How's this Offseason Sound?

[Midwesternbillsfan]

By my calculations, the Bills will be an approximate $32.7 million under the cap this offseason, which is roughly the amount they went into last offseason with (John Clayton said Buffalo was $33 million under the cap). That figure for 2008 could vacillate, but it's a strong indicator. Anyway, last year the Bills did obviously let significant players leave, as well as trade away two others. This year, the Bills will not lose anyone nearly as relevant as any of the players lost in '07. So the potential exists to be players on the FA market, even with 'cash to the cap' restrictions, which it was in '07 and we still managed to pay Dockery (7/49), Walker (5/25), and re-sign Kelsay (4/23). Here is a preliminary outline I wish the Bills would follow (in two posts):

Re-sign:

WR Sam Aiken- Purely for special teams; likely won't be coveted by any team as WR

TE Michael Gaines- Lambasted for dropped passes; still would be a good 3rd TE and plays powerfully with ball in hands

LB Mario Haggan- Gregarious vet played more capably as backup SLB than I expected; special teams performer, too

FS/SS Jim Leonard- He'll be 3rd FS w/Simpson and Wilson back, but retains roster spot because of versatility

Don't re-sign:

TE Matt Murphy
TE Ryan Neufeld
G/T Jason Whittle
DE Anthony Hargrove
DT Jason Jefferson
LB Josh Stamer
CB Jason Webster
SS Bryan Scott

[Midwesternbillsfan]

Re: How's this Offseason Sound?

FA:

DT Corey Williams/Packers (5 years, $28 million; $12 million in guarantees):

Pros: Three-tech DT is emerging as an elite passer-rusher for his position: 7 sacks in '06 followed up by 7 more sacks in '07 through 14 games. Very good size (6'4, 313), good speed, nice fit for our Cover 2 style defense desperately needing a disruptive DT, and Williams would be have more of a demonstrative immediate impact than any rookie. Williams will get better; turns 28 in August. Might be available because GM Ted Thompson may not want to pay him- ask Packers' fans- and because they have excellent depth at position: Ryan Pickett starts at the one-tech, Johnny Jolly and Colin Cole fill out rotation; '07 1st round Justin Harrell will have role in '08

Cons: Packers would be foolish to let him go... and they have a copious amount of cap space. How much does he benefit from Packers' DE's, Kampman and KGB? How much do they benefit from him?

WR D.J. Hackett/Seahawks (5 years, $27 million; $10.5 million in guarantees):

Pros: Like Williams, might be on verge of breaking out. Good size (6'2", 208) and equally sound speed, he was the single reason Darrell Jackson became expendable for Seattle. Started accrueing starts in his third season in '06 (45/610/4) and 33 of those 45 receptions went for 1st down. In 5 games in '07, has 28 receptions for 343 yards and 3 TD's, including two 100 yards games. Potential 1B receiver alongside Evans' 1A status (potentially better than #2 wideout). Seattle has limited resources ($10 million under cap) with starting CB (Marcus Trufant) and RT (Sean Locklear) to re-sign. Turns just 27 in July.

Cons: Durability concerns. Strained hip flexor caused '04 5th-round pick to miss entire rookie season. Stayed relatively healthy in 2005 and 2006 but nagging high ankle sprain, which he reaggravated after returning to lineup, has caused him to miss 9.5 games in 2007.

QB Cleo Lemon/Dolphins (3 years, $8 million; $4 million in guarantees):

Pros: Good arm strength and decent accuracy; marginal starter but high quality backup. Relative experience and very good mobility both pluses. Lemon warrants trust to handle QB responsibilities at least for a game or 1 or 2 (maybe 3). 315 yard performance (12/16/07).

Cons: Naively may think he can be a starter somewhere (even in Miami, if he stays).

Primary remaining draft needs:

WLB (Dan Connor/Penn State- 1st), CB (Antoine Cason/Arizona- 2nd), TE (John Carlson/Notre Dame- 3rd), pass rushing specialist DE (Cliff Avril/Purde- 4th)

[justasportsfan]

Re: How's this Offseason Sound?

Be ready to be lambasted for signing players solely for ST.

I would resign Hargrove.

[Midwesternbillsfan]

Re: How's this Offseason Sound?

Be ready to be lambasted for signing players solely for ST.

I would resign Hargrove.

Justasportsfan- We really need more of a pass-rush from our DE's. Since Schobel, Kelsay, and Denney are all locked up through at least '09, the best solution to enhance the rotation is to let Hargrove leave (just 1 sack in 10 games in '07) and try out hand at drafting a pass-rush specialist, ala Mark Anderson w/Chicago (12 sacks as 5th round rookie in '06) and Elvis Dumervil w/Denver (9 sacks as 4th round rookie in '06). Our draft pick won't experience that kind of success, in all likelihood, but can better Hargrove's single sack.

[elltrain22]

Re: How's this Offseason Sound?

I would keep Hargrove. He has proven, to me at least, that he can make plays. A bit overagressive at times, but has alot of other good qualities I like. As far as your projected signings, I would be eccstatic if we signed those 3 guys, especially Hackett. Hackett is an injury concern, yes, but the gamble is worth it. Corey Williams, IMO, will be highly sought after this offseason. As far as the draftees, I would move back to Buffalo and buy season tickets if we got Connor & Cason in the same draft.

[justasportsfan]

Re: How's this Offseason Sound?

Justasportsfan- We really need more of a pass-rush from our DE's. Since Schobel, Kelsay, and Denney are all locked up through at least '09, the best solution to enhance the rotation is to let Hargrove leave (just 1 sack in 10 games in '07) and try out hand at drafting a pass-rush specialist, ala Mark Anderson w/Chicago (12 sacks as 5th round rookie in '06) and Elvis Dumervil w/Denver (9 sacks as 4th round rookie in '06). Our draft pick won't experience that kind of success, in all likelihood, but can better Hargrove's single sack.

I'm not disagreeing with you. Problem is, after all the money tied up on both Kelsay and Schobel, I doubt if MArv will dish out more cash on DE's. I see them resigning Hagrove as a rotational DE.

I see them spending cash on a DT in Kyles position.

[Midwesternbillsfan]

Re: How's this Offseason Sound?

I would keep Hargrove. He has proven, to me at least, that he can make plays. A bit overagressive at times, but has alot of other good qualities I like. As far as your projected signings, I would be eccstatic if we signed those 3 guys, especially Hackett. Hackett is an injury concern, yes, but the gamble is worth it. Corey Williams, IMO, will be highly sought after this offseason. As far as the draftees, I would move back to Buffalo and buy season tickets if we got Connor & Cason in the same draft.

Connor should be there for the taking if we pick between 16-20, and something tells me that he's a "Marv" guy, much like Posluszny. They are similar type of players: blue-collar with assiduous work ethics, athletic, instinctive, and both have some versatility. It also seems that Connor's a better prospect than Poz. As for Cason, from what I've read, there are some concerns because he doesn't have elite speed and might be available at the top of the round two. If the Bills find a taker to trade their own second plus their third (not the Ravens' third), Cason could conceivably be a Bill, too. And Jauron and Levy have sure set a precedent for trading up to the late 1st/early 2nd to get the player they want, haven't they?

[Midwesternbillsfan]

Re: How's this Offseason Sound?

I'm not disagreeing with you. Problem is, after all the money tied up on both Kelsay and Schobel, I doubt if MArv will dish out more cash on DE's. I see them resigning Hagrove as a rotational DE.

I see them spending cash on a DT in Kyles position.

With all due respect, I don't know what you're saying. It'll be cheaper to sign a fourth-round draft pick than to re-sign Hargrove. And it would also probably amount to more production.

[justasportsfan]

Re: How's this Offseason Sound?

With all due respect, I don't know what you're saying. It'll be cheaper to sign a fourth-round draft pick than to re-sign Hargrove. And it would also probably amount to more production.

then that would be the way to go,the draft. Not via FA'cy. I cannot see MArv signing a big named DE after he just extended Aaron.

[Midwesternbillsfan]

Re: How's this Offseason Sound?

then that would be the way to go,the draft. Not via FA'cy. I cannot see MArv signing a big named DE after he just extended Aaron.

Agreed. Really, trying to unearth a gem to improve the pass rush from the DE similar to Anderson with the Bears and Dumervil with the Broncos from '06 position (Williams would do wonders for the rush at DT) seems like the way to go. Even if we don't have that good of luck, whomever we draft can muster one sack through 10 games (Hargrove's stats).

[justasportsfan]

Re: How's this Offseason Sound?

Agreed. Really, trying to unearth a gem to improve the pass rush from the DE similar to Anderson with the Bears and Dumervil with the Broncos from '06 position (Williams would do wonders for the rush at DT) seems like the way to go. Even if we don't have that good of luck, whomever we draft can muster one sack through 10 games (Hargrove's stats).

but can they *****slap a cop like Hargrove can?

[Midwesternbillsfan]

Re: How's this Offseason Sound?

but can they *****slap a cop like Hargrove can?

I don't know how to respond to that. You were right the first time; let's re-sign him.

[OpIv37]

Re: How's this Offseason Sound?

Justasportsfan- We really need more of a pass-rush from our DE's. Since Schobel, Kelsay, and Denney are all locked up through at least '09, the best solution to enhance the rotation is to let Hargrove leave (just 1 sack in 10 games in '07) and try out hand at drafting a pass-rush specialist, ala Mark Anderson w/Chicago (12 sacks as 5th round rookie in '06) and Elvis Dumervil w/Denver (9 sacks as 4th round rookie in '06). Our draft pick won't experience that kind of success, in all likelihood, but can better Hargrove's single sack.

Trade Kelsay and keep Hargrove, or find an upgrade somewhere else. Kelsay is a waste of money and Denney/Hargrove combine to be just as effective.

Plus, Hargrove lines up at DT sometimes and is the energy of the ST unit.

[Bill Brasky]

Re: How's this Offseason Sound?

By my calculations, the Bills will be an approximate $32.7 million under the cap this offseason, which is roughly the amount they went into last offseason with (John Clayton said Buffalo was $33 million under the cap).

Don't re-sign:


DE Anthony Hargrove

it doesn't matter how much money's in the bank, ralph won't break it. you don't rival the Arizona Cardinals in futility without neglecting the FA market year after year. better yet, what money they do have will probably be invested in some role player who contributes nothing but somehow gets coveted as a big time talent (think schobel or kelsay)

i would resign hargrove... if only to watch him pump the crowd up on kickoffs.

[The Jokeman]

Re: How's this Offseason Sound?

Aiken, Sam WR. He doesn't contribute enough to warrant a roster spot and Jenkins seems to be the next special teams/depth WR on the horizon.

Gaines, Michael TE -I think he's a solid #3 TE, would re-sign him for a two year contract.

Haggan, Mario OLB -I say we keep him over Stamer as contributes more. Tough call between the two but go with the younger Haggan.

Hargrove, Tony DE -I'd definately try to re-sign him as a quailty depth guy but hopefully don't overpay him.

Jefferson, Jason DT -Time to find a better guy

Leonhard, Jim S -He's versaitility/ST work make him a career backup which means he'll stick around for a few more years.

Murphy, Matt TE -We were trying to convert him to OT before guy hurt, time to part ways.

Neufeld, Ryan -He's only still around because of the injuries,

Scott, Bryan S I think he's done well and keep him around until Wendling shows eh can be more then a STer.

Stamer, Josh -Time to part ways with a career STer.

Wallace, Al DE -Only resigned if can't get Hargrove or another veteran UFA to sign.

Webster, Jason -He was horrible before he got hurt, no thanks.

Whittle, Jason -Solid veteran backup who won't kill the cap so why not?