WR Bryant Johnson now a 49er (1 Viewer)

[OC Zed]

Link

I think Johnson would bring the size the Bills need in the WR corps, but I'm concerned that type of money for a guy who's never been more than third receiver will prevent us from resigning Evans.

Also with Evans, Chris Mortenson speculated on ESPN radio this morning that the Bills might try to trade Evans if they sign Johnson. I don't think there is any substance to that though (yet) as everyone had been assuming Evans would get a long-term deal this off-season.

 

[travdogg]

I'd love to see him in Buffalo, they need somebody opposite Evans and he'll help to take some attention off of Lynch as well.

 

[Mr. Peterson]

I think he would be the perfect fit for Buffalo. He is the one WR I hoped they brought in.

I don't want them to pay him that kind of money though. We need to resign Evans.

 

[OC Zed]

I think he would be the perfect fit for Buffalo. He is the one WR I hoped they brought in. I don't want them to pay him that kind of money though. We need to resign Evans.

Agreed. Resigning Evans and Crowell should have been taken care of before free agency began. The longer we wait, the more their price goes up and the less money we'll have after signing the free agents.

 

[King of the Wolfies]

Johnson needed to have shown alot more than he did when given his chances in order to get this kind of money. It'll be interesting to see what he finally "settles" for.

 

[CanadianNFLJunkie]

Johnson needed to have shown alot more than he did when given his chances in order to get this kind of money. It'll be interesting to see what he finally "settles" for.

That doesn't really matter in today's market, with all the money teams have. if i was the Bills I'd sign Stroud first then draft a WR with their first pick. They re-sign Evans then. I can't see the Bills planning on spending about $20 on Johnson and very soon on Evans and only have an unproven QB running the show. That's way too much money to have on WR's for this type of team, a team that plans to run the ball first.

 

[travdogg]

Johnson needed to have shown alot more than he did when given his chances in order to get this kind of money. It'll be interesting to see what he finally "settles" for.

Johnson has played well when Fitz or Boldin have gotten hurt.Hopefully if they get him that will free them up to take a CB or an OL in the 1st round.

 

[JPeso]

Curious to whether those of you saying it's good for Buffalo are Bills fans or what. Instead of paying an average WR like Johnson, why not draft one in the first round? The FA signings have only made drafting WR that much more of a good idea as they have met other glaring needs.

Johnson does not deserve to get money like that, but after seeing Porter get paid what he did, anything is possible.

 

[King of the Jungle]

Curious to whether those of you saying it's good for Buffalo are Bills fans or what. Instead of paying an average WR like Johnson, why not draft one in the first round? The FA signings have only made drafting WR that much more of a good idea as they have met other glaring needs.Johnson does not deserve to get money like that, but after seeing Porter get paid what he did, anything is possible.

I agree. Malcom Kelly would be a better investment.

 

[southeastjerome]

I don't see $8 million guaranteed as outlandish when Wilford got close to the same guaranteed and I think Johnson is a better player than Wilford.

 

[Mr. Peterson]

Curious to whether those of you saying it's good for Buffalo are Bills fans or what. Instead of paying an average WR like Johnson, why not draft one in the first round? The FA signings have only made drafting WR that much more of a good idea as they have met other glaring needs.Johnson does not deserve to get money like that, but after seeing Porter get paid what he did, anything is possible.

I agree. Malcom Kelly would be a better investment.

Yeah, me too. That's why I don't want to spend that much $ on a WR. I would like to get a WR, CB and TE in the first 3 rounds. If we do take a WR in the 1st I would be happy with only Kelly. But I wouldn't mind the Bills taking a CB in the 1st (if the right one is there still) and then a WR in the 2nd. I think there will be good value at WR in the 2nd this year.And call me crazy, but after his bad combine #'s, I wouldn't be suprised to see F.Davis available for the Bills in the 3rd round. i know it's unlikely, but stranger things have happened and he's one of the ones I project to fall in the draft.

 

[travdogg]

Curious to whether those of you saying it's good for Buffalo are Bills fans or what. Instead of paying an average WR like Johnson, why not draft one in the first round? The FA signings have only made drafting WR that much more of a good idea as they have met other glaring needs.Johnson does not deserve to get money like that, but after seeing Porter get paid what he did, anything is possible.

I agree. Malcom Kelly would be a better investment.

See, the problem there is that its no lock Kelly would be better than Johnson but It'd cost a top-15 pick to find out, not to mention he might not sign in time to learn the offense and become the WR2 as a rookie anyway.Kelly likely will have a better career than Johnson, but why not sign Johnson and use that pick to help upgrade another position like CB.

 

[JPeso]

Curious to whether those of you saying it's good for Buffalo are Bills fans or what. Instead of paying an average WR like Johnson, why not draft one in the first round? The FA signings have only made drafting WR that much more of a good idea as they have met other glaring needs.Johnson does not deserve to get money like that, but after seeing Porter get paid what he did, anything is possible.

I agree. Malcom Kelly would be a better investment.

See, the problem there is that its no lock Kelly would be better than Johnson but It'd cost a top-15 pick to find out, not to mention he might not sign in time to learn the offense and become the WR2 as a rookie anyway.

Good thinking. You already know someone is average, so let's pay him good money. He may be average, but that's enough for us. Evans can still get double- and triple-covered and we will continue to have no passing attack because of it.

 

[Brutis]

Curious to whether those of you saying it's good for Buffalo are Bills fans or what. Instead of paying an average WR like Johnson, why not draft one in the first round? The FA signings have only made drafting WR that much more of a good idea as they have met other glaring needs.Johnson does not deserve to get money like that, but after seeing Porter get paid what he did, anything is possible.

I agree. Malcom Kelly would be a better investment.

See, the problem there is that its no lock Kelly would be better than Johnson but It'd cost a top-15 pick to find out, not to mention he might not sign in time to learn the offense and become the WR2 as a rookie anyway.Kelly likely will have a better career than Johnson, but why not sign Johnson and use that pick to help upgrade another position like CB.

I think people are forgetting that Johnson is a first round talent who had the misfortune of playing behind fitz and boldin. This guy is ready to go now, you wont have to wait for that rookie wr to learn the ropes for a year or two like kelly more than likely will have to do.

 

[Bri]

Johnson needed to have shown alot more than he did when given his chances in order to get this kind of money. It'll be interesting to see what he finally "settles" for.

Johnson has played well when Fitz or Boldin have gotten hurt.

not always, and I think that's why there's some doubt about him to go along with alot of interest

 

[JPeso]

Curious to whether those of you saying it's good for Buffalo are Bills fans or what. Instead of paying an average WR like Johnson, why not draft one in the first round? The FA signings have only made drafting WR that much more of a good idea as they have met other glaring needs.Johnson does not deserve to get money like that, but after seeing Porter get paid what he did, anything is possible.

I agree. Malcom Kelly would be a better investment.

See, the problem there is that its no lock Kelly would be better than Johnson but It'd cost a top-15 pick to find out, not to mention he might not sign in time to learn the offense and become the WR2 as a rookie anyway.Kelly likely will have a better career than Johnson, but why not sign Johnson and use that pick to help upgrade another position like CB.

I think people are forgetting that Johnson is a first round talent who had the misfortune of playing behind fitz and boldin. This guy is ready to go now, you wont have to wait for that rookie wr to learn the ropes for a year or two like kelly more than likely will have to do.

Just because you were drafted in the first round does not mean you are a first round talent. Big difference. It was a reach pick.

 

[travdogg]

Johnson needed to have shown alot more than he did when given his chances in order to get this kind of money. It'll be interesting to see what he finally "settles" for.

Johnson has played well when Fitz or Boldin have gotten hurt.

not always, and I think that's why there's some doubt about him to go along with alot of interest

See I thought he always played pretty well, he just didn't play as well as Fitz or Boldin, but how many guys can?

 

[JPeso]

Johnson needed to have shown alot more than he did when given his chances in order to get this kind of money. It'll be interesting to see what he finally "settles" for.

Johnson has played well when Fitz or Boldin have gotten hurt.

not always, and I think that's why there's some doubt about him to go along with alot of interest

See I thought he always played pretty well, he just didn't play as well as Fitz or Boldin, but how many guys can?

If playing well means not standing out due to messing up, then yes, he played well.

 

[CanadianNFLJunkie]

Based on 2007, LB Patrick Willis was the 11th pick and he had $12 mill guaranteed. I'm not sure if there is a benefit either way, go with the rookie and hope he pans out for you for a number of years or go with the seasoned player and hope he achieves enough more than what you've paid him.

 

[Brutis]

Curious to whether those of you saying it's good for Buffalo are Bills fans or what. Instead of paying an average WR like Johnson, why not draft one in the first round? The FA signings have only made drafting WR that much more of a good idea as they have met other glaring needs.Johnson does not deserve to get money like that, but after seeing Porter get paid what he did, anything is possible.

I agree. Malcom Kelly would be a better investment.

See, the problem there is that its no lock Kelly would be better than Johnson but It'd cost a top-15 pick to find out, not to mention he might not sign in time to learn the offense and become the WR2 as a rookie anyway.Kelly likely will have a better career than Johnson, but why not sign Johnson and use that pick to help upgrade another position like CB.

I think people are forgetting that Johnson is a first round talent who had the misfortune of playing behind fitz and boldin. This guy is ready to go now, you wont have to wait for that rookie wr to learn the ropes for a year or two like kelly more than likely will have to do.

Just because you were drafted in the first round does not mean you are a first round talent. Big difference. It was a reach pick.

It was a reach pick because he wasnt starting over Boldin and Fitz? No offense but not many wr's would be starting over them.

 

[JPeso]

Just because you were drafted in the first round does not mean you are a first round talent. Big difference. It was a reach pick.

It was a reach pick because he wasnt starting over Boldin and Fitz? No offense but not many wr's would be starting over them.

Not at all. It was a reach pick because he isn't a first round talent.

 

[Brutis]

Just because you were drafted in the first round does not mean you are a first round talent. Big difference. It was a reach pick.

It was a reach pick because he wasnt starting over Boldin and Fitz? No offense but not many wr's would be starting over them.

Not at all. It was a reach pick because he isn't a first round talent.

So you know more about evaluating talent than the cards. Im impressed, obviously you're a scout for a pro team right???

 

[prymetyme25]

Just because you were drafted in the first round does not mean you are a first round talent. Big difference. It was a reach pick.

It was a reach pick because he wasnt starting over Boldin and Fitz? No offense but not many wr's would be starting over them.

Not at all. It was a reach pick because he isn't a first round talent.

So you know more about evaluating talent than the cards. Im impressed, obviously you're a scout for a pro team right???

IIRC everybody at the draft said the same thing. FWIW

 

[Mr. Peterson]

Just because you were drafted in the first round does not mean you are a first round talent. Big difference. It was a reach pick.

It was a reach pick because he wasnt starting over Boldin and Fitz? No offense but not many wr's would be starting over them.

Not at all. It was a reach pick because he isn't a first round talent.

So you know more about evaluating talent than the cards. Im impressed, obviously you're a scout for a pro team right???

IIRC everybody at the draft said the same thing. FWIW

He was what, the 17th pick? He was a reach there but if he was taken with the 31st pick would he still have been a reach? He still would have been a 1st round pick, right?

 

[prymetyme25]

Just because you were drafted in the first round does not mean you are a first round talent. Big difference. It was a reach pick.

It was a reach pick because he wasnt starting over Boldin and Fitz? No offense but not many wr's would be starting over them.

Not at all. It was a reach pick because he isn't a first round talent.

So you know more about evaluating talent than the cards. Im impressed, obviously you're a scout for a pro team right???

IIRC everybody at the draft said the same thing. FWIW

He was what, the 17th pick? He was a reach there but if he was taken with the 31st pick would he still have been a reach? He still would have been a 1st round pick, right?

Who really knows where a guy should be drafted as long as you get who you wanted. But I thought he was a 2nd rounder at best but hey if I was good at evaluating I might have a job in the business.

 

[Bri]

Johnson needed to have shown alot more than he did when given his chances in order to get this kind of money. It'll be interesting to see what he finally "settles" for.

Johnson has played well when Fitz or Boldin have gotten hurt.

not always, and I think that's why there's some doubt about him to go along with alot of interest

See I thought he always played pretty well, he just didn't play as well as Fitz or Boldin, but how many guys can?

nah, he had some stinkers.In his defense, it is harder when the D knows you're behind, not running well, and going to pass alot. However, IMO, that's the WR's time to shine.Buffalo might be overpaying for him(if they get him) but geesh it seems like they've needed a second WR for forever. Doesn't seem like Evans and Moulds were together long so it seems to go back a long ways. I think they should just fill the spot and move on. It's been their achilles so at least it's solved.My concern, if I were a Bills fan, is all this entails the owner spending $ and that in and of itself doesn't seem to easy going.

 

[Gottabesweet]

If we got him it would allow us to take a CB round 1. Either way we need to sign a WR2 in FA or CB2 freeing up to draft the opposite round 1.

 

[Gottabesweet]

Troupe and Johnson have the same agent. Both visiting tomorrow with him... I think it's a both or none type day.

 

[Mr. Peterson]

Troupe and Johnson have the same agent. Both visiting tomorrow with him... I think it's a both or none type day.

I think Troupe would be a good fit in Buffalo too. But I don't want the Bills to pay the price Johnson wants.Can we get a discount if we sign both?

 

[prymetyme25]

Troupe and Johnson have the same agent. Both visiting tomorrow with him... I think it's a both or none type day.

I think Troupe would be a good fit in Buffalo too. But I don't want the Bills to pay the price Johnson wants.Can we get a discount if we sign both?

 

[JPeso]

FWIW, Mortensen said if they signed Johnson, it would be to a big deal and they would look to move Lee Evans in a trade. This would only make sense if they were set on taking WR with the 1st, but like I said, Mort reported it so it is probably useless.

 

[finito]

FWIW, Mortensen said if they signed Johnson, it would be to a big deal and they would look to move Lee Evans in a trade. This would only make sense if they were set on taking WR with the 1st, but like I said, Mort reported it so it is probably useless.

That sounds incredibly dumb on the Bills part unless I'm missing something.

 

[JPeso]

FWIW, Mortensen said if they signed Johnson, it would be to a big deal and they would look to move Lee Evans in a trade. This would only make sense if they were set on taking WR with the 1st, but like I said, Mort reported it so it is probably useless.

That sounds incredibly dumb on the Bills part unless I'm missing something.

No. You aren't missing anything. It does sound stupid, but it makes you think, did someone mention that? IIRC, Evans deal isn't up until '10, so no clue as to why they'd be looking to trade him this year.

 

[OC Zed]

FWIW, Mortensen said if they signed Johnson, it would be to a big deal and they would look to move Lee Evans in a trade. This would only make sense if they were set on taking WR with the 1st, but like I said, Mort reported it so it is probably useless.

That sounds incredibly dumb on the Bills part unless I'm missing something.

No. You aren't missing anything. It does sound stupid, but it makes you think, did someone mention that? IIRC, Evans deal isn't up until '10, so no clue as to why they'd be looking to trade him this year.

Evans is going into the final year of his contract hence the need to extend him this off-season. I mentioned in my OP that Mortenson was surmising about the Evans trade on the radio, but I think it was wild speculation on his part because no one else has raised that possibility (particularly the local media which should be all over this) and Mortenson also said that the Bills coaching staff was split on Losman's future with the team -- which really leads me to think that he has no clue as to what's going on with the Bills as anyone who followed this team knows that Edwards is the starting QB and Losman is gone one way or another.

 

[Tommy Collins]

I'm so ### #### sick of the Bills drafting these players and letting them all walk. If they get rid of Evans I'm going to be absolutely PISSED off!!!! He is the only threat besides Lynch on that offense. To trade him because the team signed Bryant friggin Johnson would be absolutely insane. It would negate the Kiwanuka signing and the Stroud trade. Screw Johnson, keep Evans. Draft Kelly or Sweed.

 

[Banger]

Moving Evans? They need to give that guy some help.

 

[EBF]

They should stand pat and draft a receiver instead of paying through the nose for a marginal free agent.

 

[Bri]

It would negate the Kiwanuka signing

 

[Bob Henry]

They should stand pat and draft a receiver instead of paying through the nose for a marginal free agent.

I don't see why the Bills would entertain signing Bryant Johnson only to deal Lee Evans and draft another WR #1. That means they would need to break in two new starters into the offense instead of just one. Makes no sense to me. They need a bigger/physical WR to pair with Evans and Reed or Parrish are not it. I could definitely see them going for Malcolm Kelly, James Hardy or Limas Sweed in the 1st or wait a round and grab someone like Adarius Bowman.

 

[Brutis]

They should stand pat and draft a receiver instead of paying through the nose for a marginal free agent.

I don't see why the Bills would entertain signing Bryant Johnson only to deal Lee Evans and draft another WR #1. That means they would need to break in two new starters into the offense instead of just one. Makes no sense to me. They need a bigger/physical WR to pair with Evans and Reed or Parrish are not it. I could definitely see them going for Malcolm Kelly, James Hardy or Limas Sweed in the 1st or wait a round and grab someone like Adarius Bowman.

To get Kelly or Sweed you would need to get them in the 1st round. Maybe one falls to the 2nd and the Bills might have plans for those picks already. They have alot of needs. Why waste a high pick on a WR when that position requires the most experience to pay off. Its no different than the Falcons trying to sign Turner instead of drafting a RB with that 3rd overall pick. Both the Bills and Falcons are trying to sure up 2 positions for one pick.

 

[Mr. Peterson]

They should stand pat and draft a receiver instead of paying through the nose for a marginal free agent.

I don't see why the Bills would entertain signing Bryant Johnson only to deal Lee Evans and draft another WR #1. That means they would need to break in two new starters into the offense instead of just one. Makes no sense to me. They need a bigger/physical WR to pair with Evans and Reed or Parrish are not it. I could definitely see them going for Malcolm Kelly, James Hardy or Limas Sweed in the 1st or wait a round and grab someone like Adarius Bowman.

I'll give that a But I don't know where these "trade Evans" rumors came from. The Bills are not trading him. It won't happen.I have not heard anything close to that here in Buffalo and can assure you it won't happen.

 

[BILLY_THE_BULL]

It would negate the Kiwanuka signing

Kawika

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Guys, Lee Evans is not going anywhere. Chris Mortensen is a jackass when it comes to his reporting on the Bills.

 

[D_House]

Guys, Lee Evans is not going anywhere. Chris Mortensen is a jackass when it comes to his reporting on the Bills.

He's been noticeably negative in all his Bills reporting since Tom Donahoe left town. This particular speculation on Mortenson's part does not make any sense. Why would a team overpay for a WR2 and then trade away their WR1, who is extremely popular with the fans?

 

[Black]

What are the highest salaries/guarantees right now for WR?

 

[Cowtippers]

per rotoworld....

Free agent Bryant Johnson is in Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Johnson would play flanker in Jon Gruden's offense. A report that Johnson was in Buffalo on Saturday was incorrect. He'll visit the Bills on Monday. In other Bucs-Bills related free agency news, Ben Troupe was allowed to leave Florida without a contract and is currently en route to upstate New York.

Source: Tampa Tribune

 

[FFFanatic71]

I've got the itch to pick him up in our league, assuming he'll be a potential WR1 somewhere, which I think is better than P Crayton (the one I'd cut). Seems Dallas doesn't trust him as their 2. Sure wish Johnson would hurry up and sign or Dallas would clarify things! At least I'll know what situations I'm dealing with.

 

[Max Power]

Did he just sign?

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

IMO, Johnson has never stepped up. Very risky to sign him for that kind of money. Personally, I don't think he's worth it.

 

[OldMilwaukee]

Did he just sign?