Bills to host free agent RB Maurice Hicks

by Brian Galliford on Mar 27, 2009 8:50 PM EDT in News Comment 32 comments

Alex Marvez at FOXSports.com is reporting that the Buffalo Bills will meet with free agent running back Maurice Hicks. The meeting will take place Monday, March 30.

Buffalo has courted three free agent running backs this off-season in anticipation of a likely suspension of starter Marshawn Lynch. Fred Taylor, Kevin Jones and DeShaun Foster have all passed through the doors at One Bills Drive either with a contract elsewhere or without an offer from the Bills.

Hicks, who will turn 31 in July, spent the 2008 season in Minnesota, where he did not register a carry playing third fiddle to Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor. He picked up 869 yards (at 4.2 yards per carry) with six touchdowns in his first four years in the league, which he spent with San Francisco. Hicks is also considered a solid receiving threat and has extensive experience returning kicks.

With Lynch and Fred Jackson on board, Hicks would ultimately play the third back role again were he to sign with Buffalo. During a Lynch suspension, however, Hicks' utility would be much higher, as his skills complement Jackson's well.

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Anyone wants to take bets on how many games the RB signs is on the team before getting cut? I’m guessing week 3 based on a 2 game Lynch suspension…

by Ron From NM on Mar 27, 2009 9:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If he can play special teams, the Bills will keep him the whole season.

"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end". - R. J. Wiedemann. Lt.Col. USMC Ret.

by Joe P. on Mar 28, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly my thought

His major role will be replacing Fred Jackson on special teams. As a backup RB is only secondary.

Bills fan half way around the world

by moncheri on Mar 28, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm guessing that if they do sign him...

It will be the vet minimum, 1 year conctract. And unlike Ron, I think he’ll stay on the entire year, if for no other purpuse than to be an insurance policy in case of injury.

by CanadianBillsFan on Mar 27, 2009 9:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

to be an insurance policy in case of injury

You should have added “or another incident” to that sentence…

by krytime on Mar 27, 2009 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have confidence that Marshawn can keep himself in check during the season

it’s the rest of the offseason that I’m worried about.

by CanadianBillsFan on Mar 27, 2009 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Josh Scobee

Thats all this guy will probably be, as Omon will just stay or they land a solid RB in the mid to late rounds. They all go to camp, two survive and thats it, but I would think a rookie with long term potential that can stay on the practice squad and develop would be better to keep around

The Bills CAN win every game

by killascript on Mar 27, 2009 9:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Way to aim high Buffalo………..I’d rather draft someone

by Sabresfan4ever1981 on Mar 27, 2009 9:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Why the heck does a temporary veteran third running back that comes dirt cheap and actually has some utility elicit such negativity?

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by Brian Galliford on Mar 27, 2009 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s not negativity (at least from me) so much as the reality that Buffalo had 2 active RBs (plus a FB for several games) for most of the games last season. Why take up a spot on the 53 man roster with a guy who isn’t going to be active on Sundays anyway? That’s why I see Buffalo signing a vet RB and cutting him after Lynch’s suspension.

by Ron From NM on Mar 27, 2009 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

In my case, I’d prefer just drafting a RB deeper in the draft, someone that is a change-of-pace type of guy. In the meantime we have Omon that can back-up Freddy. There are other positions that I’d prefer to carry more depth at and RB is really one of them. MArshawn will be gone for 1-2 games – ’C’mon, if they don’t feel good about Omon stepping in as the backup then they should release him. That being said, before cutting a rookie so fast I’d expect them to give him an extensive look. Make him your starter in Preseason and see from there, if he doesn’t cut it, drop him and then bring in a vet at the minimum that’s fine but don’t waste a spot for depth at a position because you are unable to evaluate and bring along your young guy.

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FEED the BEAST!

by keysh67 on Mar 28, 2009 8:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This guy is still in the league?

I’d almost rather stick with Omon or find some 7th round draft pick than this guy. He’s pretty bad.

~K
"I’m Kurupt with Buffalo Rumblings. I am worth hundreds!"

by Kurupt on Mar 28, 2009 1:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think he could contribute to special teams

But I think your right, it might be better to just stick with Omon and give him the special teams time and the occasional carry than it would be to sign Hicks.

by CanadianBillsFan on Mar 28, 2009 1:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And I don’t think Omon is good at all, yet I would rather have him than Hicks.

~K
"I’m Kurupt with Buffalo Rumblings. I am worth hundreds!"

by Kurupt on Mar 28, 2009 2:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

brian galliford

dude, is there any player who you don’t think is sorry? seriously, you give way too much props to mediocre players. either your ability to speak the brutal truth is affected by your loyalty to the team or you simply lack a keen eye for talent.

by jzoom45 on Mar 28, 2009 1:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i meant to say is there a player out there who you actually think is sorry because you sure give too much love to below average football players.

by jzoom45 on Mar 28, 2009 1:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So you want him to put up a front page story about how bad this guy is?

You’re barking up the wrong tree here.

~K
"I’m Kurupt with Buffalo Rumblings. I am worth hundreds!"

by Kurupt on Mar 28, 2009 2:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I dont see how him talking up the guy as "third option" is really anything other than.....

talking about what this guy could mean as a “third option”………or second option when Lynch gets suspended………I think you’re over analyzing my friend

A person who performs good Karma (deeds) is always held in high esteem
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by norcaliangelsfan on Mar 28, 2009 4:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL. Does it sound like I love him as a player because I reported fact about him? All I said was that he’d be useful during a Lynch suspension and that he complements Jackson. I didn’t say “ZOMG HES THE NEXT COMING OF THURMAN THOMAS”

Lighten up. Relax. Chill out. It’s a potential third running back. Anyone who has an opinion on this guy, good or bad, is probably over-reacting. I’m pretty indifferent. I see the utility, but it’s not like I’m jumping out of my socks at the prospects of signing the guy. Is that somehow wrong of me to do?

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by Brian Galliford on Mar 28, 2009 8:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I still don't get the Z in front of OMG.

What’s that all about?

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Mar 28, 2009 8:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have no idea. I just know that a lot of… well, I’ll stop there.

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by Brian Galliford on Mar 28, 2009 8:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here you go Matt.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on Mar 28, 2009 9:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You have enlightened me.

:-) I couldn’t for the life of me think what the z stood for.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Mar 29, 2009 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

When do Maurice Hicks jerseys go on sale? I’m still in the market for a jersey….:)

by krytime on Mar 28, 2009 8:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I re-read the whole article TRYING to find a single line that would back up your statement. I couldn’t find anything. Brian really simply stated fact about a guy who could be an option for when Lynch is suspended. Maybe the issue isn’t Brian’s.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on Mar 28, 2009 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe OBD also sees value in Hicks to do some returning on ST.

by thefourwinds on Mar 28, 2009 10:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That would be logical

that way you could split returning duties between Leo, Roscoe and Hicks. Wouldn’t be a bad idea to totally remove McGee from the return game seeing how easily he’sgetting injured lately.

by CanadianBillsFan on Mar 28, 2009 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He’s 31, I don’t buy it.

"Buffalo Bills Football 2009 (sponsored by Labatt): A Future as Uncertain as the Beer You’re Drinking"

"It's not delivery, it's DiGiorgio!"

by TheAfghanTwilight on Mar 30, 2009 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

… what does age have to do with return ability?

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by Brian Galliford on Mar 30, 2009 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lots

Sprinter’s speed is lost on 99% of NFL players once the “30 hill” descent begins. The exception: Darryl Green. It’s a young man’s positon, and in the NFL 31 is not young.

"Buffalo Bills Football 2009 (sponsored by Labatt): A Future as Uncertain as the Beer You’re Drinking"

"It's not delivery, it's DiGiorgio!"

by TheAfghanTwilight on Mar 30, 2009 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs