Potential Bills: DE/LB Terrell Suggs
by Brian Galliford on Jan 28, 2009 1:00 PM EST
in Buffalo Bills Opinion
Email
Print
During the process of identifying the Buffalo Bills' biggest positional needs, the Buffalo Rumblings community nearly unanimously listed a pass-rushing defensive end as the one spot where the Bills most desperately needed an upgrade. We have already begun the process of profiling potential Bills free agents; for reference now and in the future, all of these profiles will be available at this link.
With the NFL's free agent signing period set to begin less than one month from today (midnight on February 27), we here at Rumblings are now starting the process of profiling several top-notch free agents that the community has identified as worthy of donning the red, white and blue in 2009. As one of the most oft-repeated names simply due to his dominating ways, Baltimore's Terrell Suggs is at the top of most Bills fans' wish lists. However, Suggs is one of the top playmakers on a loaded Ravens defense, and as it stands now, it's highly unlikely that Suggs will ever hit the open market. Still, a fan can dream, right?
Terrell Suggs
Age 26 at start of 2009 season
6'3", 260 pounds
6-year NFL veteran out of Arizona State
The Bills have recorded 47 sacks as a team over the past two years combined. Of that total, their top three defensive ends - Aaron Schobel, Chris Kelsay and Ryan Denney - have combined for 17 sacks. In two years. Suggs has 13 in that span by himself, as well as three forced fumbles, a pair of interceptions and two defensive touchdowns. He's exactly the type of playmaker that the Bills need out of a pass rusher, but those players are rare enough to prevent his escape from Baltimore. Rexx, head blogger at Baltimore Beatdown, however, has had the pleasure of watching Suggs play throughout his entire NFL career. Here's what he had to say about Baltimore's pass-rushing specialist - and if you're still of the mind that signing Suggs isn't completely unrealistic, prepare for a bit of bad news...
On Baltimore's potential interest in re-signing him
"T-Sizzle is probably the most important Raven to re-sign after, of course, Ray Lewis. Lewis may be 33 years old, but he had one of his best seasons of his career last year and his value is much more than what he does on the field."
On Suggs' 2008 endeavors
"He led the Ravens in sacks this season, but perhaps his value cannot be measured in terms of just statisitics. He had two interception returns for TDs and pressured the passer every game. In the AFC Conference championship game, he played sparingly due to a shoulder injury, yet still registered two sacks in the game and chased Ben Roethlisberger all over the field."
On Suggs' future
"Suggs recently told the press that he, Ray, and Bart Scott ought to take "home town discounts" to stay together as a unit on the Ravens. I fully expect the Ravens to re-sign Suggs, either to a long term deal or with the franchise tag."
Does Suggs "Fit the Bill"?
I highly doubt that there is an NFL city where Suggs wouldn't make an impact - he's that good of a player. In Buffalo, he would be a rush end on passing situations, and there's a possibility he could be incorporated into some strong-side linebacker looks as well. So obviously, Suggs would be a great fit in Buffalo. But it's rare that players of his talent change cities, especially when he likes the city he's at to begin with. Baltimore is almost certainly going to do what it takes to keep Suggs in Ravens purple, and with the feeling reciprocated by Suggs himself, envisioning Suggs in a Bills uniform is quite literally a pipe dream.
And that's without figuring the astronomical contract that Suggs would undoubtedly demand in a city outside of Baltimore. It's going to take a massive deal and the right situation to get Suggs away from Lewis and the rest of his high-profile teammates, and Buffalo most likely ranks low on his list in that department, even if the Bills found a way to be competitive with their offer. If the Bills are looking to spend a wad of cash on one player, they're far more likely to be successful at the linebacker position.
Any thoughts on Suggs that you'd like to add? Take a gander at his stat line below and let's talk some about Terrell Suggs this afternoon. Considering the tone of our guest blogger, it may be the last time we can legitimately do so. Many thanks to Rexx for the valuable insight!
| Year | G | Tk | Sk | INT | FF | PD |
| 2003 | 16 | 27 | 12.0 | 1 | 6 | 3 |
| 2004 | 16 | 60 | 10.5 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2005 | 16 | 69 | 8.0 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| 2006 | 16 | 65 | 9.5 | 0 | 3 | 7 |
| 2007 | 16 | 78 | 5.0 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| 2008 | 16 | 69 | 8.0 | 2 | 2 | 9 |
| TOT | 96 | 368 | 53.0 | 5 | 17 | 31 |
58 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
No offense Brian but this article doesn't convince me of anything
other than Suggs is the right guy for the Bills. The fact that Rexx the Baltimore blogger has an opinion means nothing to me. Ron was brilliant on Monday with his idea of “out” bidding other teams with the firm plan to trade downwards, the net result being very similar.
Until Suggs re-signs it’s open to everyone and I for one will not discount our chances. Obviously the fact that Suggs made the “house discount” comment is a strong indication that he would prefer to stay in baltimore but in the end until he actually signs somewhere, there is still hope! A lot of things could happen from now til then.
Sure it’s fun to discuss with you guys about who we should draft and who we should pursue in FA but in the end it’s all wasted time because we are not OBD and they will do whatever they feel like doing without any regards for what we think or wish. For now he is still my number 1 choice as a FA closely followed by Peppers, otherwise I think we need to get Everett Brown or Orakpo at #11. There is absolutely no doubt that as much as I’d like to draft Alex Mack, we need a big upgrade at DE for next year and beyond even more.
Your ability to control the LOS is directly linked to your ability to win football games!
FEED the BEAST!
Section 336 Row 13
The fact that Rexx the Baltimore blogger has an opinion means nothing to me.
Well, it should, and to cast it aside is strange to me.
Rexx LIVES Ravens football. Why should his opinion on the buzz in the Ravens market, the feeling he has about Suggs and his standing with the team, be disregarded as irrelevant? It’s far more reliable than the “oh, he’ll go where the money goes” sentiment that many have expressed here. That’s not how it works. If anyone has a good read on Suggs’ intentions or the team’s intentions, it’s Rexx. That’s why I consulted him. That’s why you should put at least some stock in his opinions, rather than saying “meh, what does he know?”
Buffalo Rumblings - all you care to know about the Buffalo Bills and more
by Brian Galliford on Jan 28, 2009 1:45 PM EST up reply actions
I did not say “meh, what does he know”
I said that it means nothing to me because obviously any good FA will be well liked in their respective cities so we would basically never even consider free agents.. I realize that there is more probability in us landing Peppers than Suggs and I realize that was the point that you were trying to make. Sorry if I was a bit rough in my response. I still hope that we have a chance at Suggs however small it might be!
Your ability to control the LOS is directly linked to your ability to win football games!
FEED the BEAST!
Section 336 Row 13
Next
Come on guys. Anyone who thinks Suggs is coming here is dreaming.
~K
"I’m Kurupt with Buffalo Rumblings. I am worth hundreds!"
You're right!
We should simply set our goal at 7-9 from here on out and just be happy with what we’ve got!
Your ability to control the LOS is directly linked to your ability to win football games!
FEED the BEAST!
Section 336 Row 13
That’s not what he was saying, and you know it.
There’s accepting mediocrity, which K was NOT doing, and accepting REALITY, which K routinely does.
You say there’s hope? It’s a fool’s hope.
Buffalo Rumblings - all you care to know about the Buffalo Bills and more
by Brian Galliford on Jan 28, 2009 1:38 PM EST up reply actions
Isn’t that Jauron’s goal?
Suggs is not coming here, just be realistic. Set aside your feelings about the Bills and think about it logically. We all want them to bring in the best talent possible, but just think of the obstacles that have to be overcome for Suggs to be a Bill….We have to offer more $ than everyone else (and maybe a lot more), we have to hope Baltimore doesn’t make him their #1 FA priority, we have to hope he is lying about the hometown discount to stay in B’more, we have to hope he actually wants to play in Buffalo, he has to want to play in a 4-3, etc, etc, etc….
It is a dream
~K
"I’m Kurupt with Buffalo Rumblings. I am worth hundreds!"
I realize that it's a long shot
But I think the fact that Baltimore has all three guys to deal with plays in our favor. If they low ball Ray and end up having to tag him, it could have some negative results on this “house discount” especially if Scott gets an offer and accepts it. Also, you have to think that Terrell’s agent would prefer to see him test market before accepting a lower offer from Baltimore. Last year nobody thought that Adalius Thomas would bolt from Baltimore and yet he did. I wonder if Rexx saw that one coming? He probably felt that Baltimore would tag him, like most of the nfl world.
I’ve also read articles where Suggs was saying that he prefers the pass-rushing duties and wants to get better and thinks that he has a lot of room to grow in that department. He was a DE in college so I think he’d welcome the chance to play DE in a 4-3, I think that would favor us.
Obviously top talent doesn’t want to come to Buffalo, we saw that again last year with Gonzo. I accept the fact that we need to sometimes “overpay” to get the talent in a Bills uniform.
So I realize that it’s a long shot but I still don’t want to completely discount the possibility.
Your ability to control the LOS is directly linked to your ability to win football games!
FEED the BEAST!
Section 336 Row 13
Adalius Thomas bolted from the Ravens to the Patriots...
You know the Patriots who have been winning Super Bowls and coached by one of the greatest coaches of all time (I just threw up a little).
Do you see Adalius Thomas leaving the Ravens to play for perennial playoff non-participant Bills and head coach Dick Jauron, not one of the greatest coaches of all time (yet :-)). It’s a silly comparison. I am the eternal optimist but grasping at straws is defined by your argument.
Playing Eternal Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008.
by MattRichWarren on Jan 28, 2009 2:41 PM EST up reply actions
The Patriots offered AD as much money as anybody else was. Everyone assumed he’d go to the Browns or somebody.
Exactly....
so he chose to go to one very successful team over one very unsuccessful team….
So if the Bills and Ravens are even in the same ballpark you know he will sign with the Ravens.
Playing Eternal Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008.
by MattRichWarren on Jan 28, 2009 2:49 PM EST up reply actions
Furthermore,
look at Moss. He went to the Pats for less money “initially” (or am I wrong), because he wanted to play with Brady.
I’m beginning to wonder something: Is is possible that players don’t want to come here because of the uncertainty of the team’s future and the potential of being uprooted while with the team? You have to wonder if ANY of that plays into a player’s mindset.
"Buffalo Bills Football 2009 (sponsored by Labatt): A Future as Uncertain as the Beer You’re Drinking"
"It's not delivery, it's DiGiorgio!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 28, 2009 3:15 PM EST up reply actions
I would say no
Most of these guys live elsewhere during the offseason, so I wouldn’t say being uprooted from Buffalo would be that concerning.
~K
"I’m Kurupt with Buffalo Rumblings. I am worth hundreds!"
Excellent counter-point. Plus, it can only get warmer when you move away from Buffalo. Well, maybe not the Midwest, but you get my point.
"Buffalo Bills Football 2009 (sponsored by Labatt): A Future as Uncertain as the Beer You’re Drinking"
"It's not delivery, it's DiGiorgio!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 28, 2009 3:54 PM EST up reply actions
Not only that.
It’s dirt cheap to live there during the season. That second house that costs $350,000 in the Buffalo suburbs costs, $600,000 in the Boston burbs and $1m in Jersey.
by twoeightnine on Jan 28, 2009 5:17 PM EST up reply actions
Is it you feel Suggs will resign with Baltimore,or that the Bills will not make an attempt to obtain him, or that he rather take less money from another team than play for the Bills?
I’m starting to think you feel the Bills are a second class franchise in the NFL. Is that true? Why?
because it is
Why -
1. Future of team uncertain when 90 year old owner dies
2. Coach on the hot seat
3. Small market team
4. Depressed local ecomony
5. Outdated stadium
6. Front office is a joke with the circle of friends approach
7. Have not been to the playoffs in a decade
and that is just off the top of my head. Feel free to add things I have missed
"There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path"
You have to ask?
I think Joe’s list covers most of the reasons. #7 says it all…
~K
"I’m Kurupt with Buffalo Rumblings. I am worth hundreds!"
LUCKY !!!
The only way the Bills will ever get to the playoffs again is if they get lucky with the next few drafts. They will not go out and be aggressive with top FAs so we have to cross our fingers come draft time. I wouldn’t expect much the next few years. They haven’t given us much the last few(10 yrs).
I'm also a Ravens fan
I have serious concerns as to how Suggs would fit in a 4-3 Cover 2 system. He plays in a 3 point a lot, but relies on his ability to drop into coverage as a way to slow down the pass protection. He also isn’t effective at fighting through double teams.
He thrives in a zone blitz 3-4 system where it’s next to impossible to put two guys on him most of the time, since you usually run the risk of the blitzer coming from somewhere else with a clear path to the QB.
Brian not to nitpick on your article here........but
your first bolded line says “On arizona’s interest in resigning him” instead of “Baltimore”
still got Berry on the brain huh?
12/19/08 - Thank you KLJ for coming into my life.
by norcaliangelsfan on Jan 28, 2009 1:42 PM EST reply actions
Ha, whoops. Actually, it’s because I had just typed “Arizona State”.
Buffalo Rumblings - all you care to know about the Buffalo Bills and more
by Brian Galliford on Jan 28, 2009 1:46 PM EST up reply actions
its all good my man.....other than that great write up....
and Im in the camp with K……….nothing to see here…..move along people :)
12/19/08 - Thank you KLJ for coming into my life.
by norcaliangelsfan on Jan 28, 2009 1:52 PM EST up reply actions
Is it just me
or is there no poll?
Anyway, It is very easy to say the Ravens will just re-sign him because you don’t let players like him get away but I like to think it’s a little more complicated than that. If we are going to assess every move the Bills will make and way we should do the same with the teams which hold the future of potential free agents we want.
First off, the Ravens have $19 million under the cap. This number will shrink significantly when one considers that the Ravens have three impact defenders to resign: Suggs, Ray Lewis, and Bart Scott. If I’m a betting man, my money is that Ray Lewis is priority number one, he’s simply too good and too important to that team period. I’m not a statistician but I tend to think after the contract he signs, there may not be enough room to sign either Suggs and Scott. To me, Suggs saying they should collectively offer the Ravens a “home town discount” sounds like a guy who wants to stay in Baltimore but who knows hes the second priority and that the money is limited that the Ravens have to spend.
The above is just considering that the three linebackers are all the Ravens need to sign this off-season. To me, the Ravens have wide receiver problems, an aging secondary in which their two starting corners each eat up $17 mil in cap so, and they have to resign Jason Brown who will command a hefty contract. Throw in the fact that Willie Anderson did play over 40% of the plays this year and you can take another million of the Ravens cap space.
I also think it is very silly to believe the Ravens will franchise tag Suggs considering the fact that doing so will happen under the OLB/DE hybrid position tag the league invented for Suggs. They have $19 mil to start, -1 mil for Anderson, probably -4 or 5 mil for Lewis, probably -7 mil for Brown. Being generous that leaves them around $8 million under the cap. Franchising Suggs will cost the Ravens anywhere around $10 million. So I can say that this is not a possibility.
Add to this entire equation that other restricted or unrestricted free agents on the Ravens include Jim Leonhard, Dawan Landry, Matt Stover, Corey Ivy, Demetrius Williams, Lorenzo Neal, and Kyle Boller and that they will most likely want to sign their own free agents and sign their draft picks and I would wager the Ravens are not just going to resign Suggs because they don’t let a young player with his talent walk away.
The way I see it, no matter what happens, the Buffalo Bills win at the Baltimore Ravens expense. They have three players at three positions of Bills need who they will struggle to resign in C Jason Brown, DE Terrell Suggs, and LB Bart Scott. I’m willing to bet that in terms of contracts, Scott costs $3-4 mil a year, Suggs cost $4-5 mil, and Brown costs $6-7 mil a year. To me that signals that either way the Bills will have a chance to make a move at Suggs or Brown. Either way, there is no reason to believe that Suggs is an impossibility.
Kawika Mitchell is a leader. He will help this young team develop.
They have $19 mil to start, -1 mil for Anderson, probably -4 or 5 mil for Lewis, probably -7 mil for Brown.
That just sounds like wishful thinking to me, poz. Did you miss the part where Rexx said Suggs was priority number 2 behind Lewis? That means $14-15 million once they sign Lewis. Anderson (Rexx specifically told me he has doubts as to whether he’ll be back next year) and Brown (we’ll talk about him tomorrow) are lower on the priority list, so why would they get money before Suggs?
Jim Leonhard is expected to follow Rex Ryan to the Jets. The Ravens can put pretty much anyone they want at SS and Ed Reed will make them look like a superstar.
I would wager the Ravens are not just going to resign Suggs because they don’t let a young player with his talent walk away.
Good Lord. Ozzie Newsome would be CRUCIFIED if he let Suggs walk so that he could re-sign an ancient RT and K, below-average safeties, a run-of-the-mill fullback, a crappy backup quarterback and two fringe players at CB and WR. Come on. Are you serious, or are you trying to convince yourself that the dream isn’t dead?
The only way Suggs isn’t an “impossibility” is if he’s not priority #2 for the Ravens. The chances of that being true are thinner than Kate Moss.
Buffalo Rumblings - all you care to know about the Buffalo Bills and more
by Brian Galliford on Jan 28, 2009 1:52 PM EST up reply actions
Also, the chances of C-Mac not getting cut are slim to none
That’s 8 million dollars in cap space for the Ravens once that happens
Whoa… Ravens fan lingo I’m not used to…
C-Mac = Chris McAlister?
What are the chances Samari Rolle goes, too?
Buffalo Rumblings - all you care to know about the Buffalo Bills and more
by Brian Galliford on Jan 28, 2009 1:58 PM EST up reply actions
yes, C-Mac=Chris McAlister
Rolle I would imagine would stay. I think he wants to stay, and he was very effective when he was on the field, which was most of the season. He’s about 4 million dollars in cap savings I believe, and although he probably will never be able to play a 16 game season again, the Ravens were just much better with Rolle and Washington than when one of them wasn’t on the field.
My friend (a Bills fan) actually has the Ravens signing Jabari Greer, which is a definite possibility. The Ravens probably want to pick up 2 corners this offseason.
You sign Greer, you let Suggs walk to us. Deal?
Buffalo Rumblings - all you care to know about the Buffalo Bills and more
by Brian Galliford on Jan 28, 2009 2:14 PM EST up reply actions
hahaha. hmm…. I might have to pass on that deal. How about you take Bart Scott instead. I think he’d actually be a good fit with the Bills, he’d give you an effective Blitz threat along with Kawika Mitchell, which would hopefully make life a little easier for your beleagured defensive line. He’s not excellent in coverage, but truth be told, he’s not targeted often either. Keep him out of trouble such as 1 on 1s with Antonio Gates and you’ll get along just fine.
Scott is interesting. We asked Rexx about him, too, but won’t be talking about him for a little while. Jason Brown is on tomorrow morning’s plate…
Buffalo Rumblings - all you care to know about the Buffalo Bills and more
by Brian Galliford on Jan 28, 2009 2:23 PM EST up reply actions
Are you serious, or are you trying to convince yourself that the dream isn’t dead?
Of course, I’m serious. And if I were the Ravens I wouldn’t be so quick to say that Suggs is a higher priority than Jason Brown. The Ravens offense was plain awful this year. I know Flacco was a nice story but for a team that made it as far as they did I would be very serious about wanting playmakers on offense. Considering that the run was the offense I would make sure to keep Brown. After that I would probably want to find receivers. So yes, it is not an “impossibility”. It is likely that they do resign Suggs and maybe as the second priority but to call it an “impossibility” that he doesn’t get resigned is being a tad too sure of oneself. The defensive coordinator is leaving and Suggs is a defensive player. My post did not seek to prove that Suggs was going to be available, Brian. It sought to prove that there is a cap situation in Baltimore and that nothing is a sure thing. It also served to argue that either Suggs or Brown will likely have to to go. Either way, it is good for us.
I’d also like to add here on an unrelated note that Amani Toomer has said his career with the Giants is over but that he wants to keep playing so he should get a little write up himself.
Kawika Mitchell is a leader. He will help this young team develop.
Couldn’t the Ravens let Brown walk and take Mack at #28? Wouldn’t that be better for the $ wise and maybe in the long run anyhow?
~K
"I’m Kurupt with Buffalo Rumblings. I am worth hundreds!"
That's exactly
how the Ravens will play it. It just makes more sense money-wise. The top 3 centers in the draft should be suffice to handle the job, so why would the Ravens want to spend that kind of money on Jason Brown? If it makes no sense to the Ravens, then how can it make sense to the Bills when the Bills can effectively do the same thing by drafting a C instead of signing a FA.
Bills fan half way around the world
they certainly could
and then we could sign Brown and I’d shut up about Alex Mack. Either way, I think the Ravens have a choice between Suggs and Brown because I think they will both command major contracts.
Also I wouldn’t say its impossible for Suggs to say forget it to a new defensive coordinator and forget it to taking less money and cash in on the open market because he is 26 and this is his chance to get the largest deal of his career. They simply can’t afford to franchise tag him so I would also say it doesn’t really matter what makes more sense for the Ravens if Suggs decides he wants to leave he’s going to leave
Kawika Mitchell is a leader. He will help this young team develop.
Ravens ranked +5.6% in offensive DVOA, making them 18th in the league. An average offense. That being said, an average offense with a rookie quarterback is pretty impressive. The Ravens improve by default.
They really do want to sign Brown, but don’t like signing interior offensive lineman to large contracts. It’s not clear what they think of Chris Chester, a second round pick in 2006 who everyone assumed to be a bust, until Marshall Yanda was injured and Chester took his spot at RG and played well. They also drafted Oniel Cousins and David Hale. Chester, Yanda, and Hale have all taken snaps at center in practices.
I really hope the Ravens keep Brown, who paces our offense, but the list of 1st round picks the Ravens haven’t resigned at least once is very small (Duane Starks, Travis Taylor)
do you
see a new coordinator affecting Suggs decision? Would you consider Brown a top 3 center in the NFL?
Just questions to a Ravens fan I guess. Also, you guys killed me in the Championship game, the spread looked mighty good.
Kawika Mitchell is a leader. He will help this young team develop.
Umm… top 3 center? Not really. I mean, it’s hard to say, but Jared Gaither, Ben Grubbs, and Marshall Yanda have all gotten a bunch of accolades, and our offensive line isn’t that good. Jason Brown is a good center, and some guys like Dr. Z love him, but he doesn’t remind me of the dominant centers such as Matt Birk or Jeff Saturday.
As for the coordinator, everyone loved Rex Ryan, but they knew he was going to be a coach. At first I was worried the players would all leave, but Suggs has publicly said he wants to stay. Greg Mattison I believe is well liked, he was the linebackers coach last year. Suggs played for Mike Nolan in his career also, where he was arguably more effective, and I think most feel that while Rex was a fine coach, “The System” that is the Ravens defense is bigger than any one coach.
As for the Championship game, we killed ourselves too. : – (
nothing is a sure thing
Well, nobody is saying it’s a “sure thing” that Suggs WON’T be available, either. But it’s extremely unlikely.
We’ve got Toomer on the docket, but not for a while. We have bigger fish to fry first.
Buffalo Rumblings - all you care to know about the Buffalo Bills and more
by Brian Galliford on Jan 28, 2009 2:15 PM EST up reply actions
bottom
line is we can try to read the tea leaves all we want but we just don’t know. With Rex Ryan out of the picture, and a chance for a huge payday my hunch says Suggs has a once in a lifetime opportunity to get paid handsomely. That said he and that defense are a unique group and I’m sure they want to stick together. The Bills would never sign a guy like this unless all of his other “preferred” options are gone. This is a pipe dream exactly.
The way the Bills bring in Takeo Spikes, Dockery, Fletcher, Sam Adams, Walker, is simply by targeting them early and offering more $ than anyone else will. It’s really that simple. It’s a known fact that small market teams in any sport have to overpay for FA’s to come. Which is why drafting and developing players is where the smart money of the franchise should be spent. Suggs and Peppers ain’t coming.
One thing is for certain. OBD targets its players and goes and gets them. We’ve seen that ever since 2006. Whether its been nice additions like Mitchell & Stroud or Dockery & Walker or the Spencer Johnson’s and Robert Royal’s of the world, one thing is clear, OBD will target, and will get some help via FA and or trade. But you have to be realistic. A Stroud type deal is not something we can/should expect EVERY year.
MARVelous
It’s a known fact that small market teams in any sport have to overpay for FA’s to come
I think if your successful this isn’t an issue. The reason why Buffalo has to pay more is we are consistently mediocre. If we win – it will attract more FA’s – but you already knew that.
Maybe now you'll never slime a guy with a positron collider
by J2 on Jan 28, 2009 4:07 PM EST up reply actions
nah
its economics. Look at the competive teams in small markets in any sport. Twins in baseball are a perfect example. They can’t pay for the Torri Hunter’s, Johan Santana’s to stay and they can’t attract big name guys either cuz they don’t have the dough. So they spend all their resources in scouting and development and every year they are successful throughout the 2000’s winning 5 division titles.
The Bills by the same accord let winfield, fletcher, clements, moulds, etc, players that for various reasons weren’t worth the mega bucks in their eyes. But for us to sign a Derrick Dockery who is a good but not Pro Bowl LG, we have to grossly overpay from the get go to make it happen. That’s just the way it is. You gotta realize these guys have no affiliations with their pro teams unless they are there for a career. Jabari Greer probably has built a life in Buffalo and that’s why his loyalty may be higher, but in the end this is a business. All these guys go home for their off-seasons back to where their buddies live and friends. The only way you lure a guy to Buffalo is with money. And significantly more money that same player could get for a team on par or more competitive than Buffalo
MARVelous
i disagree – i think if you consistently win you will attract more free agents than if you don’t
no baseball examples for me – its a skilled based sport – not a sport (go ahead and kill me on that one)
Maybe now you'll never slime a guy with a positron collider
by J2 on Jan 28, 2009 4:25 PM EST up reply actions
I agree with J2
NFL Players want to get their chance at a ring so winners attract FAs. The other problem with being a loosing team is you constantly shell out big bucks on un-proven rookies in the front part of the draft. Obviously if you are spot on each year you should dig yourself out of the hole but when you have too many needs it takes too long and then all you money is tied-up in rookies. Teams that are perennial winners have more cash for FA because they don’t overpay for unproven talent and also even when a rookies turns out to be good it’s normally after a few years experience, so your effective cost per year of good production turns out to be quite higher than it would be by trading down and paying more for Free Agents
Your ability to control the LOS is directly linked to your ability to win football games!
FEED the BEAST!
Section 336 Row 13
Baseball's a bad example because they don't have revenue sharing anyways
And teh Mets and Yanks can spend literally whatever they want on their team while the Twins take what their market can bear.
With Ralph the NFL would be like that guys. DOn’t forget.
Playing Eternal Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008.
by MattRichWarren on Jan 29, 2009 5:10 PM EST up reply actions
Huh?
Ralph was one of the few people who objected to the most recent CBA. The CBA was a pathway to a two tiered league—the haves (big market teams) and have nots (small market teams). The CBA even was written in such a way as to force the small market teams to financially support the big market teams, thus ensuring a permanent second class status. Wilson has his faults but blaming him for the current CBA is farcical.
Whoops,....
I meant “without Ralph” not with ralph. My bad.
Ralph was one of the owners along with Wellington Mara of the Giants that agreed that if every team in the league shared revenue, it would make every team financially feasible, successful, and competitive.
Ralph’s biggest contribution to football is revenue sharing so we don’t become the Pittsbuirgh Pirates.
Playing Eternal Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008.
by MattRichWarren on Jan 30, 2009 11:14 AM EST up reply actions
Now you've gone and depressed me a bit, Brian.
Suggs looks like an even better idea for the Bills than he did before. The thought of him switching to LB on occasions out of the rush end position is very tempting.
So if Suggs is unattainable, do the Bills spend the money to resign Greer/Peters or use it to nab Bart Scott as a consolation at LB?
"Buffalo Bills Football 2009 (sponsored by Labatt): A Future as Uncertain as the Beer You’re Drinking"
"It's not delivery, it's DiGiorgio!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 28, 2009 2:13 PM EST reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
