Evans sees progress on extension

[madness]

Evans sees progress on extension

Though the focus around training camp has been on the holdout by Jason Peters and his desires for a contract extension, Lee Evanshttp://buffalobills.com/images/relatedicon.gif (http://buffalobills.com/news/news.jsp?news_id=6266#) and the Bills have had dialogue on a new deal for the wide receiver.
Though Evans stated on more than one occasion in the spring that there was nothing new concerning a contract extension, the two sides have recently made strides toward striking an accord.
"There has been some dialogue back and forth and that is certainly good news," said Evans. "We are moving in the right direction on that so hopefully we can get a deal done. Last time there was some stuff out there, but there wasn't a lot of dialogue. So there definitely has been some progress."
Evans is much further along in his contract than Peters, as the receiver has two years remaining on his rookie contract, but he can void the final year of his contract and is expected to become a free agent after the 2008 season. But the Bills have long considered signing him to an extension a top priority.

http://buffalobills.com/news/news.jsp?news_id=6266

I wonder how far along Peters could be if he actually showed up this offseason. :shakeno:

[madness]

Possibilities on Evans extension

<TABLE borderColor=#09347b cellPadding=10 width="95%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=mediumrow style="BORDER-RIGHT: #548bb5 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #548bb5 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #548bb5 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #548bb5 1px solid" colSpan=2><TABLE style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #002d78 1px solid" width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>Today
</TD><TD align=right>Posted By: Chris Brown | Time: 7:34 PM ET | Link (http://buffalobills.com/blog/index.jsp?post_id=3682)

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>POSSIBILITIES ON EVANS EXTENSION: Lee Evans confirming that progress has been made on a contract extension (http://www.buffalobills.com/news/news.jsp?news_id=6266) is obviously good news and encouraging concerning the future of the Bills passing game.
The tough thing as I see it is deciding just where Lee ranks among the receivers in the game and the cost that comes with it.
Is he better than Larry Fitzgerald? The numbers say he isn't. Both have been in the league four years. Fitzgerald has almost 100 more receptions, almost 800 more receiving yards, but just five more TDs. Fitzgerald received a landmark 4-year extension worth $40M which included a $15M bonus and $30M guaranteed.
That is crazy money and I wouldn't expect the Bills to be anywhere near that figure.
But Lee Evans is absolutely better than Bernard Berrian. Again four years in the league and Lee has 83 more receptions, 1,600 more receiving yards and more than twice as many touchdowns (29 to 13). The problem is Minnesota overpaid for Berrian in free agency because they were so eager to sign him away from a division rival in Chicago. Berrian got $42M over six year ($7M per yr) and a $5MB.
I wouldn't be surprised if the Evans camp is looking for something in between those two contracts.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[madness]

Picked this up from the wireless site.

On his contract situation:<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
There has been some dialogue back and forth and that is certainly good news. We are moving in the right direction on that so hopefully we can get a deal done. Last time there was some stuff out there, but there wasn’t a lot of dialogue. So there definitely has been some progress.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
On importance of getting a deal out of the way:<o:p></o:p>
It would be big, to get that behind you and to move forward. All that stuff is somewhat out of my hands so I just try and control the things I can and go from there. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
On being on a higher level if Jason Peters joins:<o:p></o:p>
It can, we had a lot of guys last year who played and got a lot of action, guys are willing and ready to step up, so we will see. Obviously Jason is a big part of our offense and a Pro Bowler who can be very dynamic for us. His situation is a little different, but we still have to move on. For Jason he has to do what is best for him and his family, right now we need to focus on what we have out here and when the time comes that he does come back we will support him, but right now we need to take care of business. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
On Jason Peters handling his situation:<o:p></o:p>
Everybody handles things differently and for him that’s the way he sees it and his way of handling it. It’s not for me to comment on though, it is really his business and I really don’t know a whole lot about it but that’s the way he is handling it and hopefully something gets done soon so we can get him out here.<o:p></o:p>

http://buffalobills.com/wireless/story.asp?news_id=6264

[PromoTheRobot]

Shhh. You'll spoil it for the haters.

PTR

[madness]

Evans optimistic about getting extension from Bills
PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- Receiver Lee Evans (http://www.nfl.com/players/leeevans/profile?id=EVA454901) is encouraged he'll secure a long-term contract extension with the Buffalo Bills (http://www.nfl.com/teams/buffalobills/profile?team=BUF) this summer after negotiations intensified over the past month.
<TABLE style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 10px; WIDTH: 20px; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f2f2f2"><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 10px; PADDING-LEFT: 10px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 10px">http://static.nfl.com/static/content/catch_all/nfl_image/l_evens_071021_IA.jpg</TD></TR><TR><TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 10px; PADDING-LEFT: 10px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 5px; COLOR: #999999; PADDING-TOP: 5px">Rick Stewart / Getty Images</TD></TR><TR><TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 10px; PADDING-LEFT: 10px; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 11px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 10px; PADDING-TOP: 0px">Evans has remained injury-free throughout his four-year career.


VIDEO: Evans highlights (http://www.nfl.com/videos?categoryId=teams&esbId=EVA454901)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
"We're moving in the right direction, which is positive," Evans said Friday at the opening of training camp in suburban Rochester. "Both sides are talking. Both sides are positive. That's really good. I am hopeful."
Bills chief operating officer Russ Brandon confirmed there's been increased dialogue with the player and his representative. "Our focus is to keep our good core of players, and we think a lot of him," he said.
The first of Buffalo's two first-round draft picks in the 2004 draft, the receiver out of Wisconsin has two years left on his contract, but holds the option to void the final year.
Unless a new deal is reached, Evans is expected to opt out of that final year, which would make him eligible to become an unrestricted free agent after this season.
The Bills can retain Evans' rights for at least one more season by designating him their franchise player. But such a move would be considered a last resort.
The two sides began negotiations in April, when the Bills made Evans an initial offer. Evans said talks have intensified since mid-June and termed them "more serious than they were before," leaving him hopeful of a deal during training camp.
"They've progressed through summer. Now that we're in camp, it'll heat up a little more," Evans said. "And hopefully, it'll heat up to a position where it can be worked out."
Evans said he hasn't established any firm deadline, but he doesn't want the talks to become a distraction once the season begins.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8098327d&template=with-video&confirm=true

Taking notes, Jason?

[jmb1099]

This is what I'm talking about. I love Brandon's approach. Show up and play and we can work it out. Act like a drama queen and rot for three years. The ball is in Peter's court, all he needs to do is show up.

[justasportsfan]

that kinda blows away thought about this FO not trying to resign their players. maybe Brandon isn't blowing smoke about the no communication with peters and his agent.