Nix is passing on quality free agents

[BillsVet]

You don't sign many free agents in the first year of rebuilding.

 

Like Bill Belichick in 2000 and Dick Levy in 2006? Or how about Miami in 2008?

 

Two of those three rebuilds worked in the AFCE. One of them did not, which means it's not a matter of to sign or not to sign, but who's doing it.

 

Converting to a 3-4, installing a new offense, and to a lesser degree special teams should be reason enough to be signing players. Heck, this board is getting excited for Jimmy freaking Kennedy, a guy who's been on 5 teams in 7 seasons.

[Kingfish]

Watson signed for $13m for 3 years, $6.5m guaranteed. Obviously Nix has a different view than you on how to spend that money.

 

And imagine the expectations fans would have for Watson's production if the Bills were paying him over 4 million per year. If he just maintained the numbers he put up in New England people would be calling for Whaley and Nix's head.

[Nanker]

And imagine the expectations fans would have for Watson's production if the Bills were paying him over 4 million per year. If he just maintained the numbers he put up in New England people would be calling for Whaley and Nix's head.

Exactly. "Nix overspent on a washed-up, has-been, shell of a player! No wonder we suck! Ralph doesn't know what he's doing!"

[apuszczalowski]

Joey Porter left AZ without a contract. Apparently his contract demands are unrealistic. It seems like for the most part teams are taking a 'wait and see' approach to this offseason because of the CBA. I wonder how long before the NFLPA starts complaining about collusion.

Porter has also said he is looking at playing for a west coast team

 

The Bills are not trying to be a playoff team next year, they are trying to build a foundation to build off of. Nix has said this before and they have come out and said they won't be active in FA, he has already said he prefers to re-sign their own FA's and reward them then shop for new ones.

 

Add in the fact that there really aren't any good FA's available that are UFA's. Because fo the new FA rules this year, all the good ones were made RFA's and they will not only cost you a bigger deal that the original team doesn't want to match, but then in most cases, some high picks most teams don't want to give up

[apuszczalowski]

I thinkalso what people don't seem to get is that the Bills coaching staff is one built that spcializes in working with what it has and designing schemes around what the guys they have do best. The have said they are switching to a 3-4, but its more like a "hybrid" 3-4 and won't be used all the time

[BillsVet]

Porter has also said he is looking at playing for a west coast team

 

The Bills are not trying to be a playoff team next year, they are trying to build a foundation to build off of. Nix has said this before and they have come out and said they won't be active in FA, he has already said he prefers to re-sign their own FA's and reward them then shop for new ones.

 

Add in the fact that there really aren't any good FA's available that are UFA's. Because fo the new FA rules this year, all the good ones were made RFA's and they will not only cost you a bigger deal that the original team doesn't want to match, but then in most cases, some high picks most teams don't want to give up

 

I'd agree, but to a point. No rational Bills fan expected the team to sign Peppers or Dansby, although some depth signings would go a long way. Right now, the team has zero depth at OT, DE, NT, ILB, and OLB. To expect players from last years roster to transition to a new job is absolutely ridiculous, and something the team tried to pull last year on the OL.

 

The owner is 91 and there's no guarantee that he'll survive this rebuild. I take no joy in saying this, but it looks to me like the plan is to be good 3 years from now. That's not good enough.

[tonyjustbcuz]

Buddy Nix's formula to build his Buffalo Bills appears to be 98% draft, and only use Free Agency to "fill in gaps."

 

But wait a minute here. The Bills have huge gaps right now at tight end and wide receiver. They have plenty of money under the cap, right now. Yet Antonio Bryant and Ben Watson have just signed very reasonable contracts with other NFL teams, while Nix didn't even invite either one in for a visit. And please, don't reply to this post by telling me Antonio Bryant would not have been an improvement over Stevie Johnson or James Hardy. Or try to convince me that Shawn Nelson will become a better tight end this season then Ben Watson will be. Those arguments are laughable.

 

Now I'm thinking that Buddy Nix is more then just an old fashioned draft - first football guy. Now I'm thinking that Buddy Nix has a level of arrogance hiding beneath that "good ol" boy" exterior. Just becuase Watson and Bryant have had excellent seasons in the past, and they are well known (but certainly not "super stars") - he won't bring them in? He seems to be selecting more "unknown - under the radar" free agents to talk to and possibly sign, like Green and now this visit by Jimmy Kennedy. Is he taking his "personnel expertise" a bit too seriously? Who knows?

 

The one thing I do know is that if Nix would have signed both Bryant and Watson, every Bills fan would feel better about our 2010 team, and not one single Bills fan would be accusing him of "breaking the salary cap bank stupidly".

 

 

It just goes to show you that the Bills organization really doesn't respect the fanbase here in Buffalo. It has been that way for a while. It really showed when Tom Donahoe was the GM, and continues today in more discreet ways. Last year Trent Edwards mentioned that he wasn't a "Fan" of the Buffalo Bills when answering a question. I don't remember exactly what he said, but to me it seemed like he was implying the irreveleance of a fans knowledge of the game. Last year the Bills scheduled an awards ceremony during the half-time of a Bills game, cancelled it at the last minute, never explained why they cancelled it, and tried to convey that there never was a ceremony scheduled for that game. The organization thinks

that fans are not in the know, or knowledgeable about their team. There are many examples of how the Bills show a lack of respect to their fanbase. I personally am not happy about sending "HOME GAMES" to Toronto, and I believe that Russ Brandon tries to camoflage the organizations true intentions with respect to marketing the BUFFALO BILLS in other regions. I'll tell you right now it's not a good thing for us fans!! Just like singing, releasing, signing releasing, singing Klopostein for the third or fourth time in the past couple of years. He's I believe a TE who has very very limited abilities who caught 1 pass for 11 yards in his entire time with the Buffalo Bills ! Then that other guy they just signed...that nameless guy that I can't even remember...lol...he's been with 5 teams in 10 years and didn't even cut it with the Detroit Lions of all teams. So we want to wasted 3yrs for 9 Million dollars on this second rate or third rate player?? Can't they go after any players with at least some sort of proven track record? Buddy Nix believes in building through the draft like you mentioned, and that is great to some extent. The only problem with that mind-set in this organization is that they have holes at LOT, DT/NT, Should have some at QB..But who knows with the Bills?, LB's are undersized generally speaking..., and several other holes and little QUALITY depth on the roster.. They need WR's as well. So why don't we take a good look at a RB in the upcoming draft????????? Also...almost every time we draft a player who becomes a very good player and they become a free agent looking for big bucks we don't compete to keep them! Just a few off the top of my head and there are many more over the past decade are: Jabari Greer, Nate Clements, Antwoine Winfield, and Pat Williams !! Where are we going on this carousel? It seems like more of the same! Where are the deliberate logical steps to get better??????? Are they trying to beat the Bills organization into such submission that the Bills fanbase displays their disgust by not renewing season tickets????? If the Bills play to a half-full stadium they would have every

reason to legitamize a move to a bigger market in another city!!!!!!!!!! It sure makes you wonder and question this organizations true intentions?????????????????? Sorry about my lengthy post..but the team I love pizzes me off !!

[apuszczalowski]

I'd agree, but to a point. No rational Bills fan expected the team to sign Peppers or Dansby, although some depth signings would go a long way. Right now, the team has zero depth at OT, DE, NT, ILB, and OLB. To expect players from last years roster to transition to a new job is absolutely ridiculous, and something the team tried to pull last year on the OL.

 

The owner is 91 and there's no guarantee that he'll survive this rebuild. I take no joy in saying this, but it looks to me like the plan is to be good 3 years from now. That's not good enough.

Its still early to be worried that they haven't signed more Depth guys, especially since most of the guys looking for jobs now are guys looking to sign in places where they will be the starters. This year is not a good year for FA since all the good ones are RFAs and will cost a team picks. Its not rediculous to believe that guys can't transition just cause it didnt work last year. That was a bunch of different players, and a completly different coaching staff. The one thing that they looked for in the new staff were guys that are supposed to be good teachers, which is what you need to transition guys.

 

The team is not worried about the owner dying like the media and fans are as they should not be. Everything is buisness as usual and aren't going to rush things cause they are afraid RW might die

[CardinalScotts]

This is the same board crying we didn't get Coles signed or even Gallaway

[JohnC]

there is no cap this year. thanks for paying attention

 

Ralph Wilson has always played by his own salary cap rules.

[Mr. WEO]

Antonio Bryant signed a 4 year 28 million dollar contract-how is that very reasonable? Ben Watson is a nice player but Shawn Nelson looks like he's developing into a damn good receiving TE. I'd rather stick with Nelson and sign a cheap blocking specialist to back him up.

Nelson really hasn't shown much yet. Watson is way better now and better than the other three bodies listed at TE. Why wouldn't ti have been a good Idea to have Watson and Nelson? Throw in Schouman too if you want. For many years, this team has ignored the TE position. Why not bring a guy from a winning organization who already knows how to play the position? Who's teaching Nelson how to play TE??

[Doc]

Ralph Wilson has always played by his own salary cap rules.

The Bills have been in the top-half of player salaries annually, John. You really need to get over Wilson firing Polian.

[uforesircher]

1: Buddy Nix's formula to build his Buffalo Bills appears to be 98% draft, and only use Free Agency to "fill in gaps."

 

yadda yadda yadda . . .

 

2: The one thing I do know is that if Nix would have signed both Bryant and Watson, every Bills fan would feel better about our 2010 team, and not one single Bills fan would be accusing him of "breaking the salary cap bank stupidly".

 

1: well you did pay attention to his first presser - very good - internalize it - it is the plan

 

2: because the main focus of his job as gm is to make "every Bills fan feel better about our 2010 team" - hmmm no

 

i for one have no problem with what is happening, or not happening, in fa right now. weak fa class, cba restrictions handcuffing the acquisitions that most teams (including the bills) would like to make - but most of all i like the plan - i believe that plan will get us to where we need to be - not overnight - but improving - and we will be better this year

 

now before all of the negative "rose-colored-glasses", "drink-the-kool-aid", etc comments start to fly just remember this - gm nix and coach gailey are not responsible for the poor state of the team when they took their jobs - but i do think that they have a good plan, and i have more faith in them than anyone else we have had over the past 10 years.

[bkc]

my guess is that there are plenty players left on Buddy's free agent list and very few that he lost .

[Mr. WEO]

1: well you did pay attention to his first presser - very good - internalize it - it is the plan

 

2: because the main focus of his job as gm is to make "every Bills fan feel better about our 2010 team" - hmmm no

 

i for one have no problem with what is happening, or not happening, in fa right now. weak fa class, cba restrictions handcuffing the acquisitions that most teams (including the bills) would like to make - but most of all i like the plan - i believe that plan will get us to where we need to be - not overnight - but improving - and we will be better this year

 

now before all of the negative "rose-colored-glasses", "drink-the-kool-aid", etc comments start to fly just remember this - gm nix and coach gailey are not responsible for the poor state of the team when they took their jobs - but i do think that they have a good plan, and i have more faith in them than anyone else we have had over the past 10 years.

What do you base this faith on?

 

What were your thoughts of Nix and his skills as an "assistant GM"rior to being hired? How about Gailey? A guy fired from his last 2 jobs who was picked after every other signifcant candidate alerted Ralph that they were not interested?

 

We all understand that there were few UFAs worth breaking the bank for. But as others have pointed out, we have needs now that can be filled without a lot of money. Saying the team is going to be reconstructed almost solely through the draft for the next few years expecting the fans will quietly tolerate "2 or 3 years" more of losing football is incredibly naive.

[metzelaars_lives]

Buddy Nix's formula to build his Buffalo Bills appears to be 98% draft, and only use Free Agency to "fill in gaps."

 

But wait a minute here. The Bills have huge gaps right now at tight end and wide receiver. They have plenty of money under the cap, right now. Yet Antonio Bryant and Ben Watson have just signed very reasonable contracts with other NFL teams, while Nix didn't even invite either one in for a visit. And please, don't reply to this post by telling me Antonio Bryant would not have been an improvement over Stevie Johnson or James Hardy. Or try to convince me that Shawn Nelson will become a better tight end this season then Ben Watson will be. Those arguments are laughable.

 

Now I'm thinking that Buddy Nix is more then just an old fashioned draft - first football guy. Now I'm thinking that Buddy Nix has a level of arrogance hiding beneath that "good ol" boy" exterior. Just becuase Watson and Bryant have had excellent seasons in the past, and they are well known (but certainly not "super stars") - he won't bring them in? He seems to be selecting more "unknown - under the radar" free agents to talk to and possibly sign, like Green and now this visit by Jimmy Kennedy. Is he taking his "personnel expertise" a bit too seriously? Who knows?

 

The one thing I do know is that if Nix would have signed both Bryant and Watson, every Bills fan would feel better about our 2010 team, and not one single Bills fan would be accusing him of "breaking the salary cap bank stupidly".

 

email me personally. I will bet you any amount of money you'd like that Shawn Nelson puts up significantly better numbers than Ben Watson does in Cleveland. Unless of course Schouman, who looked awesome as a pass catching tight end in the first two games last year, ends up starting, in which case he will put up better numbers than Ben Watson. Tight end being a priority is so 2009, they're going with what they got and quite frankly, I'm OK with it.

[leh-nerd skin-erd]

It just goes to show you that the Bills organization really doesn't respect the fanbase here in Buffalo. It has been that way for a while. It really showed when Tom Donahoe was the GM, and continues today in more discreet ways. Last year Trent Edwards mentioned that he wasn't a "Fan" of the Buffalo Bills when answering a question. I don't remember exactly what he said, but to me it seemed like he was implying the irreveleance of a fans knowledge of the game. Last year the Bills scheduled an awards ceremony during the half-time of a Bills game, cancelled it at the last minute, never explained why they cancelled it, and tried to convey that there never was a ceremony scheduled for that game. The organization thinks

that fans are not in the know, or knowledgeable about their team. There are many examples of how the Bills show a lack of respect to their fanbase. I personally am not happy about sending "HOME GAMES" to Toronto, and I believe that Russ Brandon tries to camoflage the organizations true intentions with respect to marketing the BUFFALO BILLS in other regions. I'll tell you right now it's not a good thing for us fans!! Just like singing, releasing, signing releasing, singing Klopostein for the third or fourth time in the past couple of years. He's I believe a TE who has very very limited abilities who caught 1 pass for 11 yards in his entire time with the Buffalo Bills ! Then that other guy they just signed...that nameless guy that I can't even remember...lol...he's been with 5 teams in 10 years and didn't even cut it with the Detroit Lions of all teams. So we want to wasted 3yrs for 9 Million dollars on this second rate or third rate player?? Can't they go after any players with at least some sort of proven track record? Buddy Nix believes in building through the draft like you mentioned, and that is great to some extent. The only problem with that mind-set in this organization is that they have holes at LOT, DT/NT, Should have some at QB..But who knows with the Bills?, LB's are undersized generally speaking..., and several other holes and little QUALITY depth on the roster.. They need WR's as well. So why don't we take a good look at a RB in the upcoming draft????????? Also...almost every time we draft a player who becomes a very good player and they become a free agent looking for big bucks we don't compete to keep them! Just a few off the top of my head and there are many more over the past decade are: Jabari Greer, Nate Clements, Antwoine Winfield, and Pat Williams !! Where are we going on this carousel? It seems like more of the same! Where are the deliberate logical steps to get better??????? Are they trying to beat the Bills organization into such submission that the Bills fanbase displays their disgust by not renewing season tickets????? If the Bills play to a half-full stadium they would have every

reason to legitamize a move to a bigger market in another city!!!!!!!!!! It sure makes you wonder and question this organizations true intentions?????????????????? Sorry about my lengthy post..but the team I love pizzes me off !!

 

 

 

i'm not sure who's legitimate, logical steps you're referring to based on your post. his, or yours?

 

i don't doubt or question your passion, but it seems to me you're pretty worked up over every move he doesn't make. he told you his plan and as far as i can see, he's following his plan as outlined. not only that, but you've thrown everything that has happened in wny football over the last decade or so and BN had nothing to do with most of it.

 

let him fail before you jump off the ship. i'll even jump with you when the day comes.

[Doc]

Nelson really hasn't shown much yet. Watson is way better now and better than the other three bodies listed at TE. Why wouldn't ti have been a good Idea to have Watson and Nelson? Throw in Schouman too if you want. For many years, this team has ignored the TE position. Why not bring a guy from a winning organization who already knows how to play the position? Who's teaching Nelson how to play TE??

The hits just keep on coming!

 

You had a problem with the Bills giving TO $6.5M last season. But now think that a guy who has averaged 33 catches for 417 yards and 4 TD's in his career (minus his injury-marred rookie year) is worth $4M/year?

 

Nevermind the fact that players who leave that winning organization fail to do much with their new clubs. For some strange reason.

[JohnC]

What do you base this faith on?

 

What were your thoughts of Nix and his skills as an "assistant GM"rior to being hired? How about Gailey? A guy fired from his last 2 jobs who was picked after every other signifcant candidate alerted Ralph that they were not interested?

 

We all understand that there were few UFAs worth breaking the bank for. But as others have pointed out, we have needs now that can be filled without a lot of money. Saying the team is going to be reconstructed almost solely through the draft for the next few years expecting the fans will quietly tolerate "2 or 3 years" more of losing football is incredibly naive.

 

The mid-tier free agent market is still on and will be going on up to the time teams make their final cuts.

 

Will the fans quietly tolerate "2 or 3 yerars"? They will if they see the team adding talent and playing at a higher and more entertaining level than they have been used to seeing. This team is not going to be a playoff caliber team for at least another few years, assuming the front office acts wisely. Being naive is someone who thinks that the turnaround is around the corner. You know that it isn't the case and most others who are realistic are aware of the status of this "rebuilding" team.

[manbeast]

Buddy Nix's formula to build his Buffalo Bills appears to be 98% draft, and only use Free Agency to "fill in gaps."

 

But wait a minute here. The Bills have huge gaps right now at tight end and wide receiver. They have plenty of money under the cap, right now. Yet Antonio Bryant and Ben Watson have just signed very reasonable contracts with other NFL teams, while Nix didn't even invite either one in for a visit. And please, don't reply to this post by telling me Antonio Bryant would not have been an improvement over Stevie Johnson or James Hardy. Or try to convince me that Shawn Nelson will become a better tight end this season then Ben Watson will be. Those arguments are laughable.

 

Now I'm thinking that Buddy Nix is more then just an old fashioned draft - first football guy. Now I'm thinking that Buddy Nix has a level of arrogance hiding beneath that "good ol" boy" exterior. Just becuase Watson and Bryant have had excellent seasons in the past, and they are well known (but certainly not "super stars") - he won't bring them in? He seems to be selecting more "unknown - under the radar" free agents to talk to and possibly sign, like Green and now this visit by Jimmy Kennedy. Is he taking his "personnel expertise" a bit too seriously? Who knows?

 

The one thing I do know is that if Nix would have signed both Bryant and Watson, every Bills fan would feel better about our 2010 team, and not one single Bills fan would be accusing him of "breaking the salary cap bank stupidly".

We have a gap at TE? When did we trade Nelson and Schouman.