If teams come calling, these Bills are movable

by Brian Galliford on Dec 4, 2009 3:00 PM EST in Opinion Comment 105 comments

As I sat at my computer last night in the wake of the Buffalo Bills' 19-13 home/road loss to the New York Jets reading emails from you, dear Rumblers, I began typing out replies to several inquiries about players that the Bills might look to trade this off-season.

Rather than type three emails, I'll stick to one blog post, and hopefully this will engender a little debate - some of which we've already had in various FanPosts very recently.

Trades are notoriously difficult to pull off in the NFL. In fact, the bigger the name, the more unrealistic a trade scenario is - unless, of course, that player has worn out his welcome or has other legitimate factors swaying the decision to deal him. Kind of like Braylon Edwards' weird hatred for LeBron James, which got him dealt to New York. I'll be blunt - I don't see a single player on this current Bills roster that fits the criteria of a "likely" movable asset this off-season. It's even more difficult to predict which players might end up on the trade block because of the Bills' in-flux situations in the front office and at head coach.

Still, there are three veteran personnel assets on this roster that I believe could be enticing to other NFL teams this off-season should the right situation present itself. I am not saying it is likely that any of these players will be moved, nor am I saying I'd be pleased to see them go - quite the opposite, on both counts. I want these players on the Buffalo Bills in 2010 and beyond. But if the right situation comes along for any of them... well, I'll explain after the jump.

Aaron Schobel
Age: 33 on 9/1/2010
Contract situation: '10 salary is guaranteed ($6.025 million); owed $21.5 million in base salaries 2011-2013
- Schobel has had a nice bounce-back season after missing most of 2008 with a Lisfranc foot injury. With 7.0 sacks to this point in the season, Schobel has already eclipsed the 6.5 he put up in 2007, which happened to be his lowest total since he was a rookie in 2001. He's not the same player he was in 2005 and 2006, when he put up 26 sacks in a two-year span, but he's still capable of contributing very solid numbers to a team's pass rush. He's dependable, he's durable, and I sincerely doubt he'd be averse to playing for a contender, considering he's played nine years and never sniffed the NFL playoffs.

The problem in dealing Schobel is two-fold: he'll be 33 when the 2010 season starts, and his contract numbers are rather massive for a player of his caliber and age. Unless a contender is desperate to add a veteran pass rusher with some moxie, most teams will pass on a fat contract attached to an aging player, no matter how much said player has left in the tank. Dealing Schobel would almost certainly hinge on an agent's promise to re-structure his deal.

Schobel can still play, and odds are extremely high that he'll still be in Buffalo next season. At his age and with his talents, however, he is not schematically versatile. He's a 4-3 end through and through; he's played it his entire career, and he never had, and certainly doesn't currently possess, the athletic chops to make the move to 3-4 OLB. Nor can he play the five-technique required of a 3-4 DE. If Buffalo's new coaching staff prefers a 3-4 defense, Schobel's worth to the team plummets significantly, and it'd be difficult to guarantee a situational pass rusher $6 million. There are a lot of factors at play here - scheme, age, contract status - that make it tremendously difficult to deal Schobel, and if circumstances don't work out, Schobel might not have much worth to the Bills in 2010, either.

Lee Evans
Age: 29 on 3/11/2010
Contract situation: Owed $11.45 million in base salaries, a $3 million roster bonus in '10, and $1 million roster bonuses in '11 and '12
- Give Jim Overdorf some credit, because the four-year mega-deal he and Evans' agent agreed upon last October was a truly excellent signing for this franchise. Evans made over $11 million last season and close to another $10 million this season; he'll make about $8 million next season, and then a little over $4 million in the final two years of his deal. $8 million for an excellent receiver in his prime is perfectly reasonable, and the monetary sums get even more reasonable as Evans hits his 30s.

Those monetary sums could make Evans an extremely valuable commodity on the trading block. Teams will be willing to look past his low numbers, because let's face it - his 31 receptions, 474 yards and 5 touchdowns to this point in the season can be directly attributed to awful offensive line play, almost-as-awful quarterback play, and the weekly need to placate Terrell Owens with targets. In today's NFL, speed receivers are a rare and valuable commodity. (Well, speed receivers that can catch, anyway.) Evans is extremely well-respected in the league; he's an outstanding teammate and a leader, and obviously still has a ton left in the tank.

The problem, of course, is that Owens is a free agent - Josh Reed is, too - and if the Bills were to deal Evans, who the heck would they throw to? Evans would certainly fetch the most compensation of any of the three names on this list, but if the Bills are grooming a new quarterback, they'd better provide him at least one weapon. It's extremely unlikely that the Bills move Evans, and unlike Schobel, any coach that comes into Buffalo will view Evans as a big-time asset, regardless of scheme. But again, if the right offer were to come along and allow the Bills to address a core need (such as quarterback or the offensive line), moving Evans might not be the end of the world.

Marshawn Lynch
Age: 24 on 4/22/2010
Contract situation: Owed $3.165 million in base salaries for next three years; $1.14 million is in voidable final year of deal (2012)
- I've gone on record with this here many times over the last week or two, but I'll re-iterate: I don't want Lynch traded because of his poor season (96 carries, 338 yards, 2 TD), nor because of his off-field transgressions. Those aren't good reasons at all to trade a young running back with a lot left in the tank. Particularly considering how cheap he is to employ and the fact that he's only under contract for two more seasons (he can void the 2012 season and hit free agency after 2011 wraps up), it doesn't make sense to move him. You absolutely have to have two quality running backs in this league, and the Bills have one of the better combinations in Lynch and starter Fred Jackson.

The only reason Lynch makes this list - yes, only as in one - is because he plays running back. That earns him a spot on this list, and it also earns him a spot in the "unlikely to be moved" category of this list, which is all-encompassing. Good NFL teams do not live or die on running backs; more accurately, it is much easier to find two quality players at this position than it is to find one quality quarterback. There aren't many teams hurting for running backs at the moment - that's why talents like C.J. Spiller and perhaps Jonathan Dwyer and Jahvid Best will slide in next April's NFL Draft - and if you can bring in a young guy in the draft, why trade for one with known off-field issues?

Lynch is not a player that I'd actively shop. (Nor is Evans, for that matter, and I'd only actively shop Schobel if we're switching defensive schemes.) I'm not worried about his off-field issues or the idea that he's a bad locker room influence. He's a good football player, and we need as many of them as we can get. But if another team called about Lynch, I'd certainly listen. He's a young guy with talent, and those players typically fetch solid compensation. But flipping him for whatever I can get? That wouldn't even cross my mind with Lynch. He's more valuable as a No. 2 back than he is as a conditional third-round pick.

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As the season began I thought trading Lynch wouldn’t be a bad idea, especially his numbers up til the Jets game. But I don’t think there is anyway the Bills could get enough in return to make it worth while. Also how he just ran that DB 5 yrds into the endzone and probably couldve ran him for another 100 yards was well Beast mode. And since last night was the first night I got to see how horrid this O-line really is. I definitely think fixing the O-line will just make that much better and bring him back to being more valuable then Freddie.
Schobel I don’t see being traded just because of his fat contract.
I hope they don’t trade Evans, he has been one of my favorite Bills this decade and what he does on the field is still great. When he caught that bomb last night, if it had a little more under it it would have been a TD, you can see him slowing down for it and that’s why he got tackled…

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by Ghetts on Dec 4, 2009 3:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

we are stuck

with all these guys. Evans, I wouldn’t trade period. Lynch I would, but how can you garner much more than a 3-4th round pick for the guy? With his off-field history questions will always linger. Schobel’s contract prevents him from being dealt and he is after all 33. This off-season is going to be one hell of an event. If a new GM and new HC come in, we may not even recognize this roster. The George Wilson’s, Jenkins, wendelings, Scott’s, etc will rue the day DJ was fired

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by MARVelous on Dec 4, 2009 3:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Schobel makes the most sense to be moved. Hes a vet and knows how to play 4-3 DE. He would fit in well with a team thats a pass-rusher away from getting to the upper tier… or a team thats already there.

Lee isnt a bad option to be moved as well… but to what Brian said, I wouldnt go out shopping Evans out of here. If the right call comes in for a cant-pass-up deal for Evans I feel we have to take it. That deal would involve a franchise QB or LT… and I mean FRANCHISE, pro-bowler, will be here awhile guy.

"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 Dec 4, 2009 3:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, the only person who’d give up a franchise QB or LT for Evans is Al Davis. And since he has neither of those things, I don’t think that’s gonna happen.

by Dr. Brackish Okun on Dec 4, 2009 9:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

But he will have some high picks!

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by WhyBillsWhy on Dec 5, 2009 9:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not sure about Wilson and Scott. Wilson looks like he’s actually playing for his job. Scott is playing out of position, hence a team player and versatile, but was relatively solid, if not spectacular, before the switch to OLB. If I was a coach coming in, the absolute last thing I would rip apart is the secondary. The ST guys? Whatever.

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by WhyBillsWhy on Dec 5, 2009 9:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

pass

I wouldn’t trade any of these players (unless they switch to a 3-4, then Schobel would make sense). I hate seeing Buffalo trade veterans for draft picks every year, only creating even more holes than their already paper thin roster contains. Did Buffalo get eneough for McGahee? That’s debatable. But what’s not debatable is that they followed by burning their first round pick on Lynch to fill the hole, leaving Revis on the board in the process. Let’s start keeping our players through their contracts and developing our draft picks on the bench for a few seasons so that they’re ready to step in when we lose players to free agency. This team has too many holes already to stomach anymore self-inflicted holes like with the Jason Peters debacle.

by Port Royal on Dec 4, 2009 3:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

If the Bills drafted Revis instead of Lynch, the fanbase would have slaughtered the organization. Hindsight is 20/20, but no one knew Revis was going to do what he has so far.

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by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 4, 2009 3:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

On draft day 07, all accounts had Buffalo’s pick down to Lynch and Revis. That’s not easy hindsight, that’s a pointed observation that Buffalo made the wrong choice partially because they made a hole for themselves at RB by trading a viable veteran.

by Port Royal on Dec 4, 2009 6:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

A lot of people thought we would take Patrick Willis if he slipped.

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by MattRichWarren on Dec 7, 2009 4:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’ve heard that Lynch, Revis and Posluszny were at the top of the Bills’ board in the past, but I don’t know how valid that is

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by Brian Galliford on Dec 7, 2009 9:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I also can't believe that they skipped over Tom Brady 6 or 7 times!

C’mon now. In 2007 The Bills had McGee, Greer, Webster and Youboty was viewed as a possible future star. People weren’t even sure who was better between Revis and Leon Hall.

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by twoeightnine on Dec 4, 2009 6:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Webster

Webster was signed after the draft when Buffalo failed to get a CB high. All indications were it was between Revis and Lynch. Had they taken Revis, they also would have never had to draft McKelvin first in 08. Maybe McKelvin turns it around next year, maybe not, but the point is, they have to stop trading players for draft picks every chance they get.

by Port Royal on Dec 4, 2009 6:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Is Billy Buffalo tradeable? I mean, Gruden was traded....

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by BillsNYC on Dec 4, 2009 3:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

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Nice Homerun Brian. That was excellent. I have Zero to add.
You should write for ESPN or NFL network instead of some of the bozos on there.

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by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Dec 4, 2009 3:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The other way we could see some trades is if Buffalo hires a coach who wants a massive scheme change on defense. Switching to a 3-4 means that solid players like Kyle Williams and Poz will bring back more value in draft picks than they would have in on field impact. Schobel would be an even bigger candidate to be moved as well.

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by kaisertown on Dec 4, 2009 3:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Could McGee

Fall into this list also?

by sabre74kkn on Dec 4, 2009 3:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I’m hesitant to trade cornerbacks, because you just need so damned many of them.

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by Brian Galliford on Dec 4, 2009 4:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I wish this organization felt that way about offensive linemen.

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by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 4, 2009 4:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

good point Brian, of course ...

The New Orleans saints (who have a very good front 7), stuck in 2 off the street CBs and beat a team we haven’t beaten in years.

by sabre74kkn on Dec 4, 2009 4:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

To our defense(kind of) those 2 street CB’s have over 50 int’s between them and mcalister has 3 pro-bowls and a SB ring. But yeah i get that point. I just want A win against NE

"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 Dec 4, 2009 4:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Fix the OL and Get some stud Linebackers

Free Agency and Draft. Keep these three mentioned and lock up Marshawn in OBD for the off season.

Excuses are a sign of weakness!!!!!!

by VanScottM on Dec 4, 2009 4:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Trade Evans and keep TO, if TO will stay...

Don’t say he’s too old, he’s a better #1!

Keep Lynch, his trade value is < his value to the team.

Schobel, can’t trade, Maybin is a bust until proven otherwise.

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by Sluss88 on Dec 4, 2009 4:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

So when T.O. retires in two, maybe 3 years who do you throw to? Evans is in his prime, why get rid of him?

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by howedyhowe on Dec 4, 2009 5:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybin is a bust until proven otherwise

… at least tell me you say that about every NFL rookie, because that doesn’t make a ton of sense

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by Brian Galliford on Dec 4, 2009 9:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Please stop with the Maybin bust label!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry to direct this towards you Sluss88, but in general I’ve heard this maybin bust concept and it is REDICULOUS!!!!

DE do not have very good first years!!! Look at the stats of rookie DE. 4 sacks and 20+ tackles is a monster year for a rookie DE. If you draft players that can actually play right away, your starters can’t be that good. Plus Maybin missed ALL of training camp, he is young and will come around. He was drafted for his ELITE potential, not “NFL ready” ability. We actually have ~~talented~~ spirited DE play this year. Don’t rush him onto the field. I watch as much of him on Thursday as I could see, and he does look to be making progress (little, but there).

For instance, there was a Jets run play to the left and Maybin was blocked well, but he was able to shed and chase and seemed to be running stride for stride with the RB. Also, on another play against D’Brick, he went outside then gave a good move inside (i thought he was held, looked like a T-Rex death grip) and forced the QB to throw the ball.

OK I’ve said my peace about Maybin. I was not a fan of the pick (I wanted E.Brown who I felt was more “NFL ready”. But it will take maybin time. A good recent example is D. Williams of the Texans. He didn’t get real respect till year 3. And remember the Texans got blasted for taking him over Bush and Young, but now they have a FRANCHISE DE and NO / TEN have players they’re not quite sure what they are yet.

7 games and counting!!!

by Rudy916 on Dec 4, 2009 10:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Mario Williams

All your tshirt needs.

by twoeightnine on Dec 4, 2009 11:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

One player does not make a trend.

by karovda on Dec 4, 2009 11:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

one could argue that our coaching staff and front office have “trended” with poor picks. as do most teams at some point, i realize…. but to the extent of a playoff drought that is like, what, second worst in the league right now? its obvious that few individuals in the organization are anything but average or mediocre, thus the resulting product mirrors the ones responsible for creating the mold.

by Ren Diggity on Dec 5, 2009 1:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

exactly

particularly when it comes to offense. the statistical anomoly about this team is that there is none, they are remarkably consistent with picking bad quarterbacks.

there are a lot of other organizations that seem to know what a good QB looks like, and they do what it takes to get their guy. the bills haven’t done that.

this compounds their geographical limitations with regard to FA.

as a casual observer, not a professional evaluator, this looks like a healthy crop of QBs in the ‘10 draft, and they’ll be in a reasonably good position to land one. hard to predict when you don’t know who will be driving.

in a salary cap era, no single unit (offense or defense) should be consistently sub-average for such a long stretch.

by kgun201 on Dec 5, 2009 2:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

in a salary cap era, no single unit (offense or defense) should be consistently sub-average for such a long stretch.

They haven’t been. We’ve had top ten offenses and defenses in the past 10 years.

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by MattRichWarren on Dec 7, 2009 4:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The Bills and Lions are tied for the longest playoff drought.

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by MattRichWarren on Dec 7, 2009 4:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

your are correct. That is why I stated:

recent example is DM. Williams of the Texans

7 games and counting!!!

by Rudy916 on Dec 5, 2009 8:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybin is not a bust, but...

Yea but ill say this to Sluss88, i’d rather have Orakpo right now and that he is right in the sense Maybin hasn’t looked good at all, and has showed no glimps of talent/hope. Granted, he is very young and raw. He may have a lot of upside(from what I hear), but for a 11th overall pick, i don’t like taking “raw” players that need years to develop when we suck so bad. We needed a day 1 starter, and Maybin wasn’t that guy. He may be good in a couple years, but with the way Tom Modrak and this FO drafts, there is probably only a 20% chance this guy will pan out based on his scouting/drafting moves over the last 10 years. I also do not like how he celebrates after every play when he doesn’t do anything. And the Joey Porter kick towards the Dolphins sidelines made me disrespect him even more. O.K if you make a play Maybin, but seriously?

by csc06258 on Dec 5, 2009 12:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It was good when TO did it after the TD... not for you yet Maybin. Too far.

"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 Dec 5, 2009 8:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Catch 22

People constantly complain we select mediocre players. So the Bills draft a Young DE with the Elite Potential and now people say it was a wasted pick less than 1 year later.

7 games and counting!!!

by Rudy916 on Dec 5, 2009 8:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, what I think is funny is that the Bills drafted a pair of rookie guards who have played exceptionaly well for rookie guards and a free safety who may be Pro Bowl bound in their first four picks and people are still complaining about Maybin. As if other teams make four great instant impact picks in every draft. This is already looking like a good draft for the Bills even if Maybin doesn’t develop like we hope.

by kaisertown on Dec 5, 2009 9:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree and I like all our picks so far. Hopefully wood will be o.k. But when you have a top 15 pick, you hope that they guy can come in and produce, at least a little bit. He has shown no glimpse of anything spectacular. You have to admit, the bills FO has messed up the 1st round for the past ten years, or at least 80% of the picks.

by csc06258 on Dec 5, 2009 1:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This team is in full rebuild mode....trade them all for the right price!!!!

What is the right price? Multiple Day 1 Draft picks. This team has more gaping holes than Paris Hilton. We need to fill as many of them via the draft as possible because we all know top shelf FAs are not coming here. It is simple…..if you can trade one vet starter for two draft picks who will start, then you are ahead one starter. The key, of course, is drafting well, but that is the ONLY way the Bills will ever get back to being competitive.

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by Joe P. on Dec 4, 2009 4:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Parish?

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

by billsoferie on Dec 4, 2009 4:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

… for a bag of footballs at this point is all we’d get for him at this point … :-/

by sabre74kkn on Dec 4, 2009 4:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I remember a while ago a minor league baseball player was traded for some bats….

I don’t think we could even get a bag of footballs for him, maybe a stack of Gatorade cups.

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by howedyhowe on Dec 4, 2009 5:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He then killed himself.

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by twoeightnine on Dec 4, 2009 6:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This list is comprised of players who would receive useful compensation in return. Parrish ain’t that guy.

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by Brian Galliford on Dec 4, 2009 9:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

EVERY position is upgradable, without exception

Thoughts otherwise are self-defeating. There is not one single Bill that can be called the NFL’s best at that position. It could be argued that we do not even have a single “elite” player on the team. Nobody on this team – either in the office, on the sideline, or on the field – should feel any degree of job security. This organization needs to explore every possibility for upgrade at every position.

most of my posts get deleted :(

by dzil on Dec 4, 2009 5:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Both of our kickers are pretty darn good….

"Security comes from earning it--not seeking it." Marv Levy

by howedyhowe on Dec 4, 2009 5:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Our safeties are pretty good as well…

by Brennan McCoy on Dec 4, 2009 6:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yea our secondary is the only solid unit, maybe running back too.

by csc06258 on Dec 5, 2009 12:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

DO NOT TRADE EVANS!

Do not trade Evans he is younger, faster and has better hands than Owens. Also with Owens most likely gone after this season it should be Evans, Reed, Hardy But you may be able to get something for Reed or Hardy or both at least a 3rd and 4th. It seems like most WR’’s oniy go for those rounds i.e. Randy Moss to New England from Oakland.
Lynch if we could upgrade at RB like a Chris Johnson type back ok but if they are just going to use Jackson or someone else with the same style running what is the point. I rather keep Lynch. He just needs to find Beast Mode again.

by d_day1942 on Dec 4, 2009 5:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah...

A 3rd or 4th for a 2nd round draft pick who hasn’t proven he can play in the NFL and may miss an entire season… that’ll happen. And you can’t trade a free agent so Reed’s off the block.

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by twoeightnine on Dec 4, 2009 6:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What about Trent Edwards?

If we are planning on drafting a QB and letting Trent walk after his contract is up next year (ala Losman), why not try to trade him this off-season and get some value back for him. Somebody will surely see value in the guy and give up a pick or two for him. Keep Fitzy to start or compete with Pennington for the starting job. Brohm might be in the mix too and back either guy up. Then have the Rookie with Brohm waiting in the wings. Edwards is not in the picture, why waste his value on our bench?

by dabillsr1 on Dec 4, 2009 6:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Why would anyone trade for him?

He can’t play QB, is shell-shocked and everyone knows he’s done in Buffalo.

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by twoeightnine on Dec 4, 2009 6:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

agreed. No one will trade for something that will be available to them for free.

"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 Dec 4, 2009 7:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He has value and a potential future as a good back-up QB in this league

Sure Edwards might not be a star, but if he was a serviceable back up that could come into the game and be effective, my thought is that these guys are usually veterans or too young rookies. Having starting experience in this league at QB and being moderately successful is something that teams will trade for if necessary. Edwards doesn’t have a good W-L record, but a good completion percentage. There isn’t much talent at QB in this league and some team will think they can fix Edwards.

Grant it no one felt they could fix Losman this year, so then again… we might have another damaged goods on our hands. Somehow I think Edwards carries more value than Losman did even though Losman was a higher draft choice. Between Edwards injuries and the true starts he has had or played, he can still be developed (just not sure they wan to do it in Buffalo anymore)

by dabillsr1 on Dec 4, 2009 8:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Grant it no one felt they could fix Losman this year, so then again… we might have another damaged goods on our hands.

Losman could have been a backup in this league. He just wanted to rehabilitate his image in the UFL to make NFL teams think he had starter potential. Given that he won the championship, it may not have been a bad gamble on his part.

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by WhyBillsWhy on Dec 5, 2009 9:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i would take a 7th, but no one would give it to us

by csc06258 on Dec 4, 2009 7:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If anyone traded for Edwards, we’d get a Cary Harris-type pick in return. Not even worth mentioning.

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by Brian Galliford on Dec 4, 2009 9:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow has Edwards really fallen out of your graces...

by dabillsr1 on Dec 5, 2009 12:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not really. I wouldn’t mind him staying in Buffalo as a backup next season. His stock wasn’t high league-wide to begin with, and in case you hadn’t noticed, he kind of had a colossal flop this season.

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Dec 5, 2009 8:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, Edwards as a back-up; to who though is the question???

Brohm: 25% chance
Fitzpatrick: 20% chance
Pennington (or some other vet QB): 30% chance
Rookie draft pick: 20% chance
Edwards starting (not because of injury): 5% chance

by dabillsr1 on Dec 5, 2009 10:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’d put Brohm waaaay below 25%. Id rank it like:

rookie QB – 40-45%
vet not on roster – 30-35%
Fitz – 15-20%
Brohm – 5%
Edwards – less than 5%

by kaisertown on Dec 5, 2009 10:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I hope not

The Bills Oline is not good enough to throw a rookie QB into the fire.

vet not on the roster – 40-45%
rookie QB – 20-25%
Fitz – 10-15%
Brohm – 5-10%
Edwards – 1-5%

This team has more gaping holes than Paris Hilton.

by Joe P. on Dec 5, 2009 1:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think there are Teams that would trade for him.

If they have a good offensive line, he would make a fine backup for a team like that. When he has some protection he is good, but he just doesn’t have the toughness to take a beating.

There's not a wide receiver who is fast enough, that J.P. Losman can't overthrow him on a fly pattern.

by The Buffalo Kid on Dec 6, 2009 2:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Lynch and Evans

We should continue to build around those guys. Their salaries are perfect for Buffalo over the next few years. And if the stars aligned, their full potential on a good offense is too good to let go for the unknown.

There isn’t a CB in the league that can tackle Lynch up high. I loved seeing him drag people with him and walk over the last defender into the end zone last night. Granted, the Jets were without Kris Jenkins. We just need to put a good crew together to light a fire under Lynch’s butt! If we could get him into the second level a little more often, we’d be thankful we have him.

Schmucks don't make it to the Pro Bowl... except Jason Peters!

by Run Thurmal Run! on Dec 4, 2009 7:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

This is what I’ve been saying all year long.

Lynch has been forced to basically ram right into the line at times this year, he’s not an evasive back like Jackson. Every time he can get even a yard past the O-line, he manages to get an extra 4 or 5 out of it.

Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.

by UZ on Dec 4, 2009 7:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Add whitner to this list

Scott is just as good as Whitner at SS. We wouldn’t miss a beat by not having Whitner on the field and we could maybe squeeze something out of some team. Keep Lynch and Evans, they’re probably our best offensive players/only at this point.

by csc06258 on Dec 4, 2009 7:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

plus the guy cannot stay healthy.

by csc06258 on Dec 4, 2009 7:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Whitner’s only under contract for one more season. Well, technically he’s under contract for two more seasons, but 2011 is a voidable year.

He might fetch something, but I’ve been talking up schematic versatility for a while, and Whitner has that. Most DBs do, but Whitner’s one of those rare guys that can do a lot of different things for you. In today’s NFL, with passing offenses becoming more and more prolific (except in Buffalo, of course), players like Whitner are extremely valuable, even if they’re not living up to lofty first-round expectations.

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Dec 4, 2009 9:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

right thats why i say we get something for him. I mean Scott is versatile too, he is playing OLB. Granted, maybe scott cannot play corner like Whitner, but with our 34453453 decent corners i really don’t think we’d miss a beat without him. As you said, he could be extremely valuable, take a 2nd rounder maybe, or and upgrade at an offensive line position/linebacker.

by csc06258 on Dec 4, 2009 11:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Whitner can do a lot of things

but he really can’t do any of them well.

We’ve seen him unable to cover WR’s and TE’s throughout his career.

He gets run over in run support or takes a bad angle way too often. For every good play he makes, he misses one.

~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 Dec 5, 2009 12:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Trading Whitner would be a huge mistake

We would not get value for him, as he has little time left on his contract. He is also very talented and young, which are the type of players we should keep around for the coming 2-3 year rebuilding project. He can also play both safety positions.

by Dr. Brackish Okun on Dec 4, 2009 9:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree, I am just saying he should make this list. He, Lynch, Schobel, and Evans probably will not be traded at all. But for someone that actually has any value its whitner. Like you said, he can play all the positions. I really don’t think we would miss a beat without him cuz Scott is versatile too but you’re right, he is talented, not 8th overall talented, but a solid starter. He does get injured every season tho

by csc06258 on Dec 4, 2009 11:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

everybody on the Bills gets injured every season

i think the Bills training staff is guilty here.

by Polish Lover on Dec 5, 2009 6:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The problem with this trading scenario is that the only players other teams want are the very few good players around, so either we trade the good players and get questionable futures or we keep the good players but get nothing new out of it.

Stupid double edged swords!

Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.

by UZ on Dec 4, 2009 8:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Also, since I seem to be the only person who thinks Drayton Florence is god-awful, perhaps we could trade him to someone else that’s been hypnotized into thinking he’s anywhere near decent?

Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.

by UZ on Dec 4, 2009 8:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

you are the only one who thinks florence is bad. He is the only one who has really impressed me this year…and byrd so far. Im just curious why you think he is so awful. Awful is a strong word. You save that word for players like Ellision.

by csc06258 on Dec 4, 2009 8:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed. I’d like to hear your rationale on Florence, because I’m certainly not hypnotized.

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Dec 4, 2009 9:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe I’m only watching him on plays where he blows his coverage, stops dead in his tracks instead of actually tackling a guy, and completely whiffs on tackles in both the passing and running game.

All the good plays perhaps I’m missing somewhere?

Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.

by UZ on Dec 4, 2009 9:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Florence isn’t a great tackler; he never has been, but I don’t think anyone is extolling his virtues as the best cover corner in the league.

He’s great in man coverage. He can match up with any receiver in the league, because he’s got the size and the turn-and-run skills to do so. He lacks ball skills and won’t make a ton of big plays, and he can be a little too aggressive at times, but he’s extremely consistent and plays with the swagger of a top corner. He doesn’t make many mistakes.

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Dec 4, 2009 9:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think I have ever seen him blow a coverage. He is very good on man coverage and has filled in very nicely. I don’t remember one play where I was like, “damn, florence.” And I have probably gotten mad at almost every starter this year. He is also very good in zone coverage. I think he is the starter easily over Mckelvin when he is healthy. Mckelvin will play the slot and hopefully develop nicely with more experienced corners like Florence and Mcgee next to him. I am glad this guy is on our team, he is a talented DB.

by csc06258 on Dec 5, 2009 12:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’ve had multiple plays this year where I’ve banged my head on the bar and shouted “FLORENCE IS %$@&ING USELESS”.

I still can’t recall a GOOD move I’ve seen from him.

Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.

by UZ on Dec 5, 2009 12:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Who have you been watching?

Florence has been good all year. Are you sure you aren’t confusing him with Reggie Corner?

I can only recall one major mistake out of Florence (outside of any penalties) when he was beat deep against Tennessee. Other than that, he’s been consistent, tough and our best CB.

~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 Dec 5, 2009 12:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Funny you should mention Tennesee, since I think it was that game when I saw him run at the QB like he was going to sack him, stop dead in his tracks, allow the QB to set his feet and throw.

That was the play that officially put me on the anti-Drayton Bandwagon.

I think Corner sucks worse though.

Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.

by UZ on Dec 5, 2009 3:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It’s kind of a flawed argument. Florence was designed to be a nickel corner and he’s not playing that because of injuries. Not many teams could lose their top 2 CBs and still be effective, but we’re rolling out our 3rd and 4th CBs and, while there may be dropoff, they’re not getting burned constantly. I happen to think Florence has been solid, which is far from the worst-case scenario here.

Official ledge-talker-offer of the Buffalo Bills.

by WhyBillsWhy on Dec 5, 2009 9:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

So you see one play and make a final determination about the guy?

What play are you even talking about? Why would Florence have been running at Young to sack him?

~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 Dec 5, 2009 2:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

agreed. drayton has been a real asset in the slot, allowing donte to stay at the strong. corner isn’t quite physical enough. i am a fan but he is small and a better coverage corner. many people want to bash on donte as well, and though he may not have deserved a top ten pick, he has been asked to step in from day one and lead the defense. think about his supporting cast at his arrival… oh yeah, there wasn’t one. the roles he was asked to play…. both strong and free as well as lining up in corner in all positions in his first two years? those are tall expectations and he did admirably in my humble opinion. he is not terrible in either run or pass support. he is not amazing but he certainly doesn’t consistently allow big plays. and oh yeah, additional agreement: ellison sucks. awful may not be stong enough. anyone who has caught my previous posts know that i am not a fan of Kevin being on the feild. at least not for us. but we couldn’t get footballs, gatorade cups, or even athletic tape for that kid.

by Ren Diggity on Dec 4, 2009 8:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Kevin Ellison plays for the Chargers. Our Ellison’s name is Keith. :)

Also, Florence has very rarely played in the slot this season. He took over for McKelvin on the outside and has played there for 99.9% of his reps.

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Dec 4, 2009 9:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

well , at least he realizes Florence is not awful, maybe not where he is playing on the field, lol.

by csc06258 on Dec 5, 2009 12:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

with mcgee out drayton’s role has increased but the majority of his reps came covering tight ends and slot recievers. at least the ones i noticed him making plays on. maybe the standard is higher for some, but i am a bills fan. i take what i can get.

by Ren Diggity on Dec 5, 2009 1:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Florence has played on the outside all year

I’m not sure where you’re getting that he’s covered slots and TE’s

~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 Dec 5, 2009 2:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely correct. i was going a lil quick…. heated. both ellisons suck though. i can’t believe Kevin was taken with Keith’s mediocrity spewed all over the field. oh wait, just on about 4 yards of the field. the 4 he gives up every play.

by Ren Diggity on Dec 5, 2009 1:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Trade em all!

- When the Jets run for over 500 yards against your defense, we obviously have a problem Houston! – Schoebel is not that great against the run, this team does not put any pressure on the opposing Q.B.
- Evans doesn’t have a QB to throw to him and has been a big waste offensively. What is the point of keeping him when nobody can get the ball to him!
- And Lynch – What a joke! He has done nothing this season and is one strike away from suspension.
- How can Bills fans defend this team so much, when they are 4-8 and two of those wins came because the opposing Q.B. was throwing picks to our DB’s.

by BuffaloWhiner on Dec 5, 2009 12:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

… where are fans defending the team?

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Dec 5, 2009 1:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Schobel?

The defensive line put up solid numbers in this past game. If you actually watch what happens on defense during a game, the defensive line disrupts the blocking patterns and the linebackers make the tackles. In the games against Miami, the Bills were effectively disrupting things at the line, but the line backers and safeties were getting creamed and not making tackles. you need only look at tackle stats to realize that the defensive linemen are not the ones who make a lot of stops in the run game. a good game for a tackle is 4 or 5 tackles, often a couple of these are on the QB. theres typically 30ish running plays. linebackers typically have around 10 tackles on a good day. its no mystery that the Bills are thin at linebacker. point fingers in the right places!

by Polish Lover on Dec 5, 2009 6:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agree

I agree with the players you mentioned. Only I hope it does happen. We need numerous draft picks in the first two rounds. These guys could possible get us a 1st and 2nd round pick

by Bob on Dec 5, 2009 12:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Always amazed at the total lack of logic when it comes to this subject

As a prospective buyer, why would you be more interested in a team that isn’t playing well? Doesn’t make any sense at all.

From the NFL’s angle, there are 5 or 6 teams that are more likely to move than Buffalo. In the NFL EVERYTHING is about money. The Bills, despite being a pile of suck for the last 10 years still sell out every game. They have one of the most active and involved fan bases in the league. They win or come close to winning the annual tailgating contests. The city loves the Bills and is downright dependent on them. On the other hand, teams like say Jacksonville have been competitive every year for the last decade, yet they only sold out about a quarter of their games this year. The team made the playoffs last season in front of an empty home field crowd. If you can’t fill the stadium, you can’t make money, that’s when you move a team. Jim Kelly seems awfully sure of himself when he talks about his group of investors buying the team eventually. Makes you wonder if he already has some kind of agreement with Ralph. Did anyone notice how shortly after Kelly started talking about his intention to buy the team, he started showing up on the sidelines almost every week and has started writing a regular piece on the Bills website? This team is going to stay in Buffalo.

by Polish Lover on Dec 5, 2009 6:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Did you even read the article? It’s about Bills players that could be moved via a trade, not the team moving.

by kaisertown on Dec 5, 2009 7:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow. Swing and an epic miss.

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Dec 5, 2009 8:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

While what you said makes a good point...

It`s like Ken Griffey JR. swinging at a wild pitch.

by CanadianBillsFan on Dec 6, 2009 3:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow

Nice job

~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 Dec 6, 2009 11:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’d think Schobel is un-tradeable. I posed the pre-injury Kampman from GB as a potentially good pick-up for BFLO in the off-season, and folks balked given his age (he’ll be 30 next year). If 30 is too old, then 33 with 6 mill in salary is WAY too much.

Would love to shop Evans, but I’m sure he’s much more valuable at the end of 2010, particularly if the Cap comes back, due to his contract status.

Lynch is a tricky one. I think he needs the right kind of scheme that would allow him to just hit the hole and go, and with our battered O-Line generally unable to run-block, he can’t prosper. But he’s proven he’s capable of big things…

So, put ‘em all on the block. Obviously, a good football/personnel mind will know the relative value of these players so we’re not getting taken in any deal, but if the Bills are going to undertake a full-on rebuilding, they need to level this thing and start over.

Now, if you changed the title of the article from ‘Movable’ to ‘Marketable’, that might be more accurate!

by T McGee on Dec 6, 2009 1:21 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

hehehe

“most teams will pass on a fat contract attached to an aging player”
but not the Redskins.

GLOBAL INTERNET GOVERNMENT

by Smashy on Dec 6, 2009 1:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Trade Evans-not a smart move cuz i doubt T.O. will stay on board if another pipes up and offers a shot at a better O and more money
Maybin is not the Orakpobut he is something. Schoble is a great Vet and keeps our Dline stable unless u can trade up with a package for him and a few others for a start QB loose the idea
cut youbooty edwards and fitz needs a overhaul or the boot…

Malcom De King Numba 70 DE yaaadddaamean!

by nyckidd on Dec 7, 2009 12:39 AM EST reply actions 0 recs