Adding depth through Free agency

by keysh67 on Feb 13, 2011 9:05 PM EST

I for one believe that there's too much at stake for the NFL & Players to actually let it go to a lockout or strike situation. I believe there will be a last minute compromise. Call me crazy but that's what I believe.

That being said here are a few Free Agents that I believe could be a good addition to our team:

High Profile Free Agents:

Mathias Kiwanuka (OLB) -6'5" 265lbs

He played Linebacker at Boston College, a Senior who finished with 37.5 sacks & 245 career tackles. He's transitioned well to DE for the Giants but I could see him reverting back to Rush OLB. He's a very productive "big" man, he'd fit what Chan & Buddy have been looking for. He most probably will resign with NY but a guy can dream...

David Harris (ILB) - 6'2" 250lbs

Rumor says that the Jets might franchise him but I really hope they don't besides the franchise tag would cost them 9.6M which seems crazy to me for an ILB, he's good but he's not Ray Lewis! They already have Holmes, Edwards, Cromartie and Ellis to worry about so somehow i doubt there's enough big $$ to go around and they've got a lot invested in Sanchez so I think they need to at least keep 1 of his two receivers and I think with Revis's injuries, they'd be well advised to keep Cromartie, especially considering that they are in the AFC east, playing against teams that pass more than they run. Harris would be a perfect complement to Poz in the middle and he'd really help in improving our Run Defense.

Jermon Bushrod (RT) -6'5" 315lbs

I am listing him but I really doubt he ever hits free agency. The Saints have very few FAs and Bushrod should figure to be their top priority this off season.

Jeremy Trueblood (RT) - 6'8" 320lbs

There is a reasonable chance here because Tampa has 11 guys hitting free agency and their priority will probably be Barrett Ruud their prized MLB. Jeremy is exactly what we are looking for, a solid RT with lots of starting experience. He's young and could be a fixture on our line for many years to come. He's a mammoth of a man with very long arms, he would solidify the right side of our line, which could give us the flexibility we need going into the draft.

Depth Free Agents:

Thomas Davis (OLB) - 6'0" 240lbs

Here's what ESPN's Insider has to say: Davis has been a quality starter for the Panthers but missed nine games in 2009 due to a knee injury. He is an undersized linebacker who was given a shot at safety early on in his career but chose to bulk up a bit and stay inside at linebacker. He has excellent speed and range and can step up to fill the hole with a good burst but lacks the size and power to stuff blockers back into the hole or to squeeze the block down on the edge. He is an explosive hitter when tackling in line as well as in space and does a good job of breaking down to square up. He has the speed to mirror tight ends and running backs and shows good ball skills when in the area. I like the idea of bringing him in for a look. Either way we need better depth at the Linebacker position and getting a guy that has decent coverage skills could be a big plus. Especially when playing against our arch rivals, who drafted two exceptional young TEs last year!

Jayme Mitchell (DE) - 6'6" 285lbs.

Cleveland is going back to a 4-3 and as such the chance of them resigning Jayme Mitchell are slim at best. He's a solid DE at 6'6" 285lbs. The Cleveland brain trust were quite high on this guy when they signed him. Unfortunately he's had some injury issues to deal with but he should be healthy now and given that Cleveland is reverting back to a 4-3 he might be the odd man out, he's more of a 3-4 DE. He's a free agent and might be worth signing for depth.

So there you go a few guys that I've identified as decent pickups for this off season. Let me know what you think.

Just another great fan opinion shared on the pages of BuffaloRumblings.com.

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Comments

Trueblood (RT) - 6'8" 320lbs

Drooling……………

Plus, there are a sh&tload of FA’s next year. I think we can really fill a couple holes without breaking the bank.

"Adversity is an opportunity for heroism." Marv Levy.

by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Feb 13, 2011 9:31 PM EST reply actions

All about Kiwanuka

Starting the official Buffalo "Draft Owen Marecic in 2011" campaign.

by Der Jaeger on Feb 13, 2011 10:30 PM EST reply actions

Kiwi had a significant neck injury last year. Just about the same injury that retired Antonio Peirce of the Giants. I am interested to see how he recovers.

by BillsfanDan on Feb 14, 2011 12:02 AM EST reply actions

I don't think Thomas Davis

is a “depth free agent”. He’s a legit starter in this league, and most definitely not in a 3-4. He’d be a good fit for a team like the Colts. He also has to get healthy first….

I’d be thrilled if the Bills signed a legit starting RT and a player like Kiwanuka. Kiwanuka has a major injury question mark though. After a hot start to the season, he missed the final 13 games due to a neck injury (bulging disc). It’s going to be a risky proposition for any team to be going after him with a big deal.

~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 Feb 14, 2011 12:14 AM EST reply actions

Im sorry Kurupt

I have often agreed with you… but…. i think Thomas Davis would be perfect next to Poz… he’s strong, fast and not very smart. Poz is smart. strong and slow. Im not advocating signing Thomas Davis but i think we could do alot worse than him. He would be great in a 3-4 similar to what we run. With much transition from 3-4 to 4-3 he could move outside and inside seamlessly… I fully support seeing Thomas Davis in a bills uniform next year, that is of course if Barrett Ruud is not available.

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 Feb 15, 2011 4:03 AM EST up reply actions

Thomas Davis isn't a 3-4 ILB

Especially next to Poz. You have to have a big thumper at one ILB position in this defense to help free up the other guy. Davis and Poz aren’t that type of player.

~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 Feb 16, 2011 1:20 AM EST up reply actions

besides he got tagged

Rebuilding a team properly takes time and patience

by keysh67 on Feb 16, 2011 8:00 AM EST up reply actions

It seems unlikely that FA will come before the draft, but I am ready to talk about it

because no matter when or if it happens eventually these guys are going to hit the market. I hope you are right, and some side caves, because otherwise this would make two poor to nonexistent FA’s in as many years. Can you imagine the size of the FA class next year if they dont get a CBA this year.

I like most of your selections, but I think the list of players that could add depth, or improve our team at ILB,RT, and TE could be really huge. I really think they will try to get players that will push for the starting job at these three positions.

Then I think they could add depth at DE, DT, OLB, RB, and maybe QB if they dont see what they like in the draft.

At TE there are 8-9 guys that I think could start on our team or at least push to start. Z. miller, and M. Lewis would be at the top of my list, but they probably will be kept with their teams.

At ILB I like K. Burnett, or B. Siler ( Merriman getting him here) I just dont think SD will keep both of them. D. Harris with the Jets also would be nice.

At RT I would add T. Clabo from the Falcons to the list I have no idea weather he will be available or not. S. Locklear(Seatle), and R. O’Callaghan(KC) would also be upgrades IMO.

I really like Trueblood, and D. Harris the most.

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.

by jbbillfan on Feb 14, 2011 1:47 AM EST reply actions

Miller, Lewis, Clabo aren’t going anywhere, their teams will re-sign for sure.

I went with guys that I thought had an honest chance to slip through the cracks. Teams that have many FAs won’t be able to keep them all and more importantly there is not an unlimited amount of money to throw around

Rebuilding a team properly takes time and patience

by keysh67 on Feb 14, 2011 8:10 AM EST up reply actions

I think david harris even if not tagged would find some way to stay with the jets. I know the jets think of him as a major priority. Trueblood and kiwi would be pretty dang sweet. Is owen daniels FA? I think someone from SD is comin our way.

Thurman Thomas literally deleted me on twitter..... i laughed then cried....

by OC-BILLS-FAN on Feb 14, 2011 2:25 AM EST via mobile reply actions

I’d love Trueblood, I think he would solidify our O-line for many years to come.

Another FA that could good is Cullen Jenkins (DE) from Green Bay, he’s a big man 6’2" 305lbs that is really good against the run. He could be brought in as a rotational guy. He could be used on running downs.

I like the Kevin Burnett idea, he’s really good against the pass and at 6’3" 240lbs he’s got enough size to cover TEs. He would be a welcomed addition to our LB core. I could see Burnett sharing reps with Kelsay, especially on passing downs.

BTW Owen Daniels is indeed a FA in 2011. Another interesting guy could be Kevin Boss, who at 6’6" 253lbs has great size and his pass catching abilities are way up there but more importantly he’s an every down TE because he blocks very well.

Rebuilding a team properly takes time and patience

by keysh67 on Feb 14, 2011 8:39 AM EST up reply actions

St-Clair at RT

John St-Clair was release by Cleveland last week (Feb10).

I could see him being a great stop gap if we intend on drafting a RT. He is 33y old so his options are few and far between. But the fact of the matter is that he’d be a huge upgrade for us in 2011 and it would give us a chance to develop his replacement. I doubt teams will be drooling over him so I’d wait and see. My preference would definitely be to pursue Trueblood and if that doesn’t pan out then pickup St-Clair for 1y

Rebuilding a team properly takes time and patience

by keysh67 on Feb 14, 2011 8:43 AM EST reply actions

If it matters...

Rueben Brown loves St. Clair. I was at the Bills-Browns game 2 years ago (yeah, the 6-3 thriller) and was lucky enough to be in a suite, when Rueben came strolling in. He signed autographs and hung out with us for a bit. My family and I live in Cleveland and he thought we ere Browns fans (even though I was wearing my Bills jersey!) and he said that he played with St. Clair in CHI and thought he was one of the best RT he’s ever played with.

Here's hoping!

by mcmaurer on Feb 14, 2011 1:44 PM EST up reply actions

Good to know

Sadly, I was at that game also. I drove from Montreal to witness a field goal. Then again, my next game was against the Patriots and we didn’t even get three points!

That was a very bad year!

Rebuilding a team properly takes time and patience

by keysh67 on Feb 14, 2011 9:18 PM EST up reply actions

Pretty Good

I have some to mention also Marshal Yanda RT/OG Baltimore Charles Johnson-DE-Carolina—K. Burnett—ILB—San Diego—-Kevin Boss—TE—NYG—Wimbley-OLB—Raiders—Tyson Clabo—OT—Atlanta

by Winnie33 on Feb 14, 2011 10:19 AM EST reply actions

everyone is writing off

Jared Gaither after he was everyones favorite last year. The Ravens will resign Yanda and have Oher. I know Gaither had injury problems this year but I’d still picture him as the top flight OT available this off-season because he can dominate at either LT or RT – which is exactly what the Bills could use.

i’m sure i’m going to regret this conversation… but what the hell - J2

by poz on Feb 14, 2011 2:59 PM EST reply actions

not at all

I didn’t list him because Chix seem to like D.Bell at LT and Gaither has clearly established that he does not want to play RT. Couple that with his supposed lack of work ethics… I prefer to go after Trueblood.

Rebuilding a team properly takes time and patience

by keysh67 on Feb 14, 2011 9:20 PM EST up reply actions

has he really?

I was unaware that Gaither has a problem with playing RT. And if this is true, I’d assume its because he wants a LTs salary.

i’m sure i’m going to regret this conversation… but what the hell - J2

by poz on Feb 14, 2011 9:51 PM EST up reply actions

exactly

I read multiple articles to that fact last year. I even read an article that said that he deliberately lost weight even though his coach was asking to pad some on, in order to position himself for the LT job.

Rebuilding a team properly takes time and patience

by keysh67 on Feb 15, 2011 6:30 AM EST up reply actions

When did Gaither "clearly establish" that??

~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 Feb 15, 2011 1:10 AM EST up reply actions

I’ve read other articles, I just can’t find them right now… But this one will do!
http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2011-02-12/ravens-gaither-wants-to-stay-at-left-tackle

Rebuilding a team properly takes time and patience

by keysh67 on Feb 15, 2011 6:37 AM EST up reply actions

He wants to play LT

Nothing he said really indicated he would play RT though.

The biggest reason he wants to play LT and sees himself as one is $$$$$$$$$.

~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 Feb 16, 2011 1:22 AM EST up reply actions

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/4497/player?r=1

Rebuilding a team properly takes time and patience

by keysh67 on Feb 15, 2011 6:43 AM EST up reply actions

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=nfp-20110211_jared_gaither_wants_to_return_to_baltimore_status_up_in_the_air

Rebuilding a team properly takes time and patience

by keysh67 on Feb 15, 2011 6:44 AM EST up reply actions

Now to be honest with you

I’m not sold on D.Bell so we could consider shifting Bell to RT but I’m not sire he has the size for that. Still Gaither is probably a big upgrade over Bell when healthy and motivated. However he does have a work ethic flag…

Rebuilding a team properly takes time and patience

by keysh67 on Feb 15, 2011 6:46 AM EST up reply actions

Has there been any word on Woodley being signed yet? My understanding is that he will hit free agency otherwise… He’d be expensive but worth it as a top 5 player at his position, while only 26. Signing him would constitute a huge upgrade to both our run defense and ability to pressure the qb.

THAT is why i'm serious.

by Trashplate on Feb 14, 2011 3:15 PM EST reply actions

EVERYONE LOVES A REDEMPTION STORY.

Plaxcio Burress WR NYG. Currently in jail.
Mathias Kiwanuka (OLB) -6’5" 265lbs
Jared Gaither OT, BALT
The Bills took a chance on injury prone Shean Merriman. The Three names above all deserve a chance.
PLaxico Burress will be two years younger than Terrell Owens when We signed him and if he behaves will bring a good story to Buffalo AKa Michael Vick. Everyone love a redemption story. And dont tell me We dont need him, Lee Evans best days are behind him, that is without question, Your best reciever should gather 80-90 cathces, not 44.
Mathias Kiwanuka is recovering from a serious Neck injury. Even if he sits half a year, its worth same offer we gave SM.
Jared Gaither OT, BALT I would take a flyer out on this guy if he only shares duty on either side of the line, his experience I would pay for.

by sabrelake1 on Feb 14, 2011 7:01 PM EST reply actions

if we

signed Plax, Kiwi and Gaither i would be cheering for two days straight.

i’m sure i’m going to regret this conversation… but what the hell - J2

by poz on Feb 14, 2011 9:52 PM EST up reply actions

FAs: Bo Scaife, Thomas Howard/Kamerion Wimbley, Brian Leonard, Tyler Thigpen, Shaun Rogers

by FKNGVNA on Feb 15, 2011 8:27 AM EST reply actions

Another guy that I kinda like is John Kuhn from GB

We could replace McIntyre by Kuhn.

I believe both are very good ST players. I’m just not sure how good of a lead blocker Kuhn is but somehow I think he’s probably very comparable to Cory. He definitely has more upside in the running & passing game. Plus he brings SB experience & vet leadership to the team.

We need to replace Lynch, we need a big north/south short yardage guy to complement Jackson/Spiller

Rebuilding a team properly takes time and patience

by keysh67 on Feb 15, 2011 9:24 AM EST reply actions