Buffalo Bills Free Agents: Briefly Looking Past 2012
by Brian Galliford on Feb 7, 2012 2:26 PM EST
in Buffalo Bills News
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PrintWith 2012 NFL free agency set to begin on March 13, much of the conversation surrounding the Buffalo Bills will focus on the team's impending free agents. That group includes, among others, Stevie Johnson, Scott Chandler, Demetrius Bell, Bryan Scott, and Roscoe Parrish - as well as Kraig Urbik and Chad Rinehart, to a lesser extent - and those players (or perhaps just one) will be the primary point of discussion for the next month.
Before we let that process play itself out, however, we wanted to talk about five future Bills free agents that fans should take note of beyond this off-season. None of these five players are going to get contract extensions any time soon, because they're not high on the team's current list of priorities. Once everything settles down, however, these five names will headline a group of players entering their final year under contract in Buffalo.
Fred Jackson. Jackson, 31 in two weeks, wants a new deal. GM Buddy Nix has said his goal is to get him one by the time the 2012 season begins. You don't see 30-something running backs extended often; this may be one of the rare cases. Jackson is coming off of his best (albeit injury-shortened) season.
Jairus Byrd. Still one of the team's more undervalued performers, Byrd has evolved into an every-down safety capable of competently defending the run and the pass. He may never reach the popularity of his nine-pick rookie season, but he's an excellent football player. He'll turn 26 in October and is just now entering his prime.
Andy Levitre. Levitre gets a bit more credit than he's due because he's been a 48-game starter on an otherwise constantly in-flux offensive line, but don't let that undermine how good Levitre has become. If the Bills ever let the guy stay in his left guard spot for 16 games, the team could have one of the better young interior linemen in the league.
Brian Moorman. His two running mates - kicker Rian Lindell and long snapper Garrison Sanborn - both received long-term contract extensions well in advance of free agency this year. Now it is perhaps Moorman's turn; he just turned 36 years old and has been punting in Buffalo for well over a decade, but after a rebound year following a poor 2010 season, it's conceivable Moorman could get one last contract next year at age 37.
Shawne Merriman. Some have questioned whether or not Merriman will even be back this season, but with a dearth of pass-rushing talent and a lot of time and money invested, only another injury would prevent Merriman from making the team. He's entering the last of a two-year deal, and if he is finally able to resuscitate his career, he'll have a shot at sticking beyond 2012. He's still only 27, after all.
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Byrd is a great player.....
Last year was his best season by far IHMO…..
On a better D with a better record he goes to the probowl
Ditto for George.
PodunkO - The great post ender!
by podunkowego on Feb 7, 2012 2:30 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Byrd is the man
Thats a guy we have to lock up
by doctork44 on Feb 7, 2012 2:31 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
It infuriates me.....
That the bills left big money on the cap table again last year. I think they could have extended Byrd or Levitre last year if Stevie was being completely unreasonable.
Arrrggghhhh!
PodunkO - The great post ender!
Teams only extend players that are on rookie contracts for 2 reasons:
1. They are in the last year of their rookie deals and the team wants to keep them around.
or
2. They have immediately become one of the best in the league at their position (a la Patrick Willis) and have grossly overplayed their contract to the point where the team has no point but to recognize it and pay up (usually happens at the end of the player’s second or third season).
Neither of these two things had happened last off season. So why pay a player more when you have absolutely no reason to?
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by CanadianBillsFan on Feb 7, 2012 8:49 PM EST up reply actions
Steve WAS in his last year........
……… and the Bills left millions of cap space that is now flushed down the toilet that we cannot get back.
"My new cat just farted on my lap. Smells like Bills football." BG.
by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Feb 7, 2012 9:12 PM EST up reply actions
Was more taling about Andy and Byrd than Stevie.
because the Stevie situation has me just as perplexed as you.
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by CanadianBillsFan on Feb 7, 2012 9:32 PM EST up reply actions
In season extension.....
The bills should have used last year’s cap money one way or another, plain and simple.
I think by midseason Andy and Jarius proved they were two building blocks of the future.
PodunkO - The great post ender!
the Reason is
that when you have that much money on the cap you sign a guy to a contract extension so you can give him a big bonus and use up the cap space in 2011 then you have that money to spend in future years, like Fred for example i know he wasn’t a priority but they could have given him a 2 year extension 10 million bonus in 2011 and they would have had him thru 2014 sea on and only count about 2 million against the cap each season, or IMO what they should have done was extend Stevie, they could have signed him to a 6yr, $54 million, $24 million Guaranteed, with $18 million payed out in 2011, then they would have had Stevie for 6 years at $6 million/yr against the cap
by forlife on Feb 9, 2012 9:47 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
byrd and levitre should absolutely get midseason extensions. fred could very well see one before the season even starts, but the young guys need to be the priority. byrd and levitre both had pro bowl caliber seasons in 2011.
Its fun to think quarterback, but i think the odds of nix taking one in the first are close to 0%.
Byrd and Levitre — Lock them up with long-term deals as soon as possible.
Moorman — Yes, he has been one of their best players over the past decade, but time is running out. Being a punter, he may still have several years left, but it won’t be long before the Bills go with the annual rookie who shows up at training camp and cut an aging Moorman.
Merriman — It will depend on how this year goes. He looks like he no longer has the durability to be an every down player, but there was a noticeable drop-off in defensive play (especially the pass rush) once he went on IR. Hopefully, the Bills will draft a DE early and make Merriman into more of a role player where he is more likely to survive the season. If that works out, then consider extending his contract as we get toward the end of the season. If he gets hurt again, don’t even bother with IR… just waive him.
Jackson — Am I the only one who thinks now would be the best time to try to trade him? His trade value won’t ever be as high as it is right now. As it stands, either he or Spiller will be underutilized, and even though he entered the NFL at an older age, I doubt that will get several more years out of him. And even if they can, that only wastes Spiller. He’s a great running back and I like him a lot, but you can’t keep two superstar running backs happy. In terms of business decisions, trading him to the highest bidder makes the most sense.
by SiriusRed on Feb 7, 2012 3:19 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Am I the only one who thinks now would be the best time to try to trade him?
Nope. I have said this many times since the contract was brought up at the beginning of the year. Now, he actually added value to a trade, because his contract hit can be taken by the new team, and I think we might be able to manage a 2nd rounder. I don’t expect this to happen, but I think it is probably what SHOULD happen, and maybe even for all parties concerned (imagine him in SD, or SF, or even like, GB… he could be a REAL superstar for any of them… because he was a superstar for us. )
Agree too- Lock up Jairus (fave bill) and Levitre (solid starter, future solid depth, no reason not to keep this guy)
Moorman, best Bill since being added to the roster, up until last 2.5 seasons or so. Now, he is only above average, and needs to focus more on accuracy, less on boom. He puts too many in the endzone.
Merriman- meh. don’t pay him again, unless he shows significant medical improvement. I believe his contract was incentive based, and we get him for half price if he doesn’t produce, so that is some kind of “comfort level” added, but we need the answer for DE/OLB and pass rush… and he probably isn’t it.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
TRT
Respectfully, I offer that there is no way on God’s green earth that anybody is going to give us a 2nd for Fred.
Don’t see that happening ever. Lucky to get a 4th.
That’s why we need to extend him at a fair deal. Give him a little happy money.
I absolutely agree with you that Byrd and Andy should be signed/extended immediately after the Stevie drama is over. These guys are both young studs.
"My new cat just farted on my lap. Smells like Bills football." BG.
by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Feb 7, 2012 7:23 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed
hopefully we don’t overpay FJ, but yeah, no way 2nd rd pick for FJ.
Don't Worry, Be Happy!
by buffalobacker on Feb 7, 2012 7:58 PM EST up reply actions
top 5 RB?
He was running in the top of the league last year. Is that not better than what little was really on “display” with Lynch? So what, you think that a third is where it tops out? What about if the Bears franchised Forte? Could they only move him for a second, and if so- only because he is younger? I really don’t know. I mean, he is one of the best in the league, based off statistics, experience, and is also a high character guy with work ethic. On top of that he led the league in all purpose yards, while the likes of Hester, AP, CJ2K were all competing in the top of their game… And as much of his experience was outside this league, he has a relatively small amount of wear and tear. He is likely to get a 3 year deal, no matter where he gets it, and I find it hard to believe it will be much more than 3-4 a year, with probably only 5 or 6 in guarantee, because he definitely is older for a starting RB. SO.. a team in that type of running back (basically Ladainian Tomlinson when he went to the Jets) would be willing to at least consider a 2nd round pick, because they aren’t likely to see equivalent play from a draft pick, for the same relative cost. So, I respectively disagree that it is completely out of the question. Maybe you think only a third. I think that isn’t far off from a second, for a team like the Bucs, or the Rams, or Browns, or even the Chargers… That is just what I think.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
a team in that type
a team looking for that type.
Idk what my fingers were doing, but they weren’t keeping up with my brain or something.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
as far as making the move
i wanted to add that the only reason we do it, is if he won’t agree to that type of deal with us, where we can get value from an undrafted, and turn him into a bigger need. I think that Choice is likely to command a contract similar to at least half of the above, and with Spiller already- that is getting to the border of what you are going to spend at one position, especially RB.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
@TRT
I agree with your opinion of Fred. He is a pro-bowler.
But nobody is going to give us a 2nd for him.
Bongshawn Lynch only got us a 4th and he is a lot younger.
Just my opinion.
"My new cat just farted on my lap. Smells like Bills football." BG.
by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Feb 8, 2012 8:34 PM EST up reply actions
i agree.
Lynch got a 4th, and was younger. Look how he played in Seattle. HE was the Pro-Bowler this year. SO- maybe we should have gotten more than a 4th. Plus, Fred is clearly better. That means, he commands more.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
Lynch wasn’t coming off of a MVP caliber season and if you look at the RBs in the draft this year and the ones in FA a team that needs a RB and is close to the cap would be willing to give a late 2nd round pick (52+) for Fred, considering the bills needs they should try to get two 3rd round picks for him, great value if you make a good pick i.e. Sheppard, Carrington
Byrd and Levitre — Lock them up with long-term deals as soon as possible.
Moorman — Yes, he has been one of their best players over the past decade, but time is running out. Being a punter, he may still have several years left, but it won’t be long before the Bills go with the annual rookie who shows up at training camp and cut an aging Moorman.
Merriman — It will depend on how this year goes. He looks like he no longer has the durability to be an every down player, but there was a noticeable drop-off in defensive play (especially the pass rush) once he went on IR. Hopefully, the Bills will draft a DE early and make Merriman into more of a role player where he is more likely to survive the season. If that works out, then consider extending his contract as we get toward the end of the season. If he gets hurt again, don’t even bother with IR… just waive him.
Jackson — Am I the only one who thinks now would be the best time to try to trade him? His trade value won’t ever be as high as it is right now. As it stands, either he or Spiller will be underutilized, and even though he entered the NFL at an older age, I doubt that will get several more years out of him. And even if they can, that only wastes Spiller. He’s a great running back and I like him a lot, but you can’t keep two superstar running backs happy. In terms of business decisions, trading him to the highest bidder makes the most sense.
by SiriusRed on Feb 7, 2012 3:19 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Depends on what you could get
anything less than a 3rd is not worth it.
But once you start looking, it kind of changes things
"The Buffalo Bills have just exploded all over the Cincinnati Bangles"
-Steve Tasker-
Everyone on that list
minus Marriman should be brought back.
Levitre and Byrd should get long term deals
with Morman and Jackson recieving something to keep them here untill the retire.
"The Buffalo Bills have just exploded all over the Cincinnati Bangles"
-Steve Tasker-
I just don't know what I want done with Fred.
On one hand, he was amazing last year (when healthy) and he’s one of my favorite players.
However, he’s 31 and Spiller looked more than capable filling in for him last year and if we keep both there’s guarantee of one of them being underutilized.
2014 Superbowl Champs
by HardBeingABillsFan on Feb 7, 2012 3:27 PM EST reply actions
I'm in the minority
but I don’t think we should extend Jackson. It’s clear to me that the combination of Spiller and Choice is the way to go. I’m not willing to give up young offensive lineman, our best WR, or one of the best young safeties in the league to sign Jackson. I just don’t think it’s good business. Not to take anything away from Stevie, his talent, or his story. It’s just not a good football decision to sign a RB to high end money at that age, and it’s purely his age. I don’t care how you’ve taken care of your body, when you’re 31 you’re 31. I just don’t foresee him playing the way he does now when he’s 33, 34, or 35.
by As Smart as I Look on Feb 7, 2012 3:38 PM EST reply actions
Disagree.
Fred is not showing any sings of declining play. Extend him. He has earned it and he WILL perform. Should he start under-performing around age 34 or 35, cut him. Simple.
"The Amish Rifle is your god now." - Muzza34
by BuffaloOwdaTwnr on Feb 7, 2012 3:52 PM EST up reply actions
I want Fred to stay…he’s the only back we have had since Thurman that breaks away…but I do wonder how that leg injury will affect him….matter of fact,hasnt he gotten hurt every year…not sure.
by rexachss on Feb 7, 2012 5:15 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
A broken leg (non compound) is almost the least troublesome IR injury he could have gotten.
"Everyone who has conducted an expedition will know how ready the world is to do the great injustice of heaping the whole praise or blame for its success or failure on the shoulders of the leader alone."
-Polar Explorer Fridtjof Nansen
by NordicBillsfan on Feb 7, 2012 5:35 PM EST up reply actions
Very true. Turf toe at this point in his career would have been much more serious.
"Son. People can see you!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Feb 7, 2012 8:10 PM EST up reply actions
Especially when you consider where the break was. There should be ZERO long term repercussions from that break.
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by CanadianBillsFan on Feb 7, 2012 8:51 PM EST up reply actions
It’s not about declining play in the now. It’s about projection and not being able to sign other players to secure Fred long term.
by As Smart as I Look on Feb 7, 2012 5:41 PM EST up reply actions
Choice
I do not think Choice was good enough to be the #2 back with Spiller. Especially if Gailey will not give the ball to Spiller 20+ times per game.
Jackson will hit the wall sooner rather than later. However, there is no indication that he wants MVP numbers. A short term deal with a “thanks for doing such a great job” bonus would be a great way to take care of Jackson.
by rat on Feb 7, 2012 3:57 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
If that were true......
I think they would have extended Fred already…..
I think he wants to be paid like the best…..
I completely disagree that he deserves it. If you tear up his second contract, he should give something back in return, i.e. Less money. They should take what he’s getting now and what a top back makes, add it up and divide by two.
PodunkO - The great post ender!
Not a FA
The reason Jackson has not been extended yet is the fact that he will not be a free agent for another 13 months.
by rat on Feb 7, 2012 4:32 PM EST up reply actions
And...
Nix said he would like an extension on Fred done before the beginning of training camp.
The absolute best way to keep talent on your team is to extend them before their contract year. If anyone disagrees, I have two words for you:
1. Drury
2. Briere
"The Amish Rifle is your god now." - Muzza34
by BuffaloOwdaTwnr on Feb 8, 2012 1:11 PM EST up reply actions
He got the thanks for doing such a good job raise last time.
by As Smart as I Look on Feb 7, 2012 5:39 PM EST up reply actions
probably for another team.
You think we keep Fred, Spiller, Choice, White all on the active roster? That is tough, since we would have to resign Fred and Choice. So, you think we keep White over Choice, when Choice can help with the system, Chan seems to think he is a good redzone guy, and an every down back? I think we again, have too many capable RBs, and the one that provides the best value in a trade, would be Fred. Marshawn Lynch all over again. I would be disappointed to find us only getting a fourth for him.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
wait until a top RB gets hurt and then get two 3rd round picks
white is under contract for 3 more seasons with less than a $700,000 cap hit, and will be the short yardage back and pick up Rookie FA RB to compete for the 3rd spot
what?
get two 3rd round picks for who?
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
I dont think Jackson will get high end money because of his age and injury
and the Bills should lock him up for a good size deal. In my opinion, he was the best back in football before getting hurt and he still has a lot to give to this team.
This even grates my passive cheese - LeClaire Bill
by poz on Feb 8, 2012 1:27 AM EST up reply actions
but he is worth more to buffalo in a trade when a top team needs a running back, i.e. GB in 2011
and imagine how well CJ can be in this system if he gets the touches of the main back and have White as his back up and bring in rookie FA to compete for the 3rd and 4th RBs
choice is a free agent this year,
bring back Choice if the price is right, then trade Fred when a top back goes down and they can get best value for him and then Spiller with choice and White are our backs
Yeah, but………. White hasn’t proven jack-sh%t so far.
He might not be any good. I don’t want to pin my hopes on him.
And Choice does not impress me at all.
"My new cat just farted on my lap. Smells like Bills football." BG.
by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Feb 9, 2012 7:00 PM EST up reply actions
so, by this logic though
You are accepting we will either add a FA, or spend ANOTHER draft pick (not earlier than White’s i would imagine) on a RB?
Choice was effective for Dallas, once they finally used him. I think he is better than Bills’ fans give him credit for. Even if he isn’t, what he is- is “one of the boys” and that holds weight with Chan, and Nix. We should probably reserve ourselves to the fact that he will be resigned- even if it means cutting White. While I would NOT agree with this move- that almost means it is more likely to happen to me. If I look at the roster, at the guys I would cut, or let go, or NOT re-sign- we have basically brought them in on purpose in the last 2 years, or already re-signed him for more than I feel his is worth. So by this logic- Choice will get a 4 year, 25 million dollar deal, with 14 in guarantees, or something…. and we will trade Fred. hahaha.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
I know he is not a FA.....
When a player, is a great player and team leader etc. Like Fred is and is old like Fred is, iand he out performs his contract it is customary and good for moral, to give the player something to make it more fair.
But not at the expense of the franchise. You don’t give top dollar contracts to 31 year old players under contract already if you are smart.
There should be a compromise.
PodunkO - The great post ender!
i love choice as their 3rd back
no need to draft another…….
he is a FA,
so it depends on what he wants to resign in Buffalo, if they can get him back for $2 million/yr then sign him
He’s still only 27, after all.
That is still a shock to me. It feels like an eternity ago that he was a superstar in this league.
Did I mention the tank is a tank?
Substance abuse ages people.
"Son. People can see you!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Feb 7, 2012 8:11 PM EST up reply actions
Fred – I’d be careful with handing Fred a huge extension – and it irks me to even say that. But his age and his position is a bad combo and as much as he is our most talented player on offense right now, those two things are constants and very few players in the league have been productive at RB past 30. I think I’d be happy with a 2 year extension and bumping up his 2012 salary.
Byrd – He’s quietly become a leader on defense and he is young still. Byrd definitely needs to be extended and I’d argue he should be extended before Fred.
Levitre – The one constant on our O-line, I think he should also be extended before Fred.
Merriman – Unless he has a career rejuvenation this year, I don’t touch him with a 10 foot pole.
Moorman – He is probably not as huge of a priority but I think the way he is punting he’s still got a couple years left in him.
Lock up Byrd.
That dudes deserves a contract, and is probably our teams best player.
Levitre also needs to be handled quickly as well.
Lets Go Buff a lo!
by bflo on Feb 7, 2012 5:58 PM EST via Android app reply actions
Teams best player?
i know you have love for the kid, and i do too
But Dareus, williams and Barnett are better players right now than Byrd
A lot of young talent on the D. Add a top flight pass rusher and they could be good.
"The Buffalo Bills have just exploded all over the Cincinnati Bangles"
-Steve Tasker-
I think hes better than Williams and Barnett, theyre both very good, but Byrd was, IMO, our best defensive player.
Dareus is a tough one, I was thinking about him, and he has the potential to be the best. But right now, I think Byrd is our #1 ranked player.
Lets Go Buff a lo!
Im with you on this one
I think you could very easily make the case hes the best player on the Bills. Im not sure if he’d win that debate but hes in it for sure.
This even grates my passive cheese - LeClaire Bill
by poz on Feb 8, 2012 1:29 AM EST up reply actions
i don't see ur point
Byrd has the ability to be in the same category as Ed Reed, you will see, in his rookie year he had 9 INTs, interesting what having Shobel at RE did for the D, as for Barnett he is really good but he is 30 and is under contract for 2 more seasons, Dareus and Williams have like 5 or 6 more years on their present contracts
i don't know about that....
Byrd and Wilson are playing at or near pro bowl level right now.
you definitely do not want to let either of them go……
trust me, by some miracle the Bills get their 2 DEs and Williams and Dareus stay healthy…… Byrd and mr. wilson will shine.
dareus may be more valuable because of their positions, but byrd is younger than williams and especially the injury labeled barnett.
PodunkO - The great post ender!
Don’t sully Bird and Wilson’s name with the Pro Bowl stigma. That thing is a farce now, and the players should be ashamed of themselves for putting that on display for paying fans.
"Son. People can see you!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Feb 7, 2012 8:13 PM EST up reply actions
agree,
but only need 1 RE, with Williams and Dareus in the middle and hopefully Avril or Williams at RE, Carrington and Kelsay can handle the LE position, all that would be required at LE would be Strength and hustle, Wilson will be hard fought to keep his job with the way that Searcy played last year, and i hope they add George Iloka in the draft
Byrd has to be the priority here, with Levitre a close second.
I know, i know… but what about Freddy? Hate to say it, but we got CJ who proved this year that he will be a feature back once he has more experience. Don’t get me wrong, Freddy will get an extension, but I got the feeling the biggest part of that deal will be a signing bonus.
Meanwhile Byrd is an all-pro safety playing on a horrible D. If our D was even middle of the pack he would be recognized as one of the best safeties in the league, which he is.
Same goes for Andy, he’s got All-pro potential, we just have to keep him in 1 position.
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by CanadianBillsFan on Feb 7, 2012 8:44 PM EST reply actions
Merriman seems to have been around the Bills for a while, and it seems like it was eons ago that he was the dominant All-Pro. He’s 27. It makes sense, because people can start at around 21, but it’s still weird to think about for me. It seems like he should be 30.
Well to be fair, he’s slowed down like a 30 year old. Let’s just hope that now that he’s finally had surgery on his Achilles tendon that he will at least become a good pass rusher again. If he can become a stead 6-8 sack/year guy then we’ll be getting our money’s worth.
Buffalo Rumblings
Where shoes are haute cuisine.
by CanadianBillsFan on Feb 7, 2012 10:00 PM EST up reply actions
since no one seems to think it
I guess I’ll just say it because I do. I havent forgotten how incredible Fred looked last year. If he can give the Bills just 3 more years of that hes worth an extension. Fred Jackson was PHENOMENAL.
This even grates my passive cheese - LeClaire Bill
I agreed with that, I think this past year Fred was the best player on offense. And I hope he can give us 2-3 more years like that – I’d definitely sign up for that. But given his age and his position, I’m not committing more than 3 years total and probably a middle of the pack contract or a highly incentive laden deal.
I have no doubt that Fred jackson
will continue to be a great player for the Bills for some time should he be retained beyond this season. Fred deserves the big payday as he exemplifies the kind of work ethic we want to see.
The key question is, what does having Fred signed do to improve the team, vs. trading him and bringing in a player at another position of need. And what happens to Spiller’s development if he’s playing in a #2 role? He proved that he’s just as capable when given the opportunity when Fred went down.
I’d like to see Freddy retained, with the caveat that through the season, his role starts to move towards a platoon situation with CJ, putting Fred in the game mainly in key situations (3rd downs, etc.)
However, if the price is right, and a first round pick or young player at a key position can be secured in exchange, I wouldn’t hesitate to make the trade. Anything less than that, and I think the Bills are better off with Fred, even if they do choose to reduce his workload, RBs get hurt a lot in this league, and having 2 guys like that who can carry the team on their backs will be helpful.
by NoiseIsTheBestRevenge on Feb 8, 2012 10:02 AM EST reply actions
Are you saying.....
The bills should tear up his existing contract and pay him top 3 RB salary money?
PodunkO - The great post ender!
The bills should tear up his existing contract and pay him top 3 RB salary money?
Is anyone saying that? Has it been confirmed that Fred is asking for top 3 RB money?
Look, all that Fred said is he is unhappy with the current contract. My premise is that the Bills should extend Fred early, and pay him more money than he currently makes. The exact details are tbd.
"The Amish Rifle is your god now." - Muzza34
by BuffaloOwdaTwnr on Feb 8, 2012 1:16 PM EST up reply actions
Big Picture Time
The thread before this is about Stevie, then there was just another recently started about this year’s FA’s. It’s time that people step back and look at the big picture.
Some people are way too attached to a players like Stevie and Freddy, and want to offer them sweet contracts to keep them around. While I’m all for keeping players like them around, you also have to play a balancing act.
Besides just Stevie, there are some key FAs that I’d like to see stay around—help this rebuild. I’m not about to make this comment about specific names, but there are at least 4 players that I think are important to keep around. You have to find the right balance of a contract for Stevie, and leaving room this year to both re-sign some of the FAs and also be somewhat active in the FA market.
But it also goes beyond just this season as this article suggests. The Bills need to leave room so that they have room to re-sign players next year and beyond. Many people think the Bills have tons of cap space and that it isn’t an issue. But it is a real issue. There are quite a few starters on both sides of the ball currently on rookie contracts. As those run out, the price tag goes up. Maybe going from $700K to $2.5M (or more) doesn’t sound like much, but multiply that by the number of players that will happen to and suddenly you’re adding quite a bit to the payroll. And it’s either re-sign players like Bell, Urbik, Byrd, etc or start from scratch hoping Nix can bring in someone (rookie, or scrap heap from another team) who’s on a rookie salary.
To put it in perspective a little, there are 53 positions to fill with 25 starters and approx a $120M cap. You’re looking at a minimum $20M to fill the 28 non-starting spots—a little more to get & retain quality depth. But for this we’ll say $20M there. That leaves $4M per starting position—once again that’s the high end. While bringing in rookies here and there is one thing, successful teams have balance and continuity—not a constantly revolving door at key positions. The only way the Bills are going to stop that revolving door over the next few years is by negotiating smartly—leaving room to keep other key parts of the team intact.
by jcey on Feb 8, 2012 1:14 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Yes!!
You get the big picture. I have read sign him for this, sign player x for that, and pretty soon, they would be no one left to sign because they’d be out of cash. All they have is 120 M. That’s it. And the cash has to be consistent due to the spending to the cap agreement. These contracts have to be smart.
For as much as some will hate to read this, it is better to let one guy walk who wants way more then he is worth, then lose 5 key guys because you are paying that one guy too much cash.
I'd rather go out in a blaze of glory, then slowly fade away in the antiquities of time.
Thank you!
Someone else gets it. For every $10M per year Fitz contract or $7.5M-9.4M per year contract you sign to retain someone like Stevie, you’re cutting into money the team will need to keep other key players. And with the serious lack of depth the Bills showed when the injury bug hit, the range for the 28 non-starters should probably be more like $30M-$40M to help upgrade and retain quality there. Big picture is what builds championship dynasties—not short sighted decisions.
Kool to meet you man!
They should let us run a football team!! :)
Joking aside, it takes a real long range plan to factor in who ranks where and if they are worth the extra cash or not. We as fans want player A for X million MORE then he is worth and player B for X Mil MORE then he is worth and there goes depth.
You are right, winning in the league today is more about depth and less about anyone under star status. Houston proved that when they lost their very good, well above average QB. Good teams can overcome their injuries. To think that they lost their QB and their best player on defense and still did what they did last year is almost unheard of.
You need to establish a pecking order and let player A know where you feel they are, what you feel they are worth, and stick to your guns. If they let Stevie walk and sign V. Jackson and Meachum, I can live with that. I know that sometimes, business is hard. Hard choices have to be made fairly for the sake of the TEAM, not the fan base. I won’t get upset if Stevie leaves until I see what they bring in.
I'd rather go out in a blaze of glory, then slowly fade away in the antiquities of time.
retain someone like Stevie, you’re cutting into money the team will need to keep other key players.
Care to name some of these “key” players that somehow trump Steve Johnson, arguably our very best player? Big picture is that if you expect to build a “championship dynasty” you are going to need to have some talent, and hopefully at least ONE go to receiver.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
This is a long term plan
You can’t overpay Stevie and Chandler, and Bell and anyone else and not have it hurt you in a year or 2. Everyone has a role and a place and the good GM’s don’t overpay, even for stars. No one, and I mean, no one is bigger then the team. Look who the Pats have let go or traded and they still maintain their elite status.
This I do know for sure. The salary cap rules will be harsh on GM’s who overpay for people. You might see some shocking people available to be signed. We need money to be able to sign the correct people. If Stevie wants top 10 cash, he can walk. He simply isn’t worth it and the long term effects on the cap isn’t worth it. The idea will be to have as much as you can tied up in the right people. Lets also be honest about one other thing: Players who make too much split a locker room because they never live up to their contract (see Fat Al).
I'd rather go out in a blaze of glory, then slowly fade away in the antiquities of time.
You can’t overpay Stevie and Chandler, and Bell and anyone else and not have it hurt you in a year or 2.
disagree in that exceptions are made for the stars of your roster. Steve should command legitimate money, though not top 5 money. His future potential, past success, desire to be here, desire of your QB for the foreseeable future, and fanbase’s wants basically dictate the signing. Period.
The Pats are capable of letting talent go, because they have a regular influx of talent, and already had more of it to begin with. Plus, they attract it, being a contender. We have NONE of those luxuries. MOST players don’t want to be here, are quick to get out of here, and even less of them were here to begin with. If we don’t sign our capable players, who we draft ourselves, how do you propose we get, and keep talent here?
This I do know for sure. The salary cap rules will be harsh on GM’s who overpay for people. You might see some shocking people available to be signed.
This point is literally 50/50. We are going to basically be spending money, that will get redirected to us from the large market teams. that was the basis of the new CBA. it is basically a progressive tax. The bigger market teams pay into money to get spent by smaller market teams, so that everyone has the chance to create competitive rosters, thus elevating the overall product. I do think that it will create some limitations for the large market teams, but it should be a help to those teams that are consistently under cap (of which we are included) in order to draw in talent, and level things out some.
If Stevie wants top 10 cash, he can walk. He simply isn’t worth it and the long term effects on the cap isn’t worth it.
That is your opinion. i think, he is worth consideration of similar money. Perhaps the solution is a longer contract, with escalators, where he would earn bonuses based on production. But to let one of the only legit talents you have walk, with out any compensation, is just stupid. I wouldn’t put it past Nix for this to happen, but it doesn’t mean it makes sense. At some point you have to pay somebody, and use the cap. it is a REQUIREMENT at this point. Not to mention, drafting a replacement is still going to cost you half that money, and they wouldn’t necessarily produce, in the immediate, or even ever, for that matter.
Players who make too much split a locker room because they never live up to their contract (see Fat Al).
Players that make a bunch of money and produce, are superstars of the league. (see: Larry Fitzgerald)
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Feb 9, 2012 10:41 PM EST up reply actions
Some people are way too attached to a players like Stevie and Freddy, and want to offer them sweet contracts to keep them around. While I’m all for keeping players like them around, you also have to play a balancing act. Besides just Stevie, there are some key FAs that I’d like to see stay around—help this rebuild. I’m not about to make this comment about specific names, but there are at least 4 players that I think are important to keep around. You have to find the right balance of a contract for Stevie, and leaving room this year to both re-sign some of the FAs and also be somewhat active in the FA market.
By not mentioning the other guys, or elaborating on why they are going to impact Steve’s signing… this seems to be contradictory to this:
The only way the Bills are going to stop that revolving door over the next few years is by negotiating smartly—leaving room to keep other key parts of the team intact.
I completely agree: You are never going to get to where you want to be, if you have a revolving door. By not keeping “core guys” (the exact guys Nix claimed he was going to get deals done with) and constantly being in flux, you are never going to match up both the offense and the defense. But for what reason, should someone else’s deal, matter when talking about one of the top 5 (or two of the top 5 as you did mention fred as well) players on your entire team, which is basically devoid of true, experienced, NFL caliber talent. I am not suggesting paying Steve for the sake of continuity alone. He has proven capable against the ‘best’ CB in the league, he has broken a franchise record, he has proved productive with both “Lee Evans drawing all the coverage” and with Lee Evans being on a different team, and being asked to be “the guy”. He is the starting (franchise?) QB’s go to target, who has publicly said he wants back. Steve himself says he wants to be back, and the team has the cap. There is literally no excuse NOT to keep him. The need dictates it. The GM claims dictate it. The player wants dictate it. The Coach’s needs (gotta have targets, and probably more of them) dictate it. I really wouldn’t care if we had to pay him top 10 WR money. He is the best fit for our team, right now, and in the relative foreseeable future. I can’t believe that this is still a discussion, and hope for them to figure it out sooner than later, so that we can get on with it already.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Feb 8, 2012 7:39 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I’m not suggesting getting rid of Stevie or Freddie by any means. However, I am pointing out that if either happen it needs to be done with a smart contract—not one that could limit retaining other key pieces when the time comes. The Bills could absorb a $7.5M-$9.4M contract for Stevie and a $2M-$3M bump for Freddie. However, that would impact how much the team has left over to sign or re-sign others. I know in the short term fans would be happy with re-signing both. My concern is a year or two down the road if/when we don’t have the cap space to retain the services of other key players.
something has to change
OBD has to hire someone that can help make Buddy understand how to work the cap, they should have used the 19 million they had at the end of 2011 to extend guys like Freddy, Levitre, Moorman, and Byrd but they just let the money be lost
Back up qb's
Should the Bills look @ Jason Campbell as a backup….can this part of the country handle that?
by rexachss on Feb 9, 2012 4:18 PM EST via mobile reply actions
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