CBS Sports: Bills Close In To Sign Browns Controversial WR In A Bluckbuster Deal.
Welcome to the Bills Mailbag for Week 6. Let’s address your queries straight now.
Drew Shapiro wonders if it would be worthwhile to investigate and consider acquiring Browns WR Amari Cooper if he became available through a trade and the Bills could sign him under the salary limit, given Cleveland’s desired price.
Jay: Indeed, it would. Since Cooper’s base pay for this season is only $1.2 million, the Bills would be responsible for the remaining amount regardless of when the trade was completed. That puts him in a tradeable position, should Cleveland decide to do so. Given that Cooper is an upcoming unrestricted free agent and the Browns are doomed, it makes sense that Cleveland would be open to shopping him. Who really knows? Of course, rationality and the Browns are typically incompatible.
Despite his lackluster season totals of 20 catches, 208 yards, and two touchdowns, Cooper, 30, has exceeded 1,100 receiving yards in four of his previous five seasons—a significant amount of production—and would undoubtedly establish himself as one of the Bills’ top receivers by the end of the season. Cooper is, without a doubt, my top target heading into the NFL trade deadline.
Cooper, 30, has exceeded 1,100 receiving yards in four of his previous five seasons—a significant amount of production—and would undoubtedly establish himself as one of the Bills’ top receivers by the end of the season, despite his unimpressive season totals of 20 catches, 208 yards, and two touchdowns. I have no question that Cooper is my #1 target going into the NFL trade deadline.
Jay: Yes, considering how open the AFC East appears, Brandon Beane should play as aggressively as possible. Who knows what might occur once the postseason rolls around? Beane owes his quarterback the greatest weapons available since Josh Allen is at the height of his abilities. It’s true that the Bills’ cap position makes it impossible to make a significant move, such as purchasing Davante Adams of the Raiders, and would require further moves to be in compliance. However, the Bills ought to be aggressively seeking to bolster their roster in front of the deadline. Regarding Rousseau, even though he was unable to secure a sack, I thought he performed admirably against the Texans.
That served as an illustration of how disruptive defensive linemen can occasionally be, even when their stats don’t support it. But to get to the main concern you raised, Jim, Rousseau hasn’t been very consistent since Week 1. With three sacks against the Cardinals, he raised the bar, but Rousseau needs to be more than simply “a guy” in the eyes of the team. Given Von Miller’s suspension, Rousseau must spearhead the group’s pass rush. More is reasonable to anticipate from him.
Ken R. queries why more players aren’t using the protective helmets as they do during practice given the number of concussions that occur in the NFL. Is that something “macho”?
