Patriots extend offer to Bills RFA RB Mike Gillislee

[TheFlyingWedge]

So much for Rex Burkhead having the starting tailback position locked up. The Bolden re-signing is all the more puzzling now.

 

[Dexter]

What is the deadline for the Bills to match or not?

They have till Monday to decide.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

So much for Rex Burkhead having the starting tailback position locked up. The Bolden re-signing is all the more puzzling now.

STs say hi.

 

[Hammer of Thor]

So much for Rex Burkhead having the starting tailback position locked up. The Bolden re-signing is all the more puzzling now.

Bolden was signed to a one year deal for essentially the vet minimum with little guaranteed money. What's the harm in bringing him into camp? Worst case scenario is one of the new guys gets hurt or doesn't work out, and no rookie looks good on ST in camp, and you have to keep Bolden. At least you know what you're getting.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

At least we don't have to hear about how we "reached" if draft cupboard is bare. But wouldn't be surprised with a trade or 2 back into the draft, then some cagey trade downs from e.g., from a 2 or a 3, in a value bin move.

Looks like we can skip Thursday night though.

 

[Nikolai]

Looks like we can skip Thursday night though.

Great! I usually do anyway...

 

[patfanken]

Hard to see Buffalo NOT matching his offer if only for the PR consequences. After seeing Hogan, Gilmore, Branch, etc, have such success here, it might just be too much for Bills fans to see another guy leave and have success here.

So while the right deal on a purely football basis would be to grab the the draft pick and save the cap space, it might be too hard to watch another guy go south to the Pats in such a short period of time.

 

[Tunescribe]

So much for Rex Burkhead having the starting tailback position locked up. The Bolden re-signing is all the more puzzling now.

Who declared Burkhead starting tailback? Bolden is more a reserve/utility back and special-teams specialist. Bringing in someone to replace Blount was a given; I thought they'd do it via the draft but apparently they like Gillislee. Right now it looks like RB by committee, perhaps a true lead back will emerge.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

Hard to see Buffalo NOT matching his offer if only for the PR consequences.

Except then they have to admit they screwed up badly by giving him a low round tender. They could instead have offered him a 2nd-round tender for $2.75 million.

They are tight on cap space, so this move by the Pats really squeezes them.

 

[Dexter]

Hard to see Buffalo NOT matching his offer if only for the PR consequences. After seeing Hogan, Gilmore, Branch, etc, have such success here, it might just be too much for Bills fans to see another guy leave and have success here.

So while the right deal on a purely football basis would be to grab the the draft pick and save the cap space, it might be too hard to watch another guy go south to the Pats in such a short period of time.

The Bills must be deep into Stockholm Syndrome by now.

 

[Nikolai]

The Bills must be deep into Stockholm Syndrome by now.

As in Stockholm, Finland

 

[patsfan13]

So much for Rex Burkhead having the starting tailback position locked up. The Bolden re-signing is all the more puzzling now.

Bolden is a key ST player all 4 ST squads.


Very pleased with Gillislee signing especially since they locked up James White. Brilliant offseason and the fireworks will continue over the next 9 days.

 

[TheRazorsEdge]

It's a signing that makes a ton of sense. Especially if you read into his stats. It suggests he can be an extremely valuable asset in the possession game. Has the POTENTIAL to be another one of the diamonds BB uncovers while combing through other rosters.

That said he doesn't make or break this offense. If bills resign him so be it.

 

[Chevy]

Reporter: Bill, you don't have a first or second round draft pick this year. Is that a problem?

BB: No room at the inn.

BB is known to say, after a Superbowl, "We're two, three weeks behind most of the teams getting ready for next season."

This year's solution - Trade and sign what's needed early, and not have to be on the clock until day three of the draft. That buys some time.

 

[pheenix11]

I've had wood for 2.5 months, should I see a doctor?

 

[RobertWeathers]

BB is known to say, after a Superbowl, "We're two, three weeks behind most of the teams getting ready for next season."

This year's solution - Trade and sign what's needed early, and not have to be on the clock until day three of the draft. That buys some time.

Right. Bill is in Steinbrenner mode. F player development and just go sign guys. Takes less time that way.

 

[meatface]

He's instantly a starter and James White could be on the trading block.

Is this comment before or after the extension?

 

[Patsgofor4]

I wonder whether this is a new strategy for BB. With the huge increases in salary cap in the coming years, cap space is not at (as much of) a premium anymore and going with some higher paid young veterans rather than unproven rookies may make sense. Of course there has to be a balance.

 

[Love The Drake]

Is this comment before or after the extension?

Yeah I was the first one to Say I was WRONG in the James White thread.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

We have a lot of RBs now if Bills don't sign him.

Bills forum..."..F that team"