Archives for March 7, 2003

"Not too bad at this point but we have a long way to go. It's amazing that we've only been in free agency for a week but it seems like 10 years. We had a couple of things that we wanted to try to do quickly. For us linebacker was obviously a priority, tight end was a priority. We have some other things to do. The offer to Takeo will put us in a holding pattern for a while but we have other things to do yet."

"This is a first class organization, facility, administration and staff. This organization is geared towards winning a world championship. As a player, a free agent especially, this is a situation that you want to be involved. From the janitor to the owner they are committed to winning a championship and that's something that every player wants to be a part of."

Tom Donahoe has announced that free agent linebacker Takeo Spikes has signed an offer sheet from the Bills. The Bengals have seven days to match the offer. During his visit, Spikes said he was "very impressed" with everything he saw. Will the Bengals match?

‘Last season, Johnson had three catches for 39 yards and added 15 tackles and a recovered on-side kick on special teams.’

“We’ll know here pretty soon,” Donahoe said. “They either walk in, shake hands, and leave, or they walk in, shake hands, and we say, ‘Talk to you in a week.’ We could have put together an offer sheet (for Spikes) if we didn’t make the trade but, yes, there is more room.”

"Eric (Moulds) has helped me a lot along the way. He's been a tremendous help. This year alone, Drew Bledsoe and Kevin Gilbride (have helped me). Drew from the standpoint of having confidence in me and believing in me. Coach Gilbride for the schemes and all the things he allows me to do."

— Price after catching 7 balls for 126 yards and a TD against the Raiders on Week 5

The Bills today announced that the team has traded free agent wide receiver Peerless Price to the Atlanta Falcons.

In exchange, Buffalo received Atlanta's first round selection in the 2003 NFL Draft (23rd overall).

‘Price, who has lived in Atlanta during the offseason since 2000, had been unable to agree on a new long-term contract with the Bills. Since Price was listed as a “franchise” player with the Bills, Atlanta had to compensate Buffalo with its first-round pick, No. 23 overall, under NFL rules.’

“The Falcons give me the opportunity to be a No. 1 receiver and it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play with Mike Vick,” Price said. “He (Vick) creates so many more opportunities for me with his ability to scramble. That creates more offense for me.”

‘The Atlanta Falcons announced today that they have acquired WR Peerless Price in a trade with the Buffalo Bills. In exchange for Price, the Falcons gave Buffalo their first-round pick in the 2003 draft (23rd pick overall).’

‘Receiver Charles Johnson re-signed with the Buffalo Bills on Friday. Johnson appeared in all 16 games last year, mostly on special teams.’

Congratulations to Tom Donahoe for having the foresight to franchise-tag Peerless Price a few weeks ago and then move him to Atlanta for a first-round pick. That was a shrewd maneuver; one I suspect other NFL general managers might copy when unrestricted free agency occurs in the coming seasons.

To complete the deal, Price and the Falcons agreed on a seven-year contract. Tim McGee, the receiver’s agent, wouldn’t give specific terms, but did say the signing bonus was at least $10 million and the total compensation was between $35-40 million.

‘While complete details of the contract Price will sign with the Falcons were not yet available, ESPN.com has learned it is a seven-year deal and includes a $10 million signing bonus.’

‘The Falcons have called a 1 p.m. press conference today, where the team is expected to announce they’ve taken a major step toward acquiring Buffalo Bills wide receiver Peerless Price. It is not immediately known whether it is to announce that the team has acquired his rights in a trade from the Bills, or that the team has not only acquired his rights, but also actually reached a contract with him.’