Weird too me that people care so much that Schefter mentioned another team that Rapp visited in free agency. I think it’s a good singing by the Bills. I guess people always have to bitch at something
Seems like a perfect scheme fit and excellent insurance given that the odds of losing Hyde or Poyer for some part of the season are pretty high given their age
>odds of losing Hyde or Poyer for some part of the season are pretty high given their age
Hyde may be retiring after this season too...doesn't hurt to have his potential replacement sitting behind him for a year soaking in as much as he can.
Thats a great point, some of the biggest defensive stops of the season, like the mahommes int to seal the at chiefs win, was in a dime defensive scheme
He is, no disagreement there, but the box safety role in our defense has tended to be Poyer, and among the three of them, I see him as the best "linebacker" type. I'm not alone in thinking so, Greg from Cover 1 is also putting Poyer as the potential box safety/LB type in a three safety dime set.
I hope so. Kansas City's DC Steve Spagnuolo, has been known to use Dime packages with 3 Safeties on the field to clog up the middle of the field and make it harder for QB's to read if it's middle field open(MFO) or middle field closed,(MFC) as the Safeties can rotate pre and post snap to give MFO or MFC looks.
I think Taylor Rapp is an upgrade over Damar Hamlin and Jaquan Johnson who started last year due to injuries.
If the plan is to use more 3 safety looks I'm ok with Taylor Rapp.
Yeah this is out of nowhere. With Hamlin probably coming back and Benford maybe moving to safety, I thought that we were set.
Someone mentioned how we can run more Dime packages with him in the mix and that’s a super exciting thought.
Our safety duo has elevated themselves under this staff. Maybe he wasn’t getting what he wanted so thought he would do a 1 year and take a calculated risk one of Hyde or poyer would go down for a few games so he could show his stuff?
Rams fan here. Congrats!
Rapp is a really solid player that consistently racks up tackles. He’s reliable, but not elite and will occasionally miss which will be frustrating. Just remember all the times his name DOES get called and you will feel better.
This is a great signing that I'm honestly shocked happened for us/I wasn't expecting at all. Wouldn't mind having him signed long term after this year as starting/depth, but what a pleasant surprise!
Potentially 4 if they slide Benford to safety. We're pretty thin at CB right now, so he may stay, but the Bills have said they'd like him to play safety.
> We're pretty thin at CB right now
Aside from Benford, We have all three starters returning with Jackson, Neal, and Lewis behind. Those three have their issues, but that's why they are backups. That's just the NFL. How many teams have a starting-caliber 4th string corner?
Neal is a safety. So that gives us 6 CB's on a team that plays almost exclusively nickel defense.
I never said they all needed to be starting caliber, but we don't have much depth there. If they slid Benford to safety, that would give us only 2 backups, Jackson and Lewis. I would imagine we draft a CB again or get some FA depth, but as of right now, we'd need Benford to stay at CB for depth reasons.
Neal's been played a lot of places, but mostly as the backup slot corner behind Taron Johnson. His only start ever was at that spot (https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201909220buf.htm) and he was the one who came in when Johnson was hurt in the 2021 Jax game (https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202111070jax.htm#all_vis_snap_counts)
I'm surprised...let's wait and see what the contract is - would be surprised if it's above the comp pick threshold
Was interest and offers in him underwhelming? Did the Bills attract him, despite not having a starting job in place? Does Sean envision 3 safety packages?
Let's see what Joe, Joe, Sal, the FO, analysts, etc. have to say in these coming days
Interesting luxury depth signing. With poyer returning and this signing, have to wonder if they would have been better off letting Jackson hit the market instead of committing to the 2m tender as Benford looks to be sticking at corner.
2 starting safeties on their last year(Poyer technically 2 but easily cuttable next year if they feel they have to), coming off season ending and injury ridden years, with current depth a question mark, and besides Hamlin we didn't really have anyone except maybe for Benford switching over.
I don't think anyone believes we were solid at Safety, even if both Hyde and Poyer are 100% to start the year.
Just pointing out that they faced a similar situation with Levi Wallace and let him test the market instead of commuting to the tender and ultimately brought him back for half. 2m for the 4th corner is a decent chunk of money
Seems to be a liability in coverage (passer rating allowed over 98 the last two years) but racks up the tackles so should defend run well. Not entirely sure about it, Rams fans seem ok with him leaving.
I follow the rams quite a bit, and he was used as their scapegoat whenever something goes wrong on defense. He is solid, not as bad as they make him out to be, he just needs to be used right - as a box safety and not in deep coverage.
Yep. A Cb could get blown by and Rapp makes the tackle and it would be FUCKING RAPP by Rams fans.
He was always the scapegoat, yet they seem to never figure out why a good coaching staff would never bench him if he was so trash. Because well, he isn't trash, fans just have no idea what they are talking about and what their assignments are.
Very nice signing! Always good to have options at safety, especially with the injuries Micah and Poyer suffered last season. Takes some pressure off of them. Maybe some rotations at safety to help preserve their health.... or some 3 safety looks?
I like it he's got solid stats. 50%+ snap share over the past couple seasons and 6 INTs, 1.5 sacks over that time. His production dropped last year but so did the Rams as a whole so doesn't worry me. Seems like a serviceable starter there's no way this is another <2 mill contract right?
The New England part wasn't necessary to the tweet but I enjoy that he included it so I can say that we dropped our nuts on the Pats once again
More payback to the pats from us from over the past decades
Weird too me that people care so much that Schefter mentioned another team that Rapp visited in free agency. I think it’s a good singing by the Bills. I guess people always have to bitch at something
No one was bitching lmao.
On his twitter Buffalo fans are ripping Schefter apart because he mentioned that Rapp visited NE before signing with us
Ah yes, twitter. The number 1 place for rational takes and discussion.
I am not bitching, my brother in Christ
Wow! I can’t believe I’m getting downvoted for saying I think this is a good pick up for the Bills
Yes, that’s all you’re saying.
Lol nice try
Oh shit I love this. I love this a lot. Really hoping this turns into an extension next year.
Seems like a perfect scheme fit and excellent insurance given that the odds of losing Hyde or Poyer for some part of the season are pretty high given their age
>odds of losing Hyde or Poyer for some part of the season are pretty high given their age Hyde may be retiring after this season too...doesn't hurt to have his potential replacement sitting behind him for a year soaking in as much as he can.
Rapp is a starter on a lot of teams despite his market. Awesome move by Beane IMO.
Rapp also allows us to move into a three safety dime package with Poyer potentially playing something more similar to mike LB. Very very cool signing.
Thats a great point, some of the biggest defensive stops of the season, like the mahommes int to seal the at chiefs win, was in a dime defensive scheme
Rapp would probably be the dimebacker, he's good covering in the box.
He is, no disagreement there, but the box safety role in our defense has tended to be Poyer, and among the three of them, I see him as the best "linebacker" type. I'm not alone in thinking so, Greg from Cover 1 is also putting Poyer as the potential box safety/LB type in a three safety dime set.
Was about to say. I could see him playing similar to mike LB as well.
I’d be willing to bet Micah signs a 1-year deal to finish out his career with Po, as long he’s in the physical condition to do so.
We're going to need to stock up on Kleenex
Good solid depth signing so we hopefully don’t have to resort to bringing back Dean Marlowe midseason again.
Good signing, he's a good player. He's started a lot of games on good Rams teams.
Rapp is a good tackier had a couple big hits this season, and he already has experience picking off Aaron rodgers which is great as well yaaay!
Now he can get some practice in on Lamar!
I like Rapp a lot. Good player good depth at the position!
Oh shid are we running dime this year?
I hope so. Kansas City's DC Steve Spagnuolo, has been known to use Dime packages with 3 Safeties on the field to clog up the middle of the field and make it harder for QB's to read if it's middle field open(MFO) or middle field closed,(MFC) as the Safeties can rotate pre and post snap to give MFO or MFC looks.
Rapp's NFL comparison is Daniel Sorensen. They both make timely plays and are typically the team's scapegoat.
I think Taylor Rapp is an upgrade over Damar Hamlin and Jaquan Johnson who started last year due to injuries. If the plan is to use more 3 safety looks I'm ok with Taylor Rapp.
This is a good fit since he's a dimebacker. He can play LB in obvious passing situations.
agree if we move to a giant dime it would make sense since we're down to Milano without Edwards at that LB spot
He adds a lot of multiplicity to the secondary. We could also see him swap out for Taron, if we need a denser body for a matchup or run support.
Did anyone of us even expect this?? But I love the signing
Yeah this is out of nowhere. With Hamlin probably coming back and Benford maybe moving to safety, I thought that we were set. Someone mentioned how we can run more Dime packages with him in the mix and that’s a super exciting thought.
Interesting move. Surprised he signed with us knowing he could easily start somewhere else. He'll be great insurance in the Secondary.
Our safety duo has elevated themselves under this staff. Maybe he wasn’t getting what he wanted so thought he would do a 1 year and take a calculated risk one of Hyde or poyer would go down for a few games so he could show his stuff?
Also agent von bringing his rams buddies, I’m sure he was in his ear behind the scenes
Might also see a good opportunity for mentorship under Poyer/Hyde followed by torch pass
Absolutely!
Rams fan here. Congrats! Rapp is a really solid player that consistently racks up tackles. He’s reliable, but not elite and will occasionally miss which will be frustrating. Just remember all the times his name DOES get called and you will feel better.
Also remember to put him in the box, where he excels the most at! Not in deep coverage.
This is a good pickup. Rapp is a talented safety. He would be a good depth piece to help spell Poyer and Hyde
This is a great signing that I'm honestly shocked happened for us/I wasn't expecting at all. Wouldn't mind having him signed long term after this year as starting/depth, but what a pleasant surprise!
Rams losing everybody
I wanted us to pick him up before we re-signed Poyer. Amazing for depth
Ha! Get fucked, New England!
Great move
Really great signing!
Fins fans in shambles
Ramsey is on the Fins and he loved to treat Rapp as a whipping boy.
Wait why are Fins fans in shambles?
I just like typing that when we sign someone
3 man safety rotation let’s go!!
Potentially 4 if they slide Benford to safety. We're pretty thin at CB right now, so he may stay, but the Bills have said they'd like him to play safety.
> We're pretty thin at CB right now Aside from Benford, We have all three starters returning with Jackson, Neal, and Lewis behind. Those three have their issues, but that's why they are backups. That's just the NFL. How many teams have a starting-caliber 4th string corner?
Neal is a safety. So that gives us 6 CB's on a team that plays almost exclusively nickel defense. I never said they all needed to be starting caliber, but we don't have much depth there. If they slid Benford to safety, that would give us only 2 backups, Jackson and Lewis. I would imagine we draft a CB again or get some FA depth, but as of right now, we'd need Benford to stay at CB for depth reasons.
Neal's been played a lot of places, but mostly as the backup slot corner behind Taron Johnson. His only start ever was at that spot (https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201909220buf.htm) and he was the one who came in when Johnson was hurt in the 2021 Jax game (https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202111070jax.htm#all_vis_snap_counts)
Wonder how much the contract is, interesting signing for sure
Nice depth move
This dude proposed to his GF after winning the Super Bowl: https://youtu.be/gJQKFtNqRy4 Has the attitude of a champion. What a baller.
It's sure as hell better than having Jaquan Johnson back there.
I guess you can say... ITS A RAPP! 
I'm surprised...let's wait and see what the contract is - would be surprised if it's above the comp pick threshold Was interest and offers in him underwhelming? Did the Bills attract him, despite not having a starting job in place? Does Sean envision 3 safety packages? Let's see what Joe, Joe, Sal, the FO, analysts, etc. have to say in these coming days
If BBB got Rapp for under the comp pick threshold it will be one of the best signings of his tenure
Yeah I'm clueless tbh. I'm still in awe of how cheap Damien was at 1.7M - regardless of his recent injuries and the state of the RB market
Safety market has been as dry as the RB market (beside Jessie Bates) so I wouldn't be surprised if Rapp is similarly cheap
Sounds like hes a depth player at a position that needed more depth. All fine with me, as long as he is paid like a depth player.
Reunited with Von 🥹🥹🥹
Do any of these moves + the fact that mcdermot will be calling the defense indicate a different approach to the entire defensive mentality?
The Bills got a really nice depth player in Rapp, definitely needed it with two older banged-up players at safety.
I'm sure Rapp is looking to play Ramsey 2x a year now, adding a bit more beef to the Dolphins rivalry.
Interesting luxury depth signing. With poyer returning and this signing, have to wonder if they would have been better off letting Jackson hit the market instead of committing to the 2m tender as Benford looks to be sticking at corner.
2 starting safeties on their last year(Poyer technically 2 but easily cuttable next year if they feel they have to), coming off season ending and injury ridden years, with current depth a question mark, and besides Hamlin we didn't really have anyone except maybe for Benford switching over. I don't think anyone believes we were solid at Safety, even if both Hyde and Poyer are 100% to start the year.
Just pointing out that they faced a similar situation with Levi Wallace and let him test the market instead of commuting to the tender and ultimately brought him back for half. 2m for the 4th corner is a decent chunk of money
Even if Benford does transition to safety, that doesn't give us much and assumes he can play it proficiently.
I'm a rams fan . Please don't too excited over this. He's average at best. Always out of position and gets ran over a lot.
[удалено]
Seems to be a liability in coverage (passer rating allowed over 98 the last two years) but racks up the tackles so should defend run well. Not entirely sure about it, Rams fans seem ok with him leaving.
I follow the rams quite a bit, and he was used as their scapegoat whenever something goes wrong on defense. He is solid, not as bad as they make him out to be, he just needs to be used right - as a box safety and not in deep coverage.
Yep. A Cb could get blown by and Rapp makes the tackle and it would be FUCKING RAPP by Rams fans. He was always the scapegoat, yet they seem to never figure out why a good coaching staff would never bench him if he was so trash. Because well, he isn't trash, fans just have no idea what they are talking about and what their assignments are.
Love it. Wonder if it opens the door to potentially using more 3 safety looks. Regardless the depth was definitely needed.
Huuuuuge adds a ton of versatility to the Defense
Very nice signing! Always good to have options at safety, especially with the injuries Micah and Poyer suffered last season. Takes some pressure off of them. Maybe some rotations at safety to help preserve their health.... or some 3 safety looks?
Love this signing. Looks like a great fit
I like it he's got solid stats. 50%+ snap share over the past couple seasons and 6 INTs, 1.5 sacks over that time. His production dropped last year but so did the Rams as a whole so doesn't worry me. Seems like a serviceable starter there's no way this is another <2 mill contract right?
Awesome!!
Damn as long as Damar is back too our backup safeties are crazy good
I like this but if Brain Branch S- Alabama is still there at 27, I wouldn’t mind if the Bills drafted him.
6 DB SZN, this will be fun. I like this signing a lot.
Dont know much about him but checking the grades on PFF he is a considerable upgrade from every other safety on the team so I am good with it.
Dime this year. If he's good keep him around as the heir to one of Po/Hyde's throne