The New England Patriots have gone after teams like the Buffalo Bills, according to Colin Cowherd.
Following the likely loss of Mike Gillislee, it is no lie that the New England Patriots have taken their fair share of players from struggling franchises like the Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, and LA Rams.
On Wednesday, Colin Cowherd made that apparent.
Just off the top of my head, I can rattle off an extensive list of players that now have rings from teams like these.
- Chris Hogan (From Buffalo)
- Barkevious Mingo (From Cleveland)
- Jabaal Sheard (From Cleveland)
- Chris Long (From L.A. Rams)
- Danny Amendola (From L.A. Rams)
It is tough to imagine that defensive end, Barkevious Mingo, earned a Super Bowl ring before the likes of LeSean McCoy and Kyle Williams, but that is just the world we live in.
Here’s a full look at what Colin Cowherd had to say about the situation:
Bill Belichick and the Patriots went after a poorly run franchise once again pic.twitter.com/24vVa6rCbC
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) April 18, 2017
The Buffalo Farm-System
First Stephon Gilmore. Their next target? Buffalo Bills‘ touchdown machine Mike Gillislee.
The New England Patriots recently offered the Buffalo running back a 2-year, 6.4-million-dollar contract. Since the Bills placed a $1.7 million tender on Gillislee, they now have four days to match the offer sheet.
Because of moves the General Manager, Doug Whaley, recently made, the Patriots will most likely add Gillislee to their stable of running backs including Rex Burkhead, James White, Dion Lewis, and Brandon Bolden. Jeff Howe was told by a source that the Bills aren’t expected to match the offer.
It is tough to say, but it really is true. The average teams are a farm system for the contending teams in the NFL, and what do the average teams have to show for it? Maybe a compensatory pick a few years down the line.
They draft the players, spend a few years developing them, and then send them off into the sunset.
MUST READ: Don’t Forget About Bills’ WR Kolby Listenbee
Why can the Bills not sign them back?
Rotoworld.com recently ranked the General Managers in the NFL from first to worst. Doug Whaley is their 29th overall GM in the NFL. Whaley has recently constricted Buffalos salary cap situation in ways that make it unable, or unreasonable to sign players at a higher price than their opponents.
It is questionable if Whaley will be on the team after the draft. In an article by Democrat and Chronicle, it was stated that he would not be present for a pre-draft luncheon. One of the General Managers main jobs is that of the NFL draft, and it seems like that is the least of his worries.
Colin Cowherd stated that the reason the Patriots continue to go after the Buffalo Bills, Browns, and Rams, is because they are poorly run franchises and the players are undervalued. This can be deemed true after seeing Chris Hogan thrive in New England as he gained the 6th most yards in the NFL on passes over 20 yards according to Pro Football Focus.
The Rich Get Richer
This sounds like an article praising the New England Patriots and criticizing the Buffalo Bills, and it is probably more the latter than the former. Don’t get me wrong, I support Buffalo through and through, but some of these moves are just inexcusable. It is not just the Patriots poaching players; it is the Washington Redskins with Zach Brown. Justin Hunter with the Steelers.
BuffaLowDown site expert, Ryan Brennan, documented the 35 players leaving the Bills this offseason, an article that you can find by clicking the blue tab below.
I will hope for the former Bills players to have good health for the upcoming season, but man will it be tough to see Gillislee get handed the rock this fall.
Next: Buffalo Bills Saying Goodbye to 35 Players This Offseason
What’s your take on Colin Cowherd’s comments? Leave your thoughts below!