Archives for March 2012

‘The best guess is the Bills ran into the usual problems that come with luring the top players to Buffalo. For years, they have been hesitant to come here because they don’t believe the Bills are serious about winning.’

‘Reports indicate the Bills were prepared to make Williams the highest-paid defender in the league – a contract that would eclipse that of Julius Peppers of the Chicago Bears, who earns $15.25 million a year. The top five defensive ends in the NFL earn an average of $10.6 million.’

‘Clearly Williams was part of the solution in Houston and not part of the problem, and his unselfish shift to outside linebacker helped kickstart the Texans’ 2011 drive to the playoffs in a big way. But you can at least see the point that he was proven to be anything but indispensable in Houston’s defense, and if you’re the game’s highest paid defender, shouldn’t that come with some degree of indispensability? In addition, the bottom line says his sack total has decreased in four consecutive years: From his career-high 14 in 2007, to 12 in 2008, to nine in 2009, to 8.5 in 2010, to five in last year’s injury-shortened season.’

‘A business not far from Ralph Wilson Stadium had “Welcome Mario Williams” flashing on its electronic sign. A couple of fans dressed in Bills jerseys waited to greet Williams after his dinner on Tuesday. And several fans have showed up in the parking lot of the Bills facility hoping to get a glimpse of Williams the past two days.’

‘Free agent defensive end Mario Williams has not yet made a decision on whether the Bills will be his new NFL team, but he’ll be sleeping on all that Ralph Wilson’s organization has presented to him in Buffalo tonight. After the pass rusher’s arrival Tuesday evening stretched into Wednesday, Williams will spend another night in Western New York.’

‘The Bills’ aim was to prevent Williams, the top defensive player available in free agency, from leaving town to visit another team.’

‘Respected analyst Michael Lombardi of NFL Network tweeted that the Bills are the frontrunners in the Williams Sweepstakes because he thinks with approximately $40 million available under the salary cap, they will come up with the most lucrative offer.’

‘Nice of Gailey to show such confidence. But if his team is to back up such talk, management has to make some bold moves in free agency. Getting Williams, the most coveted defender on the market, would be a bold move.’

‘Williams was the top pick in the 2006 draft by the Houston Texans, who elected against re-signing him this offseason. A two-time Pro Bowl starter, Williams has 53 sacks in six seasons, but was limited to playing just five games last season as a result of a torn chest muscle.’

‘Both players went to dinner with many pieces to the Bills’ brass, including Nix, CEO Russ Brandon, Head Coach Chan Gailey, Wannstedt and defensive tackle Kyle Williams.’

‘While the Buffalo Bills expected wide receiver Robert Meachem to sign in Buffalo, the former New Orleans Saint elected to ink a four-year, $29.5 million deal with the San Diego Chargers, according to an official team release.’

‘The dinner meeting continued until shortly after 10pm. Bills CEO Russ Brandon had no official comment for cameras outside the restaurant. Bills defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt was asked by a group of fans how the meeting went with Williams and replied “Good, very good”.’

‘Perhaps some players around the league wonder about Buffalo as a landing spot, considering its suspect climate and small-city vibe, but Nix believes when available free agents speak with today’s Bills stars, that problem is addressed. “I’m excited that (our) players have enough faith in our program that they reach out to their peers to speak well about the Bills,” Nix said.’

‘A former first-round pick of the Saints in 2007, Meachem has logged 40 receptions or more in each of the past three seasons along with 20 touchdowns catches despite playing in an offense where the ball is spread around a lot.’

‘The top pass rusher in this year’s free agent class is expected to command a hefty price tag, but in an interview on Bills flagship station WGR Sportsradio 550 earlier in the day Brandon indicated that money would be no object this time around.’