Respect The Process: A Buffalo Bills M18 CFM

[BB_Dynasty]

Respect The Process: A Buffalo Bills M18 CFM


Introduction:
Hello everyone, I’ve done a few Buffalo Bills franchises here at OS and have had mixed results. I have an annoying habit of restarting all the time for one reason or another. I’m going to try and keep this one going until the release of Madden 19. This series will be following the Buffalo Bills and head coach Sean McDermott as they try to capture the Lombardi Trophy. This isn't meant to be a rebuilding project and I fully intend on ending the 17 year playoff drought as the Bills did in real life. This franchise is simply me playing as my favorite team and sharing it with you guys.

Couple things to keep an eye on:
1) This is an offline franchise and I'm using the final roster update. The timeline is off and I won’t have the draft picks from the many trades the team made early in 2017 (Watkins, Darby etc.), but I will have the players they acquired. Having said that, I will alter the offseason storylines as if they made all the deals in the offseason and ignore that I should have the
additional draft capital.

2) Coach firing and relocation are turned off. It hurts realism, but I don’t want a bunch of fake teams and coaches. I figured since most of the coaching changes are just musical chairs anyway, I would just keep all the coaches where they’re at.

3) I want to play as many young guys as possible. Part of the reason I always restart is after a year or two I cannot even recognize my favorite team because the entire roster is different. While realistic, I prefer to play with actual Bills players as the core of my team.

Settings:
Salary Cap: On
Skill Level: All-Pro (default sliders)
Quarter Length: 6 Minutes
Accelerated Clock: Off
Game Speed: Normal
Player Progression Frequency: Every 4 weeks
Coach Firing: Off
Game Play Tuning: Yes
Injury: On
Pre-Existing Injury: Off
Trade Deadline: On
Trade Type: Enable All
Relocation Settings: disabled

[BB_Dynasty]

2017 Buffalo Bills Season Preview:

Veteran Additions:
FB Patrick DiMarco, HB Mike Tolbert, WR Kelvin Benjamin, WR Jordan Matthews, WR Andre Holmes, WR Deonte Thompson, G Vlad Ducasse, DT Cedric Thornton, CB EJ Gaines, CB Shareece Wright, CB Leonard Johnson, FS Micah Hyde, SS Jordan Poyer, K Steven Hauschka, QB Joe Webb.

Draft Picks:
CB Tre'Davious White, WR Zay Jones, LT Dion Dawkins, ROLB Matt Milano, QB Nathan Peterman, MLB Tanner Vallejo.


Offseason Losses:
HB Mike Gillislee, WR Sammy Watkins, WR Robert Woods, WR Marquise Goodwin, WR Justin Hunter, WR Marcus Easley, LT Cordy Glenn, RT Cyrus Kouandjio, DT Marcel Dareus, MLB Zach Brown, MLB Reggie Ragland, CB Stephon Gilmore, CB Ronald Darby, CB Nickell Robey-Coleman, FS Corey Graham, SS Aaron Williams, K Dan Carpenter.

Offense:

When the Bills sat Tyrod Taylor in Week 17 to prevent a financial trigger, it seemed as though the relationship was completely fractured. It was unfathomable that Taylor would return. However, time heals all wounds, and the two parties have made up, for the time being. Taylor will return for another season, though it remains to be seen how long he'll remain on the team. The team has quarterbacks fall into their lap at pick 10 in April’s draft, but opted to trade down with the Chiefs and pickup an additional first round pick in 2018. The team did select a quarterback eventually thought and is said to be high on fifth-round pick Nathan Peterman. The new coaching staff is expected to give Peterman every opportunity to unseat Taylor in the near future.

Despite the presence of Peterman, Taylor is expected to win the job. Assuming that happens, the next question will be whom he's going to throw the ball to. The team traded Sammy Watkins who had missed 11 games in the past two seasons and was recovering from foot surgery. He had proven to be completely fragile, and Buffalo could no longer count on him staying healthy. The Bills also lost Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin in free agency. As a result, the team completely revamped their receiving corps. Zay Jones was selected in the second round, the team also traded for established veterans Kelvin Benjamin and Jordan Matthews.

Despite the new additions at wide receiver, Buffalo's best offensive weapon is still LeSean McCoy, who rushed for 1,267 yards and caught 50 passes in 2016. McCoy just turned 29, so a decline could come soon. He might be fine for this year, but the problem is that Mike Gillislee is gone, thanks to incompetence by the front office. Gillislee was a great backup, so the Bills won't have very much if McCoy gets hurt. Free agent signing FB/HB Mike Tolbert, who averaged just 3.3 yards per carry last season with the Panthers, is the best backup option at this point.

Buffalo's offensive line could potentially be a problem due to age and injury. Right tackle has been a problem area for the team the past few seasons, and the Bills will be hoping that second-round rookie Dion Dawkins will be able to fill the void. The problem is that Dawkins, despite playing left tackle in college, projects as a guard coming out of Temple, so it remains to be seen how he'll perform on the outside at the NFL level. The rest of the Bills' blocking unit has been exceptional. Cordy Glenn has evolved into one of the better left tackles in the NFL, but he hasn’t participated all offseason as he has dealt with a mysterious foot injury. While guard Richie Incognito has been terrific as well, he just turned 34, so it’s very possible he could regress a bit. If so, 2015 third-rounder John Miller will have to pick up the slack; he was average in his sophomore campaign, and there's definitely room for improvement. The team signed veteran Vlad Ducasse to compete with Miller. A sign they are looking for the young lineman to take a step forward. Meanwhile, center Eric Wood is returning from a broken fibula, which put him on injured reserve in the middle of the season.

Defense:

The team watched one of their top defensive players defect to their arch rivals. Stephon Gilmore signed with the Patriots this spring, which opened up a massive hole for the Bills at cornerback. They did sign Shareece Wright and Leonard Johnson in free agency, but both guys are viewed as depth signing. This prompted the team to select Tre'Davious White in the first round of April’s draft, but it's unknown if he'll be able to play up to Gilmore's standards as a rookie. Granted, Gilmore wasn't at his best in 2016, but he had been a consistent performer prior to that and was expected to rebound with a strong 2017 campaign. White was originally projected to start across from Ronald Darby, who was also disappointing last year. However, the team traded the corner to the Eagles after his sophomore slump. In need of another starting caliber corner, the Bills then traded with the LA Rams for EJ Gaines.

The Bills also acquired other defensive backs, obtaining Micah Hyde in free agency. Hyde is a versatile player who can be stationed at safety or in the slot. Given the Bills' massive problems at the former position, thanks to Aaron Williams' potential career-ending injury that led to his release, Hyde will have to start there next to another free agent addition, Jordan Poyer. Despite the signings, the safety spot is still a question mark, as neither player has been a full time starter to this point in their careers.
Much like the wide receiver spot, the Bills totally revamped their secondary heading into 2017.

Generating great pressure on opposing quarterbacks would obviously help an unproven secondary, but it remains to be seen how effective the Bills will be in this regard. Lorenzo Alexander notched 12.5 sacks in 2016, but did so in a 3-4 scheme. The Bills are moving to a 4-3 and Alexander does not have much experience in a 4-3, and given that he's now 34, he's a candidate for regression. If so, Jerry Hughes, who struggled in 2016, and Shaq Lawson, who managed just two sacks as a first-round rookie, will have to step up, as they are seen as much better fits for the new defensive scheme.

Speaking of stepping up, Marcell Dareus the former No. 3 overall pick was incredible at times, but he has also dealt with bouts of laziness, injuries and suspensions. The 2016 campaign was littered with them, so the Bills traded him to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Kyle Williams, meanwhile, was once considered a great player, but is now 34. Williams is still great at stuffing the run, but his pass-rushing talents aren't what they used to be. As a result, the Bills will need a lot more out of 2016 third-rounder Adolphus Washington, who struggled in limited playing time as a rookie. The team signed veteran Cedric Thornton to compete with the young defensive lineman.

While Washington didn't perform well in his first year, second-rounder Reggie Ragland didn't even take the field as a rookie because of a knee injury. Ragland was working with the third team in OTA’s and the team shipped him to Kansas City for a 2019 fourth-round pick. The only viable player the Bills will have in their linebacking corps besides Alexander, who, again, may not be a good fit in the 4-3, will be the steady Preston Brown. Matt Milano, a fifth-round rookie, Ramon Humber, a predominantly special teams player, and Tanner Vallejo, a sixth-round rookie, round out the rest of linebacking corps.

Overall Analysis:


The Bills had a golden opportunity to unseat the Patriots last year. They had an easy early schedule, while New England wouldn't have Tom Brady for the first four games. Ultimately, however, Buffalo did what it usually does, which was put together a mediocre season. The Bills could be even worse in 2017, as they're dealing with massive roster turnover and the leftover turmoil from the Rex Ryan era. New head coach Sean McDermott will look to create a culture of winning, but it’s unlikely it will happen overnight.

[BB_Dynasty]

Feel free to post! Preseason recap coming soon.

[BB_Dynasty]

BREAKING NEWS: Bills sign CB Vontae Davis

The Buffalo Bills have sign former Indianapolis Colts CB Vontae Davis according to league sources.

Davis had 37 tackles last season, defended 10 passes and had one interception. Davis made the Pro Bowl in 2014 and 2015 with the Colts after being traded by the Dolphins in the 2012 offseason, but had a down year by his standards in 2016 and was released by the Colts with a failed physical designation.

Davis is not expected to suit up for the Bills in 2017, as he is still recovering from offseason groin surgery. However, the Bills were aggressive in their pursuit to make sure they had him in their building for rehab in hopes for a bounce back 2018 season.

[BB_Dynasty]

Quote: Originally Posted by BB_Dynasty

BREAKING NEWS: Bills sign CB Vontae Davis

Obviously, the Bills signed Davis in real life. In the final roster update he is a free agent, but is still injured with a torn groin. I plan on stashing him on IR and editing his contract to a two-year deal for same dollars per year to ensure I have him for 2018.

Additionally, I may see if I can swing a trade for some of the other Bills 2018 free agent signings. Specifically, Chris Ivory because I plan on being a heavy run team and my backup running backs are not good.

[BB_Dynasty]

BREAKING NEWS: Buffalo Bills trade for Jacksonville Jaguars RB Chris Ivory


The Buffalo Bills continue to make moves and they have acquired Jacksonville Jaguars HB Chris Ivory according to league sources.

Ivory disappointed in 2016 after signing a five-year, $32 million contract last offseason. Ivory dealt with injuries and only had 439 yards, one touchdown and lost three fumbles in 2016. After the team drafted Leonard Fournette with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2017 draft, Ivory's time with the team was sure to come to an end fairly soon. Fournette is the team's clear lead ball-carrier, and the team also has T.J. Yeldon still on his rookie deal. The Jaguars also took Cam Robinson in the second-round, but he has reportedly struggled with pass protection during training camp and the team did not feel comfortable with him as their starting left tackle week one.

To complete the trade, the Bills sent LT Cordy Glenn. The tackle was limited all offseason due to a foot injury and hasn't played a full season since 2015, but when healthy, has been an effective blocker. Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone has seen this firsthand, Marrone coached Glenn in Buffalofrom 2013 to 2014. Second-year tackle Dion Dawkins, the Bills second-round pick out of Temple in 2017, has reportedly impressed in training camp filling in for the injured Glenn, and is the favorite to replace him at the left tackle spot.

What made Glenn a more movable piece for the Bills was his five-year, $60 million contract signed in 2016, prior to Sean McDermott’s arrival. A potential out didn't exist in his contract until 2019, and if Buffalo didn't like Glenn as much as his contract paid, his injury history, roster bonus and Dawkins' performance would understandably expedite Glenn's exit.

Given his contract and the trade compensation, Chris Ivory pencils in as LeSean McCoy's primary backup for the foreseeable future. The Bills plan on being a run heavy team and after losing Mike Gilislee in free agency last offseason, the depth behind Buffalo's Pro Bowl RB left a lot to be desired. Additionally, McCoy is more of a make-you-miss runner whereas Ivory is a more downhill power back. His bruising style will theoretically present a nice compliment and add another dimension to the Bills rushing attack.

[BB_Dynasty]

BREAKING NEWS: Buffalo Bills trade for Carolina Panthers DT Star Lotulelei


The Buffalo Bills have acquired Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Star Lotulelei, according to league sources.

Lotulelei had 26 tackles last season, 4 sacks and one forced fumbles. He was a key part of the Panthers top ten rush defenses in 2015 and 2016. The 27-year-old defensive lineman is entering his final year of a five year rookie contract signed in 2013.

Lotulelei has familiarity with head coach Sean McDermott, coming from the Carolina Panthers organization. Lotulelei replaces Marcel Dareus on the defensive line.

To complete the trade the Bills sent a 2018 fourth-round pick to the Panthers, per reports.

[BB_Dynasty]

BREAKING NEWS: Buffalo Bills trade for Washington Redskins LOLB Trent Murphy


The Buffalo Bills have acquired Washington Redskins LOLB Trent Murphy according to league sources.

Murphy had 47 tackles last season, 9 sacks and three forced fumbles in a reserve role as a situational pass rusher for Washington. The 26-year-old pass rusher is entering his final year of a four year rookie contract signed in 2014.

Murphy has experience at both defensive end and outside linebacker. In Sean McDermott’s 4-3 defense he projects to line up at end exclusively. The Bills coaching staff believes Murphy could see even more success as he transitions to full time 4-3 defensive end and that the more traditional position fits his skill set best. As the Bills' roster stands right now, Murphy will be competing for starter's snaps with 2016 first-round pick Shaq Lawson and Jerry Hughes, who both disappointed last season.

Murphy is among four new additions to the Bills' roster in the last week. Prior to their preseason game, the Bills signed cornerback Vontae Davis, traded for running back Chris Ivory and defensive tackle Star Lotulelei, in addition to Murphy.

To complete the trade the Bills sent a 2018 second-round pick, per reports.