Tag: AFC

Can star RB Derrick Henry be the missing piece to the Ravens’ Super Bowl puzzle?

The Baltimore Ravens already ranked No. 1 in the NFL in rush yards per game last season, so is Derrick Henry really the missing piece?

The Baltimore Ravens already ranked No. 1 in the NFL in rush yards and attempts per game last season, so is running back Derrick Henry the missing piece to their puzzle?

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The Ravens totaled about 156.9 rush yards a game in 2023 through 541 carries. Their offense dominated tremendously on the ground, but this success should be heavily credited to the defense, which allowed opponents to score just 16.5 points per game.

With opponents held to low-scoring outputs, quarterback Lamar Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Monken were allowed to commit to running the ball. However, with their defensive secondary expected to take a few steps back, the offense may need to be even more dynamic this upcoming season,

Furthermore, the Ravens’ rush-by-committee approach now needs to be delegated proportionately.  Will Henry average 20 carries and Jackson 10? How will running back Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell fit into the equation? 

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Ultimately, while it is premature to give a swift answer to these preliminary questions, the Ravens need to consider building their secondary with the best defensive backs available in the upcoming NFL Draft. Ravens’ fans should celebrate the arrival of Henry; it wasn’t inadequacy in the run game that ended the Ravens’ season last year.

However, the historic 60-sack, 18-interception season is behind the Ravens’ defense, so offensive excellence may need to balance the books for a secondary that may digress. Henry may need to have his most remarkable season yet if the Ravens plan on returning to the AFC Championship.

This Bills proposed resolution was passed by the NFL

This #Bills proposed resolution was passed by the NFL:

The NFL has made a change to one of their policies, and it came by way of a proposal by the Buffalo Bills.

While a new kickoff rule change and the removal of the hip-drop tackle were the headlining changes by the league At the NFL annual meetings, one of the Bills’ proposed resolutions was passed as well.

That proposal was “to make the injury reporting rules for players who do not travel with their clubs to games away from their home city competitively fairer.”

The team also submitted a second proposal, which didn’t get passed as written but the Competition Committee presented their own version that was approved. As Bills head coach Sean McDermott now serves on that committee and with the purpose of the resolution being more what it was meant to solve, it getting passed was considered a success.

“The end of the day, it’s what’s best for the overall league, not just what’s best for the Bills,” McDermott said to the press. “So, sometimes you have to kind of hit a middle ground on things and then reassess from there.”

That Committee’s version of the second proposal by Buffalo was meant “to expand the Standard Elevation rules to permit clubs to elevate a bona fide Quarterback an unlimited number of times from its practice squad to its Active List to be its Emergency Third Quarterback.”

With the passing of this new rule, an emergency third quarterback will now count as one of the two standard elevations. Meanwhile, the Bills’ version of the proposal was that an emergency third quarterback would be in addition to the two elevations.

NFL teams, coaches, and even top players have been instrumental in the past in submitting meaningful rule change proposals and resolutions.

The Bills have been one of those teams in recent years and McDermott having been appointed to the Competition Committee is a reflection of how his role and impact is viewed and embraced by the league in the perspective he brings.

The same can be said of Buffalo’s front office at large in their involvement and participation in looking at ways to improve the game, player safety, and league policies.

The Bills have had chances to experience the impact of unpredictable situations ranging from canceled games due to player injury, to game relocations due to weather, flaws in the compensatory draft pick awarding system, and more.

That in addition to the many things they encounter over the course of the regular season gives them plenty of opportunity for insight as a modern franchise, which could lead to more proposals in the future.

PFF grades the Bills’ work in free agency

PFF grades the #Bills’ work in free agency:

The Bills have been active in the first wave of NFL free agency, addressing roster needs with players who can be valuable contributors and rotation players in all three phases.

Similarly, letting some players walk in free agency while releasing and trading others has created cap relief and added draft capital while freeing up money to add cost-efficient talent.

Headlined by the additions of WR Curtis Samuel and LB Nicholas Morrow, a mix of new and familiar faces have been signed and re-signed.

While it’s worth noting that additional signings have taken place, including DE Casey Toohill and S Mike Edwards, with more potential moves on the way as the team has reportedly met with S Julian Blackmon and DE Austin Johnson on free agency visits, and still have a number of their own free agents available as well.

Had they been factored in, Toohill, who’s had solid numbers as a depth and rotation player, and Edwards, who has the second most defensive TDs in the NFL since 2021 (5) and two Super Bowl championships with Tampa and Kansas City to his name, may have affected the grade.

Nonetheless, here is the Bills 2024 free agency grade prior to those additions, according to Pro Football Focus…

BUFFALO BILLS

Epenesa has two straight seasons with strong production as a pass rusher, notching pressure rates above 10% and pass-rush grades above 70.0. He’s a big edge who has gotten faster off the ball as he’s developed, and he’ll still be just 25 in Week 1 of 2024, so there could be more improvement ahead.

Jones came out of the gates of the 2023 season on fire as an interior pass rusher, and the continued growth of Ed Oliver has enabled the two to work off each other and weaponize twists and stunts on the interior more effectively. Oliver still has a quick get-off and a bursty second step in his 30s, and Buffalo needed to add more defensive linemen, so why not retain a player you know is a fit as a three- to five-technique?

Buffalo looks ready to move on from the dynamic duo of Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde, who had an incredible run as the starting safety tandem for years. Rapp is a good box defender, and the Bills structured this deal in a way that they can approach it year to year while also buying out two additional years from Rapp.

PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE: B-

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Steelers check in at No. 14 in offseason power rankings

The Steelers have made multiple big roster moves this offseason.

No team has had a bigger roster turnover this offseason than the Pittsburgh Steelers. The headlines are all about the team moving on from quarterbacks Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph in favor of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.

The combination of moves the Steelers have made helped land them at No. 14 on Touchdown Wire’s first offseason NFL power rankings. Here’s what they had to say about the ranking:

The Steelers have been the most active team when it comes to making massive moves, which is certainly a difference in what we have grown accustom to. Pittsburgh signed linebacker Patrick Queen from the hated Ravens, and they’ve been wheeling and dealing with trades, as well. They sent receiver Diontae Johnson to the Panthers and got cornerback Donte Jackson in return, as well as a sixth-round pick. They also signed quarterback Russell Wilson and traded for Justin Fields, sending Kenny Pickett to the Eagles in between. The Steelers won 10 games with bottom of the barrel quarterback play in 2023. They don’t need Wilson and/or Fields to be top 10 quarterbacks. If they are slightly below average, that’s still a massive upgrade over what they had in 2023.

The Steelers snuck into the playoffs last season thanks to a late-season push with Rudolph at quarterback. Pittsburgh is hoping all these changes will pay off with the first playoff win since 2016.

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What WR guru said about Bills signing of Curtis Samuel

What WR guru said about #Bills signing of Curtis Samuel:

Count Yahoo football analyst Matt Harmon as one of the most excited enthusiasts of the Bills signing free agent WR Curtis Samuel.

During a podcast with Dalton Del Don, the duo capped the end of their airtime with the announcement.

“Final piece of news, as we are taping this,” Harmon proclaimed. “The biggest news, the biggest signing in the NFL has happened. Because, according to Adam Schefter as we were taping this, former Commanders wide receiver Curtis Samuel is signing a three-year, $24 million deal with the Buffalo Bills.”

Harmon created the Reception Perception methodology of evaluation which charts a receiver’s performance on every route run during a multi-game sample to map an understanding of how they perform beyond box score and independent of the influence of outside factors in a variety of ways. 

That evaluation includes…

  • How good of a route-runner is this receiver and on which patterns does he create the most separation?
  • Where does this receiver “win” on the field and what are his best attributes?
  • Where are they best deployed?
  • What quarterback of offense would they best gel with?
  • What kind of coverage foils this wideout and is there a role he best fits in?
  • Is this receiver capable of excelling or breakout if tasked with a greater target workload?

That the creator of such a deep-dive analytic method of evaluation has been and is bullish on Samuel in his career as a pro receiver is certainly positive. That he is authentically so excited at the Bills signing him may also be a good sign.

“I mean, I’m alive. I’m alive, bro. I’m alive. This is awesome. I’m completely thrilled,” Harmon expressed when asked for an immediate reaction during the podcast.

He and Del Don even went as far as to comment on their belief that the Bills got better at the receiver position, stating that Samuel was a clear upgrade.

“This is awesome. What an upgrade over Gabe Davis! You get Curtis Samuel out there? That is really interesting to me.”

He echoed the same sentiment that multiple media analysts have noted that the Samuel signing does not preclude Buffalo from adding a receiver in the draft to replace Davis’s deep-threat abilities while noting Samuel had his best season under Bills OC Joe Brady when he was in Carolina.

“Oh baby, I mean… Curtis Samuel had his best season in the NFL in Joe Brady’s offense. In 2020, he had 1,000 total yards. Over 800 receiving yards. Over 200 rushing yards. He was awesome. I think that he can be used in more true receiver ways and I think he can probably be deployed more as a flanker… I love this signing for the Bills. I love this signing for my guy, Curtis Samuel. I mean, this is absolutely electric. What a time. What a freaking time to be alive.”

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Bills’ Curtis Samuel on offensive coordinator Joe Brady: ‘A good leader’

#Bills’ Curtis Samuel on offensive coordinator Joe Brady: ‘A good leader’

The Buffalo Bills made their first big signing of the NFL free agency period by inking WR Curtis Samuel to a three-year deal.

And his previous playing under Joe Brady during his last pro stint as an offensive coordinator played a key role in landing the receiver.

“I was super-excited when the opportunity came, having some experience with Joe Brady and Carolina definitely influenced me a lot,” Samuel said during his introductory media availability.

“He (Brady) definitely feels like he’s a good leader, somebody you can put your trust in just because I’ve seen it, I’ve seen him put a lot of guys in great situations,” Samuel said. “He gets the most out of his players. I feel like that’s a testament of who he is, about how much guys respect him, and they lean on him, and they trust him.”

The addition of Samuel, whom Bills GM Brandon Beane helped draft while with Carolina’s front office, includes explosive playmaking potential. 

He achieved career-high numbers in his last season together with Brady in 2020 (77 catches for 851 yards receiving and over 1,000 total yards.)

“When I get the ball in my hands, I feel like I’m dynamic,” Samuel said. “That’s what I’m here to bring, just some explosive plays and be a team player. Whatever they need me to be, whatever they need me to do, whether it’s block, catch the ball. Whatever it needs to be, I’m here to be that team guy and help us make plays.”

As an offensive weapon, Samuel’s versatility will allow him to line up in the slot, outside, and from the backfield in the run game as well.

“It’s a little tougher for defenders because I got multiple ways I can go,” Samuel said. “You know, a lot of DBs can use the sideline as their best friend. But in the slot, there’s a whole bunch of room.”

He brings an elite burst with yards-after-catch potential to QB Josh Allen, whom he’s excited to connect with on the field.

“After I signed, he definitely reached out and I spoke to him,” Samuel said about Allen. “I’m definitely excited, I’ve watched him last year when I didn’t have games or when the games were on TV, I watched him. Exciting quarterback, tough, hard-nosed. But, you know, my job is just to make the game as easy as possible for him and I feel like that’s just trying to get open as fast as I can and make the game easier for him.”

After spending his last several seasons with Washington amidst their years as a franchise in transition, the appeal of Buffalo as a competitor with a dedicated fan base holds high appeal to one of the newest Bills.

“It’s a winning organization,” Samuel said. “I just was excited. The fan base was insane. I’ve been to a lot of other places, I’m always grateful for every stop that I took along my journey. I wouldn’t be who I am today without all those people and all the support that I get.

“But I definitely be excited to play in front of these fans.”

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10 Bills players who could have bigger roles in 2024

10 #Bills players who could have bigger roles in 2024:

Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane made headlines as of late by pointing to where the Bills need to get younger at key positions and hit on their upcoming NFL Draft picks.

He also forecasted a 2024 roster in which younger players may need to step in and step up to play more hands-on roles than the team usually asks of them early on in their professional careers.

Without knowing who this offseason’s new additions might be via the draft and free agency, some players already on the Bills depth chart could prove to be contributors this upcoming season.

Here are 10 Bills players who could have bigger roles in 2024:

Roster decisions the Bills must make for 2024, and advice on each

Roster decisions the Bills must make for 2024, and advice on each:

The Buffalo Bills 2023 season concluded with an 11-6 record, another AFC East crown, a No. 2 playoff seed, and another division-round exit.

GM Brandon Beane is looking to improve and help get the Bills into the Super Bowl in 2024.

To do so. this offseason, he’ll aim to get Buffalo’s roster younger at key positions and to hit on draft picks for more immediate contributors. He’ll also restructure contracts and look at extensions to get under the salary cap.

Buffalo has another long list of players poised to hit free agency and some who could be cap casualties, so they’ll need to make a call on which of those players could factor into the team’s long-term plans to know who to prioritize.

From potential cut candidates to re-signings, to whether to let some players walk as free agents, here are some roster decisions the Bills must make for 2024…

4 Bills players in line for contract extensions during the 2024 offseason

4 #Bills players in line for contract extensions during the 2024 offseason:

Again this offseason, Buffalo GM Brandon Beane and the front office have their work cut out for them.

This year, in particular, we might see offseason player personnel decisions ranging from last year’s supplemental short-term free agency additions to what could prove to be another asset packing and NFL Draft board movement masterclass to go up and get cost-controlled impact talent.

The Bills are among the teams with favorable Super Bowl odds ahead of their 2024 NFL season, this before they settle their roster via free agency and the draft.

While a number of players on the Buffalo roster are free agents, others may be up for contract restructuring or extensions.

Those extensions could be beneficial to players and the team alike, in that inking those new deals could also mean creating needed salary cap space for free-agency and draft timeframes.

With that here are four Bills players who could be in line for a contract extension this offseason:

10 Bills players who could restructure their contract during 2024 offseason

10 #Bills players who could restructure their contract during 2024 offseason :

The Buffalo Bills are over the salary cap to start the 2024 offseason and will have some financial maneuvering to do to reduce and get under while creating enough cap space to address their biggest needs.

OverTheCap.com projects a 2024 base salary cap of $242 million, which would put the Bills $50.6 million over at present.

While they’ll have the NFL Scouting Combine, College Pro Days, and player visits ahead they’ll also be tasked with getting under the cap by March 13th when the new league year begins, and before the start of free agency.

In addition to creating spending for free agency signings, they’ll also need to allocate space to sign their 2024 NFL draft class as well as to cover the cost of their practice squad.

with a number of players set to become free agents, GM Brandon Beane will be evaluating them versus talent on the market to make decisions on who to possibly sign and re-sign to improve the roster.

One way Beane has frequently freed up the necessary money to make those improvements has been through restructuring players’ contracts.

Here is a round-up of 10 current Bills players who could be restructuring candidates to help Buffalo’s salary cap situation in 2024: