Here is how we evaluated Buffalo’s free agent signings based on their 2019 contribution to the team.
Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane was aggressive during the 2019 free agency period, signing several players in a hope to bolster a fledgling offensive line. In addition, he inked a few complementary pieces to the defense, while finding players to solidify the special teams unit.
So, how did it really go for Beane? Looking back at the free agent class signings for the Bills, there were some obvious home runs while others were not-to-stellar.
Here’s an evaluation of Buffalo’s free agent signings based on their 2019 contribution to the team:
Cole Beasley, John Brown, Mitch Morse, and Quinton Spain
It was no surprise that Beane focused on the offensive side of the ball during last year’s free agent period. Several players became an integral part of the Bills’ improvement on offense.
Buffalo were in need of a massive upgrade at wide receiver, and Beane delivered by signing John Brown and Cole Beasley. It was easy to see that if Josh Allen had a chance at being successful that he would need a much stronger cast surrounding him. The duo combined for 139 receptions and 1,838 receiving yards. Tack on 12 total touchdowns, and it’s easy to see how this pair helped reinvigorate the offense. Brown gave the Bills the closest thing to a No. 1 receiver in the Sean McDermott era, while Beasley provided the team with reliable options out of the slot. When signed, many questioned the Bills’ decision to add them, but no one did by the playoffs.
Beane’s signings to bolster the offensive line worked well, as Mitch Morse became the foundation of the line. His presence helped solidify the line in a similar manner as Eric Wood. Quinton Spain and Jon Felicano came over to compete for starting gigs at the guard spots, and they exceeded expectations with their play. Felciano gave a physical edge in the run game, while Spain did not allow a sack during the regular season.
The Arizona Cardinals did not make it to the postseason but Arizona Cardinals fans can see a few former Cardinals players in the playoffs. The first playoff game of the weekend is between Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans. Between the two teams, there are seven former Cardinals.
Let’s check out who they are.
Bills LB Lorenzo Alexander
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Alexander spent two seasons with the Cardinals in 2013-2014. He became a pretty good pass rusher when he got to Buffalo. He had 50 tackles and two sacks in 2019.
The Jets Wire names the Jets 2010’s all-decade team with New York’s franchise-worst 10-year stretch ending with a 7-9 finish.
The Jets’ decade started with an AFC Championship appearance, but since then they’ve endured one of the worst stretches in franchise history.
New York has only had one season since in which it was over .500 and failed to return to the playoffs. The Jets have now gone nine consecutive seasons without a playoff berth and a record four straight losing seasons after faring 10-6 in 2015.
To finish off the decade, the Jets went 6-2 after a 1-7 finish, but they still have yet to play meaningful football beyond the first week of January. It seems Gang Green has its quarterback of the future, but does it have enough to start off the next decade with a playoff trip?
Decisions for the future are coming. For now, let’s take a look at the Jets’ 2010s all-decade team:
Offense
East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker (87) and New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) celebrate Marshall’s touchdown during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Patriots 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
QB Mark Sanchez: Sanchez was consistently average during his time in New York, but that’s enough to be the team’s best quarterback of the decade. He was the only one to lead Gang Green to the playoffs in this decade. During his time as New York’s signal-caller, Sanchez went 33-29, a much more impressive record than what Geno Smith, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh McCown. The hope is that Sam Darnold will do more to earn the nod 10 years from now.
RB Chris Ivory: Acquired via trade in one of John Idzik’s first moves as New York’s general manager, Ivory had a rather productive three-year tenure in green and white. He ran for over 800 yards in all three seasons, including going over 1,000 yards in 2015.
WR Brandon Marshall: Marshall spent just two seasons with New York, but his 2015 was enough to garner a mention on this list. Marshall set the team record for catches and yards and tied Don Maynard for touchdowns. In 2015, Marshall had 109 catches for 1,502 yards and 14 touchdowns.
WR Eric Decker: Paired with Marshall, the Jets had one of the most dynamic passing attacks in the league. He could never establish himself as a No. 1 target, but Decker put up those numbers opposite of Marshall. In 2015, Decker had 80 receptions for 1,027 yards and 12 touchdowns.
WR Santonio Holmes: While Holmes’ Jets career ended on a sour note, he is still largely responsible for helping New York reach its second AFC Championship Game in as many seasons. While his statistics don’t tell the whole story because of his four-game suspension to the begin the season, Holmes was as clutch as can be when it counted.
TE Dustin Keller: One of the more productive tight ends in the history of the franchise, the Jets have been unable to replicate Keller’s success since he departed New York. He finished his six-year tenure with the Jets catching 241 passes for 2,876 yards and 17 scores.
OT D’Brickashaw Ferguson: Ferguson was a staple on the Jets offensive line. He was the glue that kept the left side together and New York never had to worry about it quarterback’s blindside when he was on the field.
OG James Carpenter: Carpenter was the best the Jets had to offer at left guard during the decade. He was a reliable fixture brought in by Idzik and started every single game for New York from 2015-17.
C Nick Mangold: An All-Pro in 2010, Mangold would appear in five of his seven Pro Bowl appearances during the 2010s. The Jets are still itching to find a competent center as his replacement.
OG Brandon Moore: Moore is more famous for Mark Sanchez running into his behind, but he is the best the Jets had at right guard from 2010 on.
RT Damien Woody: While Woody has now spent more time as an ESPN personality than with Gang Green this decade, he provided the most stability at a position that has been a thorn in the Jets’ side.
Honorable Mentions: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, RB Bilal Powell, RB Shonn Greene, WR Robby Anderson, OG Brian Winters, OT Kelvin Beachum.
Here are several ideas to consider as the Bills’ brass makes this choice ahead of their second post-season game in three seasons.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Duke Williams made a statement with his performance in the team’s finale Sunday. Williams, in his first season in Buffalo, was the primary target against the Jets, reeling in 6-of-12 targets for 108 yards.
Williams had been inactive in Buffalo’s previous eight games.
The former Canadian Football League star gives the Bills a large-bodied target that Buffalo’s receiving corps lacks. At 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, he is a strong option to battle for 50-50 balls in the air. He can also be considered the best blocking receiver on the team.
If Williams did play well enough to name him as an active player for Saturday’s Wild Card matchup, then who will be relegated to sideline duties next week?
Here are several ideas to consider as the Bills’ brass makes this choice ahead of their second post-season game in three seasons:
Andre Roberts
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Andre Roberts. Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Andre Roberts was inactive last Sunday with a foot injury. The veteran plays the majority of his snaps on special teams as Buffalo’s primary punt and kick returner. Roberts has played sparingly on offensive this season, catching three passes for 20 yards and rushing the ball once for seven yards.
If Roberts is healthy, Buffalo will want to have him back returning kicks. However, if his injury lingers into next week, the Bills could suit up the same group of receivers who faced off against the Jets in Week 17.
Potentially without Roberts, receiver Isaiah McKenzie can see time at Roberts’ returner role.
Buffalo Bills snap count depth chart from Week 16 loss to the New England Patriots.
The Bills put a strong foot forward against the New England Patriots in Week 16, but fell 24-17.
In this one, the Pats took their 11th straight AFC title. The Bills saw their chance for an upset fall short, but it’s still been a fun ride to this point.
Who did and didn’t play a big role vs. the Patriots?
Here’s a full depth chart breakdown via snap counts for the Bills against the Patriots in Week 16:
Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Offense
Notes:
For the fifth-straight game, rookie Cody Ford played in every snap. Ty Nsekhe (ankle) was still injured and missed the game.
After not playing in a single snap on offense in Week 15, WR Robert Foster saw eight snaps vs. the Patriots.
After playing in 48 percent of snaps last week, TE Lee Smith only saw two snaps vs. the Patriots.
RB Frank Gore also only played two snaps and for the first time in his 15-year career, Gore did not get a carry in a game.
C Mitch Morse played in 89 percent of snaps after leaving the game with an ankle injury.
From Week 11 to 14, TE Dawson Knox played in 72-plus percent of snaps each week, which dipped to only 48 percent vs. the Steelers in Week 15. Against the Patriots, he jumped back to 74 percent.
WRs Andre Roberts and Isaiah McKenzie saw 24 percent and 57 percent of snaps, respectively. From Week 12 to 14, Roberts played in 5, 2, and 0 percent of snaps, respectively. Over the past two games, Roberts has played in 26 percent and 24 percent.
Without Gore, RB Devin Singletary saw a whopping 96 percent of snaps. His previous career-high was 82 percent.
While it might not have been the one you expected, there are, in fact, two Buffalo Bills players that were named to Pro Football Focus’ Pro Bowl roster.
While it might not have been the one you expected, there are, in fact, two Buffalo Bills players that were named to Pro Football Focus‘ Pro Bowl roster.
The actual roster includes one Bills player, cornerback Tre’Davious White. He landed in PFF’s 2020 Pro Bowl roster, too. In total, four cornerbacks were named to the AFC roster by PFF. With White is Stephon Gilmore, Macus Peters and Casey Hayward, some excellent company.
Here’s how that group is explained:
Marcus Peters was traded midway through the season, but he has been back to his best play now that he’s in Baltimore. Stephon Gilmore has scored two more touchdowns himself than he has allowed opposing receivers to catch, and Tre’Davious White has continued his excellent play as the rest of the Bills’ defense has raised its level to meet him.
Overall, White is given a 77.9 overall grade by PFF so far this year. That’s the lowest grade among the four, but again, that’s good company.
So now you’re wondering. Who’s mystery man No. 2? Jordan Phillips? Jordan Poyer? Tremaine Edmunds?
Kick returner Andre Roberts lands on PFF’s list for his excellent abilities in that department. Roberts is among the NFL’s best in average return yards, which is even more impressive since he actually hasn’t even scored once this season, which would affect his numbers in a big way. He’s just been quietly consistent.
After not being offered a contract following a career season, ex-Jet Andre Roberts pulls no punches when comparing the Bills and Jets.
Former Jets wide receiver and kick returner Andre Roberts still has some hard feelings toward the organization.
Roberts is still upset that the Jets did not attempt to re-sign him following one of the best seasons of his career. He hopped on the 17 Weeks Podcast with fellow Bills WR Cole Beasley’s and didn’t pull any punches about Gang Green.
“It’s so much better than being in NJ,” he said of playing for Buffalo. “The organization is better from top to bottom,” he said.
With Roberts returning kicks, the Bills lead the league in kick return average. Roberts is third in the NFL in that category. Buffalo is averaging 8.5 yards more per kick return than the Jets.
It’s not just returning kicks either, as Roberts is the ninth highest-graded punt returner in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus.
In his first and only season with the Jets, Roberts led the NFL in kick return yards and was a first-team All-Pro selection for the first time in his career. He was selected to his first Pro Bowl and was named to the AP All-Pro first team.
Roberts racked up 324 punt return yards and 1,174 kick return yards — both career bests. In Week 16 against the Green Bay Packers, Roberts returned a kick 99 yards for a touchdown and posted a career-high 215 total return yards in his best showing of the season.
It’s no mistake to say the Jets miss Roberts returning kicks. Letting him go was one of the more head-scratching decisions that Mike Maccagnan made this past offseason when the Jets former general manager was still in charge.
New York has not seen enough production from Trenton Cannon, Vyncint Smith or Ty Montgomery to make an impact in the return game this year.
Roberts also shined the light on the culture and power structure between the Jets and Bills. He pointed out that Bills head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane actually speak to one another, where it was apparent that Maccagnan and Todd Bowles rarely did. Instead, they both directly reported to CEO Christopher Johnson.
The disparity in the two teams can be seen in their records this year. The Bills are 7-3, while the Jets are 3-7. Roberts is correct and instead of merely labeling him as bitter, the entire Jets organization might want to look in the mirror before they allow another Roberts to slip through the cracks.
