The Thursday Night deal we almost made....

by Geronimo on Mar 5, 2008 2:30 PM EST

I wrote here on Sunday following the Stroud deal that the Bills mgmt. team had acted adroitly following the collape of a deal they thought was "done" literally on the eve of free Agency last Thursday nite at midnite. Mnay of you asked what it was, but I could not say.

Now for the details following today's announcement that the Browns have re-done Shaun Roger's contract to a staggering 6 years--$42M with a $20M guarantee. Unbelievable amount of money for a guy with his issues.

You can guess the rest. Yes indeed--we had a deal in place for Rogers for the same 3rd and 5th we eventually sent to Jax for Stroud. We agreed. The Lions agreed. Rogers was on board. But Voila!!! In steps Roger's agent at 11:58PM and tells us that he is not going anywhere unless he does his deal over. To make a long story short--the numbers got out of hand quickly and our guys did not like the last minute extortion.

Within one hour we are on the phone to both Jax and Stroud's agent. He is at OBD on Saturday and the rest is history.

I think this may give you some insite as to how prepared the guys at OBD are--and how quickly they are prepared to move.

In my opinion only--we got FAR the better of the deal as opposed to what the Browns eventually paid.

Just another great fan opinion shared on the pages of BuffaloRumblings.com.

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If true

thank goodness they didn't make that move. Rogers is good but not that good.

Tremendous rebound by the boys at OBD to get Stroud.

by RabidBuffalo on Mar 5, 2008 2:38 PM EST reply actions

Geronimo

Nice work. I figured Jauron would make a play for Rogers if he was comfortable with his work ethic and mental state. I also figured that the Bills wouldn't overpay to get it done. I like feeling confident that if the Bills are going to make a deal, they aren't going to get hosed in the process (see Jets, Raiders).

by jmorris0823 on Mar 5, 2008 2:41 PM EST reply actions

Jets/Raiders

Those are self-hosings.

Man do I miss #78

by sireric on Mar 5, 2008 2:44 PM EST up reply actions

I would assume no but...

Does the front office have many real concerns about Stroud's Ankle? Are they thinking of taking a DT in the draft as insurance or are they thinking that Jason Jefferson is that insurance?

Man do I miss #78

by sireric on Mar 5, 2008 2:42 PM EST reply actions

Ankles

This is concern of mine too - Stroud's ankles. I think the world of the Bills Medical Staff. But how did they manage to clear him physically fit so quickly, given the surgery he had is not fairly common? HIPPA laws prevent medical disclosures. The way I see it, Stroud must have signed release forms for the Bills to look at his complete medical history, and to do it so quickly, wow...

by krytime on Mar 6, 2008 12:35 AM EST up reply actions

thanks Geranimo...

Money aside I think I would rather have had Rogers. Stroud's ankles leave me concerned, but I do love the guy.

I always thought the bills were one of the teams that were quietly making a strong push for Rogers. First reports came out that two teams in the same division in the AFC were the leading contenders for Rogers. Everyone thought that was Denver and Oakland, but Oakland never showed much interest and they re-uped with Kelly. The Jets came on strong and then i was almost certain the other team was the Bills. THEN miami got it's name thrown in, but as the reports indicated, they entered late - thus they couldn't have been one of the two teams that were leading contenders for Rogers. Then I really felt that the Bills were one of the teams interested.

It's ashame that he wanted so much money. I think his ability to penatrate would have done wonders for the Bills inner pass rush. His size and experience in the cover two were also hugh assets.

In the end though, I'm happy with the Stroud deal, especially when considering the financial difference between the two.

Thanks again Geronimo!

John I.

by jri111 on Mar 5, 2008 2:47 PM EST reply actions

Replying...

Well--it's kind of obvious that the Bills would have liked Rogers as well. There is that connnection with DJ and he was the number one option. I just think they are playing the "value game" the way the Patriots have playeed it successfully for years, and over the long-term it's a clear winning strategy. I just have to laugh at the Jets and Raiders...and wonder what a mess they are going to leave the NEXT head coach. Add the Vikes to that as well for the idiotic Berrian deal.

As to B, Johnson--my information is that they are still involved and would still like him. But it's a matter of negotiation and every day somebody else drives the market higher. I remain cautiously optimistic, but nothing would surprise me at this point.

I do have some thoughts as to why they brought in M. Mcree at S--and will get to that later perhaps.

Geronimo

by Geronimo on Mar 5, 2008 3:26 PM EST up reply actions

very interesting

What a weird scenario. They had a deal with the Bills. Then they had a deal with the Bengals. And finally dealt him to Cleveland. And now look at what they are forced to pay him. I am glad we don't have that malcontent on our squad. To get stroud in that quick of a turnaround is pretty phenomenal.

You gotta wonder how Stroud doesn't want a new deal? I mean $16 million is supposedly guaranteed? I can't remember the exact specifications of his deal?

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Mar 5, 2008 2:50 PM EST reply actions

Hey Geronimo

Any insight into the latest visits to OBD? B. Johnson, Mcintyre, McCree, Troupe, Anderson?

Maybe some nuggets? We are all confused about the B. Johnson situation

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Mar 5, 2008 2:57 PM EST reply actions

confused

I'm not confused. Bills liked him, he wanted more money than they wanted to give, he decided to check out other places that might give more money.

by jmorris0823 on Mar 5, 2008 3:12 PM EST up reply actions

Exactly

The Bills did the right thing. As we have all stated before, Jauron KNOWS Shaun Rogers well, he coached him! And I for one think we got the better deal in the end. I think the fact that DJ was ready to drop the deal the moment Shaun's agent tried to hold us up for ridiculous amounts of money should tell us something here.

Why would DJ who knows this player well, balk at giving him a big amount of money? Maybe because the dude can't keep his weight down, can't stay motivated even with a player's coach like DJ is, and just ins't WORTH that type of loot.

I say good job DJ and ODB, you guys made the right choice in Marcus Stroud who has something to prove, and didn't take a dude who thought he was entitled to a lot of money. And thanks so much Geronimo for the wonderful reporting and updates.

So how done was Pat Williams when we let him go Tommie boy??? Stick a fork in him level right?

by WABillsfan on Mar 5, 2008 3:22 PM EST up reply actions

As usual....

Thanks for the inside scoop geronimo...you the man!

Playoff Bound in '08!

by SP @ Buffalo Rumblings on Mar 5, 2008 3:18 PM EST reply actions

Well

We have no idea if other teams are interested in B. Johnson. No other visits have been reported and no contract has been offered to him to our knowledge so unless you know something I don't......

It is all hearsay at this point.

To say that Stroud will be better than Rogers is really a toss up and just speculation. It is just about pure value as Geronimo pointed out. Stroud did not require us to redo his deal and he was plan B after Rogers demanded we tear up his old contract. Rogers and Stroud each have their documented red flags. The key is to keep the guy happy, keep him healthy and hope that he fulfills the run-stuffing leader on the D-line that we need.

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Mar 5, 2008 3:31 PM EST reply actions