NickelCity Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 Saw it on the front page: http://wgr550.com/twobillsdrive/13418777 This will be an important signing, Levitre is a fantastic guard, and capable at emergency LT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marauderswr80 Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 Nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragonborn10 Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 If they can only sign one I would take Levitre over Byrd. Hopefully they find a way to get them both signed. Not waiting until FA might let them get a litlt ebit of a discount and maybe use this year's cap to spread the money over a longer time. Granted it takes two sides to get a deal done... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickelCity Posted June 13, 2012 Author Share Posted June 13, 2012 If they can only sign one I would take Levitre over Byrd. Hopefully they find a way to get them both signed. Not waiting until FA might let them get a litlt ebit of a discount and maybe use this year's cap to spread the money over a longer time. Granted it takes two sides to get a deal done... I really hope it doesn't come down to an either-or. They're both excellent. Letting either one of them walk would be a big blow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malazan Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 Ah, Bills fans...they make a pre-emtive move to sign a player and the second reply is about not signing Byrd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Vader Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 It would be a huge move if the Bills can give Levitre a new deal before his contract is up. He's our best O-Lineman, and we need him. Judging from the article it sounds like Levitre really wants to stay in Buffalo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Estro Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 I'd love for the Bills to resign both LeVitre and Byrd as I think they're both very good players. I actually posed the question to Joe Buscaglia months ago who he'd prefer the Bills to sign if it could only be one. Going against what seems to be the consensus, he chose Byrd, which happens to be my opinion as well. I love both of them, but I think it's harder to replace a very good safety than it is a very good guard. In regards to the Bills, I also believe they are much deeper at the G position than they are at S. Outside of George Wilson, who isn't getting any younger, Byrd is the only other quality safety on the team.....which is why I totally understood the Mark Barron chatter heading into the draft. After a big spending 2011 and 2012, which included the signings of Mario Williams and Mark Anderson as well as the resignings of Fitzpatrick, Stevie J and Freddy among others....I think the Bills are going to have their work cut out for them to get both Byrd and LeVitre resigned prior to the start of free agency 2013. It's nice to see they've acknowledged this predicament by at least getting an early jump on talks with one of the players. FWIW, my gut has always been that LeVitre will stay and Byrd will sign for more elsewhere. As excited as I was to land both Mario Williams and Mark Anderson this offseason, the signing of Anderson caused me a bit of anxiety because that money may be the difference between Bryd being a Bill or not post 2012 season. Either way both players will command very large contracts and deservedly so. Look for LeVitre to anchor in on Ben Grubbs money (5 years $36 million), and Byrd to be in the 5 year $37-$40 million range (which is somewhere between Antrel Rolle and Eric Weddle money, respectively). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Barbarian Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 Saw it on the front page: http://wgr550.com/twobillsdrive/13418777 This will be an important signing, Levitre is a fantastic guard, and capable at emergency LT. Bills just keep getting better Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artmalibu Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 I believe that the Bills are 7 mill under the cap this year, so it would make sense to re-up some guys this year. By getting a player more money this year it could make the future years a little more cap friendly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 If they can only sign one I would take Levitre over Byrd. Hopefully they find a way to get them both signed. Not waiting until FA might let them get a litlt ebit of a discount and maybe use this year's cap to spread the money over a longer time. Granted it takes two sides to get a deal done... Why would anyone think they can sign only one? The cap is going to go up -- significantly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsGuyInMalta Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 Just a prediction here but I truly believe that one of our big 2013 FAs (Byrd or Levitre) will have a new deal by the end of training camp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill from NYC Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 Why would anyone think they can sign only one? The cap is going to go up -- significantly. Yes, but this could make it tougher to sign him now and lock him in to a long term deal. I hope that AL is the type to opt for security, because he is clearly one of our best players, and would be extremely hard to replace. Our LT situation isn't etched in stone, and playing next to AL, a talented, experienced, veteran, will make life a lot easier for Hairston and/or Glenn. Jmo, but AL is a player that the Bills simply cannot afford to lose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 Yes, but this could make it tougher to sign him now and lock him in to a long term deal. I hope that AL is the type to opt for security, because he is clearly one of our best players, and would be extremely hard to replace. Our LT situation isn't etched in stone, and playing next to AL, a talented, experienced, veteran, will make life a lot easier for Hairston and/or Glenn. Jmo, but AL is a player that the Bills simply cannot afford to lose. I'm with ya, Bill. I think Buddy and Chan know this as well. Their actions in building this team have provided me with a sense of serenity that we won't have to worry about a deal getting done. The Bills are actually in good shape to sign AL, since they don't have a "high dollar" guy at LT currently and won't have to pay that sort of money for at least a couple of years (if Glenn pans out). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlbillsfan1975 Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 The Bills have proven they will pay players who deserve it- play well, team guys, not often injured. Levitre has all those qualities, so it would really come down to his expectations vs the Bills. The Bills would like to sign him but they can not over pay for him. To me i do not think he is a Ben Grubbs or Carl Nicks. Maybe just a shade below them. And the fact that he had to play every position last year is more an indictment on the lack of quality depth the Bills had and amount of injuries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D521646 Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 I'd like both signed, but I agree with the consensus that ATM AL is a must sign guy. We would miss Byrd, but I can see McGee fitting in nicely at FS as he ends his acareer in Blo. tim- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrags Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 I'd like both signed, but I agree with the consensus that ATM AL is a must sign guy. We would miss Byrd, but I can see McGee fitting in nicely at FS as he ends his acareer in Blo. tim- I agree with the point about AL over JB but I font understand how anyone can put anything on McGee at this point. We can't count in him to play more than 5 games a year let alone start at any position for an extended period of time. That's why we've drafted 2 high round corners in the last 2 years and another few in the later rounds. Gilmore and Williams will be starters eventually. If not by day 1 this year at the start of the season, probably by the 3rd quarter of the Jets game when he goes out with an injury that sidelines him until the bye week. I'd like both signed, but I agree with the consensus that ATM AL is a must sign guy. We would miss Byrd, but I can see McGee fitting in nicely at FS as he ends his acareer in Blo. tim- I agree with the point about AL over JB but I font understand how anyone can put anything on McGee at this point. We can't count in him to play more than 5 games a year let alone start at any position for an extended period of time. That's why we've drafted 2 high round corners in the last 2 years and another few in the later rounds. Gilmore and Williams will be starters eventually. If not by day 1 this year at the start of the season, probably by the 3rd quarter of the Jets game when he goes out with an injury that sidelines him until the bye week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattsox Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 It would be a huge move if the Bills can give Levitre a new deal before his contract is up. He's our best O-Lineman, and we need him. Judging from the article it sounds like Levitre really wants to stay in Buffalo. Git 'Er Done Buddy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorkington Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 Love that they are starting this already. Would be great to keep our good players as a trend, for a change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrDawkinstein Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 It's amazing what a real, competent Front Office will do. Been a Bills fan since 1986, and I dont remember the last time it felt like this, with regard to how the team is managed. Now if we can get it translated into on-field production, it will be a whole new era for us fans. Cant wait for the season! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CowgirlsFan Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 It's amazing what a real, competent Front Office will do. Been a Bills fan since 1986, and I dont remember the last time it felt like this, with regard to how the team is managed. Now if we can get it translated into on-field production, it will be a whole new era for us fans. Cant wait for the season! These front office moves make me think of my Texas Rangers. We've always said "when are they ever going to spend some money and get some pitching in here"!!! Nolan Ryan and a group win the bid to buy the team. Now we have a front office that has access to money and we have been able to have better pitching. ( with the exception of needing 1 strike 2 times to win a World Series) The Bills front office is much improved and they have proved it by all of these new contracts. Long story short, the Bills have spent money and now have good players on their team too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biglukes Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 These front office moves make me think of my Texas Rangers. We've always said "when are they ever going to spend some money and get some pitching in here"!!! Nolan Ryan and a group win the bid to buy the team. Now we have a front office that has access to money and we have been able to have better pitching. ( with the exception of needing 1 strike 2 times to win a World Series) The Bills front office is much improved and they have proved it by all of these new contracts. Long story short, the Bills have spent money and now have good players on their team too! Speaking of those Texas Rangers, I've been in Dallas this week for work and went to the game last night. It's a really nice ballpark and the team didn't disappoint either. Beating the D-Backs 9-1 with Colby Lewis taking a perfect game into the 7th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nucci Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 I'd like both signed, but I agree with the consensus that ATM AL is a must sign guy. We would miss Byrd, but I can see McGee fitting in nicely at FS as he ends his acareer in Blo. tim- McGee has maybe 1-2 years left as a CB and then he's done. He will not be moving to FS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luxy312 Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 I hope they sign both of them. I do think both positions are important, but would rather see Fitzpatrick have a little more time to throw the ball this year than he did last. Some additional food for thought folks. Right now they are putting Kelsay in with the first string guys. He's counting about $5 million against the cap this year. I've heard some rumblings from some folks back in WNY (I'm in Chicago) that there's rumor that they're doing that simply to save face. There's a suggestion that Kelsay could actually be cut before training camp is over and that it would free up that $5 million cap space to go elsewhere. That coupled with the $7 million or so they still have would be more than ample to ink both Levitre and Byrd for the future. Just trying to be hopeful here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CowgirlsFan Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 Speaking of those Texas Rangers, I've been in Dallas this week for work and went to the game last night. It's a really nice ballpark and the team didn't disappoint either. Beating the D-Backs 9-1 with Colby Lewis taking a perfect game into the 7th. WOW!!! Great!! I had airport duty last night but kept up on the radio and later on TV. Need anything PM me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 I hope they sign both of them. I do think both positions are important, but would rather see Fitzpatrick have a little more time to throw the ball this year than he did last. Some additional food for thought folks. Right now they are putting Kelsay in with the first string guys. He's counting about $5 million against the cap this year. I've heard some rumblings from some folks back in WNY (I'm in Chicago) that there's rumor that they're doing that simply to save face. There's a suggestion that Kelsay could actually be cut before training camp is over and that it would free up that $5 million cap space to go elsewhere. That coupled with the $7 million or so they still have would be more than ample to ink both Levitre and Byrd for the future. Just trying to be hopeful here! Those rumblings are likely indigestion. Do a little research into quotes by Gailey, Wannstedt, and Nix recently and you'll understand Kelsay isn't going anywhere. He's part of a fantastic (on paper) 4-man rotation at DE for the Bills, and a guy every other coach and player respects immensely. Additionally, I believe cutting Kelsay would only free up 3.5M -- 1.5M is there regardless, from prorated bonuses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nucci Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 I hope they sign both of them. I do think both positions are important, but would rather see Fitzpatrick have a little more time to throw the ball this year than he did last. Some additional food for thought folks. Right now they are putting Kelsay in with the first string guys. He's counting about $5 million against the cap this year. I've heard some rumblings from some folks back in WNY (I'm in Chicago) that there's rumor that they're doing that simply to save face. There's a suggestion that Kelsay could actually be cut before training camp is over and that it would free up that $5 million cap space to go elsewhere. That coupled with the $7 million or so they still have would be more than ample to ink both Levitre and Byrd for the future. Just trying to be hopeful here! Kelsay's contract is not as bad as everyone seems to think. Other contracts come off the books every year so they can sign Levitre and Byrd if they choose to do so. 9/29/2010: Signed a five-year, $28.2 million contract. The deal contains $11 million in bonus money. 2012: $3.5 million, 2013: $3.725 million, 2014: $3.745 million, 2015: Free Agent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrDawkinstein Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 Agreed with eball and nucci that Kelsay isnt going anywhere, and doesnt have to. We're currently about $7mil under cap, right? Are we going to sign Levitre to a deal that pays him more than $5-6mil the first year? Even Mankins extension doesnt jump above $5mil until the 3rd year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malazan Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 I hope they sign both of them. I do think both positions are important, but would rather see Fitzpatrick have a little more time to throw the ball this year than he did last. Some additional food for thought folks. Right now they are putting Kelsay in with the first string guys. He's counting about $5 million against the cap this year. I've heard some rumblings from some folks back in WNY (I'm in Chicago) that there's rumor that they're doing that simply to save face. There's a suggestion that Kelsay could actually be cut before training camp is over and that it would free up that $5 million cap space to go elsewhere. That coupled with the $7 million or so they still have would be more than ample to ink both Levitre and Byrd for the future. Just trying to be hopeful here! Amazing, in a thread that has virtually nothing to do with kelsay...We stepped up as Bills fans and managed to get some digs in. Congratulations to you on making up a rumor, telling it to yourself, and then posting in a thread about Levitre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkhmlf Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 Ah, Bills fans...they make a pre-emtive move to sign a player and the second reply is about not signing Byrd. agreed 100% Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DefenseWinzChampionshipz Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Never thought I'd see the day where we had so many pieces to the puzzle filled and we keep working on finishing the puzzle instead of someone bumping the table and having pieces that were set in place fall out... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska Darin Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Thank God. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mclauria1 Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 It's amazing what a real, competent Front Office will do. Been a Bills fan since 1986, and I dont remember the last time it felt like this, with regard to how the team is managed. Now if we can get it translated into on-field production, it will be a whole new era for us fans. Cant wait for the season! We finally have a management and an overall team mindset to be PROACTIVE. This attitude, which they've certainly backed up with dollars, will translate on the field this year, and future years. With a team rising in the W-L columns and a management reputation for "getting it done," Buffalo will attract those FA's which always seemed to choose someone else when it came down to "us or them." We're in the early stages of a Bull Market on the Buffalo Bills! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rico Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 I hope they sign both of them. I do think both positions are important, but would rather see Fitzpatrick have a little more time to throw the ball this year than he did last. Some additional food for thought folks. Right now they are putting Kelsay in with the first string guys. He's counting about $5 million against the cap this year. I've heard some rumblings from some folks back in WNY (I'm in Chicago) that there's rumor that they're doing that simply to save face. There's a suggestion that Kelsay could actually be cut before training camp is over and that it would free up that $5 million cap space to go elsewhere. That coupled with the $7 million or so they still have would be more than ample to ink both Levitre and Byrd for the future. Just trying to be hopeful here! Thanks for the scoop! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ganesh Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 I'm with ya, Bill. I think Buddy and Chan know this as well. Their actions in building this team have provided me with a sense of serenity that we won't have to worry about a deal getting done. The Bills are actually in good shape to sign AL, since they don't have a "high dollar" guy at LT currently and won't have to pay that sort of money for at least a couple of years (if Glenn pans out). While the big contract for the LT is a couple of years away, the Bills would have to take care of Urbik and more importantly Eric Wood next season. Those are going to be some big contracts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrags Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Amazing, in a thread that has virtually nothing to do with kelsay...We stepped up as Bills fans and managed to get some digs in. Congratulations to you on making up a rumor, telling it to yourself, and then posting in a thread about Levitre. Great point Jeremy. I don't know about anybody else but I live in Buffalo and I haven't heard that rumor at all. Sounds like a bunch of 20 year old idiots that don't know what they are talking about or just smoked too much refer from thier 4 chamber bong last night. Look, people are pissed off at Kelsey for no reason. Not going to Jack the thread but he's not that bad and he's no longer being overpaid. He's slotted right where his payscale should be for a quality veteran backup. That's what he'll be this year. Splitting time with Mario, Mark, and Shawne. He's versitile and can play multiple positions if needed, line up in either side if needed and if he was placed as a starter because Mario or Mark went down I'd feel alot better than if Batten or Moats was trying tobfill the role. At the end of the day he'll be a quality backup/roleplayer and we should all be fine with that. There I go jacking another thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mini Max Anderson Fan Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Yes, but this could make it tougher to sign him now and lock him in to a long term deal. I hope that AL is the type to opt for security, because he is clearly one of our best players, and would be extremely hard to replace. Our LT situation isn't etched in stone, and playing next to AL, a talented, experienced, veteran, will make life a lot easier for Hairston and/or Glenn. Jmo, but AL is a player that the Bills simply cannot afford to lose. I have to agree with Bill, for years we ignored the line for undersized receivers, running backs and safties/cornerbacks. The penalty for ignoring the line all those years was the non-playoff streak continuing. NOW, as Buddy has built a somewhat reasonable line (I know, Buddy wasn't in charge of the 2009 draft), he deems a new contract for our best o-lineman as the priority here, not a safety first, but the LINE. Build from the inside out to win, I say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska Darin Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 http://nyjetscap.com...s/bills2012.php Kelsay's cap number is far more favorable than Dwan Edwards' or Merriman's, especially this season. I don't see them cutting the guy to save $2.5 m. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Thanks for the scoop! What? That some WNY locals who trash Kelsay like more than 50% of the yoyos on TSW shared their opinions with their Chicagoan friend? Hardly a "scoop." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfan89 Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 (edited) I believe that the Bills are 7 mill under the cap this year, so it would make sense to re-up some guys this year. By getting a player more money this year it could make the future years a little more cap friendly. They are way over 7 million under. They are at least by most conservative estimates 12 million over, keep in mind they cut Florence. Also you could cut a guy like D.Edwards if you were really desperate for cap space that would free up about 4 million. So with 12ish million in cap space I think you can find a way to extend both in season, and there will be a veteran like D.Edwards cut by the end of camp that will insure further cap flexibly. Also the franchise tag number for a safety is around 6 million. So put the full court press on a guy like Levitre (A offensive lineman's number is about 9.2 million) and at worst put the franchise tag of Byrd if you can't get a deal done with him. Edited June 15, 2012 by billsfan89 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 (edited) So, yeah, lets get back to the topic at hand guys and gals. It is great that the front office is making a pre-emptive move to extend Levitre. He is well worth it, and has proven it repeatedly. Edited June 15, 2012 by Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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