Tag: Terry and Kim Pegula

PFF free agency grade: Buffalo Bills TE O.J. Howard

PFF free agency grade: #Bills TE O.J. Howard:

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The Bills were in need of some depth at the tight end position ahead of the 2022 NFL season.

With starting TE Dawson Knox putting up career numbers en route to a franchise record-setting performance this past year, the team looks to have their long-term solution at tight end for years to come. But behind him, the roster is a bit thin at his position.

So on the back of a big news day that saw Buffalo add pass rusher Von Miller on defense, they took time to address offense as well, adding former Buccaneers 2017 first-round selection, TE O.J. Howard, on a one-year deal.

Here’s how Pro Football Focus graded the addition of Howard:

TE O.J. Howard: One year, $3.5 million (up to $5 million)

In brief stretches during his five seasons with the Buccaneers, Howard looked like the player they expected him to be when they made him their first-round selection in 2017, namely pre-injury in 2018 and 2020. But those stretches were much too few and far between. Howard averaged just over 0.1 wins above replacement per season over the course of his rookie deal.

He’ll now get an opportunity to stay healthy and put that behind him in Buffalo while competing for snaps with Dawson Knox. The Bills could look to get two tight ends — Howard and Knox — on the field more with the potential departures of Emmanuel Sanders and Cole Beasley.

Grade: Average

During the start of last year’s offseason, TE was considered a position of need for Buffalo. Knox had not yet taken the next step as he did in 2021, which lead to widespread speculation in the media that the team would add starting talent in free agency or the draft.

Previously, the team had been linked to other free agents such as former Giant Evan Ingram and Western New York native Rob Gronkowski. Instead, the team added Howard to cap off an eventful day.

The 27-year-old is a strong addition by Buffalo who gives QB Josh Allen another big target, the Bills depth at tight end behind Dawson Knox, and who could potentially create a similar TE tandem to the one that helped the Patriots dynasty for a number of years.

Per ESPN Stats & Information, the Bills ran two-or-more tight ends on an NFL-low 100 plays during the 2021 season.

Nonetheless, Knox became a go-to target and was tied for the most touchdown catches by a TE in the NFL last season. Running two-tight end sets on offense with big targets like Knox and Howard on the field could make it even more difficult for opposing defenses to contain the Buffalo offense.

PFF free agency grade: Bills DL DaQuan Jones

PFF free agency grade: #Bills DL DaQuan Jones:

Another former Carolina Panther has migrated North to join the Buffalo Bills.

In what proved to be a salary cap-based decision the team allowed DT Harrison Phillips to leave and sign a 3-year $19.5 million deal with Minnesota.

To help add talent to the position, Buffalo signed DaQuan Jones. With the move, they add serviceably to the position group on a shorter deal and a smaller price tag.

Here is how Pro Football Focus has graded Buffalo’s deal with Jones:

DI DaQuan Jones: Two years, $14 million ($10.6 million guaranteed)

The interior defensive line market has been strong out of the gate in free agency, and the 30-year-old Jones continues that trend. He’s earned pass rush grades of 65.0 or better in three straight seasons, with at least 20 quarterback pressures.

Jones is a big presence on the interior, with at least 15 defensive stops in every season since 2015. He earns a nice pay raise over his one year flier in 2021 with the Carolina Panthers.

Grade: Average

Jones figures to add a big run-stopping presence slotting in alongside Ed Oliver, helping to fill the void left by Phillips while addressing an area the Bills defense has been actively looking to improve in.

What’s more, he also has the ability to contribute to Buffalo’s pass rush.

In 2021 he had 23 QB pressures and a career-high 69.4 pass-rush grade per PFF.

If the team gets this productivity at a more salary cap-friendly price point on a short-term in a player who adds run-stopping and pass-rushing and stays healthy in Jones, then the signing appears to have a good potential upside for Buffalo.

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What DT Tim Settle said about signing with the Bills: ‘Why not Buffalo?’

What DT Tim Settle said about signing with the #Bills: ‘Why not Buffalo?’

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Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane had a very active week, moving swiftly to shore up vacancies left by departing free agents and address needs in the team’s roster.

With six defensive linemen on expiring deals, it stood to reason there might be some new talent added to the trenches, especially as that’s a focal point of GM Brandon Beane’s strategy and approach in building a competitive team.

One of those exact types of moves that came this week included adding 24-year-old defensive tackle Tim Settle.

Settle joins the Bills interior line after spending his first four years in the NFL with Washington, inking a two-year agreement that features up to $800k in sack incentives. He’s even thought by some to be the biggest steal of free agency.

During his first day of media availability, he was asked why he chose to come to Buffalo. His response was right to the point.

“Why not Buffalo?” Settle said while addressing the press.

“The atmosphere, just who this team is, the energy they bring. Their family is welcoming, I feel like when it came down to picking a decision it was kind of real easy just seeing what this team does every year, who they have, and what they’re capable of,” he added.

The versatile young DT was excited to join the Bills and enthusiastic about playing alongside his new teammate in Buffalo, defensive tackle Ed Oliver.

“I like his energy, he brings it, he’s going to give it his all, I know that. And we gone get to the quarterback.”

His excitement during his introductory press conference sparked a wave of favorable responses on social media as well.

He also shared what the perception of Buffalo is as a team to players around the league. “It looks like they want to win, and everybody looks like they want to win. They play like they want to win, you can tell every week they want to win. It’s a winning culture here, that’s what we want to be a part of. From the bottom to the top, they want to win.”

A college teammate of Tremaine Edmunds at Virginia Tech, Settle seems like he’ll be a solid fit both on and off the field for the Bills with their defensive group and fanbase.

“I definitely talked to Tremaine,” he said. “We already have a connection, I know how he plays and he knows how I play, everything should feel perfectly fine. Everything should feel like it’s normal. It’s definitely going to feel good being able to play with him again.”

As he walked off the podium, he had one final thing to say to the press and to Bills fans.

“Y’all gonna love me!

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PFF free agency grade: Bills extend OL Mitch Morse

C Mitch Morse agrees to new deal with Bills

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During a free agency period that has already seen some of the Bills FA’s sign with other clubs, Buffalo has signed a new deal with a central player to its offensive line.

Front and center, that is.

The team’s center Mitch Morse agreed to a short-term extension to remain with Buffalo, giving QB Josh Allen a consistent and reliable presence on offensive snaps.

Here is what Pro Football Focus had to say about Morse’s new deal:

C Mitch Morse: Two years, $19.5 million ($12 million guaranteed)

Morse agreed to a pay cut prior to the 2021 season to stay in Buffalo and went on to earn his lowest grade since 2017 at 63.4 overall. However, Morse has not graded below 60.0 as a run-blocker or pass-blocker in any season since 2017, and his high floor brings stability. Continuity along the interior may be especially important with the Bills deciding to release 2021 right guard Daryl Williams.

Grade: Average

Morse made his feelings clear when re-signing with Buffalo, even going as far as to state that he wants to retire in a Bills uniform.

As the team released 2021 starters Jon Feliciano and Daryl Williams to free up over $6 million in cap space, they also re-worked some deals for players currently under contract. 

As Morse’s deal lowers his cap hit from $11.25 million in 2022 to $9 million and creates over $2 million in additional financial flexibility to add talent in free agency, the new pact makes sense for the Bills.

GM Brandon Bean has prioritized protecting Josh Allen and is in the midst of looking to improve the offensive line, and that Morse would be viewed as part of that solution for the next couple of years is also of note.

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PFF free agency grade: Bills re-sign WR Isaiah McKenzie

PFF free agency grade: #Bills re-sign WR Isaiah McKenzie:

The Bills and WR Isaiah McKenzie came to terms on a value deal per Spotrac.

It surprised some, in that the receiver didn’t test the free agency market for a chance to make more money playing for another team.

Pro Football Focus viewed the signing favorably as well, grading the pact as being an “above average” deal for Buffalo.

Here is what PFF said about the deal keeping McKenzie with the Bills:

WR Isaiah McKenzie: Two years, $4.4 million ($1.25 million guaranteed)

McKenzie has flashed in a limited slot role over the past three seasons, operating behind Cole Beasley in that capacity when needed. He’s earned PFF receiving grades of 75.0 or higher in each of the past two years on fewer than 300 total offensive snaps. 

The Bills aren’t necessarily committing to him taking over that role full time with this type of investment, especially given that McKenzie can also contribute in the return game, but it does give them the flexibility to cut ties with Beasley if needed for salary cap relief this offseason. Buffalo could save over $6 million in 2022 by releasing Beasley this offseason, per Over the Cap. 

Grade: Above average

Buffalo’s offensive potential was on full display during the team’s run into and throughout the playoffs. That included a career performance by McKenzie in the absence of Cole Beasley during their week 16 must-win victory against the New England Patriots

The team is being active this offseason in exploring possibilities to improve their short-yardage passing offense. They reportedly looked into trading for Christian McCaffrey while attempting to sign J.D. McKissic, who trailed only Alvin Kamara and Austin Ekeler in total receptions over the last two seasons.

But before doing so, they re-signed McKenzie.

With Ken Dorsey being promoted to offensive coordinator, and the team releasing Cole Beasley after granting him permission to seek a trade, McKenzie appears to factor into the teams’ immediate-future plans.

Buffalo’s offense will be guided under Dorsey with the help of newly added senior offensive assistant Don Shula, who notably coordinated Carolina’s offense in a tenure that included their 2015 season, Super Bowl appearance, and MVP year for QB Cam Newton.

To help Josh Allen achieve similar success, he’ll need continued consistent play from receiving threats.

While the front office may continue to add a dual-threat running back to their offensive group, McKenzie’s only 26-years-old and could continue to develop as a contributor in that respect. His gadget skills on running plays, familiarity with Allen and the offense, and big-play potential he showed against New England could mean more opportunities in his next two years with Buffalo.

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Free agency: Bills were ‘in the mix’ for Dolphins’ Emmanuel Ogbah

Free agency: #Bills were ‘in the mix’ for #Dolphins’ Emmanuel Ogbah:

If you wondered whether a Bills squad that had a rotation of defensive ends last season might stand pat this offseason, think again.

The team’s front office could be looking to add even more impact to the position group according to DE Emmanuel Ogbah.

In fact, the Dolphins edge rusher says Buffalo, as well as Baltimore and Indianapolis, were each interested in his services.

Ogbah ended up agreeing to remain with Miami on a 4-year, $65 million contract with $32 million fully guaranteed.

While the Dolphins have been trying in recent seasons to find consistency at quarterback, make headway in the division, secure a long-term head coach, and not keep losing by a lot to Buffalo as often as they have in the Josh Allen era, at least Ogbah has been a bright spot on their roster.

It’s understandable why a team would want to add him, in the past two seasons the 28-year-old has had 18 sacks and 45 QB hits.

It may be unlikely the Bills would have offered what Miami did due to cap space, which does make one wonder if the interest was a chess move by GM and Bills front office guru Brandon Beane to drive the price up on a divisional foe and two other AFC contenders, or if the interest was indeed legitimate.

We do know that Beane does actively look to improve and add competition to the Bills position groups. And with four members of last year’s defensive end group hitting free agency, he may be looking for upgrades.

This means we may just see him add some more talent to the team’s edge rush rotation if the reported interest in Ogbah is any indication.

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B/R: Bills save money, upgrade OL with suggested trade

B/R: #Bills save money, upgrade OL with suggested trade:

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The Bills have an important offseason at hand.

The team is close to being a Super Bowl-caliber squad and making the right additions and personnel moves could help move them close towards championship contention.

While free agency and the draft will be where most roster additions will take place this offseason, trades have the ability to add impactful talent. The Los Angeles Rams used the trade market to add star players who helped them win a Super Bowl.

The Bills themselves have been one of the beneficiaries of a blockbuster trade in recent years, adding pro bowler and number one receiver Stefon Diggs to the team thanks to a trade with the Minnesota Vikings.

Even Buffalo GM Brandon Beane’s infamous asset trades landed the team the NFL Draft pick position at which they used to select franchise quarterback Josh Allen.

As the offseason has begun, so has the process of looking at how the Bills might add talent that can help them win a Super Bowl. Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine offered his take on a trade that could help Buffalo, in “The Ideal Offseason Trade Scenario for Every NFL Team” list he presented.

Here is a look at who he zeroed in on as a trade prospect.

Buffalo Bills Trade for C Erik McCoy

The Buffalo Bills could save themselves money and upgrade a key position on the offensive line with two moves that make a lot of sense.

The first is to cut Mitch Morse. The center is set to be the fourth-highest-paid at his position in 2022, but the majority of his cap hit ($8.5 million) would become cap savings if they release him.

The second would be to call up the New Orleans Saints and work out a trade to bring in Erik McCoy.

The Saints face an uphill climb in creating cap space now and in the future. They are currently slated to be more than $75 million over the cap. McCoy doesn’t make a ton of money. He’s only owed $3.4 million in the final year of his rookie deal, but the Saints would save nearly $3 million by trading him.

That might not seem like much, but it also takes off the pressure to sign him to a long-term deal. The Bills, meanwhile, would get a reasonable replacement for Morse at a much cheaper price. McCoy has only allowed two sacks over his first three seasons in the league, per PFF.

Ballentine makes solid points on all fronts as far as why McCoy would be a fit for Buffalo in a trade as well as why it would make sense for New Orleans on their end.

Beane spoke recently about trades while providing some of the thinking that can go into weighing such a decision.

Similarly, there is the matter of cap space, which is something Buffalo could use for more offseason moves.

Ballentine’s suggestion does sound like it makes sense economically and talent-wise. There are also Beane’s recent quotes to consider, in which he was quick to point to the trenches as an area he will look to improve while prioritizing protecting Allen.

Suffice to say the GM will find a way to do just that, and time will tell if we’ll see some of the O-line being fortified through trade as suggested.

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Sabres GM Kevyn Adams to ‘pick brain’ of Bills GM Brandon Beane

#Sabres 🤝 #Bills

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The Buffalo Bills were one of the healthiest teams in the NFL this season, and one of their local neighbors has taken notice.

Sabres GM Kevyn Adams, whose building a young roster that has experienced its fair share of injuries over the last two seasons, spoke with WGR 550 this past week about reaching out to Bills GM Brandon Beane for advice.

“I’m going to call Brandon. It’s on my to-do list to pick his brain. It is interesting to me they had the least amount [of injuries], so I just want to ask some questions.”

The Sabres have had the second-worst ranking in the NHL this season in injuries. The Bills, meanwhile, were one of the top healthy NFL clubs.

Adams and his staff are researching the types of injuries incurred, what caused them, how they could have been prevented, ice quality, whether there was any deep tissue or broken bones, and if they were avoidable or fluke accidents.

As he evaluates practice frequency and player workloads, as well as in evaluating potential player signings and their health and durability throughout the season, he plans to enlist Beane’s council.

“Brandon and I have become good friends. We talk a lot. We bounce ideas off each other, and I think for me, it’s an incredible resource to have someone that’s had so much success in a lot of different ways in the things that he’s done and just pick his brain. So I’m definitely going to have that conversation.”

The Sabres have worked to restructure their front office and team in a similar process to the one that the Bills found themselves in when Beane and head coach Sean McDermott took over. At that time the club was coming off a couple of injury-riddled seasons themselves.

Owners Terry and Kim Pegula responded, spending $18 million to build a 41,000 square-foot performance and training center that opened in the spring of 2019. After the new facility opened, injury numbers went down significantly and there was a dramatic improvement in overall roster health.

The Sabres are in second to last place in the NHL’s Atlantic Division and appear to be headed towards another favorable Draft position. With a foundation of bright young talent, it makes sense that Adams would want to gain any insight he can to protect the franchise’s long-term investment in the roster they are building.

Considering the success Beane has had, it will be interesting to see if he is able to lend some of his insights towards the Sabres rebuild.

Beane offered some advice to Adams on a phone call ahead of the 2020 NHL Draft that might be telling as to the context of their upcoming conversation. “Trust your process.”

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