Shady is a game-changing running back, especially since his strengths (breaking tackles in the backfield, catching passes) will help conceal a lot of the Bills' weaknesses (poor run blocking, QB who can't throw downfield). In addition to other threats like Sammy, Robert Woods, and a TE added in the draft, the Bills have a lot of players who can catch easy passes and turn them into big gains.
Meanwhile, Kiko had a good rookie season, but most of that came in the first half (and especially first four weeks) of the season - one sack, no picks, no passes defended after week 4. He's also suffered two ACL injuries since 2010, and had hip surgery this year. The Bills have good depth at linebacker with Nigel Bradham and Preston Brown, so they can absorb losing a player of Kiko's caliber.
Overall, I think it turned a position of weakness into a position of strength, and a position of incredible depth into a position of slightly less depth, but still high quality. The Bills ran for 65 first downs last year - that won't happen again. Meanwhile, the Bills had the 4th ranked defense in the NFL without Kiko (and at times it seemed like they were the best). This seems like a trade that makes sense for both sides, but I especially like it as a Bills fan because we got a game-changer at RB during his prime (only 3 years left on his deal, we'll be out of it when he turns 28) in return for a possible game-changer at linebacker.
Now if we can just sign a damn guard (Iupati?) and a pass rusher to replace Hughes (Brandon Graham?), I think this squad can make the playoffs.
Recent Comments
Shady is a game-changing running back, especially since his strengths (breaking tackles in the backfield, catching passes) will help conceal a lot of the Bills' weaknesses (poor run blocking, QB who can't throw downfield). In addition to other threats like Sammy, Robert Woods, and a TE added in the draft, the Bills have a lot of players who can catch easy passes and turn them into big gains.
Meanwhile, Kiko had a good rookie season, but most of that came in the first half (and especially first four weeks) of the season - one sack, no picks, no passes defended after week 4. He's also suffered two ACL injuries since 2010, and had hip surgery this year. The Bills have good depth at linebacker with Nigel Bradham and Preston Brown, so they can absorb losing a player of Kiko's caliber.
Overall, I think it turned a position of weakness into a position of strength, and a position of incredible depth into a position of slightly less depth, but still high quality. The Bills ran for 65 first downs last year - that won't happen again. Meanwhile, the Bills had the 4th ranked defense in the NFL without Kiko (and at times it seemed like they were the best). This seems like a trade that makes sense for both sides, but I especially like it as a Bills fan because we got a game-changer at RB during his prime (only 3 years left on his deal, we'll be out of it when he turns 28) in return for a possible game-changer at linebacker.
Now if we can just sign a damn guard (Iupati?) and a pass rusher to replace Hughes (Brandon Graham?), I think this squad can make the playoffs.
(Sorry for the novel - too long to text.)