LABills08

Mario Williams Tweet: Link Said its looking good. For what its worth. Again, this is why its worth spending the money to get big players on a small market team. They start selling it to other guys. This could be a very good defensive line, especially if everyone stays healthy. Note: If Anderson signs, Edwards is out. Who else? Kelsay? Merriman? Spencer Johnson? Personally, I'd prefer we keep Johnson and get rid of Kelsay. Seems more likely Johnson and Edwards are cut unless Merriman tears another ligament in camp.

Ashamed to say that I don't recall seeing many of his games, but those numbers are pretty sick. This has been my biggest point since following the Bills decade long rebuilding project....selling the city and the franchise is such a secondary issue once a big named player hops aboard. Mario Williams gets defensive FAs intrigued about coming to Buffalo in the same way Aaron Rodgers gets offensive players excited about heading to Green Bay. Not sure if he signs, but that would be a great line. I have a hard time thinking Kelsay will be put on the chopping block, but I have to think Dwan Edwards and Spencer Johnson will be given notice. Even Carrington is going to need to prove his worth.

I think Bills fans need to be prepared for 8-8. Though I personally expect 10-6/9-7. Mario makes a big impact no doubt, but no single player (except maybe a great QB) can take a 6-10 and turn it into 11-5, 10-6. If they get there, it will be because everyone stays healthy and Fitz makes some major strides about the offense. My biggest worry is that Gailey is forced into running the same offensive scheme as last year and it will really handicap them. I also worry that Fitz regresses and next season everyone is pulling their hair out about the Bills making a move for a QB. Spiller and Jackson need to be used to the best of their ability. I don't think the Bills can make big strides if Gailey decides to feature only one of the backs as primary back, he needs both to contribute. And Spiller proved beyond a doubt that he is very capable and deserves 10-15 touches. Remember, we only have him for like, what? 2-3 more seasons? At most? Its time to utilize him.

Eeek. Don't like our current corp of WRs at all. Oh well. Its going to be LT. And honestly, if they hit that pick out of the park, it will be the best thing that can happen. WRs are easily replaced. LT not so much.

Also, I'd argue that its far more important for the Bills to acquire a WR who can get up and pull down a 50/50 ball, than it is for them to get a burner. Fitz doesn't have the arm to beat people down the field with frequency. Sure, every once and awhile he'll get a one on one and catch the defense sleeping, but he doesn't have a rocket that is going to benefit someone like Manningham, or a burner in the draft. But, what he does do well, is anticipating coverage and putting the ball in a place where his receiver can make a good play on it. Getting someone who is big, physical (with 4.48-4.55 speed) would be huge.

I'd argue that w/ Williams in tow, the Bills should not hesitate about taking some risky short term gambits in the draft/trade market. Personally, I'd be comfortable with the Bills grabbing the top LT on the board at 10 and then trading back into the 1st for a solid WR. That being said, there are a few guys in FA worth taking a shot on. And Mike Wallace is out there...

I think, if the front 7 can pressure the QB in the way we expect (and listen Mario is only one player, everyone else is going to need to stay healthy and play better football than last season if they want to be successful), but if they do generate the type of pressure they need, our DBs will look pretty good. Williams showed a lot of promise and while McKelvin has been so-so, I still think that he can be good in the right defense. Plus, don't forget, Jarius Byrd has the chance to shine in this system as well. the big thing for me is, how will these LBs adapt.

It's 100% going to be LT, unless they don't add any depth at WR. You simply can't spend this much money on upgrading the defense only to couple that defense with the same offense from last season. The Bills need a deep threat badly, and if one of the burners is on the board in the 1st round..well...you never know. There will be LT depth in the second. Personally, I think Manningham could be the guy, and think he is the best option at this point. Just remember with Manningham, he sometimes disappears. He's a tiny guy, and while he has burner speed, he had an amazing QB throwing him the ball. As it stands now, the guy with the most pressure on him is Fitzpatrick, not Mario. Signing Mario to this type of contract kind of said - this is where we are investing our money bc we don't need to spend it on a QB.

If they got him for 16/per 50 guaranteed, as reported. That aint bad. Bigger that Peppers, but not by a huge margin.

John Clayton‏@ClaytonESPN Buffalo still has Mario Williams locked in at their facility trying to convince him to be a Bill. Whatever that means. From Clayton's twitter.

Lombardo said on NFL network a few moments ago that barring any last minute offers, looks like Mario Williams goes to Buffalo.

I read that, no other meetings will be set until Wed, bc if you look at the ProFootball post, goal is for the Bills to sign Mario before he sets other meetings.

Honestly, with teams thinking he is heading here to sign, that is big. And no other meetings set, that is big. The enthusiasm of the Bills players over this rebuilding effort is a big part of it I have to imagine. Another big part of it? The Bills are set to make him one of the highest paid defensive players ever. I mean...6 years in Buffalo is probabbbbbly worth that much money. Even if we remain as dysfunctional as we've always been.

No doubt there will be a decent pass rushing prospect on the board for us in the 2nd round, but will Curry last that long? Seems a lot of people are impressed with him.

Depends. I think if Reiff/Martin are on the board and the Bills haven't resigned Bell, they will be tough to pass on. Those two won't last into the 20's.

I'm on board with this. Prior to the SJ extension, I really wasn't sure. Plus, the DE class is suspect and as has long been the case, drafting a good DE is probably only 2nd in difficulty to selecting a good QB. You just never know how a pass rusher is going to pan out. Based on that, all signs point to LT. They need a WR, sure, but I don't think Chan values good WRs the same way he values good offensive lineman. Plus, as was pointed out above, the best value at 10 will probably be an OT.

Thought this might be a good way to centralize Free Agency rumors. Two of note that theoretically could impact the Bills: 1) Luis Castillo has been released: Link. Another San Diego pass rusher looking for a post-injury resurgence? Sign me up! (sarcasm). But honestly, I think Luis might have more left in the thank than our buddy Merriman. 2) Bears expected to make a run for Vincent Jackson: Link. Of note primarily because Bills fans have salivated over him in Buffalo. Obviously, the SJ signing changed those expectations, but you never know..(actually, we all know, not going to happen..but worth noting). Finally, here is PFT's list of the top FA's post-franchising deadline:Link. I don't see anyone on this list peaking the Bills' interest, but you never know. I think Mario Williams is going to get a huge contract, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Bills at least met with him. I think the chances we sign him are slim to none, but I wouldn't rule out the Bills sniffing the situation out.

Also out on SI this morning: Combine preview (Link

Link Have heard mixed things on him, but haven't seen the senior bowl tape. No one is talking about this anymore, but I'll keep the dream alive. I still think trading multiple high picks (for this year and future years) is worth it for RGIII. He is one of the few players that can instantly change an organization around, both on the field and off.

I'll take Upshaw. I think RGIII is worth trading 2-3 high picks for, but that's only in my dreams. Upshaw is a sturdy player, probably not much upside, but also very low risk. So long as he stays healthy...he'll produce. I'd love to see the Bills make a run at Mario Williams. Maybe Ralph will give Buddy the okay, maybe not. They need to add to the payroll in order to meet the minimum cap. I just can't see it coming together. Bills need to pay a premium to convince that type of name to come to Buffalo, and I don't think Ralph will go for it.

Big time draft implications. As bad as our defense has been, I have to imagine this indicates the Bills are at least somewhat willing to go offense with #10. Especially if Stevie walks (as I've long thought he will). Anyone who think the Bills are going to sign V. Jackson is insane, IMO. I wouldn't be surprised with WR/OT at 10. But, otherwise, this move looks like a precursor to Upshaw. He'll be able to play both strong side and DE, which are the two biggest needs on defense right now. And we all know the Bills love these hybrid guys. And I feel a little better about their chances to shore up the unit with 1 or 2 picks. At 4-3 we have a lot of depth on the D-line. The DT rotation is already set with Williams (cross your fingers he comes back healthy), Dareus, Heard and Troup (given he comes back healthy). As for DE's, we have Kelsay, Carrington, Johnson, Edwards. Definitely needs to be upgraded, but at the very least, these guys are solid against the run which is a big asset when you have Dareus and Williams in the middle. I also think that Sheppard is a better fit for a 4-3. A few posters have questioned that, but really? He has a nose for the ball and tackles well. His coverage needs improvement, but he's much better suited to attack in a 4-3. And I think Barnett can survive on the weakside (where he'll likely split time with Batten), but certain TE's will eat him alive. As for strong side, an upgrade is definitely needed unless Merriman recovers (he's not going to). Moats isn't good enough for that role. That's why I think Upshaw will be the guy. Also, the larger point here is what the hell are the Bills doing switching their defense again? Sure, its the right move, but I think Gailey and Nix should be questioned for their approach. Lets not forget that switching to the 3-4 was a decision both of them made. And Edwards was hired in response to Gailey picking the defensive scheme. Its not as though Edwards was hired and then he pushed for the 3-4; the decision had been already made. Just my opinion, but I feel Gailey needs to feel a little more heat for last season.

The news isn't that they are taking him, I think the news is that there is a good chance Peyton is on his way out.

Per everyone: @AdamSchefter As @mortreport reported on Sat edition of NFL Countdown, Colts plan to use the No. 1 pick on Stanford QB Andrew Luck. Cruel that Colts are able to draft Manning #1 overall, and then able to draft the second coming of Manning #1 overall the very instant that Peyton's career starts to wind down. So it goes.

Not saying SJ will be an all pro, but he's bound to be on the list of "players the Bills shouldn't have let walk" list.

Sadly, I think he played his last game as a Bill. And while Stevie is to blame, Gailey's hard knock "I'm coaching an NFL team likes its Georgia Tech" attitude didn't really help things. In fairness, 10 million is too much. I think that makes Stevie a top 4 paid WR. 7.5 per puts him in the top 10 easily. He's good, but he's not 8-10 million good. Nowhere near it.