Bills Ink TE Courtney Anderson

by Brian Galliford on Mar 10, 2008 1:40 PM EDT in News Comment 14 comments

Less than a week after visiting One Bills Drive, free agent tight end Courtney Anderson has signed a contract with the Buffalo Bills. Anderson, who was drafted by and played his first three seasons with the Oakland Raiders, spent time on four different rosters last season. He did not record a reception in 2007.

In his short career, Anderson has proven himself to be a viable, if unspectacular, receiving threat. He has 62 career receptions and six career touchdowns, all accumulated in his first three seasons in Oakland. He is a solid red zone threat with dependable hands, but does not have the speed to stretch a defense down the seam. He will likely adequately replace the departed Michael Gaines' receiving production, but he's still considered a work in progress as a blocker.

There's certainly nothing wrong with adding a young, hard-working player that can put points on the board to your roster. Anderson gives the Bills that. While not a move that will generate as much excitement as a Marcus Stroud (or even a Spencer Johnson), this gives the Bills much more flexibility at the tight end position heading into the draft.

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Our prayers have been answered.......Wait, who?

I guess depth is a good thing. We seem to be stockpiling young underachieving TE's. I still think TE has to be a first 3 rounds pick and either Anderson or Johnson will not be on the team come opening day.

by RabidBuffalo on Mar 10, 2008 1:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My guess at TE

I really don't believe Anderson or Teyo Johnson will make the team unless Buffalo decides to keep four tight ends and only one full back where a backup TE is the emergency fullback. In my mind, they're still going to have to draft someone in the 1st three rounds and Bobby April already mentioned how fond of Tim Massaquoi he is, so that leads me to believe he'll secure Neufeld's spot as the 3rd TE/special teams fixture. My guess for '08: Royal/3rd round pick/Massaquoi. Do I like that threesome? No. I'm pretty sure everyone knows how I feel about Robert Royal and Josh Reed, so I won't get into either of them for a little while for my own sanity's sake. Anderson, Johnson, and Schouman are shots in the dark worth a look in training camp, but can't seriously be a part of Buffalo's 2008 plans (unless Schouman makes the transition to a full scale pass catching TE- I think they could try to develop him for another year on the practice squad).

Nick (Bensalem, PA)

by Nick BensalemPA on Mar 10, 2008 1:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Raiders TE

Two back to back TE picks in recent years by the desperate Raiders -- dumped without much interest. Not a good sign. Teyo Johnson could be a pure receiving TE, though.

by labill on Mar 10, 2008 1:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

TE

I know that it's a pretty underwhelming signing, but if the Bills could turn Michael Gaines into a decent backup tight end, they could do the same with Anderson. At worst he provides a big target in the red zone if he makes the opening day roster. I wouldn't be too encouraged with the tight end position on this team if he ends up being the primary backup though.

by Scotty P on Mar 10, 2008 2:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It's funny

When Teyo Johnson was signed, one might think he was similar to Tony Gonzalez in playing ability. Now that Courtney Anderson, (who is probably an upgrade over Johnson) everybody is killing him. I guess it all depends on when you get signed.

This isn't a terrible signing, and at a quality price to boot. The Bills still address the TE position in the draft, but most likely not as high as everyone expects.

Man do I miss #78

by sireric on Mar 10, 2008 2:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Rounds 1 - 3

I still think we will address TE between 1 and 3 based on value, along with CB and WR.
All these TEs will be camp fodder and a hot bed of competition come July. Royal "should" stay, but there will be widespread competition, and there will be a blue chip rookie.

The Bills can win every game

by killascript on Mar 10, 2008 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I could be wrong

Lord knows it's happened before, but when was the last time a draft went according to plan? Who called the Trent Edwards pick last year? I just think that the Bills know somebody will slip that they didn't think would be there, and if they decide to take that guy, they are setting up TE to be the position that they fill later if need be.

Man do I miss #78

by sireric on Mar 10, 2008 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes

I tend to think sireric has hit the bullseye with that last comment. Signing these tight ends is exactly for the scenario that sireric outlined above. Come the third round, if someone slips to us we can now choose to put on hold a TE until later in the draft. I think that's excellent planning, good anaysis sireric.

CB, DLine in FA WR, WLB in Draft

by poz on Mar 10, 2008 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Bills are smart

They have signed two guys in Anderson and Johnson who have some upsaide that do not cost a lot of money. I am sure they hope that one of the two can be the pass actching TE they didn't have last year. This also allows them to pick a TE if and when it may be a steal... I don't think they reach for one (i.e. Edwards or a QB would not have been selected if one didn;t fall in their lap). If we land a WR in free agency, this sets the Bills up for taking the BEST available player. Obviously we have some positions of needs or wants, but with our situation at TE being better then it was last year as well as our front seven (we will get a much better pash rush with the guys in the middle now), we can go WR, DE, CB, FS, SS, TE in any order.

If we did nothing else in free agency, I would have confidence that we would be a playoff contender after our draft. If we add Bryant, we will be in a ridiculously, unbelievably, incredibiliy, superbly GREAT shape.

Just think of the draft possibities. We can do anything and improve our team without needing any starters (don't give me that crap about Greer being a bad #2 CB... he is fine as long as we have a pass rush, which we will get with out improved DL).

by hilliarddavid on Mar 10, 2008 3:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sorry for the 2 posts... I dont know what happened

by hilliarddavid on Mar 10, 2008 3:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It's called double-posting

and you are hearby banned......FOREVER.

OK, you're forgiven.

To your point, though; it is a smart move to try and pick up some guys that have some talent. If it doesn't work, no big lose. But you may find a diamond in the rough.

by RabidBuffalo on Mar 10, 2008 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

stopgap

There has been a lot of mention about rookie wideouts not producing. Tight ends typically take even longer to develop and bust almost as often as WRs do. This signing is just the Bills hedging their bets. Anderson should provide good competition for Teyo Johnson and Massequoi and will be a solid stopgap if a rookie isn't ready to contribute.

by kaisertown on Mar 10, 2008 4:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs