Getting a handle on Hangartner

[The Spaz]

He wasn’t a big name signing by any means, but Buffalo’s addition of free agent center Geoff Hangartner early in free agency shores up an important position that was sitting vacant on Buffalo’s offensive line. It was no secret that the Bills wanted to address the position quickly and decisively and they feel they’ve done that with the fifth-year pro.

“He’s athletic, experienced, which was important for us because we thought we had to have an experienced guy for what we do and what we want to do and the difficulty of that position,” said Bills head coach Dick Jauron. “Our position is so tough on centers because of the 3-4 (defenses) and the quality of the nose tackles in our division. He played against a lot of quality players. He’s young enough to be around for what we hope will be a long time and a good run.”

http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/getting-a-handle-on-hangartner/da6e4474-ef01-4fb0-86fe-26a1cfadbfae

[The Jokeman]

Re: Getting a handle on Hangartner

He's the typical UFA the Bills have brought in over the last few years. He was a backup with his team that came from but we think he has what it takes to be a full time starter here. See Larry Tripplett, Craig Nall, Melvin Fowler and Robert Royal as other examples.

[ddaryl]

Re: Getting a handle on Hangartner

the old diamond in the rough Bills offseason mentality...

heck maybe this time they got it right.... or I at least hope he is better then Fowler and Preston

[casdhf]

Re: Getting a handle on Hangartner

He did play very well in Carolina.

[Pinkerton Security]

Re: Getting a handle on Hangartner

He did play very well in Carolina.

ya i agree, lets wait to call this one a cheap signing because that Carolina running game was pretty stellar all year, and he played half their games, including the Giants game.

[OpIv37]

Re: Getting a handle on Hangartner

He's the typical UFA the Bills have brought in over the last few years. He was a backup with his team that came from but we think he has what it takes to be a full time starter here. See Larry Tripplett, Craig Nall, Melvin Fowler and Robert Royal as other examples.

That's my concern. I don't know enough about him specifically to say that's the case, but it certainly fits the awful FA pattern that the Bills have developed over the years.

BTW, you forgot Peerless Price, Matt Bowen, Tutan Reyes, Andre Davis...

[HHURRICANE]

Re: Getting a handle on Hangartner

I don't drink the kool-aid anymore. Whittle was supposed to be a starter at RG.

[SquishDaFish]

Re: Getting a handle on Hangartner

Who cares if you drink koolaid or not?

[madness]

Re: Getting a handle on Hangartner

His play in Carolina was far better than anything Fowler and Preston ever produced in Buffalo.

That's enough for me not to worry about him being a liability on the field as much as they were.

[bigbub2352]

Re: Getting a handle on Hangartner

I hope the Bills Front Office knows what they are doing with another backup signing to be a starter, cause our past history shows they dont and have done nothing but brought in bums to play Center

Let one of these cheap signings work out for us, let our coachs and fornt office be smarter than everyone else for once Please.....

[Jan Reimers]

Re: Getting a handle on Hangartner

I agree that our track record with these kind of signings is not good, but Hangartner is the kind of young player that I reserve judgment on. Each case is different.

[Pinkerton Security]

Re: Getting a handle on Hangartner

I don't drink the kool-aid anymore. Whittle was supposed to be a starter at RG.

what?! no he wasnt, he was brought in purely as depth at center and G

[DraftBoy]

Re: Getting a handle on Hangartner

This should end any thoughts of the Bills taking a guy like Mack.

[yordad]

Re: Getting a handle on Hangartner

He is stronger the Fowler, and way smarter then Duke. He cannot be worst then them, it would be impossible.

[OpIv37]

Re: Getting a handle on Hangartner

He is stronger the Fowler, and way smarter then Duke. He cannot be worst then them, it would be impossible.

The problem is that we don't need someone who isn't worse. We weren't good enough up front last year- we need someone BETTER.

Now, once again, I don't know enough about Hangartner to specifically say that he's better or worse. But the red flag is that this is Buffalo's MO of signing a back up from another team to be a starter here, and that strategy has not gotten results in the past.