Having considered this last week and with the date rapidly approach I've revised some of my thoughts
Offense
Jeff Faine, New Orleans Saints
I think we should go after Jeff Faine. Although he's smallish, he's a fighter and aged 27 he's a potentially a long term fit of 7-8 years. It saves us drafting another center of the future like Duke Preston - we can still grab a backup in the draft. Fowler is too easily pushed off the ball, while Faine has better technique. He was a ProBowl alternate and as the Saints have depth, they may not push to hard to retain him
Mike Pearson, Toronto Argonauts
"And in the Championship game, the Bills are starting Kris Chambers at LT due to injury to Jason Peters" - NO THANKS - Pearson started 31 games at LT for the Jags, and only due to injury did he start to slip especially when the Jags drafted Barnes. A cheapish pickup he provides quality depth at the most important position on the OL
Malcolm Floyd, San Diego Chargers
A RFA, the Chargers now have a very deep receiving corps. He always did well in pre-season and was almost named started this year after Parker went down before they traded for Chambers. He's only 26, but his stats are 6ft5, 225lbs and runs the 40 in 4.44. Worth trading a lower round selection for
Dan Kriedar, Pittsburgh Steelers
We've brought in Barnes, but he tends to get cut annually and we're his 6th NFL team. Kriedar is a loyal stalwart, a bulldozer of a FB at 255lbs and at 31 could still be playing at a Sam Gash level in 3 years time. It will help hasten Mashawn's development and allow us to develop a younger FB like the Seahawks did with Strong-Wheater
Mike Williams, Tennesse Titans
Ok I know, but he's only 24, no 'dangerous' character issues and on his day 6ft5, 229lbs, and runs the 40 in 4.56 which I hasten to add his .23 faster than Wilford who is 5 years older and much more expensive. Now with a stable family life and as a childhood Bills fan, I think if he'll make an effort anywhere it will be here, especially if the support of the Bills fans gives him the confidence he clearly requires
Cleo Lemon, Miami Dolphins
I think JP will be traded by the exhibition games. We need a decent back up in case Trent doesn't develop or gets injured. I see this as only a 2year option as I think we'll be looking closely at Todd Boeckman in 2009
We'll look to resign Gaines and draft a TE whilst I think a couple of OL will be drafted to start building some depth. After Fowler, I think Butler did enough to justify another season at RG
Defense
Randy Starks, Tennesse Titans
A lackluster last year raises concerns as does some over aggressive tendancies but he's only 24, and at 6ft3 and 312lbs, has the opportunity to become a key man in the interior. He may not be as expensive as some other options but has considerable upside. Certainly I'd prefer him on the roster to Jason Jefferson
Teddy Lehman, Detroit Lions
Injured for quite a bit of his career, he seems to have overcome this. Had a sterling rookie season under Jauron and is still only 26. He can play SLB, MLB and is a good STeamer. Whilst we talk about drafting a LB in Round1, I am concerned at how inexperienced this leaves us especially as I feel our Round1 pick needs to be starting on Day1. Lehman gives us experience and a backup option in case we cannot resign Crowell next year
Eugene Wilson, Patriots
Whilst I think Simpson will be a great FS, there is no way to tell how he will come back from his injury. Wilson gives veteran leadership whilst still only 28, and with the Pats other FA priorities, we may be able to sneak him out of Foxborough. He'd be an upgrade over George Wilson and Jim Leonhard
Offense
Jeff Faine, New Orleans Saints
I think we should go after Jeff Faine. Although he's smallish, he's a fighter and aged 27 he's a potentially a long term fit of 7-8 years. It saves us drafting another center of the future like Duke Preston - we can still grab a backup in the draft. Fowler is too easily pushed off the ball, while Faine has better technique. He was a ProBowl alternate and as the Saints have depth, they may not push to hard to retain him
Mike Pearson, Toronto Argonauts
"And in the Championship game, the Bills are starting Kris Chambers at LT due to injury to Jason Peters" - NO THANKS - Pearson started 31 games at LT for the Jags, and only due to injury did he start to slip especially when the Jags drafted Barnes. A cheapish pickup he provides quality depth at the most important position on the OL
Malcolm Floyd, San Diego Chargers
A RFA, the Chargers now have a very deep receiving corps. He always did well in pre-season and was almost named started this year after Parker went down before they traded for Chambers. He's only 26, but his stats are 6ft5, 225lbs and runs the 40 in 4.44. Worth trading a lower round selection for
Dan Kriedar, Pittsburgh Steelers
We've brought in Barnes, but he tends to get cut annually and we're his 6th NFL team. Kriedar is a loyal stalwart, a bulldozer of a FB at 255lbs and at 31 could still be playing at a Sam Gash level in 3 years time. It will help hasten Mashawn's development and allow us to develop a younger FB like the Seahawks did with Strong-Wheater
Mike Williams, Tennesse Titans
Ok I know, but he's only 24, no 'dangerous' character issues and on his day 6ft5, 229lbs, and runs the 40 in 4.56 which I hasten to add his .23 faster than Wilford who is 5 years older and much more expensive. Now with a stable family life and as a childhood Bills fan, I think if he'll make an effort anywhere it will be here, especially if the support of the Bills fans gives him the confidence he clearly requires
Cleo Lemon, Miami Dolphins
I think JP will be traded by the exhibition games. We need a decent back up in case Trent doesn't develop or gets injured. I see this as only a 2year option as I think we'll be looking closely at Todd Boeckman in 2009
We'll look to resign Gaines and draft a TE whilst I think a couple of OL will be drafted to start building some depth. After Fowler, I think Butler did enough to justify another season at RG
Defense
Randy Starks, Tennesse Titans
A lackluster last year raises concerns as does some over aggressive tendancies but he's only 24, and at 6ft3 and 312lbs, has the opportunity to become a key man in the interior. He may not be as expensive as some other options but has considerable upside. Certainly I'd prefer him on the roster to Jason Jefferson
Teddy Lehman, Detroit Lions
Injured for quite a bit of his career, he seems to have overcome this. Had a sterling rookie season under Jauron and is still only 26. He can play SLB, MLB and is a good STeamer. Whilst we talk about drafting a LB in Round1, I am concerned at how inexperienced this leaves us especially as I feel our Round1 pick needs to be starting on Day1. Lehman gives us experience and a backup option in case we cannot resign Crowell next year
Eugene Wilson, Patriots
Whilst I think Simpson will be a great FS, there is no way to tell how he will come back from his injury. Wilson gives veteran leadership whilst still only 28, and with the Pats other FA priorities, we may be able to sneak him out of Foxborough. He'd be an upgrade over George Wilson and Jim Leonhard
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