Why keep him? The natural place to start with defending Taylor's play over two seasons in Buffalo is his Total QBR, 69.2. That has been the eighth-best Total QBR since the start of the 2015 season and a better mark than Russell Wilson (67.6), Andy Dalton (66.0), Philip Rivers (62.9), Cam Newton (59.5), Eli Manning (56.6) and Derek Carr (54.4). Total QBR takes into account a quarterback's contributions "on passes, rushes, turnovers and penalties," and in Taylor's case, his contributions as a runner are most impactful. Since 2015, he ranks 19th in the NFL on expected points added (EPA) on passes, but he ranks first among quarterbacks in run EPA, an advanced statistic used by ESPN.

Breaking down Taylor's contributions as a runner, his biggest impact has come on designed runs on first and second downs. Taylor has averaged 5.66 yards per carry on 58 designed early-down runs (excluding kneel-downs) since 2015, the second-best quarterback average in the NFL behind Tennessee's Marcus Mariota and better than all but two running backs with at least 50 such carries, Green Bay's Ty Montgomery and Oakland's Jalen Richard. Taylor's contributions as an early-down runner have been both better than the league average for quarterbacks (3.86 yards per carry) and better than what the Bills' running backs gain on first and second downs -- an NFL-best 4.82 yards per carry since 2015.

Taylor also has protected the ball better than most quarterbacks. He has averaged interceptions on 1.1 percent of his first- and second-down pass attempts, fifth best in the NFL since 2015. However, that rate has increased to 2.5 percent on third downs, 18th in the NFL.

The NFL named Taylor to the 2016 Pro Bowl as an alternate after five quarterbacks declined to participate. Taylor was also invited to the 2017 Pro Bowl last month but could not accept the selection because of injury.

Among Bills quarterbacks to start at least nine games in any season, Taylor owns the second-best (99.4 in 2015) and fourth-best (89.7 in 2016) passer ratings in franchise history. Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly owns the best and third-best passer ratings in team history.



http://www.espn.com/blog/...-decision-on-tyrod-taylor

He's supposed to be back before the deadline
But u can trade injured players anyways

Idk where that myth started?
- jdfitz77

I knew he could be traded, see Evander Kane


my guess is the myth stems from buyout rules

Why keep him? The natural place to start with defending Taylor's play over two seasons in Buffalo is his Total QBR, 69.2. That has been the eighth-best Total QBR since the start of the 2015 season and a better mark than Russell Wilson (67.6), Andy Dalton (66.0), Philip Rivers (62.9), Cam Newton (59.5), Eli Manning (56.6) and Derek Carr (54.4). Total QBR takes into account a quarterback's contributions "on passes, rushes, turnovers and penalties," and in Taylor's case, his contributions as a runner are most impactful. Since 2015, he ranks 19th in the NFL on expected points added (EPA) on passes, but he ranks first among quarterbacks in run EPA, an advanced statistic used by ESPN.

Breaking down Taylor's contributions as a runner, his biggest impact has come on designed runs on first and second downs. Taylor has averaged 5.66 yards per carry on 58 designed early-down runs (excluding kneel-downs) since 2015, the second-best quarterback average in the NFL behind Tennessee's Marcus Mariota and better than all but two running backs with at least 50 such carries, Green Bay's Ty Montgomery and Oakland's Jalen Richard. Taylor's contributions as an early-down runner have been both better than the league average for quarterbacks (3.86 yards per carry) and better than what the Bills' running backs gain on first and second downs -- an NFL-best 4.82 yards per carry since 2015.

Taylor also has protected the ball better than most quarterbacks. He has averaged interceptions on 1.1 percent of his first- and second-down pass attempts, fifth best in the NFL since 2015. However, that rate has increased to 2.5 percent on third downs, 18th in the NFL.

The NFL named Taylor to the 2016 Pro Bowl as an alternate after five quarterbacks declined to participate. Taylor was also invited to the 2017 Pro Bowl last month but could not accept the selection because of injury.

Among Bills quarterbacks to start at least nine games in any season, Taylor owns the second-best (99.4 in 2015) and fourth-best (89.7 in 2016) passer ratings in franchise history. Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly owns the best and third-best passer ratings in team history.



http://www.espn.com/blog/...-decision-on-tyrod-taylor
- homiedclown

Yeah but cardale should start over him, roll eyes.....

Yeah but cardale should start over him, roll eyes.....
- gordong

when i read this, it was weird


it's almost as if the eye test (watching the games) didn't match the article

If Romo came here it would be the equivalent of Vince Ferragamo coming here in the '80's. He did very little. Romo won't come here anyway, he will stay out West and go to a winning team.

Does keeping Kulikov instead of flipping him for a 2nd really change that? I want them team to play well, i wish they weren't such an eye sore 5v5. I just dont think certain moves or lack thereof will change things either way.
- Sabresfan-365

My comments has nothing to do with Kulikov, or with any other potential move that does, or doesn't, need to be made. It has to do with an attitude that prefers to focus on the teams weaknesses instead of it strengths, that delights in failure instead of success. I see bad things happen to this team, and people post laughing smiley faces in this thread. Why is anyone smiling or laughing at bad things that happen to the team we like?? Why take joy out of that?

I just dont get it.

If Romo came here it would be the equivalent of Vince Ferragamo coming here in the '80's. He did very little. Romo won't come here anyway, he will stay out West and go to a winning team.
- GilPerreault11

Drew Bledsoe 2.0

About to make some egg beaters and powdered meat

Then workout
- GERBE!!!75PTS

What... How... Is that even legal?

Sabres Lines as per John Vogl

Bailey-O'Reilly-Okposo
Kane-Eichel-Reinhart
Foligno-Rodrigues-Gionta
Moulson-Grant-Ennis
- GilPerreault11

kinda like that top-six

Id move them all. They are part of the problem not the solution. A winning culture will not be established by them deciding to keep Kulikov.

Adding some better talent and a coach they respect might.
- Sabresfan-365

I think you underrate Kulikov...I understand he had an atrocious start to the season, but he's a big, mobile minute-eater, which isn't such a bad thing...and he hasn't even shown his edge in buffalo yet

My comments has nothing to do with Kulikov, or with any other potential move that does, or doesn't, need to be made. It has to do with an attitude that prefers to focus on the teams weaknesses instead of it strengths, that delights in failure instead of success. I see bad things happen to this team, and people post laughing smiley faces in this thread. Why is anyone smiling or laughing at bad things that happen to the team we like?? Why take joy out of that?

I just dont get it.
- Der Kaiser

My comment on kulikov other ufa's was relating to Pach saying the only ufa he wanted out was franson. They should all go.

because if we don't laugh we get called negative or whatever? I kid but I personally laugh at it because its hard to be disappointed or upset with something you knew was coming.

Thats why i post disappointment with ROR or Reinhart because i expect more and just laugh with well pretty much the entire d-core outside of risto and mccabe.

I think you underrate Kulikov...I understand he had an atrocious start to the season, but he's a big, mobile minute-eater, which isn't such a bad thing...and he hasn't even shown his edge in buffalo yet
- Michael Pachla

Minute eating is incredibly overrated. Anyone can play a ton of minutes, its how effectively they play them. Thats the whole schtick with risto, that his minutes are simply too much.

Kulikov in general isn't terrible by any stretch but here's the deal. On a contending team or even a playoff team, he's probably your 4th or 5th d-man. He's not exceptional defensively to make up for lack of offense and vice versa. He's just average and I don't know that we should look to extend an average d-man making 4.3 mil, unless he's down to take a massive pay cut.

As an impartial observer,I think The Leafs are the better team and should win the game tonight...but crazier things have happened.

As an impartial observer,I think The Leafs are the better team and should win the game tonight...but crazier things have happened.
- Larsson_fan

i loled

Minute eating is incredibly overrated. Anyone can play a ton of minutes, its how effectively they play them. Thats the whole schtick with risto, that his minutes are simply too much.

Kulikov in general isn't terrible by any stretch but here's the deal. On a contending team or even a playoff team, he's probably your 4th or 5th d-man. He's not exceptional defensively to make up for lack of offense and vice versa. He's just average and I don't know that we should look to extend an average d-man making 4.3 mil, unless he's down to take a massive pay cut.
- Sabresfan-365

yet you'd trade him for a second round pick that has long odds to make the nhl and even longer to have any kind or role on a contending team...imo, Kulikov is a top-four d-man and people are willing to give up kane for a top-four d-man...I just don't get it

As an impartial observer,I think The Leafs are the better team and should win the game tonight...but crazier things have happened.
- Larsson_fan

How dare you come over here and speak truth. I'm going to sic pach on you.

I think you underrate Kulikov...I understand he had an atrocious start to the season, but he's a big, mobile minute-eater, which isn't such a bad thing...and he hasn't even shown his edge in buffalo yet
- Michael Pachla

I think he does too. He has played a lot better since he came back from the injury and he's not even 100%. I think too many people here expect the D to play like #1 or 2 D. There are a finite number of those in the league, I would like the Sabres to resign Kulikov because I think he'd be a fine top 4. I'll let the Sabres worry about the money, that is out of mine and everyone else's paygrade who post here.

yet you'd trade him for a second round pick that has long odds to make the nhl and even longer to have any kind or role on a contending team...imo, Kulikov is a top-four d-man and people are willing to give up kane for a top-four d-man...I just don't get it
- Michael Pachla

its not just about the pick, its about not paying an average d-man a lot of money. If hes up for a short term deal at a cut rate sign me up. That 2nd would give us three to work with, you can trade up, trade for nhl talent etc.

Im willing to give up kane if it gets me a guy like Theodore, Faulk etc. Kulikov isn't the same kind of top four that these guys are.

As an impartial observer,I think The Leafs are the better team and should win the game tonight...but crazier things have happened.
- Larsson_fan

You're not impartial.

How dare you come over here and speak truth. I'm going to sic pach on you.
- BeadyEyedDouche

ruff!!!....ruff!!!!

I think he does too. He has played a lot better since he came back from the injury and he's not even 100%. I think too many people here expect the D to play like #1 or 2 D. There are a finite number of those in the league, I would like the Sabres to resign Kulikov because I think he'd be a fine top 4. I'll let the Sabres worry about the money, that is out of mine and everyone else's paygrade who post here.
- GilPerreault11

They've already got McCabe and Guhle for the #2 and #3 LHD spots. Where does Kulikov even fit in? on his off side?

Yeah but cardale should start over him, roll eyes.....
- gordong

They both suck if we didn't have LeSean McCoy would be the worst team in the league

its not just about the pick, its about not paying an average d-man a lot of money. If hes up for a short term deal at a cut rate sign me up. That 2nd would give us three to work with, you can trade up, trade for nhl talent etc.

Im willing to give up kane if it gets me a guy like Theodore, Faulk etc. Kulikov isn't the same kind of top four that these guys are.
- Sabresfan-365

Yuu throw around average quite loquaciously. There are a few other D on the Sabres who are average or below average and one of them is Josh Gorges. Kuli is better than him and he's not even healthy.

What... How... Is that even legal?
- sskkoo1

It's good with eggs lol

i loled
- Sabresfan-365

You think I have even a smidge of Love for the Leafs?

Truth is I have been following the Sabres and Leafs rebuilds to see if they learned anything from the Oilers (frank) ups. Leafs are doing a better job remaining patient, and retaining the right assets to support the young guns. I think they have done a very,very good job. Far as i can see, they are 1 key player away from being legit ( and about a year more experience,of course).