TE Troupe Signs with Tampa Bay

by Brian Galliford on Mar 6, 2008 8:04 PM EST in Buffalo Bills News

Free agent tight end Ben Troupe, who on Monday visited the Buffalo Bills on a free agent tour, has agreed to terms with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to NFL Network's Adam Schefter. The Bills seemed clairvoyant of this potential signing, as they visited with another free agent tight end, Atlanta's Courtney Anderson, yesterday.

Troupe was by far and away the most athletic tight end available on the free agent market, and the only athlete considered to be a difference-maker. His signing all but ensures that the Bills will address the tight end position early in this April's draft.

There is still no news on free agent WR Bryant Johnson, though there are reports that he'll make a decision about his next destination soon. Keep an eye on Philadelphia's attempts to trade for Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald, as that potential deal could dramatically effect Johnson's value on the market.

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Stinks about Troupe

But I think Johnson is a Bill. No one else seems interested and now that Troupe is gone the Bills might just up their ante and get it done.

Man do I miss #78

by sireric on Mar 6, 2008 8:22 PM EST reply actions

Disappointing

I really like Troupe and would have liked to see him a Bill but Buffalo didn't need to overspend with a deep draft coming up.

by RabidBuffalo on Mar 6, 2008 8:26 PM EST reply actions

I said it before

I dont think either Troupe or Johnson will end up being a Bill. I think we will be fine with a 1st/2nd round WR and a 3rd round TE. Do need to spend what Johnson is probably asking and no need to spend money on an injury plagued veteran WR. I will take my chances with Kelly as my #2 WR and Carlson/Keller as my #1 TE.

by hilliarddavid on Mar 6, 2008 8:46 PM EST reply actions

Possible TE option

Eric Johnson is listed on ESPN's Free Agent Tracker as still being available. Don't you think he is worth a look?

by JTM1023 on Mar 6, 2008 8:57 PM EST reply actions

Yes.

I really do, good call JTM. I'd much rather get this guy than Anderson.

I also agree with the rest that a 3rd round pick should supplant what we had in Troupe. Any idea about contract details?

by Kumario! on Mar 7, 2008 11:05 AM EST up reply actions

oh well...

you cant sign them all. I am not really all that dissappointed though. Id like to see them just sign a potential star in the first or second round in the draft, and stop trying to bring in these stop-gaps. Maybe Fred Davis from USC if we trade down in the first or trade up in the second if we can?

by Hadder on Mar 6, 2008 9:05 PM EST reply actions

Gotta think

the Bills can target WR and TE much like they targeted RB and MLB last year.

Why not get a Sweed/Kelly/Hardy and a TE of Keller/Davis/Carlson? They can easily do that. Could trade down out of 11 to late teen and then maybe trade up to early round 2 or late round 1 to get a TE? That is what I would do.

I would like to know if we get a comp pick and what it is. I think that would help us out a lot.

I love all these extra picks we have aquired through trades. They have lead to Pos, Stroud, and others. And it is safe to say we don't miss Spikes/McGahee/Holcombe at all.

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Mar 6, 2008 9:52 PM EST reply actions

End of March

It probably will be a 4th or 5th, and unlikely to be more than one.

Not Pozluszny; the Bills traded their normal 2nd and 3rds for him. But they did trade Spikes and McGahee for Edwards and Stroud, essentially...

Ironically, the Bills could now sign both Spikes and Holcomb again, as they've been released. Darwin Walker, too, for that matter.

by Krenn on Mar 6, 2008 10:07 PM EST up reply actions

agreed

Those guys sound great. I do think we can trade down and still get the guys that we want. If we don't, I am fine with taking a receiver at 11, a CB in round 2 and then the best TE available in round 3.

Any of these below TE I would be happy taking at the top of round 3. Obviously, the guys at the top of the list I would prefer.

John Carlson    Notre Dame    6-6    259
Fred Davis    USC    6-4    245
Dustin Keller    Purdue    6-4    240
Martellus Bennett    Texas A&M    6-7    253
Brad Cottam    Tennessee    6-8    270
Martin Rucker    Missouri    6-6    255
Jermichael Finley    Texas    6-5    240

by hilliarddavid on Mar 6, 2008 10:00 PM EST reply actions

TEs, and such

I see Keller on this team, however, I wonder if he will impact the, or any of these guys the first year. Yet, with t he way Jauron throws guys into the fire, they end up having impact right away. If we think that at #11 we can get a play maker, at TE and still get a quality WR or CB in rds 2 & 3, then I can see us trading down to perhaps the late teens, for someone who may want Brohm or something, and then taking Davis.
Either way, I see the draft going, CB, TE, WR, in no particular order, and throwing a DE anywhere depending on value.

The Bills can win every game

by killascript on Mar 7, 2008 12:15 AM EST up reply actions

I just don't get it!

I mean we NEED MORE WEAPONS! Why not take a chance on Troupe? if they don't sign B. Johnson I think its ludicrous. Then they are expecting some joke FA veteran WR and some rookie WR to contribute on offense? WE NEED TALENT! I'm so annoyed. I wish we could trade for some proven TE/WR

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Mar 6, 2008 10:29 PM EST reply actions