Web Rumblings: Buffalo Bills Links, 2/19

Springville Journal: Meyer's Musings: Buffalo Bills hit rock bottom as the NFL’s most dysfunctional franchise
"Jacking up the cost to watch a team that has not qualified for the postseason in a decade doesn’t sound like a sound business decision. My message to fans? Stay home this season and don’t buy any tickets. The team has committed to spending less and took the cheap way out with their new hires, particularly General Manager Buddy Nix and Coach Chan Gailey. You can still be a fan of the team and root the Bills on by watching the games on television and listening to the action on the radio."

Vincent hired as NFL's VP of player development for active players - NFL.com
"Troy Vincent, who played 15 years in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins, will join the league office on Monday. His primary role will be overseeing the continued implementation of a broad array of support programs for players and their families, including the Rookie Symposium, Conduct Management Program and LifeSkills, and the design of new programs responsive to the needs of incoming and current NFL players."

Pro Football Hall of Fame " History Story " Players boycott AFL All-Star Game
In 1965 the AFL All-Star game was hosted in New Orleans. Still racially segregated despite the Civil Rights act of 1964, black players were stranded at the airport when cabs refused to take them to their hotels, restaurants wouldn't serve them, and they were heckled while sight-seeing. The black players boycotted and were joined by many white athletes. The game was moved to Houston.

Brad Butler retires
Twitter / Ross Tucker
Talking Bills OT Brad Butler's sudden retirement right now. Not a shock if you know him. Wants to serve in public office. Got things to do.

Bills starting right tackle Butler suddenly retires | ProFootballTalk.com
"The Bills lauded Butler's "tremendous character" and said he will be successful in whatever path he chooses. Walking away from an NFL contract can't be easy and we wish Butler all the best."

Politics a pull for Butler – Inside The Bills
"While it is surprising that Brad Butler has called it a career in his mid-20’s, the pull of politics was always there for Butler. A government major at UVA, Butler served an internship under the late Jack Kemp in Washington DC and has been a major community service person in WNY. I didn’t doubt he’d have a career in politics after his playing days, I just don’t think his playing days would be over this soon."

Bills tackle Butler retires to pursue other interests : Buffalo Bills : The Buffalo News
"Butler's decision had to catch the Bills off guard. The 2006 fifth-round draft choice out of Virginia was coming off major knee surgery but was expected to be ready to compete for a starting job in training camp. His sudden departure, along with Demetrius Bell's lengthy recovery from knee surgery, increases the likelihood the Bills will address the tackle position early in April's draft."

BillBoard: Depth issues at tackle
"His departure leaves the team very thin at tackle. Demetrius Bell, Jamon Meredith, Jonathan Scott and street free agent Jason Watkins are left on the depth chart, but none of them are NFL-quality starters. Bell might be eventually, but he's still raw. He's also coming off a torn ACL that might keep him sidelined into training camp."

Buffalo Bills surprised by tackle Brad Butler's retirement | Democrat and Chronicle
"Butler majored in government studies at Virginia, and spent the 2008 offseason interning at Kemp Partners in Washington, D.C., with late Bills quarterback and congressman Jack Kemp."

WGR 550 SportsRadio - For better or worse, these won't be the same Bills
"But it makes one thing absolutely certain -- next year's Bills are going to look very, very different. Already gone are Butler, Derek Fine and a bunch of special teams regulars."

Player News
Mormon Times - Encouraging family is what football Denneys do
A great read about Ryan Denney, his family, and the faith he maintains.

Bills Focus: Maybin Ready to Move? (2:44) - BuffaloBills.com
With the Bills transitioning to a 3-4 defense, it's highly likely 2009 first-round pick Aaron Maybin will be moving positions.

Ranking the AFC East secondaries - AFC East Blog - ESPN
The Bills secondary comes in third because of the "underwhelming" CBs. The Bills safeties are tops in the division, however, says Scouts Inc.'s Matt Williamson.

Biggs: Lions claim Buffalo LB Palmer off waivers | National Football Post
"I believe it’s a good move," Ashlee Palmer told the Detroit Free Press. "I feel good. I guess my services were no longer needed in Buffalo."

Biggs: Rams make a Fine tight end find | National Football Post
"[Derek Fine]'s healthy now," St. Louis general manager Billy Devaney said. "We’re just going to bring him into the mix, and see how he does."

Coaches News
DeHaven's return a win-win - BuffaloBills.com
Bruce DeHaven was very glad to get a call from a coach he had never worked with so he could return to a place he calls home. Chan Gailey was thankful to get a guy with as much experience and ability as Bruce DeHaven.

Free Agency and Trades
Players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents March 5
"Here's an unofficial list of players with at least six credited NFL seasons who would become free agents in an uncapped year when free agency opens March 5, as released Thursday by NFLLabor.com." The list is sorted by team.

No Vick trade til preseason? – Inside The Bills
"According to NFL.com’s Jason LaCanfora, sources from two NFL clubs in need of a QB maintain that they do not expect Eagles QB Michael Vick to be traded until the preseason this summer."

Could Lynch get moved to San Diego? : Buffalo Sports Daily
Chris Trapasso breaks down the trade possibilities and what he would like to see.

Free Agent Files: Kevin Walter : Buffalo Sports Daily
BSD profiles Texans WR Kevin Walter.

Culpepper highlights free agent quarterback class | ProFootballTalk.com
"Culpepper has been a bright spot on bad teams. In 2006, he arguably was rushed back into action before his knee was ready, resulting eventually in a placement on injured reserve. In 2007, he played for the Raiders. Enough said. He then joined the Lions after spending months on the market and getting no interest."

Are the Eagles slow playing a Vick deal? | National Football Post
"Is anyone else buying the idea that the Eagles won’t actively look to move Michael Vick until August — when training camp is underway?"

2010 NFL Draft
Bradford won't work out in Indy | ProFootballTalk.com
"[Bradford not working out] opens the door for Colt McCoy of Texas, who has said he'll try to throw. If he has a strong workout (like Pat White a year ago) McCoy could push himself into the top ten, especially since five of the top nine teams (Rams, Redskins, Browns, Seahawks, and Bills) need a long-term answer at the position."