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Report: Bills and Johnson Far Apart in Contract Talks

February 19th, 2012

Matt Loede

Posted in 2012 Free Agency, News

A person familiar with contract talks between the Bills and Stevie Johnson says the two sides remain “far apart,” and adds that the receiver doesn’t expect the team to use its franchise tag to retain him.

The person spoke with The Associated Press on Sunday on the condition of anonymity because talks are ongoing.

Johnson and the Bills exchanged offers last week, and the two sides are scheduled to meet at the NFL combine in Indianapolis this week.

Johnson has led the Bills in receiving in each of the past two seasons and is eligible to become a free agent next month. Starting Monday, NFL teams can begin using a franchise tag to retain the rights of their prospective free agents.

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Bills and Johnson Talking Contract

February 16th, 2012

Matt Loede

Posted in 2012 Free Agency, News

The Bills and the C.J. LaBoy, the agent for wide receiver Steve Johnson, have exchanged proposals on a contract extension, Rodney McKissic of The Buffalo News reports.

McKissic adds that LaBoy and the Bills will meet during the 2012 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis to continue discussions.

A 2008 seventh-round pick out of Kentucky, Johnson had a breakout season in 2010, catching 82 passes for 1,073 yards and 10 touchdowns. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound wideout followed that up with 76 receptions for 1,004 yards and seven touchdowns in 2011.

Johnson joined Eric Moulds as the only Bills receivers to have at least 75 receptions in consecutive seasons. He also became the first Bills receiver in the franchise’s 52-year history to post back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons.

Last off-season, Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes signed a five-year, $45 million contract with $24 million in full or partial guarantees. Sidney Rice received a five-year, $41 million contract with $18.5 million in full or partial guarantees, and Johnson could expect to receive a contract in that vicinity.

If a long-term contract cannot be reached, the franchise tag for a wide receiver is projected to be worth around $9.5 million in 2012.

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Bills Move From a 6th to a 5th Round Pick From Seattle For Lynch

February 15th, 2012

Matt Loede

Posted in News

The Bills announced that the conditional 2012 sixth-round draft choice they received from the Seahawks for running back Marshawn Lynch has increased to a fifth-round pick.

Lynch was moved to the Seahawks in October 2010 in exchange for a 2011 fourth-round pick and the conditional sixth-round selection in 2012. The Bills used the 2011 pick on offensive tackle Chris Hairston.

In 27 games with the Seahawks, Lynch has 450 attempts for 1,777 yards with 18 touchdowns, earning Pro Bowl honors following his 1,204-yard and 12-touchdown season in 2011.

The Bills also picked up an additional fourth-round pick in 2012 from the Ravens in the Lee Evans trade.

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Bills to Get a Visit from Free Agent CB Stanford Routt

February 10th, 2012

Matt Loede

Posted in 2012 Free Agency, News

Free agent cornerback Stanford Routt has visits lined up with the Bills and Titans, but the Cowboys, Vikings and Chiefs have reached out to express interest in the veteran cornerback.

As of now, no official visits have been scheduled with those three clubs.

A native of Austin, Texas who played his college ball at the University of Houston, the 28-year-old Routt spent much of his first five seasons in a reserve role before starting 30 of 32 games over the last two seasons, totaling 104 tackles, six interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown, with 28 passes defensed.

The Raiders signed Routt to a three-year, $31 million contract prior to last year’s lockout that included $20 million in guarantees.

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Bills Terminate the Contract of Veteran Safety Jon Corto

February 9th, 2012

Matt Loede

Posted in Roster Moves

The Bills have terminated the contract of veteran safety Jon Corto.

As a vested veteran, Corto is not subject to waivers.

Signed by the Bills as an undrafted free agent out of Sacred Heart in 2007, the Orchard Park, New York native has 37 tackles has 43 games, including 27 on special teams. Corto signed a two-year, $1.295 million contract extension just before the lockout, but spent last season on injured reserve.

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Bills Free Agents for 2012 – Who Should Stay and Who Should Go?

February 8th, 2012

Matt Loede

Posted in 2012 Free Agency, Features, News

Now that the 2011 season is officially over following the Super Bowl, now we can all look ahead to free agency.

The Bills have a number of players that will be unrestricted come March 13th when they can sign with other teams. You can see the complete list below, and give your thoughts about what players the team should keep, and what ones they could let go.

Exclusive Rights Free Agents (2)

RB Bruce Hall
K Brandon Coutu

Restricted Free Agents (2)

OL Chad Rinehart
OL Kraig Urbik

Unrestricted Free Agents (13)

RB Tashard Choice
WR Derek Hagan
WR Steve Johnson
WR Ruvell Martin
WR Roscoe Parrish
TE Scott Chandler
OT Demetrius Bell
LB Andra Davis
LB Kirk Morrison
LB Reggie Torbor
CB Reggie Corner
S Bryan Scott
K Dave Rayner

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Andre Reed Again Snubbed For the Hall of Fame

February 4th, 2012

Matt Loede

Posted in News, Opinions

Another year, another year of frustration for Andre Reed.

The best Bills WR of all-time was again Saturday passed over for the honor of going into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Reed made the final 10, but didn’t get the call, joining fellow WR’s Cris Carter and Tim Brown as great wide outs to be left off the list.

“I believe Andre Reed belongs in the Hall of Fame,” said former Bills coach Marv Levy. “Now that’s one voice speaking, but I know his teammates would all say it very strongly. I don’t believe there’s ever been anyone better at yards after catch than Andre. And as a self-effacing, modest, hard-working, always-prepared individual that makes me root for him even more.”

Reed wrapped up his playing career with 13,198 yards on 951 catches, as well as scoring 87 touchdowns. He ranks in the all-time top 10 in receptions and receiving yards and is 11th in career touchdown receptions.

He was the best WR on a team that made four straight Super Bowls, and has the second-most receptions in Super Bowl history behind Jerry Rice and is third in all-time Super Bowl receiving yards.

If he’s being punished for the Bills not winning one of those four Super Bowls, it’s not his fault, nor should he be kept out of the Hall because of it.

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