Bills sign OG Kendall Simmons, send Wood to IR

by Brian Galliford on Nov 24, 2009 12:41 PM EST in News Comment 42 comments

Facing a disastrous shortage of offensive linemen, the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday announced that they have added veteran guard Kendall Simmons to their 53-man roster. Buffalo previously visited with Simmons this past March before ultimately signing Seth McKinney, who suffered a season-ending injury this past Sunday.

A former first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Simmons missed most of the 2008 season with a ruptured Achilles tendon. Released in February, he spent the early portions of this season with New England, but was released on November 6.

Discounting starting center Geoff Hangartner, the Bills only have one true guard on the roster - rookie left guard Andy Levitre - and he's been moonlighting at left tackle. Buffalo lost two guards, Eric Wood and McKinney, to season-ending injuries on Sunday (Wood was placed on IR to complete this transaction).

Simmons is a veteran presence for a team that needs a veteran presence up front. It's unclear if he'll play immediately - tackle-by-trade Kirk Chambers filled in for Wood in Jacksonville, and knows Buffalo's offense - but for a desperate team, Simmons was as solid a signing as we could have hoped for.

McKinney still has not officially been placed on IR, so the Bills may not be done wheeling and dealing up front.

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Not a bad signing with all things consider

He’s not a very good player at this point, but he could be at least adequate for the team. I actually wouldn’t be angry if they signed him to a multi-year deal and brought him into camp next year to fight for a depth spot. If he plays well enough down the stretch, this could turn out to be a solid move.

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Nov 24, 2009 1:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I agree with everything you say. It could have been a lot more lackluster as far as signings go.

"Play like hell and win." - Perry Fewell
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by MattRichWarren on Nov 24, 2009 1:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Stop! This is how they get us! They make a ridiculously crazy move like with Meredith, then they make a sensible average move like here which looks comparatively genius-ish and we’re suckered in again. Nooooooooo!

Official ledge-talker-offer of the Buffalo Bills.

by WhyBillsWhy on Nov 24, 2009 1:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Who is being suckered? This is the best guy left out there!

"Play like hell and win." - Perry Fewell
Your daily source for Buffalo Bills information.

by MattRichWarren on Nov 24, 2009 2:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It was hyperbole. We need a font for that just like we need one for sarcasm. My point was that our expectations can be distorted by crazy moves and make average moves look good. I agree that this was the smart play in this instance. Picking up a PS player to fill the gaping RT void was, uhhhh, not the smart play.

Official ledge-talker-offer of the Buffalo Bills.

by WhyBillsWhy on Nov 24, 2009 2:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed on hoping that they keep him next year. Hey may only be a shadow of the player he used to be, but he can still be a good teacher to our extremely young line. Wouldn’t mind seeing him stick around for a year or two more.

Captain of the "Promote Bob Sanders to Deffensive Coordinator" band wagon.

by CanadianBillsFan on Nov 24, 2009 1:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

From what I can remember about that name he was a pretty decent, solid guard for the Steelers correct? Pretty solid pick up.

"I don't know how to explain it but we seem to find eachother on the ice and make things happen... Yeah. Pass, shoot, score... Yeah. Pass.. Shoot.. And score."

by bflo on Nov 24, 2009 1:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah he was. But that seems like a decade ago. He is old and coming off a major injury now. It’s still as solid a signing as you could expect at this point.

"Play like hell and win." - Perry Fewell
Your daily source for Buffalo Bills information.

by MattRichWarren on Nov 24, 2009 1:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah hes obviously a free agent at this point in the season for a reason. But when you dont have a gaurd to put in… this move makes sense, and to piggyback what K said I wouldnt mind seeing him come in and compete for a depth spot next year, providing he performs well over the next month and a half.

"I don't know how to explain it but we seem to find eachother on the ice and make things happen... Yeah. Pass, shoot, score... Yeah. Pass.. Shoot.. And score."

by bflo on Nov 24, 2009 1:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Seems like a solid signing. At least they’re trying.

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by kaisertown on Nov 24, 2009 1:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I was shocked that this pickup didn’t involve the words “practice squad” as it seemed every other one the last few years did …

Wait and see, but on paper it looks alright

by sabre74kkn on Nov 24, 2009 1:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

GREAT SIGNING!!!!!!!

He’s not the player he used to be, but considering the present situation, this is a fantastic free agent signing.

Can’t wait to see what he has left in him.

Captain of the "Promote Bob Sanders to Deffensive Coordinator" band wagon.

by CanadianBillsFan on Nov 24, 2009 1:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

he has a pulse

and knows the face guard on the helmet goes in front. Achilles injuries are tough. A lot of people don’t fully regain the level of performance because they are afraid of ripping it again. I think that was his problem at NE.

by fansince60 on Nov 24, 2009 1:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

If I was Levitre

I wouldn’t be washing my uniform, following the same routine, and avoiding things like ladders and black cats.

Basically, I’d be crapping my pants.

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by BillsNYC on Nov 24, 2009 1:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Nadd Hang to that, they’re the only two orginal members of you O-Line that haven’t been injured this year.

Captain of the "Promote Bob Sanders to Deffensive Coordinator" band wagon.

by CanadianBillsFan on Nov 24, 2009 1:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hang had back issues for a while there. Not severe enough to keep him out, but also not the picture of health.

Official ledge-talker-offer of the Buffalo Bills.

by WhyBillsWhy on Nov 24, 2009 2:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wood may not be ready next season

Wood may not be ready to go at the start of next season, is what I have heard. With that serious of an injury, it takes up to one year to really rehabilitate. What a shame!

by BuffaloWhiner on Nov 24, 2009 3:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

heard from where?

"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone" -Marshawn Lynch-

by billsoferie on Nov 24, 2009 3:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It’s all speculation at this point. We have no way of knowing how bad the injury was or how severe the damage until we hear from Wood or the Bills.

"Play like hell and win." - Perry Fewell
Your daily source for Buffalo Bills information.

by MattRichWarren on Nov 24, 2009 4:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

All we know is that he’s been opperated on to have the bones put back in place, which is standard whenever you break both the tibia and fibula. My dad broke both at the same time while working construction and his recovery time to be back at 100% was 2 and a half months (10 weeks).

Now I’m not saying that that will be the case as construction and pro sports are totally different, and Wood will still need to see a specialist. But if it was only damage to the bone then he’s in the clear.

All we know for sure is that we wont know what his recovery time will be until he gets a very thorough evaluation from a specialist. Until thats done, we know nothing.

Captain of the "Promote Bob Sanders to Deffensive Coordinator" band wagon.

by CanadianBillsFan on Nov 24, 2009 4:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

seriously?

that was really really bad – i’d be amazed if he’s ready for the regular season. It could be a career ender

Never put salt in your eyes

by J2 on Nov 24, 2009 4:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Just bones

heal fine. Rarely is there an injury that is career threatening that involves just bones. It doesnt matter what kind of fracture iit is, if he just had a bone injury 6 months tops to be back in prime condition. If there was something else involved, then were taking a lot longer

by ballinbills1315 on Nov 24, 2009 7:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Bone heals pretty rapidly when under supervised proffessional care. Mind you if its anything more then simple bone fractures, yeah, it could be a while.

But again, until he’s sees a specialist, everything is speculation.

Captain of the "Promote Bob Sanders to Deffensive Coordinator" band wagon.

by CanadianBillsFan on Nov 24, 2009 7:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Im not saying I wouldnt believe that because it was a nasty break...

But lets here it from him. You cant trust the bus driver whose neighboors cousin broke his leg and was in a cast for a year stories…

"I don't know how to explain it but we seem to find eachother on the ice and make things happen... Yeah. Pass, shoot, score... Yeah. Pass.. Shoot.. And score."

by bflo on Nov 24, 2009 5:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Runyan on his way to SD

We coulda grabbed him, too….depth

by fansince60 on Nov 24, 2009 5:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

wow really? good fit for him I think

"I don't know how to explain it but we seem to find eachother on the ice and make things happen... Yeah. Pass, shoot, score... Yeah. Pass.. Shoot.. And score."

by bflo on Nov 24, 2009 6:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Dang, I was kinda hoping that he was still available.

Captain of the "Promote Bob Sanders to Deffensive Coordinator" band wagon.

by CanadianBillsFan on Nov 24, 2009 7:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

he's going out there to talk to them

I was hoping we could save him a trip

by fansince60 on Nov 24, 2009 7:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wouldn’t be a bad fit at RT for us for the rest of the year.

Captain of the "Promote Bob Sanders to Deffensive Coordinator" band wagon.

by CanadianBillsFan on Nov 24, 2009 8:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What makes anyone think he'd come out of retirement to play for a 3-7 loser?

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Nov 25, 2009 12:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Don’t think that he’s retired, just an unsigned UFA.

Captain of the "Promote Bob Sanders to Deffensive Coordinator" band wagon.

by CanadianBillsFan on Nov 25, 2009 3:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

K missed the “he’s going to SD” part, looks like. Not retired, K, and he’s now playing for a 7-3 winner.

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by Brian Galliford on Nov 25, 2009 6:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He was all but retired

same thing.

The point was he wasn’t going to come play for a loser in Buffalo.

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Nov 25, 2009 9:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, same difference. Runyan was sitting around and waiting for a team like San Diego to give him a call. The guy has been making millions for a decade now. He wasn’t going to come to Buffalo to play for a paycheck, he’s coming back to play for a ring.

by kaisertown on Nov 25, 2009 4:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Kendall Simmons is an immediate upgrade at either guard position and could pan out to be more than a temporary plug.

Mmmph rrgh prrmf! - someone with his mouth gagged

by Dyl on Nov 24, 2009 8:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Well who else did we have? I mean we weren’t going to bring up Branden Rodd from the practice squad to play guard and Kirk Chambers is busy starting at both tackle positions (at once!). We kinda had no choice.

Mind you we could have signed a lot worst then Kendall Simmons.

Captain of the "Promote Bob Sanders to Deffensive Coordinator" band wagon.

by CanadianBillsFan on Nov 24, 2009 8:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Who else?! It’s reasonable to assume the Bills would have made another Jamon Meredith-ish move. The best indication of future behavior is past behavior. Instead they picked Simmons. That was a great upgrade.

Mmmph rrgh prrmf! - someone with his mouth gagged

by Dyl on Nov 24, 2009 10:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Like signing Chris Gaddis. :-)

"Play like hell and win." - Perry Fewell
Your daily source for Buffalo Bills information.

by MattRichWarren on Nov 25, 2009 11:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Rodd isn't on the PS

I can’t find where he is. I don’t think he’s on anyone’s PS.

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Nov 25, 2009 12:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think I remember hearing that he was ineligible for the PS. I can’t imagine him making roster anywhere else if he never had much of a shot with us and our pathetic o-line.

by karovda on Nov 25, 2009 12:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

not a bad signing

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by Patssuck456 on Nov 24, 2009 11:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Simmons is already in the starting line-up

Amazing to see where our OL is right now compared to where we were at the end of last season. Some one could write a book “how not to manage an OL in the NFL” I believe Geoff Hangartner is the only one that has played every down at one position. Hope that Simmons can handle the load because we might need him there next year too. Time table for a Wood return might be more than 10 months?

by dabillsr1 on Nov 26, 2009 9:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs