Archives for March 2010

‘Gailey confirmed that Chris Kelsay, Aaron Maybin, Chris Ellis and veteran Aaron Schobel (if he doesn’t retire) would move to outside linebacker. The inside men are slated to be Paul Posluszny and Kawika Mitchell, providing he can recover from knee/thigh surgery.’

‘After losing OT Brad Butler to retirement, the Bills will address the position hard in free agency and the draft, coach Chan Gailey said. "With the retirement of Brad, that puts us in position of need, even moreso than we were," Gailey said. Led by Oklahoma State’s Russell Okung, Rutgers’ Anthony Davis, Oklahoma’s Trent Williams, Iowa’s Bryan Bulaga and Maryland’s Bruce Campbell, this is a banner year for college tackles.’

‘The Bills are looking for a veteran interior lineman because both players who filled that role in Buffalo last year no longer are on the team. Seth McKinney is a free agent. Richie Incognito, who was signed after McKinney got hurt and started the last three games, did not receive a contract offer from the Bills and also is a free agent.’

‘Smith arrived in Buffalo on Friday, and is scheduled to meet with Bills officials through Saturday, the team announced. He’s an eight-year NFL veteran, who spent the past two seasons with Kansas City.’

‘Smith (6’4″, 296) is an eight-year veteran that has played mostly guard and center in his time in the league. He has 34 starts in his career and spent the last two seasons in Kansas City where he made 16 of those starts serving mainly at right guard.’

‘Scott was coming off his best season in a Bills uniform, finishing third on the team in tackles while also contributing a pair of sacks and an interception. Perhaps most impressive was the safety’s midseason position switch to linebacker, when injuries decimated Buffalo’s linebacking corps.’

‘"You build a football team through the draft," Wilson said. "You can go out in free agency and sign a few that fit your team, but you can’t just sign free agents and do it overnight."’

‘Not receiving offers were guard Richie Incognito, tackle Jonathan Scott, tight end Joe Klopfenstein and quarterback Gibran Hamdan.’

‘The six-foot-four, 220-pound Hamdan is among the NFL’s free agents, allowing him to sign with the team of his choice, north or south of the border. But the source said Hamdan is interested in coming to Toronto because it gives him the best chance to play immediately.’

‘Ellison, who missed the final eight games last season with a quadriceps injury, has been a reliable role player in four seasons with the Bills. He’s a contender to start in a revamped 3-4 defense being installed by new coach Chan Gailey.’

‘The Bills announced that they have tendered four of their eight restricted free agents prior to Thursday’s midnight deadline. Linebacker Keith Ellison, tight end Derek Schouman, safety George Wilson and cornerback Ashton Youboty were all extended qualifying offers. The level of those tenders was not released per team policy.’

‘Asked if the Bills would be operating as if there is a cap in 2010 and planned to spend roughly what they had last season, Nix said: "We’re going to take it as it comes, if we need it we’re going to try to do it. We’re not going to put any parameters either way."’

‘”I think the way we approach our team is we have to try to do everything we can to get the right players in position for us,” said Gailey. “We’ll just try to evaluate players and do what’s best for the football team. There are always going to be restrictions no matter what the system.”‘

‘"Every coach wants to get the guys they are comfortable with," said the veteran linebacker, who is signed through 2012. "So I’m sure they will be bringing some new people in. I’m prepared for whatever happens. I hope I’m back there. I hope they see me in their plans and believe that I can work in their system and continue to be a leader on the field and off the field. It will be interesting what they think."’

‘He has yet to appear in an NFL game, and first signed with Carolina in May as an undrafted free agent.’