(NOTE: This article was written by Brian Bund. However, the site was acting weird so I posted it)
What I would do if I were Buddy Nix once free agency/CBA opens up:
1. I would re-sign Paul Posluszny. The Bills made the selection of Kelvin Sheppard to build depth at the linebacker position, not to be the cornerstone. By pairing Sheppard and Posluszny together, you get two smart, instinctive players, who may not possess elite athleticism, but will more often than not make the right play. Losing Posluszny would be adding pressure onto Sheppard, while hurting some of the progress that the entire defense made through the draft. The linebacking core of Merriman/Posluszny/Sheppard/Kelsay/Coleman/Batten/Moats could be a substantial improvement over 2010.
2a. Find a backup for Ryan Fitzpatrick. There are a lot of viable options in this year’s free agent class that would be suitable. Tyler Thigpen, Tarvaris Jackson, Drew Stanton and others would be serviceable, but they can not jeopardize Fitzpatrick’s position on the team. Some of the available players will be determined based on whether or not the league reverts back to 2010 rules, but the Bills should be able to get a viable option.
2b. I would re-sign Ryan Fitzpatrick now. I think the Bills will do this because they don’t want to have Fitzpatrick build off of last year’s performance and then possibly dictate more on the free agent market. I would try to get him for a three year extension and address the quarterback position in next year’s draft. There will be a rookie wage scale for next year’s draft class, which should minimize the financial impact for drafting a quarterback, meaning that a little more money can be invested in Fitzpatrick. A three year extension would allow him to start in 2012, and then have the rookie sit on the bench and then start in 2013 or 2014. In a perfect world, this would create an Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees situation that would allow the Bills to sit their young quarterback for one, if not two years.
3. Re-sign Drayton Florence and cut Terrance McGee. This is easier said than done, because you already have one signed to decent money and the other is going to look for the best available contract. However, McGee’s inability to stay on the field is detrimental to the secondary. With the focus on the secondary in the draft, the Bills are trying to reposition their depth chart anyways. If you can’t re-sign Florence, keeping McGee and/or signing another free agent may be the force play to maintain the secondary.
4. Look to upgrade the tight end position. The Bills passed on several opportunities to upgrade the position through the draft, however, there is a respectable pool of free agents at the position that include Zach Miller (Raiders), Kevin Boss (NYG), Matt Spaeth (Steelers) and others, including Robert Royal (kidding….seriously I’m kidding). None of these are your elite pass catching tight ends (except Zach Miller), but should fit in with the Bills plan of dual purpose tight ends that should not break the bank. I wouldn’t expect the Bills to be a huge player in the free agency market at all. So, upgrading this position would be a place they could be a player in.
5. As obvious as it sounds, they have to part ways with Donte Whitner. I have a hard time knocking Whitner as much as some people, because he’s a decent safety. However, like many people on the Bills roster: He’s good, but not great. The problem is that he thinks he is great. The Bills drafted Da’Norris Searcy and have George Wilson, who can play strong safety and if needed, both could be used as a free safety. I’m not sure how they’ll manage to do it, but I think the Bills would easily take some form of a draft pick to part ways with Whitner should he return to the Bills with the league reverting back to the 2010 rules.
6. Consider extending Stevie Johnson’s contract. The Bills have several talented young wide receivers and Stevie Johnson led them all in 2010. However, re-signing him after one breakout season, possesses some risk. However, letting his contract expire after a second breakout season is even riskier. By no means should the Bills overpay Johnson, but it is at least something I would consider.
7. Definitely extend Kyle Williams contract. The Bills are building a young front seven and need someone like Williams to lead the group. He is your typical lunch-pail toting professional, who can help teach young pros how to be pros. His work ethic and play are things that coaches can only preach, but having him there to mentor some of these young players will be imperative to the team’s development. Oh yeah, he’s pretty good too.
Last word: Obviously, this is a pretty boring offseason plan for the Bills, but they have stated over and over again that they are building through the draft. So, I wouldn’t expect them to be in the market for a big named player for any position. Even as I said, I would be for potentially upgrading the tight end position, but the team is going to operate out of a lot of spread formations, which allow Fitzpatrick the freedom to make his own reads. Because of that, I don’t have my heart set on them doing much there. However, looking at the roster, it is one of the few real holes that I think a starter could be brought into. I believe that the Bills think they have their starting offensive line and front seven already in place. They may add depth, but not much else. There are a few holes in the secondary at cornerback, but they also have several ways to go about addressing those holes.
I do hope that the Bills are proactive in trying to resign their key free agents for next year (IE: Johnson and Fitzpatrick). I would be shocked if they don’t extend Fitzpatrick by at least two years and I think he’d be smart to ask for that third year.
I do think this team is at the point where they are a player or two away from really competing for playoff spots, although the division presents a big problem. If Dareus can play like a top 3 pick and the Bills OLBs get pressure on the QB, then this defense can be dangerous. On offense, if Stevie Johnson & company can provide play-making ability, I think this team is closer than some might think, but still not quite there yet. Nonetheless, I am excited about the trip to get there.
Twitter: @brianbund
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