Bills to host free agent G/C Hangartner Friday
by Brian Galliford on Feb 27, 2009 3:15 AM EST
in Buffalo Bills News
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The 2009 NFL free agent signing period is officially under way, and the Buffalo Bills aren't wasting any time in addressing the depth on the interior of their offensive line. With a pre-existing need at center and question marks at guard after the release of Derrick Dockery, the Bills have scheduled a visit with Panthers free agent Geoff Hangartner as a first step toward addressing the situation.
Adam Schefter of NFL.com reports that "a good market" is developing for the versatile Hangartner, who is looking for his first full-time starting gig as an NFL lineman. It's likely that unless Hangartner is blown away by a contract offer in Buffalo, he'll schedule more visits as well. The Panthers are also reportedly still in the mix - at least, if teammate OT Jordan Gross has anything to say about it.
The 6'5", 301-pound Hangartner has started a total of twelve games over the past two seasons in reserve duty for the Panthers. Just 26 years old, Hangartner was a fifth-round pick out of Texas A&M in the 2005 NFL Draft; he was selected a full round later than two other centers Bills fans may be familiar with - Baltimore's Jason Brown and Buffalo's own Duke Preston.
Guard or center?
It is unclear at this point exactly what type of role Hangartner could assume in Buffalo. If his agent is smart, he's selling Hangartner as a guard. Guards make more money than centers on the open market. Naturally, if the Bills themselves are smart, they'll offer a deal that pays Hangartner like a center.
His versatility is undoubtedly a selling point for the Bills, but Hangartner may be far better suited to guard than center in Buffalo. Known more as a finesse blocker than a power blocker, Hangartner has been known to play inconsistently against interior power rushers, something he'd get a lot of in an AFC East division featuring three opposing 3-4 defenses. Still, Hangartner is a smart technician with enough punch to hold his own when he's on his game. He's an excellent angle blocker with above average athleticism, and he's as technically sound as can be reasonably expected for someone who has as little playing time as he does. Intangibles such as field awareness, instincts and untapped potential are strong selling points for the four-year pro.
Keep it locked into Buffalo Rumblings for all of your Bills needs as free agency kicks into high gear over the weekend.
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Why is it we always get 2nd level. It seems we never get the big FA. Yeah it sounds like he would be good for backup but we need a starter. I was hoping for Brown. I bet he signs is St. Louis. Frustrating!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hangartner would start here.
Now’s not the time to be frustrated. We’re six hours into this thing. Patience.
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by Brian Galliford on Feb 27, 2009 6:05 AM EST up reply actions
I like the idea of Hangartner here. He was on a very good line with the Panthers
And moving out of that shadow could be all he needs to be better than we expect. If we get him I would be pleased, as long as we don’t hand over Dock money to do it!
If the Bills were a drug, I could only hope they were like speed so I could lose some weight as well.
You like the idea of 'finesse'?
With mammoth DTs and very large DEs to block in the three 3-4 defenses within the division I hope Buffalo avoids finesse linemen altogether.
anyone specific you want them to go after Ron?
does Birk do anything for you?
Oh. Uh, will you hold my wallet for me while I take the test, please? There's a thousand dollars in there... or maybe there isn't. Know what I mean?
by J2 on Feb 27, 2009 9:05 AM EST up reply actions
Why would we trade for him when he may be released in the long haul?
He won’t be expensive as a free agent.
Playing Eternal Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008.
by MattRichWarren on Feb 27, 2009 9:11 AM EST up reply actions
Whoops wrong spot....
Feel free to delete Brian. :-)
Playing Eternal Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008.
by MattRichWarren on Feb 27, 2009 9:12 AM EST up reply actions
No kidding!
I was using the tab feature and it jumped up here when I hit Z and then hit R instead of the one I was looking at. I should just stick to scrolling with the mouse I think.
Playing Eternal Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008.
by MattRichWarren on Feb 27, 2009 9:22 AM EST up reply actions
Don’t worry. You’ll find the happy medium.
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by Brian Galliford on Feb 27, 2009 9:22 AM EST up reply actions
I figured someone would get hung up on the word “finesse”. Everything I’ve read about him says “more finesse than power”, but says that he holds up generally quite well at the point of attack.
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by Brian Galliford on Feb 27, 2009 9:21 AM EST up reply actions
Im not saying hes not good I checked on NFL.com and Pat Kirwin doesn’t have him in the top 5 at either C or G as available FA’s. I know its only been 6hrs just want to see serious activity and I know that that is not exactly their style.
There is almost no activity at all by teams this year on the first night of FA
Goddell is rumored to have sent a “do not let it look like tampering is going on” message to the teams telling them to cool it on the 12:07 deals. Albert is the first true FA only past midnight guy to sign so far. All other teams including ours, appear to be taking a bit more sane and money wise approach this offseason.
If the Bills were a drug, I could only hope they were like speed so I could lose some weight as well.
Well, it’s a good thing that Pat Kirwin’s opinion isn’t the end-all opinion for whether or not a player is good, isn’t it?
The fact that there is a serious market for Hangartner’s services – as many as four teams might be trying to schedule visits – is indicative of how people feel about him as a potential starter. He can play.
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by Brian Galliford on Feb 27, 2009 6:44 AM EST up reply actions
Kevin Jones is getting some sniffs from the Buffalo Bills
Per PFT here
“Jones is on the radar of the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, St. Louis Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.”
If the Bills were a drug, I could only hope they were like speed so I could lose some weight as well.
Brian, as much as I would love to hang around here some more, I think its time for me to get some sleep
To bad there wasn’t anything truly exciting to report this first night
If the Bills were a drug, I could only hope they were like speed so I could lose some weight as well.
Dude, I’ve got it from here. Million thanks for your persistence last night. Well done.
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by Brian Galliford on Feb 27, 2009 7:43 AM EST up reply actions
An interesting scenario could develop
With Waters asking the Chiefs to trade him, it’s not impossible to think that the Bills could be part of the mix. Trading a 4th for him would be the top that I would go and I doubt they would take it, even though he was undrafted originally in 2000.
Still it’s intriguing the possibility that they get Hangartner for a reasonable amount, then draft Mack or Hunger in April. Depending on if the Chiefs pickup an interior lineman in the draft, it wouldn’t be impossible to see the Bills pull the trigger on a trade with the chiefs after the draft.
Your ability to control the LOS is directly linked to your ability to win football games!
FEED the BEAST!
Section 336 Row 13
A) A Hangartner signing is hardly a done deal, but it would give them a starting material player with versatility, and also afford them some more flexibility without breaking the bank.
B) I’m not sure the team would be willing to trade a fourth for a 30-year-old guard. I doubt it happens. There are going to be a lot of names that hit the market that the Bills simply won’t be interested in, and Waters is one of them.
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by Brian Galliford on Feb 27, 2009 8:13 AM EST up reply actions
Why would we trade for Waters anyways?
He will probably get released and sign a modest contract somewhere.
Playing Eternal Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008.
by MattRichWarren on Feb 27, 2009 9:12 AM EST up reply actions
Not your father's free agency
There is definitely a different tone to this free agency. I never understood why a player would sign a deal at 12:10am when he has the whole of free agency to garner contracts and such. I’’d think whats occuring this year is actually what would occur if there was no tampering.
By the way, folks, thanks for making yesterday a historic day at Buffalo Rumblings. It was the highest-trafficked day in the blog’s history, as we hosted 6,720 unique visitors, had 21,886 page views and y’all posted nearly 2,000 comments. From the way things appear now, we might surpass some of those numbers today. Thanks for making Rumblings part of your daily trip around the web, folks.
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by Brian Galliford on Feb 27, 2009 8:41 AM EST reply actions
i went to the site meter – but it doesn’t say our ranking on all of sbnation – is it possible to get that stat? I went to other sites and checked their site meters and most places are no where near us
Oh. Uh, will you hold my wallet for me while I take the test, please? There's a thousand dollars in there... or maybe there isn't. Know what I mean?
by J2 on Feb 27, 2009 8:50 AM EST up reply actions
Due to the fact that we have so many unbelievable NFL blogs, we only rank sixth or seventh currently in average daily traffic. Arrowhead Pride, Blogging the Boys, Bleeding Green Nation, Mile High Report and The Phinsider are all doing really well traffic-wise, and others like Behind the Steel Curtain, Niners Nation, Stampede Blue and Field Gulls are way up in the stratosphere as well. But we’re competing with the big boys, and I’m obviously pleased with not just the traffic, but the incredible quality of participation that y’all bring to the blog every day.
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by Brian Galliford on Feb 27, 2009 8:56 AM EST up reply actions
i’ve seen it grow as well – Steel curtain was one I went to – to compare and their very close to us. Regardless – thats pretty sweet for you and for us
Oh. Uh, will you hold my wallet for me while I take the test, please? There's a thousand dollars in there... or maybe there isn't. Know what I mean?
by J2 on Feb 27, 2009 9:03 AM EST up reply actions
Let's see
if look deep enough into the moves of OBD you will notice that they now believe a second string Carolina Panther linemen is better than a starter they paid $18 million. Why is Guy and Modrak still there?
Modrak is the VP of college scouting....
You really wanna throw him under the bus for Dockery? If you want to lay blame, you can lay it at the feet of Guy. I think our college picks have been generally good in recent years, don’t you?
Playing Eternal Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008.
by MattRichWarren on Feb 27, 2009 9:17 AM EST up reply actions
Put it in perspective...
Here’s the year before Modrak was hired (6/2001)
2000 draft – Erik Flowers, Travares Tillman, Corey Moore, Avion Black, Sammy Morris (best pcik of the year), Leif Larsen, Drew Haddad, DaShon Polk
Playing Eternal Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008.
by MattRichWarren on Feb 27, 2009 9:30 AM EST up reply actions
In the words of Ralph Wilson " we need better players". If I’m not mistaken Modrak and Guy are the (So called) brain trust in finding talent. How many more seasons do you need to suffer through before you realize that they are incompatent.
You can think what you want about Modrak, but to say he’s at fault in any capacity for the Dockery thing is erroneous. That’s all we’re saying.
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by Brian Galliford on Feb 27, 2009 9:50 AM EST up reply actions
Modrak had nothing – very literally nothing – to do with the Dockery signing.
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by Brian Galliford on Feb 27, 2009 9:23 AM EST up reply actions
You guys are lucky. I’ll be away from this site for the next 7/8 hours or so, and of all days, on a day like today where the site will blow up. My guess is when I get back, I’ll have about 800 posts to go through.
And another reason you’re lucky – you dont’ have to put up with my incessant babble for 7 or 8 hours.
Coles and Simmons
`eastcoastsportsnews just posted that Lavernous coles and Kendall simmons have trips to BUFFALO
Working on it for the front page right now… hang tight…
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by Brian Galliford on Feb 27, 2009 9:27 AM EST up reply actions
Coles
I posted a fan shot (shout?) about this a minute ago. WGR also says we offered Peters a new contract.
by BuffaloBrewed on Feb 27, 2009 9:30 AM EST up reply actions
Great developments.
Playing Eternal Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008.
by MattRichWarren on Feb 27, 2009 9:30 AM EST up reply actions
I could live with that.
:-)
Playing Eternal Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008.
by MattRichWarren on Feb 27, 2009 9:30 AM EST up reply actions
I am leaning toward Coles being a good signing
Keeps up the in-the-division rivalry, and even though he isn’t bigger than our current stable, he is a wily vet and a good talent. I’d hate to overpay, but who knows
The Bills CAN win every game
Blurb on Coles and the rest of the visitors is up. I’d like to keep this thread free for Hangartner stuff…
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by Brian Galliford on Feb 27, 2009 9:36 AM EST up reply actions
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