OnTheRocks Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL+Z...rts/default.htm Buffalo Overview: When they look back at this season, the Bills will be proud of the fact that they bounced back from a 2-5 start to get into the playoff picture before finishing with a 7-9 record. The players responded well to the leadership of head coach Dick Jauron, particularly QB J.P. Losman, who made positive strides in his first full season as the starter. With GM Marv Levy stocking the team with self-motivated, high-character players, the team played hard despite its limitations. Turning point: The Bills regrouped during their Week Eight bye week, reshuffling the offensive line to try to better protect Losman. The revamped line was a revelation in the second half of the season, with Jason Peters emerging as one of the most promising left tackles in the NFL and Losman getting time to prove he was a worthy NFL starter. The Bills won 5-of-7 games after the bye to get into playoff contention, before losing their last two games. Rookie/free-agent recap: Rookies made a huge contribution on the defensive side of the ball and give the Bills reasons for optimism. Safeties Donte Whitner and Ko Simpson started 15 games together and should be a trusted tandem for years to come. DT Kyle Williams and OLB Keith Ellison were revelations and also look to be starting material going forward. DT John McCargo was injured early and lost for the season. The team’s top free-agent signee, DT Larry Tripplett, was a disappointment, as was S Matt Bowen, who was hurt much of the year. Offensively, the Bills got solid production from free-agent C Melvin Fowler, TE Robert Royal and WR Peerless Price. Offseason outlook: This is a relatively young team that needs help at cornerback after likely losing free agent Nate Clements, who appears to have priced himself out of the Bills’ range, and MLB London Fletcher, who could be expendable as the team looks to improve its run defense by getting bigger up the middle at defensive tackle and middle linebacker. Other priorities include a No. 2 wide receiver with field-stretching ability and depth on the offensive line. The team will reportedly be $35 million to $40 million under the cap, so it will be able to address its needs both via free agency and the draft. Recap of free-agent moves UFAs — QB Shane Matthews. RFAs — None unsigned. Re-signings — FFA CB Nate Clements, May 5 (one-year, $7.2 million franchise tender); RFA WR Sam Aiken, March 28; UFA DE Ryan Denney, March 23 (four years); UFA WR Josh Reed, March 17; RFA LB Mario Haggan, March 17; UFA LS Mike Schneck, March 14; UFA OG-OT Greg Jerman, March 13; potential RFA LB Josh Stamer, March 10. Key additions — LB Courtney Watson/ex-Saint, June 6 (acquired from Saints for TE Tim Euhus); UFA RB Anthony Thomas/ex-Saint, April 28 (one year); UFA OG Tutan Reyes/ex-Panther, April 27; WR Peerless Price/ex-Cowboy, April 10 (four years, more than $10 million); UFA CB Kiwaukee Thomas/ex-Dolphin, April 5; OG-OT Aaron Gibson/ex-Bear, April 5; UFA C Melvin Fowler/ex-Viking, March 21;UFA QB Craig Nall/ex-Packer, March 20; S Matt Bowen/ex-Redskin, March 16; UFA WR André Davis, March 12; UFA DT Larry Tripplett/ex-Colt, March 11 (five years, $18 million, $5.5 million SB); UFA TE Robert Royal/ex-Redskin, March 11 (five years, $10 million, $2.5 million SB); P Chris Mohr/ex-Redskin, Feb. 17. Key departures — OG Bennie Anderson, June 9 (cut); TE Tim Euhus, June 6 (traded to Saints for LB Courtney Watson); UFA C Trey Teague, April 12 (to Jets); WR Eric Moulds, April 5 (traded to Texans for 2006 fifth-round draft choice); UFA DT Ron Edwards, March 30 (to Chiefs); UFA DT Justin Bannan, March 12 (to Ravens); DT Sam Adams, TE Mark Campbell and S Lawyer Milloy, March 2 (all cut); OT Mike Williams, Feb. 24 (cut). Notes — Bills signed Bears RFA DE Israel Idonije to five-year, $8 million contract with $1.8 million signing bonus, March 18. Bears matched offer, March 22. … Bills signed RFA OG Reggie Wells to a five-year, $17.6 million offer sheet, with a $3 million signing bonus and a $2 million guaranteed roster bonus, March 17. Cardinals matched offer, March 21. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheRocks Posted February 12, 2007 Author Share Posted February 12, 2007 The team’s top free-agent signee, DT Larry Tripplett, was a disappointment is this general consensus on this board? i would not have thought Tripplett was a disappointment at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperBills12 Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 did anyone notice this part? Notes — Bills signed Bears RFA DE Israel Idonije to five-year, $8 million contract with $1.8 million signing bonus, March 18. Bears matched offer, March 22. … Bills signed RFA OG Reggie Wells to a five-year, $17.6 million offer sheet, with a $3 million signing bonus and a $2 million guaranteed roster bonus, March 17. Cardinals matched offer, March 21. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheRocks Posted February 12, 2007 Author Share Posted February 12, 2007 did anyone notice this part? Notes — Bills signed Bears RFA DE Israel Idonije to five-year, $8 million contract with $1.8 million signing bonus, March 18. Bears matched offer, March 22. … Bills signed RFA OG Reggie Wells to a five-year, $17.6 million offer sheet, with a $3 million signing bonus and a $2 million guaranteed roster bonus, March 17. Cardinals matched offer, March 21. yes...they signed both players to offer sheets and the team holding their rights matched the offers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marauderswr80 Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Tripplett was not a disapointment, however, he didnt show what he could have for the price we paid him! But, it could be product of the system! I think he needs another year before we will know if it was a good signing or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvermike Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 P Chris Mohr/ex-Redskin, Feb. 17. Really? I didn't notice that. One-day retirement contract or something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buftex Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Really? I didn't notice that. One-day retirement contract or something? That is strange...I would have thought he retired a few years ago...maybe a favor from Marv? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 Really? I didn't notice that. One-day retirement contract or something? That's what I'm guessing. Odd, though -- that doesn't show up anywhere in the official transactions on bb.com. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts