The Buffalo Bills and Free Agency 2013

by Steve

Fifteen hours and counting (down) until the 2013 NFL Free Agency period begins and lucky for you I'm here to tell you not just what to think but what the Bills should actually do.

First, negotiate a buyout of Ryan Fitzpatrick and severely restructure his contract.  He and it are an albatross. $10 mil for maybe a back up? Ouch.  Next Cut Brad Smith, he does nothing.

Next identify the needs, QB (not possible via FA doubtful via trade), LB, WR, TE, G, CB, S, DE in that order.  The Bills (after that rather questionable Leodis McKelvin contract) have about $14 mil ish available to spend (not counting $5 mil for rookies).  So clearly they will not be big players.

Linebackers
Regards of who replaces the linebackers from the 2012 team it will be an upgrade.  Holy shit it is not possible this team gets worse.  So I'll take anyone.

Paul Kruger will be way to expensive so scratch that.

James Harrison is old but still seemingly a beast.  He may sacrifice winning for one last pay day so that is the only reason I give the Bills even a chance at keeping him.  It's not likely but the conversation is worth having.

Connor Barwin could be a value signing with such a bad 2012.  Do the Bills want another cast off from the Texans defense though?

Shaun Phillips is borderline old but I've always liked him.  Depending on the price I'm interested.

Manny Lawson anyone?  He has great size at 6-5 and will be 29 when the season starts.  Frankly, I'll take anyone from the Bengals defense (which is weird to say).

Keith Rivers has only played 26 games total the last two seasons and will be on his third team in three years before the age of 27.  He could be cheap for a former top 10 pick.

Quentin Groves, the former Raider and Cardinal and Jaguar has bounced all around the league.  Jim Rome loves him because he can rap and he will be affordable. Plus he's only 28.

As far as ILBs go, there isn't much. I like Ellerbe all season but only because he was cheap as an undrafted FA.  At this point he'll be looking for a huge pay day and won't be in the Bills budget. Rey Maualuga is still young and has pedigree but why aren't the Bengals keeping him?


Wide Receivers
Not interested in any of the "big" names but this team needs a legit #1 receiver.  Then again they need just about any receiver.

Ramses Barden 6-6 from the Giants.  True they have a great QB and a bunch of great WRs so that helps and hurts barden as far as touches and pass coverage.  He doesn't have great stats but his size is intriguing.   Probably will be cheap too.

Brandon Gibson is young and may get a little more than he deserves but I wouldn't hate the idea. 6-0 and killed the Bills season basically last year. I'm interested.

Jerome Simpson 6-2 190, I thought he was bigger but he is interesting.  The guy is a major pot head and had a down year in Minnesota albeit the QB play wasn't very impressive.  Could be a value signing.

Domenik Hixon is some what on my radar too but again only 6-2.  This team needs a big beast and the only option might be the draft, ugh.


Tight End
Jared Cook
The Bills should have drafted this dude a few years ago.  He sounds like a bit of a bitch and may want more money than he is worth.  The talent is there but is he worth the other shit?

Martellus Bennett
Probably out of the Bills price range but he is a play maker. 6-6 265 is also ideal.  Was he a product of the Giants offense though?

Brandon Myers is a one year wonder.  It will be interesting to see how much of a contract he gets but if he can be productive with Carson Palmer he has to have some talent.

Delanie Walker, jack of all trades, is not a good enough offensive threat for me.  Same goes for Anthony Fasano. Dante Rosario could be cheap.


In conclusion, try and sign James Harrison Jared Cook Shaun Phillips Dom Hixon and Jerome Simpson.  Find some guard on a practice squad again like last time and some other big WR.  Move bust Arron Williams to safety and sign Kyle Moore. Oh and fire Buddy Nix.