YardRat
04-07-2007, 12:16 PM
Notes, quotes (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/teams/report/BUF/10113235)
--CB Ashton Youboty (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/players/playerpage/517479) on what he got out of his rookie season: "Just being able to play with guys like Troy Vincent, Nate Clements, (Terrence) McGee and seeing what their work ethic is and how hard they practice and work after practice. And learning our defense and seeing how consistent I can be."
--The Bills continue to talk with the San Diego Chargers about a possible deal for restricted free agent RB Michael Turner. After tendering him a $2.35 million contract, the Chargers are entitled to draft pick compensation of a first- and third-round pick in 2007. Buffalo would have no problem giving up a third-rounder -- it has two this season -- but its first round choice is No. 12 overall. That is way too valued to give up for Turner. If Buffalo somehow were able to trade down into the lower portion of the first round, obtaining more picks or a veteran player they could use to address their many needs, then deal that lower first-round pick for Turner, it would factor out better. Stay tuned. Turner, just 25, has great speed and power and could blossom as a starter after three years backing up LaDainian Tomlinson.
Strategy and Personnel (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/teams/report/BUF/10113236)
TEAM NEEDS
1. Running back: The Bills (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/teams/page/BUF) rid themselves of a brewing sideshow by trading Willis McGahee to Baltimore for three draft picks (third and seventh this year, a third next year). Unfortunately, the move created an instant hole in their backfield. Buffalo ranked 27th in rushing and McGahee failed to crack 1,000 yards, but the reality is that he won't be easy to replace. Not easy, but not impossible.
2. Cornerback: The Bills lost their best defensive player when free agent Nate Clements signed with San Francisco for $64 million over seven years. They'll need to draft a player high on day one or sign a veteran to replace Clements' career 523 tackles, 23 interceptions, 75 passes defended and 12 forced fumbles. Good luck.
3. Middle linebacker: Linebacker London Fletcher, who led the Bills in tackles five consecutive seasons, was free to leave as an unrestricted free agent and he quickly jumped to the Redskins. Fletcher was a warrior, but at age 32, is in danger of hitting the wall and handing him a $25 million contract -- as Washington did -- would not have been wise.
Inside Slant (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/teams/report/BUF/10113234)
After free agent defections and trades, five starting holes need to be filled. On offense, they include finding a new starting running back after Willis McGahee was traded to Baltimore. The line, meanwhile, will have at least two new starters: free agent Derrick Dockery (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/players/playerpage/395949) at left guard and free agent Langston Walker (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/players/playerpage/302234) at right tackle.
Veteran left guard Mike Gandy was allowed to defect as a free agent, signing with Arizona. With so many holes to fill on defense where Buffalo must find two linebackers and a cornerback, Levy and Jauron likely won't be able to upgrade Losman's receiving corps significantly at wideout and tight end.
The team's eight draft picks will go fast.
--CB Ashton Youboty (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/players/playerpage/517479) on what he got out of his rookie season: "Just being able to play with guys like Troy Vincent, Nate Clements, (Terrence) McGee and seeing what their work ethic is and how hard they practice and work after practice. And learning our defense and seeing how consistent I can be."
--The Bills continue to talk with the San Diego Chargers about a possible deal for restricted free agent RB Michael Turner. After tendering him a $2.35 million contract, the Chargers are entitled to draft pick compensation of a first- and third-round pick in 2007. Buffalo would have no problem giving up a third-rounder -- it has two this season -- but its first round choice is No. 12 overall. That is way too valued to give up for Turner. If Buffalo somehow were able to trade down into the lower portion of the first round, obtaining more picks or a veteran player they could use to address their many needs, then deal that lower first-round pick for Turner, it would factor out better. Stay tuned. Turner, just 25, has great speed and power and could blossom as a starter after three years backing up LaDainian Tomlinson.
Strategy and Personnel (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/teams/report/BUF/10113236)
TEAM NEEDS
1. Running back: The Bills (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/teams/page/BUF) rid themselves of a brewing sideshow by trading Willis McGahee to Baltimore for three draft picks (third and seventh this year, a third next year). Unfortunately, the move created an instant hole in their backfield. Buffalo ranked 27th in rushing and McGahee failed to crack 1,000 yards, but the reality is that he won't be easy to replace. Not easy, but not impossible.
2. Cornerback: The Bills lost their best defensive player when free agent Nate Clements signed with San Francisco for $64 million over seven years. They'll need to draft a player high on day one or sign a veteran to replace Clements' career 523 tackles, 23 interceptions, 75 passes defended and 12 forced fumbles. Good luck.
3. Middle linebacker: Linebacker London Fletcher, who led the Bills in tackles five consecutive seasons, was free to leave as an unrestricted free agent and he quickly jumped to the Redskins. Fletcher was a warrior, but at age 32, is in danger of hitting the wall and handing him a $25 million contract -- as Washington did -- would not have been wise.
Inside Slant (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/teams/report/BUF/10113234)
After free agent defections and trades, five starting holes need to be filled. On offense, they include finding a new starting running back after Willis McGahee was traded to Baltimore. The line, meanwhile, will have at least two new starters: free agent Derrick Dockery (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/players/playerpage/395949) at left guard and free agent Langston Walker (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/players/playerpage/302234) at right tackle.
Veteran left guard Mike Gandy was allowed to defect as a free agent, signing with Arizona. With so many holes to fill on defense where Buffalo must find two linebackers and a cornerback, Levy and Jauron likely won't be able to upgrade Losman's receiving corps significantly at wideout and tight end.
The team's eight draft picks will go fast.