Archives for March 2012

‘”We made both guys an offer,” Nix told Buffalobills.com. “We didn’t get one back, so I would say that chances are they will hit the market.”‘

‘”I think it’s a bigger part than anybody believes,” said Bills GM Buddy Nix. “They expect to hear the same thing from me and front office people when they’re in here because it’s like recruiting in college. Back when I was recruiting in college I always told the prospects all coaches are going to tell you basically the same thing. They’re going to tell you what you want to hear. They’re selling. Talk to the players when you go out with them at night or you’re with them in the dressing room and they’ll tell you the truth.”‘

‘Both players proved themselves as competent starters at offensive guard in 2011, and both are three-year veterans whose contracts are up. Meanwhile a group of eight veteran reserves who played for the Bills last season prepared to hit the free-agent market.’

‘The Bills will be shopping for a pass rusher (not Mario Williams -way too expensive but maybe Jeremy Mincey), a wide receiver (probably not Vincent Jackson – too expensive – but maybe Pierre Garcon or Robert Meacham), an offensive tackle and maybe a cornerback.’

‘Rinehart had 12 starts in 16 games last year, splitting time between right and left guard in his first full season with Buffalo. He’s a fourth-year player, who spent his first two seasons with Washington.’

‘I find myself feeling a little bit like when the Bills were said to ready to break the bank on a new coach and someone to overhaul the football department. We ended up with Nix as GM and instead of Bill Cowher as coach we got one of his old assistants in Chan Gailey.’

‘By presenting those offers to the two guards the Bills now have the right to match any offer sheet either player may receive from another NFL club within a week of the offer being made or receive compensation from that other team.’

‘Beside pass rusher, the Bills’ needs include a wide receiver, more security at offensive tackle and cornerback and perhaps a backup safety. Many have speculated the Bills may pursue San Diego receiver Vincent Jackson, who Bills General Manager Buddy Nix drafted for the Chargers. But Jackson could command a salary of $10 million a year or more. Receivers are plentiful, so it would be a big surprise if the Bills made a Jackson-sized splash in the receiver pool.’

‘Robert Meachem is a very interesting player in this free agency period. The physical tools, his age (27) and his likely price range is fairly enticing. A team like the Bills just has to determine if he can be a consistent number-two target to compliment Stevie Johnson as they go forward.’

‘"I’m excited and I’m definitely honored," Morrison said on a conference call. "I have a full offseason to get everything down pat and to show what I can do. I look at it as a new beginning for me."’

‘”We were impressed by Nixon Peabody’s tremendous amount of experience in these sorts of negotiations, including work on 10 previous NFL stadiums,” Poloncarz said in a written statement.’

‘”I patted myself on the back, and for that I’m ashamed,” he said. “My sense of normalcy was warped.”‘

‘Morrison will earn more than $2 million a season should he meet incentive clauses included in the contract, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Friday.’

‘Scott loves Buffalo and would love to stay with the Bills, his agent said by telephone.’

‘The Bills could certainly stand to upgrade the defensive end position, there’s no arguing that. Even a player like Mincey stands as an upgrade to what they had there last year. But here’s the rub, will he ever live up to the contract? It’s something a team will have to weigh before going all in on Mincey.’