Metro WNY Blogs, Buffalo Bills Blogs, Buffalo Sabres Blogs, Buffalo Bulls, Buffalo Bisons, College football, NFL, NHL, MLB, and more! - NFL Blog: The view from the End Zone

Buffalo Bills: Call Greg Ellis, 90's Bills Are Lucky Twitter didn't Exist

nospam@example.com (Joe Pinzone) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:34:54 -0400

By: Joe Pinzone

Memo to Buffalo Bills GM: How about giving a call to Greg Ellis. Yes, he's 34-years old and his better days are behind him, but besides me begging the Bills to find nose tackle help, I've been asking them to find players who've been in a 3-4 defense. Ellis fits that bill, as he's played in both a 3-4 and 4-3 defense. Over the last three years, Ellis has 27.5 sacks and an NFL Comeback Player of the Year award on his resume.

He's not going to cost you much (maybe 2.5 million a year), Plus, he'd be a teacher for some of the Bills defensive lineman who haven't played in a 3-4. And considering that the Bills current defensive ends aren't exactly reeking in the speed department (Marcus Stroud and Spencer Johnson are the incumbent starters), Ellis would add to a defensive line that's in desperate need of a pass rusher.

===============================================

With all this talk about Ben Roethlisberger and Tiger Woods nightlife's being put into question. I was thinking...what would have happened if the 90's Buffalo Bills played in today's age of cell phones, Twitter updates and the media's unquenchable thirst for a good scandal? Now, before I dive into this 'Back to the Future' topic, I realize that none of the 90's Bills were investigated for sexual misconduct. So, ah salute to them.

However, considering that people in Pittsburgh are talking junk about Big Ben's nightlife issues and consider him to be a jerk to the general public, I can't help but flashback to the Bills of yesteryears. In case you didn't know, the Bills from the 90's were known to be a group that played hard and partied even harder. There are so many stories out there about what some of those players did in their extra curricular activities (Try googling some if you're curious)..and I'm not talking United Way (Even though some did do charity work).

I'm sure if it was today, The Buffalo News would run a TMZ style column daily about where they were spotted last night (Fat Cats or The Adam's Mark would be my guess).

As for the twitter world, I'd bet that Thurman Thomas wouldn't be twittering about his disdain towards the democratic party...more like twittering about his disdain towards the Canadian exchange rate at Mintz Gentleman's Night Club. I kid, Thurman.

But in all seriousness, back then, the Bills off the field stories were hardly covered by the media and because of their success, fans would not have cared how the players acted in public (Which is how I felt then and now). I'm sure if it was today, some media members and fans would chastise the Bills for their party habits. I mean, if they can do it to the greatest golfer in the world, why wouldn't they do it for the greatest players in Bills history.

=============================================

I don't know about you, but I'm thinking about unfollowing Peter King, John Clayton, Tim Graham, Adam Schefter and pretty much any NFL reporter on Twitter who happens to break NFL news. I mean, what is the point? The Bills aren't going to sign anyone whose significant. I also don't feel like living vicariously through the fans of the other 31 NFL teams that are signing players.

On a unrelated note, have you noticed how the Browns are finished with their two highly paid and highly disappointed quarterbacks on their roster? That's exactly how you blow up a team. You think Mike Holmgren or the other 30 NFL general managers would be receptive to Trent Edwards or Ryan Fitzpatrick as their starters? Yeah, I think not.

Read more of Joe at Joe in NYC

Status Quo So Far For the Buffalo Bills This Offseason

nospam@example.com (Joe Pinzone) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:09:58 -0500

I've written on previous articles that I wouldn't be harsh on the Buffalo Bills for not being active during free agency. Now, there are some free agents that I wouldn't have minded the Bills going after. However, like I've said all along, you have to build your team from within the draft.

Besides the draft, my biggest goal for the Buffalo Bills off-season was to see what they would do with some of their current veterans. I've made no bones about wanting this team to do a complete makeover. I'm not trying to be negative. I'm only asking for the Bills to do what other franchises have done after hiring a new GM and coach.

It's common knowledge that whenever you have a new regime take over a franchise, they are going to cut the team inside and out. Bill Parcells did it when he took over the Dolphins. Mike Holmgren is in the process of doing that in Cleveland as we speak. Jimmy Johnson did that with the Cowboys and Dolphins. You always hear media members say, "A new GM or coach wants to choose their own players." Well, I haven't exactly seen that yet.

Now, getting rid of veterans isn't about just killing off the team because I'm being irrational about the Bills failure to make the playoffs for the last 10 years. It's about knowing that change is on the horizon and that the organization realizes that they've been doing it wrong for years. That's all I've been asking from the Bills.

Core guys like Aaron Schobel, Marcus Stroud, Marshawn Lynch and Donte Whitner (to name a few) have failed to get the Bills over the hump. The Bills are acting as if their the Indianapolis Colts and are on the cusp of accomplishing something special. Sorry, but that ship sank two years ago.

Now, I haven't been asking for Julius Peppers or Anquan Bolden. All you have to do is go back and read my GM series to see what I wanted the team to do. I know that Rome wasn't built in a day, but the Romans sure as hell started building a pillar or two after Julius Caesar took over.

There are a number of vets on this team that make too much money, who haven't been able to give an adequate return on the investment. I know free agency isn't even a week old and things can change. Unfortunately, all of my gripes have been manifested by the recent news about a Bills player who looks to be staying put.

Does anyone want to tell me why Chris Kelsay is returning to the Bills? In case you didn't know, on March 5th, the Bills paid a roster bonus of $500,000 that was due to Kelsay. Why in the world are the Bills interested in a player whose never played a down as an outside linebacker and is going to be 31 in October? Makes absolutely no sense. I don't want to hear how guys like Kelsay are bridge-gaps to younger talent.

The problem with that assertion is that Kelsay's bridge has collapsed. You want veterans who can teach a young player what it takes to be a pro at their position. What's Kelsay going to teach Aaron Maybin? How not to jump up and down when you make a tackle? Hell, they are both going to learn how to be outside linebackers this offseason. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the Bills need to blow up their roster.

There's only two reasons I can think of for why Kelsay is coming back.

1) He's only going to cost the Bills 3.7 million dollars this season.
2) The Bills are still being run by the same people.

As for reason one, everyone knows that even though there isn't a cap anymore, the Bills are still operating with their cash to the cap philosophy. Kelsay was never worth the 6 million dollars a year that the Bills paid him in 2007, but luckily for the Bills, his salary goes down this year.

As for reason two, I said it when the Bills went in house to hire their GM. The move reeked of damage control in showing the general public that change was happening. It was obvious to me that the Bills just rearranged a couple of office titles and just gave Buddy Nix a sexy secretary and a key to the executive bathroom. I know fans and media members were even naive to think that Brandon and Wilson wouldn't have a big say in the team's personnel because they weren't at Chan Gailey's introduction press conference. Please...

Like I said earlier, when you have a new regime in charge they normally rip the roster apart. Something tells me that guys like Brandon and Modrak are putting in their two cents that Aaron Schobel and Kelsay can still play. Maybe their trying to justify giving those players their long term deals by keeping them around. The same can be said for a number of other players on the Bills roster.

I know it has only been two months into the Nix/Gailey partnership, and maybe I should give them more time to operate. I assure you, I'm looking for any sort of reason to think that the Bills are changing. Hell, it could be something as minuet as the Bills changing uniforms or flying in a free agent that hasn't played for the Chiefs. Instead, the only news the Bills are making is signing retread offensive lineman from the Oakland Raiders.

Besides wanting change, I wanted the Bills to stop trying to fit a square peg into a round hole by making players play out of position or bringing in players that don't fit the new scheme.

Kelsay and Schobel at OLB? Kyle Williams at NT? I haven't even gotten to Trent Edwards possibly starting next year. Again, wouldn't a new GM/Coach combo want a new quarterback? New regimes should bring in change; not follow the game plan of their predecessors.

The more things change the more they say the same with the Buffalo Bills. All I have to say is the Bills draft better be as good as the early Bill Polian years or this isn't going to change. Better yet, maybe we should start Googling mock drafts for top 5 picks for 2011 through 2014.

Read more of Joe at Joe in NYC

Terrell Owens kept mouth shut in Buffalo, but dropped the ball

nospam@example.com (Matthew Ondesko) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:05:09 -0500

The T.O. to B-Lo experiment could have worked, had the veteran got a grip on the ball.

By Charles Roberts, Sports Reporter

-Credit free agent wide receiver Terrell Owens with living up to his promise to be a model citizen while he was a member of the Buffalo Bills. He did almost everything possible to fly under the radar in hopes of landing one last big contract, ideally on a winning organization. The one thing he didn’t do however was catch the football. Although many attribute Owens’ lousy production in 2009 to a lack of stable quarterback on the Bills, plain and simple, the highly glamorized receiver was dreadful and at times, painful to watch. His mechanics – which have never been anything to write home about – seemed to have regressed even further last year and on plays that didn’t involve him – his body language let the defense know just that. It’s a pretty obvious point to make, but if the Buffalo Bills, one of the league’s most abysmal franchises over the last decade don’t see room for you on their roster, who really should?

-LaDainian Tomlinson’s recent visit to Minnesota should be the only such sit down he participates in. The Vikings were a legitimate Super Bowl contender last season and all signs point to them returning to that form in 2010, assuming their gray-haired, stubble-faced quarterback returns.

-After releasing quarterback Derek Anderson, the latest rumor out of Cleveland is that they are shopping Brady Quinn to a handful of teams. No specific teams were listed, but I would have to assume Buffalo, St. Louis, Oakland, Seattle and Washington were among those the Browns reached out to. It would seem as though new team general manager Mike Holmgren wants to clean house and bring in his own crew, which makes perfect sense. The one thing that has me scratching my head however is why former Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme is the first guy Holmgren reached out to for the possibly soon-to-be-available spot in Cleveland. It would seem like you already had a stationary guy with more upside in Anderson. I can see releasing Anderson to avoid that gaudy contract, but why not resign him for less? Drafting Quinn was the public relations move the team had to make a couple seasons ago, being the hometown kid, but now that it looks like they are going to dump him anyway, what’s the difference? And what value does the unproven Quinn really have? A third, perhaps fourth round pick?

-Little Ben gets Big Ben in trouble again. I wish these athletes would smarten up and stop putting themselves in compromising situations, like hanging out in college bars or scantily strip clubs, but it just doesn’t seem like that will ever happen. The saga continues.

Buffalo Bills free agent tackle Cornell Green assaulted woman

nospam@example.com (Joe Pinzone) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:43:48 -0500

By: Joe Pinzone

Meet your new Buffalo Bills right tackle. According to USA Today, Green assaulted the mother of his children in March of 2009.

Tampa police say Green became violent during an argument at his home with the mother of his two children. Police say Green slammed 30-year-old Teriyonal Ebony Flowers into a wall, then struck her right arm with an aluminum mop handle.

Judging by his salary (9 million over 3 years), Green looks to be taking over for Brad Butler. Of course, there are a couple of red flags around this guy, other than beating women of course. For one, he's played on six NFL teams in 10 years. The last team he played for was the Raiders, which may make fans flashback to the Langston Walker signing. He also didn't exactly have an all-pro season last year, giving up 6.5 sacks and 12 penalties in 12 starts.

Marv Levy must be rolling over his eyes over this move. So much for the Buffalo Bills valuing character. Kind of ironic that the guy had to use a mop handle to beat up his wife, since it seems like he was getting mopped up all over the field by defensive players.

Look, I get that this guy isn't going to be the cornerstone on the Bills line for the next 5 years (turns 34 in August). I totally agree that the Bills needed to address the offensive right tackle position at some point. However, couldn't they find a better stop-gap offensive right tackle that wasn't arrested and had the exact same number of penalties as starts? I don't know, maybe the guy will play like Geoff Hangartner. Hey, at least the Bills signed someone!...and he wasn't even from KC.

Read more of Joe at Joe in NYC

Kelly Likes Tim Tebow & Joey Porter on the Buffalo Bills Radar

nospam@example.com (Joe Pinzone) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:31:16 -0500

By Joe Pinzone

I know it's only March, but it looks as if the Buffalo Bills may have a tentative plan in finding a quarterback. NFL.com is reporting that the Bills (along with the Seahawks) want to have a private workout with Tim Tebow after his pro day on March 17th. I wrote a long blog over a month ago stating that I wasn't exactly thrilled about Tim Tebow coming to Buffalo. I think he has too many throwing issues, plus working in the shotgun exclusively at Florida worries me. However, my disdain towards the possibility of Trent Edwards starting in 2010 has soften my stance. Hell, at this juncture, I'd take JP Losman back over Captain Checkdown

Now, from a marketing stand point, it wouldn't shock me if the Bills drafted Tebow in the 2nd or 3rd round. I didn't think much of Tebow's popularity after his college career ended. However, after seeing all the hoopla over him changing his throwing motion and being surrounded by 100's of reporters at the NFL Combine, I knew that Tebow's fame had become a monster. Hell, he may be the reason the NFL decided to go prime time for the 2nd and 3rd rounds of the Draft. If the Bills drafted him, ESPN would be all over this story from mini-camp to the regular season. We'd get Erin Andrews camping out at One Bills Drive. College football fans from throughout the land who've adored Tebow would tune into games. Not to mention, you can probably put him up there as the #1 selling jersey for the Bills.

Mark my words, the national hoopla would be a lot BIGGER if Tebow was drafted by the Bills than T.O. coming to Buffalo. Plus, there's already strong support for Tebow to play from fans and members of the media in Buffalo. Lets not forget he has the backing of Jim Kelly, which is like being blessed by the pope around here. I'm not saying that I believe in Tebow. Quite honestly, I don't. But, from a marketing stand point, selling merchandise, luxury boxes, and team endorsements it's a gold mine.

================================================

There was a rumor that made its way across the web this weekend about the Bills bringing in Joey Porter for a workout on Tuesday. The rumor was reported by Buffalorumblings.com, but soon after was retracted. Anyways, we can still talk about it because it would make total sense for the Bills to sign Porter. I know, I've been saying to get younger, but this 3-4 experiment has me worried.

Look, there's no way Chris Kelsay or Aaron Schobel should be allowed to play outside linebacker for this team or any other. The team needs to bring in someone who knows how to be the quarterback of a 3-4 defense. Porter is that guy. He's been in the 3-4 for the majority of his career and has thrived in it. I know some may think he's washed up, but he did have 26.5 sacks over the last two years. Yes, it should be noted that he only had 9 sacks in 14 games last year, but even that sack total would have counted for 2nd most by a Bills player.

Now, I know what some people are thinking: "Porter is an old-washed up, arrogant punk who wouldn't mesh with Buffalo's blue-collar work ethic." Yes, Porter is in the twilight of his career. However, if Aaron Maybin is suppose to thrive the most in a 3-4 defense, it would be nice if he could have an all-pro tutoring him at a position he's never played at before.

As for Porter's personality issues, you know how I feel about spitfires. I love them! You need guys with attitude in professional sports. If there's one thing I was hoping that Terrell Owens could bring to the Bills last season, it was someone who would hold the team's feet to the fire if they played poorly. Unfortunately, T.O. didn't care about setting a precedent with the team because he was more interested in where he would end up playing in 2010 and didn't want to jeopardize that (You could probably put in cereal, modeling and a reality show in activities that peaked his interest more so than playing for the Bills).

Something tells me that Porter doesn't give a crap about reality shows and being a model. He's the type of player that's going to say what's on his mind and talk trash to the opposition. That's something the Bills haven't had in a long time. In the beginning of free agency, I wanted the Bills to make a run at Larry Foote to help with the 3-4 defense. Now, I wouldn't mind substituting Porter for that spot

Read more of Joe at Joe in NYC

NFL Free Agency: Antwaan Randle El back with Pittsburgh Steelers

nospam@example.com (Sports Blogger) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:59:22 -0500
-Wide receiver Antwaan Randle El, who was released by the Washington Redskins last week, has resigned with his old team the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Randle El had 50 receptions for 530 yards in 16 games playing for Washington last season. The receiver never really lived up to the expectations that came with signing the seven-year contract worth $31 million that included $11.5 million in bonuses back in 2006.

Many people around the league thought the Redskins over paid for Randle El in the first place considering he only averaged 40 catches and less than two touchdowns a year over his four seasons with the Steelers. He did improve on those numbers slightly during his four seasons with the Redskins, averaging 46 receptions and two touchdowns a season. But, after a year that saw him catch zero touchdowns in 2009, the Redskins felt they no longer needed his services.

The deal with Pittsburgh is rumored to be for three years, with terms not yet available.

Terrell Owens & Ochocinco = Bad For Palmer; Patriots & Reed talk

nospam@example.com (Joe Pinzone) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:09:07 -0500
By: Joe Pinzone

I know the big talk is that the Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco combination may end up becoming a reality with the news that the Cincinnati Bengals are interested in the former Buffalo Bills wide receiver. I know some fans will think that Owens and Ochocinco would be dominant on the field and in media sessions. I'm more than willing to say it's going to be the latter that results in domination. This isn't a knock against Owens, it's actually a knock against Carson Palmer.

The Bengals franchise quarterback hasn't been the same since 2007. In 2008, Palmer was mired in injuries and only played four games because of a partially torn ligament and tendon in his elbow. Palmer decided to elect NOT to have Tommy John surgery (Which ISN'T a good surgery for a quarterback to have), instead, he choose to rest the injury to allow it to heal.

Last year, Palmer played OK, throwing for 21 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Yes, those numbers seem fine, but considering the three years prior to his injury plagued 2008 season, Palmer regressed (Palmer had 86 touchdown passes from 2005-2007). He also barley got over the 3,000 yard mark after playing all 16 games last year. I know all of this because he was on my fantasy football team and cost me major dough!

Palmer really struggled down the stretch with the Bengals and had a very poor playoff showing against the Jets. If Palmer gets Owens and Ochocinco on his team together, you can definitely put the quarterback in the same discussion as one of the players with the most pressure going into next season. All I'm saying is that this move would have been a slam dunk if it took place three years ago. Now...It's going to be a very contested lay-up. I hope for Palmer's sake he gets back to his previous numbers or Owens and Ochocinco will eat him alive.

=====================================================

Profootballtalk is reporting that Josh Reed is set to visit the New England Patriots on Sunday. Josh Reed signing with the Patriots would be like peanut butter and jelly. I use to always tell my friends that Reed reminded me of Wes Welker with his size and route running ability. Say what you will about Reed, but if he's in an offense that relies on the slot position, he can be a huge asset.

Mark my words, if Wes Welker isn't 100% from his torn ACL and MCL injury, Josh Reed will catch 10 balls a game. Reed fits in perfectly with what the Patriots offense needs out of their slot receiver. Even when Welker went down, unknown wide receiver Julian Edelman was able to pick up where Welker left off. The rookie wide receiver caught 16 passes for three touchdowns in just two games. If I'm Josh, I would jump at the opportunity to sign a 1-year deal with the Patriots for whatever amount of money they'd pay him. If he catches 10 balls a game, he'll more than likely double his status as a free agent in 2011.

Read more of Joe at >Joe in NYC

Buffalo Bills: NFL Draft; Best Bills Draft Picks from '67 - '09

nospam@example.com (Lacey Severins) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:47:08 -0500
By Lacey Severins

Last year, 39 million people tuned in to watch the 2009 NFL Draft. The event aired the weekend of April 25th and 26th on ESPN, ESPN2 and the NFL Network. Apparently, the ten-plus hours of coverage each day was simply not enough, and the 2010 draft is expanding its schedule. Starting at 7:30 p.m. ET Thursday, April 22, the first round will be televised, followed with the second and third rounds Friday, April 23 at 6:30 p.m. ET and rounds 4-7 on Saturday, April 24 at 10 a.m. ET.

The 75th NFL Draft’s prime time debut is set to generate greater viewership, “Moving the first round to prime time on Thursday night will make the first round of the draft available to fans on what is typically the most-watched night of television," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said.

So, with the new schedule in place, there will obviously be more time to debate and argue the results. But after a few hours of booing and criticizing, and ultimately realizing that you can’t change the outcome (even though you know that you could have drafted better than the owners), why not take a much needed breather. Figure this as the next topic of conversation: who were the best value draft players in Buffalo Bills history? Hopefully this will distract you from the present debacles that happened this year and will rile up some interest and spark controversial discussions that you might win, since after all, it’s all opinion based and I’m just adding fuel to the fire:

The guidelines that I followed for selecting the players were:

- Longevity and productivity all while playing for the Buffalo Bills. What I mean is that a player that was drafted by the Bills and then traded who went on to have a good career will not be a possible candidate for the Best Value Draft Player. Take Gary Anderson who was given every opportunity to become the starting kicker for the Bills in 1982 but just didn’t have the pop in preseason and was released before the start of regular season ball. He was later picked up by the Pittsburgh Steelers in ’82 and went on to have a successful 23-year career with five teams; notably, Anderson had a perfect season in 1998 when hitting 59 of 59 extra point attempts and making all 35 field goals he kicked that season.
- Round in which a player was drafted. Say a player picked in the tenth round does not go on to be stud, well that’s certainly not an anomaly or gut-wrenching shock. So, Richard Tharpe in 1983 as the 11th rounder for the Bills going on to play three games in one season, does not qualify for best value draft player (stunning, I know). But, how about Al Edwards? Drafted in 1990, Edwards played three seasons with Buffalo, started five games and pulled in 26 receptions, not too awful for someone from Northwestern State-Louisiana, picked in the 11th, right?
- Since the Bills joined the NFL in 1967. In 1960 when the Bills had their first draft, they were members of the AFL and had 30 rounds (although it should be mentioned that each round had eight slots, roughly translating to a modern day draft). Seven years later Buffalo joined the NFL in addition to the other seven AFL teams and a 17 round system was implemented. Here is where the search for the best value draft player beings, 1967 through 2009:

Rounds 17 through 13 weren’t exactly a hot bed of sprouting talent and promising prospects. During the ten year stretch from ’67 to ’77, Buffalo had just one player that lasted more than three years, good old Merv Krakau: 1973-1977, 13th round pick, 344 overall. But hey, one guy out of 50 guys isn’t that bad, right? Sure. We move on:

In 1977, the NFL cut into the draft, slicing it down from 17 to 12 rounds. By doing so, the amount of players drafted decreased and the quality of draftees ubiquitously increased. In keeping consistent with the guidelines, I riffled through rounds 12 through one, and found thirty or so draft picks that came out of left field and really had some quality seasons with the Bills. Let’s start with the 12th round:

- Charles Romes: The 309th player selected in 1977, he played 10 seasons with Buffalo, started 137 of the 156 games in his career and wracked up 27 interceptions. Compare him to Phil Dokes, who? Oh, Phil Cokes-you mean the first round pick for Buffalo, 12th overall in 1977. Well, he did play for two whole years...
- Round 11: I mentioned Al Edwards before, a serviceable player for three years, but he’s not the guy I want to focus on. In 1987, the Bills picked up Howard Ballard with the 283rd selection. All Ballard went on to do was play six seasons with Buffalo, starting 80 games and being named to the Pro-Bowl in ’92 and ’93.
- Round 10: 1978 brought Will Grant to Buffalo. In nine years with the Bills, Grant started 89 games of 122. For a 255th overall pick, that’s a career with some decent value.
- Round 9: In 1981, Robb Riddick was selected 241st. Although he had a rather short six year career, he had a few shinning moments with Buffalo. Riddick had a solid 1986 season, starting eight games; rushing for 632 with a 4.2 y/a and bringing in 49 catches for 468 yards. In 1988, he rushed for 12 touch downs, good for fourth best in the league that year. Then there’s Keith McKeller, who was selected with the 227th overall pick. McKeller started in 45 of 80 games in seven years with Buffalo, and interestingly enough, had the renowned “K-Gun” offense named after him and not the Hall of Fame QB Jim Kelly who ran the no-huddle system in the early 90s.
- Round 8: One decent draftee that didn’t end up a dud was 1990’s 208th Marvcus Patton. Starting his 13-year career with Buffalo, Patton played five seasons with the Bills and started in 38 of 80 games. The linebacker did play during the Bills Super Bowl stretch seasons; from ’93-’94, Patton was the starting MILB, making over eighty percent of his starts in just those two seasons. On to Jeff Wright, the mighty nose tackle for Buffalo. In 1988 with the 213th pick, the Bills got Wright, he played seven seasons for Buffalo and started 67 of 98 games and recorded 31.5 sacks in his time in the NFL. Wright, like Patton, played during the high light years for Buffalo during the early ‘90s.
- Round 7: For some reason, this round cranked out a fair amount of above average players:

- 1996: Jay Riemersma--The tight end started 65 games for Buffalo during his six year career here, pulling in just over 2300 yards and 20 touchdowns. Recently, Riemersma is making headlines for his political campaign, running for the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican in Michigan’s 2nd congressional district.
- 1992: Kurt Schulz: In eight years with Buffalo, the gritty safety started 71 of 107 games. He wracked up 21 interceptions as a Bill, and had six picks in both the ’95 and ’98 seasons.
- 1986: Mark Pike: A twelve year career is typically one that belongs to a first round pick, but how about Pike then? He was selected 178th overall, but managed a solid 12 seasons with Buffalo. He also has the honor of having the most special teams tackles in Bills history.

- Round 6: Going way back to 1973, the Bills picked up John Skorupan 136th overall. He played five years with Buffalo, starting 34 of 50 games. He was named to the NFL ALL Rookie Team. Skipping ahead three plus decades to 2006, Keith Ellison was drafted with the 178th pick overall. Although suffering an injury in his young career mid way through the 2009 season, Ellison has a promising future if he can bounce back for 2010. Prior to the quad pull that sidelined him, Ellison had started 30 of 42 games and had a sack in his freshman and sophomore seasons.
- Round 5: In 2005 Kyle Williams was selected in the 134th spot and was actually Buffalo’s first pick. Four years into his career Williams has eight sacks in 61 games he has played in. The other fifth rounder that deserves a nod is John Holecek. The 144th pick of the 1995 draft, he played five seasons with Buffalo, started 51 of 58 games, recorded 2.5 sacks and had two interceptions. Sort of a blase round for Buffalo, but, hey that’s what the next four are for.
- Round 4: I’m just going to get this guy right out of the way. Coming out of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, Andre Reed was the 86th pick in the 1985 draft. He played in 15 seasons with Buffalo, was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and had over 13,000 receiving yards in his career. The beloved Buffalo Bill is beyond quality, he was a star player that rarely comes along and is more than likely a future Hall of Famer.

It’s probably more than fair to assume Reed was the best fourth round draft pick by the Bills, but here is a few other guys that did alright for themselves too:

- Lucius Sanford: Picked up in the 1978 draft, Sanford started 108 games for Buffalo in a nine year career as a Bill. Although he was not a shinning star with countless accolades, the hard nosed play from the linebacker certainly makes him a quality draft pick.
- Leon Seals Jr.: Drafted 109th overall, the tough defensive end played five seasons with Buffalo and started 38 of 78 games. Although his career was fairly short, he did manage to record 14.5 sacks.
- Round 3: Alright, honestly, there are a lot of good players to come from this round. So, I’m going to do a 3 for 3 list and call it quits after that:

1. Don Beebe: When Beebe played for Buffalo, he was there for the four Super Bowl runs and acted as a nice wide out option behind Reed. He had 164 receptions during his six years with the Bills and was the consummate hustler. Beebe might be most adulated by Bills fans for causing Dallas Cowboys Leon Lett to fumble by knocking the ball out of his hands at the goal line in the 1993 Super Bowl.
2. Joe Ferguson: Before Jim there was Joe, the quarterback of the Buffalo Bills from 1973-1984. During his career in Western New York, he was in the top 10 in passing yards and passing touchdowns four times, and at one point in his career, started 107 consecutive games. Ferguson went on to play in a total of 163 games and wrack up more than 27,000 passing yards in his years with the Bills.
3. Frank Reich: I hate to go with another quarterback but Reich did lead the greatest comeback in NFL history (college too, Fear the Terps). As a backup to Jim Kelly for nine seasons, Reich started just eight games. But, one of those starts came with Kelly sidelined on January 3rd, 1993. I’m sure Bills and NFL fans alike know the game well: Buffalo down 35-3 going into the second half against the Houston Oilers, Reich led the Bills to a 41-38 overtime victory, the largest comeback in the history of the NFL. I think this event alone makes him a good choice for a quality draft pick, and, to boot, he was at the helm when Buffalo beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the division title game in ’93 to get them back to the Super Bowl.

- Round 2: It would be ridiculous to list all the “quality” players that the Bills drafted in the second round. Being right after the first and assumedly more than 32 outstanding players to choice from, certainly some big time players fall into the 33-65 positions or round two. So, I figure listing two excellent players would be alright to do:

1. Thurman Thomas: I almost feel that it would be a serious insult to any fan if I did not mention him. Of course Thurman is a quality player, this is not shocking and the only reason he dropped into this round is because of a knee injury he sustained at Oklahoma St. before the draft in 1988. Really, lucky for the Bills who picked him at the 40th spot and ran with him all the way to a Hall of Fame career.
2. Darryl Talley: Speaking of a quality player that exhibited productivity and longevity throughout his entire career with Buffalo, Talley’s 12 years with the Bills were remarkable. He never missed a game, starting 160 of 188; had 38.5 sacks; was a two time Pro Bowl selection in ’90 and ’91; is Buffalo’s all-time tackles leader with 1,137; and had 11 interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns.

- The Last and Final Round, 1: I figured that it would be trite and unimaginative to point out the obligatory greats in the first round, Kelly, Bruce, Simpson etc., so, why not go the opposite direction and take a look at the absolute worst, that were supposed to be the best:
- These next players might be a clear indication why the Bills had a rough go at finding success in the 1970s: Buffalo began the era with Al Cowlings. Hm, I think Cowlings might have found more notoriety off the field than on, he was, after all, he was driving O.J. Simpson around L.A. in a sporty white Ford Bronco in what is potentially the slowest police chase in the history of automobiles as forms of getaways. But for a moment consider his career with Buffalo: The overall five pick, Cowlings never started a game for the Bills and was let go after three seasons.
- In 1975, Tom Ruud was picked 19th overall and in the three years he was with the Bills, he at least started three games...more than Cowlings can say.
- Then there is good old Tom Cousineau in 1979 that as the number one pick never played for the Bills since he felt that they were rude to him. Okay, so he went up to Canada, played for the Montreal Alouettes, came back to the NFL to play with Cleveland, then went to San Francisco. One interesting tid-bit on Cousineau though, when he reentered the NFL, the Bills still had the rights to him and traded him to the Browns for a first round draft pick, which led Buffalo to eventually picking up Jim Kelly.
- Walt Patulski, for all the success that he had during his playing days at Notre Dame; winning the Lombardi Award as the best collegiate lineman; Heisman candidate and All-American awards, he never amounted to all the hype that followed him into the 1972 draft. Patulski had four serviceable seasons with Buffalo, but was traded to the Cardinals for a second round pick. Not exactly what you’re hoping for in a number one overall selection.

If I Were Buffalo Bills GM Part VI: The Draft

nospam@example.com (Joe Pinzone) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 11:34:31 -0500
Well, we are coming down the stretch for reshaping the Buffalo Bills roster. Free agency is over and done with. The undersized defensive players are in different uniforms. Trent Edwards is flipping burgers or playing in the CFL. The waste has been wasted. In the process, I've been able to bring in some new blood to the team via free agency. I have to say, it has really been fun being the Buffalo Bills GM for the last two weeks.

But now we are at the crown jewel of my rebuilding project...The NFL Draft. Everyone knows the back stories of how important the NFL Draft has become. It's without question more important today than what it was 25 years ago. We all know the history of Tom Brady and Mike Williams. We know the history of Whitner over Ngata. We know the history of Bruce Smith over Doug Flute. Yada, yada, yada. We all know that in order to make NFL history it has to start at the draft.

However, I have a little confession to make; I hate the NFL Draft. I just can't stand how everyone grades a team's picks even before they sign their contracts. I also think it's the most over hyped TV event in sports history. For the most part, the majority of your draft picks aren't going to put you over the following year.

I could never understand the need for the combine or measuring your verticals. Hell, I think the combine was invented so the NFL Network could have programming in February. Then to top it off, you have all these draft prognosticators, who for the most part have never had a scouting job in NFL. And if you want to see some of their draft boards, you are going to have to pay to read it (ESPN Insider).

OK, that concludes my rant of the day.

Now, even though the draft can be a little bit of overkill for the build-up, I'm in total agreement that it sets the foundation for your team. I'm not here to tell you whether I think Jimmy Clausen or Bryan Buluga are going to be busts or not. No one really knows, which makes the draft nothing more than a crap shoot. However, the way I'm going to draft players is by finding the best player available. Not exactly Brain surgery, right?

Here's a quick recap about the picks I have: (If your wondering where I got all these picks please read my past articles in this series)

1.) 9th Pick (Bills first round pick)
2.) 25th Pick (Ravens first round pick from the Lee Evans Trade)
3.) 41st Pick (Bills 2nd round pick)
4.) 51st Pick (Texans 2nd round pick from the Aaron Schobel Trade)
5.) 72nd Pick (Bills 3rd round pick)
6.) 91st Pick (Chargers 3rd round pick from the Marshawn Lynch Trade)
7.) 94th Pick (Colts 3rd round pick from the Kyle Williams Trade)
8.) 100th Pick (Redskins 4th round pick from the Whitner and Parrish Trade)
9.) 135th Pick (Bills 5th round pick)
10.) 167th Pick (Bills 6th round pick
11.) 181st Pick (Eagles 6th round pick from the Jason Peters Trade)
12.) 192nd Pick (Lions 7th round pick from the Ko Simpson Trade)
13.) 194th Pick (Redskins 7th round pick from the Whitner and Parrish Trade)
14.) 199th Pick (Bills 7th round pick)

DAM! 14 picks!? I have my work cutout. Maybe I should outsource these picks to the draft experts that I just bad mouthed. Now
In the past, I would normally grade drafts on how the team fills their needs with the mindset that all the players picked would eventually contribute to the team. So, I would hope when you grade my draft, you can use that rhetoric when judging it.

Now, I don't know what's going to happen with prospects between now and April. Tim Tebow's new throwing release could make him into a 1st ballot HOF. Dez Bryant could run 4.99 in the 40 and blame it on the turf (like Malcom Kelly did 2 years ago). Terrence Cody could pull a Pizza the Hut and eat himself alive.

I'm sure by the time the draft comes around the corner, the big board will be totally different. So for now, I'm going to pretend the draft is happening today.

So without further adieu. Welcome to the 2010 NFL Draft... Buffalo Bills edition.

With the 9th pick in the first round, the Buffalo Bills select Anthony Davis, Left tackle from Rutgers.
Look, I could have easily given the card to the commissioner that read "The Bills select the best tackle available." It's a forgone conclusion that the Bills are desperate for a tackle.

Davis is a beast at 6'5 and 325lbs. He's a tremendous pass blocking left tackle with outstanding size and growth potential. He Possesses great footwork and the ability to slide laterally off the edge. He also covers a lot of area on the field and effective blocking in motion. (CBS Sports)

Remember all those games we saw last year, where a running back would get hit by two defenders a second after the hand-off? I'm done with seeing that sort of non-sense. Davis has massive wingspan, and his lower body is built for leverage. That sounds like the type of guy who can pave the way for my 1,400 yard rusher.

Now, Davis does have some issues. In 2008, Davis violated team policy and was suspended for one game. This past season, Davis was benched for the first quarter against Army after reporting late to a team function earlier that week. His weight has also been scrutinized after he was demoted for the first six days of training camp this past summer for reporting overweight.

Now, before you all go out and scream, "You idiot! Don't you remember Mike Williams?" Realize that I'm not drafting with the memories of the Bills crappy draft picks. I don't care if there's a good player out there whose from the University of Texas and his initials are T.O.-If he can play, he's coming here. Davis by all accounts can play and there have been players who have been able to grow up after college.

Now if Davis is drafted by the time the Bills pick, I'd select Bryan Buluga or Trent Williams.

With the 25th pick in the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Jared Odrik, Defensive end from Penn State.
Odrik is an explosive interior blocker that's constantly making plays behind the line of scrimmage. More importantly, he can play defensive end in a 3-4. He has the quickness that demands immediate attention from blockers, and he can follow up with a persistent bull rush. He is not agile but used his big, strong hands to control blockers but might need to learn more tricks to remain consistently successful. (CBS Sports)

Look, if nose tackle Dan Williams is available at this spot, I'm running up to the commissioner with his name. But more than likely, Williams is going to be gone by the 25th pick. Now, I definitely would love to add a legit 3-4 nose tackle here. However, Terrence Cody, who many feel is someone the Bills should make a run at in the second round; is a bit of a reach at the 25th pick.

As for Odrik, I think it would be an ideal situation for the Bills to have him play spot duty behind Marcus Stroud and Marcus Spears. Stroud is in the twilight of his career, and probably won't be living up to his high salary after next year. Odrik would be a legit player to come in and be the heir apparent to Stroud. Since Schobel and Kelsay are gone, the Bills need players that are going to be able to rush the passer. My hope is that Odrik can be that pass rusher the Bills can count on for the next ten years.

The Buffalo Bills have traded the rights of their 51st and 94th picks to the New York Jets for the rights to the 29h pick. The Bills select Golden Tate, Wide receiver, Notre Dame
OK, I know what you're thinking. "Joe, why on earth would you trade Lee Evans only to draft a wide receiver in the first round." It's because I firmly believe in trying to build the Bills offense around a younger core. Like I've said before, the Bills are 3-4 years away from doing serious damage and by that time, Evans will more than likely be gone. I happen to really like Golden Tate because he's a diverse talent that can play in the slot or on the outside. He's a good route runner and from what I've heard, an even better team leader.

He's played in a pro style offense, and won the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top receiver after covering 1,496 yards and scoring 15 times on his 93 receptions. He also carried the ball 25 times for 186 yards and two scores; and returned 12 punts for 171 yards and another score.

The best part about Tate is that he can break tackles and isn't afraid to go over the middle. I think the Bills have missed that dynamic over the last couple of years. I firmly believe if Hardy can meet his expectations, he and Tate could make a very complimentary receiving pair for the next 10 years. Plus, don't forget that I still have Chris Chambers and Benjamin Watson to throw the ball to.

As for why the Jets would want to trade for additional picks, the Jets have only four picks for the entire draft, none from rounds 3-5. (Yes, you may not like the reason, but deals like those have worked)

With the 41st pick in the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select, Terrence Cody, Nose Tackle, University of Alabama.
Cody is one of the few highly touted legit nose tackles in the draft. Cody is massive at 6'5, 360lbs. His stats aren't going to overwhelm you, but his massive size should result in constant double teams that will only make his fellow lineman and linebackers play much better.

Now, there are some issues about Cody. For one, he's um... kind of big boned, which has a lot of the scouts in the NFL nervous. He doesn't penetrate really well and isn't the type of player whose going to be chasing down Mike Vick, let alone Tom Brady. Now, it should be noted that he lost 16lbs between the Senior Bowl and the Combine, which proves that he's willing to do his best to lose weight. I desperately need a NT and Cody is the best available option at this point.

With the the 72nd pick in the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Dan LeFevour, Quarterback, University of Central Michigan
Dan LeFevour has all the tools to be a very effective NFL quarterback. He has size at 6'3 and 229lbs. But don't let his size fool you, because he's a quarterback that can run. During his career at Central Michigan, LeFevour put up some mind-numbing numbers. He is the all-time NCAA leader with 149 touchdowns in his career. He's also second in all-time career yardage leader with 15,898 yards. Besides the stats, LeFouver is a pure athlete. Prior to becoming a quarterback, he was actually a tailback his freshman year of high school, but injuries forced him to take a crack at being a quarterback. Smart move.

With the 91st pick in the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Jason Fox, Tackle, University of Miami
Pass blocking: At least moderate initial quickness, but is inconsistent with his depth on his initial kick-step. May lack the elite lateral quickness and balance to remain at left tackle in the pros. Appears to have the agility to beat the defender to the edge, but too often stops moving his feet and is susceptible to pass-rushers with a second move. Quick, active hands that he uses well to control the defender when he keeps his feet moving.

Run blocking: More consistent with his quickness as a run blocker. Can get out and hook the defensive end to seal the edge. Strong enough to turn his opponent, but isn't a road grader that can consistently drive his opponent off the ball. Quick hands, but has only marginal upper-body strength and hand placement to sustain. (CBSSports.com)

As of now, I'm penciling in Demetrius Bell as my starting right tackle (Yes, I'm moving him from LT), but would be open to Fox having a legit shot at the job in camp.

With the 100th pick in 2010 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Sean Lee, Inside linebacker, Penn State.
Lee was at one time a dominant linebacker for Penn State. It was only two years ago that he was being touted as the best linebacker the university had produced in the last five years. Unfortunately for Lee, he tore his knee ligament in the summer of 2008 and was out for the season.

Upon returning, Lee didn't play as well as he did in 2007, when he finished 2nd team all Big Ten, and second on the team with 138 tackles. Lee also has an Outback Bowl MVP on his resume from 2007. Lee has to convince scouts he has NFL-caliber speed and strength. However, the scouts do love his toughness and intelligence.

If Lee can return to what he was prior to his injury, I think he and Paul Posluzny could make for a decent inside linebacker pairing for the years to come. Plus, he'll be able to learn behind Larry Foote his first season, so there won't be a rush to get him on the field.

With the 135th pick in the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Sam Young, Left Tackle, Notre Dame.
Great things were expected from the Parade All-American from Florida when he came to South Bend, but being the first true freshman ever to start on Notre Dame's offensive line opening weekend was truly a fine accomplishment (first-year players were eligible to play immediately starting in 1972).

All Young has done since is start every game for the Irish. He lined up at right tackle for the first 16 games, then moved to left tackle for 10 contests in 2007 before moving back to the right side for the last two seasons. In 2009, Young helped the Irish become one of the most prolific offenses in the country, rolling up more than 450 yards per game. Though not considered one of the more athletic tackles in the 2010 draft, Young's size, strength and pedigree are likely to land him a spot in the middle rounds and give him the potential to have a long NFL career. (CBSSports.com)

As you can tell, I'm not messing around with the offensive line when it comes to the draft. Young could be a diamond in the rough because the entire offensive line for the Irish was a disaster the last couple of years. Plus, he's use to playing in a pro style offense, which should help his transition to the NFL. My plan is to have either Young or Fox compete for the starting right tackle job with Bell.

With the 167th Pick in the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Adrian Tracey, Outside linebacker, William & Mary
Honored by five organizations as an All-American in 2009, Tracy established himself as one of the nation's top defensive players and recently competed in the Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Game. A With 12 sacks, he equaled the single-season school record established by Luke Cullinane in 1996. Additionally, Tracy ranked sixth in the conference in tackles among defensive linemen with 5.6 per game. His 62.5 tackles for a loss led the nation among all active players, while he ranked third with 31 career sacks - a W&M record. He also started every game of his career (47) en route to establishing a school record. (CBSsports.com)

Tracey played defensive end in college, but his size and shape would be more ideal as an outside linebacker in the pros. He had a pretty good workout at the combine, running in the 4.6-second range in the 40. More importantly, Tracey looked terrific in coverage when working on linebacker drills especially in pass coverage.

Tracey would be the back-up to outside linebacker Kawika Mitchell (Yes, I know..the Bills said he may play inside). If Poz or Foote go down with an injury, I'd be able to move Mitchell to the inside and have Coleman play on the outside.

With the 181st pick of the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Antonio Brown, Wide receiver, Central Michigan
Brown finished his career with 305 receptions for 3,199 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also rushed for four touchdowns and returned three punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns during his career. Brown is CMU's all-time leader in receptions and ranks second in Mid-American Conference history.

He is third in school history in receiving yards and second in touchdown receptions. Brown was the MAC Special Teams Player of the Year in both 2008 and 2009. He was named MAC Freshman of the Year in 2007. Brown caught 102 passes for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns in 2007. In 2008, he caught 93 passes for 998 yards and seven touchdowns. Brown finished 2009 with a school-record 110 receptions for 1,198 yards and nine touchdowns.
(CBSSports.com)

In keeping up with selecting duos from the same college, Brown presents a valuable option on special teams for returning kicks for the Bills. Plus, he and LeFevour had great chemistry in college, which should only help the duo develop in the pros. He would be my 5th wide receiver going into training camp.

With the 192nd pick in the NFL Draft, The Buffalo Bills select Al Woods, NT, LSU.
Woods is a hard-working player who should be able to make the transition to NT in the NFL. Woods is blessed with great size and he can also run under 5.1 in the 40-yard dash, a pretty decent clip for a man of his physical stature. He can be effective against both the run and the pass. However, Woods has been battling injuries and is coming off a not so hot year at LSU.

With the 194th pick, the Buffalo Bills select Dedrick Epps, Tight end, University of Miami
Athletic tight end that flashes skills in blocking and catching. Needs to play at a consistently high level but has an upside. Epps plays with a nasty edge and should be a decent third tight end behind Nelson and Watson. The biggest concern is that Epps is coming a ACL injury, but should be good to go by the summer.

And finally, with the 199th pick the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Antonio Coleman, OLB, Auburn.
After serving in a backup role in 2006, Coleman developed into one of the SEC's most feared pass-rushers in '07 and '08, earning all-conference accolades both seasons and posting a combined 29 tackles for loss and 15 sacks.

Coleman started off slow as a senior, partially tearing a ligament in his wrist that required a cast on his right hand and made it difficult for him to fight through blocks. Once the cast was removed, however, Coleman was a terror -- posting 7.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss over his final seven games, including the Outback Bowl victory over Northwestern. Despite his slow start, Coleman led the SEC in tackles for loss (16.5) and sacks (10) in 2009 (CBSSports.com)

Size is the biggest question mark for Coleman, as some scouts see him as a tweener. He definitely has a good motor and athletic skills, which should be good for special teams. He's also one tough SOB, as he played part of his senior year with torn ligaments in his wrist.

Lets recap the draft:

1.) 9th Pick- Anthony Davis (Left Tackle)
2.) 25th Pick-Jared Odrik (Defensive End)
3.) 28th Pick-Golden Tate (Wide Receiver)
4.) 41st Pick- Terrence Cody (Nose Tackle)
5.) 72nd Pick-Dan LeFevour** (Quarterback)
6.) 91st Pick-Jason Fox** (Tackle)
7.) 100th Pick-Sean Lee** (Inside Linebacker)
8.) 135th Pick-Sam Young (Tackle)
9.) 167th Pick-Adrian Tracey (Outside Linebacker)
11.) 181st Pick-Antonio Brown (Wide Receiver)
12.) 192nd Pick-Al Woods (Nose Tackle)
13.) 194th Pick-Dedrick Epps** (Tight End)
14.) 199th Pick-Antonio Coleman (Outside Linebacker)

**Picks wouldn't take place if Kevin Kolb is on the team** (read previous articles)

That's it for the draft!!! Wow, that was a lot tougher than I thought. I'll come back with an updated post on what My version of the 2010 Buffalo Bills will look like...It will be a quick post.

Feel free to comment on my picks.

If I Were Buffalo Bills GM Part V: Free Agency

nospam@example.com (Joe Pinzone) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:10:12 -0500
Free agency is upon us, and it couldn't be more of a different class than in years past. Without a new CBA signed, nearly 200 would-be free agents are now restricted. You also have rumors that teams are not going to spend as much as in years past because of the impending work stoppage in 2011.

As for my team, the Buffalo Bills are in desperate need of talent. I've jettisoned a lot of their core players from last year, while being able to get a few draft picks. My strategy is to try and build my core players from within the NFL draft. Like I've said before, experts are saying this draft class is one of the deepest in history.

I want to add young free agents and veteran role players who can bridge the gap to younger guys for 2011. With the salaries of Evans, Owens, Schobel, Williams and Kelsay gone; I now have more money to play with.

Now, forgive me before we get started. There are some players that I didn't get to when I was doing my evaluations of the Buffalo Bills roster.

Donte Whitner was a part of my Kevin Kolb deal. However, if the Kolb deal falls through, I still have to figure out what to do with Whitner. I've already spoken about my feelings towards Whitner in volume two of this series.

The rumor making the rounds is that the Redskins may be interested in acquiring Whitner’s services. What's with the Redskins getting former Bills players? Bruce Smith, Andre Reed, London Fletcher, Derrick Dockery and Mike Williams have all played for the burgundy and gold. Even Greg Williams and Jerry Gray coached there.

It shouldn't shock anyone that the Redskins are always into making trades or signing free agents. Besides their owner acting as if he's running a fantasy football team, Bruce Allen and Mike Shanahan are known for always preferring veteran players over establishing young draft picks. The Redskins need a safety and have always been rumored in wanting the services of Roscoe Parrish. As for Parrish, I'm not paying a punt returner $3 million a year.

Purposed Trade:

The Bills should trade Roscoe Parrish and Donte Whitner to the Redskins for a third and seventh round pick.

Now that we have the roster out of the way, it's time to dive into the free agent market. Let the second guessing begin.

Defensive Line
Going into free agency, I would have loved to go out and pay a boat load of money for a nose tackle like Vincent Wilfork or Casey Hampton. However, those players, along with a number of other nose tackles are going to be franchised. I'm not going to give up two first round picks and a ton of cash for guys pushing 30 and above. The only legit nose tackle on the open market is Jason Ferguson of the Dolphins, whose 36 and coming off a serious knee injury. However, I do need to add some sort of defensive lineman that is not only young enough, but smart enough to know how to play in a 3-4 defense.

Enter Marcus Spears
Now look, Marcus Spears isn't the type of player who’s going to get 10 sacks a year. However, he plays exceptional well against the run. He's only 27 and has played exclusively in a 3-4 defense as an end. Now, he is a restricted free agent and I haven't heard anything about the Cowboys being interested in retaining his services. The boys do have a pretty hefty payroll. Even without the cap, Dallas may decide to not go all New York Yankees this offseason because they have invested a billion dollars into their new stadium. They also have to worry about resigning Miles Austin, who won't come cheap.

Since Spears is restricted, I'm willing to send over one of my third round picks and give him a new deal. As for his contract, it's going to be a little less than what Chris Canty received last year from the Giants.

Proposed deal: Bills trade their 3rd round pick (Baltimore's pick from the Lee Evans deal) for the rights to Marcus Spears, who will then sign a new deal for 26 million dollars over 5 years.

Linebackers
During my tenure as GM, I haven't really talked about my current linebacking core. Yes, I will be moving Aaron Maybin to OLB. Paul Pozluszny is going to stay inside, which should be a benefit for him since he won't have to cover as much territory like he did in a 4-3. As for Kawika Mitchell, I'm not a fan of putting him inside because he's coming off a ACL injury and I don't think he could handle the physical pounding. So more than likely, Mitchell will be moved to the outside.

Now, I have an inside linebacker spot open and it's definitely NOT going to Keith Ellison. I was thinking about adding an inside linebacker early in the draft. However, with the Bills not exactly having a lot of experience in the linebacking core, I think it's crucial to get an experienced linebacker that has worked in a 3-4 defense.

Enter Larry Foote
Foote is right on tip of my age range for this football team (Turns 30 in June). He's a free agent from the Detroit Lions, but made his bones playing in Pittsburgh's 3-4 defense as an inside linebacker for seven seasons. Up until last year, the guy didn't miss a start for almost six years. He's a versatile inside linebacker that will get you almost 100 tackles a year. Foote will also bring in Super Bowl championship experience. I'm sure Bill Cowher will give Chan Gailey a call and give him a glowing recommendation.

Now, Foote is definitely not in the prime of his career. As a matter of fact, his better days may be done. Foote's a transition guy that I plan on having stay in Buffalo for maybe a year or two. Foote has been looking for a long term deal, but I think at his age, it's going to be tough for him to get that. So, I'll give him a three year deal, but more than likely he won't see the final year of it.

Bills sign Larry Foote to a 3-year contract worth 7.5 million dollars.

Secondary
This is by far the Bills strongest part of their team. I may look to add another safety for depth via the waiver wire or late in the draft. However, I will be sure to have a long heart to heart talk with Leodis McKelvin. Considering that some scouts rated him higher than Darrelle Revis coming out of college, I would expect for McKelvin to come out this season and establish himself as a legit corner. I know he only played 3 games last year and had issues with his lawn care, but he still hasn't proven to me that he's worth the first round status. To quote Sting: "I'll be watching you."

Quarterback
I've already addressed this in my previous posts. Honestly though, I'm having second thoughts about the Kevin Kolb trade. It has absolutely nothing to do with whether I think he can play or not. It has to do with his contract. Yes, he only has one year left on his current deal (It could be two if a new CBA isn't reached). However, a trade could result in me having to give Kolb a deal similar to what Matt Schaub got when he was traded to the Texans. We are talking 6-years for 48 million dollars.

That has me a little nervous and I'm sure Ralph Wilson wouldn't be thrilled with it either. If there's a way to just let him play out his original contract and see what he does as a starter, then I'd be cool with the trade. However, giving him all that money for only starting two games does scare me a little. Now if the deal falls through, I'm going all out for Chad Pennington. We all know what Chad's positives and negatives are.

Now, I'm trying to figure out what to pay him. When he was cut from the Jets two years ago, he received a 2-year, 11.5 million dollar deal from the Dolphins. Sorry, but there's no way he's getting that from me or anyone else in the NFL. However, he did say he was willing to take a back-up job, which must mean he's not really looking for those type of dollars. I think giving him a strong incentive laden deal with a low base salary that's back loaded would work. Remember, he's just keeping the seat warm for the quarterback that I'll be drafting in April.

Bills sign Chad Pennington to a 2-year contract worth 4 million dollars (with incentives).

Running back
With Marshawn Lynch now gone from the team, you may be thinking that I'm going to just rely on Fred Jackson carrying the running back load. That's not the case. Don't get me wrong, I like Jackson, but I'm not sure he can be the guy who can carry the ball 20-25 times a game over a 16-game schedule.

I think Jackson would be more effective if his back-up could touch the ball 10-12 times a game. I'm talking running and receiving. I spoke often last year that my biggest gripe with having Jackson and Lynch splitting carries was that they were too similar in style. Jackson is a pretty diverse back, but he's not the type to run you over or blaze a trail up field. I want to be able to find a back that can do one of the two.

Enter Darren Sproles or Chester Taylor
OK, try and follow me here. Chester Taylor would be my pick if I end up giving Kevin Kolb a new deal. Taylor would cost considerably less than what Darren Sproles would get. Unfortunately for Taylor, he's pushing 30. As for his skills, Taylor is exceptionally quick and can catch the ball well out of the backfield. He also doesn't have that much ware and tear on his body because of playing behind Adrian Peterson for the last three years. Taylor's original free agent deal with the Vikings was for 4 years at 14.1 million dollars. He's not going to get three plus million a year because of his age.

Bills sign Chester Taylor to a 2-year contract worth 5 million dollars......OR.......

As for Darren Sproles, that boy can fly! Recently the Chargers have said that they plan on letting Sproles test the market, which is fine by me. I know he didn't exactly reach his expectations last year after a really good showing towards the end of 2008. However, I think a lot of it had to do with the Chargers not being as committed to the run. Sproles has almost the exact same traits as Chester Taylor, except he's younger. He's also a pretty good returner and since Parrish is gone, he'd fit right in on special teams. More importantly, the Bills will have a diverse running back combination that could cause multiple match-up problems in the passing game.

Bills sign Darren Sproles to a 4-year contract worth 18 million dollars.

Tight end
If there's one thing that I've always despised about the Bills organization, it's how they have never cared about the tight end position. When your best tight end of all time is Pete Metzelaars, you have issues. I don't care how great Pete was at blocking, the guy would catch a 5-yard pass and drop to his knees quicker than Tiger's mistresses. Since Pete retired, it has been nothing short of a revolving door at the position. Have you ever taken a look at the list of tight ends? Lonnie Johnson, Jay Riemersma, Mark Campbell, Robert Royal and the Derek boys (Fine and Schouman). It's not a pretty list.

Mark Gaughan had a great article during the season about how tight ends have become a pivotal position in the NFL passing game. Teams are using their tight ends more than ever. I'll be frank, I'm not looking for a guy who can block. I'm looking for someone who can stretch the field and be a player that the opposition has to game plan for.

Enter Benjamin Watson
Watson is a freak. He's got exceptional speed for a guy that's 6'3, 255lbs. In his third year with the Patriots, he became one of Tom Brady's favorite targets; catching 49 passes for 643 yards and three touchdowns in just 13 games. However, when Moss and Welker came along, the Patriots decided to forget about using the tight end spot and primarily went to their 1-2 punch at wideout. Even though Watson's catches have dropped, he's still one of Brady's favorite targets in the redzone; catching 13 touchdown passes over the last 3 years. I think Watson could thrive in an offense that has a knack for using the tight end position.

I could have gone else where in free agency for a tight end. Owen Daniels and Tony Scheffler aren't bad, but I think bringing in an Ex-Patriot is a key factor. Anyone who has ever left the Patriots wants to show them up in the worst way. It's either you respect Belichick or you wouldn't pi$$ on him if he was on fire. Playing the Patriots twice a year would only fuel Watson's motivation to get the best of Belichick for years of under-utilizing his talents. Plus, I wouldn't mind getting an Ex-Patriot who could maybe give inside information about Brady and company.

Now the knock on Watson is that he's not a good blocker. So with him and Shawn Nelson on the depth chart, I would be sure to pick up a blocking tight end late in the draft.

Bills sign Benjamin Watson to a 4-year contract worth 16 million dollars.

Offensive line
We all know that the Bills offensive line has had issues since the dawn of time. You thought our tight end list was weak, just go through some of the names that have started on the offensive line over the last 15 years. The Bills line was a disaster last season due to the loss of Jason Peters, inexperience and injuries.

As your GM, I firmly believe that building the offensive line is the number one priority for any football team that's in the process of rebuilding. The cliche of "It all starts up front" wasn't just coined by some offensive line coach. It was coined because it's nothing more than the truth. Good offensive line play can lead to bigger running lanes, your quarterback staying upright, and your receivers getting an extra second or two to get open.

I don't really have to worry about the interior of the line. Geoff Hangartner, Andy Levitre and Eric Wood are guys that could play the inside for the next 5 to 8 years. Even with the probability of Eric Wood starting the season on IR, I don't mind having Richie Incognito start for him.

As for the tackles...Um, that's a different story. The retirement of Brad Butler was big blow for the Bills. Right now, I have only Demetrius Bell and Jonathan Scott on the depth chart. Without question, I'm going to have to add a couple of tackles...but it wont be in free agency.

The biggest problem with the free agent class is that the tackles are either in their mid 30's or restricted free agents. Offensive lineman that hit free agency tend to gain the most money of any position in the open market. I don't want to overpay for a tackle whose past his prime. More than likely, I'll pick up a second tier lineman who can play guard or tackle and use him for depth. No worries, Bills fans. I'll be sure to address the tackle situation in the NFL Draft.

Wide receiver
OK, this is going to be the spot where most of you will be in total disagreement with me. I will admit that I'm in total desperation for some wideouts. I traded Lee Evans and Roscoe Parrish, and only James Hardy and Stevie Johnson remain. However, I firmly believe that you really don't need a big named wide receiver to win in the NFL. The New Orleans Saints didn't have an all-world receiving core. When the New England Patriots were winning championships, Tom Brady was throwing the ball to Deion Branch and David Patten. Even two years ago, Chad Pennington was able to pass for over 3,500 yards with Ted Ginn Jr. as his number one wide receiver.

As for the free agent receiver class, there's a lot of players available. Except they are restricted, and will cost you at least a first rounder. As for the unrestricted free agents, I'm not exactly being blown away. Antonio Bryant has injury concerns and would draw at least 4-5 million dollars a year. I also don't exactly care for his attitude. I like Derek Mason and think he would fit in as a stop-gap for the younger wide receivers on the team. But, he'd probably cost 4-5 million a year as well. Even still, I think going for a veteran is something I want to do in this situation.

Enter Chris Chambers
Look, I know some of you are thinking that I'm nuts, but Chambers played pretty well down the stretch in Kansas City last year. After getting cut by the Chargers, the former 1st round pick gained over 600 yards and scored 4 touchdowns in his last nine games. Prior to playing for the Chiefs, Chambers lost his way in San Diego, primarily because he was the 3rd option on the team. At one point in Chambers career, he was considered a top 10 wide receiver in the NFL.

I think this would be a bargain for the Bills because they can sign him to just a 1-year deal. Chambers would be more than motivated to do his very best so he could get a long term deal the following year. It's kind of like what Randy Moss did when he joined the Patriots. Chambers also has the Chan Gailey connection going for him with their days in Miami. Now, I do plan on adding another receiver early in the draft.

I know some people aren't high on James Hardy, but he was a second round investment and deserves a shot at being a number two guy. I just want to be able to develop young receivers. Look at what the Eagles have done with guys like DeSean Jackson and Jason Avant. Miles Austin became a fantasy stud this year after playing on the practice squad for a couple of years. Drew Brees was throwing the ball to guys named Henderson and Meachem.

Bills sign Chris Chambers to a 1-year contract worth 2 million dollars.

Here's a quick recap of my signings (Because the article was longer than the Bible) and let me know what you think?

1)Bills trade their 3rd round pick for the rights to Marcus Spears.
2)Bills sign Larry Foote to a 3-year contract.
3)Bills sign Chad Pennington to a 2-year contract (Pending Kolb deal).
4)Bills sign Chester Taylor or Darren Sproles.
5)Bills sign Benjamin Watson to a 4-year contract.
6)Bills sign Chris Chambers to a 1-year contract.

Coming up Next: The Draft

Read more of Joe at Joe in NYC

Buffalo Bills: Goodbye Terrell Owens and Good Riddance

nospam@example.com (Joe Pinzone) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:33:40 -0500

Well, the Buffalo Bills decided to make it official with the announcement that they were NOT going to resign Terrell Owens for the 2010 season. Um, Hello?? Captain Obvious over here. I could have told you that about two hours after Owens signed with the Bills almost a year ago. It's kind of ironic that in the same week the Bills made it official, Owens was walking down the catwalk at a NYC fashion show. From being mobbed at the airport to introducing his own cereal, all of T.O.'s accomplishments with the Buffalo Bills came off the field.

Look, I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't excited about the team signing Owens. Not only did the Buffalo Bills sign a star player, but it seemed as if he was going to make the Bills relevant again.

I wrote an article comparing Owens and Lee Evans to Andre Reed and James Lofton. I thought Trent Edwards was going to become the franchise quarterback that Bills fans were hoping for. I thought Lee Evans would finally avoid the constant double teams that he's endured over his career and be recognized as a top tier wide receiver. I thought Owens would give the locker room a nice swift kick in the butt for their monotone demeanor when it came to losing. Most of all, I was hoping that T.O. would turn around an offense that had been clueless and unwatchable for the last five years. I just wanted something different. Instead, I just got another remixed edition of mediocrity at its finest.

Now, if anyone says that they weren't excited about the acquisition of Owens and were the sole voice of reason against him coming to Buffalo, they are just full of crap. Go look up Jerry Sullivan's comments on his blog about T.O. coming to Buffalo. He was drooling at the notion of getting all those "money" quotes that we had seen on ESPN for the last 10 years. Even if you hated Owens, your silver-lining was that he was going to score 10 touchdowns and catch 80 balls. Don't be in denial, you would have sold your soul to the devil for Owens to guide the team to the playoffs.

Without question, the reason why the Bills signed T.O. was so they could sell the team to the fans. We have gone over why the Bills signed Terrell Owens thousands of times. Let me tell you the reason why T.O. wanted to come to here.

Besides the obvious (No one was going to give him 6.5 million dollars), T.O. had a couple of other reasons. Look, I don't mind a player whose an entrepreneur. If a player wants to go out and read a couple of scripts for movie roles or come out with their own cologne I can deal with it. However, I'm not a fan of a player who tries to maximize his star power, but at the same time not give anything in return. You know, you scratch our backs and we'll scratch yours. The only scratching Owens did was when the Bills PR staff pried his claws away from the exit door in October.

Terrell Owens. played this city like a harp from hell. He wanted to go to a city that was going to embrace not just T.O. the player, but T.O. "The Star." Think about all the activities T.O. did from May to September of last year. Owens was mobbed at the airport by herds of fans dressed in popcorn. He was given the key to the city (At a ceremony that probably cost tax payers money), which he didn't deserve. He then visited our local grocery stores with his imitation Cheerios. He then got bitched at by some girl on a rip off of American Gladiators. And of course, the Coup de grace, his reality show premiered. Sorry Bills fans, but that's not being relevant, that's being played.

I assure you, none of the other 31 NFL cities would have embraced Owens the way Buffalo did. Owens needed that opening montage for his life after football. He needed a crowd that was going to adore him like no other. He took a fan base that was desperate to get their 15 minutes of fame and willing to make him into the self-promoter that he thrives to be. You know how many people in NYC instant messaged me about how foolish Buffalo looked in worshiping Owens? I didn't know what to say.

I'll never forget being at work and watching footage of some moron at the airport dressed in popcorn and describing the atmosphere as being euphoric. Hell, I didn't think Bills fans knew what that word meant. Then, I see Mayor Brown giving Owens the key to the city. Fantastic. Not only do I have to fight off stupid Jets and Giants fans who brag about the Bills losing four straight Super Bowls, but now I have to hear how the city worships a B-List celebrity. That's when I made a pact with Owens. He had better catch 90 balls and turn my humiliation into salvation for the city and the team. Of course, it didn't happen.

Now, before I get the comments that Owens numbers stunk because of bad coaching, bad offensive line play, and bad quarterback play, save it. I'm not stupid. I know it's a big factor for the decline of his numbers. Hell, I was making the same excuse for the first 10 weeks of the season.

However, when we got to the first week of December, I changed my tune. As the weather started getting colder, so did Owens demeanor towards the team. On Wednesday of that week, Owens had to practice outside and made it known that he wasn't exactly a fan of freezing his butt off. On Thursday, Owens didn't practice because he claimed he was sick. Then On Friday, Owens didn't practice again, yet...he was able to drive two hours to Toronto; sign autographs and attend a Raptors game. Seriously? You asked the city of Buffalo to buy your cereal and watch your body guard chow down Buffalo wings on your stupid reality show and all we ask is for you to show a little effort in helping our team out. This wasn't just an isolated incident, it just happened to be the last straw for me.

Remember all those deep passes thrown to Owens that he didn't exactly give a great effort to catch? He just didn't care about giving it back to fans on the field. Hell, he took his ball (or key to the city) and went home. He completely tuned out the rest of the season.

Lets flashback to the early 90's. There would be stories of Bills players going in on Mondays after a bad loss and trying to fix their problems. The players were so moody after losses that they took it out on everyone...the media, the fans, the liquor. No one was spared, because their drive to get better made them into monsters.

Instead, we get Owens making his twitter page seem like a map for where he was going to show up on Mondays and Tuesdays. One week, he was going NYC and hanging out at a Starbucks. The next week, he was going to hang out with Roy Williams in Dallas. Don't you think Owens should have been hitting the film room after one of the many anemic offensive performances by the team? Hell, his favorite moment of the 2009 season was the bye week.

In the end, Terrell Owens and the Bills made out in the experiment. Unfortunately for Bills fans, they had egg on their faces. Owens was made out to look like a king while the Bills organization was able to sell tickets and morale. As for the fans, they looked as if they were starving for attention.

Maybe there's a silver lining in all this. Maybe the Bills have finally figured out that it's not about getting one player. Maybe Owens will take playing for his next team more serious since he's making it on Broadway and his reality show has been greenlit for season II. Maybe Bills fans won't fall for the team's marketing ploys and demand more from their team.

I know some of you will love T.O. till the day he goes to the HOF. On the surface, he has always said Buffalo was a great city and a community that adored him. I've always said that if you want Buffalo fans to embrace you, all you have to do is say nice things about their city. That's all fine, I guess.

All I'm saying is that the next time a star-player comes to Buffalo, instead of trying to act vicariously through him as the key to the big time, just try and be proud of the city and the type of living that you've accomplished without the help of Terrell Owens entering your lives. Trust me, there's still life after football and there's DEFINITELY life after T.O.

Read more of Joe at Joe in NYC

Buffalo Bills Trade Rumors: Jason Campbell for Donte Whitner

nospam@example.com (Joe Pinzone) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:56:17 -0500
By: Joe Pinzone

-The Washington Post is reporting a rumor that the Buffalo Bills may be interested in trading Donte Whitner and a draft pick for Jason Campbell. Now, the report did say that the deal is unlikely, but hey, that would never stop me from talking about it.

I know some people have scoffed at the notion of Campbell to the Buffalo Bills, but I honestly wouldn't have a problem with the proposed deal. I've already written my thoughts about Whitner being expendable. As for Campbell, he's had an up and down career, but his biggest problem in my eyes is the lack of continuity that he has endured with offensive coordinators. In Campbell's five years as a pro he's endured 4 different offensive coordinators. Plus, the Redskins haven't exactly been a good team.

However, if you look at Campbell's stats, they're actually not that bad. Last year, the former 1st round pick threw for almost 4,000 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also chipped in with 236 yards rushing. Not too shabby for a guy who was on a 4-12 team. It should be noted that he did this without his top target Chris Cooley and both his starting tackles getting hurt early in the season. Fans have to remember that this year's draft class for quarterbacks isn't really that strong. By bringing in Campbell, it would mean that the Bills can wait another year to draft a quarterback from a much stronger class-
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-I don't want to say that I told you so, but...I told you that the Bills wouldn't be overhauling their personnel in order to fit a new 3-4 defense. Chan Gailey told The Buffalo News that he plans on switching Aaron Schobel and Chris Kelsay from their defensive end positions to outside linebackers. Along with the two ends switching spots, Gailey says he plans on adjusting the scheme to allow for Kyle Williams to get on the field as often as possible. Well, the only position you could put Williams at is nose tackle. Of course, everyone from Joe six pack to John Clayton says that having Williams play NT is a big mistake.

I know it's only February, but these moves spell disaster for the Bills defense. I don't understand why the team is wasting their time with veterans like Schobel and Kelsay. Those guys are in the twilight of their careers. It's time for a legit overhaul of talent at One Bills Drive. Like I've said all along, the Bills believe in fitting a square peg in a round hole when it comes to their personnel. It's going to be at least 2 years for the Bills defense to adjust to their new scheme. Why waste your time with guys who more than likely won't be here after 2010?-

Read more of Joe at Joe in NYC

If I Were Buffalo Bills Gm Part IV: Trades & Clearing Cap Space

nospam@example.com (Joe Pinzone) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:11:37 -0500
If you were to look at the premiere dynasties in NFL history the majority of those franchises started from the bottom of the barrel. Before the Pittsburgh Steelers dominated the 70's they were being dominated in the 60's. Before Joe Montana was guiding the 49ers to four championships in eight years they were the joke of the 70's. Before the Buffalo Bills were circling the wagons in the 90's; they were circling down the drain in the mid 80's. You can include the Cowboys of the 90's in that conversation as well.

All that losing brought in an influx of high draft picks. The majority of those high draft picks were developed into great players. Those great players were then formed into great teams. Those great teams became even greater dynasties...You get the point. Sure, they had a Charles Haley or a Matt Millen here and there, but those teams were built through youth and drafting.

Over the last 10 years the Buffalo Bills have been run by two regimes; The Donahoe and Brandon empires. The biggest mistake that both czars made was not going through a full blown youth movement. Yes, Donahoe did strip the team in 2001, but he made the mistake of having his core players being guys who had only 2-3 years left in the tank. As for Russ Brandon, he was too busy trying to find a player to market to the fan base while ignoring the major problems of the Bills.

My extreme makeover edition of the Buffalo Bills will consist of trying to unload some of my veterans for draft picks. Sorry Bills veterans but I'm building a team that can compete for the next 5 years. As your GM, I can tell you that youth is going to be served. This team needs to be blown up. I already went through my roster of restricted and unrestricted free agents. Now it's time to trim the fat off this roster and really start building for the future.

Chris Kelsay
Chris my friend, I know you had one of your best years to date, but you just don't fit in the Bills 3-4 defense. You're too small to play defensive end and I don't have the patience to convert a 30-year old player to an OLB. Not to mention you're pocketing way too much money for my taste. Because of your salary I doubt anyone would take you off my hands for a draft pick. Sorry, but the Bills are going to have to find a new defensive captain.
Future: Cut from the Bills

Aaron Schobel
Aaron, I've always thought that you've been overpaid and very susceptible against the run. You have always rubbed me the wrong way with telling the public that sacks are overrated. However, you did put together your best season since 2006. But, you're on the wrong side of 30. Besides age, the biggest problem for you is that the Bills are going to a 3-4 defense and you're too small to play end. I already have to convert Aaron Maybin to an OLB. So just like Chris Kelsay, I don't have the patience to convert a veteran to that spot.

Now, the rumors around the campfire consist of you wanting to retire because you want to be closer to home in Texas. Personally, I think a lot of it has to do with you not wanting to endure another rebuilding process with the Bills. I think you're at a point in your career where you're sick of losing and want to win. So with that being said, I'm sending you to the Raiders (Just kidding). I think trading you to the Houston Texans should make you feel right at home. I think the Texans would be crazy in not wanting Schobel and Mario Williams on both ends. The Texans are sick and tired of being the Colts lap dogs. In order to beat those guys, you're going to have to put pressure on Peyton Manning.

As far as looking at my trade sheet, I think the Bills could be able to squeeze out a 2nd round pick from the Texans. Jason Taylor was 33-years old when he was traded to the Redskins for a 2nd and 7th round pick. I'll tell you what, I'll sweeten the pot.
Proposed Trade: Aaron Schobel and a 4th rounder for the Texans 2nd round pick.

Kyle Williams
Kyle my man, you were arguably my best defensive player from last year. You're an up and coming defensive tackle in the NFL. You're a pro bowl alternate. You're the type of player that I would love to find in the 4th round of the draft every year. Unfortunately, all of those reasons are not going to save you from the chopping block.

Look, you're the reason why I wasn't a big fan of converting to a 3-4 defense. Had I been named the Bills GM in January, I would have vetoed against Chan Gailey in scrapping the 4-3. But you're too small to play nose tackle and too slow to play defensive end. No worries Kyle. I will be sending you somewhere that I think you'll enjoy. The Bills tried trading one of their defensive tackles to this team last year, but it didn't work out. I think the Indianapolis Colts would be very interested in acquiring the services of Williams. He has a nice cap friendly contract and would fit like a glove in their cover 2 defense.
Proposed Trade: Kyle Williams to the Colts for a 3rd round pick

Marshawn Lynch
Listen Marshawn, my venom towards your extra curricular activities aren't as strong as some in the WNY community. However, it's time to send you packing. Like I've said all along, when your agent says that you're being targeted by Buffalo cops, then it's time for you to go into witness protection. Plus, I think Fred Jackson will be more than an adequate replacement. The rumors around the campfire consist of you being linked to the San Diego Chargers. So, we may as well go there. I think the Bills have an outside chance at getting a 3rd rounder for Lynch. I look at Lynch's trade value the same way as what the Bills got for Travis Henry (3rd round pick from the Titans in 2005). The Chargers have the 91st pick in the draft, just 5 spots away from the start of the 4th round. With the Chargers cutting LT and having the pressure of advancing far in the playoffs, the Chargers may have to roll the dice with acquiring a talented player like Lynch.
Purposed Trade: Marshawn Lynch to the Chargers for a 3rd round pick.

Marcus Stroud
Marcus, I wasn't exactly thrilled with you laughing at the prospect of playing nose tackle. I do think you're being paid a little too much for what your production has warranted. However, I think if you lost some weight you may become a decent defensive end in the 3-4 defense. I can't just cut everyone on the defensive line. I think the Bills need some sort of veteran leadership on the defensive side of the ball. You're safe for now, but more than likely you'll be put out to pasture next year.
Future: Stroud stays... for now

Trent Edwards
Trent, you've been a disaster, and I'm definitely not into giving you a second chance. You can't stay healthy, you can't complete a pass of more than 10 yards and your team has completely lost confidence in you. If I can get a 6th round pick for you, I'd take it. But honestly, since the fans are always looking for a marketing ploy to get them excited about Bills football, I think cutting you outright would deliver the message that status quo is history!
Future: Cut from the Bills with thunderous applause.

Overall
I know some of you may be second guessing what I got in return from some of these players. In defense of the moves: The Colts were willing to give up a 4th round pick for John McCargo last year and need help at the defensive tackle spot. Williams is a lot better than what McCargo was last year. Hell, at least Kyle Williams has started in his career. As for Lynch, I know most fans despise the guy and think he's a punk. However, you can't deny his talent and the Chargers are in need of a back.

As for the pillage of my defensive line, the Bills decided that it was in their best interest in going to a 3-4 defense. In order for a 3-man front to be effective, you're going to need three defensive tackles. The Bills have way too many skinny and old defensive ends to convert to linebackers. I'm not in the business to wait 1-2 years for Chris Kelsay or Aaron Schobel to come around as linebackers. As for Kyle Williams, it's bittersweet to let him go but this is a move that had to be made because he's too small to play NT and not fast enough to play end.

However, what should be taken out of these deals is that I have set the foundation for the Bills to make some noise in April. Through my trades, the Bills have gained one 1st round pick (From the Lee Evans deal), one 2nd round pick (From the Aaron Schobel deal) and three 3rd round picks (From the Kyle Williams, Lee Evans and Marshawn Lynch deals). That's seven picks (eight picks if the Kevin Kolb deal doesn't go through) within the first 100 picks of what some experts are calling one of the deepest drafts ever. I've also been able to clear some payroll in order to go out and sign some key free agents. That my friends...is how you blow the whole damn thing up.

Do you agree with these moves? Are there any players on the Bills roster you'd like to kick off the team? Do you wish Tom Donahoe was back? Let the second guessing begin.

Coming up Next: Free agency

Read more of Joe at Joe in NYC

If I Were Buffalo Bills GM Part 3: Bills Free Agents-RFAs & UFAs

nospam@example.com (Joe Pinzone) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 09:40:19 -0500
Is it getting hot in here or is it just me? I can already sense the disdain towards my first two moves. I've already had people commenting that I'm crazy to trade Lee Evans. I made my points perfectly clear that Evans is overpaid and the Buffalo Bills need draft picks. I'm also having people say that Lee Evans is a key marketing tool for the Bills. Please. Bills fans will be going to games until they are dropping dead in their rocking chairs with their zoobas on. Sure, the team may have issues with selling out in December, but my plan isn't for next year. It's for the years beyond.

I've also had someone email me that trades never happen in the NFL. Well, someone needs to look at guys like Tony Gonzalez, Kellen Winslow, Jason Taylor, Clinton Portis and Roy Williams. With the salary cap being so high nowadays, teams aren't exactly coming close to spending to the cap limit. Which means that most franchises can make more moves without the worries of fitting a player under the cap.

Then I get someone emailing me that Kevin Kolb will be the next Rob Johnson. Seriously? Do Buffalo Bills fans need to have the mindset of being jilted lovers who've been left at the alter? You must move on, people. You must learn to go out and date others. Am I suppose to NOT draft a LT in the first round because Mike Williams was a bust? Should I never sign a free agent lineman because Derrik Dockery stunk? Oh, and my personal favorite; Lets never draft a quarterback from California ever again. Sorry, but as your GM I'm ignoring everything that the Bills have done wrong in the past.

Now it's time to look at my Buffalo Bills roster and figure out what free agents should be resigned or let go. To be honest, before I decided to embark on this quest to turn the Bills around, I had the mentality of getting rid of everyone. After going through the Bills free agents though, I was kind of shocked to see that I wasn't jettisoning as many players as I thought. I'm also going to do my best in giving players their proper contract demands. Be aware that the majority of the players are RFA so I'll be just offering them tenders of one year. Pretty much those RFA don't have a choice because I own their rights. So they are going to have to sign their one year tenders.

My biggest dilemma is that with a new CBA deal not getting done, there's almost 200 less unrestricted free agents on the open market. I can't just cut everyone. Anyways, let the second guessing begin.

Terrell Owens-UFA
Yeah, you're as good as gone. The Bills brought you in to sell tickets and boost morale. You, being the entrepreneur that you are, decided to take them up on the offer so you could use the city of Buffalo to feed your ego and launch your reality show and modeling career. Bottom line: I still think you can play, but you're not going to help a rebuilding team that's 2-3 years away from competing. Good luck in Cinncy or wherever you end up. I'll be sure to still eat my T.O.'s.

Josh Reed-UFA
Josh, I really had high hopes for you coming into last season. I thought you playing in the slot with T.O. and Evans on the outside was going to result in a nice 50 plus catch season. I couldn't be anymore wrong. Reed, along with everyone else on offense struggled. He will be turning 30 in May and I just think it's time for the Bills to turn the page and find some new blood in the receiving core.

Ryan Denney-UFA
Ryan, besides your 3 sack game against the Dolphins in 2006, I haven't really seen you in few years. I'm also not a big fan of how much money you've been pocketing from the Bills. However, I'm going to need as many legit defensive ends as possible. Since you fit the build for a 3-4 end, I'm going to have to resign you for depth. The terms of the contract: four million for two years.

Bryan Scott-UFA
Bryan, as much as I hate the word "conversion" when it comes to the Bills, I'm going to have to keep you because you're a diverse talent. I'm going to need a back-up safety since Donte Whitner is going to be gone. You also have special teams written all over you and could be called upon if a Bills linebacker goes down with an injury. The terms of the contract: four million for two years.

George Wilson-RFA
George, you've stolen Buffalo's heart for being an underdog that really didn't have a chance to make the team (Yes, it sounds like Fred Jackson). It's no easy task to go from a wideout to a pretty effective safety. You're the Senator, the Bills leader. It's now time to pay you like a leader. The terms of the contract: Five and a half million for three years

Richie Incognito-RFA
Richie, it looks like you're going to have to play nice with Kawika Mitchell because the two of you will be playing together next year. As we saw last year you can't have enough offensive lineman on the Bills. The Bills need attitude on the offensive line and Incognito should deliver that. The terms of the contract: RFA tender offer

Keith Ellison- RFA
Keith, you're like Rasputin. Eveytime I think you're dead, somehow you always come back to start on this football team. You're severely undersized and would be a special teams player on any of the other 31 NFL teams. However, the Bills just jettisoned a couple of special team players and I'm going to need a holdover from the number one unit. I never thought I say this but I'm going to give Ellison yet another chance. As for starting at linebacker, no chance. Terms of the contract: RFA Tender offer

Seth McKinney-UFA
Seth, you started exactly one game for the Bills and blew out your ACL. Tough break but i don't have room for you.

Derek Schouman-RFA
Derek, I'll be frank, for too many years the Bills have ignored the tight end position. I just don't have faith in you considering that two of your three years with the Bills have been mired in injury. My starting tight end will be addressed elsewhere.

Jonathan Scott-RFA
Mr. Scott, congratulations on somehow making a career out of starting only a couple of games for the Bills. I don't exactly think highly of you, but considering that Brad Butler has retired and your use to working with the Bills offensive line, I see a future for you in Buffalo...as a backup. Terms of the Contract: RFA Tender offer

Ashton Youboty-RFA
I've always kind of had a soft spot for Youboty. He went through a lot when his mother passed away, and was still able to bounce back and have a really nice start to the 2008 season. However, injuries have really hurt his development and with the Bills being so deep at corner I think it would be better for the Bills to let Youboty look elsewhere.

Chris Draft-UFA
Chris, I've heard that you're one of the classiest Buffalo Bills players in quite sometime. You did a decent job in being shoved on the active roster to help out a depleted linebacking core. However, with the installment of the 3-4 defense, I just don't see you fitting in as an outside or inside linebacker.

Now, for the rest of the bunch.

Tenders offered
Jon Corto
Christian Gaddis
Justice Hairston
Cary Harris
Jonathan Stupar

Free to leave
Kendall Simmons
Gibran Hamdan
Joe Klopfenstein

Up Next: Trading players and clearing cap space

Read more of Joe at Joe in NYC

If I Were The Buffalo Bills GM Part 2

nospam@example.com (Joe Pinzone) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 13:07:26 -0500
Just to recap what I have done; I've traded Lee Evans to the Baltimore Ravens for their 1st and 3rd round picks. I will address my receiving core later, but in the mean time, I have to find a quarterback.

I've been tossing and turning in my sleep thinking about what to do in finding the Buffalo Bills' next version of Jim Kelly. People have been saying that this year's draft class of quarterbacks isn't anything to write home about. I'm also not the type of GM to use a top 10 draft pick on a quarterback, unless they are a can't miss prospect.

As for Jimmy Clausen, who a lot of experts see the Bills picking, I just see a player who's more of a by product of the Notre Dame hype machine. He's played in a very quarterback friendly offense and didn't do much in the win column with the Irish. History shows that you can find a franchise quarterback beyond the first round. Just ask Drew Brees and Tom Brady.

I'm also not a big fan of drafting a rookie and playing him right away. Yes, I know you'll all write to me about what Ben Roethlisberger, Joe Flacco, Matt Ryan and Mark Sanchez did as rookie starters. But be aware, those quarterbacks had great defenses, superior offensive lineman and stellar running games behind them. The Bills have none of the three. I just think a rookie quarterback would be a sitting duck with the talent that surrounds him here.

As far as free agents go there's not exactly a lot out there that I want to pick from. Also, I've already shared my thoughts about trading for Mike Vick or Donovan McNabb, so that's a non starter for me. Don't even ask me about giving Trent Edwards another shot at the job. I don't exactly have many options, so I'm going to break down my quarterback plans in two scenarios.

Plan A: Trade Donte Whitner and a 2nd rounder to the Eagles for Kevin Kolb

If you have been reading my blogs for the last month or so, it shouldn't shock you that I'm going for Kevin Kolb. Last year, Kolb played well in a couple of games in relief of McNabb. He's got a decent arm and a nice, quick release. It also doesn't hurt that Kolb has been learning under quarterback guru Andy Reid. He's the type of player who can mesh with my philosophy of getting young players who are just entering their primes.

I know there are rumors out there that the Eagles don't want any part in trading Kolb and may want more than a 2nd rounder and Donte Whitner. However, the Eagles did trade AJ Feeley (who was almost in the exact same situation as Kevin Kolb) for a 2nd round pick in 2004. Also, they are in desperate need of help at the safety position and Whitner's reputation around the league is much better than it is here. Whitner is expendable because of the emergence of George Wilson and Jairus Byrd, plus Whitner could be reunited with Dick Jauron.

Yes, Kolb isn't the sexiest name in the world, but they said the same thing about Matt Schaub when he was traded to the Texans.

Plan B: Sign Chad Pennington and draft Colt McCoy

I get that Chad Pennington isn't exactly going to outgun the opposition with his arm and I know he's probably just a little better version of Trent Edwards. He's also been battling injuries for most of his career. I know all his problems. However, I do feel that his intangibles slightly out weigh his short comings. The guy's a leader and the type of player that would have no problems tutoring a young quarterback. He's also a quarterback whose been involved with a couple of rebuilding projects with the Jets and Dolphins. He's the perfect stop-gap quarterback.

Since Kelly's retirement, if there's one thing that all the Bills young quarterbacks have had in common, it's that they didn't really have a good mentor. Just to clarify; A good mentor is a veteran quarterback who has been in every situation as a pro. More importantly, someone who wants to help groom a young QB.

Tell me if you think these guys would really go out of their way and help their younger predecessors? Doug Flutie sure as hell wasn't going to help Rob Johnson. Drew Bledsoe viewed JP Losman as huge threat to him. JP Losman mentoring Trent Edwards? Please. Master Yoda couldn't even mentor those two. Pennington's leadership skills along with showing what it takes to be an NFL quarterback are traits that I would want to bequest onto a younger quarterback.

As for my young quarterback, I'm going to pick a guy in the 2nd or 3rd round. I'm going to go with Colt McCoy. He is projected to be available mid-second to early third round in many mock drafts. The guy has won at the college level and his high completion percentage is something that Chan Gailey's offenses have been predicated on in years past. McCoy's style of play can mesh well with Pennington's tutelage. Now, if the Bills season blows up by week seven then it will be time to put in McCoy and see what he can do.

Overall

I know these aren't exactly the sexiest moves at quarterback, but you have to understand what I'm dealing with here. It's a thin quarterback crop in free agency and the draft. Bills fans have to realize that it's going to take a couple of drafts to really turn this team around.

As for acquiring Kolb, he's the best young quarterback that may be on the trading block. I think his quick release will gel well with Chan Gailey's short passing system. Of course, I'm going to have to give him a new contract.

Yeah..I can already sense readers begging for Tom Donahoe after my first two moves as GM. However, understand that Rome wasn't built in a day and that the Bills are a third world country in comparison. I'm not hear to sell tickets. I'm here to set the foundation for a team that will compete 2-3 years from now.

Read more of Joe at Joe in NYC