Bills Confirm Free Agent Signings; Two Roster Spots Open

by Brian Galliford on Jul 30, 2011 10:01 AM EDT in Buffalo Bills News

On Friday evening, after the 6PM deadline in which NFL teams could make free agent signings official, the Buffalo Bills announced a series of roster moves that we'd known about for the past 24-48 hours. Drayton Florence has been officially re-signed, and veteran quarterbacks Tyler Thigpen and Brad Smith (yes, he's a quarterback here) are now officially on the roster. Scott Chandler and Garrison Sanborn signed tender offers, and another undrafted free agent (defensive end Will Topp) was added.

After the latest flurry of roster moves, the Bills now have 88 players on their training camp roster (with two, Cordaro Howard and Reggie Corner, on the PUP list to begin training camp).

That leaves the Bills two roster spots to get up to the league-maximum 90 players, as that has been GM Buddy Nix's goal this week. I'd expect them to be veteran free agent additions, given the fact that the Bills now have 29 rookies on their roster. A little more veteran presence is needed on this football team.

By the way: none of the acquisitions listed above, save Topp, are eligible to practice until August 4, when the new league year begins. So if you're headed out to Fisher today, don't expect to see any shinier new toy than Marcell Dareus.

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Comments

This may sound like a dumb question...

but, is Brad Smith going to run an offense in Camp in the sense that hes going to be wearing a red jersey?

I mean I know he’ll have a special package where hes in at QB but will they go as far as to put him in the non-contact jersey and let him run a 2 minute drill?

Also, do you see Crowder as a good fit here? Multiple media outlets are rumoring him here, and all I really know about him is hes a name and a loud mouth. Thoughts of him as one of the final 2 spots?

Now attending the Univ. of Hockey.

by bflo on Jul 30, 2011 9:56 AM EDT reply actions

Haha, I just saw your tweet about Crowder.

So I got that part. But if you could answer the Smith question, because thats got me wondering.

Now attending the Univ. of Hockey.

by bflo on Jul 30, 2011 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes, I expect Smith to have a red jersey at camp, if only because the team has officially listed him as a quarterback.

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Jul 30, 2011 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Brian

i really want your opinion about Brad Smith. I never watched him playing the QB position, but i like scramblers at qb ( VY, VIck), and i expected the Bills give a chance to terrelle Pryor. Could Brad Smith be that role QB like Pryor? Could he develop in a good starting QB. Much people compares him to pat white, but Brad has a way better size, and i think he has a stronger arm too. Pat white was not able to run the wildcat, and Smith succeeds at that. Your thoughts please.

by Fernando brazil on Jul 30, 2011 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

I wrote an entire article about Brad Smith yesterday AM. You should read it. :)

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Jul 30, 2011 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions

ok, im sorry,

and thanks for the tip too

by Fernando brazil on Jul 30, 2011 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions

as for crowder here is PFF’s thoughts on him.

LB Channing Crowder

In another example of a team swapping out talents, the Dolphins signed Kevin Burnett to replace Crowder at ILB. It’s arguable to me if that is an upgrade, as Crowder had a +14.0 run stop rating in 2010 despite missing five games. He had a positive run D rating in all but one game, and his -0.7 pass coverage rating doesn’t make him much of a liability in the pass game. He is definitely a player with some game left in him for a 3-4 defense

When you innovate, you've got to be prepared for everyone telling you you're nuts.

by J2 on Jul 30, 2011 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Any news on Donte?

Thought we’d have heard something. . .

by twissyjujub on Jul 30, 2011 10:01 AM EDT reply actions

Switching to a 3-4 defensive alignment is Buddy's plan

I would think he would be focusing on filling those two spots with experienced 3-4 personnel.

A little more veteran presence is needed on this football team.

Front seven players with experience in the 3-4 would be logical, especially at MLB. The youth we have is great because we can coach and teach these guys, but looking for experience at those positions would seem more important for this time of year. This doesn’t exactly address, OL or TE but there will sure be some casualties in the next couple weeks for sure.

YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde

by VanScottM on Jul 30, 2011 10:01 AM EDT reply actions

Front seven players with experience in the 3-4 would be logical, especially at MLB.

we have those guys in Torbor and Davis. It is rumored that Davis will be a coach after he retires….

When you innovate, you've got to be prepared for everyone telling you you're nuts.

by J2 on Jul 30, 2011 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions

one or two more guys

that would be considered an upgrade to Ayeodele and add top quality depth if not a push for starting caliber, depending on scheme and responsibility. Keep stacking these LB’ers Nix, keep stacking them and do it now not mid season. That’s my point.

YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde

by VanScottM on Jul 30, 2011 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions

I’ve tempered expectations so far during the FA period…but if he doesn’t come away with at least one more LBer to push for playing time, I will be very upset with him.

"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.

by stetzwebs on Jul 30, 2011 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Frustration

You know, I’ve found this FA frenzy as frustrating as anyone else. I found Poz a little over-rated and wasn’t that sad about him going, but we clearly need another ILB to come in and fill his role. I just can’t hand the keys to Torbor… I don’t want to see Moats at ILB again in the pre-season looking completely lost… at this point I don’t care if we get a TE or OT, I think the biggest problem with this team has been and is defense, and without another solid ILB we’re still kind of floundering. That starting line-up on defense doesn’t look much better than last season except along the line, in fact, it looks worse except along the line.

by JjR in TO on Jul 30, 2011 10:23 AM EDT reply actions

It’s not worse if Merriman is back to his old form (he looked very healthy in the conditioning drills yesterday) and if Terrence McGee is 100% healthy (which appears to be the case). I very much agree, however, that we desperately need a quality veteran ILB.

by Macktruck on Jul 30, 2011 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions

What about nick barnett? he would definitely be a an upgrade over torbor.

by tomcs on Jul 30, 2011 11:12 AM EDT reply actions

Holy f*ck, will they please do something? I’m sick of hearing that “We’re happy with what we currently have” BS. No one besides CHIX is happy with what we have!!! Try harder or something, holy sh*t!!!!!!!!!!

by teddymv on Jul 30, 2011 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions

PS I’m upset.

by teddymv on Jul 30, 2011 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

the answer

lets just go back to the 4-3 with wannstedt coaching the d

by zoomer on Jul 30, 2011 11:29 AM EDT reply actions

That would be an insanely questionable move. We just finished jettisoning all of our salvageable 4-3 LBs. I was all for sticking with it when Chan came to town, but it’s too late now.

Maximus Dareus Meridius -- Commander of the Buffalo Legion of the far East. Defensive End to a troubled unit. Rookie to a troubled team. And he will have his vengeance, in this season or the next.

by NordicBillsfan on Jul 30, 2011 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions

?????

Anyone know the logic behind the NFL ruling that signed FA’s can’t practice with their teams until August 4th?

A flute without holes, is not a flute. A donut without a hole, is a Danish.
Ty webb (Caddyshack)

by Goose22 on Jul 30, 2011 11:41 AM EDT reply actions

August 4th

is the official start to the new league year, and FAs have to wait until then to report and officially practice.

Damn my eternal optimism, will I never learn?

NOPE, LET'S GO BUFFALO!

by Over the Moon on Jul 30, 2011 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

That’s the logic to it, and it’s still illogical.

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Jul 30, 2011 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Our posts past in cyber world

A flute without holes, is not a flute. A donut without a hole, is a Danish.
Ty webb (Caddyshack)

by Goose22 on Jul 30, 2011 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Thanks

But didn’t really answer the reasoning behind the August 4th time, camps are opening this weekend you would thing any player with a signed practice would be allowed to practice…

A flute without holes, is not a flute. A donut without a hole, is a Danish.
Ty webb (Caddyshack)

by Goose22 on Jul 30, 2011 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions

how is that not an answer?

free agents report at the start of the season. season starts aug 4th.

by ThaRealTruth on Jul 30, 2011 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions

’Its league year not season. there is no a actualy cba yet,

"This is a chance to shine some light on the city, They say it’s too cold. I’m going to bring some warmth to it." Marcell Dareus

by matthew62 on Jul 30, 2011 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions

players still have to...

vote on the CBA… Aug 4th is the due date for that to happen by, thus, technically, the beginning of the league year….

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 Jul 30, 2011 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Chi-Ching

Thanks! Took a minute or two to digest… I just watched camps opening and it seemed odd the signees weren’t allowed to attend to 8/4. My question was answered.

A flute without holes, is not a flute. A donut without a hole, is a Danish.
Ty webb (Caddyshack)

by Goose22 on Jul 31, 2011 8:09 AM EDT up reply actions

without an ILB, our defense will be as pourous as ever. from my understanding we still have 2 roster spots open. Is crowder still a viable option or is he pretty much off the table? Also, we could still use another big name opposite Dareus on the D-line. I heard the Osi Umenyora (i butchered that) is unhappy with his contract. What’s the possibility of CHIX making a deal with the G-Men for him to shore up our Defense?

by narcissist on Jul 30, 2011 7:58 PM EDT reply actions