Bills O-Line

[ghz in pittsburgh]

Melvin Fowler: 29.
2008: $1.775 million, 2009: Free Agent

Derrick Dockery: 28.
3/2/2007: Signed a seven-year, $49 million contract.

Brad butler: 25.
6/25/2008: Signed a three-year, $8.8 million contract extension through 2012.

Jason peters: 26.
7/15/2006: Signed a five-year, $15 million contract.

Labgston Walker: 29.
3/2/2007: Signed a five-year, $25 million contract.

Duke Preston: 26.
2008: $520,000, 2009: Free Agent

Kirk Chambers: 29.
2008: $520,000, 2009: Free Agent

Looks like the Bills will have some stability at O-Line for 4/5 years except center. I know rookie Bell is groomed to be the top backup at tackles, but I imagine the Bills'd like to sign Chambers into a cheap extension considering the amount of money they invested in O-Line already and Peters extension looming.

The main question is at Center. There is no obvious young ones ready to step in next year and I fully expect the Bills to go for the big prize in the next couple of years, so I doubt they will count on Fowler's replacement from the draft, even a 1st rounder. The way they do business, the fact that Fowler has not received an extension or being discussed means that they may be looking for a replacement next year. I thought they'd draft one this year but they didn't, though I'm sure they'd draft one next year. They may try to sign some veteran for a short gap but I think in the end, they may find no better alternative than Fowler himself.

[Slim]

I didn't realize this is Fowlers last year... Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out.

[gr8slayer]

We need to lock up Peters.

[TigerJ]

2008 was a bad draft for centers. 2009 looks to be unusually strong at the center position, with as many as four or five guys who are head and shoulders above anything the 2008 draft had to offer. I'd be very surprised if Buffalo doesn't try to pick one of them up. They may try to pick up a free agent too.

[Mahdi]

Melvin Fowler: 29.
2008: $1.775 million, 2009: Free Agent

Derrick Dockery: 28.
3/2/2007: Signed a seven-year, $49 million contract.

Brad butler: 25.
6/25/2008: Signed a three-year, $8.8 million contract extension through 2012.

Jason peters: 26.
7/15/2006: Signed a five-year, $15 million contract.

Labgston Walker: 29.
3/2/2007: Signed a five-year, $25 million contract.

Duke Preston: 26.
2008: $520,000, 2009: Free Agent

Kirk Chambers: 29.
2008: $520,000, 2009: Free Agent

Looks like the Bills will have some stability at O-Line for 4/5 years except center. I know rookie Bell is groomed to be the top backup at tackles, but I imagine the Bills'd like to sign Chambers into a cheap extension considering the amount of money they invested in O-Line already and Peters extension looming.

The main question is at Center. There is no obvious young ones ready to step in next year and I fully expect the Bills to go for the big prize in the next couple of years, so I doubt they will count on Fowler's replacement from the draft, even a 1st rounder. The way they do business, the fact that Fowler has not received an extension or being discussed means that they may be looking for a replacement next year. I thought they'd draft one this year but they didn't, though I'm sure they'd draft one next year. They may try to sign some veteran for a short gap but I think in the end, they may find no better alternative than Fowler himself.
Matt Birk is FA.... would be good.

[Night Train]

Fowler is the next change coming but we've all known that. We'll have another C next year. Chambers should be signed again as a backup.

That looks pretty stable for now.

[BuffRanger]

The most important thing to a line is the QB.

Same line:
1 sack in 22 attempts with Trent.
1 sack in 12 attempts with JP.

[Lexwhat]

Get a center in the 2nd or 3rd round next year!!

IMO, I think rookie centers can step in on Day 1. BYE FOWLER!

[raphael120]

Sometimes I wonder who spends more time on their ass at work. Me, at my graphic design job where I sit in front of a computer all day, or Melvin Fowler on game days.

[losman420]

Sometimes I wonder who spends more time on their ass at work. Me, at my graphic design job where I sit in front of a computer all day, or Melvin Fowler on game days.lmao

[Mr. Pink]

Lock up Peters and find someone with talent to replace Fowler.

We can get by with Butler still playing seeing the rest of the pieces will make him look better than he is and pick up some slack. Besides not everyone can be a probowler.

[DynaPaul]

I think we should go for a center in the first round, a real dominant force. Fowler just isn't cutting it and he can go party on some other team.

[losman2evans]

There is also a very talented group of veteran Cs headed by California All-American Alex Mack, along with Jonathan Luigs of Arkansas, Max Unger of Oregon, Eric Wood of Louisville and Antoine Caldwell of Alabama.

Looks like some good prospects:

http://www.gbnreport.com/scoutsnotebook.htm

[LifetimeBillsFan]

Wood had a very nice game the other night. I saw him make some very good blocks, even when the guys around him may have missed theirs.

Haven't had a chance to see the other top centers yet, although I hope to be able to see some of them this weekend.