2003Contenders

Yea, too bad Mort's buddy TD didn't sign Nate to an extension before he became a free agent -- and new GM Marv was forced to use the Franchise Tag.

Don't read too much into this report, as it sounds like cancellation of his Thursday trip to Detroit may have been brought about by his delay in getting to Buffalo today. According to the other Chris Brown, THIS Chris Brown probably won't even visit with the Bills' brass until tomorrow. Check out Chris Brown's Blog

I've always had the feeling that Willis rubbed Marv and Dick the wrong way when he refused to show up for voluntary workouts last season. Frankly, he's not done much since then to gain their favor.

Considering that they pick toward the end of each round, I don't think we should make the deal without getting at least their 2nd rounder -- or a player.

Agreed. Also, don't forget McGee's struggles last year. In my mind, even if AY looks like the real deal, we still need some help at CB.

1. He is a thug 2. He drops too many passes

Nah, I don't see A-Train getting much attention from other teams out there. The Bills know this, and they know that he serves as a safety net of last resort if they can't sign an upgrade. Plus, they are waiting to see what happens with Willis.

Maybe a short-term combination of Dillon AND Chris Brown. Then also invest a 2nd or 3rd rounder on a college RB for the long-haul.

I like Brown as a change-of-pace back or part of a RBBC -- just not as an every-down back. If used properly, in a Brian Westbrook type role, I think he can be a real playmaker. I just question his durability. In his career, he's only ever carried the ball more than 30 times in a game ONCE. He's also not a TD machine -- just 11 career rushing TDs. Also, aside from a that fine 2004 season in which he eclipsed the 1000 yard mark in just 11 starts, he's never cracked the 4.0 YPC mark for a season. He is, however, a pretty good receiver. For example, back in 2005, when he had to share time with Travis, he caught 25 passes for 327 yards.

Is he scheduled to come in for a visit? Or are you wondering what the response would be if he WERE coming in? I have no problem with it as long as he plays the same role as he did for NE last year. In fact, he may not be such a bad signing EVEN IF Willis stays on the staff.

Maybe we'll get a 3rd rounder for Anderson yet!

I wonder why he made no mention of Randy Starks...

Of course, we may not have a #1 pick at all, if we take Briggs off Chicago's hands...

With all of the RB signings this year, I would NOT be too terribly surprised to see Peterson fall to 12. Remember the year we took Willis, he was the first RB taken -- and he went 21. (Larry Johnson went a few picks later.) The year we traded up for JP, Steven Jackson was the first back taken -- and he went with the following pick (23). I still think that one of those top 10 teams will take him -- or some other team will trade up for him... but stranger things have happened.

He came and went today, right? Marv's MO has been to sign them before they leave.

McNally's philosophy is to get the best 5 on the field at the same time. The left side is set with Peters-Dockery-Fowler. Given the large contract, Walker fits in somewhere -- but it will depend on whether the team feels that he underachieved at RT for the Raiders last year and decides to put him there again this year -- or if they believe that he's a better fit at RG, given his propensity to get beat by outside speed rushers at the RT position last season. Assuming he plays RT, I think there will be an open competition at RG with Whittle, Preston, and possibly Butler fighting it out. If they see Walker as a better fit at RG, then look for Butler and Pennington to press for the starting RT position.

I hear ya. The thing is that I believe that Marv understands that he holds all of the cards in relation to Willis. That is, Willis is signed, cheap, in the final year of his contract -- and once he comprehends exactly what the Bills did over the weekend in terms of improving the run blocking, he will probably be highly motivated to return for 2007. Thus, The Bills are not desperate to trade him in the same manner that, say, the Bears were with Thomas Jones' contract demands and Cedric Benson already on the roster. If the team can get a fantastic trade offer for Willis, great. Otherwise, we're better off with him on the roster -- unless Marv and Dick simply do not want him on the team. And, if they feel that way, he'll be gone anyhow.

I give Marv some credit here. Reyes was one of the biggest free agent signings we had last season. When he was not performing last season, rather than being stubborn and trying to insist that the signing was a good one, the team elected to move on without him after the bye week.

Yes, Turner is a RFA, but the Chargers gave him the top tender, which means that it would cost a 1st and a 3rd to sign him.

Terrell Suggs and Chris McAlister... We can ASK, right?

No, not necessarily. I would view either a healthy CB or Rhodes as an improvement over Thomas. But neither is an upgrade over Willis. It also depends on what we can get for Willis in a trade. Personally, I still do not think that Willis is going anywhere, as I do not believe that another team will cough up a Day 1 pick (or decent player) for him. Thus, I hope Rhodes and Brown are being pursued as compliments to Willis -- rather as potential replacements. Regardless of what happens, I fully expect Marv to draft a young back on Day 1 of the draft.

While I agree that he probably is not in the team's long-term plans, if we can't get decent compensation for him, I see no reason why he won't play out his string in 2007.

I wonder how much the injuries have sapped him of his prior abilities. If he was so great -- why did Travis beat him out of a job? The same Travis who lost his job back in 2004 here to Willis? I'm OK with CB as a replacement for A-Train. Not sure I'd be comfortable with him subbing for Willis. Now, maybe a combination of CB AND DR...

The Bears have until June to work out a long-term deal. If they wait until afterwards, then they lose the ability to use the Franchise Tag again for the life of Briggs' contract.

I wouldn't mind having Gandy back at the veteran minimum to backup Dockery at LG -- or compete for the starting RG position.