My Tuesday Update

[patmoran2006]

I see a few people have been asking about me and If I have any actual news to report. The short answer is “not much.”

I’ve been busy over the past 4 days working on a few interviews; including UB Quarterback Drew Willy (that should be up on scout.com by tomorrow or Thursday) and starting a variety of “Where are they now” features as well that will be running periodically. SO that’s occupied most of my time.. As much as I’d love to be a full-time NFL Insider, I’m not. From time to time I get some good info, but not on a daily basis.

In regards to Crowell, the two sides did meet yesterday, and I don’t have anything report because frankly I’m shocked it even happened. I know of several media people that feel the same way. People who are close to Crowell spoke to him not long ago and said he had zero interest in returning to Buffalo. I also know for a fact that until the later part of last week, the Bills hadn’t spoken to Crowell in any fashion at all either. So this has really thrown me for a loop. I still would be extremely surprised if he signed here. I see it as more as a common ploy to get the competition (June, Kreiaho) to lower their asking price.

Having said that, I would be overjoyed to be 100% wrong, and have Crowell be back with Buffalo. I think he is by FAR the superior LB of the three, and he also has more size. Before the injury last year, with better talent around him than in 2007 (Mitchell, A healthy Poz, Stroud) I sincerely felt like Crowell was a borderline Pro Bowl LB; and I still feel that way. Tampa and to a lesser degree Detroit has shown interest (Philly was rumored as well)—but the fact he hasn’t signed with Tampa means one of those two sides is overvaluing themselves.

Now—regarding Bus Cook and more specifically Jay Cutler, until I can get some info from someone other than Ruben Brown (via Eric Moulds) I am treating this as complete garbage. This would be the biggest shock to me in my sports writing/fan life, because I know for a fact this organization is one trillion percent behind Trent Edwards, they think he’s going to be a star.

I can tell you that IF there is anything to this at all, it’s being held tighter than you can possibly imagine, and I”d be surprised if anyone gets any great inside info at all. Put it this way, even a leaked RUMOR of Trent being traded could be disastrous to him (especially if it doesn’t happen).. it’s exactly what happened with Cutler in Denver last week, and now look at what you have there.

For those who do just love juicy speculation, I will say that if Denver does end up dealing Cutler and they’re looking for value in a team and insist on getting a QB in return; then Buffalo is your team. The Jets, Tampa and Detroit would all be teams obviously interested, but none of them have even decent value return at the QB position, unlike the Bills. And Trent was very impressive at Denver last year and maybe that would stick in their minds.

But a trade like that… man. You’re looking at Edwards and at least two decent draft picks. Even if the deal was offered; I don’t know if I’d take it. Cutler seems to have more bark than bite, for all his great physical tools.

What’s far more realistic to me is Cook being here on behalf of a Tony Scheffler trade, who I did say a few weeks ago I KNOW the Bills were interested in. This is also important and has NOT been discussed; If the Bills were to trade for him, they would DEFINITELY want to give him a new contract and not worry about free agency next year. Scheffler is in the final year of a four year contract (at $2.7 million total) so that is what makes me think Cook would be here. Otherwise, this is a trade that could be done over the phone in 2 minutes (Denver is set at TE and Scheffler is on the trading block for sure)

So that’s where I’m at right now. If Cook is meeting with Brandon, its very likely about Scheffler. .The Bills and Scheffler would both want a contract extension before they traded him. And going by value, my educated guess is a deal would be for a fourth rounder.

I’ll work on seeing what else I can find out. I love me some Ruben Brown, but I think he was way off on this, and definitely wrong to speculate like that.. We’ll see.

[realdealryan]

Re: My Tuesday Update

If you keep feeding the stray cats, they'll keep showing up...

[homeslice5484]

Re: My Tuesday Update

I will take both!

[Tatonka]

Re: My Tuesday Update

scheffler would be a great addition. and the broncos just resigned Jeb Putzier too. nice timing.

it is definately not about cutler. there is just no way. it would be stupid of us to be honest.

sign crow and grab scheffler, and we put ourselves in a much better spot going into the draft.

i still dont understand why we cut dockery though without any type of plan in place to replace him. little scary to think of having a rookie start there but it is starting to look more and more lke that is going to be the case.

[clumping platelets]

Re: My Tuesday Update

Stray cat strut.........

[PH83]

Re: My Tuesday Update

Cutler will also likely demand a new contract if traded making him even less likely to be in a Bills uniform next year.

[homeslice5484]

Re: My Tuesday Update

i think id rather have cutler throwing to TO than Edwards...remember the Cleveland game? I dont think Edwards knows how to throw more than 20 yards.

[shelby]

Re: My Tuesday Update

Re: Crowell, from the Buffalo News:

Crowell, who spent the last six seasons in the Bills’ organization, was considered an unlikely candidate to return to Buffalo after sitting out all of last season with a knee injury.
However, 19 days into the free agency season, Crowell still is looking for a job and the Bills still are looking for a starting outside linebacker.
Crowell, 27, might be the best unrestricted free agent linebacker available. He visited the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week.

http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/billsnfl/story/610179.html

[acehole]

Re: My Tuesday Update

Stray cat strut.........

The 80's were great! Who is QT?

[bigbub2352]

Re: My Tuesday Update

If the offseason ended with us throwing a 4th round pick for Scheffler signing Crowell and signing Peters, i would feel this would be one of our most complete offseasons in the last decade

I have to say i am in favor of all 3 moves so RUss get it done and u will have your fan base back

[patmoran2006]

Re: My Tuesday Update

scheffler would be a great addition. and the broncos just resigned Jeb Putzier too. nice timing.

it is definately not about cutler. there is just no way. it would be stupid of us to be honest.

sign crow and grab scheffler, and we put ourselves in a much better spot going into the draft.

i still dont understand why we cut dockery though without any type of plan in place to replace him. little scary to think of having a rookie start there but it is starting to look more and more lke that is going to be the case.

I think Scheffler would be a tremendous addition, and aside from Owen Daniels would probably be the best TE for us available.

Part of the reason Scheffler saw his numbers drop in Denver is because of their quarterback.. Cutler is more of a deep pass guy, and likes to hold the ball longer and make plays with his feet. It’s pretty much the polar opposite of Trent Edwards, who’s about game managing, making quick reads and getting rid of the ball quick. In my view, that would give Scheffler an opportunity to put up far better numbers here than he did in Denver.

It’s of my extremely strong opinion that if there is any dialogue going on between Cook and the Bills, its regarding Scheffler. Again, he’s in the final year of a very cheap contract and I’m sure both sides, especially the Bills would want longer terms before giving up a draft pick to make a trade.

[yordad]

Re: My Tuesday Update

If the offseason ended with us throwing a 4th round pick for Scheffler signing Crowell and signing Peters, i would feel this would be one of our most complete offseasons in the last decade

I have to say i am in favor of all 3 moves so RUss get it done and u will have your fan base back

How about signing Fred Jackson long term, and throwing in a KC pro bowl gaurd for good measure.

[Dr. Lecter]

Re: My Tuesday Update

Honestly, re-sigining Crowell, trading for Scheffler, extending the dumbass LT, signing Freddy longterm and a stopgap guard like Goff or Simmons is fine with me.

[bigbub2352]

Re: My Tuesday Update

How about signing Fred Jackson long term, and throwing in a KC pro bowl gaurd for good measure.

Agreed, Goff and Simmons are still out there as well, but if we signed Peters and Crowell, and traded for Scheffler we could easily get one of the best Guards in the country in the 2nd round, maybe even Duke RObinson

but either way i would be happy i think when all is said and done with Freddie it will be a 3yr deal cause of his age

then we can concentrate on DLine with the pick at 11 and maybe a SS in RD3

[bigbub2352]

Re: My Tuesday Update

Honestly, re-sigining Crowell, trading for Scheffler, extending the dumbass LT, signing Freddy longterm and a stopgap guard like Goff or Simmons is fine with me.

Maybe it is just Sabres stuff we dont agree on LOL