Free Agency Open Thread: Midnight Edition

The 11:00 PM show started out by talking about wideouts.  They mentioned Buffalo alot, specifically in regards to Porter and Berrian. Shefter made an interesting comment during the conversation though, he said "It's not about these teams having the salary cap room, but whether they have the money for it."  One of the other guys then gave Buffalo as an example.  This is a sad truth, but hopefully it won't handicap the Bills too much.  We'll soon find out!

Go Bills!

He didn't mention much, but said that he thinks Briggs would go to a "defensive needy team."  He then mentioned the New Orleans Saints.

Shefter said that the Redskins had a lot of interest in Briggs last year, but said that they would be "sitting out" of free agency this year.

Wonder if Dolphins and Parcells would nab him?  That would make our division pretty tough

I think that's a little more than what Wilford deserves. Hackett would get more than that, so I'm not sure we'll be that interested in him. I guess we'll have to see if the Bills are willing to exceed a deal like that for a WR....

CAN WE JUST GET A DT!

Five of those teams (Buffalo, Miami, New York, Denver, and Cincinnati) have been reported to be interested in Shaun Rogers.  We all know the stories/rumors about the Broncos and Jets being "close" to making trades for Rogers, but now the tables seem to be turning.

There are reports that Corey Williams is going to Cleveland for a 2nd round pick, eliminating them from a team of "need."  Miami seems to be trying to swing a deal for Jason Fergeson of Dallas and the Jets are now turning their attention to Kris Jenkins.  If both of those trades work out, that would put Buffalo in a good position to make a move for Rogers (In addition Jets LB, Jonathan Vilma could be a Saint by early morning, giving the Jets less trade bait to make a deal with Detroit).

Out of the original five teams interested in Rogers then, only Buffalo, Denver and Cincinnati would remain as contenders.  Also with Tommy Kelly re-signing with the Raiders, another "team of need" goes off the list.  With the Lions trying to make a quick move to dump Rogers (prior to his $1 bonus on March 1st) the Bills still seem to have life.  With the way things are going-and they can change SO quick- the Bills may even be in a position of strength.  

There is the possibility that some of these teams (Miami and NY?)are floating these rumors to use as leverage against Detroit.  Finally, Detroit doesn't have to trade Rogers.  If they don't get the deal they want, don't be overly surprised if they decide to pay Rogers his bonus and keep him.

Ferguson tore a biceps in Week One of the 2007 season, and missed the rest of the year.  He has played for Fins V.P. of football operations Bill Parcells with the Jets and the Cowboys.

Other former Tuna guys who soon could be joining the Fins include running back Julius Jones and tackle Jason Fabini.

Rotoworld is not a fan of him and thinks he will be overpaid.  

I like the guy but not if he's going to break the bank.

What time was it?  How long did they wait?

I mean the way Jauron talked at the combine last week it sounds like all the targeting and "tampering" is done and you hope that you can nab a guy as soon as possible.  I suppose some FA's have the mindset of waiting it out and letting teams fight over them, while others take an offer right away.

Just makes you wonder how much "secret" negotiations go on with this stuff.  You know it does

And to that I say.....AWESOME!

The Jets are reportedly poised to make free agent G Alan Faneca a deal averaging $8 million per season.

Interestingly, the NY Daily News notes that the Jets are expected to "outbid the Rams and 49ers," neither of which we've heard linked to Faneca. Niners GM Scot McCloughan is outspokenly opposed to giving guards monster contracts. The Rams are needy there, but in poor salary cap condition.

Dolphins agreed to terms with G Justin Smiley on a five-year contract worth $25 million, including a $9 million signing bonus.

The Bengals, Raiders, and Rams were also thought to have interest. Smiley is recovering from a torn labrum, but should be O.K. by training camp. The 2004 second-round pick will play right guard in Miami, replacing Rex Hadnot.

Sorry if you all aleady knew that.

This division is only getting tougher.  With parcells in miami, the Fins will be much improved, and the Jets are improving there talent.  We need a huge talent upgrade on our roster. I hope we can find a way through FA and the draft to add 3-5 guys that can start and play big roles this year

WOW.

This money is nuts.  Makes you think grabbing a couple mid-tier FA's is about all the Bills can muster.  After go bank on Dockery last year I don't know if I can see them doing that again

Scout.com's Adam Caplan reports free agent OLB Demorrio Williams has set up visits with the Bucs, Chiefs, and Chicago Bears.

Williams struggled to fend off rookie Stephen Nicholas last year, but his combination of skills and athleticism is highly intriguing. The Bucs, Chiefs, and Bears all run Cover 2 variations. Williams plays the weak side.

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It'd be interesting to see if the Bills show any interest, seeing that he's a WLB in a corver-2 D

A league source tells us that the Oakland Raiders have reached an agreement with former 49ers tackle Kwame Harris.

Harris was a first-round pick in 2003.

No financial details are presently available.