Update: Joining Jones and June in the "to visit" line will be former Jaguars MLB Mike Peterson, who reportedly will visit later this week. End Update
Still awaiting final decisions on contract offers to two veteran free agents, the Buffalo Bills will resume their search for more talent on Wednesday when they host recently released linebacker Cato June and free agent running back Kevin Jones. Both will arrive in Buffalo tonight and tour the facilities at One Bills Drive tomorrow.
A cynic might note that these visits could signal a shift to Plan B - and generally, that only happens when Plan A gets the kibosh. With Laveranues Coles still mulling an offer from the team (see below), it's up to you to decide on whether or not this is a bad omen on the Coles front.
June is perhaps the more intriguing option. Though he'll turn 30 during the 2009 campaign, June has established a reputation as one of the more underrated Cover 2 linebackers in the game. His experience with zone-based schemes, excellent coverage skills and twelve career interceptions make him a good fit for Buffalo's defense. The real question is whether the Bills are looking at him as a strong-side option - where they currently have an opening - or on the weak side, a slot currently occupied by Kawika Mitchell.
Jones played for a coaching staff featuring Dick Jauron in 2004 and 2005 while with Detroit. He spent time with the Bears last year, and has entered the portion of his career where he'll bounce from team to team unless he can find a situation to re-establish himself as a threat. Jones has always had elite potential, but has dealt repeatedly with serious injuries. Jones would fortify a running back depth chart that was shaken recently with the arrest of starter Marshawn Lynch.
Coles, Greer updates
Free agent receiver Laveranues Coles, who visited Buffalo over the weekend and is reportedly mulling a contract offer from the team, visited the Cincinnati Bengals today - and reportedly left without a contract. The Bengals are still thought to be in the mix for Coles' services after losing T.J. Houshmandzadeh to the Seahawks on Monday. However, a return to the Jets isn't out of the question for Coles, either, particularly if the team is still willing to pay the $6 million salary that Coles refused in order to test the market. Hopefully, we'll know something official on this front soon.
Meanwhile, there is growing sentiment that cornerback Jabari Greer might return to Buffalo. To this point, Greer has visited with three teams - Detroit, Tampa Bay, and Cleveland - and he'll visit with the New Orleans Saints tomorrow. Leaving three cities without a good offer, however, has some believing that Greer - currently seeking riches in a rapidly depressing cornerback market - will sign the offer the Bills currently have on the table, believed to be the third offer that Buffalo has made.
The team will wait for Coles and Greer to make decisions before moving on the several free agents they've entertained to this point. Add Jones and June to a list that includes Kelley Washington, Drayton Florence, Jamie Winborn and Kendall Simmons. Don't forget about current Chiefs guard Brian Waters, either - we're hearing whispers that the Bills' interest remains legitimate in the disgruntled lineman.