My Four Realistic FA Options that will make this team better immediately

[DraftBoy]

DE Mike Montgomery
OLB Michael Boley
FS Sean Jones
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick

We get a guy to start opposite Schobel who is good v. the run and pass. Boley is a stellar OLB who was nicked up this season causing his value to drop, he is every bit as good as Crowell if not better. Sean Jones has an injury history but finally got healthy and as starter for Cleveland and he has come up big the past 3 years. Fitzpatrick is a younger veteran player who we know is smart and can win games if need be. He won't threaten Trent but he will provide slight pressure on him to step up his game.

I feel as though these four signings put us in perfect positions heading into the NFL Draft where we still need to add players at;

OLB, DE, DT, WR, TE, SS, OG, OT, and OC. But we are in a much better position to have flexibility in April rather than being constrained by our need to find immediate starters. This way we don't have to pray players like Curry or Orakpo fall to us and we are in a much better position, imo.

[Mitchell55]

Montgomery has only 1 season with over 1.5 sacks. Also he has played at least 8 games each year. Boley would be a minor upgrade over ellison. Id replace Boley with Crow/Dansby and replace Montgomery with Kabeer/Berry.

[Jeff1220]

You sure you don't want to add a new mock draft in here just for the heck of it?

[Mitchell55]

You sure you don't want to add a new mock draft in here just for the heck of it?




Oh my bad, I forgot Im not aloud to comment on peoples mocks.

[Mahdi]

DE Mike Montgomery
OLB Michael Boley
FS Sean Jones
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick

We get a guy to start opposite Schobel who is good v. the run and pass. Boley is a stellar OLB who was nicked up this season causing his value to drop, he is every bit as good as Crowell if not better. Sean Jones has an injury history but finally got healthy and as starter for Cleveland and he has come up big the past 3 years. Fitzpatrick is a younger veteran player who we know is smart and can win games if need be. He won't threaten Trent but he will provide slight pressure on him to step up his game.

I feel as though these four signings put us in perfect positions heading into the NFL Draft where we still need to add players at;

OLB, DE, DT, WR, TE, SS, OG, OT, and OC. But we are in a much better position to have flexibility in April rather than being constrained by our need to find immediate starters. This way we don't have to pray players like Curry or Orakpo fall to us and we are in a much better position, imo.
Man what is your obsession with big DE that dont get to QBs... Our problem last season was not run defense it was pass rush. Our run defense suffered from being on the field too long because we couldnt get to QBs.

Montgomery will not help this defense one bit.

Boley (if Crowell isnt signed) is a good choice as is Sean Jones who would be a huge upgrade at SS and Whit moves to FS.

I really hate the Montgomery signing though. He has 5 sacks in 4 seasons, he's slow and doesnt make impact plays in the passing game. How does getting him fix our biggest problem?

[clumping platelets]

:popcorn:

[jamze132]

DE Mike Montgomery
OLB Michael Boley
FS Sean Jones
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick

We get a guy to start opposite Schobel who is good v. the run and pass. Boley is a stellar OLB who was nicked up this season causing his value to drop, he is every bit as good as Crowell if not better. Sean Jones has an injury history but finally got healthy and as starter for Cleveland and he has come up big the past 3 years. Fitzpatrick is a younger veteran player who we know is smart and can win games if need be. He won't threaten Trent but he will provide slight pressure on him to step up his game.

I feel as though these four signings put us in perfect positions heading into the NFL Draft where we still need to add players at;

OLB, DE, DT, WR, TE, SS, OG, OT, and OC. But we are in a much better position to have flexibility in April rather than being constrained by our need to find immediate starters. This way we don't have to pray players like Curry or Orakpo fall to us and we are in a much better position, imo.
You just added 3 guys that will improve our defense but no one to improve the offense? So you are saying that we shouln't go after Birk or Brown to play C?

[TheGhostofJimKelly]

Oh my bad, I forgot Im not aloud to comment on peoples mocks.

I try not to comment on butchering of the English language here because I am horrible at it, but my eight-year old just read this and asked me what is wrong with this person?
:rofl:

[methos4ever]

1. DE Montgomery and DT Cole, Packers - Sanders knows their worth in a one gap system and they can be had relatively inexpensively, with the impending switch to a 3-4 for the Packers.

2. If we cannot get Cole, DE Igor Olshansky, Chargers - Played at DT at Oregon, and at 6'6 307ish can be a replacement in the rotation for either McCargo or Mace. He and the Chargers haven't seen eye to eye since Castillo's extension and our new national scout Nix drafted him. Shouldn't be a bank-breaker.

3. Matt Birk, Vikings or Jason Brown, Ravens - Birk would be a safer choice, as with his weight loss this season to be more mobile Brown lost stability against the more stout NT of the AFC North. If we get Birk, we can draft a guy like Eric Wood later in the process; if we get Brown, we can get a guy like Cecil Newton late as a swing man.

4. Amani Toomer, Giants or (if/when released) Tory Holt, Rams - Route runners who may have lost a step, but have enough left to mentor the wideouts and be a security blanket for Edwards in the short/intermediate game.

[DraftBoy]

Montgomery has only 1 season with over 1.5 sacks. Also he has played at least 8 games each year. Boley would be a minor upgrade over ellison. Id replace Boley with Crow/Dansby and replace Montgomery with Kabeer/Berry.

So let me get this straight, you want to replace a young DE who just began to emerge (in his first season as a starter) and go with two over the hill guys who will cost more (in Berry) and have longer injury issues (in KGB). Yea I dont understand that.

If you think Boley is only a minor upgrade over Ellison, then you haven't seen Boley play before. In 2007 Boley had 109 tackles, 93 Solo, 3 Sacks, 2 INT's and 9 PD's. He was injured almost all over 2008 but played in all 16 games despite that. Boley had less tackles than Crowell in 2007 (Crowell had 126 total tackles, but only 86 Solo), Crowell also had 2 sacks, 2 INTs, and 5 PDs. Ellison started 2 more games as a starter had the same amount of tackles in 08 and 1 less INT. And he was by far more healthy than Boley this past year.

[DraftBoy]

Man what is your obsession with big DE that dont get to QBs... Our problem last season was not run defense it was pass rush. Our run defense suffered from being on the field too long because we couldnt get to QBs.

Montgomery will not help this defense one bit.

Boley (if Crowell isnt signed) is a good choice as is Sean Jones who would be a huge upgrade at SS and Whit moves to FS.

I really hate the Montgomery signing though. He has 5 sacks in 4 seasons, he's slow and doesnt make impact plays in the passing game. How does getting him fix our biggest problem?


Big DE's who don't get to the QB? Im glad you can base that off of 8 total games started...He only beat out a once premier pass rusher for a starting spot. Obviously that doesnt mean anything though. Aren't you one of those guys who wants us to take DE just because we need one? And since you advocate taking a guy like Orakpo and Brown who are deficient against the run. You need a DE opposite them who can play both the run and pass and force the issue, which is exactly what Montgomery brings. At 25 he is just starting to realize his potential and would be a great addition and could help to bring a rookie along.

I dont understand the mentality that we only need DE's who rush the passer, if they suck against the run (which btw ours do) we will still be susceptible to being burned on draws and other plays that will take full advantage of DE's. We need complete players not just specialists.

In Montgomery's 8 games as a starter he recorded 31 tackles, 22 solo, and 1.5 sacks. Kelsay had 47 tackles, and 2 sacks in 16 starts, and Denney had 58 tackles and 4 Sacks in 11 starts. Montgomery allows you to dump Kelsay who is a waste of space, move Denney back to your #3 or #4 DE. And draft a high round rookie to play the opposite side or be the top rotational DE depending on Schobel's health. Montgomery is the perfect fit for our defense opposite a pure pass rushing DE.

[DraftBoy]

You just added 3 guys that will improve our defense but no one to improve the offense? So you are saying that we shouln't go after Birk or Brown to play C?

I dont see either as realistic options at this point. Brown will get top money as the top FA OC and I dont know that Baltimore will let him get away and Birk will want to play for an immediate contender at his older age. Why would he play for us?

[methos4ever]

I dont see either as realistic options at this point. Brown will get top money as the top FA OC and I dont know that Baltimore will let him get away and Birk will want to play for an immediate contender at his older age. Why would he play for us?
One thing that would help us with Birk is that he values helping in the community, as well as his leadership. Paying 4-5 mil a year for two seasons won't hurt either! ;)

If he wouldn't show up, we have (as you know) a ton of guys in the draft we can get and have start from day one with (gulp) Preston as a possible FA backup...

With regard to Boley, I like him a lot and provided his legal issues are in the past, Buffalo is one of the few places outside of Atlanta that has the special needs centers necessary for the care of his son, who has a developmental issue of some sort.

[Mahdi]

Big DE's who don't get to the QB? Im glad you can base that off of 8 total games started...He only beat out a once premier pass rusher for a starting spot. Obviously that doesnt mean anything though. Aren't you one of those guys who wants us to take DE just because we need one? And since you advocate taking a guy like Orakpo and Brown who are deficient against the run. You need a DE opposite them who can play both the run and pass and force the issue, which is exactly what Montgomery brings. At 25 he is just starting to realize his potential and would be a great addition and could help to bring a rookie along.

I dont understand the mentality that we only need DE's who rush the passer, if they suck against the run (which btw ours do) we will still be susceptible to being burned on draws and other plays that will take full advantage of DE's. We need complete players not just specialists.

In Montgomery's 8 games as a starter he recorded 31 tackles, 22 solo, and 1.5 sacks. Kelsay had 47 tackles, and 2 sacks in 16 starts, and Denney had 58 tackles and 4 Sacks in 11 starts. Montgomery allows you to dump Kelsay who is a waste of space, move Denney back to your #3 or #4 DE. And draft a high round rookie to play the opposite side or be the top rotational DE depending on Schobel's health. Montgomery is the perfect fit for our defense opposite a pure pass rushing DE.
First of all im not in the opinion that our DEs suck against the run. Schobel is actually solid against the run and Kelsay and Denney are average run defenders. If you noticed, the Bills D allows a very low ypc in the first 2-3 quarters of the game. But since we always manage to keep teams in the game or we are usually trailing, they have to face opposing rushing games all day which eventually leads to big runs.

My hope is that Schobel returns to form and we compliment him with a pure pass rusher that will leave Schobel singled up and give Stroud and Johnson more chances to make plays up the middle. Denney is our 3rd DE and hopefully Ellis develops.

If we can get off the field on 3rd down when we know teams are throwing our rush yards against will decrease dramatically.


A player that is really intriguing to me right now is Philip Hunt out of Houston. I can see him being a steal in the second round. I have a feeling that cat is going to be a big riser after the combine.

[DraftBoy]

First of all im not in the opinion that our DEs suck against the run. Schobel is actually solid against the run and Kelsay and Denney are average run defenders. If you noticed, the Bills D allows a very low ypc in the first 2-3 quarters of the game. But since we always manage to keep teams in the game or we are usually trailing, they have to face opposing rushing games all day which eventually leads to big runs.

My hope is that Schobel returns to form and we compliment him with a pure pass rusher that will leave Schobel singled up and give Stroud and Johnson more chances to make plays up the middle. Denney is our 3rd DE and hopefully Ellis develops.

If we can get off the field on 3rd down when we know teams are throwing our rush yards against will decrease dramatically.


A player that is really intriguing to me right now is Philip Hunt out of Houston. I can see him being a steal in the second round. I have a feeling that cat is going to be a big riser after the combine.

So your entire solution is to hope a guy who is 33 returns healthy with nobody behind him to back him up if he doesn't return or is just getting worse with age? That's your plan for our Run D at the DE position? And the fact that I don't have enough finger and toes to count the amount of time Denney and Kelsay got so far upfield on a run play that it left a gaping hole speaks to their run D ability. I understand you see more value in some of the players than I do, but to rely on what we have when the issue still exists makes no sense to me. Sorry Im not a big fan of that.

Also its going to be tough for the cat to be out of the bag after the combine, since Hunt won't be at the combine. He was not invited. He is a 4th Round prospect at this time not a 2nd rounder.

Here is an official list;
http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/showthread.php?t=169624

[jamze132]

I dont see either as realistic options at this point. Brown will get top money as the top FA OC and I dont know that Baltimore will let him get away and Birk will want to play for an immediate contender at his older age. Why would he play for us?
Well since our FO has the habit of spending gazillions on mediocre players, maybe they will come to their senses and give the money to someone who can actually make a difference.

[YardRat]

I'd trade all four for a decent center.

[Mahdi]

So your entire solution is to hope a guy who is 33 returns healthy with nobody behind him to back him up if he doesn't return or is just getting worse with age? That's your plan for our Run D at the DE position? And the fact that I don't have enough finger and toes to count the amount of time Denney and Kelsay got so far upfield on a run play that it left a gaping hole speaks to their run D ability. I understand you see more value in some of the players than I do, but to rely on what we have when the issue still exists makes no sense to me. Sorry Im not a big fan of that.

Also its going to be tough for the cat to be out of the bag after the combine, since Hunt won't be at the combine. He was not invited. He is a 4th Round prospect at this time not a 2nd rounder.

Here is an official list;
http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/showthread.php?t=169624
Wow. Not at the combine with that type of production. Guess we can get him in the 3rd or 4th.

We'll see what direction the Bills go in. Im more than certain that you wont see a DE over 265 pounds drafted or signed and that player will be known as a pass rusher not a run defender.

I think when the Bills look at the tape from last year they will see just as I did that they were successful against the run for the most part. Upgrade Ellison with a more powerful player and were even more solid.

All this defense needs is a game changer at DE, more consistency at the SS position and an upgrade at the SLB spot, defensively anyways.

[User Manuel]

DE Mike Montgomery
OLB Michael Boley
FS Sean Jones
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick

We get a guy to start opposite Schobel who is good v. the run and pass. Boley is a stellar OLB who was nicked up this season causing his value to drop, he is every bit as good as Crowell if not better. Sean Jones has an injury history but finally got healthy and as starter for Cleveland and he has come up big the past 3 years. Fitzpatrick is a younger veteran player who we know is smart and can win games if need be. He won't threaten Trent but he will provide slight pressure on him to step up his game.

I feel as though these four signings put us in perfect positions heading into the NFL Draft where we still need to add players at;

OLB, DE, DT, WR, TE, SS, OG, OT, and OC. But we are in a much better position to have flexibility in April rather than being constrained by our need to find immediate starters. This way we don't have to pray players like Curry or Orakpo fall to us and we are in a much better position, imo.

I like this list. I really like Sean Jones. I am not sure about Boley. As for Montgomery alot of the sack totals are about production in limited time and you got to like his stat line. Fitzpatrick is perfect for what we are looking for. Experienced and young, but not a real threat to Edwards, at least at this point.

I tend to agree on the other posters points about cCenter though. We need to spend on Birk or Brown even if it means we consider cutting ties with Dockery.

[DraftBoy]

Wow. Not at the combine with that type of production. Guess we can get him in the 3rd or 4th.

We'll see what direction the Bills go in. Im more than certain that you wont see a DE over 265 pounds drafted or signed and that player will be known as a pass rusher not a run defender.

I think when the Bills look at the tape from last year they will see just as I did that they were successful against the run for the most part. Upgrade Ellison with a more powerful player and were even more solid.

All this defense needs is a game changer at DE, more consistency at the SS position and an upgrade at the SLB spot, defensively anyways.


Production that came in bunches in a bad conference. I agree its a snub but not the worst one I saw. Willie Tuitiama from Arizona not getting an invite was a crime but it happens every year. Hunt will have a pro day at UH to work out for scouts at.

If the Bills don't take a DE over 265 or who will get to over 265 and don't address their run D issues then they will just continue to be the same old Bills we've known for the past decade or so, mediocre and a joke.

This defense needs S (2), SLB, WLB, MLB, CB, DE (2), and DT (2). Not all as starters but including top backups.

[Mahdi]

Production that came in bunches in a bad conference. I agree its a snub but not the worst one I saw. Willie Tuitiama from Arizona not getting an invite was a crime but it happens every year. Hunt will have a pro day at UH to work out for scouts at.

If the Bills don't take a DE over 265 or who will get to over 265 and don't address their run D issues then they will just continue to be the same old Bills we've known for the past decade or so, mediocre and a joke.

This defense needs S (2), SLB, WLB, MLB, CB, DE (2), and DT (2). Not all as starters but including top backups.
A player I would like the Bills to get but hasn't really been discussed is Channing Crowder.

The guy has been a solid player for the Dolphins, he played OLB before Parcells came so he has experience there and last season he played ILB so he has versatility. If Poz were to get injured he could slide in to the MLB spot also. Very good athlete and also solid against the run.

[DraftBoy]

A player I would like the Bills to get but hasn't really been discussed is Channing Crowder.

The guy has been a solid player for the Dolphins, he played OLB before Parcells came so he has experience there and last season he played ILB so he has versatility. If Poz were to get injured he could slide in to the MLB spot also. Very good athlete and also solid against the run.

RFA, and I dont see Parcells letting him go, he is a very good 3-4 ILB for them.

[Mahdi]

RFA, and I dont see Parcells letting him go, he is a very good 3-4 ILB for them.
http://www.draftdaddy.com/features/nflfreeagents_defense.htm#4

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/02/08/2009-projected-free-agents-linebacker/

Channing Crowder is UFA not RFA. He shouldnt demand a huge contract either. He could be had if Crowell isnt a viable option.

[Akhippo]

I think Brown should be their first priority.
Then resign Crowell who should be healthy and slide right back into the system. Then finish it off with Owen Daniels and Reggie Williams/Mike Furrey/Miles Austin as a third wide receiver.
Then as reaches I would go after Tank Johnson and bring back Jim Leonard.

Then I would look to trade down and stock some picks. Upgrade the linebackers and offensive line with the draft.

[jdbillsfan]

Any chance the Bills make a run at a top end Free Agent? Haynesworth?

Try to build off the momentum of the Hall of Fame inductions? Help with the unhappy fans? Dick feeling this is his last chance?

[Mahdi]

Any chance the Bills make a run at a top end Free Agent? Haynesworth?

Try to build off the momentum of the Hall of Fame inductions? Help with the unhappy fans? Dick feeling this is his last chance?
The problem with that is you would have to pay more than teams like Tennessee and Tampa Bay would pay to bring him to Buffalo. He already wants to be the highest paid defensive player in the league. So he wants about 11 mil a season. Someone will give him that which means Buffalo will have to pay at least 12 mil a season to get him.

[DraftBoy]

I just don't see the justification in going after a Peppers or Haynesworth if it kills the rest of our FA's chances. Id rather sign 4 starters/top backups than just one starter.

[Mr. Pink]

I don't think it's realistic because...

I just don't see Atlanta or Cleveland letting Boley and Jones go respectively.

Neither team has someone that they can just plug in and take the spot.

Both are young, good players w/ upside.

They're not the type of players team let walk away when trying to strengthen their franchise to make it to championship caliber.

[Mahdi]

I don't think it's realistic because...

I just don't see Atlanta or Cleveland letting Boley and Jones go respectively.

Neither team has someone that they can just plug in and take the spot.

Both are young, good players w/ upside.

They're not the type of players team let walk away when trying to strengthen their franchise to make it to championship caliber.
Boley was actually benched for the last half of the season. There's no way he's going back to ATL.

[DraftBoy]

I don't think it's realistic because...

I just don't see Atlanta or Cleveland letting Boley and Jones go respectively.

Neither team has someone that they can just plug in and take the spot.

Both are young, good players w/ upside.

They're not the type of players team let walk away when trying to strengthen their franchise to make it to championship caliber.


That's not true for Atlanta, as of right now they don't intend to resign Boley, they are going to let Lofton play OLB and draft another replacement for Brooking.

[kernowboy]

4 key free agents

C/G Jake Grove - only 29 and cheaper than Brown
E/T Mike Wright - 27 and allows us to move to the 3-4 occasionally
QB Kyle Boller - young enough to seriously push Edwards
FB Zac Keasey - can catch, play ST and open bigger holes for Lynch/Jackson