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#Bills general manager Brandon Beane has begun his afternoon press conference. Will post updates on this thread.
On Stefon Diggs deal: Bills wanted a receiver at deadline in 2019 and couldn’t find a deal that worked for Buffalo.
Bills were talking to other receivers in free agency and Minnesota made it clear they needed to be blown away by a deal because of what Diggs meant to their offense. Bills’ deal ultimately did.
Beane said the Bills had to add weapons. Unless the Bills traded up, Beane said it’d be hard to find a guy who can make the impact Diggs can. Beane also said the situation in the world impacted things when it comes to getting a veteran with a chance at shortened offseason.
Brandon says the mental part of the game for rookies is difficult. Verbiage can affect how quickly rookies can make impact. Diggs knows ball and will get it as soon as he learns system.
The #Bills are doing video calls instead of Top 30 prospect visits. It’s likely not as effective as in-person meetings but everyone is dealing with it.
Beane on adding Carolina players. Josh Norman was a familiarity thing. Washington scheme didn’t play to his strengths and he’s a fit in Buffalo defense. “He’ll bring an edge to our defense. He has something to prove.” Bills are banking on that fact.
Beane said Mario Addison and Jerry Hughes lived together for a short time in Indy. They’ve stayed close over the years. Bills excited to reunite the two. He brings toughness and Beane mentions Eric Washington when talking about Addison addition and Vernon Butler.
Beane compares Vernon Butler to Jordan Phillips. Says light came out last year for him and he’s a fit in the Bills defense with plenty of upside like Phillips had when the Bills brought him in.
Time will tell if this move for Stefon was right. But Beane said the team is confident even though Beane covets draft capital. Says what he thinks of Diggs and what he could mean to offense.
When Day 1 of the draft is over Beane said he and his staff will stay longer and just stare at the board and try to find guys left that the Bills have a 1st round grade on. Then they’ll look at all teams in front and see why their needs are.
A lot of unknowns about next few months with what’s happening with COVID-19. Beane said he was traveling to pro days and things started changing not by the hour but by the minute. “It stinks and I know everyone is ready to get life back to normal. But this is bigger than sports.”
Misnomer out there about Bills’ process is they’re not just looking for choir boys. Bills did digging (pun maybe intended), Beane wouldn’t call him as a diva. Instead he’d call him a dog. Thinks he’ll fit in in Buffalo. It’s a clean slate and the Bills believe in their culture.
“The continuity will help us on offense.” Beane says. There were more changes on defense but plenty of folks on staff are familiar with a lot of new faces on defense.
The plan is always be in cap strength and draft capital strength when a chance to trade for a player like Diggs comes along you’re able to do it. Not every team could have done it, Beane said.
