6).

 

The value of a player is best decided by the open marketplace- professional people vote with their own money and resources. That is a true test. A bunch of football fans BS'ing on a internet board is just amatuers giving opinions.

 

If Byrd is worth all that money for the Bills, why isn't he worth it for some other team- or do they all have all-pros?

 

Regarding the true value of a player, watch what happens if the Bills just let him go without tagging him. I'm sure multiple teams will offer him a huge deal that is probably higher than the Bills want to pay, especially if they don't also have to give up a draft pick. I think that's part of the reason we don't hear much about teams wanting to trade for him. I think the reason we don't hear about teams falling over themselves to get Byrd via trade is it will cost a boatload of money and a high draft pick.

 

Personally I'd have no problem giving Byrd a similar deal to what Stevie got. Depending on how much more he wants, it makes sense to tag him again and see if you can either work out a more favorable deal than he wants or trade him for at least a 2nd or multiple 3rds.

[1968_bills_fan]

The Bills did this one with Peerless Price, and it was a stroke of genius.

 

Damn! I forgot about that one. A lot of people on this board think we had traded away the combination of Bullet Bob Hayes and Gerry Rice. He did next to nothing after leaving here but was asking for big bucks.

 

 

======================================================================================================================================================

 

 

Regarding the true value of a player, watch what happens if the Bills just let him go without tagging him. I'm sure multiple teams will offer him a huge deal that is probably higher than the Bills want to pay, especially if they don't also have to give up a draft pick. I think that's part of the reason we don't hear much about teams wanting to trade for him. I think the reason we don't hear about teams falling over themselves to get Byrd via trade is it will cost a boatload of money and a high draft pick.

 

Personally I'd have no problem giving Byrd a similar deal to what Stevie got. Depending on how much more he wants, it makes sense to tag him again and see if you can either work out a more favorable deal than he wants or trade him for at least a 2nd or multiple 3rds.

 

 

 

Regarding the true value of a player, watch what happens if the Bills just let him go without tagging him. I'm sure multiple teams will offer him a huge deal that is probably higher than the Bills want to pay, especially if they don't also have to give up a draft pick. I think that's part of the reason we don't hear much about teams wanting to trade for him. I think the reason we don't hear about teams falling over themselves to get Byrd via trade is it will cost a boatload of money and a high draft pick.

 

Personally I'd have no problem giving Byrd a similar deal to what Stevie got. Depending on how much more he wants, it makes sense to tag him again and see if you can either work out a more favorable deal than he wants or trade him for at least a 2nd or multiple 3rds.

 

 

Wait a minute. Your logic is making my head hurt.

 

 

You expect somebody to trade a draft pick for Byrd and not pay him any salary? So if we get something in trade for him, he would work for the new team for free.

 

or

 

You expect somebody to pay Byrd a high salary but not trade anything for him?

 

Are you Dick Juron?

 

 

 

Sorry, but you are just refusing to entertain reality about what Byrd is worth.

 

If he is worth so dang much, a team gotta invest something in getting him (like another good player, or multiple stabs at high draft picks to find a guy who turns out to be good and then a couple years of in-house training and salary) AND they have to pay him. Somehow, in your alternate universe, other teams don't have to do that sort of thing- only the chump Bills. You are really making my case. He is not so good that he is worth paying the money he is demanding.

Edited February 24, 2014 by 1968_bills_fan

[lavuuk153]

Damn! I forgot about that one. A lot of people on this board think we had traded away the combination of Bullet Bob Hayes and Gerry Rice. He did next to nothing after leaving here but was asking for big bucks.

 

 

======================================================================================================================================================

 

 

 

 

 

Wait a minute. Your logic is making my head hurt.

 

 

You expect somebody to trade a draft pick for Byrd and not pay him any salary? So if we get something in trade for him, he would work for the new team for free.

 

or

 

You expect somebody to pay Byrd a high salary but not trade anything for him?

 

Are you Dick Juron?

 

 

 

Sorry, but you are just refusing to entertain reality about what Byrd is worth.

 

If he is worth so dang much, a team gotta invest something in getting him (like another good player, or multiple stabs at high draft picks to find a guy who turns out to be good and then a couple years of in-house training and salary) AND they have to pay him. Somehow, in your alternate universe, other teams don't have to do that sort of thing- only the chump Bills. You are really making my case. He is not so good that he is worth paying the money he is demanding.

 

Let me try again. For any team other than the Bills, Byrd currently would cost a big, long term deal AND a draft pick. Teams are hesitant to do that because of the cost. If he is not tagged by the Bills and enters FA, teams will gladly pay him the big salary. What I'm saying about your position is I would be willing to bet that as an UFA, there would be at minimum 3-4 teams willing to pay him a huge salary and like 6-10 that would pay him more than what you think Byrd is worth. The draft pick needs to be factored in to the cost right now as it isn't just the 5 year 45MM (or whatever) deal they would have to pay, but also a 2nd round pick which also has a decent amount of value.

 

Damn! I forgot about that one. A lot of people on this board think we had traded away the combination of Bullet Bob Hayes and Gerry Rice. He did next to nothing after leaving here but was asking for big bucks.

 

 

======================================================================================================================================================

 

 

 

 

 

Wait a minute. Your logic is making my head hurt.

 

 

You expect somebody to trade a draft pick for Byrd and not pay him any salary? So if we get something in trade for him, he would work for the new team for free.

 

or

 

You expect somebody to pay Byrd a high salary but not trade anything for him?

 

Are you Dick Juron?

 

 

 

Sorry, but you are just refusing to entertain reality about what Byrd is worth.

 

If he is worth so dang much, a team gotta invest something in getting him (like another good player, or multiple stabs at high draft picks to find a guy who turns out to be good and then a couple years of in-house training and salary) AND they have to pay him. Somehow, in your alternate universe, other teams don't have to do that sort of thing- only the chump Bills. You are really making my case. He is not so good that he is worth paying the money he is demanding.

 

Let me try again. For any team other than the Bills, Byrd currently would cost a big, long term deal AND a draft pick. Teams are hesitant to do that because of the cost. If he is not tagged by the Bills and enters FA, teams will gladly pay him the big salary. What I'm saying about your position is I would be willing to bet that as an UFA, there would be at minimum 3-4 teams willing to pay him a huge salary and like 6-10 that would pay him more than what you think Byrd is worth. The draft pick needs to be factored in to the cost right now as it isn't just the 5 year 45MM (or whatever) deal they would have to pay, but also a 2nd round pick which also has a decent amount of value.

[1968_bills_fan]

R u srs?

 

 

 

 

R u srs?

 

 

Heh? I wrote safety and it has been changed to linebacker?

 

WTF!

 

 

 

On another thread, my post has me saying that Byrd is asking for $20M a year rather than the $8-9M fanchise again cost.

 

WTH!

 

 

 

On another I wrote about the size of the draft "pool" and it changed to "pull".

 

Sorry, but somebody is editing and changing my posts to make be appear to be foolish.

 

I logging off and not coming back.

 

Be happen, buttheads.

Edited February 24, 2014 by 1968_bills_fan

[D-Rocafella]

If we can't reach a long term deal with Byrd then I would hope the front office looks to move him. I really don't want to have a repeat of last season. We saw how his camp reacted and acted when tagged and I don't see any reason why they wouldn't do the same thing this season. Now that doesn't mean Buffalo can offer him some token 5-6 mill a year deal and say look we tried. They need to give him a realistic deal that pays him top 5 and if not top 3 safety money because that is exactly what he is. Not only that, but he is entering his prime where he should remain for the duration of that deal. If Byrd won't sign a 4 or 5 year deal worth anywhere between 7.5-9 mill per than slap the tag and get what you can for him.

[Buffalo13]

Let me try again. For any team other than the Bills, Byrd currently would cost a big, long term deal AND a draft pick. Teams are hesitant to do that because of the cost. If he is not tagged by the Bills and enters FA, teams will gladly pay him the big salary. What I'm saying about your position is I would be willing to bet that as an UFA, there would be at minimum 3-4 teams willing to pay him a huge salary and like 6-10 that would pay him more than what you think Byrd is worth. The draft pick needs to be factored in to the cost right now as it isn't just the 5 year 45MM (or whatever) deal they would have to pay, but also a 2nd round pick which also has a decent amount of value.

 

 

Now here is a good post with some logic behind it. Forcing a team to give up a pick AND a contract is the reason why restricted free agents almost never change teams. I they will tag him and let him explore trade options but they won't find many partners which will piss Byrd off even more. I feel like its going to get ugly.

 

To me the only hope of getting some sort of tag and trade done is for the other team to be a contender who believes they are close to putting it all together and that the back end of their defense is holding them back. The Eagles come to mind because I live in Philly and most horrible, disgusting Eagles fans see FS as the "missing piece". There is also the obvious connection between Byrd and Pettine, but that Browns pick is really high in the 2nd and I know I'd be hesitant to give that up. I'd be pissed if the deal didn't return at least a 2nd rounder.

 

What about player for player? It's super rare for lots of reasons but what else do we have to do but have fun with this?

 

How about Byrd for Jordan Cameron...TE problem solved.

 

Let me try again. For any team other than the Bills, Byrd currently would cost a big, long term deal AND a draft pick. Teams are hesitant to do that because of the cost. If he is not tagged by the Bills and enters FA, teams will gladly pay him the big salary. What I'm saying about your position is I would be willing to bet that as an UFA, there would be at minimum 3-4 teams willing to pay him a huge salary and like 6-10 that would pay him more than what you think Byrd is worth. The draft pick needs to be factored in to the cost right now as it isn't just the 5 year 45MM (or whatever) deal they would have to pay, but also a 2nd round pick which also has a decent amount of value.

 

 

Now here is a good post with some logic behind it. Forcing a team to give up a pick AND a contract is the reason why restricted free agents almost never change teams. I they will tag him and let him explore trade options but they won't find many partners which will piss Byrd off even more. I feel like its going to get ugly.

 

To me the only hope of getting some sort of tag and trade done is for the other team to be a contender who believes they are close to putting it all together and that the back end of their defense is holding them back. The Eagles come to mind because I live in Philly and most horrible, disgusting Eagles fans see FS as the "missing piece". There is also the obvious connection between Byrd and Pettine, but that Browns pick is really high in the 2nd and I know I'd be hesitant to give that up. I'd be pissed if the deal didn't return at least a 2nd rounder.

 

What about player for player? It's super rare for lots of reasons but what else do we have to do but have fun with this?

 

How about Byrd for Jordan Cameron...TE problem solved.

[Maz]

 

How about Byrd for Jordan Cameron...TE problem solved.

 

I could TOTALLY get behind that trade and it to me does seem like a fair trade for both parties involved. Brown would get a proven player and we get a very nice, up and coming TE who still has not seen his ceiling.

 

I completely understad the front offices logic in the move though and agree to the hard line stance honestly. The games with Eugene Parker just get old real fast it seems to me and he will ALWAYS play the "sit out" card (I mean has Crabtree really lived up to the deal he got yet after sitting out?). I feel like Whaley and Brandon are setting the frame work for deals moving forward with this, if Byrd is not interested in a fair deal (8-9 million to me) then fine, we are going to tag your ass still. In my mind, I think Byrd is every bit of the best FS in the game today and demands playmaker money but if he asking top defensive player money (lets face it, he isn't a pass rusher or any position that demands top teir money) then fine we will retain your rights and see what we can get in exchange or you'll still play here for a year.

 

I REALLY hope we can get it done with Byrd though as his presence on our secondary is huge I think. With Gilmore playing at such a high level (as he did at the end of the season) and McKelvin learning more so how to play the ball this past season (we'll see how he does when we are not getting to the QB and blitzing constantly). I feel like with Byrd are secondary can be really solid for years to come with a decent pass rush in tow, so for the sake of not having another gaping hole to fill... I'd REALLY like to keep Byrd in Orchard Park.

[Buffalo13]

I could TOTALLY get behind that trade and it to me does seem like a fair trade for both parties involved. Brown would get a proven player and we get a very nice, up and coming TE who still has not seen his ceiling.

 

I completely understad the front offices logic in the move though and agree to the hard line stance honestly. The games with Eugene Parker just get old real fast it seems to me and he will ALWAYS play the "sit out" card (I mean has Crabtree really lived up to the deal he got yet after sitting out?). I feel like Whaley and Brandon are setting the frame work for deals moving forward with this, if Byrd is not interested in a fair deal (8-9 million to me) then fine, we are going to tag your ass still. In my mind, I think Byrd is every bit of the best FS in the game today and demands playmaker money but if he asking top defensive player money (lets face it, he isn't a pass rusher or any position that demands top teir money) then fine we will retain your rights and see what we can get in exchange or you'll still play here for a year.

 

I REALLY hope we can get it done with Byrd though as his presence on our secondary is huge I think. With Gilmore playing at such a high level (as he did at the end of the season) and McKelvin learning more so how to play the ball this past season (we'll see how he does when we are not getting to the QB and blitzing constantly). I feel like with Byrd are secondary can be really solid for years to come with a decent pass rush in tow, so for the sake of not having another gaping hole to fill... I'd REALLY like to keep Byrd in Orchard Park.

 

If they offered him 9 mil a year, he's sign with Buffalo. IMO 9 mil is too much. He'd be the highest paid safety in the league. We already have the highest paid DE in the league. Can you afford to have two players on your defense who are the highest paid in the league at their positions? I'd argue no. Plus, before we know is Marcel is coming up and so is Aaron Williams. What if Hughes gets 10 sacks again...I'd want to keep him.

 

If we pay Byrd like he wants, then you can kiss Marcel Dareus goodbye in my opinion. I'd rather keep the DT and replace the safety.

 

I could TOTALLY get behind that trade and it to me does seem like a fair trade for both parties involved. Brown would get a proven player and we get a very nice, up and coming TE who still has not seen his ceiling.

 

I completely understad the front offices logic in the move though and agree to the hard line stance honestly. The games with Eugene Parker just get old real fast it seems to me and he will ALWAYS play the "sit out" card (I mean has Crabtree really lived up to the deal he got yet after sitting out?). I feel like Whaley and Brandon are setting the frame work for deals moving forward with this, if Byrd is not interested in a fair deal (8-9 million to me) then fine, we are going to tag your ass still. In my mind, I think Byrd is every bit of the best FS in the game today and demands playmaker money but if he asking top defensive player money (lets face it, he isn't a pass rusher or any position that demands top teir money) then fine we will retain your rights and see what we can get in exchange or you'll still play here for a year.

 

I REALLY hope we can get it done with Byrd though as his presence on our secondary is huge I think. With Gilmore playing at such a high level (as he did at the end of the season) and McKelvin learning more so how to play the ball this past season (we'll see how he does when we are not getting to the QB and blitzing constantly). I feel like with Byrd are secondary can be really solid for years to come with a decent pass rush in tow, so for the sake of not having another gaping hole to fill... I'd REALLY like to keep Byrd in Orchard Park.

 

If they offered him 9 mil a year, he's sign with Buffalo. IMO 9 mil is too much. He'd be the highest paid safety in the league. We already have the highest paid DE in the league. Can you afford to have two players on your defense who are the highest paid in the league at their positions? I'd argue no. Plus, before we know is Marcel is coming up and so is Aaron Williams. What if Hughes gets 10 sacks again...I'd want to keep him.

 

If we pay Byrd like he wants, then you can kiss Marcel Dareus goodbye in my opinion. I'd rather keep the DT and replace the safety.

[Maz]

If they offered him 9 mil a year, he's sign with Buffalo. IMO 9 mil is too much. He'd be the highest paid safety in the league. We already have the highest paid DE in the league. Can you afford to have two players on your defense who are the highest paid in the league at their positions? I'd argue no. Plus, before we know is Marcel is coming up and so is Aaron Williams. What if Hughes gets 10 sacks again...I'd want to keep him.

 

If we pay Byrd like he wants, then you can kiss Marcel Dareus goodbye in my opinion. I'd rather keep the DT and replace the safety.

 

 

 

 

All very good and valid points, I would agree that we don't need to keep Byrd if it costs us Marcell Dareus down the line. However, I think we have the space to keep both as well as Aaron Williams. Front load it as much as you can to free up space the following year when guys like Dareus are available (we don't have a huge slew of needs we can/ or will address in FA so it will likely be unspent money as of now). I am sure they can do some math and make it all come together, especially now when we have a young QB no demanding top tier money. That is when you sign guys like Byrd, and front load the HELL out of their deals (before your "franchise" QB asks for a franchise contract). We can keep them all and I personally feel Byrd is worth every bit of making him the top paid FS in the NFL. If we just let him walk do what do you think that does to Gilmore's perception when his contract year comes of and by all accounts Gilmore will likely demand big money at the end of his rookie deal as well.

 

I get what you’re saying but they can make it work, every other NFL team does. We’re not going Carolina Panthers and wrapping up a 100 million dollars of cap space in two mediocre RB’s or something here. Charles Johnson from the Carolina Panthers (while I am on that topic) is one of the top paid DE's in the NFL as well, do you think Kuechly is going to walk at the end of his contract or get Patrick Willis money? My guess would be that FIND a way to pay the man, so can the Bills I think.

[Buffalo13]

All very good and valid points, I would agree that we don't need to keep Byrd if it costs us Marcell Dareus down the line. However, I think we have the space to keep both as well as Aaron Williams. Front load it as much as you can to free up space the following year when guys like Dareus are available (we don't have a huge slew of needs we can/ or will address in FA so it will likely be unspent money as of now). I am sure they can do some math and make it all come together, especially now when we have a young QB no demanding top tier money. That is when you sign guys like Byrd, and front load the HELL out of their deals (before your "franchise" QB asks for a franchise contract). We can keep them all and I personally feel Byrd is worth every bit of making him the top paid FS in the NFL. If we just let him walk do what do you think that does to Gilmore's perception when his contract year comes of and by all accounts Gilmore will likely demand big money at the end of his rookie deal as well.

 

I get what you’re saying but they can make it work, every other NFL team does. We’re not going Carolina Panthers and wrapping up a 100 million dollars of cap space in two mediocre RB’s or something here. Charles Johnson from the Carolina Panthers (while I am on that topic) is one of the top paid DE's in the NFL as well, do you think Kuechly is going to walk at the end of his contract or get Patrick Willis money? My guess would be that FIND a way to pay the man, so can the Bills I think.

 

You make good points as well. Here is the link to part of the Bill Polian conversation from the John Murphy show the other day. He talks at the end about prioritizing positions according to your system so you can afford to pay for whats important. Who knows how important the Bills think Safety is. We will find out I guess but according to Whaley, it's not one of their "cornerstones". He also says if you have a truly special player you pay them no matter what but he does not put Byrd in that category.

[Buffalo13]

All very good and valid points, I would agree that we don't need to keep Byrd if it costs us Marcell Dareus down the line. However, I think we have the space to keep both as well as Aaron Williams. Front load it as much as you can to free up space the following year when guys like Dareus are available (we don't have a huge slew of needs we can/ or will address in FA so it will likely be unspent money as of now). I am sure they can do some math and make it all come together, especially now when we have a young QB no demanding top tier money. That is when you sign guys like Byrd, and front load the HELL out of their deals (before your "franchise" QB asks for a franchise contract). We can keep them all and I personally feel Byrd is worth every bit of making him the top paid FS in the NFL. If we just let him walk do what do you think that does to Gilmore's perception when his contract year comes of and by all accounts Gilmore will likely demand big money at the end of his rookie deal as well.

 

I get what you’re saying but they can make it work, every other NFL team does. We’re not going Carolina Panthers and wrapping up a 100 million dollars of cap space in two mediocre RB’s or something here. Charles Johnson from the Carolina Panthers (while I am on that topic) is one of the top paid DE's in the NFL as well, do you think Kuechly is going to walk at the end of his contract or get Patrick Willis money? My guess would be that FIND a way to pay the man, so can the Bills I think.

 

You make good points as well. Here is the link to part of the Bill Polian conversation from the John Murphy show the other day. He talks at the end about prioritizing positions according to your system so you can afford to pay for whats important. Who knows how important the Bills think Safety is. We will find out I guess but according to Whaley, it's not one of their "cornerstones". He also says if you have a truly special player you pay them no matter what but he does not put Byrd in that category.

[pkschul]

If he doesn't sign, franchise and trade him to Philly for a 1st...

[teal93mr2]

Well this report was clearly BS.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

Doug Whaley regime not starting out too good.