Web Rumblings: Buffalo Bills Links, 3/7
by MattRichWarren on Mar 7, 2010 8:36 AM EST
in Buffalo Bills News
17 comments
Wade Smith leaves Buffalo without a contract: Buffalo Sports Daily
"In regards to people saying Smith signing or not doesn’t matter, I spoke to someone inside the Bills organization Friday evening who told me Smith had been high on their radar for several weeks and they valued him as an interior lineman far more than Incognito, which is why they let the big-name, big-penalty, big-rage machine Richie Incognito walk away."
Whitner's status with Bills uncertain - Buffalo News
The Buffalo Bills' retention of two veteran safeties this week has increased speculation about the team's plans for Donte Whitner. Neither of the safeties retained — George Wilson and Bryan Scott — are getting starter money at the moment. But both have starting experience, and Wilson is coming off a good season in which he started 12 games at strong safety.
Josh Reed to visit New England | ProFootballTalk.com
"A league source tells PFT's Mike Florio that Reed will visit the Patriots on Sunday. Reed is coming off a season in which he was largely phased out of the Bills' offense, catching just 27 passes for 291 yards."
Free Agency
Ryan Tucker, Jason Ferguson suspended eight games each | ProFootballTalk.com
"Howard Balzer of the Sports Xchange and the St. Louis Globe-Democrat reports that Dolphins nose tackle Jason Ferguson has been suspended for the first eight games of the 2010 season. Balzer reports that it's believed the suspensions arise under the NFL's policy regarding performance-enhancing substances; we believe that's the only plausible explanation. Each player has one prior four-game suspension under the policy, and the policy calls for an eight-game suspension for a second violation."
Bills tendered Gaddis and Corto - Buffalo Sports Daily
"I haven’t been able to confirm if the other exclusive rights free agents were tendered: Marcus Buggs, Justice Hairston, Cary Harris and Jonathan Stupar."
Wade Smith leaves Buffalo without a contract, heads to Houston - Arrowhead Pride
If the Bills are having trouble signing Smith, then that may not be a good sign for things to come in Buffalo. Their offensive line is not very good and Smith has connections to head coach Chan Gailey (former Chiefs coordinator) and line coach Joe D'Alessandris (former Chiefs position coach).
Patriots to host former Bills WR Josh Reed - AFC East Blog - ESPN
"Reed might be a nice stopgap until slot star Wes Welker has recovered from reconstructive knee surgery."
Free-agent WR Reed to visit Patriots - Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston
"Reed, 29, would add another veteran presence at the position if he is signed. With Wes Welker rehabilitating from torn ligaments in his left knee, the Patriots have only Randy Moss and recently signed David Patten as veteran targets, and Patten is considered a longer shot to earn a roster spot. A player like Reed could project to a Jabar Gaffney-like role, with the flexibility to line up at various spots. "
Video: Where are Marshall, T.O. going? - AFC East Blog - ESPN
"ESPN's Adam Schefter takes a look at some of the free-agency doings for Saturday, with an emphasis on a couple big-name receivers: Brandon Marshall and Terrell Owens. Shefter explains why the Anquan Boldin trade hurts Owens' options."
Other Bills Links
Six point bull session - Jim Kelly - ESPN.com
"Hall-of-Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, whose mastery of the no-huddle offense led the Buffalo Bills to an unprecedented four straight Super Bowls, is often mentioned as a potential NFL coach. And Kelly would consider taking the job — except for one thing. And it's an unequivocal deal-breaker. "I like to hunt," shrugs Kelly." ESPN profiles Kelly's new passion with pictures.
Twitter / Kawika Mitchell
In London. Waitin to board my flight to Entebbe, Uganda. Europe was a good ol time. 11 close friends w/ common interest. Hard to go wrong
2010 NFL Draft
Billboard: Draft watch: Cam Thomas
Mark Gaughan takes a look at nose tackle possibility Cam Thomas of UNC.
The 2010 Daily Norseman User Mock Draft - Daily Norseman
nolabillsfan represented us in the Daily Norseman mock draft selecting Iowa OT Bryan Bulaga.
Felser: Separating fact from propaganda on QB draft prospects : Sports Columns : The Buffalo News
Larry Felser discusses the quarterback prospects in the NFL draft and sneaks in a plug for Brian Brohm at the end.
WalterFootball.com: 2010 NFL Mock Draft by Matt McGuire
Matt McGuire shook up his top ten and now has the Bills taking Tennessee DT Dan Williams with both WBs off the board but Rolando McClain and Anthony Davis available. Davis is dropping after interviewing poorly at the combine.
WalterFootball.com: 2010 NFL Mock Draft by Matt McGuire - Round 2
In the second round the Bills get LSU WR Brandon LaFell.
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Wade Smith
Moran:
“But what seemed like an imminent signing last night is no longer the case. Smith leaving without a deal is not looking promising. He could be simply seeing what Houston or another team has to offer, but typically when a players exits Orchard Park without a deal, they end up signing elsewhere.”
The Bills did not tender Icognito because they had their eyes on Wade Smith to be their back-up interior lineman or starter if Wood can not go. How do they let this guy go to Houston and not sign him to a contract… Our OL needs all the help and talent they can get and we are playing “cheap” or looking for a bargain with their #1 target in Free agency.
IMO, having Butler retire on them and now not signing Wade “freaking” Smith after targeting him and bringing him in and letting him fly to Houston is a real disappointment and possibly an embarrasment if we then have to go to “Plan B”. How many times did we watch players visit OBD last year, only to see them “fly away” and sign somewhere else? If the Bills “target” a free agent… sign him. Particularly if you have made decisions like not tendering a quality player that was on their roster and could have been an “easy keeper”.
Sure they can still sign Smith… but why take the chance to let him walk?
We’re probably too cheap to just sign him, anyway, or we’re offering him a lot of money and he doesn’t want to be a part of this wreck of a franchise.
"The one commonality in both places (Oakland and Buffalo) is an aging owner who keeps interfering too much. Ralph Wilson continually butts his nose in the football operation and tells the team who to draft"
by BillsfanfromDenmark on Mar 7, 2010 9:22 AM EST up reply actions
How about this question – Why get upset that they didn’t sign Wade "freaking" Smith? You can’t tell me that there are players still available, or that will become available later that are on par with Wade "freaking" Smith.
No weekend spent pantsless is a wasted weekend.
True... however
They are still allowing their top target Free Agent to walk out the door. The point about Wade “Freaking” Smith… is about that sure it is not a player that anyone of us as fans saw coming or would look at as significant if we sign the guy or not… but in the whole scheme of things, sure we can find another guy. However the fact they can’t get “their guy” is pretty significant.
their top target isn’t always the first guy they bring in. Do you honestly think that Wade "freaking" Smith is the one guy that the Bills targeted as a difference maker for their team?
You said it yourself –
He and his agent wanted "starter money". Bills were only willing to pay back-up money plus some more.
If he was their “Top Target” why wouldn’t they give him the money? Their “top target” was a backup?
No weekend spent pantsless is a wasted weekend.
Exactly! So why would you get so upset based on assumptions? You don’t know unless you ask Nix or Brandon, so you are basing thi son your own paranoia.
No weekend spent pantsless is a wasted weekend.
I am not upset…. I don’t know where you get that from. I just said letting Wade Smith go was disappointing however oh so common for Free Agents coming to OBD for “visits”. It seems like they are more like “pass throughs”.
IMO, having Butler retire on them and now not signing Wade "freaking" Smith after targeting him and bringing him in and letting him fly to Houston is a real disappointment and possibly an embarrasment if we then have to go to "Plan B". How many times did we watch players visit OBD last year, only to see them "fly away" and sign somewhere else? If the Bills "target" a free agent… sign him. Particularly if you have made decisions like not tendering a quality player that was on their roster and could have been an "easy keeper".
In this one statement you coin the phrase “Wade "freaking" Smith” and you say that by not signing him it is disappointing and an embarrassment. I’m sorry, You’re right that sounds like the comments of a calm and rational man.
No weekend spent pantsless is a wasted weekend.
What if the Bills target a guy, bring him in, and they don’t like the guy’s answers? They know Smith from KC but if they don’t know the guy.
YES WE CHAN!
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by MattRichWarren on Mar 7, 2010 9:26 AM EST up reply actions
Sure that can happen anytime.
Probably what occurred was… something where they liked they guy. Couldn’t guarantee him a starting position. He and his agent wanted “starter money”. Bills were only willing to pay back-up money plus some more. They negotiated “late” and neither side “caved” to the other. On to Houston he went.
Chances are it isn’t they didn’t like the guy’s answers… chances are that they didn’t like what $ he wanted.
Why is there no mention of Whaley in all this FA talk.
He is our Free Agent man correct? Yes Smith shared time with Gailey, I am sure Nix and Modrak know who the guy is as well. I got to believe that the four of them discussed this guy at length and said yes, bring him in I can see a spot for him. They discuss contract, value and schedule the meeting. Then they have a discussion and know exactly where they stand with the guy. Then smith leaves for another interview in Houston. This isn’t a done deal yet, but if the FO was satisfied with Smith based on all there previous discussion than he would of not left. If another team offers a more lucrative offer the guy has to take it.
Whaley is doing his job, this could just be a sign that the FO as a whole is working together. Now if Whaley was to bring in a Safety or DE or someone not as high on our needs list, there should be a bigger concern.
This is like dumping a new puzzle from it's box. Now let's start putting the peices together. I guess this is what we all asked for.
Josh Reed - 27 passes for 291 yards
Wow. That is an amazingly low stat. I had no idea. Not sure if that is attributed to him or the offense stinking it up so bad. My guess is a little of both.
Well he was playing behind Terrell Owens for one. Plus his QB started 7 games. Fitzpatrick connected with T.O. while Trent connected with Reed.
YES WE CHAN!
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by MattRichWarren on Mar 7, 2010 9:44 AM EST up reply actions
Confirming my theory that Trent is the king of the check-down pass. I could swear that all he needed TO and Lee for was to be decoys for his intended targets five yards in front of him. (Then again, one of them being Fred Jackson didn’t hurt too bad… the others often being Schoumann and Reed, however…)
Wade Smith still plays?
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