Archive for July, 2011

In a move that really can’t be looked at as anything but a positive, the Bills came to terms today with former Packer LB Nick Barnett. Barnett broke the news via his Twitter page. The always-on-the-spot Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the deal is worth $12 million over three years, with $6 million guaranteed. Barnett spent the weekend visiting in Buffalo and was apparently impressed. Via his Twitter page: “God has blessed me once again to be part of a great organization.. Great coaches, Great staff, Great players and more importantly great fans.”

To the frustration of many fans, the Bills haven’t exactly been big spenders during this free agency period, bringing in just WR/QB/?? Brad Smith and backup QB Tyler Thigpen. With glaring weaknesses still evident at several positions, there is understandable concern that the Bills aren’t doing nearly enough if the team hopes to be competitive in the rugged AFC East. Well, there is some potential hope on the horizon today, as the Bills are apparently attempting to sign former Packers LB Nick Barnett. (Bills WR David Nelson broke the story that Barnett was in town over Twitter.) Barnett would be [...]

Last season, wide receiver David Nelson pulled off the near-impossible: as an undrafted rookie free agent he survived training camp to not only make an NFL roster but become an important member of the team. Avoiding the potential pitfalls of camp is difficult for any rookie, even highly-paid first-round picks – let alone for nameless undrafted rookies. Therefore,  Nelson must have done something right in order to get through camp unscathed last season. Fortunately for this year’s rookies, Nelson has decided to share the top 10 lessons he learned in camp last year via his Twitter feed. We’ll re-print his tips [...]

So say you’re in charge a football team.  Among your team’s biggest weaknesses is the fact that your defense can not generate a pass rush of any kind. Quarterback after quarterback has all day to stand back in the pocket and pick your secondary apart.  This no-pass-rush problem has been a huge issue for several seasons now. You have to solve it if you ever want to contend for a title. You try lots of things. Free agents, high draft picks, defensive scheme changes…it all fails.  The fans, players, coaches, and management are all frustrated beyond belief. But suddenly…there’s a glimmer [...]

According to his personal Twitter feed, Buffalo’s second-round draft pick Aaron Williams has signed his first NFL contract. There’s quite a bit to like about Williams. He’s a tough, physical guy who can hit and he will be an asset against the run. If his cover skills are there he’ll be on the field quite a bit in 2011. The re-signing of Drayton Florence plus the drafting of Williams (and seventh round pick Justin Rogers), sets up what should be a pretty good pre-season battle for playing time between Florence, Williams, Rogers, Terrence McGee, Reggie Corner, and Leodis McKelvin.

  Three more rookie Bills have now signed their first NFL contracts: fourth-round safety Da’Norris Searcy, fifth-round running back Johnny White, and – to the relief of Bills fans everywhere – first-round selection Marcell Dareus. Dareus is the crown jewel of the 2011 Buffalo draft class, and should step right into the starting lineup. A run-stuffing lineman with great athleticism and recognition skills, Dareus is being heavily counted on to help repair Buffalo’s bottom-ranked rush defense. Dareus’s deal is reportedly four years and $20 million. Sure beats landscaping. “He really adds a lot to our defense and also to the [...]

The Bills announced Thursday night that the team had signed three more of its 2011 draft picks: 4th-round OT Chris Hairston, 6th-round ILB Chris White, and 7th-round CB Justin Rogers. Buffalo’s final 2011 draft selection, DT Michael Jasper, signed earlier in the day. This leaves four Buffalo draft picks unsigned: 1st-round DL Marcell Dareus, 2nd-round CB Aaron Williams, 3rd-round LB Kelvin Sheppard, and 5th-round RB Johnny White.

Well, that stings a little. As we had mentioned earlier, the Bills were in hot pursuit of Clabo, considered the best right tackle available. Not landing him is definitely a blow. I can already see frustration welling up in the Bills fan base that Buffalo isn’t landing any “name” free agents as of yet. Unfortunately, it’s simply tough to bring top-flight free agents to Buffalo.