In case you missed it, there is a rumor making the Internet rounds that the Buffalo Bills and free agent WR Laveranues Coles have reached a contract agreement. As you're probably well aware, Coles has visited both the Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals, and it's likely that he has offers from both teams on the table.
We'll let you formulate your own opinions on the validity of the rumor, but as much as we love the folks at Bills Insider, we're going to take the route of the skeptic on this one. As we mentioned last night, the fact that the Bills have signed CB Drayton Florence and are meeting with four more free agents in the coming days is indicative, to us at least, that the team has moved on from the Coles portion of their free agency plans. At a minimum, it means that the deadline on Buffalo's offer to Coles is rapidly approaching (if not passed). As one faithful reader pointed out to us off-blog, the team has not yet done anything financially to prevent the team from agreeing to a deal with Coles.
So we're taking the "wait and see" approach. One thing is clear - no free agent currently available would have a bigger impact on the field in 2009 than Coles would. Keep your fingers crossed, but understand that a rumor is a rumor. We hope we're wrong to be skeptical on this one.
More on the four visitors
Last night, word emerged that the Bills would be meeting with four free agents over the coming days: RB Kevin Jones, LB Cato June, LB Mike Peterson and LB Pat Thomas. We've got some details on Jones, June and Thomas at the links provided for your perusal, but we wanted to talk a little bit more this morning about our favorite name on the list: Peterson.
Forget about the fact that he'll be 33 over the summer. Forget about his run-in with Jack Del Rio last year. Peterson is an experienced player and a leader. He's a physical player that likes to hit. His biggest selling point to a team like Buffalo, aside from his experience and leadership (which you're free to question) is his attitude. Buffalo had its moments defensively last year, but they still lacked that edgy attitude that defines great defenses. Peterson would give them that, though he'd create the need to move Paul Posluszny to the strong side. He's an interesting name to keep in mind. Don't forget that he's used to playing behind Marcus Stroud as well.
Peterson has 19.5 sacks, 15 interceptions and 40 passes defended in his ten-year career.
Might Bills pursue TE Scheffler?
The Denver Post is reporting that the Broncos have placed TE Tony Scheffler on the trading block. We can't imagine why they'd do such a thing - how many athletic receiving threats at tight end are there? - but that's an entirely different topic of conversation.
The 26-year-old Scheffler averaged over 16 yards per reception in Denver last season, and in total has 89 receptions, 1,194 yards and 8 touchdowns over the past two seasons. The only potential hindrance to a trade of Scheffler is the fact that the receiving team will have to consider re-working his deal; the three-year veteran is entering the final year of his rookie deal. He is scheduled to earn $530K in 2009.
You'd have to imagine that Scheffler's alleged availability will pique Buffalo's interest, as the Bills are starved for athletic talent at the tight end position. We'll monitor reported compensation for Scheffler, because without question he would fill the Bills' need for a receiving threat at the position. An athlete of Scheffler's caliber would make Trent Edwards a very happy dude.
Please note that we're not reporting that the Bills will be interested in Scheffler; we have no idea. We're just interested in Scheffler.