2011 Buffalo Bills offseason pending free agents

by Steve

I took solace in watching a decent Superbowl where neither quarterback really impressed me and neither defense excelled. The Buffalo Bills are far away from making the playoffs let alone winning the Superbowl, However they aren't worlds away like we all sort of think. A great defensive player attained in the draft, some of the previous season's busts become unbusts, a QB who starts to gain confidence, the coaching staff doesn't cost the team wins and who knows they could win 9 or 10 games.

Breaking down this offseason, dissecting the pending FA's, seeking out FA's, the draft, etc etc is a multi-phased job, thank god you all have me. Let's start inside looking at what players are going to be restricted and unrestricted free agents.

Buffalo Bills 2011 free agents (age in parenthesis):
Safety George Wilson (29)
Safety Donte Whitner (25)
Safety Jon Corto (25)
Cornerback Ashton Youboty (25)
Cornerback Drayton Florence (29)
Linebacker Paul Posluszny (25)
Linebacker Keith Ellison (26)
Linebacker John McCargo (27)
Linebacker Akin Ayodele (31)
Quarterback Brian Brohm (24) RFA
Running back Quinton Ganther (26)
Offensive guard Kraig Urbik (25) RFA
Offensive guard Mansfield Wrotto (26) RFA

If the average fan of any of the other 31 National Football League teams came across that list how many players would they even know, let alone think about signing? Two, three at most?

Donte Whitner wants to get paid and rightfully so. He is a so so player entering free agency in the prime of his football life in a weak safety FA pool. This will be his last big contract because he just isn't good enough to garner a third big one. The Bills seemingly low balled #20 some time in November or December and that pissed him off. Oh well. Who knows maybe he won't find the riches he thinks he deserves on the open market and comes crawling back, not likely but still a slight possibility. I'd give him at most $4.5 -$5 mill per and that is generous.

"The senator" George Wilson should be brought back. Again he may be seeking more than he deserves but he should be cheapish and was a decent guy/player in a Bills uniform. Over pay a little if you have to but not more than 3-4 years $5 - $9 mil. Let's not forget he was a loser undersized wide receiver a couple seasons ago.

Drayton Florence was adequate at his position last year. He is no #1 but he makes plays and gives up plays. Does he deserve a raise over the 2 years $6.6 mil he got in 2008? Maybe a slight bump and/or add a year for inflation. Unless (oh god no) they are entertaining the disgusting idea of drafting Patrick Peterson out of LSU at #3.

Paul Posluszny is a decent player coming off a rookie contract he actually played up to. 4 years $4.75+ mill is pretty good considering some of the stiffs the Bills have drafted the last 10 years. He is obviously not a game changing beast that many thought he could be. You don't build around a player like Pos unless you want to be a loser. However, he can be a key cog in a defense. I think, based on zero real information, Posluszny wants to stay here. However does he deserve Gary Brackett money 5 years $33 mil? Chisel $6-$10 mil off that and I'll talk turkey.

Ashton Youboty I can live with or without, he should be cheap either way.
Corto meh
Ellison peace
Ayodele nice knowing you I guess
McCargo adios, any chance we get some of that cash back?
Brohm sorry bro its a no go, good luck in the UFL
Ganther good bye
Wrotto/Mansfield bring back