[bizell]

Bills not interested in RB Brown or RB Dillon for now
Written by: Jason Cole ¦ 3/27/2007
Source: us.rd.yahoo.com
Buffalo Bills GM Marv Levy said his team may reconsider signing running backs Chris Brown or Corey Dillon at a later date, but prefer to go with another plan at running back. The Bills traded RB Willis McGahee earlier this month to the Baltimore Ravens, receiving a third- and seventh-round pick in next month's NFL draft and a third-rounder next year.

Brown, 26, played in only five games last season with the Tennessee Titans after enduring two years of a contentious relationship with then-GM Floyd Reese. A source close to Brown, a third-round pick by Tennessee in 2003, said that the relationship between Brown and Titans coach Jeff Fisher is friendly, so a return to Tennessee is possible as well. Brown rushed for a career-high 1,067 yards on 220 carries (4.9 yards per carry) in 11 games in 2004 before running into problems with Reese.

As for Dillon, he was granted a request for his release by the New England Patriots at the start of free agency so that he could pursue a starting job with another team. Dillon, 32, is living in Malibu, Calif., and is considering whether to play or retire.

Dillon rushed for 812 yards on 199 carries last season with the Patriots as he split time with rookie Laurence Maroney. Dillon also scored 13 touchdowns and has at least 12 touchdowns in each of the past three seasons. In 2004, he rushed for a career-high 1,635 yards.

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eh. don't care for the glassman chris brown and don't like/want dillon.

[281]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bizell @ Mar 29th ) [snapback]1946477[/snapback]</div>

Bills not interested in RB Brown or RB Dillon for now
Written by: Jason Cole ¦ 3/27/2007
Source: us.rd.yahoo.com
Buffalo Bills GM Marv Levy said his team may reconsider signing running backs Chris Brown or Corey Dillon at a later date, but prefer to go with another plan at running back. The Bills traded RB Willis McGahee earlier this month to the Baltimore Ravens, receiving a third- and seventh-round pick in next month's NFL draft and a third-rounder next year.

Brown, 26, played in only five games last season with the Tennessee Titans after enduring two years of a contentious relationship with then-GM Floyd Reese. A source close to Brown, a third-round pick by Tennessee in 2003, said that the relationship between Brown and Titans coach Jeff Fisher is friendly, so a return to Tennessee is possible as well. Brown rushed for a career-high 1,067 yards on 220 carries (4.9 yards per carry) in 11 games in 2004 before running into problems with Reese.

As for Dillon, he was granted a request for his release by the New England Patriots at the start of free agency so that he could pursue a starting job with another team. Dillon, 32, is living in Malibu, Calif., and is considering whether to play or retire.

Dillon rushed for 812 yards on 199 carries last season with the Patriots as he split time with rookie Laurence Maroney. Dillon also scored 13 touchdowns and has at least 12 touchdowns in each of the past three seasons. In 2004, he rushed for a career-high 1,635 yards.

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eh. don't care for the glassman chris brown and don't like/want dillon.
[/b]

personally, i wouldnt mind having brown or dillon... just as a backups/change of pace backs, though.

[bizell]

WR Josh Reed 2009 $1,650,000 $1,650,000 $500,000 $550,000 $0 $0 $2,700,000
WR Lee Evans 2009 $773,750 $773,750 $1,220,000 $0 $300,000 $650,000 $2,293,750
WR Peerless Price 2009 $1,600,000 $1,600,000 $450,000 $500,000 $0 $0 $2,550,000


Peerless Price and Josh Reed making more than Lee Evans =

[BATW20]

Thats just not right...



If Lee Evans wasn't a great guy like he is he'd be holding out this camp for a new deal.

[bizell]

Front seven's weight fluctuating in Buffalo
By Connor J. Byrne on April 5, 2007 12:44 AM
Permalink | Comments (4) | Email This Article | RSS | [+] More Bills News

The Buffalo Bills ' defense was a below-average group in 2006, finishing 18th overall out of 32 NFL teams. The unit was a terrific seventh against the pass, but a major inability to stop the run and inconsistency in pressuring the opposing quarterback were its two major downfalls.

So far this offseason, Buffalo's defenders in the front seven have taken steps toward improving in their weak areas for next year. Some of the Bills' chief performers have put on weight to benefit their games, while others have slimmed down.

To aid in stopping the run (the Bills finished 28th last year), soon-to-be second-year tackle John McCargo has beefed up. As a 295-pound rookie in 2006, the first-round pick from North Carolina State missed 11 games and wasn't an important factor as a run stuffer when healthy. Now, though, the highly talented 23-year-old weighs a solid 307, which means he's an ideal size for stymieing opposing offenses' ground games in the Bills' Tampa 2 defense. McCargo's current weight is actually just 10 pounds fewer than the game's preeminent run defender, former Bill and current 317-pound Viking Pat Williams.

McCargo's fellow one-year veteran tackle, Kyle Williams, has also packed on pounds this offseason. Williams, a fifth-round pick who surprised in '06 by accruing 53 total tackles as a 295-pounder, has added double digits. Eleven pounds, to be exact.

Contrary to McCargo and Williams, defensive tackle Larry Tripplett, who signed an expensive contract with Buffalo last offseason, has dropped pounds over the past few months. Tripplett weighed 295 last season, but he's now down to 293. If he stays that way, it means the five-year veteran aims to be slightly more impactful in rushing the QB in 2007. The former Colt registered 2½ sacks last season, which was down from four, the 28-year-old's 2005 number with Indianapolis.

Aiding in the pass-rushing department for next season should be the newly slimmed-down defensive ends Buffalo has.

Aaron Schobel, a 14-sack Pro Bowler in '06, has lost a whopping 19 pounds this offseason (from 262 to 243). Although that appears quite small for a modern-day end, it means the seven-year veteran should be even speedier in terms of getting into enemy backfields next year -- a scary thought for AFC East offenses, for sure.

Like Schobel, strongside ends Chris Kelsay (5½ sacks last year) and Ryan Denney (six sacks) have also dropped a substantial amount of weight. Kelsay has gone from 275 to 261; meanwhile, Denney's size has fluctuated from 275 to 264. That departed 25 pounds should mean more pass-rushing prowess for the Bills' DE rotation on the left side, which is good for the entire defense, obviously.

Finally, the linebackers' size was an issue for the Bills last year. In the Tampa 2 scheme LBs are smaller, which means they can tend to be pushed around more often by offensive linemen -- especially if there aren't big defensive tackles in front of the backers.

The Bills' linebacking corps will have a much different look next season (veteran starters Takeo Spikes and London Fletcher are both elsewhere now); however, the threesome's best player, Angelo Crowell -- whose LB position hasn't yet been decided -- has added weight to stop from being shoved backward by O-linemen. The playmaking Crowell, who has been around 235 pounds during his four-year career, is now up to 246. That's no doubt great news for defensive coordinator Perry Fewell, who could be coaching a big-time player in Crowell. If the ex-Virginia standout can stay healthy (he missed four games last season), he could be a Lance Briggs-type player for the Bills in the future; he's truly that talented.

Meanwhile, outside linebacker Keith Ellison, who played well as a sixth-round rookie a year ago, has added just one pound to his frame since January (from 228 to 229). It's unknown right now whether he'll be a starter on the strong or weak side next year, and the Bills' third LB is also undecided at the moment. It's likely a soon-to-be drafted rookie, perhaps ex-Ole Miss star Patrick Willis, former Penn State Nittany Lion Paul Posluszny or Florida's Brandon Siler.

Though the Bills haven't made any big-time additions to their defense this offseason (except former Philadelphia Eagles tackle Darwin Walker, who was acquired in return for Spikes), the weight fluctuations across the front seven should certainly help the group improve in 2007. One thing that can't be discounted is the weight loss of the pass rushers; if they can get to the opposing QB quicker, it should help take pressure off coverage from the secondary, which lost its top player, Nate Clements, to free agency.

Even without veterans like Spikes, Fletcher and Clements, Buffalo could be looking at a better defense next year. Weight matters in the NFL, and the Bills' 'D' has gained and lost it in the right areas.

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jesus christ .. aaron schobel weighs 243 now. our starting defensive ends average out to about 250.. ?? wtf. there are teans whose olbs weigh more than 250 pounds.

[BATW20]

McCargo was the only good news I heard out of any of that.


243? Does Schobel think he's a freaking LB?

[bizell]

The Bills have chosen ... poorly
By Chris Cluff on April 20, 2007 04:51 AM
Permalink | Comments (76) | Email This Article | RSS | [+] More Bills News

Why in the names of Thurman Thomas and Nate Odomes are the Buffalo Bills going into this draft needing a running back and cornerback? Because Tom Donahoe and Marv Levy chose poorly.

In 2003, Donahoe made a great many NFL observers scratch their heads when he chose Willis McGahee with the 23rd pick in the draft. McGahee had suffered a very serious knee injury just three months before, and the Bills already had a top running back in Travis Henry, who had rushed for 1,438 yards in 2002. It looked like a wasted pick at the time, and that's exactly what it turned out to be.

In 2004, McGahee was promoted ahead of Henry, who then was dumped after the season, and McGahee lasted just two more years before being traded himself this offseason. For all of his bluster about being the best rusher in the NFL, McGahee was never even as good as Henry had been. McGahee averaged a mediocre 1,122 yards in three seasons as the starter, with a subpar per-carry average of 3.9 yards and just 24 touchdowns. Those numbers are nowhere near what Henry did in his two full seasons as the starter: 2,794 yards, 23 touchdowns and a 4.3 average. Yet the Bills chose McGahee over Henry.

Now, four years later, the Bills have neither player and need a running back again.

As mind-boggling as some of Donahoe's moves were during his five seasons as general manager, Levy has made heads spin even faster with some of his decisions in just over one year on the job.

Last offseason, Levy essentially negotiated against himself in trying to bring back receiver Peerless Price. No other team was that interested in the former Bill, who had been a bust in Atlanta, yet Levy gave him a contract worth $10 million over four years.

Then Levy overpaid in the draft as well, reaching for safety Donte Whitner (eighth overall) and trading back into the first round to draft defensive tackle John McCargo with the 26th pick. The Bills got terrible value for both players, whom the team could have had much later.

Levy began this offseason by similarly overvaluing free agents. He retained Chris Kelsay -- a good, but certainly not great, defensive end -- with a deal worth almost $6 million per year and then chose to let some of the team's best defenders go and instead overpay two average linemen.

In a money-mad dash in early March, the San Francisco 49ers lured away cornerback Nate Clements with $22 million in guaranteed cash, while the Bills preferred to join the ill-advised guard giveaway by paying $18.5 million in bonuses to Derrick Dockery and giving tackle Langston Walker $5 million a year. While the Bills should be commended for finally trying to fix an offensive line that has been broken for years, they overpaid the wrong players.

Levy also let go of two of the Bills' starting linebackers (Takeo Spikes and London Fletcher-Baker), leaving a huge need at that position.

Thus, the Bills are faced with three major holes to fill with the 12th pick in the draft: running back, linebacker and cornerback.

The Bills have been trying to work a deal with the San Diego Chargers for Michael Turner, who is considered the best backup running back in the NFL. Levy says he would be surprised if a trade got done, which means the Bills probably would have to take a good look at running back Marshawn Lynch with the 12th pick. Of course, if Buffalo is willing to send its second-round pick to San Diego, it probably can get Turner by draft day. Then the Bills could use the first pick on linebacker Patrick Willis or cornerbacks Leon Hall or Darrelle Revis.

Knowing Levy, though, the Bills might just as easily decide to draft one of the receivers rated at the bottom of the first round. After all, that would fit right in with all of the other mistakes the team has made this decade.

[bizell]

Bills host two for visits

Updated: 04/20/07 7:05 AM

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The Buffalo Bills had two veteran special teamers in for visits this week — Josh Scobey and Alex Bannister. Both are free agents.

Scobey is a 6-foot, 220-pound running back with five years experience. He saw spot duty as a kickoff returner for Seattle and was a regular on coverage units. Bannister is a special teams coverage squad player whom the Bills have looked at in the past. He’s a receiver who spent five years in Seattle and last year in Baltimore. In other football news:

[bizell]

Draft Buzz
April 26th, 2007
This is the latest buzz going around the NFL. Keep in mind a lot of stuff gets thrown out before the draft that never actually happens, but it’s fun to talk about all the rumors flying around this time of year. Here are some of the more juicy ones we’re hearing at the moment:

-The Cowboys are desperately trying to trade running back Julius Jones. Dallas believes Marion Barber is ready to carry the load and if the team trades Jones, they would select another running back on Day 1 of the draft. The Cowboys are currently looking to move Jones for a second round pick and the team most interested is the Buffalo Bills. Don’t be surprised if Dallas and Buffalo make a draft day deal involving Jones.[/b]

i tihnk second might be a bit steep....

however, i think a julius jones/anthony thomas rbbc would be passable.

[bizell]

Eight players Buffalo should select this weekend
By Connor J. Byrne on April 27, 2007 12:26 AM
Permalink | Comments (35) | Email This Article | RSS | [+] More Bills News

The Buffalo Bills were coming off a 5-11 season entering the 2006 draft and had a rookie general manager (Marv Levy), a new head coach (Dick Jauron) and many needs to address.

The Bills, with the eighth overall pick in the first round, grabbed former Ohio State safety Donte Whitner, and they drew the ire of fans and analysts alike for supposedly "reaching" with their choice. As it turned out, though, Whitner was just the beginning of a very good draft class for Buffalo.

Whitner ended up making the NFL All-Rookie team and joining other Bills first-year men like free safety Ko Simpson (fourth round), defensive tackle Kyle Williams (fifth round), linebacker Keith Ellison (sixth round) and offensive tackle Terrance Pennington (seventh round) as key contributors for 7-9 Buffalo last season.

One year after a successful two days of selections, the Bills are going into this weekend's draft with, once again, plenty of needs. The most prominent of which are linebacker, running back and cornerback. Frankly, those can be placed in any order; it's really in the eye of the beholder which one Buffalo should address first.

The Bills, under harsh scrutiny from many analysts yet again, begin the draft with the 12th pick in the opening round, and they have seven more choices over the rest of the weekend (a total of four selections on both Saturday and Sunday).

Here's a look at what Buffalo should do with each of its eight picks.

First round (No. 12 overall): Jon Beason, LB, Miami.

The Bills lost two experienced LBs during the offseason -- Takeo Spikes and London Fletcher -- and their only real lock in the three-man corps is four-year veteran and projected MLB Angelo Crowell, who's coming off a broken leg. And with the draft's top-rated linebacker, Patrick Willis, more than likely off the board when the Bills pick, the team will hedge its bets with the next best thing, Beason.

The 6-foot, 237-pounder is considered smallish, and he's certainly unheralded, but nevertheless, the 22-year-old is an outstanding prospect. Beason, who will likely be a weakside linebacker in the pros, has solid 4.72 speed in the 40-yard dash, is terrific in coverage and is a sure tackler and hard hitter. Sounds ideal for Buffalo's Tampa 2 defense.

Second round (No. 43): Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina.

No doubt one of the best wideouts in the nation the last two seasons, the 6-3, 200-pound Rice is considered a second-rounder because of his rawness. Rice had over 140 catches and 23 touchdowns in two years for the Gamecocks, and he would immensely upgrade the Bills' offense in the red zone, not to mention how much help he'd provide the team's No.1 receiver, Lee Evans. Rice has good speed (4.51) for his size, and his vertical leap was measured at 39½ inches. He's a perfect fit for the receiver-needy Bills.

Third round (No. 74): Tony Hunt, RB, Penn State.

Having traded away three-year starter Willis McGahee, the Bills must draft a running back early this weekend. They've been in the hunt to acquire veterans Larry Johnson and Michael Turner, but neither of those trades appear probable. The Chiefs' Johnson is in another stratosphere from most backs and would require major compensation in return, while San Diego's G.M., A.J. Smith, is asking too much for Turner, a career backup.

Enter the 233-pound Hunt. The former Nittany Lion isn't a high-speed guy (4.68 40), but he's an exceptional bruiser who can both block well and get involved in the passing game. Hunt might remind some Bills fans of the team's one-time Pro Bowl back, Travis Henry, who didn't possess breakaway speed but played hard on every down and knew how to grind out tough yards. Behind Buffalo's newly improved offensive line, Hunt could be a menace for opposing defenses, especially in goal-line and short-yardage situations.

Third round (No. 92): Michael Coe, CB, Alabama State.

If Coe is available this late, he'd be an excellent choice at No. 74. The Bills lost their former No. 1 cornerback, Nate Clements, in free agency, and they're right now relying on a less-than-stellar foursome of Terrence McGee, Ashton Youboty, Kiwaukee Thomas and Jabari Greer. At the very least, the 6-0, 190-pound Coe -- who is quite physical for his position but not extraordinarily fast (4.49 speed) -- could challenge for the Bills' nickel position next season.

Fourth round (No. 111): Stephen Nicholas, LB, South Florida.

Nicholas spent four seasons at South Florida, where he was a standout starter each year. Nicholas, who has a high motor and is versatile enough to play any linebacker position, is the type of kid whom Levy and Jauron would love to have. The 6-1, 232-pounder has the right size for the Tampa 2 and above-average 4.66 speed, and he's an excellent on-field leader. Nicholas improved as a member of the Bulls each season, posting 102 tackles and 7½ sacks in his final year with the team. Nicholas would add a pass-rushing element to Buffalo's LB corps and really make for an intriguing prospect for the Bills at strongside linebacker, where he'd probably compete with Keith Ellison for the No. 1 job.

Sixth round (No. 184): Dan Santucci, OG, Notre Dame.

The entire right side of the Bills' offensive line is a question mark right now, and that's why drafting a player like Santucci would be worthwhile. The 21-year-old can play either left guard or center but is best served at RG, where he could give provide some competition for incumbent Bills Duke Preston and Brad Butler. Santucci (6-3, 301) is strong in both aspects of blocking and is a typical hard-working Notre Dame alumnus. The ex-defensive lineman would be an interesting player for Buffalo's O-line coach, Jim McNally, to work with.

Seventh round (No. 222): Tyler Palko, QB, Pittsburgh.

Back in February, Levy said that if the Bills decided to draft a quarterback it would be in the later rounds. With that in mind, the left-handed Palko would be a good pickup late Sunday. As a senior last year for the Panthers, the 6-1, 215-pounder completed a whopping 68.3 percent of his passes for 2,871 yards, 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Palko is all you could want in a field general, and he's athletic and, as implied by the 68.3 percent completion rate, very accurate. If Losman falters in Year Two as Buffalo's full-time starter, Palko could possibly be the answer.

Seventh round (No. 239): Keith Jackson, DT, Arkansas.

With the final pick of their '07 draft, the Bills should take a flier on Jackson. Although impact players in the last round are few and far between, he could get into Buffalo's D-tackle rotation and make a difference down the line. Jackson (6-0, 305) is well-sized for the Bills' defensive scheme and is terrific in run coverage. For a team that finished 28th last year against the rush, Jackson (79 tackles in '06) would easily be worth a seventh-round pick.

*In all likelihood, Buffalo isn't going to be a playoff team next season. However, with a second consecutive solid draft, the Bills could climb toward relevancy and at least compete late in the year for a wild-card position. Selecting any of the above players would behoove Levy and assistant G.M. Tom Modrak, who enter the weekend with their work cut out for them.

http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/article...raft270407.html

wow Beason at 12? If we got laughed at for Whitner last year, I imagine this will be even more funny to everyone.