It was treated as a joke by the Buffalo Bills, tweeting out an apology for stealing the Carolina Panthers’ staff.
It was the culmination of offseason and post draft moves by the Bills, punctuated with the hiring of Brandon Beane, former Panthers assistant general manager, as their general manager. Replacing Doug Whaley who should be starting his Mother’s Day shift at Applebee’s in an hour or so.
Hey @Panthers, sorry we keep stealing your staff. Just know it's out of respect. ✊️
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) May 9, 2017
The first Panthers’ alum to arrive in the Bills’ facilities this offseason was head coach Sean McDermott. McDermott, of course, was the Panthers’ defensive coordinator for the last six years.
I have some questions and concerns about this whole joke. First off, the only Panthers’ staff the Bills nabbed were McDermott and Beane. The real team they robbed was the Baltimore Ravens. At least three of McDermott’s assistant coaches came from that staff.
Second, what’s so great about the Panthers and, specifically, how they’ve been run under Beane. Now, I realize there was a Super Bowl appearance a couple of seasons ago so that certainly counts as a check in the “pro” column, as do three straight playoff appearances from 2013-2015.
But you also have just two winning records in that span. You drafted Cam Newton in spite of every NFL pundit proclaiming Blaine Gabbert was the better quarterback in the 2011 NFL Draft, so that’s good. Kelvin Benjamin was a solid pick and Luke Kuechly was an inspired one, but after that and signing Greg Olsen, the Panthers have not blown the doors open with their personnel moves.
We have our GM. Brandon Beane has been named the General Manager of the Buffalo Bills! pic.twitter.com/z81rG3mp8N
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) May 9, 2017
When it came time to make the major deals that define a franchise, the Panthers have been big losers. First, they pulled the franchise tag on cornerback Josh Norman, losing him to the Washington Redskins. Second, they orchestrated a lopsided trade with the New England Patriots for defensive end Kony Ealy for a second round pick. Ealy was nearly the Super Bowl MVP a couple of years ago and they basically traded him for Taylor Moton, a rookie guard out of Western Michigan who won’t start a game this season.
Norman didn’t miss a step in Washington, recording a career-high 67 tackles with two forced fumbles, a career-high 19 passes defended and three interceptions. It’s players like that who can turn around enough games to make a 6-10 season at least an 8-8 campaign.
The Bills have their own problems. They have a giant, gaping sarlacc pit at quarterback led by money pit Tyrod Taylor. They lost every receiver that played a down last season with the exception of Sammy Watkins, who they didn’t even tag with a fifth-year option.
Experience. Vision. Leadership.
Welcome to Buffalo, GM Brandon Beane! pic.twitter.com/16bwfXbAdM
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) May 9, 2017
Under McDermott they’ll convert back to a 4-3 defense, which they need to add or convert personnel to do and they play in the same division as the New England Patriots, who have only been the most dominant team in any professional sport over the last 15 years or so.
Sunday the Bills robbed a fellow AFC East rival for its assistant general manager position. Buffalo hired Joe Schoen away from the Miami Dolphins. He had been the Director of Player Personnel since 2014.
If Beane and McDermott really are worth all this fanfare, and history seems to prove it should be more of a nodding shrug, they’ve got an uphill climb ahead of them.
Other NFL Moves
Speaking of former Carolina Panthers, safety Tre Boston has taken his talents to Southern California, signing with the Los Angeles Chargers. Last season Boston recorded 52 tackles, seven passes defended and two interceptions.
The Houston Texans placed offensive tackle Derek Newton on the reserve/physically unable to perform list. He will miss all of the 2017 season after tearing both patellar tendons last season.
The Arizona Cardinals signed back up quarterback Blaine Gabbert to a one-year free agent contract. Gabbert went 1-4 as a starter last season, completing 56.9 percent of his passes for 925 yards, five touchdowns and six interceptions.
The New England Patriots signed center David Andrews to a three-year, $11.17 million contract.
To make a wager on any sport, go to the world famous Diamond Sportsbook by clicking here.
