Archives for March 15, 2006

‘Terms of the agreement weren’t available. Pickett was visiting the Bills but had stayed in touch with the Rams, hoping to get an offer that would bring him back. The Packers talked Pickett into his first visit over the weekend and there was some thought he might not have totally liked his visit. Those thoughts were proved wrong when the Packers stepped up and gave him a deal. Pickett will replace Grady Jackson as the run-stopping defensive tackle in the team’s 4-3 scheme.’

‘Wells, who had started 26 straight games under coach Dennis Green, played in just nine games in 2005 at left guard before fracturing and dislocating his left ankle against Detroit. “I don’t know what the Cardinals are thinking right now,” Wells said by phone from Buffalo. “They’ve been good to me. We’ll see how it plays out.” Wells said the trips to Buffalo and Green Bay were the only ones planned.’

‘Pickett was a first-round draft pick in 2001 but he’s only 26. He’s a 6-foot-2, 315-pounder who played nose tackle in the Rams’ four-man defensive front. That’s exactly the role in which the Bills would use him. The Bills’ new defensive line coach, Bill Kollar, coached Pickett the past five years in St. Louis.’

‘Schneck, who signed with Buffalo before the start of last season after spending six seasons in Pittsburgh, was perfect on 132 snap opportunities and helped punter Brian Moorman earn his first Pro Bowl berth. Schneck also played in the Pro Bowl.’

‘If there’s anyone on the roster who deserves the respect of the front office, it’s Moulds. The Mississippi State product ranks second behind Andre Reed on most of the Bills’ all-time receiving records. He’s also been a leader on the field and in the locker room. But Levy has to decide what’s best for the future of the franchise, not Moulds.’

‘The Cardinals recently gave Wells the low tender of $712,000, retaining the right to match any offer Wells may receive. If the Cardinals decline to match, they would receive a sixth-round pick in return. It’s likely, however, the Cardinals would match anything but an outrageous offer. They are about $14 million under the salary cap of $102 million, so it would be hard for the Bills to structure a deal in a way to prevent the Cardinals from matching.’

‘Williams was the first selection by former team president Tom Donahoe after he was hired that year. When Donahoe was fired at the end of the 2005 season, his selection of Williams was listed as one of his major mistakes, along with hiring coach Gregg Williams and trading a first-round pick for Drew Bledsoe. Except for the second half of the 2004 season, Williams wasn’t the dominant right tackle the Bills thought he was going to be. He was hampered by injuries much of last year and was cut by the Bills last month. He was due to make $7 million this year in Buffalo after receiving $23 million in his four years with the team. “I’m very aware that some people blame Donahoe. [They say] hey, look, he drafted Mike Williams. He didn’t do anything last year,” Williams said. “Of course, I didn’t. I was injured [a high ankle sprain that lingered for weeks, and then a back injury]. Those were the cards I was dealt.”‘

‘Pickett is considered one of the best free agents on the market. And he has close ties with Buffalo’s defensive line coach Bill Kollar. Pickett is 6-2,330 pounds and would be a good fit with newly signed defensive tackle Larry Triplett.’

‘Toyota will retain its role as the official/exclusive car and truck of the Bills.’

‘Schneck handled Buffalo’s long-snapping duties flawlessly in 2005 after being acquired before the season from Pittsburgh, where he spent the previous six seasons. He played in his first Pro Bowl last month, joining punter Brian Moorman as the only two players representing the Bills.’

‘Wells would be a candidate to unseat incumbent left guard Bennie Anderson, who played inconsistently last season. "You can see they have some talent in places, and they have some needs in places," Wells said. "I think I’d be a good fit."’

‘The Bills today announced that the team has signed LS Mike Schneck. In accordance with club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.’

‘The 6-4, 320-pounds Wells is a restricted free agent, meaning the Cardinals could match any Bills offer. However, if Arizona chooses not to match, Buffalo would forfeit a sixth round selection as compensation for the right to acquire Wells.’

‘Tackle Mike Williams hasn’t lived up to his billing as the fourth overall pick in the 2002 draft. Now he gets a chance at a fresh start.’