2011 Bills Free Agents: Who will they bring back?
by JPH on Jan 3, 2011 10:33 PM EST
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PrintLike every team in the NFL, the Bills have a lot of decisions to make about players whose contracts have just expired. I do not have the full list, but according to walterfootball.com (the most up-to-date list I could find, which was last updated in July), that list includes:
Brian Brohm (RFA)
My question to you all is simple: Who do you expect the Bills to bring back? If you'd like, you may also tell me who you would like them to keep, but I'm more interested in predictions for the purposes of this post. Also, if you have more names to add to the list, please mention them as well.
I'll post my yes or no answers in the comments below.
Just another great fan opinion shared on the pages of BuffaloRumblings.com.
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for my money
Brian Brohm (RFA)- no
John McCargo- no
Paul Posluszny- no
Keith Ellison- no
Drayton Florence- yes
Ashton Youboty- no
Donte Whitner- no
George Wilson- yes
feel free to pick that apart.
I wish there was some obvious pun you could make about Andrew Luck.
I agree with that
just switch Florence and Poz (Poz yes Florence no) everybody else other than Wilson will be gone. Donte because of $ demands and the other guys simply because they aren’t worth bringing back.
"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes
Poz
better be back he is our leading tackler I know he has some issues with injury but it would be a big hole to fill I think
A man must except his fate or be destroyed by it
by BillsStampede34 on Jan 3, 2011 10:49 PM EST reply actions
yeah without him we might be 32nd in the league in rush defense.
I wish there was some obvious pun you could make about Andrew Luck.
by JPH on Jan 3, 2011 10:59 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Really?!?
Most teams leading tackler are MILB. His only prob is that 98% of them are 5+ yards down the field. Not to mention he has a hard time staying on the field.
He has to go.
Keep Drayton and Wilson on that list. Our secondary is pretty darn good. And for what Whitner did as a Bill, we can find a much cheaper alternative.
The argument that all of Poz’s tackles come 5 yards downfield comes up on this site about 5 times a day, but it does not make him expendable. London Fletcher was criticized by us for the exact same thing before he left yet he is highly regarded throughout the league. More importantly, Poz is making tackles downfield because other teams are going to gain yards, particularly when our pass rush gives other qb’s all the time in the world and our D line fails to occupy blockers at the line and our OLBs are not setting the edge or disrupting the play in the backfield. Stroud did not play well against the run at all this year and even Kyle Williams, as awesome as he is, does not help Poz at all when he shoots gaps and lets the G/C move right on to Poz and Ayodele. Yet despite this, I watched Poz make plenty of plays in the backfield on opponent runs and had some nice looking sacks in the rare instances he was called to blitz. I’m not saying he’s a top MLB in this league but he’s unquestionably solid with some playmaking ability and he’s as sure a tackler as anyone. I’m confident that Football outsiders had him ranked as one of the least likely players to lose a tackle (either via broken tackle or getting juked).
THAT is why i'm serious.
by Trashplate on Jan 4, 2011 4:47 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
well said trashplate and rec'd
people tend to forget that tackling is the most fundamental issue for a defense and Poz is one of the best. I also think it is simply not true that he makes his tackles 7 yards downfield. When he is compensating for someone else yes. But he is just as often making tackles at the line.
The league should reward us with a compensatory 1st round pick for ending the Farve misery story. - wab2
by poz on Jan 4, 2011 5:49 PM EST up reply actions
When he is compensating for someone else yes. But he is just as often making tackles at the line.
this isn’t true because he doesnt make many tackles at the line, because no one on our team makes lots of tackles near the line.
I wish there was some obvious pun you could make about Andrew Luck.
by JPH on Jan 6, 2011 2:08 AM EST up reply actions
Bring back
Poz, Wilson, Whitner… simply put. If Whitner wont except a similar deal to Atagowe from (5yr 33mil) then just put a restricted tag on him, and see if you get an offer. Poz should also get a restricted tag unless he can be signed long term. Wilson is too important as a backup at Safety and our special teams…
I still remember flying paper airplanes at One Bills Drive during a game against the Redskins during the strike year... my first Bills game.
I own a Rob Johnson signed jersey, so with that in mind if i like the Bills QB just expect him to fall on a football and break his ribs.
by John Paul King Baron on Jan 3, 2011 10:53 PM EST reply actions
I think Whitner’s little locker room stunt of cleaning out the locker before the press got there, and taking his name plate with him, virtually guarantees he will not be back.
It’s the spoiled little kid taking his ball and going home.
Kylesaurus Rex Williams Pro Bowl 2010
by The Buffalo Kid on Jan 4, 2011 10:22 PM EST up reply actions
Here's my take/
Brohm – no
McCargo – no
Poz – YES
Ellisson – no
Florence – yes
Youboty – no
Whitner – yes (I hope)
Wilson – yes
The Buffalo Bills, finding new and exciting ways to lose since January 8th, 2000.
by CanadianBillsFan on Jan 3, 2011 10:55 PM EST reply actions
I too would like to see Whitner back
but I just don’t think they’ll meet on the money demands. He wants big time money and we don’t think he’s worth it (just like Clements). I hope they don’t bring Florence back he really makes too many mistakes penalty wise and most of his plays seem to be happening to be lucky in the right place at the right time not really due to good positioning or coverage I think he’s like McKelvin without the talent or upside.
"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes
agreed. If there is no one ready to replace the guy then keep him. Otherwise you are just getting positionally worse.
It seems like most fans like the late round over achieving pick more than an early round pick who plays slightly better. I say just go with whoever plays better if we have cap space.
Ditto
"This is what happens Larry!, This is what happens! "-Walter Sobchak" "Did we give up when the germans bombed pearl harbor!!??"-John Belushi
by BigEasyBillsKrewe on Jan 4, 2011 2:04 PM EST up reply actions
The infatuation with Poz by Bills fans on the site continues to amaze me.
He is a tackling machine 7 yards down field and that is it. Time after time we all see it: he can’t blitz, can’t cover and can’t fight off blocks. Don’t you guys ever watch a good inside linebacker? How do you not hold him accountable for the worst run defense in the NFL? Oh – I can hear it now – every body around him sucks. Elite players elevate the play of everyone around them because the opponent has to account for him. Calling him average is generous.
prediction for 2010 season is 3 and 13
obviously i agree with that.
but, then again, you’re my dad and we watch the games together.
I wish there was some obvious pun you could make about Andrew Luck.
same was said about Fletcher....
and we sure missed him too… Shoulda given him help, just like we have to give Poz help…
Went to my first "BB" meeting today... When I stood, introduced myself, and admitted I was a Billsaholic, the other members threw beer cans at me!!
Your argument is exactly what we herd to drive London Fletcher out of town. Now remind me, how exactly did that work out for us?
The Buffalo Bills, finding new and exciting ways to lose since January 8th, 2000.
by CanadianBillsFan on Jan 4, 2011 7:12 AM EST up reply actions
If not Poz then who?
If you get rid of Poz, who are you replacing him with? He may not be the best MLB in the league but he is pretty good and if you don’t re-sign him you are just adding another big need. If you can find someone better than Poz to be the #1 MLB then great, he would be a great #2.
“Calling him average is generous”
Really? Do you really know what you are talking about?
www.Foundation58.org - "Helping Those Who Help Us" in the fight against cancer.
I could be wrong, but I have these as FA's also.
(TE) Stupar – no
(TE) Martin -no
(SS) Corto -no
(LS) Sanbourn – yes
Your list:
Brohm -no
McCargo -no
Poz – yes
Ellison -no
Flourence -yes (let go if we feel we can get a better one in FA)
Wilson – yes
Whitner – no (would be yes if he could be reasonable on $$)
Youboyt -no
I am not for making holes that we would just have to fill via the FA. That is why I would keep Whitner, and Flourence if possible, but I am not for paying premium for an average player either.
By my count that would give us (8) FA losses towards a compensatory draft pick, but I am not sure wether Ellison would count as he was put on IR then not sure if we released him or not. If I understand it correctly we could sign (7) FA pick-ups and still have a net loss. Anybody know if this is right??
Please base your arguments in provable facts instead of pulling stuff out of your rear. -CanadianBillsFan- This is why talk is cheap because the supply always exceeds the demand.
The answer depends on the new CBA.
by Buffalo for Eternity on Jan 4, 2011 5:34 AM EST up reply actions
Although we should get a high mid round pick (4th round I’m guessing) for losing TO to Cincy as he was back to his old self with them this year.
The Buffalo Bills, finding new and exciting ways to lose since January 8th, 2000.
by CanadianBillsFan on Jan 4, 2011 7:14 AM EST up reply actions
I dont think we had a net loss on FA's last year did we?
This would make TO’s play mute.
Please base your arguments in provable facts instead of pulling stuff out of your rear. -CanadianBillsFan- This is why talk is cheap because the supply always exceeds the demand.
Really? I had no idea.Cool!
"This is what happens Larry!, This is what happens! "-Walter Sobchak" "Did we give up when the germans bombed pearl harbor!!??"-John Belushi
by BigEasyBillsKrewe on Jan 4, 2011 2:06 PM EST up reply actions
(About the TO thing)
"This is what happens Larry!, This is what happens! "-Walter Sobchak" "Did we give up when the germans bombed pearl harbor!!??"-John Belushi
by BigEasyBillsKrewe on Jan 4, 2011 2:06 PM EST up reply actions
Wilson really the only one I want...
Maybe Poz and/or Florence, but not if they won’t meet our evaluations- which should be kinda low. Donte must go, too small, inflated stats, can’t cover- cash saved on him and starting Wilson could upgrade our MLB’s, D-Line, O-Line….. Also while I’m on the topic, cut Stroud and use that money elsewhere as well
Loving Me Some Fitz
Look at it this way...
the more we let walk, the more we have to replace, and the longer it takes to rebuild… Keep as many as possible, even if they only turn out as training camp fodder, cut as we replace them, instead of as we NEED to replace them…
Went to my first "BB" meeting today... When I stood, introduced myself, and admitted I was a Billsaholic, the other members threw beer cans at me!!
by Cinga on Jan 4, 2011 6:55 AM EST reply actions 2 recs
^this^
The Buffalo Bills, finding new and exciting ways to lose since January 8th, 2000.
by CanadianBillsFan on Jan 4, 2011 7:15 AM EST up reply actions
Out of position
Keep:
Wilson
Poz
Florence
The next key is to put Poz at OLB where he belongs!
Honestly, I would rather have Wilson start over Whitner. Whitner has slowed, better this year, but I am tried of seeing him get his ankles broken by ball carriers.
The LB’s and DB’s would look a lot better if the DL was effective (Williams and Edwards excluded). Shroud has mailed it in, Kelsey is a god forsaken backup, and a lack of pressure makes it impossible for our LB’s and DB’s to cover anyone for the extended period that the opp QB gets to hang in the pocket.
It’s all about the lines, good ones make everyone else on the field better.
Poz, Florence, Wilson
If you don’t bring Poz back, who are your MLB’s next year? He isn’t an absolute stud at MLB, but he is consistent and better than any other MLB on the roster. You can’t assume you wil be able to do better in FA or the Draft. Part of the problem is the lack of talent on the DL in front of him as well. It must be nice to have a 350lb NT like Wilfork or Ngata eating up the blockers so you can fill the gap….Buffalo is going to go with Multiple D looks next year, you need Poz as the #1 or #2 MLB on this team.
Florence was our best CB this year, or at least it seemed that way…I would try to bring him back if the asking price isn’t ridiculous. He could be the #2 CB, we still need a stud at the #1 slot.
I’d bring back Wilson for his leadership and special teams play, he isn’t a starter in my opinion.
I might also bring back Ellison for depth…not sure about anyone else.
www.Foundation58.org - "Helping Those Who Help Us" in the fight against cancer.
You Bring BAck Poz
100% and Whitner if the money is good but it still needs to be said that Donte is trerrible in coverage and really needs to work on not just lowering his shoulder for the big hit, if he focused on coverage and getting strips he would be an all world safety but until he manages to correct that he will be just above average.
Geroge Wilson is a class act and will get treated like a class act he dopes more on this team then just play football and I hate to say it but that stuff is important aswell.
As for anyone else im just as happy to bring in UDFA’s to fill holes, if Buddy can do a 1/3 of the job he did this year with UDFA’s then we will be on the right track.
As for the main concern with Poz, I see all these comments about him making tackles 7yds down field and such what else can a ILB do when his job is to find the runner and make the tackle. The Nose’s job is to eat up guys and free up the ILB, well I love Kyl;e Williams but he did not do that this year, thus making Paullies job that much more difficult and when you are a tackling machine like Paully teams focus on getting you out of the equation which is what Pitt did, it’s what New England (Logan MAnkins ate Paullies food on this day) did and its what the Jets did and we gave up a $h*tload of rushing yards. Take Paully out of the equation and this defense becomes a whole lot worse and if you didnt think it could get worse think again.
"Big Gulps Eh, Well See ya later" - Lloyd Christmas
" You Gus ready To Let The Dogs Out" "What?" " you Know, Who Let the dogs out rough rough rogh rough" - Zack Galifinakis - The Hangover
Wilson – yes
Florence – yes
Whitner – at the right price
Poz – at the right price
by michiganbillsfan on Jan 4, 2011 9:52 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Florence – yes
Whitner – at the right price
Poz – at the right price
Im not sure I follow. So you want to be tight on negotiations with Poz and Whitner because you dont think they are worth the money they are going to demand but your going to open the wallet for Dray, a guy who plays the all expensive cornerback position and is likely to demand way more than hes worth after such a big play season? You dont want Dray at the right price? Hes older than Poz and Donte. He’s been on this team for fewer years and started less games. And quite frankly, if we’re going to be on Poz for making tackles down field (which I find ridiculous, I see plenty of tackles at the line) and Donte for blowing coverage then we have to get on Dray for getting burned by every good WR he faces.
I swear if we pay Dray what he wants after letting Jabari Greer walk something in my brain is going to burst. Im for signing Dray, but for the right price.
The league should reward us with a compensatory 1st round pick for ending the Farve misery story. - wab2
by poz on Jan 4, 2011 2:19 PM EST up reply actions
DOn't let your brain bust Poz
Greer was allowed to walk with different people in charge. What happened under past regimes stinks, but we have to let it go. Nix is in charge now. He said he wants to keep their good players (obviously with the unspoken provision it’s cost effective). So far he has done all the things he said he would do in the way he said they would be done. So I can’t doubt he will try to keep the guys they believe are worthy. We already see he wants to keep Whitner around, but Whitner wants more money than he’s worth.
I like Drayton, but I don’t think it’s a given he returns based on money. Which is why I tell folks don’t be surprised if Peterson is the pick in April. (especially if they address the front 7 in FA. If there is a FA period).
good point about the past regime
I just hope we dont open the wallet for Dray and tell Poz and Donte to take it or leave it.
You say don’t be surprised with Peterson at 3, does that mean you like the idea too or just are ready for it to happen?
The league should reward us with a compensatory 1st round pick for ending the Farve misery story. - wab2
by poz on Jan 4, 2011 2:48 PM EST up reply actions
Good points. Sorry for the lack of explanation. I don’t think any of these guys should receive a top tier contract. It seems that Poz and Whitner will be looking for the biggest contracts of this group. It also seems like Florence and Wilson could be signed for a reasonable deal without a huge hassle. Do you really think that Florence will be expecting a mammoth contract? That would seem to be a big stretch.
by michiganbillsfan on Jan 5, 2011 11:45 AM EST up reply actions
maybe he wont
but I just get the feeling after his good season, he will look to cash in on his last big pay day, it seems like corners get the cash they want in this league.
Believe me, I hope your right and that his deal is reasonable!
The league should reward us with a compensatory 1st round pick for ending the Farve misery story. - wab2
Keep:
Poz
Florence
Wilson
I think OBD will try to keep these 3 as well. Whitner is the only other guy worth keeping, but I think he is a goner, wants too much $$$.
"Pressure is when you don't prepare, and I know I've prepared myself..."
-C.J. Spiller
And to answer the question
I keep:
Wilson (Good leader, special teams standout and spot starter)
Whitner (He’s not a playmaker, but he’s solid. Who would replace him? A draft pick that could have been used to take another LB?)
Poz (He’s a number 2 ILB. Need a stud next to him. Let him go who replaces him that’s any better?)
Florence (He gets his share of penalties for being too aggressive, but he makes plays too.
Some say they are lucky, but I don’t believe in luck. Why is he always the one that catches the tip or scoops up the fumble? Something to be said for that. Just because a play is there to be made doesn’t mean everybody makes it.)
Who would I keep?
Brian Brohm (RFA) – Hell No
John McCargo – No
Paul Posluszny- Yes
Keith Ellison – No
Drayton Florence- Yes
Ashton Youboty- No
Donte Whitner- Yes
George Wilson- Yes
Sanbourn – Yes
Stupar – No
Martin – No
Corto – No
"Being a Bills Fan is a Tough Job for Tough People…" – Luther6
Why keep the Poz?
How about three straight years of 100+ tackles. Now that’s fan loyality for you. No matter where he goes the Poz will be in the top fifteen if not the top ten in tackles. Most tackles are not for negatives gain on any team, or by any mlb. Wake up and smell the coffee.
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