Bills Snap Up FA Guard

[Kinzua]

The Bills started the free agency period quickly by coming to an agreement with FA guard Jason Whittle from the Minnesota Vikings. It's a very sensible signing that upgrades the RG position, adds depth at C, and still allows young linemen like Duke Preston to develop. An addition at RG was made more likely by the recent release of veteran RG Chris Villarial who has been plagued by injury the last two seasons.

The Bills are probably still looking for a LG since Mike Gandy, who finished the season at LG in 2006, is a FA. It's not clear if the Bills didn't offer him a deal or if MG wanted to see if he could get a shot at LT money.

This is from Scout.com:

By Adam Caplan & Tim Yotter

Posted Mar 2, 2007

The Vikings were expected to come to terms with offensive lineman Jason Whittle, but they lost out on the eight-year veteran.

In a surprise move, Minnesota Vikings unrestricted free agent offensive lineman Jason Whittle didn’t re-sign with the team as expected.

Scout.com has learned Whittle reached a contract agreement with the Buffalo Bills early Friday morning.

The versatile Whittle will provide solid veteran depth for Buffalo, which has very little experience behind their projected starters, and the Bills also released one-time starting right guard Chris Villarrial, who has struggled with injuries the past few seasons.

Whittle started two games at right guard for the Vikings in 2006, his only season with the team. He previously spent six seasons with the New York Giants and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Vikings’ offensive line seemed to be most effective when Whittle was at right guard and Mike Rosenthal was at right tackle, but the Vikings released Rosenthal Thursday and didn’t make an offer enticing enough for Whittle, who became an unrestricted free agent at 11 p.m. Central Thursday.

Over his eight-year career, Whittle has started 42 games and has the versatility to play guard or center.

 

[trate121hb]

Who Cares

 

[Kinzua]

Oakland's RT/RG Langston Walker and Washington's LG Derrick Dockery are both in Buffalo visiting the Bills. Walker is likely another depth signing, but Dockery is considered the third-best guard available in free agency, and would be a major upgrade at LG right beside LT Jason Peters.

For an old dude, Marv Levy can sure move fast! :evil:

 

[Bills16Fins6]

Oakland's RT/RG Langston Walker and Washington's LG Derrick Dockery are both in Buffalo visiting the Bills. Walker is likely another depth signing, but Dockery is considered the third-best guard available in free agency, and would be a major upgrade at LG right beside LT Jason Peters.

For an old dude, Marv Levy can sure move fast! :evil:

Just got the text message....The Bills have signed guard Derrick Dockery, tackle Langston Walker, and offensive lineman Jason Whittle. Looks like this years draft will be mostly defense again:D I gues the whole cash to the cap idea can work...Trust the Marv!!!:cooldude: