By Jeremy Juhasz / Billswire.usatoday.com
I can’t stop thinking about the potential clash in Week 4 with two unbeaten AFC East rivals at New Era Field.
Bills fans in 2003 fondly remember when Buffalo signed Lawyer Milloy days before trouncing Tom Brady and New England, 31-0.
The addition of Jalen Ramsey could provide a similar boost to Buffalo’s defensive backfield prior to hosting the Pats in Buffalo.
It’s not quite the same as signing a player from a division rival and starting him against his former club in Week 1, but the Bills adding an All-Pro player to its secondary is intriguing to say the least. And, against the Pats.
SIGN. ME. UP.
If Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott believe this is the year they can contend with New England for the division, you’re going to have to slow down Tom Brady’s potent weapons such as Antonio Brown, Josh Gordon, and Julian Edelman. Likewise, the Bills defense needs to keep pace with New England, which looks incredibly dominant through two weeks. With the hypothetical addition of Ramsey, the Bills could legitimately compare it’s strong secondary with the Patriots’ McCourty twins, Stephon Gilmore and company.
Looking down the road, as a best case scenario, if your intentions are to win the Super Bowl (which should be the goal of every organization) Kansas City’s explosive offense likely stands in your way.
Ian Rapoport Wednesday said it’s more plausible for a trade to happen for the Jaguars defensive MVP after the Jaguars and Titans game Thursday night.
Tre’Davious White was wearing a red non-contact practice jersey Wednesday and even though it’s likely nothing serious, he hasn’t looked as dominant to start 2019. Levi Wallace has been a nice find as an undrafted free agent and Kevin Johnson provides quality depth. However, no one on the Bills, including White, is in Ramsey’s class.
As many coaches and GMs around the league preach on a yearly basis, you can never have too many good corners. Yes, Ramsey did conduct an interview in the past trash talking quarterback Josh Allen, quite literally, he called Allen “trash.” But Allen handled that situation by brushing it off instead of commenting back. That, plus adding an All-Pro talent, will make those comments easily overlooked ones in Buffalo’s tight-knit locker room.
Ultimately, it comes down to compensation. First there is the idea of fair trade value. It’s reported the Jaguars want two first-round picks and that could be a nonstarter. Second, the organization would need to commit a new, lucrative long-term financial deal. Buffalo has the cap space.
Whether the Bills’ brass believe Ramsey is worth all that remains the question. On the field, it’s hard to argue the Bills wouldn’t be better off in 2019, but is the short-term gain worth adjusting the team’s long-term plan? For a team that is all about process, I’m pessimistic. However, the club needs to take some chances at some point, especially as they look at the AFC landscape. I’d like to think this is a real possibility to improve the roster.
Ramsey’s acquisition would signal to the team and the rest of the league that Buffalo’s set to challenge for the division and make noise in January.