WR Market Moving on Bills

by Brian Galliford on Mar 11, 2008 7:19 AM EDT in News Comment 24 comments

Hackett making a trip to Washington (Wire Image)

Yes - free agent wide receiver Bryant Johnson remains unsigned, and yes, the Buffalo Bills remain the only team he's visited with. Still, it has been reported that Johnson was entertaining at least two offers from other clubs. If either of those teams were the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or the Washington Redskins, Johnson may soon be out of luck weighing his multiple deals.

The Buccaneers, thought to be the main competition for Johnson's services, on Monday inked troubled WR Antonio Bryant, who spent the 2007 season out of football. Bryant is a shoo-in to start next to veteran Joey Galloway. If head coach Jon Gruden is as high on Bryant as he seems to be - and the Bucs have tamed ill-tempered players before - Tampa could very well be out of the Johnson sweepstakes.

Johnson also was quick to mention a planned trip to Washington when he visited Buffalo last week. That trip has not yet happened, as far as we know, but we do know that the Redskins will visit with WR D.J. Hackett today. Given the connections between Hackett and Redskins head coach Jim Zorn, it seems unlikely - though entirely possible - that Hackett makes it out of D.C. without a contract. Should he sign in Washington, it's another potential Johnson suitor taking themselves out of the running.

Who's left? Chicago, perhaps, even though they've already signed receivers Marty Booker and Brandon Lloyd this off-season. The receiver market is starting to move, folks, and Johnson's only option still appears to be our Buffalo Bills.

Speaking of the Bills, our own sireric reports that the team has shown interest in RFA WR Rashied Davis of the Bears. I, like sireric, tend to believe that Buffalo's interest is minimal, and they're simply trying to send a message to Johnson. Davis, however, wouldn't be a bad signing, as it's clearly time for the Bills to find themselves a new kick returner to replace Terrence McGee in that role. McGee needs to be focused entirely on his number one corner role; getting him off special teams would keep him fresh and healthy as well.

Connor Byrne, a favorite of Buffalo Rumblings, wrote a nice piece yesterday outlining his top three remaining free agents for the Bills. Those players? WR D.J. Hackett, TE Ben Utecht and QB Gus Frerotte.

Of course, now Hackett is being wooed by Moneybags Snyder, and the Bills' signing of TE Courtney Anderson means that they won't give a second thought to Utecht. Frerotte remains an interesting option, but don't expect the Bills to make a run at a quarterback unless they get much closer to trading J.P. Losman - a player they'd really like to keep.

Just goes to show you how quickly things can change.

Here's a piece from the Toronto Sun about - you guessed it - the Bills playing in Toronto.

I've been busy the last 24 hours, but I'm looking at a free afternoon today; therefore, I promise I'll be back later on today with something a bit more profound. As always, keep it locked in to Buffalo Rumblings.

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disagree

"Davis, however, wouldn't be a bad signing"

I totally disagree. The last thing we need is to sign another sub-6'0 receiver.

CB, DLine in FA WR, WLB in Draft

by poz on Mar 11, 2008 9:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

We already have good WRs

If we add another receiver by the draft or free agency, Parrish will be either the 3rd or 4th WR on the depth chart. This would lead me to believe that he should take over for McGee on kickoff returns. The staff has talked about getting him more touches, well here is his chance.

I don't see us adding any WRs for depth, we have that in Reed and Parrish. We are in need of a #2. I think we are going to draft a receiver regardless of whether we sign one in free agency. I think we add two WR (either 1 FA and 1 high draft pick or 1 high draft pick and a late rounder for depth).

by hilliarddavid on Mar 11, 2008 9:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Really?

8 TDs in 6 years for Reed as a regular member of the WR rotation. That's good enough for you? Josh Reed and Robert Royal are two players that do nothing but take up space. They serve as the control in our offensive experiment where we've tried different quarterbacks, offensive lines, runningbacks, coaches, etc.- all serving as an impressive litany of variables. The result is always the same- not even close to enough offense. Something NEW needs to be tried at their positions because what we have in them hasn't worked under an array of chance and circumstance. Why so much attachment to players who have failed us time and time again?

Nick (Bensalem, PA)

by Nick BensalemPA on Mar 12, 2008 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Antonio Bryant

Not sure he's such a shoo-in to start opposite Galloway. He didn't even play this past year, so there's no reason to believe he's going to go in there and be an immediate starter.

I think Tampa will still be looking for a WR, though I expect that player to come via the draft.

I think the Bears, Titans and Redskins may be the only other teams definitely on the market for a FA WR at this point....

by Kurupt on Mar 11, 2008 10:10 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Who's left

Bryant Johnson
D.J. Hackett
Justin McCareins
Any body else?
McCareins visited with the Titans and left without a deal, I don't think they want him. If Hackett signs with the Skins, the market for Johnson is real lite, and he might be wise to take what the Bills are offering.

Man do I miss #78

by sireric on Mar 11, 2008 10:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

got to be a good thing

It has to be good that this is all taking so long for Hackett or B. Johnson, the two best WR's on the market by far, to sign a contract. If no other team has come in yet and scooped one of them up, it has to mean that Johnson and his agent are playing the waiting game to see if they get more money. For instance, if Hackett signs with the Skins and gets good money, that will only help B. Johnson in his contract talks with the Bills. It will however, also take away one more team that is vying for his services.

I can't imagine B. Johnson is liking this too much unless the Cardinals have promised him that they will get to him once they get things restructured with L. Fitgerald.

Its all a mess right now, but I'm real interested to see who Hackett and Johnson sign with and for how much $

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Mar 11, 2008 11:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Johnson and the Cards

I can't imagine either side having much interest, to be honest.

Johnson doesn't want to be the 3rd WR again and the Cards don't want to pay a 3rd WR what Johnsons wants when they'd already have big money tied up in Fitz/Boldin.

The only way Johnson goes back to AZ is if Fitz is traded in the next few days, which looks pretty unlikely.

by Kurupt on Mar 11, 2008 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually...

... I think interest is there, K. The Cards have already expressed interest officially (of course, I can't find the @#$@# link), and my guess is if that things fall through with Fitzgerald and he's moved, Johnson will go back to Arizona very quickly. It's not likely at this point, and it's highly contingent on Fitzgerald, but the possibility is there.

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

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

Yeah

The whole Fitz thing is what Johnson to the Cards hinges on.

I just can't see Fitz being shipped out anytime soon. It just seems like such a cloudy situation. Johnson can't wait for something like that to happen forever, and vice versa. If the Cards feel they've got no chance to restructure/extend Fitz, they've got to move ASAP, but it doesn't seem to be happening. They don't need to put themselves in a bind there and have a big hole at WR because they waited so long...

by Kurupt on Mar 11, 2008 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well....

with Fitz inked for the next 4 years, we may find out soon if that was a hold-up...

by Kurupt on Mar 11, 2008 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well

I don't know, but its just my speculation at this point because it is the only thing that makes sense to me. Because any other FA that is a FA for the 1st time, wants to cash in IMMEDIATELY. Go buy his new Benz, new house, bling out his posse, and buy his wife a nice big ROCK. Why would Johnson be any different? Something is holding this up. His value is his value. Either the Bills don't want him, don't want him at his price, or Johnson knows something we don't.

As far as Davis goes. If we sign him I'll puke. What is he going to push Reed, Parrish and Evans to be better scat-receivers! I don't want any Chicago Bear defects on this team.

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Mar 11, 2008 11:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well

We could always sign Davis and then cut Reed, if for no other reason than to make Nick happy.

Man do I miss #78

by sireric on Mar 11, 2008 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with that.

I can't believe his status is still up in the air. It's really baffling to me, to say the least. I did hear his agent is kind of a prick. This makes him look really bad if you ask me...

by krytime on Mar 11, 2008 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Johnson situation

It looks to me like Johnson's agent is making Johnson wait to sign because he is trying to get more money out of the Bills or another team. The Bills are holding ground because even with a weak WR free agent pool, we can argue that a Sweed or Kelly will be fine with us and we should have our pick of the two at #11. Ultimately I think Johnson's agent finally gives up on trying to get more money, and he signs with the Bills. If another team was not worried about him signing with Buffalo and tried to offer him big bucks, they are not going to do it now.

I am not going to hold this LONG drawn out signing against Johnson... most of these guys listen too much to their agents. And we all know that agents get a percentage of a players salary, they are not paid a set amount a year.

by hilliarddavid on Mar 11, 2008 12:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Johnson could affect our 1st round pick

With the Bills bringing it two tall TEs in Teyo Johnson and Anderson, I am less likely to believe the Bills will take a WR in the first round. This feeling will be reinforced if the Bills do sign Bryant Johnson. The Bills coaching staff seems to like our current WRs, except for their lack of height in the red zone. Anderson, Johnson, and Johnson would take care of that aspect. I am starting to think that the Bills are not done on defense. Even though we have sign Kelsay and Schobel to big contracts, the Bills could use someone to rotate in, especially with the imminent departure of the suspended DE Hargrove. I would not be surprised to see the Bills draft Merling or Harvey with the #11 pick. I could also see the Bills taking a DT. Stroud is proven, if health. John McCargo looks ready to break out, but has only shown flashes of ability. Spencer Johnson has not proven he can be a 3 down DT. Williams is a rotational player at best for most other teams. The Bills could use another young dominant DT. Before the combine, I had hoped we could get Dre Moore in the 3rd round. Now, I doubt he will be there in the 2nd round. Come draft time, he may not be too much of a reach if the Bills decide to trade down a few spots. Balmer is also a possibility.

by Joe P. on Mar 11, 2008 1:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

FITZGERALD

Just signed a new 4 year $40 million dollar contract with an incredulous $30 million guaranteed. So that takes that situation out of the scenario. I wonder if that will get the wheels turning on B. Johnson and Hackett. You got to think the Eagles would be interested in either WR as they have been rumbled to have made a play for Moss, Fitzgerald, Torry Holt and Roy Williams.

Hopefully, if Johnson had any thoughts of returning to the Valley of the Sun, those are squashed cuz I can't imagine the Cards have much cap room left.

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Mar 11, 2008 1:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

WOOO

that's a lot of money for a 4 yr deal.

That could get the Johnson situation cleared up if that was a snag. If the Cards were the other team involved, Johnson could be a Bill today...

Thanks for posting the link

by Kurupt on Mar 11, 2008 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

"Could be a Bill today"

I think I have heard that for the past seven days. It is funny though! I don't think I am going to believe anything anyone says unless it is from OBD. I think if we ink Johnson, it would allow us to take the best player available, including McFadden if he falls; although I do feel if he drops we will trade down. Johnson (even though he is not a STUD) would be the final puzzle to our pre-draft moves (other than a few depth players).

Flexibility i the key to a successful draft and we could have that. Imagine us being able to draft the best player available in the frist 4 rounds... no reaching for players due to team needs, just teh BEST player. This makes me drule (sp?).

by hilliarddavid on Mar 11, 2008 1:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Johnson

just thinking out loud there. If there was a holdup to him signing here because he wanted to see whether Fitz was dealt, then yeah, we may hear something today. Of course, that could mean Johnson is in the clear to sign with some other team, but who really knows at this point.

Not sure we'd be able to go BPA though. We need a DE, CB, TE and depth on the lines for sure. Another WR would be needed too...

by Kurupt on Mar 11, 2008 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

(sp?).

Try drool.

I like the best player idea also. I thinkthe biggest mistakes are made on draft day when teams moves player up based on need. See Smith, Alex

Man do I miss #78

by sireric on Mar 11, 2008 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Titans moving in?

Rotoworld is saying that Johnson's agent is now talking to the Titans although no visit is scheduled.

CB, DLine in FA WR, WLB in Draft

by poz on Mar 11, 2008 2:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Okay....

So now Fitzgerald has renegotiated his deal, and DJ Hackett is on his way to Washington. It is pretty obvious to me that there just is not that much interest in Bryant Johnson, and also that Bryant Johnson does not have much interest in playing for Buffalo. Personally I am kinda bummed that we never brought Hackett in for a visit, and now mark my words he is as good as gone. If we do not end up signing Johnson (personally I hope we don't) then I am still not going WR in round one. Sweed and Kelly are not much better (at all IMO) then Nelson who we can grab in the third.

Playoff Bound in '08!

by SP on Mar 11, 2008 2:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Johnson's signing is unsure - so are his hands.

After living in Arizona the last four years, let me say that Johnson drops too many passes. He seems to have to have good size and athleticism but he's not aggressive and the bombs he's dropped......oh my goodness!

by jj24 on Mar 11, 2008 6:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs