In the highly unlikely event that you haven't heard by now, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson is an impending free agent. Team GM Buddy Nix told reporters in early January that he'd like to re-sign Johnson, and all indications are that Johnson would like to continue playing in Buffalo, as well.
Johnson's chatty agent, C.J. LaBoy, told WGR 550's Joe Buscaglia yesterday that 18 days removed from Nix's season-concluding press conference, the two sides have talked, but have not formally negotiated terms on a new deal for Johnson.
Here's the thing, though: that's fine. As difficult as it is sometimes to negotiate a contract extension, they're always a matter of timing, and they never take long to actually complete. With well over a month to get through before free agency starts, the lack of negotiating dialogue between the two sides is barely concerning. Buscaglia touches on that in his article; this is useful information for the back of one's memory, but also hovers on the verge of being a non-story.
I have no idea why - I'm an off-season blogging veteran - but this year's off-season seems to be really dragging. Perhaps it's because I got too used to the excitement and allure of the No. 3 overall pick last year. What do you think?