Bruener Impressed: Mark Bruener spoke to the media after his free agent visit today. He said this is his first ever free agent visit and it was a great opportunity to see familiar faces like Mike Mularkey, Tom Clements, and Tom Donahoe, who drafted him in 1995. He said the team has a lot of talent that starts with Drew Bledsoe and he is very impressed with the direction of the team. He said he is really excited about what he has seen in Buffalo. He had glowing things to say about Mike Mularkey. He feels he will do wahtever he has to do to win and predicts he will do an outstanding job along with Tom Clements. He said he would welcome the chance to help the organization. He has a visit planned for Minnesota next.
Two More Visits: Apparently the Bills couldn't wait until Tuesday. They brought in TE Mark Bruener for a visit today. We previously reported that he was due in town on Tuesday. Also visiting today was former Patriots FB Patrick Pass. Bruener is a solid blocking tight end that will fill the hole left by the release of Dave Moore. Pass was a 2000 draft pick of the Patriots.
Bober Visit: Although no visit has been planned yet, the Buffalo news is reporting that Giants free agent center Chris Bober will visit Buffalo at some point. He is a former undrafted free agent who Jim McNally molded into a good player.
Woody To Expensive: The Buffalo News is also reporting that Damien Woody is too expensive for the Bills to sign. He is looking for a signing bonus in the $7 Million range and a high signing bonus. The Bills will probably find a left guard among the players they have on the roster including Mike Pucillo, Marques Sullivan and Ross Tucker.
Winfield Headed To NY? Reports out of New York say that Antoine Winfield may be headed towards a division rival. Reports say the Jets and Winfield are trying to hammer out a deal that will pay him over $5 Million a year with a signing bonus of more than $10 Million.
Villarrial Contract Details: John Clayton on ESPN.com is reporting that the deal reached by Chris Villarrial is for four years and is worth $11.85 Million and includes a $3 Million signing bonus.
Bruener To Visit: Now that the Bills are down a tight end with the release of Dave Moore, they will bring in a known commodity for a visit. Steelers free agent Mark Bruener will visit next Tuesday. He is a blocking tight end that can fill the role that Moore had with the Bills this past season.
Bills Wanted Moore Back: John Clayton is reporting on ESPN.com that the Bills cut Dave Moore but planned to sign him back at the veteran minimum to save $450,000 in cap space. The flaw in the plan was how quickly Tampa Bay moved to bring him back to the Buccaneers. Tampa signed him almost immediately. It was Moore's intention to stay in Buffalo but it made sense for him to return home to Tampa Bay.
Wednesday March 3, 2004
Mularkey Says Villarrial Fits Mold: Mike Mularkey told the media he is excited to have Chris Villarrial in Buffalo. He called him a physically tough player that fits the mold they are trying to build in Buffalo. He's size is a huge asset and he is quick for his size. He praised Villarrial's toughness for playing hurt a lot in his career. On Troy Vincent, Mularkey said he had a good visit. He feels age isn't a factor since he plays at a high level and is a very good corner.
Vincent Has Wonderful Trip: Troy Vincent talked to the media after visiting with the team today. He called it a wonderful trip to Western New York today. He said Ralph Wilson's reputation in the league is an asset to the organization. He feels Buffalo could be a good fit for him. He feels despite his advanced years he brings great value to a football team and wants to win a Super Bowl. He called Buffalo a first class organization and the coaching staff being put together is first rate. He says there are good football players on this team. He is headed to Cincinnati for a visit tomorrow.
Villarrial To Play Right Guard: Chris Villarrial addressed the media shortly after agreeing to a deal with the Bills. He called it a great opportunity to come to Buffalo and he's very excited about it. He is a Pennsylvania native so it was a plus being close to home. The Bills called him 10 minutes after midnight and he arrived this morning. He said he is expected to play right guard, which means he will not be the replacement for Ruben Brown.
Bills Sign Free Agent: The Bills have signed their first unrestricted free agent. They inked guard Chris Villarrial. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. He is an eight year veteran, playing his entire career in Chicago where he started 109 of the 116 games he has appeared in. He started 13 games last year, missing three to injury. He has played right guard most of his career but also played center during the 1997 season.
Vincent Is Bills First Visit: The Bills brought in free agent cornerback Troy Vincent for a visit today. He is a 12 year veteran who is now 32 years old. He has played the last eight years with the Eagles. He is expected to finish his career at safety but would add some experience to the cornerback core in the upcoming season. He will address the media this evening. He is the first player to visit the Bills as free agency kicked off today.
Bills Deny Woody Deal: The Bills have responded to a SI.com article about Damien Woody. The article said the Bills were close to a deal with the free agent center and guard. The Bills say they have had no contact with Woody or his agent.
Bills, Woody Close? Don Banks is reporting for CNNSI that the Bills and Damien Woody are close to an agreement on a contract. He is a highly regarded free agent that can play guard or center. We reported earlier, that the Bills and Dolphins are both battling for him, and he is scheduled to visit Miami tomorrow at this point. We will keep you updated on this developing story and any other free agent news involving the Bills.
Bills, Dolphins Interested In Woody: The Bills and Dolphins may be headed for a battle for the same free agent. Damien Woody is a player that many said the Bills are high on. One report said the Bills were readying a deal for him. The Dolphins are also very interested in him. They have scheduled a visit for tomorrow. No word yet on if he will visit Buffalo or any other free agent visits being scheduled by the Bills. Stay tuned here for the latest free agent news.
Bills Release Dave Moore: As free agency gets underway today the Bills continue to clear cap space. They released TE Dave Moore. The move saves another $1 Million in salary cap space. He will still count $350,000 against the 2004 cap. Moore played the last two seasons with the Bills but was supplanted in his role as starter by Mark Campbell who signed a long term deal during the season last year.
Tuesday March 2, 2004
Bills Lock Up Sullivan: The Bills have signed restricted free agent guard Marques Sullivan to a long term deal. The exact length and amount of the contract have not been disclosed. Tom Donahoe spoke yesterday about trying to get this deal done. This keeps another team from making an offer to Sullivan. He was inactive much of the season last year as he was moved to tackle. He started at right guard in 2002 and will be in the mix of players looking to replace Ruben Brown as he moves back to guard this year.
Mini Camp Set: The Bills announced today that their first mini-camp will be held March 24th through 26th for the team veterans. It will kickoff the off season conditioning program for the team. Other important dates announced include a rookie orientation camp after the draft on April 30th running to May 2nd. The team will then hold four organized team activity sessions: May 24th-27th, June 2nd-4th, 7th-10th, and 14th-16th.
Monday March 1, 2004
Brown Goes Out Classy: Ruben Brown left the Bills in a classy manor after his release today. He said in a prepared statement that it is a very difficult day for him and he thanked the organization for nine of the best years of his life. He said many in the organization will have a special place in his heart including Ralph Wilson, the late John Butler, and Community Relations Director Gretchen Geitter. He says he looks forward to the next chapter in his career as he continues his pursuit for a Super Bowl ring with another franchise. He says he will continue to live in Orchard Park and will continue to be active in the community and ended by thanking the fans for their excitement and the fun that they brought to the team.
Winfield Gone? Tom Donahoe said today that he doesn't anticipate Antoine Winfield returning to the Bills. He said they would not discuss a new contract before free agency which leads him to believe he wants to be elsewhere.
Brown's Release Based On Many Factors: Tom Donahoe spoke with the media regarding various issues including the release of Ruben Brown, Drew Henson, and free agency. Donahoe thanked Ruben Brown for all he has done for the team on and off the field. He believed that the new staff wanted to go in a different direction and his release was the best for both parties. He said there were many factors including the salary cap, what happened at the end of last year, and the direction the new staff wants to go in.
Bills Issue Tenders: Tom Donahoe said the team has tendered offeres to all restricted and exclusive rights free agents. He said talks are ongoing on a long term deal with Marques Sullivan. The team will get compensation if they lose any of the tendered players.
Patience Needed In Free Agent Market: Tom Donahoe said he's reluctant to say what the team needs in free agency and emphasized that patience is needed and they need to be ready to re-adjust their plans depending on what happens early in the free agency period. He says the team needs to get better in many areas including the offensive line but that may not all happen early in free agency but will get done. Donahoe does not expect to release any more players before the start of Free Agency on Wednesday. He expects the team to be involved in free agency but not as active as they were last year.
Henson's Demands Don't Fit Bill: Tom Donahoe said that there are many hoops to jump through to come to a contract agreement with Henson and right now the Bills aren't comfortable with the terms of the deal that Henson is trying to get. He spoke with the agent for Henson today and let him know what terms the Bills would be comfortable with.
Bills Cut Brown: The Bills have decided to part ways with all-pro guard Ruben Brown. In an apparent salary cap move the team will save the $1.8 Million on the cap that they would've had to pay Brown as a roster bonus if he was still on the team on Wednesday. Brown has made the Pro Bowl each of the last eight years and had a falling out with the prior coaching staff that made him miss the season finale against New England.
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Morris Busy: As we reported yesterday, Sammy Morris is in New England this weekend to visit the Patriots today. He was in Cleveland on Friday. He also has visits planned for Miami, Denver, and Oakland this week. He doesn't appear to be in the Bills plans for the coming season because of the depth at running back. He could be a valuable third down back and special teams player for many teams in the league.