Hardy, Ellis, Omon Signed as Players Report to Camp
by Brian Galliford on Jul 24, 2008 12:43 PM EDT
in News
20 comments
Two of the Buffalo Bills' four remaining unsigned rookies have inked deals, meaning that they will be reporting to training camp on time. Third-round pick DE Chris Ellis and sixth-round pick RB Xavier Omon both signed their first NFL deals today, the team has announced.
Please use this thread as an Open Thread discussion of the rest of the day's events as players report to St. John Fisher College for 2008 training camp. We'll do our best to keep you updated as the day progresses.
Update #7: It's official; WR James Hardy has signed on the dotted line. He'll be in camp in time for tomorrow's morning practice. Jason Peters and top draft pick CB Leodis McKelvin will likely reach holdout status by midnight tonight.
Update #6: The very latest on the Jason Peters situation is that if Peters holds out, the Bills will fine him and move on without him - at least, until he reports. This situation is getting messier by the minute. My suggestion to Peters: your best chance of getting paid soonest is to show up to work. The Bills don't sound completely opposed to negotiating with him, but it's clear that they won't begin that process until he shows up. If Caleb Campbell can honor his commitment to the Army after it ripped his NFL dreams away, Peters can show up and collect his $3.25 million this season - especially if his reporting means he's likely to get a new deal sooner. Come on, Jason - show a little loyalty.
Update #5: BuffaloBills.com is reporting that Russ Brandon believes that the team is very close to reaching an agreement with second-round pick WR James Hardy, and that Hardy will be available for the team's first practice tomorrow morning at 8:30. Meanwhile, the team is still in heavy discussions with CB Leodis McKelvin and his agent, but do not appear to be as close to a deal with him as they are with Hardy. Report
Update #4: In an interview with Buffalo media at ~4:30 PM earlier this afternoon, COO Russ Brandon indicated that the organization does not expect to hear from the NFL in regards to a punishment against RB Marshawn Lynch for his transgressions earlier this off-season. In the same interview, Brandon also pointedly made it clear that the Bills had not made any trade inquiries to the Green Bay Packers in regards to QB Brett Favre.
Update #3: Players have until midnight tonight to report to camp; at that point, anyone missing will be deemed a holdout. As of 6:31 PM ET, Jason Peters is still MIA, according to WGR 550. (Anyone recognize that photo of Peters they're using?)
Update #2: Chris Brown has a quote from Derrick Dockery up about Peters' potential holdout:
"It doesn't concern me. You just have to have faith and trust in the people you play with. I haven't talked to him in a while, but if he's here, he's here. If he's not he's not. We'll just have to move forward."
Well, it concerns the rest of us, Dock. Peters could turn you into a Pro Bowl guard. Kirk Chambers can make no such claim.
Update #1: As of 12:45 PM ET, there still hasn't been any update to the potential holdout status of OT Jason Peters. With players set to begin showing up at Fisher this afternoon and into this evening, keep it locked in here for updates to Peters' status.
0 recs |
20 comments
Email
Print
Comments
2 to go
all it will take is one 5-10 to fall and we should be good to go. Hardy will get similar to Devin Thomas.
It’s finally here!!!! what are the predictions of the big name getting cut this year?
Royal, Reed (sounds like it won’t happen to him), Will James
by pastj12345 on Jul 24, 2008 1:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Who gets cut
That might be worth a post if you have some good insight or predictions.
Protect ya neck!
by killascript on Jul 24, 2008 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hardy’s agent will want to see what the #1 receiver off the board (Avery) gets as a reference point.
I do think we are in good shape with getting these guys into camp sooner than later.
by gatornation on Jul 24, 2008 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i have no isnsight becasue they havent had a practice yet.
by pastj12345 on Jul 24, 2008 1:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
On-Time
Its important things dont get out of hand. By Monday at the latest for Hardy. By the beginning of August for McKelvin (again at the latest).
by Berg79 on Jul 24, 2008 2:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
glad
to see this at least. I’m sure McKelvin/Hardy are influenced by Whitner and his lengthy hold out in 2006 being Whitner is trying to mentor those two young men. Hopefully though the hold out is nothing more than a week. I feel this time is valuable.
If Peters indeed does hold out I think its impact is most affected as a team chemistry standpoint. I mean if he does hold out, when he comes back how will the team react? Jealousy is a human element. Although everyone on that line is well-compensated besides Peters for his Pro-Bowl level of talent.
All I can say. Thank God Actual Football is here!
MARVelous
by MARVelous on Jul 24, 2008 5:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I guess cutting Viti was inevitable. Good thing the Bills weren’t counting on him to be the starter at FB.
The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.
by sireric on Jul 24, 2008 7:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hardy just signed
Time to add update #7 Brian
~K
by Kurupt on Jul 24, 2008 7:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ha.. yeah, yeah, Mr. I Beat Brian To The Punch By 12 Seconds Every Time…
by Brian Galliford on Jul 24, 2008 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And I'm glad Hardy was smart enough to sign before camp
as opposed to the 2nd round pick of the Saints, Tracey Porter, whom the GM believes is going to have a long holdout. Glad Hardy knows what’s there for his taking and that he needs all the work he can get to achieve it. Time for him to put the work in and earn a starting spot, IMO…Hope Leodis follows suit by the end of the weekend…
~K
by Kurupt on Jul 24, 2008 7:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
right on Kurupt
I think you stated it perfectly my man. “Glad Hardy knows what’s there for his taking and that he needs all the work he can get to achieve it. ” I too am glad he realized it. He is in for a big pay day if he shows up, works hard, takes his starter positions, and produces. Heck, he has the opportunity to establish himself as a mainstay of a franchise from the get go. Not many rookies get that opportunity. And like you, I am glad he has realized it.
McKelvin and Hardy - rookies of the year
by poz on Jul 24, 2008 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
One of the interviews mentioned that Omon had to fire his agent and start over – that’s probably why he was signed so late for a 6th-round pick.
by Krenn on Jul 24, 2008 8:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Good to see Hardy singing on the dotted line
Was getting worried there. I believe Hardy is the most important guy we had to get in here pronto. I think Peters will show up in a week or so once money starts disappearing from his pocket. He is getting paid, and needs to make a good faith move of coming to camp and the team will reward him at the end of the season.
Come on McKelvin, stop letting your agent play the “Pay him like a man, hes a man” bullcrap and get to camp. Start earning that check your fighting over.
Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....
by WABillsfan on Jul 24, 2008 9:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Kind of hard to earn a paycheck if there isn’t one to begin with. McKelvin’s not doing anything unusual here; he should be in camp within the next day or two.
by Brian Galliford on Jul 24, 2008 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Renegotiations should grease wheels for signings
Buffalo’s willingness to revisit contracts early should make it easier to get a guy like McKelvin to sign a contract. Even if the team insists on a 6 year deal why not sign it? It’s pretty clear that it will be redone if he outplays it. It’s not like Buffalo is a team that sticks to the contract as written like Philly…
by Ron From NM on Jul 24, 2008 9:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Very good point here Ron...
And I also agree with Brian – I’d bet on Leodis to be in camp within the next day or so.
by krytime on Jul 24, 2008 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Especially since the market is pretty much set for him
Jerod Mayo, the #10 pick, signed earlier today for 5 years, $18.9M with $13.8M in guarantees.
14 Chris Williams signed a 5 year $16M deal, with $10M guaranteed.I’d have to guess a 5 years $18-$18.5M deal with about $12-13M guaranteed is right where McKelvin should expect. The only hangups would have to be that McKelvin is the #1 player at his position and he may be looking to secure a Darrelle Revis type deal (6 year $30M, with the contract being voidable after only 4 years and a buyback clause for $14M for those last 2 seasons if exercised by the team). Hopefully, they get the deal done tomorrow along the lines of Jerod Mayo’s deal.
~K
by Kurupt on Jul 24, 2008 11:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i agree witth WABills.........
Hardy was the most important….If McKelvin misses a couple of days it isnt as big of a deal as the bills have two/three starters for CB in place with Mcgee Greer and James…...But im sure he’ll be in camp by the end of the week at the latest….
http://bills.sportsbloggingnetwork.com/
by norcaliangelsfan on Jul 24, 2008 9:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Agree with everything that is being said
by Berg79 on Jul 25, 2008 9:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
SB Nation's home for daily Buffalo Bills coverage.
Related FanPosts on Buffalo Rumblings
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
