LT Levi Jones available
by Ron From NM on Apr 27, 2009 7:21 PM EDT
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PFT is reporting that the Bengals will trade or cut LT Levi Jones. Yes, Buffalo picked up a pair of interior linemen over the weekend. If the Bengals are willing to outright cut Jones then perhaps they would take a couple of players--Kelsay and Simpson--off OBD's hands in exchange for Jones' rights. We know that those players have, um, limitations but the Bengals may be able to find some use for them. If nothing else they would make for training camp fodder.
Does anyone know what Levi Jones' current contract looks like? The guy has been a solid LT for quite a while. I'd rather have him facing down speed rushers than Langston Walker. At the very least Jones could keep the LT spot warm for Bell.
Signing Jones would give Buffalo:
Tackles: Jones/Walker, Chambers and Bell as reserves
Guards: Butler/Wood, Levitre and McKinney as reserves
Centers: Hangartner
With Butler's injury history it's a good bet that Levitre will get playing time. Plus, if Hang goes down then Wood could slide to C with Levitre filling in at his guard spot.
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Chris Brown put up a bit about Jones. The guy has had some nagging injuries but if Buffalo gets, say, 5-8 games out of him that would be time that Bell wouldn’t be compelled to play and/or that Walker wouldn’t be protecting Edwards’ blindside.
by Ron From NM on Apr 27, 2009 7:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
No, no, no and heck no.
I understand that we have a hole at LT, but that doesn’t mean that we have to fill it with the first guy that comes along. Jones is slipping FAST and theres a reason why the Bengals drafted Smith to replace him.
Personally I think that at this point in his career Jones would NOT be an upgrade over Walker. Does that mean ’m totally comfortable with Walker at LT? No. But would I be comfortable with Jones as our LT? even less.
by CanadianBillsFan on Apr 27, 2009 7:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
They should wait until they cut Jones if they want to make a move.
by NJBillsfan on Apr 27, 2009 7:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
No thanks to this guy. The guy is nothing but a name-recognition player at this point. He’s missed 20 starts over the past three seasons. He’s a tremendous injury risk, and I don’t think he’s anything but slightly above average when completely healthy and in his prime.
Honestly, I’d rather just stick with Langston and move forward with the line we’ve built. And if we do make a move to acquire Levi, I’d hate to see it happen via trade.
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by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2009 7:54 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
You'd hate to trade Kelsay and/or Simpson for Levi?
Either or both of those guys could be gone by the end of training camp. Why not get something for one or both of them? Jones has missed time due to injury so he’s no long term solution. He could be a stop gap until Bell was ready.
by Ron From NM on Apr 27, 2009 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think that's a realistic trade
think about it from their perspective….would you want to take on Kelsay’s big contract? and Ko Simpson is pretty much dead weight even to us
by tiimbitz4786 on Apr 27, 2009 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He could be a stop gap until Bell was ready.
And Langston Walker can’t? He’s not going to be around forever, either.
I’d rather just cut Kelsay and/or Simpson, to be honest.
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by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2009 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah
there is no chance we are giong to get anything in a trade for Kelsay or Simpson…who the heck would want those guys? Levi Jones….no thanks as well. I think it’s time for Buffalo to coach em up and earn their keep with these young guys
MARVelous - "I went from America's team to North America's Team" Terrell Owens
by MARVelous on Apr 27, 2009 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nope
Langston Walker is not a capable Left Tackle.
"It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions." - Marv Levy
by Jason from OH-IO on Apr 27, 2009 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I beg to differ… but I’ll leave it at that, because there’s no way I can properly convince you.
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by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2009 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good call
I thought you even said starting Walker at LT was “scary”.
"It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions." - Marv Levy
by Jason from OH-IO on Apr 27, 2009 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It is. But I think he’s consistent and intelligent enough where we can get away with him there. As I’ve said many times, you don’t need an elite left tackle to win in this league – you just need a smart, consistent player. Walker gives them that. I highly doubt Levi Jones or anyone else currently available does.
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by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2009 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I personally don’t know enough about Jones to make that assesment. I know at one point he was a great LT, with the injuries, etc. I don’t know. I plan to hound my Cincy fan friends tomorrow to see what intel they can provide me.
"It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions." - Marv Levy
by Jason from OH-IO on Apr 27, 2009 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Buffalo thought Walker was a stop gap...
….why didn’t he play LT the last two games of the 2008 season?
by Ron From NM on Apr 27, 2009 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I believe I answered this somewhere else, too.
When the Bills had an extraordinary circumstance – i.e. the Peters holdout – they shifted Walker to left tackle by choice.
When Peters returned – again, extraordinary circumstance – they moved Walker back to RT. He stayed there for the entire season.
When Peters got hurt, they did what they always do – replace, not re-structure. That’s one move I always questioned – not putting Walker at LT then. Not because I thought it was a bad idea to just plug and chug with Chambers, but because any amount of foresight would have told Buffalo that Peters would pull what he pulled. I’d have wanted to see Walker for another couple of games just to have more evidence of what he can do on that side. But past is past.
Once again, the Bills have a choice and aren’t just pulling an injury replacement. History indicates that they’ll do what they did last year – move Langston.
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by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2009 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
last time i checked
bills won with walker at LT. im not saying, im just saying
Bills make me wanna SHOUT!
by silverstreak3k on Apr 27, 2009 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, and beat the team that wound up picking 4th in the draft. With Chambers at LT the Bills beat the team picking 12th in the draft and lost to the Patriots, who had a shot at the division in week 17.
by Ron From NM on Apr 28, 2009 8:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like Walker
OK. But my problem with Walker is athleticism (or lack thereof). He is an above average right tackle who performs well due to his size/strength. Based on my recollection of the season last year, the Scout’s take below is true. I will put this in a post to come, but my only problem with the Bill’s draft is they did not identify a potential future LT. Placing that weight squarely on the shoulders of Bell.
Scouts take: Walker is a huge-bodied, six-year veteran who has average athleticism and above-average strength. Walker has played both guard and tackle and has settled in at the right side for the Bills. He wins with his great length and power, once engaged. He locks on and smothers defenders with his size. He is a steady-effort player, but isn’t nasty enough to finish in the trenches. Walker is limited as a second-level blocker and isn’t effective in space. He overextends at times and his lateral agility is limited. He has long arms to lock defenders out and stay connected as a run and pass-blocker. He isn’t great to recover versus quick, inside counters and has a tough time keeping his pads down versus speed rushers. He isn’t an explosive blocker on contact, but his massive size makes him tough to bull rush and he has enough power to get movement at the point of attack as a run blocker. Walker has become a consistent, durable player for the Bills and should continue to perform well along the offensive line.
Having said all that, can the Bill’s cover for Walker’s short-comings. Yes, I am sure there are blocking schemes that will protect him.
I am still bitter about Peters, I will get over it. But could you imagine what could have been.
LT – Peters
LG – Levitre/Wood
C – Hangartner
RG – Butler/Wood
RT – Butler/Walker
Wow, that would have been a line and we would have had decent depth.
"It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions." - Marv Levy
by Jason from OH-IO on Apr 27, 2009 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I will put this in a post to come, but my only problem with the Bill’s draft is they did not identify a potential future LT.
I think it’s because the team sees Bell in exactly that light. I would have liked to have seen a tackle picked, but since they didn’t pick one, I think it’s a strong indication that they like what they see in Bell. I’ll have to take their word on it since we’ve never seen him play an NFL down before. If they didn’t think he would reach that next level, I’m sure they would have brought in another potential LT to develop.
Also, if we still had Peters, we wouldn’t have Wood.
~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 Apr 28, 2009 12:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s one possibility, but I also think the win now mode may have even more to do with it. It’s one thing for Buffalo to say that they like Bell more than Jamon Meredith or Gerald Cardogan or one of the athletic tackles that lasted awhile, but I think they ignored the Ohers and Beattys of the world because they thought the best line they could put on the field this season was one with Walker at LT and a rookie guard or two.
by kaisertown on Apr 28, 2009 2:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
Once again, the Bills have a choice and aren’t just pulling an injury replacement. History indicates that they’ll do what they did last year – move Langston.
I wish people would get off of the Bell is going to start at Left Tackle this year discussion.
I however, disagree, the Bill’s have no choice but to move Walker. I can’t imagine a scenario this year where they play Chambers at LT, baring injury.
"It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions." - Marv Levy
by Jason from OH-IO on Apr 27, 2009 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I voted No
And, If we are going to trade Kelsay and Simpson for a player, wouldn’t you rather it was Leroy Hill?
"Get ready for the pain women…the pain train is coming Whooo Whooooo !!!!!" – Terry Tate Office Linebacker
by Joe P. on Apr 27, 2009 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
FA
Hill’s a FA now, no need to trade.
"It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions." - Marv Levy
by Jason from OH-IO on Apr 27, 2009 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe we could send Kelsay to the Seahawks anyway. Just because.
by Ron From NM on Apr 27, 2009 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dam!!!! Read Brain's post on him and had a brain fart :-)
"Get ready for the pain women…the pain train is coming Whooo Whooooo !!!!!" – Terry Tate Office Linebacker
by Joe P. on Apr 27, 2009 11:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How about we pretend I said Tamba Hali instead ?
"Get ready for the pain women…the pain train is coming Whooo Whooooo !!!!!" – Terry Tate Office Linebacker
by Joe P. on Apr 27, 2009 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If we do....
….can we still ship Kelsay off to Seattle?
by Ron From NM on Apr 28, 2009 8:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
why not just cut him and laugh at whichever team signs him?
by CanadianBillsFan on Apr 28, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because OBD needs to get a new supply of Starbucks....
in exchange for 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 Apr 28, 2009 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Outstanding Comment........
why not just cut him and laugh at whichever team signs him?
love it….
by Matty Coco on Apr 29, 2009 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd rather
take a chance on a guy like Runyan on a one year deal. Then let Bell take over next year.
by Buffalonian on Apr 27, 2009 9:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If Bell takes over...
it will be because he has outperformed our current options…walker, chambers, butler at tackle…so if he takes over I’m comfortable with that…
by tiimbitz4786 on Apr 27, 2009 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Runyan doesn’t fit any better on the left side than Walker does. All he does is create a logjam on the depth chart without actually solving the Bills’ biggest potential problem on the line.
by kaisertown on Apr 27, 2009 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
no
we should let the guards that we drafted a chance at playing and that means to switch walker to tackle and butler too and have wood and levitrie
by billsfan55 on Apr 27, 2009 9:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
oops
i posted to early it should say to have wood and and andy play guards
by billsfan55 on Apr 27, 2009 9:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Bell
I am surprised that people are so comfortable with Bell becoming our long term LT. I understand that he has impressed, but he can’t be that good yet (but I guess that is what I thought about Peters).
by labill on Apr 27, 2009 9:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
he's our long term prospect
nobody is saying the job is his…but i think we have the guys to fill the immediate future…we are hoping that he can be the guy that takes over maybe next year on a full time basis…or this year at some point if needed/if he is ahead of sched.
by tiimbitz4786 on Apr 27, 2009 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The only reason I voted No
The Bengals will be forced to cut him. His contract is too big which is probably another reason not to trade for him. the market for tackles is relatively low now that the draft and majority of FA is over, so the bills could pick him up for cheap (at least relatively).
by Renegade23 on Apr 27, 2009 10:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Levi vs Walker
I honestly wouldn’t want Jones unless he’s considered an upgrade over Langston Walker. I’d rather have Butler back at RT matched up with DEs instead of DTs because of his height and he’s not quite as strong as most interior linemen. I’m not failiar enough with Levi Jones’ game to know whether or not he’s an upgrade, though. Does anyone know why the Bengals want to get rid of him?
If he’s injury-prone… fo-gettaboudit. Here’s to hope for Demetrius Bell.
"I don't agree with a damn thing you say, but I would die for your right to say it."
by ForeignArrow on Apr 27, 2009 10:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
money spent wisely
i’d rather have leroy hill and have 3 lb’s that can shut down so a guy like maybin can concentrate on rushing the passer.
by LIBi on Apr 27, 2009 11:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I’d rather spend my efforts trying to pry Hali from KC or spend the money to solidify our LB’s with Hill.
If Jones were a significant upgrade to Walker, I’d say yes, but he wouldn’t be. And he’s also an injury risk, which makes it even worse.
~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 Apr 28, 2009 12:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Demetrius Bell’s the future and Levi Jones would be a good insurance policy in case Walker cannot get out of his stance quick enough over the long haul, I made a thread about signing Levi Jones a day ago on here!
by Fam_1st on Apr 28, 2009 3:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Jones' contract details
according to rotoworld.com:
7/25/2006: Signed a six-year, $40 million contract extension through 2012. The deal includes $16.3 million guaranteed. 2009: $3 million, 2010: $3.75 million, 2011: $4.55 million, 2012: $5 million, 2013: Free Agent
I agree no reason to trade unless you like this contract, I think he will get cut. He has had some injury problems recently. I’d be OK with getting him cheap and letting him compete. Sign him to a mostly incentive laden contract, though that money is not bad really for a starting left tackle. Question is, is he still a starting quality left tackle?
by theblas on Apr 29, 2009 4:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
not sure....
he is worth the money and my guess is that the Bills are not going to make a move.
by PWilliams on Apr 29, 2009 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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