Bills Fans: Sick of Bryant Johnson Speculation Yet?

by Brian Galliford on Mar 10, 2008 8:15 AM EDT in News

We are now a full seven days removed from free agent wide receiver Bryant Johnson's visit with the Buffalo Bills. It was a week filled with rumors, speculation, and a whole lot of racked nerves as Bills fans hoped to see Johnson signed. As of the time of this posting, Johnson remains an unrestricted free agent - and we're not out of the rumor-filled woods yet.

Once again, rumors spread like wildfire last night that the Bills had agreed with Johnson on a six-year, $22 million contract. The rumors cited Sirius NFL Radio as the source; Sirius has since denied the report. This just goes to show you that the old parable is true: don't believe everything you read on the Internet.

Just like last week, this week is starting off with conflicting reports on Johnson. ESPN's John Clayton mentioned in a radio appearance last night that a decision from the Johnson camp was expected today. Just like one was expected by the end of the weekend, right? There are also KFFL reports that "confirm" Johnson's original claim that he had a visit scheduled with the Redskins - which Washington has since denied. So Johnson is expected to make a decision... while visiting with the Redskins?

Clearly, someone is wrong in this scenario. I made an informed prediction late last week that Johnson's indecision was, and would be, hampering the Bills. Two days later, part of that prediction came true as safety Marlon McCree signed with the Denver Broncos. If Johnson gets a sniff of interest from another team this week, what's to say he won't take the visit (and the money) and run? He has to be just as tired of the indecision as we are.

I'll make my prediction again: this long, drawn-out negotiation between the Bills and Johnson (if it exists in the first place) has likely made both camps weary. It's made fans weary, that's for certain. The longer this plays out, the less likely Johnson is of becoming a Bill. I have faint hopes of seeing Johnson in red, white and blue, but they're fading quickly. If Clayton is right, and Johnson makes a decision today, it only makes sense that it's signing in Buffalo. If he's wrong, Johnson will either make visits to Tampa Bay or Washington, sign in either place, or re-sign with the Cardinals.

There. We've reached our Bryant Johnson quota for the day. Y'all can either leave your comments on the situation, as you've been doing for a week, or you can rip me for bringing it up again. Barring real news on the subject, we'll have something different to talk about this afternoon, I promise.

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Let me just say this

If Bryant Johnson does sign with the Bills, he better play like the second coming of Andre Reed. After all this hype and hoopla, I just hope he's worth it.

Man do I miss #78

by sireric on Mar 10, 2008 8:24 AM EDT 0 recs

two interesting bits from rotoworld

Just some interesting stuff to throw out there.

The Lions reportedly plan to use TE Michael Gaines, who signed a four-year, $10 million deal last week, as a fullback apparently making him one of the highest paid at that position.

Also, Jason Taylor is looking for a trade out of Miami to play "for a contender".

Dunno, thought these were interesting.

CB, DLine in FA WR, WLB in Draft

by poz on Mar 10, 2008 10:02 AM EDT 0 recs

Bryant Johnson

lets get this thing settle. we are wasting time either Johnson is going sigh or not. we wasted time with Troupe and he sigh with another team lets make offers and either accept or reject and lets move on. we began FA real positive and all of sudden got whimpy. we need to make a decision before the draft. speaking of the draft i believe we ought to take that first round pick and get a quality CB then get a TE,WR not necessarily in that order but get them early and shore up the offensive line i truly believe we need another guard on the right side.

by blssd384 on Mar 10, 2008 10:16 AM EDT 0 recs

Welcome

Welcome to the site.

The Bills have already made their decision - they want Johnson on board. Really want him on board. It's Johnson that's gumming up the works. Johnson is the decision-maker now. There's nothing "wimpy" about the way the team has attacked this off-season, my man.

Create a free account to join in the discussion, Bills fans!

by Brian Galliford on Mar 10, 2008 11:37 AM EDT up 0 recs

Hard to blame Johnson either

You've got to try to get the best deal for yourself, even if it takes a little time. This is probably Johnson's last big payday unless he blossoms into a top WR, so it's only prudent on his part to look around and get as much as he can.

Of course, we're talking millions of dollars here, so how can we truly understand his predicament?

Since it appears there isn't a ton of interest in him, we still seem to have a good shot at him, eh?

by Kurupt on Mar 10, 2008 11:42 AM EDT up 0 recs

Johnson

I am not inclined to rip you, Brian, for providing us an update on the latest info. Also, I will not rip the Bills or Johnson for trying to get the best deal. The Bills have spent their money on Stroud and Mitchell and are looking for a bargain. Johnson wants to get paid, and why should he want to play in Buffalo for a discount? It is the nature of the business. The idea that we have somehow missed out on other FAs by waiting for Johnson is a weak argument. If you really want/need a player, you go after them. If you are not willing to pay them, then they were not worth the money to your team vs what you can get in the draft. None of the players left on the FA market after Briggs and Moss signed are big time difference makers. If we are going to overpay, I would rather see the Bills make an offer to Ben Utecht.

by Joe P. on Mar 10, 2008 10:53 AM EDT 0 recs

Ha, thanks

Glad you're not ripping me - but I'd rip me. I'm sick of talking about this situation. :)

The idea that we have somehow missed out on other FAs by waiting for Johnson is a weak argument. If you really want/need a player, you go after them.

That's exactly what the Bills are doing - they're going after Johnson, and it's caused them to miss on Troupe and McCree. Not major misses, but if they can't get a deal with Johnson, the whole attempt at signing him will prove to be even messier than it already is. "Waiting" is a word that I've used that isn't totally accurate - the team is trying to be creative in its negotiation process, according to my source's latest. We're not sitting on our hands watching players leave, waiting for Johnson to make up his mind; we're proactively working with him to get him here. Whether it works out or not remains to be seen, but rest assured that their being so high on Johnson is a factor in the team missing on Troupe and McCree.

Create a free account to join in the discussion, Bills fans!

by Brian Galliford on Mar 10, 2008 11:41 AM EDT up 0 recs

You know what's funny

We've all spent too much time worrying about Bryant freakin' Johnson! I don't know what this says, other than how bad our offense was last year that we are regarding Johnson as a bigtime upgrade.

To be honest, I wanted Hackett originally, but have come to like what Johnson could offer. At this point, I just want the decision made so we can talk about something else. If Johnson's here, great, that'll give us a viable player. He's not going to turn us into a top 10 offense, but he can help improve our passing attack (along with a talented rookie). If he's not going to be a Bill, that stinks, but we have to move on and get someone (Hackett?) else in here.

Just decide already!!!

by Kurupt on Mar 10, 2008 10:59 AM EDT 0 recs

Too bad

we let Sam Aiken slip through our fingers. What a receiving corp: Evans, Aiken, Reed, and Parrish. Scary good! Randy who?

by No Longer Doomed to be a Bills Fan on Mar 10, 2008 11:06 AM EDT 0 recs

Wow

That's an interesting name for someone so pessimistic.

But you're right Aiken's one catch will be missed.

Man do I miss #78

by sireric on Mar 10, 2008 11:28 AM EDT up 0 recs

re:

<---div class="blockquote"--->If Johnson's here, great, that'll give us a viable player. He's not going to turn us into a top 10 offense<---/div>

Couldn't agree more. Its kind of a lot to do about nothing. Sure it would be nice, but if Trent can't throw more than a TD every 4 games, than it really doesn't matter.

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Mar 10, 2008 11:07 AM EDT 0 recs

I think Johnson could really be good

I disagree. I have seen Johnson in a number of games the past few years. He could be a very good player for us -- a difference maker. He's physically imposing and you see that when he plays. And he is reaching the prime of his career -- 4 years out of college. He really was a factor, despite being behind Fitzerald and Boldin. That incremental improvement in the passing game could be everything to our offense, where we already have a solid line and solid running game. He could make a blocking TE (like Royal) more important and a receiving TE less needed (use Reed and Parrish for what they are good at). I hope the rumors are true that he is signing with the Bills today.

by labill on Mar 10, 2008 11:41 AM EDT up 0 recs

Could be

Johnson could be very good. I could be very attractive as a woman. Neither one is a proven fact. Is it worth the price to find out?

by Joe P. on Mar 10, 2008 1:01 PM EDT up 0 recs

Breaking News

Sirius now reporting that Johnson is about to sign with the Detroit Red Wings. The source, 'some guy on the internet'.

by Thronsen on Mar 10, 2008 1:32 PM EDT 0 recs

Courtney Anderson is a Bill

Hooray, I'm so happy. Best news ever!

Or, solid backup TE signing. I'm not sure how well Anderson can block, so we'll have to see what type of TE we may look at in the draft. If Anderson is adequate at blocking, a true receiving threat should be the type we look at. If Anderson is a receiving threat only, I'd imagine we look at a more well-rounded TE, probably one with limited upside.

by Kurupt on Mar 10, 2008 1:38 PM EDT 0 recs

Bills sign TE Courtney Anderson

Not my number # 1 choice but better then nothing (I wanted Ben Utecht). I think we will be visiting this area again in the draft. If Johnson does not sign by today then I would move on and bring Hackett in for a visit. Maybe this will motivate Johnson or maybe not but we need to get a bigger WR in camp and maybe pick one up in the draft.

by Firedawgs on Mar 10, 2008 1:47 PM EDT 0 recs

unfortunately

Hackett is visiting the Washington Redskins as we speak

CB, DLine in FA WR, WLB in Draft

by poz on Mar 10, 2008 5:23 PM EDT up 0 recs

The ante might go up quick

If that's true. If Hackett leaves the market and Johnson really is the only viable guy left, his price may go up. On the other hand, if he still doesn't get attention (Johnson)then the price could go down as the Bills would say that there's is the best being as it is the only offer.

by RabidBuffalo on Mar 10, 2008 6:53 PM EDT up 0 recs

Wow

What a HUGE SIGNING! This guy cannot be guaranteed a roster spot. He'll have to beat out the multi-talented combination of Royal, Schouman, Teyo Johnson. We better take a TE in top 4 picks we have!

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Mar 10, 2008 1:47 PM EDT 0 recs