Bills still interested in Levi Jones?
Bengals Cut Levi Jones
Posted by Mike Florio on May 6, 2009, 12:17 p.m. EDT
The Cincinnati Bengals have released veteran left tackle Levi Jones. The team announced the move earlier today.
Jones was a first-round pick in 2002, and he quickly became a fixture on the left side of the line.
Signed through 2012, Jones was due to earn a base salary of $3 million this year. (Frankly, it’s a reasonable amount for a guy who by all appearances can still play.)
The Bengals reportedly informed Jones after picking Smith that the team would try to trade Jones before cutting him. They found no suitors.
Now that Jones is on the market, look for the Bills to make a run at him, given that Buffalo traded left tackle Jason Peters and didn’t replace him with either of their first-round draft picks.
6 months ago
Jason from OH-IO
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If we could get him at a discount price I would be all for it.
by 12thmanfan on May 6, 2009 12:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I sincerely doubt it.
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by Brian Galliford on May 6, 2009 1:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I tend to agree. It seems OBD is pretty set with the personnel they have (or have already brought in). They may juggle around who plays where (or who eventually starts), but they don’t seem interested in bringing in any more new faces at that position.
Also, I have to wonder how much Jones has lost if no one was interested in a trade and the Bengals were willing to cut him outright, when he didn’t seem due to make all that much money, relatively speaking.
by thefourwinds on May 6, 2009 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I kind of doubt it too, but a one-year contract on-the-cheap, might not be a bad deal. Let him and walker battle it out. Loser gets benched/released. What would the Bills have to lose, but a little money.
"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 May 6, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like the idea
You remember when he faught Joey Porter?
Just imagine a guy who is going to do everything in his path to lay a smackdown on OLB’s
I like the idea. But ultimately, that means that Levitre will be a backup
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
by NCbillsfan12 on May 6, 2009 1:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Another Question We have to ask is
Is he athletic enough to keep up with the No-huddle
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
by NCbillsfan12 on May 6, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Langston Walker = not athletic.
"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 May 6, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d like to see you weigh 366 pounds and run a 40 under 5.5 seconds. :)
I think you’re underestimating Langston… he’ll have his problems, but you seem to think he’s going to flat-out suck at LT. I don’t think that’s fair.
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by Brian Galliford on May 6, 2009 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not true
I don’t think he will “suck”. I actually think Langston Walker was a fine RT. However, you have to understand that basically the RT and LT are two unique positions. As a LT you will face the best DE the other team has to offer. Let’s say you were facing Buffalo. Langston Walker could play just fine against the likes of the Chris Kelsays of the world, but I think he could struggle against Schobel.
NCbills fans asked if Levi Jones could keep up with the no huddle. My response to that was that Langston Walker is less athletic than a healthy Levi Jones.
I don’t see why a camp competition between Levi Jones and Langston Walker should be avoided. Especially if this is at little cost to the Bills. IF Levi Jones is healthy, I think this would be a noticable upgrade over Langston Walker. You have to remember how good this guy was before his injury problems. He was one of the best tackles in the league.
Assuming his price tag is low, why not bring him in?
"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 May 6, 2009 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Good post...rec'd
It was once said that a black man would be president when pigs fly - Sure enough 100 days in Obama's presidency - swine flu
by Joe P. on May 6, 2009 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well that's a big if for Jones.
He was replaced in Cincy for a reason. How much is a noticeable upgrade over Walker? If Walker gives up 8 sacks would Jones giving up 7 be noticeable? I really don’t think Jones, at this stage in his career, has a good spot on this roster other than Walker’s spot. Jones was just released by the Bengals, a team with a suspect OL to begin with.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on May 6, 2009 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Walker versus Jones
First off, the Begals replaced Jones with Andre Smith, a young, very promising left tackle. A person that for all acoounts appeared that the Bills were drooling over.
The discussion is whether Jones would be an upgrade over Walker. If healthy, Jones is one of the best tackles in the league. Therefore, IF HEALTHY, Jones is an upgrade over Walker.
"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 May 6, 2009 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And all I have been saying is that the Bengals, with one of the most suspect OL in the league, released him because of those injury problems. If his knee checks out he is very good but his history does not appear to make that the case.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on May 7, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Didn't Walker come from a team with a suspect O-line?????
It was once said that a black man would be president when pigs fly - Sure enough 100 days in Obama's presidency - swine flu :-)
by Joe P. on May 7, 2009 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes but he was clearly the best player on it when he left.
And he left as a free agent which is much different than being cut.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on May 7, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I seem to recall Raiders fans being pretty happy when Walker left town. I could be wrong, but I don’t think they were upset he didn’t resign with them….
~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 May 7, 2009 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He started 16 games at RT.
They did give up 72 sacks that year (holy cow) but I can’t imagine that was all on Walker. Maybe he wasn’t the best player on it, but nobody else on that line has done much of anything since then.
And I will repeat this… leaving via free agency is better than being cut for underperforming.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on May 7, 2009 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not completely against bringing Levi Jones in – I just don’t think it’s going to happen, so you shouldn’t get your hopes up.
As a LT you will face the best DE the other team has to offer.
Yes, but not alone. Walker is not replacing Jason Peters – he is playing an entirely different set of responsibilities in his old position. That’s an important difference to note.
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by Brian Galliford on May 6, 2009 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why
Why don’t you think it will happen?
Seems like a very viable option if he is healthy.
"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 May 6, 2009 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because I think the Bills are far more sold on Langston Walker than you or anyone else here is. :)
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by Brian Galliford on May 7, 2009 8:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Athletic for a left tackle and athletic for 366 pounds are two totally different things. Walker happens to be both of those things and is a great athelte for one of them and the jury is out for the other.
And it’s not that us anti-Walker at LT guys think that he is going to suck. We just don’t think he is good enough to be a part of what gets this team to where it needs to be to make the playoffs and grow into a super bowl contender.
by kaisertown on May 6, 2009 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Couldn't have said it better myself.
"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 May 6, 2009 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
agreed...rec'd
It was once said that a black man would be president when pigs fly - Sure enough 100 days in Obama's presidency - swine flu :-)
by Joe P. on May 7, 2009 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great point. And while I’ll agree that Walker is less then ideal at LT, I just don’t think that Jones will be any better. Thats why I’m not big on Jones, now do I want him on the Bills.
by CanadianBillsFan on May 7, 2009 8:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that should read that I don’t want him, not that I do.
by CanadianBillsFan on May 7, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
To use a tired, old example...
Mike Gandy was good enough to be a part of what got his team to the Super Bowl. Langston Walker is better than Mike Gandy in my opinion. Ergo he is acceptable enough at the LT position to me.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on May 7, 2009 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not the point.....the point is to put the best possible five linemen on the field.
Why shoot for acceptable? IF Walker is a better option at LT, then put Walker back to RT.
It was once said that a black man would be president when pigs fly - Sure enough 100 days in Obama's presidency - swine flu :-)
by Joe P. on May 7, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well if I knew Jones was healed I would be all for it...
Then you can have Jones, Butler, Hangartner, Wood, and Walker blowing some people up. I just don’t think Jones is healthy.
Walker will be an excellent run blocker on the left side. Is anybody debating that? His pass blocking is not going to kill him (or more importantly Trent). Can he really give up more sacks than Peters did last year?
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on May 7, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
THis is just Florio saying that we should go after him
Not him saying that OBD is interested. Florio is just another “expert” who can’t get over the fact that we didn’t draft an OT to replace Peters. Just because we don’t have an LT of the quality of Peters on our team does not mean that we need to sign the first available LT that comes along.
Theres a reason why the Bengals have drafted an OT and theres a reason why they released Jones: he is no longer the LT that he used to be. He would not be better then Langston is for us, nor as consistant as as Walker. I would pass on him, and I hope that OBD does to.
by CanadianBillsFan on May 6, 2009 1:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
agree/disagree
I agree… Florio is purely speculating, trying to match the dots. We have no LT and Levi Jones is/was a left tackle.
I don’t think you can say Levi Jones is no better than Walker. I think he is worth bring in to take a peak at and see how much he has lost. What do we have to lose. If he looks great (and healthy) offer him a one-year deal and let him battle it out with Walker for the LT spot. If he can’t outshine walker than cut your losses and release him, or at worst put him on the bench to fill in for any injuries at tackle. Right now I would say we are a little deep on tackle (especially) LT 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 May 6, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think he can say Walker is better than Jones...
and he just did. I would agree with him BTW.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on May 6, 2009 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rationale?
When was the last time Walker played significant time at LT?
"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 May 6, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I never said that he played significant time at LT.
I said I think he is better than Jones.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on May 6, 2009 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Based on what?
"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 May 6, 2009 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Levi Jones' knee and leg injuries.
Walker played two games there. Hardly “significant time” but he wasn’t a liability there. The OL was fine in those first couple of games with Peters. The Bengals line was horrible with Jones.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on May 7, 2009 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Levi Jones
The only reason Walker would be better than Jones, is IF Jones is not healthy. This guy was regarded as one of the best tackles in the league prior to his recent injury history. He is only 29 years old and plays with a mean streak (see Joey Porter Vegas fight).
Scouts, Inc. take on Jones:
Comment: Jones has been troubled by injuries quite a bit of late, but when healthy and at full strength, he is an excellent athlete. He has a very good size and athletic ability combination. He has good competitiveness and toughness. He is light on his feet and quick out of his stance in both the run and passing game. Jones can set quickly to handle the top-end speed rushers at this level. He is a natural knee-bender, who can redirect with ease and is a very flexible athlete. While he has ample strength, he isn’t overly powerful, but he does look to finish his blocks. He doesn’t have particularly heavy hands and rarely stuns defensive ends with his punch. Jones has a lot of talent, but gets beaten more than you would expect from someone with his abilities. He needs to play at the same high level snap after snap with more consistency. His technique is generally sound, but can waver, adding to his inconsistency. He also can be overly anxious and needs to do a better job being patient. Still, when he is healthy, few linemen in the league are on par with his combination of size and agility.
"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 May 6, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Point is
He is a LT, our team needs a LT, why not give him a look?
"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 May 6, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i would bring him in, try him out, and sign him to a fair one year deal. while walker is decent, he did struggle a bit while covering for peters at LT last season. he was getting burned in one game (can’t remember the opponent maybe the jaguars) and i was screaming for peters to come in—who by the way, didn’t do much better. walker even got a bum knee and had to be taken out. i agree, we don’t have much to lose.
by chaucer on May 6, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How did he struggle?
He did fine in both of the first two games, which we won by the way. We don’t have much to lose by bringing in Jones, but for those of you that think Jones can come in and be “the answer” you’re probably wrong.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on May 6, 2009 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He is a natural knee bender...
who has been having tons of problems with his legs and knees. “When he is healthy” was three years ago. If he’s not on the field I don’t care how good he is. Walker, while maybe not the athlete that Jones was is still a perfectly acceptable athlete and an adequate replacement at LT. He’s not going to set the world on fire but he has shown he is capable on manning the position. He did it for two games last year.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on May 6, 2009 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
perfectly acceptable athlete and an adequate replacement at LT
Arguable and yet to be determined.
"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 May 6, 2009 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wasn't he an adequate replacement at LT last year?
I don’t remember him being abused in the two games he started.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on May 7, 2009 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the backup MRW, I was starting to think that I was the only one to think so.
by CanadianBillsFan on May 7, 2009 8:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd rather get a defensive tackle in here.
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by BillsNYC on May 6, 2009 1:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think there would have to be almost zero interest in Jones to the point where teams are only offering him one year deals with no gauranteed money for Buffalo to consider him.
by kaisertown on May 6, 2009 1:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
might actually be the case
or at the very least a one year deal with very minimal guaranteed money.
"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 May 6, 2009 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think he would need to sign for close to the vet minimum for Buffalo to actually sign him. I’m with you though, and I would give him far more than that. At this point, Jones has as many question marks as Walker does, but I think it is probably worth the cost and the risk to bring him in assuming he doesn’t get a really nice deal somewhere else.
by kaisertown on May 6, 2009 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Seeings how we dont have a clearcut LT
I can see the Bills as potential suitors for any and all dispaced tackles from now til September. Its what HACK writers do. they speculate.
by BuffaloChip on May 6, 2009 5:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Are You guys in LOVE with Langston Walker
Someone tell me why we shouldn’t give Levi Jones a tryout?
"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 May 6, 2009 5:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I can't think of a single reason :-)
It was once said that a black man would be president when pigs fly - Sure enough 100 days in Obama's presidency - swine flu
by Joe P. on May 6, 2009 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Your sig is one of the funniest things I’ve read in the last month!
by thefourwinds on May 6, 2009 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks.... a friend emailed it to me and I just about choked on my coffee :-)
It was once said that a black man would be president when pigs fly - Sure enough 100 days in Obama's presidency - swine flu :-)
by Joe P. on May 7, 2009 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The reason is that he doesn’t want a tryout. He is still a name and will probably end up getting a solid deal with somebody based solely on reputation. I’m sure that Buffalo will kick the tires on this one, but it’s going to depend on Jones’ other options.
by kaisertown on May 6, 2009 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There's no reason he shouldn't get a tryout.
But don’t think he is the answer to the Bills’ LT needs. I think at best he’s a minimal upgrade over Walker.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on May 6, 2009 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What kaisertown said – you don’t give high-profile players “tryouts”. You sign them to play, or you stick to their guns.
My guess? Buffalo will look at tape from last season, 2007 and perhaps even a little 2006. If they like what they see, they’ll weigh it against the known commodity – Walker. If the difference is more than negligible, they’ll kick the tires.
I don’t think it will get that far, but I’ve been wrong before.
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by Brian Galliford on May 6, 2009 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think we are all on the same page
Worth bringing in at a fair price. Let’s see how it plays out.
I think Jones wants the opportunity to start as well and he could have that opportunity with the Bills.
"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 May 6, 2009 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh you're right on that...
If he is brought in here it won’t be to be the backup. I’m assuming they offered him the chance to restructure in Cincy. They did that with Willie Anderson before they let him go so it would make sense that they did the same thing with Jones.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on May 7, 2009 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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