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NEWS ARCHIVES - FEB 26TH - MAR 4TH, 2007 PREVIOUS WEEK

Bills May Be Shopping McGahee

The New Look O-Line: The Bills will certainly have a new look offensive line when next season begins thanks to the three big free agent signings on Friday. The left side of the line looks big, athletic, and poweful with Jason Peters at left tackle and Derrick Dockery next to him solidfying the left guard spot for the first time in years. Melvin Fowler will likely return as the center as he graded out well last year. Right guard is still probably manned by Duke Preston but it doesn't seem like the team is that confident in him, that is why the signing of Jason Whittle is important, he will push Preston for that job and back up all the interior line positions. Langston Walker will bring experience to the right tackle spot. That moves last year's rookies to backup spots, Terrence Pennington, Brad Butler, and Aaron Merz. Merz will backup at guard and center with Whittle. Pennington and Butler will backup the tackle positions. These moves also probably spells the end of Tutan Reyes as a Bill and Mike Gandy won't be back either.


Saturday March 3, 2007

Walker Happy To Be Part Of Organization On The Rise: Langston Walker said he did what he had to do by voiding the final years of his contract with the Raiders to become a free agent. Buffalo contacted his agent shortly after he voided his contract, who advised Walker to come to Buffalo and visit. He left 11pm Thursday night on the red eye, when he arrived he knew this was a good, positive organization on the rise that he's happy to be a part of. He was surprised to see two other free agent linemen in town, but now that they are all signed he's excited to get to work with them.

McNally Big Part In Bringing In Whittle: Jason Whittle said that Jim McNally is a big reason why he is a Bill. McNally was the OL coach of the Giants for much of Whittle's time there and they have a great relationship. He's excited to come back and play for him since he does a great job of taking what they learn in the classroom and transferring on to the field. Whittle said he's super excited to be in Buffalo. He left at 3am to come to Buffalo as he became the first free agent signing in the league. He will do whatever the coaches want from him. He will try to be a leader that teaches some of the younger guys and will play anywhere he's needed. He has long snapped in the past but hasn't done it in a few years. He's willing to do that if necessary in Buffalo. That is unlikely with Mike Schneck entrenched as the long snapper.

Dockery Excited To Be In Buffalo: Derrick Dockery said the Bills have always been one of his favorite teams and he felt it was a right fit for him as the Bills were one of the teams on the top of his list to visit. He's very excited about being in Buffalo, excited about the fans, and the community and he couldn't be any happier. Dockery is coming off what he feels was his best season by far in 2006 with the Redskins. He's excited to be working with the highly regarded OL coach Jim McNally. He can't wait to get to work with the new look line. Takeo Spikes is a good friend of his along with former Bill Mike Williams. They both said nothing but good things about Buffalo.

Bills Get Three Big Athletic Men: Dick Jauron said at a press conference yesterday that all three signings are not just big, they are all good football players, they are three good athletes who will upgrade the football team. He thinks Derrick Dockery has terrific size and athleticism at the left guard position, he plays hard every play with good technique, long arms and is great in pass protection and good in run blocking as well. Langston Walker has athleticism for a very big man who's 6'8". They are not sloppy men, they take care of their bodies. He felt Walker was solid snap after snap when watching film of him. He did his job on almost every play despite the porous line the Raiders had last year. On Jason Whittle, despite lack of playing time last year, Jauron feels he was very tough, tenacious, and smart. He knows how to play and really likes to play. He feels all three bring a lot to the meeting rooms, locker room, and the community. He said they have a very happy building even though their free agency isn't completely done. They feel really good about what transpired on day one.

Bills Spend Big Money: The Bills knew they needed to upgrade the offensive line and they put their money where their mouth was. The deal signed by Derrick Dockery is a seven year deal worth a whopping $49 Million, making him the highest paid Bill. Reports say he gets $18.5 Million in guaranteed money, including a $16 Million signing bonus. This is big money for a guard, he was arguably the best offensive linemen available on the market. The Bills also threw good money at Langston Walker, he got a five year deal for $25 Million. The team is looking to solidify the line for years to come. Despite the "cash to the cap" mentality the Bills say they aren't done yet in free agency and will look to add a defensive player. They are also still trying to re-sign two of their own free agents, Kiwaukee Thomas and Anthony Thomas. Ralph Wilson has doled out $32 Million in guaranteed money this offseason according to the Buffalo News calming fears that he was going to use the revenue sharing issue as in excuse not to spend money.

McGahee To Broncos? The latest rumor swirling around Willis McGahee has him going to Denver. The Broncos feel they can get McGahee with a third round draft pick.

Fletcher To Redskins: In a move that surprises nobody, London Fletcher is now a Washington Redskin. He signed a five year, $25 Million deal that includes $10.5 Million in bonuses. Fletcher is now reunited with Gregg Williams.


Friday March 2, 2007

Clements A Niner: Nate Clements is officially a former Bill. He has signed with the San Francisco 49ers. The deal is reportedly for eight years and is worth $80 Million. $22 Million of that is guaranteed.

Bills Sign All Three Visiting Linemen: The Bills were very busy in day one of free agency and were serious in their quest to beef up the offensive line. Three linemen visited and all three left town as members of the Buffalo Bills. We reported early this morning that the Bills signed former Viking and Giants linemen Jason Whittle. This evening the team confirmed that signing and the signing of the two other linemen that visited today. Derrick Dockery and Langston Walker join Whittle in the newly, and quickly, revamped Bills offensive line. Dockery was the key acquisition as he was a highly coveted guard and will likely immediately move into a starting spot at left guard to replace the departing Mike Gandy. Walker likely will challenge for the starting right tackle spot and Whittle adds depth to the line. Dick Jauron called it a terrific day for the team.

Dockery Is Third Linemen To Visit Today: The Bills were serious when they said that offensive line was a priority in free agency. The team has brought in three linemen on day one free agency and signed one of them. As we reported earlier, the team has signed Jason Whittle, although they have not confirmed a deal has been reached yet. We also reported that they brought in Raiders tackle Langston Walker. The third visitor in a busy day at One Bills Drive is a bigger name free agent. Redskins free agent guard Derrick Dockery is in town. He is strictly a guard, but is one of the most coveted guards on the market. He has been Washington's starting left guard since he was drafted out of the third round in the 2003 draft.

Agent Confirms Whittle Signing: The agent for veteran offensive tackle Jason Whittle confirms that his client has signed a seven year deal with the team. The Bills have yet to confirm the signing. Whittle plays all three offensive line positions. The deal is for one year for $720,000 and has a $40,000 signing bonus.

Bills Host Offensive Tackle: The team is hosting their first free agent today, as Raiders offensive tackle Langston Walker is in town. The team has said that the offensive line is a priority in free agency this year. He has been a starter the last two years in Oakland and plays both tackle and guard. He was a 2nd round pick of the Raiders in 2002.

Report Says Bills Hit Market Early: A report from NFL Network's Adam Schefter says the Bills have hit the market quickly this year and have signed veteran offensive tackle Jason Whittle. He's a seven year veteran who has started 42 games in his career including 16 starts with the Giants in 2004. He also played for the Bucaneers in 2003 and the Vikings last year.

Spikes On The Market? Adam Schefter is also reporting that the Bills are shopping Takeo Spikes in an effort to trade him. Marv Levy in his State of the Bills address two weeks ago was non committal to Spikes who struggled last year coming back from his Achilles tendon tear.


Thursday March 1, 2007

Bowen, Villarrial Released: The Bills made some more roster moves today to clear up additional salary cap room. They released Matt Bowen and Chris Villarrial. Bowen was a free agent signing last offseason but after injuring his leg in preseason a played sparingly late in the year. Villarrial is an aging veteran who was hurt last year and doesn't fit in to the team's youth movement. Both players were entering the final year of their contracts.

Bills Sign QB: The Bills also added another quarterback today when they signed Kevin Eakin. He is currently a member of the Frankfurt Galaxy in NFL Europe. He was there as a free agent. Offensive coach Alex Van Pelt worked with Eakin in Europe last year and had him in the K-gun offense. He finished the year 2nd in the league in passing. Front Office Page

Greer Re-Signs: The Bills have now taken care of all their restricted free agent. Today they announced the re-signing of Jabari Greer to a two year deal reportedly worth more than $1 Million guaranteed this season. The re-signing of Greer is important because of the anticipated loss of Nate Clements. Greer's deal is a multi year deal and he said he's excited the way things turned out since he wanted to stay in Buffalo. Greer hopes to be a bigger contributor on defense this year and expects to be more focused. Last year, he was finishing up his college degree in the offseason and it may have affected his game a bit. Greer' signing along with the new deal for Shaud Williams and the tendered offers for Tim Anderson and Anthony Hargrove effectively keeps these players off the active market. Anderson and Hargrove can sign with other teams but the Bills have a right to match.

Thomas, Shelton Update: Today's Buffalo News is reporting that the Bills are working on a deal to keep Kiwaukee Thomas in the fold. This becomes more important with the anticipated loss of Nate Clements in free agency. Thomas has said he desires to play in the south closer to his family, so he may wait to see what other offers he gets. The same article in the News echoes a report from WGR yesterday that the Bills have informed the agent for Daimon Shelton that they will not be offering him a new deal to return. Shelton has been a solid fullback but at 35 years old, he doesn't go with the team's youth movement.


Wednesday February 28, 2007

Williams Re-Signing Official: The Bills announced this afternoon that they have resigned restricted free agent Shaud Williams. WGR reported earlier that it is a two year deal. That leaves Jabari Greer is the last restricted free agent for the team to deal with by tomorrow's deadline to tender offers.

Williams Staying; Shelton Leaving? WGR is reporting that the Bills have agreed to a two year deal with restricted free agent Shaud Williams and that the team has decided not to re-sign unrestricted free agent Daimon Shelton. The Bills have not commented on those reports. Shelton is an aging veteran who saw his play slip a bit last year. Williams re-signing would be a slight surprise as he was inactive for most games last season.

Bills Tender Offers: The Bills made it official today, they have tendered an offer to restricted free agent Tim Anderson. We reported on Monday that an offer was made for the $850,000 tender amount. The team also announced today that they have tendered Anthony Hargrove. The team has until tomorrow to decide whether or not to tender their other restricted free agents, Shaud Williams and Jabari Greer. If they don't, they both become unrestricted free agents.

Kelsay Contract Info: There is no official word on the contract terms signed by Chris Kelsay. The Buffalo News is reporting that the deal averages out to roughly $5.75 million a year and has $14 million in guaranteed money. It shows that player prices are about to sky rocket when free agency opens on Friday. Thanks to the $109 million salary cap many teams have at least $20 million in cap space. Thanks to the rising salaries Kelsay becomes the Bills highest paid defensive linemen. Getting about $1.5 Million more a year then Pro Bowler Aaron Schobel.


Tuesday February 27, 2007

Jauron Doesn't Dismiss McGahee Rumors: Dick Jauron didn't do much to squash Willis McGahee trade rumors. He spoke to AP at the combine on Monday and said no player is untouchable including McGahee. He said it is in the best interest of the team to talk to everybody. He feels teams are interested in McGahee because he's a good back and that people talk all the time. McGahee or his agent has yet to comment on the situation.


Monday February 26, 2007

Kelsay Re-signed: The Bills announced late this afternoon that they have re-signed one of their big three unrestricted free agents. They have reached an agreement on a new contract with Chris Kelsay. Terms of the deal were not disclosed but he had a breakout year in 2006 at left defensive end. He is part of an important rotation at the spot with Ryan Denney. Kelsay said all along he was loyal to Buffalo and loved the area and wanted to stay with the Bills. He also feels his talents are well suited for the type of defense the Bills play.

Report Say Anderson Tendered: WGR is reporting that the Bills have tendered an offer to restricted free agent Tim Anderson. The report says the tender is for one year for $850,000. Anderson could still field other offers but the Bills will have the right to match or receive a third round pick if they lose him. Look for more tenders in the next few days as free agency begins on March 2nd and Thursday is the deadline to tender offers.



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