Bills Ink Nick Barnett

The Bills have agreed to a 3 year, $12M deal ($6M guaranteed) with former Green Bay Packers' linebacker Nick Barnett.

At first glance, this sounded like a great signing and a definite upgrade at inside linebacker. Although still an upgrade over Torbor and Andra Davis, it is likely that Barnett's best years are behind him. He turned 30 in May.

He was drafted in the first round in 2003 by Green Bay. He had over 100 tackles in each of his first 5 seasons including 9 interceptions. He has had injury problems in 2 of the last 3 seasons. Barnett played only 9 games in 2008 with a torn ACL and only 4 games in 2010 with a wrist injury. Barnett joins Merriman as former all pro players hoping to resurrect themselves in Buffalo.

Starting linebackers for 2011: Marriman, Davis, Barnett, Kelsay. Could be worse, I guess.

Arthur Moats practicing at ILB

by Steve

So the Buffalo Bills replacement of Paul Posluszny is... Arthur Moats?!!? Does this make any damn sense at all? I know the team is cheap and no one (who isn't over paid) wants to come here but moving Moats, who seemed to sort of maybe kind of, starting to come into his own on the outside move inside?

Maybe this is just a blip in the training camp radar and there just aren't enough ILBs ready to fully practice. Or the football people who actually get paid are smarter than me(doubt it). Either way bring in another god damn ILB and keep Moats at his natural position.

In other news per bb.com:

Bills GM Buddy Nix said back in 2009 in preparation for the draft that spring they had Eric Wood, Andy Levitre and Kraig Urbik ranked as the top three guards in the class. Now they have all three.

draft pick jersey number assignments.
Dareus 99 Williams 23
Sheppard 55 Searcy 25
Hairston 75 J. White 35
C. White 50 Rogers 42
Jasper 69

and

Here’s the starting ‘D’ in today’s walk through.

DL – Dareus, Williams, Edwards
LB – Kelsay, Torbor, Davis, Merriman
CB – McGee, McKelvin
S – Wilson, Byrd

Next on the list: LB Kevin Burnett

by Steve
fail********* he signed with the dolphins****
The most glaring needs for the Bills while still shopping in free agency are linebacker and offensive tackle. The Bills whiffed on Tyson Clabo when he decided to stick with his previous team so it is now time to move down the list: former SD linebacker Kevin Burnett.

The Bills are reportedly one of five teams courting the 28 year old 6'3 240 pound inside linebacker. According to rotoworld the 5th best free agent ILB is a long shot to return to the Chargers with a $5 mil+ asking price.

The question is would Burnett seriously consider player for the Bills AND is he worth $5 mil per season. I say why not, especially since he would be cheaper than Posluszny and statistically had a better season AND has had a better career. The scrubs over at WGR think they'll be meeting in a "day or two" although the Dolphins are currently visiting with Burnett which doesn't seem to bode well for the Bills.

OBD we need something, step yo game up.

Tyson Clabo NOT to the Bufflao Bills

update*******
FAIL, Falcons signed him ****

Nothing is official yet per Atlanta Journal Constitution
Nftdraftupdate: Just talked to Tyson Clabo. He said. "We're still talking, D. Led. I'll definitely no something tomorrow." - D. Orlando Ledbetter

And our boys at QCS:

Update: Tyson Clabo is now saying a decision is coming tomorrow. It’s being said he wants to see if Atlanta changes their mind on their stance on the offer for him. Clabo has openly stated that he wants to remain a Falcon, but Buffalo’s deal is the better deal now.

Atlanta and Clabo were said to be far apart, Buffalo has offered Clabo more money and years, and we are being told that the only way Clabo doesn’t sign in Buffalo is if the Falcons change their stance. Which I’m being told is unlikely, although he is giving them the opportunity to match.

Tyson Clabo for those who do not know:

Walterfootball has him ranked as the #5 free agent tackle (he plays RT).

29 years old 6'6 331 coming off a pro bowl season (voted in as starter) and has played in all 16 games the last two seasons.

Bills ink WR/KR Brad Smith 4 years $15 mil

by Steve

Hmm, another kick returner is obviously the first thought that went through my head when I got the "Brad Smith 4 years $15 mil" text. My next thought was wait 'is that is the dude that seemingly murdered us every time we played against the Jets last season'?

He does seem to be saying all the right things, but who wouldn't after getting over paid to return kicks and throw a pass once every season or so? Alright so he is another interesting piece on an offense that still needs to greatly improve. But does he take the roster spot of another young receiver with potential? Does he take away touches from CJ Spiller?

I see this signing as a positive for Mr. Bust jr Spiller. First, we won't have to hold our breath every time he runs 40 mph into jacked dudes running 30 mph right into him. And secondly, putting Smith out there in odd formations (ie the wildcat) with Spiller also in the back field could be very interesting. Both dudes have talent and skill, combine them and figure out how to harness that skill and we could have a Ricky Williams/Ronnie Brown scenario cooking. Then you really have a stew goin on.

I'm just trying to take a slightly different look at this mediocre at best signing. Anger may take over my opinion if no big dudes on the offensive line or defensive front seven are brought it of course. But for now I'll give Nix the benefit of the doubt that they just want another piece on offense for defenses to game plan around.

Buffalo Bills talking with Tyson Clabo RT

Per the Atlanta Journal Constitution the Bills are talking turkey with former Falcons right tackle Tyson Clabo. Walter Football has him ranked the 5th best tackle heading into free agency.

Also read more at Buffalo Rumblings.

Paul Posluszny signing with Jacksonville?

Per PFT and confirmed by NFL.com writer Jason La Canfora:

Jay Glazer of FOX writes via Twitter that Paul Posluszny will sign with the Jaguars.

Losing Posluszny would be a big blow to the Bills defense, who already struggles against the run. The move could also signal that Kirk Morrison won’t return to the Jaguars.

UPDATE: Jason La Canfora reports Posluszny will join the Jaguars on a six-year deal.

Surprising but not shocking, this wouldn't be a huge blow considering "Poz" is the personification of mediocre but it does create another hole for the Bills

-steve