Say goodbye to Coles

by Sportscaster on Mar 3, 2009 2:04 AM EST

Here's a trivia game for Bills fans. Name me the last free agent we hosted, who left Buffalo without a contract offer and later signed with the Bills. Here's an even better one, name me one player who visited the Bills, got a contract offer, and then took another free agent visit, only to come back and sign with the Bills.

Bottom line, as much as I love the Bills, they don't break the bank on anyone (save Derrick Dockery, and that was obviously a great investment) to lure free agents in. And the Bills have been a poor franchise for long enough that we are the Lions, the Bengals, the 49ers. Unless we offer the most money (Which we wont do) free agents don't come here. And we're not like New England who will sign a Fred Taylor for less then we offered simply so Taylor has a shot at a ring.

Be prepared for the Bills to miss out on Coles. We'll end up trying to trade for Torry Holt, or signing an Amani Toomer or a Marvin Harrison. We'll sign another past-his-prime veteran (See Lawyer Milloy, Sam Adams, Robert Royal and Troy Vincient) to "solve our receiver problem" instead of ponying up for the guy who could actually be an Andre Reed type, go across the middle and open up the field for everyone else type of guy.

I'm just venting and pissed off that we always lose out on these guys, and I hope I'm proved wrong. But, all we're going to try to do is build through the draft again. How well has that worked out? Yeah, we've had a couple of good players (Edwards, Lynch, etc.), but bottom line, we've had a ton of misses. Chris Ellis was a mistake, we could have had 3 Tight Ends who actually made a significant contribution last year instead of Ellis who will never be more then a special teamster or situation pass rusher (Again, I hope I'm wrong).
I love Paul Pozluszny and Donte Whitner, I really do. And while they're both good players, neither (as of yet) has been the dominant playmaker the Bills really need. We've had HUGE misses (J.P. Losman, John McCargo, Chris Ellis, Hardy- verdict still out, but not who we thought he might be, Ko Simpson, Duke Preston, etc.) I'm tired of continually missing out on our draft choices while the Patriots, Steelers and other "Good Teams" hit in every round. Meanwhile, look at the picks we've traded away: When we traded with the Cowboys to get Willis McGahee, the Cowboys used our pick to draft Demarcus Ware. We traded to get Rob Johnson, and the Jaguars drafted Fred Taylor. Guys picked after we took McKelvin (who I'm still very high on): Joe Flacco, Felix Jones, Chris Johnson, Dustin Keller (and here we are still needing a TE), Eddie Royal, Matt Forte. Look at 2006, the guys we missed out on drafted after McCargo: Joseph Addai, Nick Mangold, Demeco Ryans, Devin Hester, Maurice Jones-Drew.
We just aren't that good. We have a lot of need areas that won't be addressed in free agency (Tight End, #2 WR, Guard, LB, Defensive End). And face it, we're not going to get 5 starters in the Draft, we're lucky if we get one with our track record. Say you take a DE with our first pick and he's good enough to start, you still have a question marks at Guard (I hope Chambers can step in), at Cornerback (I hope McKelvin can step in), at Tight End (I have no clue what the hell we'll do), at LB (God not another 16 games of Keith Ellison), and hoping James Hardy or Steve Johnson become an all-star #2 WR.
I LOVE the Bills, and I'm ALWAYS the one to say, these guys are great, we'll be OK. But, I'm just tired of losing on all these guys EVERY year. We just aren't that good, and until something changes in management we won't be that good. I'm sorry for ranting, and again, I hope they prove me wrong. I will literally have no issue eating my entire shoe if I am, because it's be the most delicious shoe ever. I'm just so frustrated as i know we all are.

Just another great fan opinion shared on the pages of BuffaloRumblings.com.

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We'll sign Amani at most

Holt is washed up, and Harrison won’t come here for what we (OBD and by extension the entire NFL) feels he is worth (close to vet minimum). Toomer and Curry right now outside of Coles is a viable option.

The reason for the Coles tire kicking by us, and contract offer is pretty simple. OBD knows we need to get Trent some more weapons, a true-blue #2 WR moves a pass catching or all-around TE WAY down the draft board come April. If TE or WR is not addressed here (say Coles goes to Minny) then the need for offensive talent shoots back up the draft board. This was a case for OBD of divine intervention with Coles coming free and they took a stab at it, but they never planned for it to happen. IF we lose out on him, yeah I’ll be annoyed, but to be honest, I never expected Coles or TJ to come here, so my expectations are tempered.

I think the number of misses this upcoming draft will be less for ALL teams due to the huge number of Juniors who came out the season, instead of the usual 20+ guys were seeing 70+ guys, alot with real potential. I think we will be ok, we just need to stay the course. I may not like DJ as a coach for this team, but were stuck with him this season, so lets hope Modrak has ALOT of voice this draft and we get some realy studs in.

If the Bills were a drug, I could only hope they were like speed so I could lose some weight as well.

by WABillsfan on Mar 3, 2009 2:15 AM EST reply actions

wow I disagree with a lot of this

you are making some serious assumptions:

1.) Chris Ellis will never amount to anything? Based on what? Seriously, that is a pretty ridiculous claim to make about a 3rd round guy picked LAST YEAR! Go ahead and give up on a guy after one season if you like but that doesn’t sound like good reasoning to me. You seem to be holding out hope on James Hardy, I think you owe a guy drafted a full round after him the same.

2.) To point out that Matt Forte, Felix Jones and Chris Johnson were drafted after McKelvin to me is baffling. We have Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson on the roster and Leodis McKelvin was expected to be and is proving to have the potential to be one of the best playmaking corners to come out of the draft since Antonio Cromartie. He made serious plays in limited time and he’s only going to get better. I don’t see why you would point out running backs when we have two and then say they were picked after McKelvin like you are pointing out some mistake when we are about to lose Jabari Greer. Our defense lacks playmakers and Leodis McKelvin, after one season, has proven to be the best playmaker we have!

3.) Coles is not an Andre Reed type at age 31. He’s simply not. I want Coles here as much as you do, I think he would make our offense much better and open things up for Evans but let’s not go overboard on what he would do for us.

4.) You say that Poz hasn’t been the dominant playmaker we need like he’s been sitting at MLB for three or four seasons. He missed all of his rookie year and looked at least pretty solid in his first chance at serious playing time. Calling him out seems a bit premature and you’re not the only one, I’ve heard a lot of Poz is overrated stuff recently as if he was expected to be Patrick Willis this season. He met expectations for a first full season, he played well and didn’t make major mistakes. He’ll get better. A guy like Willis who is unreal in his first season is very, very rare.

5.) I have been over this before but to say that we miss and that the Patriots and other good teams hit in every round is so far from accurate its getting ridiculous to keep hearing it. The Pats are one of the few teams that might be worse than us at drafting! I posted this recent draft history in December in response to a similar argument about how much better the Pats are at drafting than us:

2005

Logan Mankins G- great pick
Ellis Hobbs CB- very average corner.
Nick Kaczur G/T – solid lineman, good starter
James Sanders SS – backup safety, seen nothing special yet
Ryan Claridge OLB- cut the following year, out of football
Matt Cassell QB- overrated, can’t throw the deep ball
Andy Stokes TE- mr.irrelevant, out of football

2006

Laurence Maroney RB- jury still out if he can be a starter but doubts are growing, injury prone
Chad Jackson WR – disappointment, NE traded up to get him, now doing nothing with the Broncos.
Dave Thomas TE- backup.

2007

Brandon Meriwether S – not a game changer (similar to Donte)
Kareem Brown DT- stuck on Jets practice squad
Clint Oldenburg OT- stuck on Rams practice squad
Justin Rogers OLB – backup on Cowboys
Mike Richardson CB- just promoted from practice squad to backup for NE
Justin Hairston RB – out of football
Corey Hilliard OT – backup on Colts
Oscar Lua MLB- out of football
Mike ElginG/C – stints with Colts, Jets, Pats, now out of football

Since it is too early to judge 2008, I think I’ll stop there. Now how do you feel about our drafts? This is a list of their solid draft picks from 2005-2007

Logan Mankins
Nick Kaczur
Laurence Maroney
Brandon Meriweather
JUST TO BE FAIR, even though I don’t think they belong on this list I’ll add
Matt Cassel
Ellis Hobbs

from 2005-2007 the Bills drafted
Trent Edwards
Paul Pozluszny
Marshawn Lynch
Brad Butler
Kyle Williams
Donte Whitner
JUST TO BE FAIR, if Hobbs is going to make the list so should
Keith Ellison
Roscoe Parrish

6.) Just to be fair, you know who else was taken after McCargo in 2006? Kellen Clemens, Mercedes Lewis, Chad Jackson (by the “amazing” Patriots drafters), Joe Klopfenstein. I don’t get what your point is, we can both pull out good and bad names from before and after our picks, its the nature of the draft.

Look, I understand why you are upset right now but I think you’re being a bit emotional and throwing out negative statements that are just looking for something to beat up on the Bills because we have stunk for so long. I feel that I really do, and I have definitely made some posts like this myself, but I just don’t think much of what you were saying is solid. Now, the frustration over losing Coles I completely agree with.

"Gooood…..let the apathy take root…" - Ron from NM

by poz on Mar 3, 2009 2:59 AM EST reply actions 17 recs

Well said buddy!

Simply overpaying a 31 year old receiver at the start of his decline is not very smart. At least OBD are being smart about the whole thing and resisting getting caught up in this game. I actually have more respect for them because of it.

As much as I’ve liked Coles in the past, all indications point to the begining of a certain slow decline in abilities so yes we still want him but let’s be reasonable about it..

As I’ve said in previous posts, I think they should consider bringing in Ronald Curry next. Being an ex-Raider coming from a team with practically no QB helps us because he is not the center of attention. He is 2 years younger with a lot more threads left on his tires. a Big 6’2" receiver with great hands and decent speed. He would be a great stop gap until Hardy & Johnson develop. We could also use him in some wildcat formations – he is an ex-QB.

Your ability to control the LOS is directly linked to your ability to win football games!
FEED the BEAST!
Section 336 Row 13

by keysh67 on Mar 3, 2009 8:51 AM EST up reply actions

Ronald Curry could be a good option

he seems to have injury issues but hes always been a solid player. We could give Amani Toomer a ring or even Brandon Lloyd, the big play making, never consistent receiver.

"Gooood…..let the apathy take root…" - Ron from NM

by poz on Mar 3, 2009 11:50 AM EST up reply actions

Not sure Curry has a lot less tread on the tires. He did rupture his Achilles multiple times. That takes it’s toll, so who know how long his legs hold up….

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

by Kurupt on Mar 3, 2009 1:00 PM EST up reply actions

I agree..

I wouldn’t mind having coles, but it seems as if some posters feels as if he’s the answer to all our problems which definately is not the case.. as many people w/ some football knowledge have already stated he’s 31 on the downside of his career threw brett favre under the bus.. so who knows what kind of guy he is in the locker room.. i just don’t see any reason at all we should over pay for coles.. give him a legit offer if he doesnt wanna come here then the hell w/’em he can go to the bungles or anywhere else for that matter..

by Shovel51 on Mar 3, 2009 2:39 PM EST up reply actions

Who wouldn’t throw that blowhard Favre under the bus?

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

by Kurupt on Mar 3, 2009 2:45 PM EST up reply actions

How do you get the green background?

Your ability to control the LOS is directly linked to your ability to win football games!
FEED the BEAST!
Section 336 Row 13

by keysh67 on Mar 3, 2009 8:55 AM EST up reply actions

That happens when a comment is rec’d enough times. It highlights it as something everyone should read, since, you know, it’s rec’d.

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by Brian Galliford on Mar 3, 2009 9:03 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Great post!

Good research on it, and way to keep an objective point of view

by CanadianBillsFan on Mar 3, 2009 12:11 PM EST up reply actions

Nice retort Poz

Well said

I will say:

Brandon Meriwether S – not a game changer (similar to Donte)

Little unfair to Meriweather. Last year, when he finally got a chance to start, he had 4 INT’s, 2 FF’s, 2 sacks and 9 passes defended. Whitner doesn’t have those stats for his 3 year career. Meriweather is certainly on his way to becoming a pretty darn good safety, unfortunately.

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

by Kurupt on Mar 3, 2009 12:58 PM EST up reply actions

REC'd................................

over and over over over again

A person who performs good Karma (deeds) is always held in high esteem
12/19/08 - Thank you KLJ for coming into my life.

by norcaliangelsfan on Mar 3, 2009 3:34 AM EST reply actions

One quick correction

We traded with the Falcons to get the pick we used on McGahee. We gave to Cowboys our pick for the pick we used on Losman.

Also, that pick was used to draft Marcus Spears, at 20. The pick they used to draft Demarcus Ware (at 11) was their own, courtesy of their 6-10 record in 2004.

by Hybrid1486 on Mar 3, 2009 8:19 AM EST reply actions

That's a really scary post title

IT sounds like you have breaking news that Coles is gone. When it’s just unfounded pessimism in general. Give these guys some time. Things can’t get better if we don’t root for them to do so. For example, Ellis has only been on the team for one year, we can’t say he will “never” anything at this point.

by Dyl on Mar 3, 2009 8:51 AM EST reply actions

Sam Adams was a past his prime addition? He made the Pro Bowl! I guess we have to sign Hall of Famers only. Vincent was still solid even after missing half the year to an injury. Milloy sparked a defense opening week and was still putting up 100 tackle seasons every year. And well Robert Royal sucks.

All your tshirt needs.

by twoeightnine on Mar 3, 2009 10:59 AM EST reply actions

I wouldn't call Royal "past his prime though"

I think we saw his prime… which says a lot. But we picked him up after he played out his rookie contract. We expected him to grow into a good all-around TE but he never grew past what he was. He wasn’t 30 and past his prime. He was like 26 and in his prime.

Playing Eternal Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008.

by MattRichWarren on Mar 3, 2009 12:31 PM EST up reply actions