Open Rants by vaughanmoore1

Now that Rex Ryan is officially fired, the speculation and rumors surrounding that debacle are now irrelevant. Looking forward, we have one more game in this predictably mediocre 2016 campaign against a horse shit Jets team that played close games against the Browns and 49ers, two of the worst rosters in the past decade. Since we have nothing to lose, I say we start Cardale Jones this weekend. He is a huge project, but if the front office is thinking about releasing Tyrod from his contract, they at least have to know what they have behind him. EJ Manuel should be cut immediately following the final whistle and left in East Rutherford. He should use the money he stole from us from his rookie contract and use that for the plane back. That is, of course, if the Jets don't take him in for themselves. They don't have a clue on what to do at the QB position, as evidenced by their handling of Fitzpatrick, Petty, and especially Christian Hackenberg, who may never play in the NFL for all I know. So, we should literally donate EJ for free to the Jets QB charity, and see if they take him in. Following this series of events comes the offseason:

1) Hire Anthony Lynn as head coach (Plan B: Tom Coughlin)

The players know Lynn, especially (arguably) their best player, LeSean McCoy. He was merely the RB coach until we axed Greg Roman after week 2, when he became our offensive coordinator. Then, our rushing offense exploded, and he injected new life into the team. Rex's defensive schemes were the problem this season, as we would not have lost to the Raiders or Dolphins if the defense didn't collapse in the 4th quarter. Lynn was never the problem, and since the players know and like him, he should be coach. However, if he gets a more lucrative deal from another franchise and takes it, we roll with Tom Coughlin if he's even available. We're in trouble if neither of them are. In terms of our defense, I think we should hire Gus Bradley. His defenses were always good in Jacksonville, but he couldn't put it all together as a head coach. His 4-3 scheme would do wonders for our defense, as the vast majority of our defensive personnel are better fits in the 4-3 (Shaq Lawson, Jerry Hughes, Marcell Dareus, Kyle Williams, Zach Brown, Adolphus Washington, etc.).Also, I think we should hire another former Jaguars coach in Greg Olson. Olson knows how to develop QBs, and Tyrod still has untapped potential as a passer. Sure, he couldn't develop Blaine Gabbert and Blake Bortles, but that's like trying to teach a dog how to talk. I think Mike McCoy would also be a great candidate for offensive coordinator, as his offenses with the Chargers and Broncos were consistently productive. We can then get the most out of Tyrod, Shady, and Sammy. 

2) Retain Tyrod Taylor, take the $30 million guaranteed cap hit (Plan B: Deshaun Watson)

The Bills haven't had a franchise QB since Jim Kelly, who was their only ever true franchise signal caller. Tyrod is an above average QB who is extremely athletic and has the potential to be a top 10 signal caller in this league. He has the arm, athleticism, and intangibles to be a franchise QB, although his poor field vision resulting from his height has led to accuracy problems. However, mechanics can be corrected--you can't teach natural ability. Instead of discarding Tyrod in spite of his inconsistencies, we should keep him; I don't like any of the free agents nor the vast majority of draft prospects at the position. Mitch Trubisky has no elite traits, DeShone Kizer isn't a leader and had a losing record in college, Pat Mahomes played in a goofy pass-only shotgun offense that doesn't translate to the NFL, and Brad Kaaya sucks. The only one I like is Deshaun Watson, and I like him quite a bit. He reminds me a lot of Dak Prescott coming out last year in terms of his intangibles, athleticism, and the criticism of him in the scouting community. He is a great leader and hard worker who will put forth his best effort to win games for his team. If the Bills let Tyrod go, I would have no problem with it if we replace him with Deshaun Watson. 

3) Free Agency

Stephon Gilmore: Franchise tag- unfortunately, we need to see if last year was just a down year for him or if he has really regressed, so tagging him would be appropriate

EJ Manuel: He should retire and find another line of work

Percy Harvin: Re-sign 1 year for the veteran minimum- injury prone, but keeping him on as a slot guy for cheap couldn't hurt. 

Corbin Bryant: Re-sign for 3 year, $5 million- good depth in the interior D-line.

Jordan Mills: He should follow Manuel.

Reggie Bush: He should follow Manuel and Mills. He just had an astonishingly horrible season: negative yards rushing on over 10 carries.

Justin Hunter: Re-sign on 2 year, $2 million deal- big bodied redzone threat who doesn't provide much else but has potential nonetheless.

Zach Brown: Re-sign on 3 year, $15 million deal- came out of nowhere to make 2nd team All-Pro. 2nd in the league in tackles. 

Robert Woods: Let him walk- we can do better than Woods, who is the epitome of mediocre. Let another team overpay him.

Jerome Felton: Re-sign him to 2 year, $4 million deal- had a quietly spectacular season as the lead blocker for LeSean.

Ramon Humber: Re-sign 1 year for the veteran minimum- was a quality special teamer last year.

Lorenzo Alexander: Let him walk- some other team is going to give him a ton of money and we just don't need him anymore, considering we have Shaq Lawson and Jerry Hughes as our edge rushers. Also, if we switch to a 4-3, he wouldn't be a good scheme fit anyway. 

Leger Douzable: Let him walk- more of a 3-4 interior run stopper.

James Ihedigbo: Re-sign 2 years for veteran minimum- solid depth and capable special teamer.

Robert Blanton: Let him walk- he sucked for the most part last year.

Corey White: Let him walk- he also sucked.

Colt Anderson: Let him walk- more of a training camp guy who can be replaced with a late draft pick that has a higher ceiling.

Lerentee McCray: Re-sign 2 years for veteran minimum- solid depth.

Brandon Tate: Re-sign to 2 year, $4 million deal- just had a great season as a return specialist and the Bills should keep him.

Sergio Brown: Let him walk- same as Colt Anderson.

Marquise Goodwin: Let him walk- I've had enough of his injuries and butterfingers. 

Chris Gragg: Let him walk- useless player who provides absolutely nothing.

Jonathan Meeks: Re-sign 1 year for veteran minimum- young depth who can play special teams.

4) Draft 

1st Round: Trade down a few picks and take Corey Davis, WR from Western Michigan (Plan B: If we lose Tyrod, trade down for Deshaun Watson)- we have no receivers other than Watkins, period. Davis has the potential to be a great #2 in the NFL.

2nd Round: Marcus Maye, FS from Florida (Plan B: If we lose Tyrod, Courtland Sutton, WR from SMU)- we have no safeties other than Aaron Williams, who is pondering retirement, and Corey Graham, who is just OK. Sutton could also be a great #2 across from Sammy.

3rd Round: Isaiah Ford, WR from Virginia Tech- we need to double down on receivers in the early rounds. That's how bad that position has gotten on our team.

4th Round: Anthony Walker, 4-3 OLB from Northwestern- reminds me a little of Lavonte David. Could be a steal. 

5th Round: Josh Augusta, DT, Missouri- depth at DT wouldn't hurt.

6th Round: Dan Skipper, OT from Arkansas- the reason for why I put off tackle is because Kouandjio played surprisingly well to close out the year on the blind side. Also, we can sign one in free agency regardless, as this class is weak at the position. Skipper has starting potential at right tackle. 

7th Round: Andy Phillips, kicker from Utah- had a great collegiate career and shouldn't have a problem translating to the NFL as a kicker. I've had enough of Dan Carpenter. We actually would have had a chance at the playoffs if he made just a few of the field goals he missed, which proved crucial in close games (ex. OT vs. Dolphins week 16). 

I think if we make these moves, we have a great chance to improve upon last season and end the 17 year playoff drought in 2017.