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Buffalo Bills
Location: Orchard Park, N.Y. | Stadium: Ralph Wilson Stadium (73,967) | Owner: Ralph Wilson | Chief Operating Officer: Russ Brandon
Coach: Dick Jauron | League Championships: 2
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Bills report: Strategy and personnel
QB J.P. Losman, who has requested to be traded after second-year pro Trent Edwards was named the starter heading into 2008, was in attendance for the start of the team's offseason conditioning program. He was working out and attending position meetings and generally showing a high degree of professionalism. More than impressing Buffalo's coaching staff, Losman likely is trying to impress coaches from potential suitors. Being out-of-sight, out-of-mind would be no way to facilitate a trade. Edwards gingerly fielded questions about Losman's future. "I think very highly of him and the way he plays, and that's what you need at this level, you need to have two probably even three quarterbacks," he said. "You see something like 60 quarterbacks played last season. And if we're going to be successful and win games, we need to have talented football players and talented quarterbacks. Again, it's not my position to call on that. We'll see where it goes." The Bills will be shopping Losman hard in the days leading up to and all during the April college draft for extra picks. TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY Wide receiver and cornerback are the team's top priorities moving forward. After failing to sign free agents Bryant Johnson, who signed with San Francisco, and D.J. Hackett, who went to Carolina, the Bills will almost certainly spend the No. 11 pick in the draft on a big wide receiver. After releasing Kiwaukee Thomas and losing free agent Jason Webster (New England), the Bills have to replenish depth at cornerback. Signing veteran William James helps, but a cornerback is still high on the team's shopping list in the draft. 1. Wide receiver: The Bills desperately need a tall, strong No. 2 man to complement the speed of Lee Evans. They draft 11th overall and players like 6-6 James Hardy of Indiana, 6-4 Malcolm Kelly of Oklahoma and 6-3 Limas Sweed of Houston top the shopping list. Buffalo's top four receivers last year (Evans, Josh Reed, Roscoe Parrish and Peerless Price) were each under 6-foot. 2. Cornerback: The Bills released Kiwaukee Thomas and lost Jason Webster (New England) in free agency and will look to rebuild depth here and maybe find an upgrade for starting right corner Jabari Greer. Newly signed veteran free agent William James will challenge Greer. But in a division with Tom Brady and Randy Moss, a team can never have enough options. South Florida's Mike Jenkins is likely to be here with the 11th pick. 3. Tight end: Even after signing free agents Teyo Johnson and Courtney Anderson, the Bills could add to this position, which has been inconsistent since the days of Jay Riemersma. MEDICAL WATCH FRANCHISE PLAYER TRANSITION PLAYER UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS --LB Mario Haggan is likely to be retained for depth and special teams work. He appeared in all 16 games for a fourth consecutive season, recording 13 special teams hits and career-high 16 tackles on defense. --DE Anthony Hargrove has been suspended for 2008 after violating the NFL's substance abuse policy and has worn out his nine lives. --FB/TE Ryan Neufeld isn't a priority to retain now that the team has decided to employ a true fullback again. --DE Al Wallace spent the entire year in IR. Team needs a better option. UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered offers) --FS Jim Leonhard (not tendered as RFA) earned six starts in emergency duty and is a good punt return man. --RB Shaud Williams (not tendered as RFA) was added to the roster in late December but isn't a high priority at a deep position. RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS --LB Blake Costanzo is not a high priority. PLAYERS ACQUIRED --TE Courtney Anderson: UFA Falcons; terms unknown. --CB Will James: UFA Eagles; 2 yrs, terms unknown. --DT Spencer Johnson: UFA Vikings; $17.5M/5 yrs, $6M guaranteed. --TE Teyo Johnson: FA; terms unknown. --LB Kawika Mitchell: UFA Giants; $17.5M/5 yrs, $3.5M guaranteed. --DT Marcus Stroud (trade Jaguars). PLAYERS RE-SIGNED --S Dustin Fox: ERFA; terms unknown. --DT Jason Jefferson: RFA; tendered at $927,000, terms unknown. --DE Corey Mace: ERFA; terms unknown.. --TE Tim Massaquoi: ERFA; terms unknown. --WR Scott Mayle: ERFA; terms unknown. --OT Matt Murphy: UFA; terms unknown. --S Bryan Scott: UFA; terms unknown. --OG Jason Whittle: UFA; terms unknown. PLAYERS LOST --WR Sam Aiken: UFA Patriots; $1.555M/2 yrs, $225,000 SB/$40,000 WO. --CB Jerametrius Butler (released). --TE Michael Gaines: UFA Lions; $10M/4 yrs, $3M guaranteed. --LB Leon Joe: UFA Buccaneers; terms unknown. --WR Peerless Price (released/failed physical). --LB Josh Stamer: UFA Titans; 2 yrs, terms unknown. --RB Anthony Thomas (released). --CB Kiwaukee Thomas (released). --DT Larry Tripplett (released). --CB Jason Webster: UFA Patriots; $800,000/1 yr, $130,000 guaranteed/$70,000 WO. --LB Coy Wire (released/failed physical). Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved. | ||||||||||||