Bills Re-Sign Klopfenstein: The Bills agreed to a terms with free agent TE Joe Klopfenstein. He was on and off the Bills roster during the second half of the season last year and received minimal playing time. He was a restricted free agent who was not tendered a contract so he was free to sign with any team. Front Office Page.
Kennedy Reportedly Visiting: NFL Network reports that Vikings free agent DT Jimmy Kennedy is scheduled to visit with the Bills today. Kennedy has not lived up to his expectations as a first round draft pick by the Rams in 2003. Kennedy has played exclusively in 4-3 defensive schemes so it is unclear if he is big enough to play nose tackle in the Bills 3-4 defense.
Hamdan Finds A Home: Former Bills third string QB Gibran Hamdan has found a job north of the border. He has signed with the Toronto Argonauts. He was courted by the Argos before the 2008 season as well. In other Bills free agent news, Terrell Owens apparently will not end up in Cincinnati. He visited there but left without being offered a contract. The Bengals have since signed Antonio Bryant. Front Office Page.
No Word On Schobel's Future Yet: Today was the day the Bills were suppose to pay Aaron Schobel a $2 Million roster bonus but it has not been paid yet and that is fine with Schobel. He told AP that he has yet to decide whether he will play this year or retire. He needs to pass a physical in order to collect the bonus and he is in no rush to do either. He recently had surgery on an elbow injury suffered last year. He said if he doesn't retire he will only play in Buffalo ruling out a possible trade. He is expected to play defensive end or outside linebacker in the new 3-4 defense.
Green To Play Right Tackle: The newest Bill addressed the media in a conference call last night after agreeing to a deal. Cornell Green says he can play both tackle positions but he is more of a right tackle and that is where he'll play for Buffalo. He will be the replacement for retiring Brad Butler. He said he is looking forward to coming to Buffalo because of the tradition of the organization. He says he loves to run block and will bring leadership and experience. He said he had a couple of other visits planned but canceled them to sign with the Bills.
Owens To Cincy? There is some news regarding some of the Bills own free agents. Terrell Owens is scheduled to visit Cincinnati today where he could be lined up opposite Chad Ochocinco. Jonathan Scott reportedly has signed with the Steelers.
Bills Sign Green: The Bills have filled one of their holes at offensive tackle by signing their first free agent. They announced this evening that they have signed Cornell Green to a multi year deal. Reports say it is a three year deal worth reportedly $9 Million. Green visited with the Bills today and has 11 years experience playing tackle in the NFL with extensive starts on the right side in Oakland but he also has experience at left tackle.
Kelsay Set To Return: Adam Kaplan reports for Fox Sports that Chris Kelsay has received a $500,000 roster bonus from the Bills. That would virtually ensure that he will be on the team this year. Kelsay would move to outside linebacker in the Bills new 3-4 defense.
Green In Town: The Bills have confirmed that 12 year veteran offensive tackle Cornell Green will is at One Bills Drive today for a free agent visit. He played the last three years in Oakland and started 38 games mostly at right tackle. He had five career starts total in Tampa Bay, Denver, and with the Jets before going to Oakland.
Porter Visit? Adam Schefter reports for ESPN that the Bills are indeed interested in free agent LB Joey Porter. He is a perfect fit at outside linebacker for a 3-4 defense and defensive coordinator George Edwards knows him from their time in Miami when Edwards coached the inside backers. Porter would cost a lot of money and he prefers to play on the West Coast to be closer to his family. It is unclear if Porter will even schedule a visit to Buffalo.
Tebow Workout: The Bills are apparently interested to see if Tim Tebow can perform as a quarterback on the NFL level. The Bills and Seahawks have lined up private workouts with Tebow. He will have a pro day workout for all scouts on March 17th but the Bills will meet with him privately some time after that.
Smith Finishes Visit: Wade Smith wrapped up his visit with the Bills today but did not address the media. He ran out of time because meetings ran long and then he had to catch a flight to Houston to meet with the Texans. Smith is from Dallas so Houston could be intriguing for him. No word yet on any other visitors Headed to Buffalo.
Bills Host Smith: The Bills hosted their first free agent on Friday as Chan Gailey reached into his past for a player that was on his offensive unit in Kansas City. Wade Smith was in town today and is expected to stay through tomorrow. He's an eight year veteran who has played mostly guard and center in his career. He had 16 starts the past two seasons with the Chiefs mostly at right guard. He has 34 starts in his career. Bills offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris was an assistant OL coach in Kansas City so he knows him very well also. He played in Miami his first four years in the league as he was a third round draft pick. He then spent two years with the Jets before going to Kansas City. He would be an interior backup and insurance in case Eric Wood doesn't come back healthy. He would essentially replace Richie Incognito who was not tendered an offer as a restricted free agent and is free to sign elsewhere.
Scott Deal Official: The Bills made it official today announcing the re-signing of Bryan Scott. They would not release the terms but it is reported to be a two year deal. Other than this move it has been all quiet at One Bills Drive on day one of free agency. It is expected to be a down year in free agency because of the lack of quality unrestricted free agents because of the lack of a CBA. The Bills are expected to be patient this year instead of impulsive like year's past.
Schouman Tendered High: ESPN's Tim Graham reports that Derek Schouman was tendered at the same rate as George Wilson. Both were reportedly tendered for $1.75 million which is a second round level. That means if another team tries to sign either player the Bills would have a right to match or receive a second round pick. It was understandable why they did this for Wilson who would have delivered no compensation if he was tendered at a normal level. Schouman is a bit of a surprise since he hasn't done too much since being drafted in the 7th round of the 2007 draft. Ashton Youboty would fetch a third round pick if he was to leave since that is where he was drafted. Keith Ellison would give the Bills a sixth round pick if he went elsewhere.
Scott Re-Signs: As free agency got underway at midnight the Bills kept their most important unrestricted free agents off the market. The agent for S Bryan Scott confirmed that the two sides have agreed to a two year contract keeping the versatile player off the market. The rest of the unrestricted class is made up of restricted players not tendered, players the team has already decided not to offer contracts too, and fringe free agents they may not want to keep. Front Office Page.