Two Bills Drive

‘Price’s exit gave Buffalo the cap space to pursue defensive help. The Bills’ immediate target was Spikes. They want him to replace 33-year-old Eddie Robinson as the starting right outside linebacker.’

‘The Bengals still have seven days to determine whether or not to match the six-year, $30 million-plus offer sheet Spikes received from the Bills and keep him in the fold. But Friday’s moves were a strong indication that Cincinnati was prepared to let its best defensive player walk and stock its roster with athletes who wanted to be a part of the team’s effort to pull itself out of the muck.’

‘Spikes has led the Bengals in tackles in four of his five seasons in the National Football League. Cincinnati named Spikes its transition player last month, allowing them to match any contract offer he receives.’

In a move that indicates the Bengals won’t match the Bills’ offer to Takeo Spikes, the agent for Cowboys linebacker Kevin Hardy said Friday night his client has agreed in principle to a four-year deal in Cincinnati.

Buffalo is believed to have offered Spikes a six-year deal that gives him more guaranteed money than Brooking’s $11.2 million, and a contract that gives him more than Brooking’s $17.4 million over the first three years of the deal.

‘Sure, the Falcons surrendered their first-round draft pick to Buffalo, but when you’re drafting 23rd tell me where you find a wide receiver to step in and make an immediate difference. You don’t.’

‘The contract, negotiated by agent Todd France over a two-day period, is for six years and believed to be worth about $32 million. Spikes will earn over $17 million in the first three years of the contract.’

‘"I’m more than a deep threat. If given the opportunity I feel I can take a five-yard slant the distance also."’

‘Asked how serious he was about joining the Bills, Spikes said: “Yeah, I would not have come if it weren’t for real.”’

‘"We could have put together an offer sheet even if we didn’t make the trade, but yes there is more room (under the cap)," Bills general manager Tom Donahoe said after tendering the offer sheet.’

"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.”