admarc
March 1st, 2006, 6:41:56 PM
buffalobills.com (http://www.buffalobills.com/news/news.jsp?news_id=3620)
With the potential for an extension of the CBA between the owners and the players union free agency could be delayed a week or two. But under the assumption that free agency will go off as scheduled March 3, we take a look at the free agent options due to be out there.
The Bills have some positions in need of an upgrade after a sub-.500 season in 2005. The most notable being the offensive and defensive lines.
In this installment of our look at the free agent options for the Bills we will focus on offense. Defense will be addressed in part two posted Thursday afternoon.
Quarterback
Bills GM Marv Levy has stated that he'd like to add a third quarterback to a much anticipated competition in training camp. That signal caller wouldn't be an assigned backup, but as much a part of the competition as Kelly Holcomb and J.P. Losman. So who is available?
Quarterback rank
1. Drew Brees
2. Chris Simms (restricted)
3. Jon Kitna
Unfortunately none of these players are realistic for the Bills. Brees will cost too much, unless you decide to move Holcomb and Losman, and that seems unlikely. Simms is expected to be given the high tender which would cost a team a first and third round pick to sign him away from Tampa. Kitna might hit the market, but with Carson Palmer's knee injury the Bengals might get him locked up. The best fit could be a free agent like Jay Fiedler or St. Louis free agent Jamie Martin. Martin has a familiarity with offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild and presumably some components of the offense Fairchild intends to install with Buffalo.
Running back
This really isn't a need position for Buffalo, but if there's a competent backup talent out there a move could be made. Chester Taylor would be a fantastic backup to Willis McGahee, but he's likely looking for an opportunity to start somewhere.
Running back rank
1. Shaun Alexander - Seattle
2. Edgerrin James - Indianapolis
3. Ahman Green - Green Bay
Fullback
With Daimon Shelton, Joe Burns and Jon Goldsberry in the fold this isn't a need position.
Fullback rank
1. Mack Strong - Seattle
2. William Henderson - Green Bay
3. Fred Beasley - San Francisco
Wide receiver
If Eric Moulds and the Bills can't agree on a renegotiated contract a number two receiver will be needed. Offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild has stated it's important to have a veteran receiver on your roster. Indianapolis' Reggie Wayne is already off the market after signing a six-year extension.
Wide receiver rank
1. David Givens - New England
2. Joe Jurevicius - Seattle
3. Antwaan Randle-El - Pittsburgh
4. Antonio Bryant - Cleveland
Givens or Jurevicius would be great fits for the Bills if Moulds does not return. Some team however, will likely overpay for Givens. Jurevicius would be a solid veteran acquisition. He's a major red zone threat with his 6'5" height and would accept his role as the number two. Randle-El is talented, but doesn't bring needed size to the Bills receiving corps. Bryant had a good season in 2005, but will sulk if he doesn't get the ball.
Tight end
With the anticipated return of Kevin Everett from a torn ACL, veterans Mark Campbell and Ryan Neufeld on the roster and youngsters like Tim Euhus and Brad Cieslak, tight end doesn't appear to be a need position. And that's good with the free agent crop weak this year.
Tight end rank
1. Chris Baker - NY Jets
2. Matt Schobel - Cincinnati
3. Christian Fauria - New England
Offensive line
Buffalo must improve its play in the trenches on offense if the team is to re-establish a respectable running game while having the ability to protect the passer. Both tackle and guard need to be fortified.
The departure of Mike Williams (released) leaves Mike Gandy and Jason Peters as the top two tackles, though the acquisition of a veteran tackle could afford Buffalo the luxury of moving Gandy to guard, thereby filling another hole. It's probably their best approach with the free agent guard class slim.
Tackle rank
1. Jon Runyan - Philadelphia
2. Jeff Backus - Detroit
3. Kevin Shaffer - Atlanta
4. Jason Fabini - NY Jets
Guard rank
1. Steve Hutchinson - Seattle (transition player)
2. Stephen Neal - New England
3. Vincent Manuwai - Jacksonville (restricted)
Center rank
1. LeCharles Bentley - New Orleans
2. Jeff Mitchell - Carolina
3. Mike Flanagan - Green Bay
The best fit is veteran Jon Runyan who brings playoff experience, nastiness and still has a few years of quality play in him at age 32. He could be plugged in at right tackle on Day One and Peters can continue to develop on the left side where he spent most of the past year and a half before replacing Williams at right tackle last season.
Backus and Shaffer are both attractive tackles as well. Jets cap casualty Jason Fabini is another strong option with left tackle experience.
Hutchinson would cost too much money especially as the Seahawks transition player. Neal is a serviceable guard, who earns this ranking based on his approach to the game and playoff experience. Athletically he's average.
At center Bentley is the only guy worth pursuing. Mitchell and Flanagan are older players headed for the downside of their careers.
With the potential for an extension of the CBA between the owners and the players union free agency could be delayed a week or two. But under the assumption that free agency will go off as scheduled March 3, we take a look at the free agent options due to be out there.
The Bills have some positions in need of an upgrade after a sub-.500 season in 2005. The most notable being the offensive and defensive lines.
In this installment of our look at the free agent options for the Bills we will focus on offense. Defense will be addressed in part two posted Thursday afternoon.
Quarterback
Bills GM Marv Levy has stated that he'd like to add a third quarterback to a much anticipated competition in training camp. That signal caller wouldn't be an assigned backup, but as much a part of the competition as Kelly Holcomb and J.P. Losman. So who is available?
Quarterback rank
1. Drew Brees
2. Chris Simms (restricted)
3. Jon Kitna
Unfortunately none of these players are realistic for the Bills. Brees will cost too much, unless you decide to move Holcomb and Losman, and that seems unlikely. Simms is expected to be given the high tender which would cost a team a first and third round pick to sign him away from Tampa. Kitna might hit the market, but with Carson Palmer's knee injury the Bengals might get him locked up. The best fit could be a free agent like Jay Fiedler or St. Louis free agent Jamie Martin. Martin has a familiarity with offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild and presumably some components of the offense Fairchild intends to install with Buffalo.
Running back
This really isn't a need position for Buffalo, but if there's a competent backup talent out there a move could be made. Chester Taylor would be a fantastic backup to Willis McGahee, but he's likely looking for an opportunity to start somewhere.
Running back rank
1. Shaun Alexander - Seattle
2. Edgerrin James - Indianapolis
3. Ahman Green - Green Bay
Fullback
With Daimon Shelton, Joe Burns and Jon Goldsberry in the fold this isn't a need position.
Fullback rank
1. Mack Strong - Seattle
2. William Henderson - Green Bay
3. Fred Beasley - San Francisco
Wide receiver
If Eric Moulds and the Bills can't agree on a renegotiated contract a number two receiver will be needed. Offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild has stated it's important to have a veteran receiver on your roster. Indianapolis' Reggie Wayne is already off the market after signing a six-year extension.
Wide receiver rank
1. David Givens - New England
2. Joe Jurevicius - Seattle
3. Antwaan Randle-El - Pittsburgh
4. Antonio Bryant - Cleveland
Givens or Jurevicius would be great fits for the Bills if Moulds does not return. Some team however, will likely overpay for Givens. Jurevicius would be a solid veteran acquisition. He's a major red zone threat with his 6'5" height and would accept his role as the number two. Randle-El is talented, but doesn't bring needed size to the Bills receiving corps. Bryant had a good season in 2005, but will sulk if he doesn't get the ball.
Tight end
With the anticipated return of Kevin Everett from a torn ACL, veterans Mark Campbell and Ryan Neufeld on the roster and youngsters like Tim Euhus and Brad Cieslak, tight end doesn't appear to be a need position. And that's good with the free agent crop weak this year.
Tight end rank
1. Chris Baker - NY Jets
2. Matt Schobel - Cincinnati
3. Christian Fauria - New England
Offensive line
Buffalo must improve its play in the trenches on offense if the team is to re-establish a respectable running game while having the ability to protect the passer. Both tackle and guard need to be fortified.
The departure of Mike Williams (released) leaves Mike Gandy and Jason Peters as the top two tackles, though the acquisition of a veteran tackle could afford Buffalo the luxury of moving Gandy to guard, thereby filling another hole. It's probably their best approach with the free agent guard class slim.
Tackle rank
1. Jon Runyan - Philadelphia
2. Jeff Backus - Detroit
3. Kevin Shaffer - Atlanta
4. Jason Fabini - NY Jets
Guard rank
1. Steve Hutchinson - Seattle (transition player)
2. Stephen Neal - New England
3. Vincent Manuwai - Jacksonville (restricted)
Center rank
1. LeCharles Bentley - New Orleans
2. Jeff Mitchell - Carolina
3. Mike Flanagan - Green Bay
The best fit is veteran Jon Runyan who brings playoff experience, nastiness and still has a few years of quality play in him at age 32. He could be plugged in at right tackle on Day One and Peters can continue to develop on the left side where he spent most of the past year and a half before replacing Williams at right tackle last season.
Backus and Shaffer are both attractive tackles as well. Jets cap casualty Jason Fabini is another strong option with left tackle experience.
Hutchinson would cost too much money especially as the Seahawks transition player. Neal is a serviceable guard, who earns this ranking based on his approach to the game and playoff experience. Athletically he's average.
At center Bentley is the only guy worth pursuing. Mitchell and Flanagan are older players headed for the downside of their careers.