Time To Pay The Bills

[mfbmike]

Bills Use Franchise Tag On Stroud; Mckelvin, Mcgee, Evans Re-Signed



The Buffalo Bills have told league sources that they intend to use the franchise tag on Pro Bowl defensive tackle Marcus Stroud.

Once tagged, he gets a one-year contract tender that pays him the average of the top five players at his position from the previous year, or 120% of his salary from the previous year, whichever is higher.

In Stroud's case, the average is higher, making his franchise tag salary $10.42 million.

"We are working on a long-term deal for Marcus," Bills general manager Russ Brandon said.

"As Marcus has said a number of times, he wants to stay in Buffalo," Brandon added "So he wants to get a long-term deal done here. That's what we're working toward. We'll see what happens."

"If they franchise me just to keep me here for one more year, I'd be disappointed with that," Stroud said. "I'd just have to prepare myself to be able to hit the market next year."

Bills Re-signings:

- DT Marcus Stroud to a 1 year deal worth $10.42M
- CB Leodis Mckelvin to a 2 year deal worth $26.32M
- CB Terrence Mcgee to a 3 year deal worth $21.16M
- WR Lee Evans to a 3 year deal worth $19.00M
- LT Eben Britton to a 5 year deal worth $51.60M
- P Brian Moorman to a 1 year deal worth $1.14M
- K Nick Folk to a 2 year deal worth $6.60M

Bills Release(s):

RG Mike Kormylo
FS Jairus Byrd
HB Fred Jackson
ROLB Kawika Mitchell
LG Adam Levitre
WR Roscoe Parrish
RT Geoff Hangartner
DT Spencer Johnson
HB Quinton Brown
QB Alex Smith
RE Alex Frink

[mfbmike]

They Say "One Man's Junk Is Another Man's Treasure"

- QB Ted Ford (83) signed to a 5 year deal worth $39.71M

Ford, 24, had an impressive rookie campaign in Washington throwing for 2,264 yards and 21 touchdowns. Surprisingly though, the team made little to no effort to retain him. Ford has spent the last two years of his career playing behind Matt Cassel and Peyton Manning in Kansas City and Indianapolis, respectively. We could see Ford challenging Trent Edwards for the starting QB spot before the year is over. At the very least, Ford appears to be an upgrade over Tarvaris Jackson.

- WR Willie Hollier (84) signed to a 6 year deal worth $38.94M

After catching 43 passes for 619 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2011, Hollier, 24, saw his numbers take a dip in 2012 and because of that, the Patriots allowed him to test free agency waters. You aren't going to catch many passes when you have guys like Randy Moss, Wes Welker and the emerging Brandon Tate in front of you on the depth chart. Hollier (90 SPD) provides the Bills with the speed they were looking for out of the slot. At 6'1", Hollier has also shown the ability to get up and bring passes in.

- ROLB Julian Burse (86) signed to a 5 year deal worth $35.93M

With the departure of Kawika Mitchell to free agency and Keith Brooking to retirement, the Bills came into free agency hoping to fill a gaping hole at the ROLB position. Evander Grimble and Adreian Bell are capable outside linebackers for the Bills already but don't seem to be quite ready just yet. Burse, 24, is coming off an impressive sophomore campaign in which he tallied up 72 tackles and 6 sacks in Indianapolis. At this point, noone is quite sure why the Colts allowed Burse to walk, but the Bills were quick to jump at the opportunity and beat out San Francisco and Tampa Bay in the bidding wars for him..

Around The League 2013 Free Agency Recap

Notable Signings:

- DT Casey Hampton (89) - 3yr/$20.86M deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars
- CB Alphonso Smith (87) - 6yr/$47.40M deal with the Chicago Bears
- C Max Unger (86) - 6yr/$37.95M deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars
- LG Rich Seubert (86) - 3yr/$16.41M deal with the New York Giants
- RG Mike Kormylo (86) - 6yr/$32.64M deal with the Denver Broncos
- RT Phil Loadholt (84) - 5yr/$33.90M deal with the Chicago Bears
- RE Lawrence Jackson (83) - 5yr/$29.15M deal with the Arizona Cardinals
- SS Michael Mitchell (82) - 5yr/$28.33M deal with the Houston Texans
- LG Caleb White (82) - 4yr/$20.93M deal with the Washington Redskins
- ROLB Tharold Lewis (81) - 4yr/$13.60M deal with the Atlanta Falcons
- LG Mike Wahle (81) - 2yr/$10.62M deal with the Oakland Raiders
- WR X'zavious Hewitt (81) - 5yr/$24.25M deal with the Atlanta Falcons
- HB Normando Hill (80) - 5yr/$23.93M deal with the San Francisco 49ers
- RG Jelan Woodson (80) - 4yr/$20.16M deal with the Chicago Bears
- FB T.J. Hurley (80) - 3yr/$3.60M deal with the Houston Texans

FS Jairus Byrd (81), DT Ronald Fields (80), QB Brady Quinn (79), TE Todd Heap (78) have not been signed yet by any team.

[mfbmike]

Damn dude, you start to see a lot of the Madden generated players when you get in this far. fuck. lol.

WR X'zavious Hewitt. What a name.

lol yep, exactly.

[Vinsane]

Damn, solid FA if you ask me. I'm eager to see what Ted Ford can do for you.

[mfbmike]

2013 Draft



The Bills announced today that they have signed the following players to rookie contracts.

RE Mike Laporte- 6'2" 265lbs. Baylor (72 OVR, A POT)
HB Leon Sweetwater - 6'0" 210lbs. Michigan (79 OVR, A POT)
RG Connor Upersesa - 6'3" 308lbs. UTEP (74 OVR, B POT)
RT A.J. Corker - 6'6" 312lbs. Syracuse (70 OVR, A POT)
HB Kevin Collins - 6'0" 240lbs. Davidson (73 OVR, B POT)
DT Austin Carter - 6'2" 320lbs. Jacksonv. St. (49 OVR, D POT)
LE Andrew Brandon - 6'2" 259lbs. Kansas (44 OVR, F POT)

This wraps up offseason.

[mfbmike]

2013 Buffalo Bills Depth Chart Released

Quarterback:

1. Trent Edwards (83)
2. Ted Ford (83)
2. Tarvaris Jackson (73)

Halfback:

1. Marshawn Lynch (90)
2. Leon Sweetwater (79)
3. Kevin Collins (73)

Fullback:

1. Quinn Johnson (83)

Wide Receiver:

1. Lee Evans (85)
2. Davone Bess (85)
3. Willie Hollier (84)
4. Seantrel Blakely (75)
5. Mike Thomas (71)

Tight End:

1. Shawn Nelson (82)
2. Jermichael Finley (81)

Offensive Line:

LT Eben Britton (89), Mike Havenstein (77)
LG Adrian Mckendrick (90), A.J. Corker (76)
C Eric Wood (85)
RG Jeremy Zuttah (85), Levi Jones (77)
RT Lemar Springs (88)

Defensive Line:

LE Aaron Maybin (86)
DT Marcus Stroud (92)
DT Joshawn Parker (90), Taylor Brooks (76)
RE Mike Tolliver (95), Mike Laporte (72)

Linebacker Core:

LOLB Clint Ingram (85), Evander Grimble (81)
MLB Paul Posluszny (88), Eilar Jay (76)
ROLB Julian Burse (86), Adreian Bell (81)

Cornerback:

1. Leodis Mckelvin (90)
2. Thedore West (86)
3. Terrence Mcgee (83)
4. Onaje Asante (81)

Safety:

SS Pe'shon Parker (89), Donte Whitner (86)
FS Tai-Ler Bernard (87), Courtney Greene (70)

Special Teams:

K Nick Folk (96)
P Brian Moorman (89)
KR/PR Mike Thomas (94)

[Lumpkin]

looks like you got a hell of a future RB in Sweetwater

[mfbmike]

Edwards To Fight Ford For The Control Button



For the first time in over 4 years, Trent Edwards will have to fight for his spot as the Bills starting quarterback.

After going down with an injury midway through last season, Tarvaris Jackson showed he was capable of leading the team to wins, despite pulling a massive choke job in the wild card round of the playoffs.

This year, the Bills have signed QB Ted Ford to a deal and expect him to challenge Edwards for the #1 spot on the Bills depth chart at QB this preseason.

"My decision will come when I feel I have the information I need to make the best decision," Bills head coach Lovie Smith said. "A little competion never hurt noboby."

[CB4]

Solid FA I see you finally got a QB to compete with Edwards.

[mfbmike]

Sweetwater must be a beast, he went to Michigan. You're defense is deadly, but you're paying a kicker $6M? lulz.

For 2 years, 3M a year.

He's worth it dude. Trust me. When I had Rian Lindell, so many field goals fell short or went wide. Folk is automatic and his range extends out to 55,56 yards.

WHAT IF THE FATE OF AN ENTIRE SEASON RESTS ON HIS FOOT!?

great offseason man, getting a QB and RB of the future

I want Edwards to work out. I really do. But if this Ford guy comes in and kicks ass...then so be it.

I like what Lynch does for the team. He isn't going anywhere but a breakout, 2,000 yard rushing season would be nice. :D

[DJ Rhude]

LE Andrew Brandon - 6'2" 259lbs. Kansas (44 OVR, F POT)

This wraps up offseason.

44 ovr LOL.....wait why am I laughing, this guy would start for my squad

seriously tho, solid draft, Sweetwater looks like he may be a keeper

And this Ted Ford guy has me intrigued...I kinda hope he beats Edwards out....he had a solid season for a guy who was a backup for a few years.....maybe he might be the change you need to get over the playoff hump

[mfbmike]

Buffalo Bills 2013 Preseason Recap

20 vs. 21

16 vs 17

41 @ 31

31 @ 24

Preseason Final Record: (2-2)

[mfbmike]

Is Sweetwater a power or speed back? or both :rockwoot:

Speed back. 95 SPD rating.

Haha, I'm hitting 56 yarders with Steven Hauschka, and he's getting paid about a mill a year. Not that accurate though

Folk is rated 96, he's like the best kicker in the game. I don't mind splurging a little. I probably could've signed him to a much longer deal and get him cheaper in the long run but meh, 2 years came up by default, offered it to him, he bit.

[mfbmike]

The Verdict Is In! Edwards To Retain Starting Job



Bills head coach Lovie Smith has announced that the team will head into the 2013 season with Trent Edwards at the helm.

In 4 preseason games, Edwards threw for 455 yards/3TD/2INT while Ted Ford threw for 256 yards/4TD/3INT.

The determining factor...Edwards completed 60% of his passes. On the other hand, Ford completed only 45%.

The Bills managed to wrap up the 2013 preseason with a final record of 2-2.

Despite Edwards winning the position battle, don't be surprised to see Ford inserted into the starting lineup if Edwards starts to slip this year.

[mfbmike]

Buffalo Bills 2013/2014 Schedule Released