Free agent offensive guard Bennie Anderson signed with the Buffalo Bills Thursday.
Anderson started the last four years at right guard for the Baltimore Ravens, who made no effort to re-sign him. He started 12 games last season and was part of the offensive line that helped Jamal Lewis run for 2,066 yards in 2003.
The club filled a need at the right guard position by reaching a three-year, $5.1 million contract with Ravens offensive lineman Bennie Anderson that included a $1.5 million signing bonus.
The Bills today announced that the team has signed OL Bennie Anderson. In accordance with club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed. A St. Louis, MO native, Anderson started a total of 46 games for the Baltimore Ravens over the past four seasons, including 12 starts at right guard this past season.
Anderson was a vital part of an offensive line that helped pave the for Jamal Lewis’ 2,066-yard season in 2003. Anderson was originally signed by the Ravens as a free agent in 2001 out of Tennessee State.
Bills special teams coach Bobby April has been voted Special Teams Coach of the Year by his peers and will receive the award Tuesday April, 5th at a breakfast award ceremony in Reno, NV.
The Cardinals remained interested in trading offensive tackle L.J. Shelton for Buffalo running back Travis Henry, but a potential swap probably wouldn't happen until during the draft in April.
The proposed deal is more complicated than just player for player. The Bills reportedly are asking the Cardinals to switch spots in the second round of the draft, April 23 and 24. So far, the Cardinals have refused.
Bills president Tom Donahoe discounted Travis Henry's threat to sit out if he's not traded, saying the running back would seriously hurt his career if he missed next season.
In an interview with Sirius NFL Radio on Wednesday, Donahoe said he's still attempting to trade Henry, but added he expects the player to return to Buffalo for the final year of his contract if a deal doesn't materialize.
Last season the moves were made on the fly. Defensive tackle Justin Bannan played guard on the opposite side of the ball in a handful of short yardage situations. Meanwhile Jason Peters, who came in as a tight end, transitioned to offensive tackle.
Now with a spring and summer full of instruction Bannan and Peters will make every effort to become offensive linemen that can contribute.
The steroid comments made by New Orleans Saints’ coach Jim Hasslet at the NFL meetings in Hawaii last week touched more than a few nerves around the league.
First to respond was Steelers’ owner Dan Rooney, who took strong exception to Hasslett’s contention that steroid use in pro football started in Pittsburgh.
Shortly thereafter, Hall of Fame guard Joe DeLamielleure ripped his former Bills’ teammate.
This hasn't been an active offseason for the Buffalo Bills, but it has been far from uneventful. Over the past month they cut loose quarterback Drew Bledsoe and let offensive tackle Jonas Jennings and defensive tackle Pat Williams sign elsewhere. They did sign veteran offensive lineman Mike Gandy, but compared to teams that have sprinted into free agency, the Bills have taken a leisurely stroll.
The Buffalo Bills’ “Memorabilia Collectors Club” plans to hold its first-ever event on this Saturday, April 2 in the Paul Maguire Club at Ralph Wilson Stadium from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.
The situation involving Travis Henry and the Buffalo Bills finally has reached its boiling point. He's griping about the team not accommodating his wish to be traded. His agent claims this matter could get ugly if it doesn't get resolved soon. Meanwhile, the Bills say they want the best possible deal for their disgruntled running back.
Rusty Jones can’t wait for the 2005 season to begin. As the newly appointed strength and conditioning coordinator for the Bears, this 20-year NFL veteran has a very specific goal in mind.
Last year at this time, Mike Mularkey was still settling in as the new coach of the Buffalo Bills. The process of putting together his staff and implementing a new offensive system was well under way.
Kent Hull was on his 2,000-acre cattle ranch in Mississippi last Wednesday, minding his own business and enjoying retirement, when a meteor from another side of the world came crashing into his cow pastures. "It's false, I can tell you that," Hull said in Thursday's editions of the Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle. "I hate to hear it. I may have to give him call."
--When the NFL announced plans for a regular-season game outside the United States in 2005, Bills fans grew restless. One possibility was having Buffalo play an opponent in nearby Toronto, leaving Bills fans with only seven true home games. Instead, Arizona will face San Francisco at Azteca Stadium on Oct. 2. It will count as one of the Cardinals' eight home games and they welcome the move. It beats playing in a half-empty Sun Devil Stadium. The Cardinals move into a new facility in 2006.
Former Bills teammates of New Orleans Saints coach Jim Haslett strongly refute his claims that every offensive and defensive linemen and linebacker used steroids in the NFL through the 1980s until the league began cracking down.
Jim Kelly has left quite a legacy in Western New York — 35,467 passing yards, 237 touchdowns and four straight Super Bowl appearances. Off the field, the Hall of Famer remains a positive influence on the area. The Jim Kelly Football Camp started in 1987 and has grown in popularity, numbers and even has switched sites.
In 1958, the Cardinals, then based in Chicago where the franchise was founded, opened their home season in Buffalo in what was still called Civic Stadium. The Old Rockpile had been built in the Depression '30s by the Works Project Administration. It was a stadium without frills - no roof, no seat-backs, no amenities. There was merely space for the posteriors of people who wanted to watch football or auto racing, or anything else for which a promoter might be willing to pay rent.
After graduating from Michigan, Keating was drafted by both the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL and the Buffalo Bills of the AFL. Bills owner Ralph Wilson personally signed Keating in 1964. The Bills won two AFL titles when Keating was there. "We (players) still get together each year to celebrate those championships," he said. "Jack Kemp was there at the last one (1965)."
The decision to go with J.P. Losman as our quarterback wasn't immediate. The coaching staff needed some time to look at tape, think it through, and then get away from the offices and take a break. That gave everyone a chance to get their thoughts together. We came back and watched some tape again and just felt if this was our decision that the sooner it happened, the better we could plan the offseason from an offensive perspective. We're always trying to get ready for the offseason and we build it out in stages. The quicker you can do it the better it is for the team.
Having been seemingly dormant for weeks, discussions aimed at a swap of Buffalo Bills tailback Travis Henry and Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle L.J. Shelton were revived at the NFL owners meetings this week, and there is a decent shot the proposed trade will be consummated around draft time. The final hurdle: In addition to getting Shelton, who would replace Jonas Jennings as the starting left tackle, Bills general manager Tom Donahoe also wants to switch spots in the second round. That would mean Buffalo would move to the No. 44 slot overall and Arizona would slide back to the No. 55 spot. Cardinals coach Dennis Green has balked at that component of the trade but apparently still wants Henry to fill the hole he's got at tailback, so that he could then use his first-round choice in the draft (the No. 8 position) to grab a much-needed cornerback. Buffalo needs Shelton, or the Bills will probably have to move starting center Trey Teague to left tackle, a position he has not played since he left Denver following the 2001 season. With Losman as a first-year starter, the Bills want to maintain as much stability as they can on the offensive line.
As the quarterback goes, the Bills may go. Second-year signal-caller J.P. Losman has been thrust into the starting role with the release of veteran Drew Bledsoe, which will provide the Bills with a much more athletic option at the position. Relatively inexperienced, Losman will have a tremendous amount of pressure placed upon him, as this Buffalo organization expects a playoff contender in 2005. Additionally, the potential loss of starting tackle Jonas Jennings, Losman’s blindside protector as an unrestricted free agent could be damaging to the growth of this offense. The team has been in discussions to obtain L.J. Shelton from the Arizona Cardinals to offset the loss at this important position.
Glossary of Terms Franchised Market - television market (ADI or DMA) that has an NFL franchise (i.e.
Buffalo, NY or Phoenix, AZ). Secondary Blackout Market - television market in the home territory (with
station(s) having signal penetration to within 75 miles of the game site) of an NFL
franchise that is subject to blackout restrictions. Early Game - Game with kickoff at 1:05 p.m. (Eastern Time). Late Game - Game with kickoff at 4:05 or 4:15 p.m. (Eastern Time).
Blackout Policy
To ensure an NFL club's ability to sell all of its game tickets, and to make televised
games more attractive to viewers through the presence of sellout crowds, the following
policy is observed by the NFL:
For a home game to be aired locally in the franchised market and in any secondary blackout
market(s), the game must be sold out 72 hours in advance of kickoff. If the game is not a
sellout by the 72 hour cutoff, both the home franchised market and the secondary markets
of the carrying network will air an alternate game.
Number of Games in a Market
With regard to the number of NFL games seen in a particular market on a Sunday afternoon,
there are three different situations.
1. An NFL franchised market (i.e. New York, Chicago, Dallas, etc.).
On a week when the NFL team (or teams) in a market is on the ROAD Sunday,
Monday or Thursday night or Saturday afternoon, the market will receive three
Sunday afternoon games... two telecasts by the network with the doubleheader
week and one game by the network with the single game week. When an NFL team
in the market is playing at HOME on Sunday afternoon, the market will receive
two games... one game on FOX and one game on CBS, regardless of which network
has the doubleheader week. Unless 1) the home team's assigned telecaster that
day (CBS or FOX) is also on the doubleheader network and 2) the game is sold
out 72 hours in advance. Then the three games would be the home
team's and two other games in the remaining early or late window.
2. All other television markets (including secondary blackout markets).
Network affiliates in these markets will receive three games on Sunday afternoon, two on
the doubleheader network (one early and one late) and one game on the single game network
(either early or late).
Selection of Games to be Telecast Regionally
By network contract, all team road games must be telecast back to that team's home
territory (franchised market and secondary blackout markets).
Other than the above requirement, the televising network is the sole selector of which
game(s) will be aired in all markets.
One day after former Buffalo Bills center Kent Hull denied taking steroids during his playing days, Pro Football Hall of Famer and fellow Bills' Wall of Famer Joe DeLamielleure did the same. In an interview aired on Sirius NFL radio Friday, DeLamielleure reacted angrily to comments made by ex-Bills linebacker and current New Orleans Saints coach Jim Haslett that half of the players in the league and all of the linemen were taking steroids when Haslett played.
Frank Reich, the former University of Maryland, Buffalo Bills, and Carolina Panthers quarterback will headline the speaker's list for Covenant College's inaugural Athletic Symposium April 19-20. The two-day event was started by Dr. Oliver Trimiew, an Associate Professor and Department Chair for Interdisciplinary Studies at Covenant, and will be funded by Covenant's Kaleo Center.
The Arizona Cardinals may yet emerge with Travis Henry as a running back without having to do anything but wait.
Cardinals coach Dennis Green told reporters this week at the NFL owners meetings in Hawaii he is still interested in Henry, the disgruntled Buffalo back who wants to be traded.
The Buffalo Bills will have a new quarterback under center when the 2005 season starts. The change comes after general manager Tom Donohue decided to cut ties with veteran Drew Bledsoe.
Former Buffalo Bills standout Kent Hull said Thursday he never took steroids during his NFL career and resents the implication by former linebacker and teammate Jim Haslett. Haslett, coach of the New Orleans Saints who played for the Bills from 1979-86, told reporters at the owners meetings in Hawaii that he took the controversial performance-enhancing drugs early in his career in order to stay competitive.
Bills receiver Lee Evans was attending classes at Wisconsin last month when he got a lesson in how quickly things can change in the NFL.
The news that Buffalo released veteran quarterback Drew Bledsoe in favor of youngster J.P. Losman came as a surprise at first.
Former Buffalo Bills standout Kent Hull denied today that he took steroids during his NFL career and resents the implication by former teammate Jim Haslett.
The NFL concluded its annual owners' meetings Wednesday by unanimously adopting several rules to enhance player safety. They outlawed the so-called "peel back" block, when an offensive player comes back around and hits an unsuspecting defensive player below the waist from behind. Those blocks generally occur on screen passes.
Minnesota's interior defensive line got stronger with the signing of free agent tackle Pat Williams, who spent the last eight seasons in Buffalo. The Vikings made a trade with the New York Jets for middle linebacker Sam Cowart, who played for the Bills from 1998 to 2001. Last year, the Vikings made ex-Bills cornerback Antoine Winfield their top free agent target and also signed former Bills linebacker Keith Newman.
NFL owners yesterday offered another endorsement for the Jets' plans to build a West Side stadium, voting to award New York the 2010 Super Bowl. Only one catch: There has to be a stadium for the game to take place. Yesterday's 31-1 vote, with only Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson dissenting, comes on the heels of a unanimous vote from the league's Super Bowl committee on Tuesday. The owners are in Hawaii for their annual spring meetings.
KAPALUA, Hawaii — Jim Haslett didn't take steroids for vanity. He took them to survive in the NFL. "If you didn't, you weren't as strong as everybody else, you weren't as fast as everybody else," said Haslett, 49, now coach of the New Orleans Saints and once a starting linebacker for the Buffalo Bills. "That's the only reason to do it."
Jim Haslett went from a 160-pound quarterback at Avalon High School to a 230-pound defensive end at IUP, but he said it wasn't until he reached the NFL that he took steroids.
A proposal to make down-by-contact plays reviewable by replay was rejected by NFL teams. The proposed change was perhaps the most important in a package of rules changes approved by the league's competition committee. It would have allowed the referee to use replay cameras to look at fumbles even though the whistle had blown, something that currently ends the play regardless of what the cameras might see.
Thinking back to last spring, I can safely say that my nerves were jumping as Paul Tagliabue stepped to the podium and said, 'San Diego is on the clock,' at the beginning of the draft. You never know what to expect and that's what makes you so antsy. The anticipation just kills you sitting there and waiting for your name to get called. I was blessed enough to go 13 off the board and that seemed like forever, so I can only imagine what people in the third round or the second day felt like.
New York's first-ever Super Bowl moved a step closer to reality Tuesday as the NFL's Super Bowl advisory committee unanimously approved the Jets' bid to host the 2010 game. The approval is contingent on the construction of the Jets' proposed $1.7 billion stadium on Manhattan's West Side by 2009.
There won't be a Buffalo vs. Cleveland NFL scrimmage game this summer. The Browns cancelled it.
New Cleveland head coach Romeo Crennel wants the extra time to implement new offensive and defensive systems. The Bills and Browns have been holding a controlled scrimmage prior to the first week of prerseason games for the past four years. It was Cleverland's turn to host the game in Edinboro Pa. Buffalo could still schedule with another NFL team. The New York Giants for instance, train in comparatively nearby Albany.
The annual training camp scrimmage between the Browns and Buffalo Bills will take at least a one-year hiatus. Browns coach Romeo Crennel informed the Bills that he would prefer to take a rain check in his first season. The scrimmage may resume in 2006.
The National Football League is a thriving multibillion-dollar business. Paid stadium attendance reached record levels for the third straight year. Television ratings continue to soar. Retail sales of team merchandise are off the charts. But a dark cloud looms on the horizon that could end the NFL's sunny disposition.
Travis Henry says he's frustrated by the fact the Buffalo Bills have not yet traded him and he is determined as ever to play elsewhere next season. Both Henry and his agent, Hadley Engelhard, said Monday the Bills have a firm offer on the table from the Arizona Cardinals.
A week in Maui was anything but a vacation for the NFL's competition committee. The eight voting members of the committee, headed by Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher and Atlanta Falcons general manager Rich McKay, are making 19 rules proposals to the owners at the annual meetings. Several are controversial enough to cause some vehement debate.
Travis Henry is through playing for the Buffalo Bills, intent to sit out as long as it takes the team to trade him.
"I'm definitely not going back to Buffalo if that's what you want to hear," the running back told The Associated Press on Monday from his home in Orlando, Fla.
The revenue-sharing formula in the NFL is the envy of all sports leagues. But that's not going to stop Paul Tagliabue from trying to make it better.
NFL owners will convene their annual meeting on Monday with a focus on finances rather than on-the-field issues.
Buffalo refused to bid for unrestricted free agents Jonas Jennings and Pat Williams.
It has retained only one of its own players, third-string tight end Ryan Neufeld.
It signed quarterback Kelly Holcomb and guard Mike Gandy, for depth purposes mainly. It cut safety Pierson Prioleau.
NEEDS/DRAFT PRIORITIES:
1. Center. The Bills have to start getting serious about upgrading their line; it's just not in the league of Pittsburgh's, Indianapolis', or New England's, the teams to beat in the AFC. Landing a veteran or good rookie would allow Trey Teague to be shifted to left tackle.
--First the offensive line, now the secondary. Buffalo's decision to release veterans or not sign its own free agents has created gaps in its lineup that didn't exist when last season ended. The latest hole appeared when veteran strong safety Pierson Prioleau was cut to free cap space.
Amid the palm trees and tropical breezes, the National Football League intends to get some work done during the four days of the annual owners' meetings, which open today at the Ritz Carlton Resort Hotel on the island of Maui.
The Buffalo Bills entertained free-agent guard Bennie Anderson of the Baltimore Ravens on Friday. Size is Anderson's strength. He is massive at 6-foot-5 and 345 pounds. Anderson, 28, started four straight years for the Ravens at right guard. He's known as a mauler, good at run blocking.
Attended Cleveland Junior Naval Academy in St. Louis, where he was All-District...Earned the leadership award by the "Tree Coaches" (TSU alumni coaches who sit under a tree watching practice) as a junior and senior
The Buffalo Bills are pitching in to help Erie County with its budget crisis.
The Bills have agreed to temporarily forego a $3.5 million payment the county owes the National Football League team for maintenance and repairs to Ralph Wilson Stadium. The payment will be deferred to an unspecified date.
Once again, the talk is leading the walk at One Bills Drive this offseason. Team statements are about how JP Losman is ready to lead the Bills and how Willis McGahee is now ready to bust out. But what has not been discussed is which line they will be playing behind as if makes no difference or is an afterthought.
It may be just a cameo appearance, but Green Bay's Brett Favre will make what is likely his last trip to Orchard Park in August when the Bills host the Packers in a preseason game.
The Bills announced their preseason opponents Wednesday.
The Detroit Lions took care of one of their pressing needs Wednesday when offensive guard Rick DeMulling agreed to contract terms. The team did not release details of the deal. DeMulling was considering offers from both the Lions and the Buffalo Bills.
At least two of Washington's coaches are familiar with him: defensive coordinator Gregg Williams coached him for three seasons in Buffalo, as did safeties coach Steve Jackson. Prioleau is a six-year veteran who has started 38 games, appearing in 80. He started 26 games under Williams in Buffalo. But he was also known for his special teams play, another area Washington is desperate to improve.
The football season has been over for months, yet Sharon Jackson says she's still suffering from Bills' withdrawal. This has only been partially soothed by a new cookbook of Tailgate Taco Salad and Victory Punch that she compiled with her fellow Buffalo Bills Booster Club members.
The Washington Redskins have signed veteran defensive back Pierson Prioleau, who was released Monday by the Buffalo Bills. Prioleau spent the past four seasons with Buffalo and last year finished with 38 tackles and one fumble recovery in 16 games. In six NFL seasons, the 27-year-old Virginia Tech product has one interception with 277 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks. He began his career with San Francisco and played two years with the 49ers before signing with Buffalo in November 2001.
The Bills, under the direction of a new quarterback, will make their 2005 debut in a preseason game at Indianapolis during the week of August 11-15. Buffalo will host Green Bay the following week and travel to Chicago the week of August 25-29 before hosting Detroit in the final tune-up prior to the regular season opener. Exact dates and times of each of Buffalo's four preseason games will be announced at a later date.
NFL owners could vote next week on whether to play the 2010 Super Bowl in New York at a new stadium built for the Jets on the West Side of Manhattan. The vote would come at the NFL meetings in Hawaii.
The Buffalo Bills created some room under the salary cap Monday by releasing safety Pierson Prioleau and added some insurance at tight end by re-signing Ryan Neufeld. The release of Prioleau was anticipated because he was scheduled to count $1.68 million against the cap, a high figure for a backup player. Prioleau, 27, led the Bills in special teams tackles last season and started two games at strong safety. He was the starting free safety the entire 2002 season.
The Buffalo Bills released Pierson Prioleau yesterday after the backup safety rejected the team's offer to restructure his contract. His agent Brian Mackler said Buffalo offered his client a new three-year deal. But the six-year NFL veteran turned it down, hoping to find a better opportunity with another team.
The Buffalo Bills released Pierson Prioleau on Monday after the backup safety rejected the team's offer to restructure his contract.
Prioleau, a six-year NFL veteran, was scheduled to make a $1.25 million base salary in the final year of a four-year deal with the Bills next season.
Prioleau's agent, Brian Mackler, said Buffalo offered his client a new three-year deal, which included restructuring the final year of his current contract. But Prioleau turned it down, hoping to find a better opportunity with another team.
Bryan Ault (Alexandria, VA): As fans, we do not have a lot of confidence in Rian Lindell's distance and we think he puts additional pressure on the offense to get closer late in close games. How do you intend to address the kicking situation in the off-season?
TD: Our philosophy as an organization is to always try to improve the team in all areas. Sometimes, however, you should watch what you wish for. Rian Lindell improved as much as any player on our team last year compared to the 2003 season. He ended the year near the top of most statistical categories in the NFL. For example, in 2003 he was 17-of-24 kicking field goals for a total of 75 points. In 2004, he was 24-of-28 on his field goals for 117 points. He also lost two long field goals last year when we called timeout prior to the kicks which he made. Rian is improving and has done a very good job under the direction of Bobby April. We expect him to take another step this season as our kicker.
Erie County Legislators Al DeBenedetti and Dr. Barry Weinstein have told Business First that they've asked the Bills if they would be willing to forego a $3.56-million payment the franchise needs for maintenance at county owned Ralph Wilson Stadium.
The Bills today announced that the team has re-signed TE Ryan Neufeld. The Bills also announced today that the team has released safety Pierson Prioleau.
The No. 2 quarterback job in Buffalo has been among the loneliest in the NFL over the past three seasons, what with the slow but durable Drew Bledsoe starting all 48 games. But after Bledsoe was released last month, and the reins were handed to J.P. Losman, a solid insurance policy suddenly became important for Buffalo again.
NEEDS/DRAFT PRIORITIES: Center. The Bills have to start getting serious about upgrading their line; it's just not in the league of Pittsburgh's, Indianapolis', or New England's, the teams to beat in the AFC. Landing a veteran or good rookie would allow Trey Teague to be shifted to left tackle.
QB J.P. Losman, who grew up in Los Angeles, has found adjusting to a small city like Buffalo difficult, but in a good way. "It's weird being in a new city and it's been a little overwhelming my time thus far in Buffalo," he said. "The fan support has been overwhelming. It's not something I'm used to. I've never known so many people that have so much knowledge and passion about their team. "(Heading through the tunnel on game days), the energy you feel in the stadium makes you feel on top of the world, like we're gladiators or something. It's not something I'm used to and I feel very fortunate to be in this situation.'
All of a sudden, a couple of very good running backs appear available for a trade. Buffalo's Travis Henry has been on the trading block the longest period of time. Now, Indianapolis' Edgerrin James and Seattle's Shaun Alexander are possible trade targets. The concept of trading these star athletes is understandable, so I asked a few front-office executives what they would give up for guys like James, Alexander and Henry. Keep in mind, James and Alexander combined for 3,897 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2004, and both men are still in their 20s. The consensus answer was two second-round picks. One personnel director said a late first-round pick this year and a third. Henry was in a different area; no one felt he was in the same ballpark.
Erie County Executive Joel Giambra wants to sack a proposal that two county lawmakers made to the Buffalo Bills. Legislators Albert DeBenedetti, D-Buffalo, and Dr. Barry Weinstein, R-Amherst, asked the Bills if the National Football League team would be willing to forego a $3.56 million payment the franchise needs for maintenance at county-owned Ralph Wilson Stadium. The payment is part of a long-term lease negotiated between the county and the Bills in 1998.
Starting C Trey Teague may get a look at left tackle during the spring minicamps. The Bills had plans to use him at that position when signing him as a free agent out of Denver in 2002, but ultimately decided he was a better fit at center.
Teague started 20 games at left tackle in four years for Denver, including all 16 regular-season contests in 2001. Teague may be the Bills' most athletic offensive lineman. He is a technically sound blocker, and he has the quickness and mobility to play in space. While not a dominant run blocker, he works hard at getting good position and redirecting defenders.
This year, only 12 teams took a hit against the salary cap for incentives earned from the 2004 season. The Steelers won 15 games and took the biggest shot to the cap with $5.4 million in charges -- that's the price of winning, I suppose. Meanwhile, three teams (Buffalo, Arizona and Cincinnati) had no ill effects from bonuses earned that had not counted during the season, effectively giving them a "balanced budget."
With another draft coming up, it is fitting to go back and analyze each draft that the Buffalo Bills have had with Tom Donahoe as the general manager.
His first draft was in 2001 and has completed four drafts as the GM. In this piece I will analyze his first two drafts, 2001 and 2002, and on Wedensday March 9, 2005 I will post my analysis on his next two drafts, 2003 and 2004
.
I have come up with a rating system to rate each player selected, based on what they have accomplished in the NFL thus far. The rating system is as follows:
10-Pro-Bowl caliber player 8-Starter in the NFL 6-Solid backup 4-At least he is on a NFL roster 0-Not on an NFL roster......
I am fully aware of the obvious flaw in the system that the position or round that they were drafted in not accounted for in the system. For example, a 6th or 7th round pick is not likely to be a rating of 10, so there is no way to measure this type of excellent selection. Likewise a 1st round pick that is rated a 4, there is no measurement of this apparent not so good pick. So what I am going to do is break it down by round and by draft. I will add up the total points awarded to each player in the draft and divide it by the amount of selections in that particular draft and break it down for you that way by draft and by round. You will see this all come together by the end of this article, I promise. More
Floyd “Pork Chop” Womack has played mostly at offensive tackle during his four-year NFL career. He would prefer to be paid as such. The Seattle Seahawks envision Womack as a guard, a position that commands less money. The sides reached a compromise Saturday when Womack accepted a two-year contract that amounts to an extended audition. Womack, 26, will use the next two seasons to more clearly define his true position. He’ll be a free agent in 2007. The Seahawks, meanwhile, retain the services of a young prospect with the versatility to play both positions ably. Financial terms of the deal were not immediately known; market value appears to be somewhere in the $5 million range.
Bills defensive line coach Tim Krumrie was at his alma mater's workout in Madison, Wis., last week, along with coach Mike Mularkey and President and General Manager Tom Donahoe. Krumrie has become well known at these workouts for running defensive linemen through an exhausting drill in which he plays an offensive lineman and tries over and over to get his hands on the defenders. The defensive linemen must repeatedly knock his hands off them. Krumrie, in jeans and cowboy boots, wore out Wisconsin linemen Erasmus James, Anttaj Hawthorne, Jason Jefferson, Jonathan Welsh and Kalvin Barrett during the drill. James is projected to be a first-round pick.
"You're looking for character, see how they compete, see if there's no quit," Krumrie told the Wisconsin State Journal. "In this group of guys, there was no quit. None of them. When you watch them on tape, they can hide a few plays here and there. You get them out here, get them isolated one-on-one, (and you can) expose a guy who's going to quit on you. None of these guys quit." Mularkey said the intensity of Tim Anderson versus Krumrie at Ohio State last year helped convince the Bills to draft him.
1 Willis McGahee RB Miami 23rd overall pick: When this pick first happened, I really questioned it. But now, after last year’s performance, it was an outstanding selection. Hopefully Mcgahee’s knee holds up cause he is going to be asked to do a lot next year. He’s a touchdown machine with the best stiff arm I have ever seen. GRADE: 9
2 Chris Kelsay DE Nebraska 48th overall pick: Kelsay emerged last season as the Bills starter and left defensive end beating out Ryan Denney. He started 10 games and finished with 4.5 sacks. This year coming up will really show what type of player he is so with that in mind he is between a solid starter and solid backup, his play will decide. GRADE: 7 ......More
Since the last time we’ve talked it’s been a few days. We’ve been continuing to practice. We were fortunate enough to catch a break on Saturday and our coach gave us the second practice off because of the work and the effort we put in the first week. He felt we should be rewarded and we got the second practice off. It helped guys clear their minds and get out on Saturday away from football and relax and see different things. It’s good for us because we were able to refocus on our work the following day. I thought it was good timing for the break. When we came back we were able to focus and do the things we needed to do for the scrimmage on Tuesday.
With the free agent departure of Jonas Jennings, the Buffalo Bills are looking at different options at left tackle. One of those options is center Trey Teague. "We're going to look at Trey," Bills President and General Manager Tom Donahoe said. "When we signed him, we liked him as a tackle. It just worked out better for us his first year that he play at center because of his experience. But we believe he can make the transition back to tackle. If the coaches feel that gives us the best chance to be successful, they will look at it."
According to the Seattle Post Intelligencer, Offensive lineman Floyd "Pork Chop" Womack, another of the Seahawks' unrestricted free agents, is drawing interest from the Pittsburgh Steelers. He already has visited the Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers. He was impressed with his visit with the Buffalo Bills Thursday, March 10, and believes he would be a good fit. "They have great chemistry here and I'd like to be part of it," Womack said. Womack also disclosed that he would help the team wherever they need him to play, whether it's at offensive tackle or guard...
The Detroit Free Press, reports free agent G Rick DeMulling, formerly of the Indianapolis Colts has apparently narrowed his choices down to signing with the Buffalo Bills or the Detroit Lions. The Bills are negotiating with DeMulling, who visited Monday, March 7.
Free agent TE Marcellus Rivers, formerly of the New York Giants visited the Buffalo Bills Thursday, March 10. "I like coach (Mike Mularkey)," said Rivers. "He's an ex-tight end and he coached tight ends. He knows what a tight ends job is and what a tight end is supposed to do."
Former Bills QB and current free agent Doug Flutie said his release from the San Diego Chargers was a mutual parting and it is the right thing for him. He added that it opens the door for other opportunities should something come up rather than retiring outright.
Eric Moulds is home for some rest, relaxation and warm weather. Moulds, a 1992 graduate of George County High, signed with the Buffalo Bills in 1996. He said his biggest adjustment to playing for the New York-based National Football League team was playing in the cold weather. "The weather is always good here," he said.
Doug Flutie has been sent ramblin' and scramblin' once again, and this time it might be for good.
The San Diego Chargers released Flutie on Friday, the latest move in the quarterback's roundabout 20-year career that has taken him through eight teams in three professional leagues.
A starting offensive line candidate and a backup tight end prospect visited the Buffalo Bills on Thursday. Seattle lineman Floyd "Pork Chop" Womack was interviewed by the Bills in Orchard Park. So was New York Giants free agent tight end Marcellus Rivers. Both players are four-year veterans.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Tice acknowledged to NFL security investigators on Tuesday that he scalped part of his personal allotment of 12 tickets to last month's Super Bowl, a violation of league rules that could result in him being fined or otherwise punished by NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue.
The Jets lost out on restricted free agent Jeb Putzier yesterday as the Broncos matched their five-year, $12.5-million offer to the tight end. The Jets continued last night to pursue free-agent quarterback Jay Fiedler as the backup to Chad Pennington, and a deal could be reached by today.
Green Bay brought in Seattle tackle Floyd “Pork Chop” Womack on Thursday for a Friday visit.
Womack was a fourth-round draft choice in 2001 by new Packers general manager Ted Thompson while he was in Seattle. Womack’s destination is mainly in the hands of the Buffalo Bills, with whom Womack spent most of Thursday. Buffalo earlier in the week lost left tackle Jonas Jennings. Since tackles generally command more money than guards, the Bills likely would outbid the Packers if they’re interested in Womack.
Updating previous reports, the four-year deal QB Kelly Holcomb signed with the Buffalo Bills has base salaries of $665,000 (2005), $875,000 (2006), $1.235 million (2007) and $1.535 million (2008). Holcomb turned down a similar deal for slightly larger salary numbers- and a guaranteed starting job for next season - to sign with the Bills.
Meanwhile, the two-year deal OL Mike Gandy signed with the Buffalo Bills has base salaries of $540,000 (2005) and $1.25 million (2006). Gandy played the last 4 seasons wiht the Brears, before being released midway through an injury plagued 2004 campaign.
According to the Seattle Times, Seahawks OL Floyd "Pork Chop" Womack has free-agent visits scheduled for Buffalo today and Green Bay tomorrow. The Seahawks are still very involved in negotiations with Womack.
There has been no new news regarding former Colts Guard Rick DeMulling's Monday visit with the Bills. Demulling made a second scheduled stop with the Detroit Lions on Tuesday. The Baltimore Ravens have also expressed a strong interest.
It's been quite a journey for J.P. Losman -- from Venice High quarterback to a starting position in the National Football League.
He went to UCLA, transferred to Tulane, became a first round draft choice of the Buffalo Bills, backed up veteran Drew Bledsoe, suffered a broken leg and last week became the Bills' No. 1 guy.
With the free agent departure of Jonas Jennings, the Buffalo Bills are looking at different options at left tackle. One of those options is center Trey Teague.
The former Bills on the ballot are: running back Thurman Thomas (Oklahoma State), linebackers Darryl Talley (West Virginia), Lucius Sanford (Georgia Tech) and Chris Spielman (Ohio State), fullback Roosevelt Leaks (Texas), and defensive back Rex Kern, who played quarterback at Ohio State. Also, Dick Jauron, a Bills assistant coach in 1985, is on the ballot.
Edgerrin James could be a bargain for some NFL team. James' new agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said Wednesday the Indianapolis Colts were not demanding a first-round draft pick in exchange for the former two-time NFL rushing champion.
The Bills looking to further shore up their offensive line had Floyd Womack in town for a visit today. Womack has the size and physical ability to be a dominate player. He has shown the ability to fend of power rushers but is at times beaten by speed rushers due to his inadequate lateral movement and as a result is thought of as a RT or although he has seen most of his starts at LT but has yet to show the ability to be a consistant starter though that could come with more playing time. Womack joined the league as a 4th Round pick in 2001 and has started 22 games. If signed we originally felt he'd best be suited at RT but could be considered at LT if the team didn't feel comfortable shifting RT Mike Williams.
This was just Losman's second public appearance, and it didn't look like it was going to be good. I've seen athletes fumble public speaking opportunities before. Former Sabre Doug Bodger once got up at the Press-Radio dinner to tell a dirty joke and then sit down. I recall how former Bills QB Rob Johnson dealt with public appearances, and I inevitably wondered just what in his chest kept him alive. So I didn't expect much from Losman. Thirty-six minutes later, however, I couldn't recall a better public presentation by a Buffalo Bill. Losman's ability to convey his story and connect with the kids was unrivaled --- better than Doug Flutie, Drew Bledsoe, and Jim Kelly.
It’s become a cliché that the one certainty with National Football League rosters is change...but it’s also true. The NFL’s free agency season is only a week old and already the Buffalo Bills’ roster has changed by some 15 percent.
When the season ended, besides their 53-man roster, the Bills also had four players — tight ends Mark Campbell and Tim Euhus, long-snapper Jon Dorenbos and defensive end Constantin Ritzmann — on injured reserve, for a total of 57.
And already, eight of that number is gone and that doesn’t include former No. 3 quarterback Shane Matthews, soon to be 35, whose future is uncertain.
With NFL teams spending money like crazy during the start of free agency, the Bills have taken a back seat. After a few years of aggressive free agent shopping that brought in the likes of London Fletcher, Trey Teague, Takeo Spikes, Jeff Posey, Chris Villarrial early in the free agent signing period; G.M. Tom Donahoe is operating at a much more measured pace this year. I would argue that a significant part of the Bills strategy has to do with New England’s success. The Patriots have done an unbelievable job at remaining patient during free agency. They look for the bargains and not the big names.
It seems to be a fairly busy off-season for Tom Donahoe and the Buffalo Bills, and the team has a few needs that must be addressed if the Bills have any hope of a play off run next season.
In this article, I will run down the priority sequence in which I believe the Bills have the most needs. It's going to be an active offseason again for the Buffalo Bills- and GM Tom Donahoe will again be active wheeling and dealing to improve the roster.
First, and most importantly is the Offensive Line--- Donahoe needs to find a suitable replacement for Jonas Jennings (signed with San Fran) and then possibly bring in a free agent Guard. So far, he may have found the potential replacement (and possible suprise starter) in Chicago's Mike Gandy- a versatile and talented (but often injured) lineman. If money permits, re-sign Marcus Price for depth, if nothing else. Price can play both Guard and Tackle positions, so he provides 2 backup roles at one roster space, which is very valuable in the NFL nowadays. Travis Henry has been rumored in trade talks with the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for Left Tackle L.J. Shelton, and it is a very good trade for both teams. Shelton would be a very suitable replacement for Jennings, and would cost about half as much.
Secondly is Defensive Line. Obviously, the ideal situation was to resign Pat Williams, but his demands were to high for the Bills and now TD must explore all other options. Those options include standing pat with 2nd year blue-collar workhorse Tim Anderson and veteran backup Ron Edwards filling Pat’s role, or possibly look to Free Agency, or the draft to fill this need. At the End spot, Aaron Schobel is steady, and will give what he always gives, 8-10 sacks, and will work hard day in and day out. Opposite him, is a huge question mark. Ryan Denney and Chris Kelsay split time at Right End last season, with Kelsay finally winning the job near the middle of the season. His play has been good at times, but he’s very inconsistent. Marcellus Wiley is an available possibility, or the Bills could look to the Draft, once again, for a DE.
Question marks are plentiful at Tight End. T.D. must decide, if Campbell and Euhus won't be ready until later in the season, whom the starting TE will be. Could it possibly be Jason Peters, he’s a monster target, but can he run-block? Ryan Neufeld (assuming he's re-signed) is another possibility. Ryan is a great run-blocker, but not much in the receiving department, and with 2nd year QB J.P. Losman at the helm, a good dump-off TE is almost a necessity. TD may look to the draft for a TE also. Ryan Smith out of Stanford is a very intriguing possibility; the only question is, if he’ll be around by the time the Bills pick late in the 2nd round. TD would almost for certain have to move up in order to get Smith. There are a few TE’s available through Free Agency, Bubba Franks is the biggest name available, but his price tag is probably too steep for the Bills. Guys like Jay Riemersma (a former Bill), Roland Williams or Ricky Dudley may also be options, although none are really considered weapons any longer. There are a ton of possibilities here, and this is possibly the most intriguing scenario of this upcoming off-season.
What to do wth the Placekicker. Rian Lindell is not a fan favorite in Buffalo. But let’s face it; what’s out there that is much better? Sure, there are guys like Indy’s Mike Vanderjact, or Philly’s David Akers, but is Tom Donahoe really willing to pay that much money for a kicker? Akers maybe, but Vanderjact has kicked in a dome his entire career, and it’s doubtful that he’d be as accurate in the friendly confines of the Ralph. Ohio State’s Mike Nugent’s name has been popping up on a lot of Bills fans’ radars, but it seems highly unreasonable that he’ll be around by the time the Bills draft, and even more unreasonable that they’ll move up just for the sake of drafting a kicker.
Backup QB is a priority for the Bills, resolved this weekend with the signing of Kelly Holcomb, the talented journeyman QB. Holcomb did the rare thing in the NFL, he took less money and an opportunity to be named starter in Cleveland for longer term job security and team success. If JP Losman falters or is knocked out of action, the Bills have one of the top backup QBs in the entire league at their disposal.
Finally, we come to Wide Receiver. It’s at the bottom of the list for the simple fact that I don’t think the Bills will have any money left over to make a play for a solid number 3 Wide out. There’s a ton of guys available, but let’s face it, it doesn’t seem to be much of a concern for the Bills, who have Sam Aiken and Josh Reed, whom both were expected to blossom, instead they’ve soured a bit.
It seems to be a busy off-season for Donahoe and the Bills, but with only about 8 million dollars to spend, he’s going to have to be very thrifty and may have to cut out some of the less-important things the Bills need. It should be a very interesting next couple of months, nonetheless, and I, personally, can’t wait.
It’s been going really well. We’ve finally had the opportunity to get the whole team here and start getting involved with all the practices. The first couple days are more fast paced. I’ve made some mental errors because I’m down here learning a new system and trying to get to know everyone. This is the first time I’ve been involved with a team that has been able to take everything they’ve been given and put it onto the field right away. We’ve had a great first couple of practices and I’m looking forward to getting better each day.
Kelly Holcomb is no newcomer to backing up a young quarterback. The Buffalo Bills' new free-agent signee was No. 2 in Indianapolis during Peyton Manning's first three seasons and No. 2 in Cleveland during Tim Couch's second and third seasons.
A TELEVISION promo running in the Buffalo area shows Jim Kelly and J.P. Losman, both decked out in Bills jerseys, walking across a football field together. The ad, a spot for Kelly's football camp, is a snapshot of Buffalo quarterbacks past and present: Kelly, the scrappy Hall of Famer, and Losman, who hopes to follow in the footsteps of the Bills' famous No. 12.
The Buffalo Bills may have handed second-year pro J.P. Losman their starting quarterback job, but they don't want him to get complacent.
Enter Kelly Holcomb.
Less than three days after the Bills signed offensive lineman Mike Gandy, guard Rick DeMulling toured Buffalo's training facility on a free agent visit. DeMulling, who started 41 games over the past four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, met with line coach Jim McNally and head coach Mike Mularkey on Monday and came away impressed with what he saw and heard.
If signed Rick DeMulling would likely play LG as it's been his primary position since being drafted although he did play center briefly this season. One thing he knows is that he won't be returning to the Colts. "They don't have the money to bring me in and that's fine, I understand that," DeMulling said. "You've got to expect that it's a business. The hardest part is leaving my friends. I'm leaving a lot of friends and buddies behind."
Free agent guard Rick DeMulling is visiting the Bills today. DeMulling, who started 41 games over the past four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, will tour the team’s training facility and meet with line coach Jim McNally and head coach Mike Mularkey during the day. Click on link to listen to Rick DeMulling.
Trade talks involving Henry for Arizona tackle L.J. Shelton seem to have cooled, according to The Sports Xchange. Arizona coach Dennis Green is looking for a feature back, but the word is he's not completely enamored with Henry. The trade isn't dead yet and the Bills could also make a run at tackle Anthony Clement, another guy possibly on the way out, but nothing will happen if Green decides he wants to use the team's No. 1 draft pick on one of the stud running backs coming out of college.
NEEDS/DRAFT PRIORITIES: 1. Center. The Bills have to start getting serious about upgrading their line; it's just not in the league of Pittsburgh's, Indianapolis', or New England's, the teams to beat in the AFC. Landing a veteran or good rookie would allow Trey Teague to be shifted to left tackle, making the need to re-sign Jonas Jennings a lot less urgent.
The Bills' search for a backup QB to Losman may center on Detroit free agent Mike McMahon when the dust settles. He's very athletic and would easily fit into coach Mike Mularkey's system. Upgrading their No. 3 receiver spot where Josh Reed has been a disappointment is also a possibility down the road. Baltimore's Kevin Johnson, who has voided his contract to become a free agent, is looking to revive his stardom and would make a nice complement to Eric Moulds and Lee Evans with his deceptive speed and hands.
If J.P. Losman can handle the New England Patriots blitz as well he handled the media blitz in his first official news conference since being named the Bills starting quarterback, Buffalo figures to be very successful with him under center.
The Buffalo Bills are entertaining free agent guard Rick DeMulling today. DeMulling is a 4 year veteran of the league, spending all that time with the Indianapolis Colts. DeMulling played at the left guard spot in 11 of the Colts 16 games last season. (He missed the other five games with a few injuries)
For the Bills, acquiring Holcomb takes at least some of the anxiety out of putting the starting job in the inexperienced hands of Losman. Holcomb has never firmly established himself as a front-line player, but he is capable of providing stability should the growing pains Losman will almost certainly experience pull him back to the sidelines.
There won't be any parades heralding the arrival of new Buffalo Bills quarterback Kelly Holcomb, but he might turn out to be a very significant signing.
Signing veteran QB Kelly Holcomb gives the Bills solid insurance behind first-year starter J.P. Losman. Holcomb has appeared in just 28 games in five seasons, but has been productive when given opportunities to play. Holcomb doesn't have a great arm and limited athleticism. But he is a smart player who makes the right defensive reads and usually makes sound decisions with the ball. While he's not expected to beat out Losman for the starting job, the Bills hope Holcomb will provide enough stiff competition to make Losman better. . . .
Kelly Holcomb said he accepted a lower offer to be the backup quarterback for the Buffalo Bills because Browns general manager Phil Savage treated him like he didn't really want him.
``He treated me as if I were a Band-Aid for a year,'' Holcomb said Saturday. ``He said I could come in here and start. But he was going to bring somebody else in, whether a veteran or a young guy.
``I'm not afraid to compete. I've been competing my whole career. Put me in a competition and I'm going to win it. But I felt like things weren't happening, they weren't motivated to sign me. They didn't want me here, so I thought it was best I move on.''
Former University of Wisconsin football player Troy Vincent was brought in by coach Barry Alvarez before last season to talk to the Badgers about a number of issues.
In a powerful presentation, Vincent spoke of the long odds of making it to the NFL.
Vincent, a cornerback with the Buffalo Bills, quoting NFL Players Association figures, broke it down this way: There are more than 1 million high school football players in the country; about 65,000 will go on to play college football; 340 will be invited to the combine; about 300 will make an NFL roster; and only 140 will go on to play four or more years in the NFL.
The Bills lost faith in Drew Bledsoe. Though replacement J.P. Losman is a question mark, Buffalo coaches and management have more faith in the new guy. Simply put, the Bills decided Bledsoe took them as far as he could in 2004. They had the NFL's No. 2 defense and the No. 1 special teams unit and Bledsoe got them to 9-7.
There are just some quarterbacks that need to have the job title backup. Holcomb is one of them, as he seems to always thrive when thrown in conditions on a short notice. His best games have always come when he has been thrown in the spotlight for relief duty, and that’s what had to have turned on the switch for the Bills to ink him to a four year deal. Perhaps Holcomb won’t take more than a few snaps in games the Bills are well ahead, but if and when he is needed the Bills should have no worries. One thing Holcomb will need to adjust with is Buffalo’s swirling winds, which seem to always effect opposing quarterbacks visiting. He’ll figure it out in due time, and also be a mentor for the second year quarterback JP Losman.
Center: The Bills have to start getting serious about upgrading their line; it's just not in the league of Pittsburgh's, Indianapolis', or New England's, the teams to beat in the AFC. Landing a veteran or good rookie would allow Trey Teague to be shifted to left tackle, making the need to re-sign Jonas Jennings a lot less urgent.
Bills officials are confident that financially strapped Erie County will continue to honor its lease obligations concerning game-day expenses and maintenance at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Those obligations amounted to more than $6 million in 2004. If not met, the county would technically be breaking its lease, giving the Bills the option to move out of Buffalo. A club spokesman told Buffalo television station WKBW, however, they are not focusing "on the defaults of the lease." And Bruce Fisher, deputy county executive, said: "The county will abide by all of its contracts." Legislator Al DeBenedetti, a noted critic of the Bills' lease with the county and New York State, has an opposing view. "It's just a question of five million more dollars he doesn't have to spend," he said of Bills owner Ralph Wilson. "That he gets to keep as profits, that comes out of the pockets of the taxpayers of Erie County at a very difficult time."
The Bills made Losman unavailable to local reporters for two weeks after they cut Drew Bledsoe, giving last year's first-round pick out of Tulane University plenty of time to digest the shock of his sudden promotion.
When finally allowed to talk, Losman came across as eager yet poised, confident yet humble enough to know he has a lot of work to do.
Kelly Holcomb said he accepted a lower offer to be the backup quarterback for the Buffalo Bills because Browns general manager Phil Savage treated him like he didn't really want him. ``He treated me as if I were a Band-Aid for a year,'' Holcomb said Saturday. ``He said I could come in here and start. But he was going to bring somebody else in, whether a veteran or a young guy.Holcomb agreed to terms of a four-year, $6.6 million contract with a $2 million signing bonus Friday to play behind the Bills' J.P. Losman, who missed half his rookie year with a broken leg. The Browns had offered Holcomb a reported $8 million over four years and a starting job in 2005. According to a source, the two sides were $250,000 per year apart in salary, with some incentives also to be negotiated.
According to Ravens Insider, Indianapolis Colt's Guard Rick DeMulling's agent Ken Staninger commented that will visit the Buffalo Bills today and the Detroit Lions on Tuesday. According to Football Scouts Inc, he has been rated in the neighborhood of the 25th ranked guard in the NFL. Their take .....
Comment: DeMulling has adequate size and he shows good overall athletic ability. Plays with sound technique, shows excellent instincts and takes great angles to his bocks. Generally gets into position, plays with good leverage and does a nice job of driving his legs once he's locked onto the defender. Plays with a tremendous motor, plays until the whistle on every snap and is always working to sustain his blocks. Shows good awareness and does a good job of picking up line stunts as well as blitzes. However, DeMulling's lack of upper and lower body strength is a concern and he will likely never be an overpowering run blocker. Shows the ability to change directions quickly but spends too much time on the turf and needs to play with better balance. While he has good range, he can be overaggressive at the second level at times and he needs to do a better job of breaking down before he extends to make his block. Overall, DeMulling has great quickness, is technically sound, and is a blue-collar player that gives top effort on every snap.
Those teams waiting for the Buffalo Bills to drop their asking price in trade talks for backup tailback Travis Henry might not want to hold their breath. The Bills afforded Henry and his agent permission to speak to other teams about a trade several weeks ago, and that elicited pretty good interest, since the veteran runner remains a quality back. But the Bills aren't inclined to just give Henry away. It will take a first-day draft choice to pry him away from the Bills, and no one has offered that yet. A proposed trade that would have sent Henry to Arizona in exchange for offensive tackle L.J. Shelton appears dead. The Cardinals wanted Henry to play under the terms of his Buffalo contract, but he wanted an extension. It now looks as though the Cardinals, who feel the running back class in the 2005 draft is a very deep one, will pluck a back from the lottery. And it appears the most likely destination for Shelton is Chicago, where he could play left tackle and permit the Bears to keep John Tait on the right side, which he prefers. The Bills have made preliminary contact with some veteran free-agent backs, just as a contingency. If they do find a buyer for Henry, the Bills want an experienced backup who could log maybe six to eight carries per game, and who could serve as mentor to Willis McGahee.
The Bills move to sign Mike Gandy off the street is simply an insurance policy where he may become the third tackle. The Bills lost left tackle Jonas Jennings to San Francisco. They also might lose their current third tackle, Marcus Price, who is a free agent.
The Cleveland Browns will have to look elsewhere for a starting quarterback. The Buffalo Bills, on the other hand, now have an experienced backup passer capable of competing for the starting job.
The Bills on Friday evening reached a contract agreement with unrestricted free agent Kelly Holcomb, who rebuffed persistent attempts by the Browns to retain him, and possibly give him the starting job. Holcomb, 31, will sign a four-year, $6.6 million contract that includes a $2 million signing bonus.
The Buffalo Bills found an experienced backup quarterback with decent credentials Friday evening and also added depth to their offensive line.
Cleveland Browns free agent Kelly Holcomb reached an agreement in principle on a contract to become the backup quarterback to J.P. Losman. Meanwhile, the Bills signed former Chicago Bears lineman Mike Gandy, who can play tackle or guard.
The Buffalo Bills apparently have found their backup to second-year quarterback J.P. Losman.
Eight-year veteran Kelly Holcomb has agreed to a four-year deal and will be in Buffalo on Monday to sign his contract. Holcomb accepted the Bills' offer, which includes a $2 million bonus, after growing frustrated in his attempts to re-sign with Cleveland, Holcomb's agent, Frank Bauer, told The Associated Press.
As late as 2:30 p.m. yesterday, general manager Phil Savage expressed hope the Browns could re-sign Kelly Holcomb. By 8 p.m., Holcomb was a member of the Buffalo Bills. Holcomb signed a four-year contract for a reported $6.6 million, including a $2 million signing bonus.
Quarterback Kelly Holcomb agreed to a four-year deal with the Buffalo Bills on Friday to serve as J.P. Losman's backup.
Holcomb accepted the Bills' offer, which includes a $2 million bonus, after growing frustrated in his attempts to re-sign with Cleveland, Holcomb's agent Frank Bauer told The Associated Press.
The Bills today announced that the team has reached an agreement in principle with quarterback Kelly Holcomb. An eight-year veteran, Holcomb spent the last four seasons with the Cleveland Browns and played in 19 games over that span, starting 12. Holcomb saw action in four games last season and started two, leading the Browns to their most prolific offensive output of the year at Cincinnati (11/28) where he threw for 413 yards and five touchdowns as the Browns scored 48 points.
# 10 Kelly Holcomb
Position: QB
Height: 6-2
Weight: 212
Born: 07/09/1973
College: Middle Tennessee State
NFL Experience: 8
Cleveland Browns
Originally signed by Tampa Bay as a free agent on May 1, 1995…Waived by Tampa Bay on Aug. 22, 1995…Signed by Tampa Bay to practice squad on Aug. 29, 1995…Waived by Tampa Bay on Sept. 19, 1995…Signed by Tampa Bay to practice squad on Oct. 4, 1995…Waived by Tampa Bay on Oct. 17, 1995…Signed by Tampa Bay to practice squad on Dec. 19, 1995…Waived by Tampa Bay on Aug. 19, 1996…Signed by Indianapolis to practice squad on Nov. 27, 1996…Signed by Indianapolis from practice squad to active roster on Dec. 12, 1996…Signed by Indianapolis on July 16, 1998…Waived by Indianapolis on Feb. 28, 2001…Signed by Cleveland as an unrestricted free agent on March 2, 2001.
Career Highlights:
In his first postseason start at Pittsburgh on Jan. 5, 2003 in the AFC Wild Card Game, threw for 429 yards on 26-of-43 passing with 3 TDs, which marked the second-highest postseason performance by a Brown and third in NFL postseason history.
The Bills today announced that the team has reached an agreement in principle with quarterback Kelly Holcomb. An eight-year veteran, Holcomb spent the last four seasons with the Cleveland Browns and played in 19 games over that span, starting 12.
The Buffalo Bills on Friday agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent offensive lineman Mike Gandy. As per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Gandy, 26, had spent each of his first four seasons in Chicago and has played in 32 games (30 starts) over his career.
The Bills today announced that the team has signed OL MIKE GANDY, an unrestricted free agent. In accordance with club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.
The 26-year-old Gandy has spent his entire four-year NFL career with the Chicago Bears and has appeared in 32 games, starting 30 over the course of his career.
Last season, Gandy played in and started five games at RG and in 2003; he started 14 games at LT. In 2002, the Rockford, IL native played in 13 games, starting 11, and saw action at both guard and tackle.
A graduate of Notre Dame in 2000, Gandy finished his career with the Fighting Irish by starting 26 consecutive games before being drafted in the third round in 2001.
There was no mistaking what J.P. Losman was implying during Thursday's news conference at One Bills Drive. The front office needn't have handed him the job because he planned on taking it anyway.
J.P. Losman offered one good reason Thursday why he thinks he can successfully step into the shoes of Drew Bledsoe as the Buffalo Bills' starting quarterback. "I'm a confident guy," Losman said in his first news conference since being named the Bills' No. 1 QB. "It's the same old game.
While Jennings received a very handsome contract from the Niners, it was too much for a second tier tackle and particularly for a player that has been unable to string 16 games together without injury in any one of his four seasons to date. While it is wise that the Bills did not offer similar compensation, what is disturbing is the absolute lack of any depth to account for and backup the situation. This is the result of past seasons of ignoring the offensive line in planning ahead.
J.P. Losman had every intention of challenging incumbent Drew Bledsoe for the Buffalo Bills starting quarterback job, and was shocked management chose to release Bledsoe two weeks ago. "If he was going to be the starter in front of me my second year, he would've had to earn it, from my standpoint," Losman said Thursday at Ralph Wilson Stadium. "I don't know if I could've beaten him out or if they would allow it to happen, but my mindset was to give him a run for his money."
The kid handled himself well in his first news conference as the Bills starting quarterback. Showed a self-assurance you hope to see when the blitz is coming from steel-bodied linebackers in September rather than pot-bellied reporters in March. J.P. Losman said all the right things in his 19 minutes in front of the microphone at One Bills Drive Thursday morning. He passed his first test.
Jonas Jennings believes the San Francisco 49ers' rich history outweighs their squalid recent past. A hefty new contract also helped to persuade the left tackle to become part of the club's rebuilding. The 49ers signed Jennings to a seven-year deal worth nearly $36 million on Thursday, acquiring the top free agent at a problematic position for the club.
The biggest eye-opening deal was the seven years and $36 million the 49ers gave to Buffalo left tackle Jonas Jennings. It included $12 million to $14 million in bonuses, which is amazing considering Jennings is a decent player whose value is up because he happens to be one of the few left tackles available. That had to drive his price up. He certainly isn't worth that kind of money.
"Worst deal I've seen," said one personnel director. "But hold on. I'm sure there's more to follow."
Offensive tackle Jonas Jennings was introduced to the 49er Faithful Thursday afternoon during his press conference at team headquarters in Santa Clara. The prized offensive lineman of 2005 free agency, Jennings was signed to a seven-year contract.
The Buffalo Bills are resigned to the fact that their new quarterback, '04 first-round draft pick J.P. Losman, is going to rely very heavily on his considerable mobility.
Some of that will be by design; the Bills are anxious to incorporate roll-out plays in their offense that they couldn't use with the immobile Drew Bledsoe. And some of Losman's movement is going to result from the fact he is a very raw first-year starter who is likely to look to run when he gets into trouble ... and that probably will be more often than the Bills would prefer.
"The one thing I've got to teach him is to learn how to slide," Bills coach Mike Mularkey said.
J.P. Losman understands there's a big difference between being named the Buffalo Bills starting quarterback in February and acting like one come September.
As exciting as it is to have what he called "this dream shot," Losman made sure to acknowledge he still has much to prove.
J.P. Losman spoke to the media today for the first time as the Bills starting quarterback. Losman called this opportunity for him a "dream shot" and he's humbled to be given the opportunity. Losman says he's still working on the leg he broke last training camp to get it up to 100 percent. He's not at all worried about getting the respect and confidence of his teammates. Losman said, "I'm a confident guy, it's the same old game, it's football."
The San Francisco 49ers signed left tackle Jonas Jennings on Thursday, acquiring the top free agent available at a problematic position for the club. Jennings spent his first four NFL seasons with the Buffalo Bills, starting 14 games last season.
J.P. Losman had every intention of challenging incumbent Drew Bledsoe for the Buffalo Bills starting quarterback job, and was shocked management chose to release him two weeks ago. "If he was going to be the starter in front of me my second year, he would've had to earn it, from my standpoint,'' Losman said today at Ralph Wilson Stadium. "I don't know if I could've beaten him out or if they would allow it to happen, but my mindset was to give him a run for his money.''
THE LATEST edition of ESPN The Magazine has some good news for the Buffalo Bills in the form of a poll on franchise satisfaction ratings based on fan input.
The poll rates 92 teams — 32 in the NFL and 30 each in both major league baseball and the NBA, excluding the NHL this year for obvious reasons — in eight categories: bang for the buck, fan relations, ownership, affordability, stadium experience, players, coach/manager and championships.
A surprising No. 1 was Detroit (NBA) with San Antonio (NBA) ranked second.
However, eight of the next 13 franchises were from the NFL, including the Bills at No. 15.
Jonas Jennings and Pat Williams did not go without work for long. The two veteran Buffalo Bills free agents spent fewer than 24 hours on the NFL's open market. Jennings reached an agreement in principle on a contract Wednesday night with the San Francisco 49ers and will get $12 million to sign, according to a league source. Williams agreed to terms with the Minnesota Vikings and will get $6 million to sign.
With the free agency period set to begin on Wednesday, March 2, the first order of business for President and General Manger Tom Donahoe is to begin the process of exercising their option to make contract offers to their young players, who in effect remain tied to the team.
It is particularly difficult to wave goodbye to departing Buffalo Bills Jonas Jennings and Pat Williams because they're fine football players who genuinely appreciated the organization and the fans of western New York. But no one can blame them for entering the NFL's free-agent market and no one should blame Bills general manager Tom Donahoe for letting them get away. More than ever before, Super Bowls are won as much in the off-season as on the playing field during the season. No team likes to lose top players but no team can afford to keep them all.
His agent had predicted that Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Pat Williams would have a deal by the end of the first week in free agency. It only took one day. Williams, who spent his entire eight-year NFL career with the Bills and was one of the club's great success stories, signed with the Minnesota Vikings, agent Angelo Wright confirmed late Wednesday.
The 49ers, in the process of righting themselves after a 2-14 season, are close to making a significant splash in the free-agent market by signing Bills left tackle Jonas Jennings. The only pure left tackle on the market, Jennings visited the team in Santa Clara on Wednesday. He is an unrestricted free agent and could sign a deal as soon as today, according to a league source. It might include bonuses in the $11 million range.
The Buffalo Bills have seen both of their top free agents sign with other teams in the first day of free agency. DT Pat Williams has signed with the Minnesota Vikings, according to a report by Fox Sports' Jay Glazer. FOXSports.com has learned that the Vikings have agreed to terms with former Bills defensive tackle Pat Williams on a three-year, $13 million deal that includes $6 million in bonus money. With incentives the contract can eventually reach $15 million
OT jonas Jennings, the top OT remaining on the market, reportedly has signed a deal with the San Francisco 49ers, according to Adam Schefter of the NFL Network. Schefter reported that the 49ers were ready to hand over a $12 million signing bonus to Jennings in preparation of drafting a franchise quarterback #1 overall in the upcoming NFL Draft.
The identity of the San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback for 2005 remains uncertain. But the 49ers ensured on Wednesday night that, whoever tops the quarterback depth chart will receive better pass protection than was provided a year ago.
That's because the 49ers reached a contract agreement with Buffalo Bills unrestricted free agent offensive tackle Jonas Jennings, arguably the highest-rated player at his position in the veteran pool. Jennings flew to the Bay Area early Wednesday, just after the signing period officially commenced, and his agent, Todd France, negotiated a deal over the course of the day.
On a seven-year contract, Jennings will earn $36 million. The contract includes $12 million in bonuses.
The 49ers started the free agency period with a visit from the tackle Jonas Jennings and his agent Wednesday. Jennings is regarded by many sources as the best pure left tackle available in free agency.
FOXSports.com has learned that the Vikings have agreed to terms with former Bills defensive tackle Pat Williams on a three-year, $13 million deal that includes $6 million in bonus money. With incentives the contract can eventually reach $15 million.
Bolstering their offensive line suddenly became the Buffalo Bills' biggest priority when the NFL's free agency period opened Wednesday.
Besides failing to re-sign starting left tackle Jonas Jennings, the Bills also lost versatile backup lineman Marcus Price and backup guard Mike Pucillo.
Hours before free agency began, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers released quarterback Brad Johnson and wide receiver Joe Jurevicius on Tuesday, cutting ties with two stars of their run to a Super Bowl title.
It's no secret that size matters in the National Football League, but a new study suggests that a whopping 56 percent of NFL players would be considered obese by some medical standards. The NFL called the study bogus for using players' body-mass index, a height-to-weight ratio that doesn't consider body muscle versus fat.
After six days of putting more than 300 draft-eligible players through a battery of medical, psychological and physical tests, NFL teams left the annual Scouting Combine with this consensus: There is no consensus on who will be the No. 1 overall pick in the April 23-24 draft.
The Buffalo Bills and their NFL counterparts began bargain hunting today. The NFL's free agency season opened at midnight, and the focus for many teams will be value over luxury, because the depth of marquee talent available is slim.
Buffalo Bills left tackle Jonas Jennings said late Tuesday he wasn't interested in testing the NFL's free-agent waters. But now that his contract has expired and he's an unrestricted free agent, he said it's time "to make the No. 75 shine someplace else."
Jonas Jennings and Pat Williams expect to become free agents on Wednesday.
The two Buffalo Bills starters say they're convinced there's no chance they'll be re-signed.
The offense is in flux, but could get a quick reprieve with strong indications that left tackle Jonas Jennings is close to signing with the Jets. Landing the top left tackle on the market would result in moving Jason Fabini to right tackle and seal McKenzie's departure.
- Starting left tackle Jonas Jennings is prepared to become a free agent, convinced there's no chance the Buffalo Bills will re-sign him. "They definitely had their chance. I wanted to come back," Jennings told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "But I have to go and let my star shine somewhere else."
Starting left tackle Jonas Jennings is prepared to become a free agent, convinced there's no chance the Buffalo Bills will re-sign him.
"They definitely had their chance. I wanted to come back," Jennings told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "But I have to go and let my star shine somewhere else."
Regarding Henry- The Cardinals no longer have interest in Bills halfback Travis Henry. They seriously considered trading tackle L.J. Shelton to Buffalo for Henry, but they have changed their minds for two reasons. First, they see a great crop of running backs available in the draft. Second, they wanted Henry to play out the final year of his contract before giving him a big contract extension. Henry preferred to get his money now, and that's not a sell for the Cardinals.
Adams, a three-time Pro Bowler currently with the Buffalo Bills and owner of a downtown Seattle health club called the Epicenter, has further expanded his entrepreneurial ventures to include the newest member of the NIFL (National Indoor Football League)-Everett's own Hawks. "There were a lot of venues to consider, but he just fell in love with this area," Hawks Vice-President of Operations/Business Development Lisa Balmes said of Adams. "And he definitely did his homework."
Several coaches at the NFL Scouting Combine said the Bills' new starting quarterback has what it takes to be a star in the league. "Based on what I saw of him at the Senior Bowl last year, you could see that he has all the tools," said Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis.
Tuesday, February 22nd marks a particular "D"-Day for the Buffalo Bills' organization and their fans..."D" as in "Drew" is officially "Done" as the team's starting quarterback. Although the speculation was confirmed and Bledsoe's release was announced during a press conference at One Bills Drive on the 17th, NFL teams can't start releasing players until the 22nd. That's when the actual "changing of the guard" occurs. That's when Drew will no longer be a Buffalo Bill. That's when the JP Losman era officially begins in Western New York.
Bledsoe arrived in Buffalo in 2002 via a draft-day trade with New England amidst great fanfare, and his first season seemed to deliver the promise we fans expected from a franchise-type, possible Hall of Fame quarterback. Bledsoe filled the air with long bombs to wide receivers Eric Moulds and Peerless Price, eventually setting 10 franchise records along the way and leading the Bills to an 8-8 finish.
The promise slowly but steadily turned to disappointment, however, during the last two-and-a-half years of Drew's stint as the starting QB. The 300 yard games disappeared, and the multiple passing touchdown games vanished. The Bills' team won/loss record in 2002 was 6-10; in 2003 it was 9-7. Below average to average at best, and not good enough for the play-offs.
More disappointing was the level of Drew's play: the cocky gunslinger of early 2002 had turned into an oft-pressured, sometimes timid, and many times off-target deliverer of the football. With the results of the final game of last season a disappointing loss to the Pittsburgh Steeler's "junior varsity", with a play-off berth on the line, and with a spectactularly un-stellar performance from the QB position by Bledsoe, General Manager Tom Donohoe and Head Coach Mike Mularkey had decided they had seen enough. Drew had taken the team as far as he was capable of, and it was time to take the team farther.
Enter JP Losman, your starting quarterback for the 2005 season.
Losman is a largely unproven commodity, having been slowed in his development into a legitimate NFL QB by an unfortunate injury during the pre-season last year. It's generally considered JP has the physical tools to play the position: good size, rocket arm, outstanding speed and agility that is necessary for the QB position in today's NFL. He also possesses a certain cocky arrogance on the field, similar to Jim Kelly when he was leading the Bills to four straight Super Bowl appearances in the early 90's. The only question mark leading into this season for Losman seems to be the mental aspect of the game. How quickly will he be able to pick up the offense? How adept will he be at reading opposing defenses? How efficiently will he be able to execute the game plan on game day?
Those are questions that will remain un-answered until September of this year, when the opening kick-off of the Bills 2005 season soars down the field and Losman finally gets to display his ability, or lack there-of, to play quarterback in the NFL.
Will releasing Drew and elevating JP to the starter have a positive or negative effect on the Bills performance? Will Losman flourish or flop? What will the Bills offense be like with JP under center?
Again, we won't have answers to these question until Losman actually plays, but as fans we can still speculate.
Following are some topics and comments by the members of Bills Fan Central, and their thoughts on the switch from Bledsoe to Losman...
Was Bledsoe worth the first-round pick the Bills traded?
thenewfreshness: "Drew gave us hope in 2002 and if our defense wasn't so terrible in the first half of the year we could have had a playoff spot. So yes Drew was worth what we paid for him."
Dozerdog: "We got Bledsoe virtually for free. Had we gone another route at QB, I doubt we would have had the cap space to franchise Peerless to then flip him to Atlanta to get the pick back."
EricStratton: "I think Drew changed the culture around the Bills from a floundering organization at the end of a terrible QB controversy to a team on the rise with a great attitude to winning and the future. I’m happy with the Bledsoe years and I’m looking to the future now."
Will 2005 be a bridge season under JP?
pmoon: "I think Losman will do OK, but there's a learning curve and it might take him 2 or 3 seasons before we can seriously contend for a title."
WagonCircler: "I trust the Bills Offensive braintrust to gameplan to disguise his shortcomings. They'll have a good idea in short order what he can do and what he can't."
Dude: "I don't think the Bills will do as badly as some people think, but I don't see a Super Bowl run in the cards for 2005."
Now that Losman is the starter how much time will he get?
Tyler Durden: "He's got a small window. If we get worse, and it's obvious that he was part of the problem, then he gets some serious competition next year and booted if he doesn't produce after that. If we improve greatly, I guess we know what the problem was, don't we?"
RockStar36: "I won't be happy if they have a losing season, I never am. But I'll be more understanding if they do. I'd rather go through the growing pains w/ Losman now rather than push them aside until next year, and have another painful season w/ Bledsoe."
Dr. Lecter: "I think that next year is learning year for JP. To expect improvement is too much pressure on a QB at his level of development. (Big Ben types are rare). It is likely that next year will not be an improvement."
Can the Bills make the play-offs in 2005 with JP?
The Historian: "If the TEAM could step it up and mask all of Bledsoe's weaknesses to a 9-7 season, imagine what the TEAM could do with a QB that actually has some skills."
Meathead: "So much talent on this team. Certainly enough to make them a Super Bowl contender. But throwing Losman in there means anything other than a cameo appearance in the playoffs is highly unlikely. As ready as I am to see Drew go, I'm afraid he would make the team much stronger in the immediate term than Losman."
There you have it...Once again, straight from the fans' mouths.
After the Buffalo Bills finished 9-7 and just missed making the NFL playoffs in January, general manager Tom Donahoe expressed pleasure with his roster.
"It's a good roster. We have to tweak it. We have to improve in some areas," Donahoe said. "But I don't think right now you see gaping holes anywhere on the team."
With another draft coming up, it is fitting to go back and analyze each draft that the Buffalo Bills have had with Tom Donahoe as the general manager.
Donahoe’s 2003 Buffalo Bills Draft 
It seems to be a fairly busy off-season for Tom Donahoe and the Buffalo Bills, and the team has a few needs that must be addressed if the Bills have any hope of a play off run next season. 
Question marks are plentiful at Tight End. T.D. must decide, if Campbell and Euhus won't be ready until later in the season, whom the starting TE will be. Could it possibly be Jason Peters, he’s a monster target, but can he run-block? Ryan Neufeld (assuming he's re-signed) is another possibility. Ryan is a great run-blocker, but not much in the receiving department, and with 2nd year QB J.P. Losman at the helm, a good dump-off TE is almost a necessity. TD may look to the draft for a TE also. Ryan Smith out of Stanford is a very intriguing possibility; the only question is, if he’ll be around by the time the Bills pick late in the 2nd round. TD would almost for certain have to move up in order to get Smith. There are a few TE’s available through Free Agency, Bubba Franks is the biggest name available, but his price tag is probably too steep for the Bills. Guys like Jay Riemersma (a former Bill), Roland Williams or Ricky Dudley may also be options, although none are really considered weapons any longer. There are a ton of possibilities here, and this is possibly the most intriguing scenario of this upcoming off-season. 
The Buffalo Bills have seen both of their top free agents sign with other teams in the first day of free agency. DT Pat Williams has signed with the Minnesota Vikings, according to a report by Fox Sports' Jay Glazer. FOXSports.com has learned that the Vikings have agreed to terms with former Bills defensive tackle Pat Williams on a three-year, $13 million deal that includes $6 million in bonus money. With incentives the contract can eventually reach $15 million
Tuesday, February 22nd marks a particular "D"-Day for the Buffalo Bills' organization and their fans..."D" as in "Drew" is officially "Done" as the team's starting quarterback. Although the speculation was confirmed and Bledsoe's release was announced during a press conference at One Bills Drive on the 17th, NFL teams can't start releasing players until the 22nd. That's when the actual "changing of the guard" occurs. That's when Drew will no longer be a Buffalo Bill. That's when the JP Losman era officially begins in Western New York.
