Archives for February 18, 2011

‘One thing is certain: the Bills – 11 years out of the playoffs – have to get serious about their run stopping and pass rushing and can’t afford to whiff again. They are still paying the price for selecting Penn State’s Aaron Maybin 11th overall two years ago; he has yet to record a sack and could be released.’

‘Buffalo has 10 players with four years experience scheduled to become unrestricted free agents but it all depends on the outcome of current labor talks. Four-year players may not reach unfettered free agency until six years of service if the owners get their way. But if players agree to an 18-game regular season, perhaps they get free agency in three years as part of a compromise. For now, Bills players on the fence are: Akin Ayodele (LB), Keith Ellison (LB), Drayton Florence (CB), Quinton Ganther (RB), John McCargo (DT), Paul Posluszny (LB), Donte Whitner (S), George Wilson (S), Mansfield Wrotto (OT), and Ashton Youboty (CB).’

‘The deadline for teams to place franchise tags on players is Feb. 24 and it doesn’t appear the Bills will be going down that road with any of their potential free agents. Three of those include LB Paul Posluszny, CB Drayton Florence and SS Donte Whitner, all starters on defense. Franchise tags guarantee players top-five position money but it would be hard for Buffalo justifying $10 million a year for Posluszny, $14 million a year for Florence and $8.8 million for Whitner, which are the estimated values for 2011.’

‘Here’s a look at some of the team’s key offseason issues…’.