Buffalo Bills GM Buddy Nix told the team website on Tuesday that the Bills had made an offer to impending free agent tackle Demetrius Bell prior to the start of free agency, and that Bell's camp never countered. Now we know why: Bell wants to test the open market, and will begin that process by visiting the Arizona Cardinals.
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The Cardinals are looking for a new left tackle after the recent release of Levi Brown, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. In fact, the Cardinals are targeting many linemen, as they are also hosting guards Jake Scott and Adam Snyder on free agent visits, as well.
Bell would be the priciest of those three players for Arizona, which would also make him the biggest risk, considering the fact that he missed 17 games combined in 2009 and 2011, and had playing time reduced for portions of 2010 to ease him back from injury. If Bell's price tag gets out of hand on the open market, the Bills' need for a left tackle to compete with Chris Hairston could get fairly urgent.