1. Pat DiMarco offers this opinion about the proposed CBA
Bills NFLPA rep and fullback Pat DiMarco joined The Howard and Jeremy Show on WGR to discuss the CBA. DiMarco said at this point they are working on making sure everything is worded correctly before they get it into players hands.
"I wanted to get it in front of my locker room," DiMarco explained. "I wanted my 53, 63 guys to have a chance to read over it and accept it or deny it. I voted it to move it forward for my locker room to read. I think the vote was 17 to 14 and one guy abstained, so it wasn't an outright pass but I thought it was fair to try to get this in our guys hands in the locker room so they can truly decide what they think. I personally think there's enough in this deal to make the 17th game worth it."
DiMarco is in favor of the CBA and believes there is enough in the deal supporting the players to play an extra game a season. The fullback explained the average career of a player is around 2.75 seasons, so that player would essentially have to play an extra two or three games if there was a 17th game every year.
"If guys are only playing two extra games or three extra games throughout the course of their careers and we're getting a bunch of more money in their pockets, I think we can make that work," DiMarco said. "Obviously it's a player-by-player stance. My stance is it's one more game, they're giving us an extra game check, a bunch of benefits, salaries are going up for everybody—I think there's a lot of good in it. But, yes that 17th game does have a little asterisk next to it."
DiMarco explained he doesn't want his locker room to go without money, if eventually this leads to a lockout. He was a part of the 2011 lockout class and would hate for the rookies to have to deal with a lockout.
The fullback believes if this proposal doesn't go through, the next one will also have 17 games. He is looking forward to showing his teammates because he knows they will have an open mind.
"We have a really mature locker room in Buffalo, so that could be a different dynamic," DiMarco explained. "We have guys that are pretty mature, even young guys that are pretty mature. I can sit in the steam room, the hot tub, or cold tub with guys and have a business like conversation. I'm really proud to be with the Bills because they've done a great job of getting these rookies right. We have an incredible rookie development program that trains guys how to be a pro."
DiMarco and former Bill/current NFLPA Executive Committee Member Lorenzo Alexander will hold a conference call with the entire team on Tuesday to answer questions about the CBA.
2. What move should the Bills make ahead of the 2020 season?
CBS Sports looked into what each team should add or deduct from their roster heading into the 2020 season. For the Bills, it's important to secure a few players who have contracts up soon and add depth in the draft according to CBS' Jason LaCanfora.
Buffalo Bills
I don't know that another splashy free-agent class is as important to this franchise now, as it would be to secure some of its best young talent deep into the future. Tre'Davious White, Dion Dawkins and Matt Milano – get them all locked up now if you can. Shovel the money and cap space there and draft some WRs.
3. ESPN says the Bills need this free agent
Free agency begins March 18 and ESPN has a name each team should chase once free agency starts. Ben Linsey thinks the Bills should target an available edge rusher.
Buffalo Bills: Edge Robert Quinn
2019 team: Cowboys | Age: 30
While the top of the edge market is filled with talent and potential, all of those options come with some risk at their projected price range. It might be tough to get value on those high-end contracts. Quinn is an option in the next tier that will leave the Bills some more money to attack other holes on their roster. After leading the NFL with a 93.6 overall grade on defense in 2013, Quinn had a few more strong seasons before his career hit a lull. He has had a rejuvenation of sorts in recent years, though, and his 78.3 pass-rushing grade in 2019 ranked 17th among qualifying edge defenders. (Note: We originally had Jaguars edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue matched with the Bills here, but Jacksonville is planning to franchise tag him.)
In 2019, Quinn had 11.5 sacks, 22 quarterback hits, 13 tackles for loss and 34 total tackles. His best year was in 2013 with the Rams when he had 19 sacks, 34 quarterback hits, 23 tackles for loss, seven forced fumbles and 57 total tackles.
