Bills Free Agency: Which Players Should Buffalo Keep?
by Brian Galliford on Jul 7, 2011 10:31 AM EDT
in Buffalo Bills Opinion
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PrintI've had this post queued up and ready to roll for a while; perhaps I'm jinxing the potential resolution of the NFL lockout by running it at, arguably, the peak of optimism emanating from negotiations. If that comes to pass, I offer my sincere apologies for ruining everyone's autumn plans.
When the lockout does end, and the new NFL league year begins, news surrounding the Buffalo Bills will come at a pace more furious than you've ever experienced it. In a span of just a few weeks, training camps will open (hopefully), rookies will be signed, undrafted free agents will be signed, and the Bills will take care of a few of their own free agents, as well. It will be a gloriously crazy time span.
Assuming that the league's new CBA will return players to the free agency rules of 2009, the Bills will have seven players hitting unrestricted free agency when the new league year begins (and a further four on the restricted side). After the jump, I'll opine on which players I believe the team should bring back.
Clearly, money is a factor in whether or not the team will be interested in bringing a player back. I'm going to approach this from two angles: whether I'd be interested to retain the player with money out of the equation, and then putting a "cap" on each player. If that doesn't make sense, it will momentarily.
John McCargo, defensive end: McCargo was barely a part of the team's defensive line rotation last season, and now the team has added Marcell Dareus. It would be shocking if the Bills brought him back for a shot to be inactive all season. Interest in retention: none
Paul Posluszny, inside linebacker: Several reports indicate that Posluszny is the team's top free agent priority; he wouldn't be mine. That said, Posluszny is still a reliable enough player - and the Bills are bad enough inside - that it's impossible to imagine them not trying hard to re-sign him. Interest in retention: high Maximum cap figure: $5.5 million annually
Akin Ayodele, inside linebacker: A late addition to the roster last season after Kawika Mitchell was injured and subsequently released, Ayodele became a full-time starter by season's end. Though he had moments of good play, the presence of rookie Kelvin Sheppard makes Ayodele expendable. His retention may depend on how things turn out with Posluszny. Interest in retention: low Maximum cap figure: $1.5 million for one year
Keith Ellison, inside linebacker: Depth was so thin inside last season that Ellison stuck with the team simply for the numbers. Now a free agent, it's highly unlikely the converted college safety will be kept around. Interest in retention: none
Drayton Florence, cornerback: If I were running the show at One Bills Drive (be very thankful I'm not, obviously), re-signing Florence would be my top priority. I have no confidence that the Bills will ever get a full, healthy season out of Terrence McGee again, and Florence was by a wide margin the team's best defensive back a year ago. He's getting toward the back end of his career, but he's a dependable player at a position where depth is mandatory. Interest in retention: very high Maximum cap figure: $6 million annually
Ashton Youboty, cornerback: As I'm posting this article on Ashton's 27th birthday, happy birthday, Ashton. Youboty was barely used as the team's fifth cornerback last season, doing most of his work on special teams. If he's kept around, it'll be purely for numbers, as the Bills still don't have them at corner. Interest in retention: low Maximum cap figure: $1 million for one year
Donte Whitner, strong safety: Most Bills fans assume that Whitner is done in Buffalo - not just because of his actions at the end of the 2010 season and on Twitter, but because GM Buddy Nix seems to hold that belief, as well. In a perfect world, I'd like the Bills to retain Whitner - not because there's some untapped potential to finally fulfill his billing as a Top 10 pick, but because he's a good, multi-purpose football player. Interest in retention: high Maximum cap figure: $5.5 million annually
How would y'all approach this list of unrestricted free agents? Anyone that I'd bring back that you wouldn't, or vice versa?
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Poz and Florence are must-signs for me. Whitner would be another solid addition, but I wouldn’t bat an eye one way or another if he went to another team.
Inaugural winner of "The Buffalo Kid’s wittiest post of the year award"
No
Let them all go!
A QB is like a King in chess, if you don't have one you lose! Get a QB Buffalo!
by buffalobacker on Jul 7, 2011 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm shocked
That I agree 100%. Whitner and Poz in my opinion are instrumental in helping to turn this defense around. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ellison retained.
"Sit down and watch my Buffalo Bills destroy your Kingdome" - Abayarde
I would be surprised. Surprised and angered. Even if you somehow see him as a viable NFL player, it’s not in the 3-4 or even the hybrid D we’re running IMO
by BuffaloRepresent on Jul 7, 2011 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions
I personally don’t think he should be retained, just saying I wouldn’t be surprised if he is.
"Sit down and watch my Buffalo Bills destroy your Kingdome" - Abayarde
Injuries
I believe the injuries he has had to deal with the last couple years will have more to do with his fate than his abilitiy to make the roster. He wouldn’t be a bad depth linebacker at this point in his career, but those injuries may pave the way for someone younger to squeeze him out.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
If those are all of them, I pretty much agree. In a perfect world you’d want a better corner than Florence, but you’d want one in addition if you were and McKelvin and the new guy Williams would be nice to make some noise along side of him because as you said, I just dont see McGee being a top corner any more (never was really).
as far as safeties, not sure what the top tier go for, but Whitner… geez, I dont know. Maybe a sign and trade if we can get a FA in here, but if not, I guess keep him… prett much all good
I'm waitin'..... @killascript on twitter
Poz will be back even though he’s one of the players that’s easily replaceable given what could be a pretty solid free agent group at ILB. Florence should be back, but might not because he’ll want the most money he can get. Whitner might be back, but wouldn’t be surprised to see him leave if the money is similar in a different city. Everyone else can be gone. I especially can’t imagine Youboty will be back, after all, wasn’t he nontendered?
by wallsofjeriko13 on Jul 7, 2011 10:47 AM EDT reply actions
.....
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ellison retained.”
If that happens this will be my reaction.
Noooooooooooooooooooooo!
why?
Ellison staying in a backup role wouldn’t be horrible… I agree with your reaction if he were the starter – not saying at all that we’ll keep him, but as a backup?
by JustAskTheAxis on Jul 7, 2011 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions
If the Bills are ever to fully commit to the 3-4.....
They can’t hang onto players like Ellison.
~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 Jul 7, 2011 11:02 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
"I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ellison retained."
If that happens this will be my reaction.
Noooooooooooooooooooooo!
Use responsibly.
http://www.nooooooooooooooo.com/
Inaugural winner of "The Buffalo Kid’s wittiest post of the year award"
by NordicBillsfan on Jul 7, 2011 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Poz for sure – Florence definitely up there… Whitner isn’t worth the 6th round comp pick they’ll get for him if he walks…
Whitner
Cannot agree at all to your statement.
"Sit down and watch my Buffalo Bills destroy your Kingdome" - Abayarde
hard to accept
Max salary Florence 6 million; Max Salary Whitner 5.5 million. I have no problem retaining Whitner for 5.5 or even 6 million, but Florence at 6 million seems to be a stretch. I would persue other options before paying 6 million, I figured in the 3 – 4 range. Maybe 6 million for two more years.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
Why?
Florence plays a premium position and is a good player there. Why would you be willing to pay Whitner for basically being a one-dimensional run supporter, but not our best CB from a year ago??
~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 Jul 7, 2011 11:03 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I agree with vanscott
I do not see how florence is worth 6 million a year. First off saying its worth it because he was the best on the team at the position is hog wash. That means fitzt should be resigned for 25 million a year. I also do not see what everyone else sees in florence. I saw a cornerback who got beat consistnently and then would do something that resulted in a penalty if the ball was thrown his way. I see florence as a liability and someone that if he wanted 6 million I would let him walk.
"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 7, 2011 11:17 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Age, longer term contract
Florence is a good player there and has bailed us out of some serious situations even with the PI calls. Whitner I am more than likely in the minority on, but I see him more than just run support. As long as Whitner has been our SS our secondary hasn’t been that bad, we haven’t had the int’s that we would all like, but the teams overall rankings have been respectable. I have always viewed Donte as multi demensional in the secondary, more to shore up weaker areas than for him to just focus on being a SS. Still 5 – 6 million is all I would pay.
Florence, I am asking myself what does he bring long term. 6 million a year, with Leodis and now Williams coming in just seems to be a stretch. I can’t argue his play the last couple years, I am just focusing on the next couple years. If we go the 6 million a year route, I am thinking FA first and a 4 to 5 year contract for that player. Mckelvin and Williams might not be much of an arguement, but 6 million is close to a franchise tag type of contract.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
6M a year...
Is too much, I think 4.5 makes more sense and I don’t think its unrealistic. There are a bunch of quality CB’s in FA so I don’t think Florence’s value will be over inflated.
to elaborate...
Ike Taylor, Jonathan Joseph, Antonio Cromartie, and Nnamdi Asomugha will all be more highly coveted than Florence. Teams looking to land a top level CB will look to one of these players.
Chris Carr, Ellis Hobbs, Carlos Rodgers, Lito Sheppard, Phillip Buchanon, and Fabian Washington are also all FA’s. Its a buyers market at CB. Florence may be better than these guys (or maybe not- I’m not a personal scout) but for 5-6M a year teams might feel more comfortable with one of these other guys at 3-4M.
Asomugha and Joseph will get big contracts. Taylor will be around 7M and Cromartie around 6M. After that, unless a team really has a preferece for one of the available CB’s, the pure depth at the position will drive the asking price down.
@Astrazz2
Florence is better than any player in your second paragraph and, I ‘m willing to bet, will be the next guy in line after the top four. He gets penalties, but he’s also a playmaker. He gets his hands on the ball and unlike many DB’s doesn’t drop many of them. A lot of contenders would like that on their team I would bet. The Steelers, if they lose Taylor, could use that.
Brian is right on this one. Nix needs to bring Florence back and I wouldn’t be overly concerned about the amount of money. IF the new CBA is what has been rumored the Bills will have to spend more money anyway. With Florence worry about the years on the contract based on his age.
I acknowledged that Florence probably is better, but is he really 2M per year better than Sheppard or Rodgers? I guess that depends on the team and the CBA. If the Bills have to spend some money this season to get above a cap floor I’m OK with throwing Florence a 6-6.5M contract for 2 years but I’m not cool with throwing him a Kelsay like contract…
love your second paragraph Van
my thoughts exactly
The bandwagon will be full and fast and drunk and exciting - Undee
But who's talking long term?
I think whoever signs Florence gives him a 3 year deal or frontloads a longer deal to make it easy to cut him after a few years. I don’t consider him a long term option, but he’s pretty valuable for 2-3 years, IMO.
As for Whitner, I certainly don’t view him as being anything more than a below average pass defender. He’s just not a playmaker back there and I think he’s brutal in coverage. The team rankings the past few years is a bit of a mirage based on the poor run D and coverage schemes. I really can’t see how the team’s SS, who struggles in coverage was a key component to those rankings. I don’t think he’s worth $6M a year.
~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 Jul 7, 2011 2:21 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Your contract ideas regarding Florence are acceptable
More than likely this would be the case. I agree Florence would be tough to lose he does make plays. He also is the same age as T. McGee which isn’t exactly over the hill but getting closer. I don’t see McGee or Florence surviving another contract with the Bills, this also makes me think going younger in FA or in the draft has to be considered before signing such a big deal.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
Poz – yes. Hes good enough and we need so much at ILB, Sheppard will be good but not right away. Down the road a Poz-Sheppard ILB crew would be nice.
Flo – yes. Like you said, if McGee is ever 100% ever again Id be shocked. McKelvin is too inconsistant. Aaron Williams isnt ready yet.
I can not believe Ashton Youboty is 27 years old… holy cow. Only play I ever remember him making is picking McNabb 4 years ago in Philly. Hes a no, so is everyone else. Unless Whitner comes in at a low rate, which I highly doubt. I just think that Whitner can be replaced.
Now attending the Univ. of Hockey.
Agree, but...
for some reason, I think McKelvin will have a great year this year…
by JustAskTheAxis on Jul 7, 2011 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Man I would love that.
Just gotta see it first. Hes shown gimpses of the play-making CB we drafted him to be. But hes just got to get more consistant. We really, really could use a 1st round pick from the the last 5 years to pan out (outside Wood and Im sure Dareus will.)
Now attending the Univ. of Hockey.
he is at a make o break year
without a strong season this year, he will have to do a lot in 2012. He will be entering a contract year next season and has done more for the case not to be re-signed than for.
"The Buffalo Bills have just exploded all over the Cincinnati Bangles"
-Steve Tasker-
Poz deserves Top Dollar
Especially considering the interest outside of Buffalo to retain his services. I agree with Van Scott 6 Mill a year for Florence is a little high in my opinion. I would shoot for around 4.5 for him. With all the available Safety talent to get Whitner for 5.5 would be respectable but he will demand more and becuase of that I can’t see the Bills paying him that much especially now with Searcy in the picture. I could see Quinton Mikhell or someone like that being braught in. I also see us grabbing about 8 or 9 UDFA’s and about 4 of them sticking.
We also have to remember how much are we willing to pay for a backup QB ( a reliable backup will cost us around 3 mill) all things considered.
Buddy has stated that he won’t buy player to help this team but some low impact guys will be braught in just like last year and I’m hoping one of those players will be Kevin Boss.
"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
No he doesn't
Poz should be retained for sure, but he does not deserve top dollar – I like the guy and he is solid, but he has yet to make any major impact in the games he plays – We need guys like Poz, every team does, but he has not shown that he is elite and shouldn’t make top 5 LB money
by JustAskTheAxis on Jul 7, 2011 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions
What exactly is Top 5 LB Money
Guys like Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher are on the decline and will take less money so they can help the team in the big picture. Patrick Willis got big money last year from the 9er’s which he deserved Bart Scott (who seems underrated by some) got big money in NY but I personally think that overall (key word being OVERALL) Poz is just as good as Scott. David Thomas is going to get a big contract because he undervalued at this point in time because NY has Scott. I mean you pay premium money for what positions in football. QB, Pass rush specialist, DB and LT and probably LB. SO give the guy top dollar.
I mean LB is probably one of the most important positions on the field and we need to keep Poz.
While many of you view Poz as a stopgap until we find someone great, I view him as a player that has gotten better every year, I guarantee youy he’s workling on getting stronger at the point of attack because he knows this team is really makiing the move to 3-4. This guy is a Blue Collar worker and will do what it takes to make this defense better. Poz also puts the team ahead of himself which is hard to come by these days. So I say you give him good money to guarantee he stays and watch him get better every year.
"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
by PaullyPforPrez on Jul 7, 2011 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
This is really a good breakdown of the situation with Poz – rec’d.
Also, the Bills have a long perceived history of shafting their vets by being cheap and letting veterans walk (starting with Shane Conlan? Or OJ? Or Pete Goglak?) and if they ever want to start shedding that perception, Poz is the guy to start with.
And then Lee Evans. And then Ryan Fitzpatrick, etc.
by ChuckBuffInFlo on Jul 7, 2011 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree with the premsie but
Poz isn’t as good as Scott. Poz disappears quite often during a game and while he makes a lot of tackles, theyre usually after 5-6 yard runs. Scott is all over the field and is the biggest part of a top 3 NFL defense.
"It’s like I’ve always said, don’t tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby."
- Buddy Nix
"How can a guy with a name like Melo be such a pain in the ass?"
- George Lopez
by dnvrBillsfan on Jul 7, 2011 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
rec'd
Agree – I like Poz a lot and the Bills need to keep him, but he is not a game changer at this point… He’s just a solid guy who the team does need to keep, but not for top money…
Also, what great success did OJ or Conlan go on to after they left the Bills? I never really agree that the Bills are cheap – they always have opened up their wallets for talent (Paup, Bledsoe, T.O., extending Evans, etc.) – unfortunately over the last few years, we’ve just made the wrong decisions on who that talent is…
by JustAskTheAxis on Jul 7, 2011 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Scott I a run stuffer
Plain and simple. He isn’t flashy, he takes on OL with the best of them in The NFL. Poz is a tackler hes not a stack and shed guy, he’s not, hes a find the ball carrier and bring him down linebacker. David Thomas does this for the Jets. if you watch film Bart doesn’t even blitz very often. He’s great at what he does he’s a nieche LB and a damn good one. Poz is a tackler a guy the will protect you sideline to sideline Its hard to compare the two but that why I said overall
"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
by PaullyPforPrez on Jul 7, 2011 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Scott is a run stuffer (is what that is supposed to say)
"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
by PaullyPforPrez on Jul 7, 2011 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
@ PuallyP
Poz might get top dollar, but is he a top dollar player? Not really. But they have to sign somebody and pay them. Rather they sign their own and see if he can improve.
Whitner is the same. I don’t see what safety is available who is so much better than him? Huff? No. And Atogwe is already a non-option so it doesn’t hurt to bring back Whitner.
I wouldn’t put Kevin Boss in a low impact category. He’s a VERY good combo TE. He would be a big impact on the Bills or other teams. He won’t go anywhere cheap. I doubt the Giants let him go anyway.
To Be Honest
I think he is a top dollar player.
Jarod Mayo is one of the only other LBs that gets as many tackles as Poz does and Mayo cashed in huge. Just cause he plays with legitmate talent he gets praise. Paully plays with 1 player who is well above average (Williams) the rest are arguably average or below so what could he do if Dareus Williams and Edwardsa could eat up lineman and if he OLB could set an edge only time will tell. I think hes worth it some don’t but lets see how Buddy feels about it.
"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
by PaullyPforPrez on Jul 7, 2011 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Strongly Agree
I would go higher on Poz’s salary (I think he is going to become more valuable in coming years as the d-line improves), but otherwise I think this is exactly right. Florence is extremely valuable, especially because he already knows the system and is ready to step in immediately. That’s especially important in a year where the offseason has been curtailed so sharply by the lockout.
I am higher on Youboty than most people — when he has been on the field he has been one of our best CB’s — but there is a big injury worry with him and it looks as if the current coaching staff doesn’t want to keep him.
I have to disagree with making Florence the top priority over Poz (shocker! hah) notably because this is the going to be one of the best and deepest free agent class of cornerbacks in a long time and it will not be too difficult to find a guy who can do what Flo has done here, nevermind that we already have Terrence McGee, Leodis McKelvin, Reggie Corner and then drafted Williams in the 2nd round, this class of free agents is likely to offer Nnamdi Asomugha, Antonio Cromartie, Jonathan Joseph, Ike Taylor, Carlos Rogers, Josh Wilson, Richard Marshall, Kelly Jennings, Eric Wright, Chris Houston, Chris Carr, Phillip Buchanon, Brian Williams, Lito Sheppard, Kevin Dockery, William Gay, Tye Hill, Fabian Washington and more. Most of those guys can come in and find a suitable role alongside McGee, McKelvin, Williams and corner that should preclude us from making a corner that wants 5-6 million a higher priority than our ILB that is entering his prime and been here his whole career. I have to side with OBD on this one instead of you Brian.
If you further look at this years ILB free agent class I think it makes even less sense to make Flo a higher priority than Poz. Who is out there better than Poz on the market? I cant think of one guy. Maybe you can argue Barrett Ruud but he had a bad year. Takeo Spikes? Kirk Morrison? Stephen Cooper? Stephen Culloch? Steward Bradley? I’ll take Poz over all of them.
I agree 100% with your take on Donte Whitner and like you, think it may be a bit premature to say he’s done in Buffalo. As you said, he’s versatile and provides leadership and he’s young with a ton of veteran experience.
If I’m going to resign one guy you have low interest in its Youboty, I think he’d come cheap and when he plays he plays well. Might as well stick him around as a backup who can play in a pinch who has been here his whole
The bandwagon will be full and fast and drunk and exciting - Undee
Can't they both be top priorities?
Florence is better than at least half of those CB’s. I’d rather sign him for $6M a year than add somebody like Lito Sheppard, Kelly Jennings or Tye Hill.
You have to remember Poz struggled in the 3-4 a lot last year. If the team wants to add a better fit in that D, it wouldn’t be a shocker. Stewart Bradley would be a nice fit, even though he hasn’t played in a 3-4. He’s bigger and has shown the ability to take on and beat OL in the run game. Maybe the team would value a player like that more? I still am not convinced Poz can play full-time in a 3-4 with his skills a better fit. In other D’s.
~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 Jul 7, 2011 11:09 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I would disagree with your first statement their. I just do not see what any one sees in dreyton florence.
"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 7, 2011 11:26 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Decent cover corners are tough to come by in the NFL – I don’t think anyone thinks he is a shutdown guy, but he is solid and worth keeping…
by JustAskTheAxis on Jul 7, 2011 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm sorry you feel that way about him
Is he a great corner? No, not at all, but he’s a good all-around CB that’s versatile and durable. He can cover slot WR’s, but is better in man coverage on the outside. He can play physical coverage and can cover the deep ball. He’ll make the occasional pick, but isn’t a ball hawk. His underrated ability to help in run support can not be overlooked, and can be a big help when our OLB’s fail to keep containment. He is a 3 down CB that doesn’t get hurt and provides solid coverage abilities. If his occasional PI penalty doesn’t allow you to see the good that he brings a defense, then I don’t know what to tell you.
~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 Jul 7, 2011 2:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
First of saying the occasional penalty is a big strech. Darelle Revis has the ovvasional penalty. FLorence has its 3rd down automatic pass interfence going for him last year. He had at least one or two calles a game most of the year. To me 6 million means I know not to shove a guy to the ground on 3rd down money. Just like I think the 7 million whitner wants means he should be able to catch the ball. He is an ok corner to keep around for the right price but nothing special and nothing that there is not an abundance of this fa period. 4.5 million he can stay for that price but 6 million he better not be extended the offensive drive like he did last year.
"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 7, 2011 3:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
if memory serves, drayton florence had a total of 6 PI calls against him last year. for what is worth
If memory serves me right we faced about 6 3rd down running plays. just jokin but i will have to go back and check when i am home because I can swear it was more than that. If thats it its probably a record for penalty yardage from one guy with under 10 penalties.
"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 7, 2011 5:11 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
agreed that we should get both..
and does anyone think the glut of free agent CBs could potentially lower the price on Florence?
@sawyervanhorn
by Sawyer in Boston on Jul 7, 2011 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Whats more likley to happen is that during the fa frenzy that is going to happen this year. The price for a cb will go up a million or more.
"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 7, 2011 11:32 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
true
i wasn’t thinking about the shorter time frame
@sawyervanhorn
by Sawyer in Boston on Jul 7, 2011 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Im also wondering
if Asomugha doesnt set the CB market high
The bandwagon will be full and fast and drunk and exciting - Undee
yes
he will get an obscene contract
@sawyervanhorn
by Sawyer in Boston on Jul 7, 2011 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
In regards to Flo, I just find that the drop off from him to guys like Eric Wright is not as great as the dropoff from Poz to the other FA ILB. Remember the guy who replaces Flo doesn’t necessarily have to replace him as a starter but fill in depth notably because we have on the roster a no.1 corner who has been one of the most reliable in the league his whole career coming back from injury, a former top of the first round pick, and now a fresh second rounder. The position already has potentially 3 guys who can be our top man, no.2 and nickle guy and then there is Reggie Corner. Keep the 6 mil, pay a guy like Eric Wright – still young and has shown a lot of promise in the league – an incentive laden prove it deal and toss him wherevever you like if you need to. William Gay can be plugged in pretty cheaply same with Chris Houston and Josh Wilson and probably Richard Marshall.
Who is behind Poz? A third rounder and then a bunch of old veterans who really should not be seeing extensive playing time. Stewart Bradley has been a much bigger injury problem than Poz and suffers from concussions on top of that. He’s also older, I think he might be a bit too fragile for our defense. Who else out there is a block shedder and lineman taker oner (you get my meaning) besides a concussed, injured Bradley who as you noted, has never proven he can play in a 3-4? I cant find any better than Poz.
The bandwagon will be full and fast and drunk and exciting - Undee
What about Ike Taylor
Ike Taylor if we could give him 6 a year I would take Taylor over Florence any day of the week
"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
by PaullyPforPrez on Jul 7, 2011 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Ike is looking for a huge pay day
or he’ll just resign with Pitt. I cant see him coming to Buffalo unless we were the top bidder. Hes won titles, all he cares about now is the money Im guessing. doubt six mil would do it.
The bandwagon will be full and fast and drunk and exciting - Undee
by poz on Jul 7, 2011 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions
and for the record K
I would like to see Flo in Buffalo I just think as soon as lockout is over the Bills have it right making Poz their first move instead of him
The bandwagon will be full and fast and drunk and exciting - Undee
by poz on Jul 7, 2011 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions
I like Bradley's game a lot
But is he healthy? I his knee sound? I thought he got hurt again last year, but I’m not sure.
by WhatGoesAround on Jul 7, 2011 1:24 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Bradley
tore his ACL in 2009, hurt his hip in 2010, then got a concussion and then was put on IR because of an elbow injury. The guy gets hurt a lot more than Poz and his forearm issues.
The bandwagon will be full and fast and drunk and exciting - Undee
by poz on Jul 7, 2011 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Don't think the Bills will sign any FA's from elsewhere?!?
Wouldn’t shock me either….
~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 Jul 7, 2011 11:10 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Resigning Poz, Flo and Whitner would definitely make up for what is sure to be an uninspiring effort in adding talent in the form of other teams FAs.
"It’s like I’ve always said, don’t tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby."
- Buddy Nix
"How can a guy with a name like Melo be such a pain in the ass?"
- George Lopez
We need to remember that the teams will be forced to pay 90% of the salary cap
This could make players like Florence very rich, whether we feel he deserve it or not. He is a tough one in my book. I am reading all the above arguements, I guess I am just focused on longevity and a FA replacement at that price. I do feel that McKelvin is at least a half season to a full season away from true evaluation at this level and Williams may only see nickle and dime responsibilities early on. Florence may be in the best barganing position of all of them, if you consider Poz a must to resign which I do.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
What was used for comparable players to come up with the Whitner’s $5.5 million average?
Safety in football to me is like a relief pitcher in baseball. The elite ones are worth big money, and those that aren’t, but are in the next tier, shouldn’t be paid just below that. That is, it’s all or nothing (with nothing being under $2MM or so).
And in general, I think were going to see the free agents getting more than what they might have seen in past years. Lots of teams will have to spend to get up to the minimum cap and there’s only so many players out there to sign.
We’ve done this poll. This is an opinion piece.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford
by Brian Galliford on Jul 7, 2011 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Poz
Whitner
DFlo
Poz needs to be the leader of the LB’s and should be the top priority when the lockout is lifted.
Whitner has his problems and needs to mature a bit off the field, but he is a good football player and brings a hard hitting presence to the backfield. Whitner should and could hopefully find the maturity to lead guys like Williams and Searcy and groom them to be our future.
"The Buffalo Bills have just exploded all over the Cincinnati Bangles"
-Steve Tasker-
This is an excellent post
and i completely agree with all of it (minus using any money whatsoever on youboty..).
at 6mill a year i would hope that florence contract is a relatively short one (say … 3 years?), but i actually agree that he should represent a bigger priority than poz
No way Florence is above poz on priority
Isn’t Florence 31, paying 6mil per year or a non star, non starter, old guy is not a path to winning in the NFL, please screw your heads on straight
Since when is Florence a non-starter? Pretty sure he started 16 games last year.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford
by Brian Galliford on Jul 8, 2011 7:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Cb's
Rather have youboty t league min than Florence at 6mil per year
4-10 Team
That has been consistently bad. I really don’t care who they keep other than current regimes picks/favorites. Nix and Chan have made this team more exciting to watch/follow in over a decade, why question their work? Let them make the calls. Never understood people working the $$ and yrs and FA and URFA stuff. Just win. Nix and Chan have done great to date, sit back and wait. OBD does some weird moves but Chan turned Fitz into a BR franchise icon . When in reality without Chan fitz would probaly be un employed in NFL.
A QB is like a King in chess, if you don't have one you lose! Get a QB Buffalo!
lol
Your crazy dude!
A QB is like a King in chess, if you don't have one you lose! Get a QB Buffalo!
by buffalobacker on Jul 7, 2011 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Okay
I’m confused.
Inaugural winner of "The Buffalo Kid’s wittiest post of the year award"
by NordicBillsfan on Jul 8, 2011 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions
LOL
Why?
A QB is like a King in chess, if you don't have one you lose! Get a QB Buffalo!
by buffalobacker on Jul 8, 2011 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions
BG, care to elaborate?
I realize that you probably explained this before but I haven’t been that active in recent months so could you elaborate for me why you are not a big Poz fan? Is there a reason beyond the obvious health issue?
Several reports indicate that Posluszny is the team’s top free agent priority; he wouldn’t be mine.
I’m a big Poz fan. I think he’s got great leadership skills, he’s smart & instinctive. I am however very much concerned about his ability to remain healthy. I think that his development as a player took a huge hit with those multiple injuries over the span of his rookie contract. On the surface they seem like fluke accidents and I’d like to believe that he’s not prone to injury. I think that he will develop into a very solid Linebacker in the next 3years if he’s healthy.
I have another question for you Brian, how do you compare him to other Inside Linebackers that have had the luxury of solid DT/DE play in front of them? Poz is not a very guy at 238lbs so i’m my opinion we need to keep him clean and frankly our Defensive front has been the weakest part of our D for years now. Is 103 tackles without any help up front as good as 130 tackles with a great run-stuffing front?
All I know is that our D-Line should be very much improved with Dareus/Williams/Edwards and I think we will see a big jump from Carrington in his 2nd year. Poz/Shep in the middle behind a line that can keep them clean will be fun to watch.
Rebuilding a team properly takes time and patience
That opinion actually has a lot less to do with Posluszny, and a lot more to do with how I feel about Florence. Bills fans really underrate Drayton Florence. He’s very good.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford
by Brian Galliford on Jul 8, 2011 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree that re-signing Florence should also be a top priority.
But if i had to chose between the two it would be Poz. My reasons are simple, we are still a few years away from relevance and we spend quite a few picks in this years draft on defensive backs. Florence is on the backend of his career and by the time we become relevant again his skill set might be decreasing. Poz on the other hand is a player that we drafted and that has performed admirably given the support he got upfront. Add to that the fact that he transitioned fairly well into our new defensive system – with our new additions upfront, the sky is the limit on his upside (if he can stay healthy). I am a firm believer in rewarding your own players and to me florence was a hired gun. Poz has earned a new contract IMO and will be at his peak when we are relevant once again.
Rebuilding a team properly takes time and patience
I guess my focus is more on the players. Drayton Florence is better at his job than Paul Posluszny is at his job.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford
by Brian Galliford on Jul 8, 2011 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
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