“First of all we’ve got to recognize that Jairus is a good player, and we’re in the business of accumulating good players,” Whaley said. “We as an organization are going to continue to negotiate with Jairus, but one thing we’ll stick with is not negotiating in the public.”

Whaley clearly understands that Byrd is a player they’d like to keep for the long term, but this is a situation that may not have an easy answer. No one knows what direction negotiations will take, but it will certainly be one of the bigger decisions Whaley will have to make early in his tenure as Bills GM.

After seeing Jairus Byrd (25th) and Kyle Williams (22nd) crack the Top 25, Spiller followed with a ranking of 18th overall in the NFL. Here’s what the PFF folks wrote about Spiller’s season.

18. C.J. Spiller, RB, Buffalo Bills (Unranked)

The only reason Spiller isn’t higher is because he didn’t get enough carries in 2012. When he did, he was something to behold. As explosive a player as there was in the league during the 2012 season, he made his blocking seem better by turning nothing into something, frequently. His 6.0 yards per carry average is amazing, while forcing 53 missed tackles on 207 rushes is astonishing. A real game-changer.

Best Performance: Week 10 at New England, +5.0

Key Stat: The most elusive back in all of football with a 94.6 Elusive Rating (22.6 points better than the next best).

Spiller, Byrd and Williams were the only three Bills to appear on the PFF Top 100 list for 2012.

1 – Hi Chris,

Thanks for your coverage of the NFL Draft this past weekend. But of course I have a question. I’ve been watching video on Jeff Tuel and I can’t for the life of me understand why or how this kid wasn’t drafted…I mean, I’m glad he wasn’t because that allowed Buffalo to pick him up. But this kid can make ALL the throws, throws that a lot of NFL QBs can’t. He has a GREAT arm, he’s really athletic, can thread the needle, throw on the run, and throw touch passes on the run. Just hope he gets a legit shot to compete and takes full advantage of it. What do you think?

Thanks,
Jerry
BillsFanInFl

CB: There’s no question that he has the physical tools to play in the league. What soured NFL clubs on Tuel was he had trouble with injuries. Personally I thought some of his injuries were related to the poor protection and poor talent around him. He does have a solid arm and as Bills scout Brad Forsyth described, “sneaky athleticism.”

The fact that he lost his starting job as a senior scared off NFL clubs. To me he was a victim of circumstance more than anything else. I’ve got no problem giving a prospect with his tool a chance. He just has to stay healthy.

2 – Hello Chris,

Nice call on the EJ pick in the first round…I have a question about Byrd and his agent…I have heard rumors that they are asking for $9 mil per year…That seems a bit steep…How do you think Buddy Nix would handle a holdout situation?

Thanks

Jimmy from San Diego

CB: I appreciate the kudos. Thanks. Regarding Byrd, I think your figure is a bit off the mark. Buffalo has already franchised him and that figure is $6.9M. Though his agent is a guy that is very good at getting fair market value, $9M per is exorbitant, especially for a position like safety.

I think it’s going to be interesting to see where this leads between Byrd and the Bills, but as Buddy Nix has said the ball is in Byrd’s court seeing that he has yet to sign his franchise tender.

3 – Chris,

Thank you for you is in depth coverage leading up to the draft.  I really enjoyed listening to you on WGR550.

There may be some merit to the idea of letting Manuel sit behind Kolb for a while as he develops, but there could be additional incentive to starting Kolb in 2013.  Many people seem to be hopeful that Kolb will revitalize his career in Buffalo behind a much better O-line than what he had in Arizona.  If Kolb starts most of the 2013 season and looks impressive, he could end up having very high trade value at the end of the year.  Do you think the Bills staff would take something like that into consideration when making the decision?  Am I thinking too far ahead?

-Joe

CB: First, thanks for the kind words. All of us at Buffalobills.com bust our tail to bring you as much as we possibly can on the Bills and the draft during that three-day pick parade. I think your theory has some validity. Much of it however, will hinge on how fast Manuel comes along. If he is quick on the uptake and is playing consistent football in training camp and the preseason he could get the nod.

At the same time even the Bills brass has admitted that Manuel is not a finished product. So unless he’s outstanding in his first camp and preseason I do expect Kolb to start the season under center. Knowing New England is the first opponent it might make Kolb an even more likely starter. He beat the Patriots in New England last season while with the Cards. If Kolb plays well he’ll stay in, but I think you know as well as anybody else it all comes down to winning games.

4 – Chris,

Many thanks for keeping us in tune with what is happening with players/coaches and the draft.  I am interested in the status of the proposed improvements to the Ralph.  Will any be completed prior to the start of this season and if so how much?

Keep up the great work for the fans.

Bryon B.
Plattsburgh

CB: The initial phase of plans deal mainly with the infrastructure or bones of the stadium. That will begin this fall, but much of it won’t be noticeable to fans attending games in the stadium. The more cosmetic improvements (new scoreboards at east end, west end pavilion) won’t begin until 2014.

5 – Hey Chris,

I was just wondering what your thoughts on the Alan Branch signing.  We have seen the Bills try to do this before,  last year they added Mario Williams to Kyle Williams, Marcell Dareus and Chris Kelsay/Mark Anderson.  That one took a few weeks before it looked like they defensive line we all thought we would have.  Also before the 2008 season the Bills added Marcus Stroud to the D-Line that already had Aaron Shobel, Kyle Williams and Chris Kelsay/Ryan Denney.  That one seemed to never workout and Stroud was gone by 2010.  Why do you think the Bills organization thinks that this one could be the one that works?

Thanks for all you do,
Josh,Syracuse NY

CB: My feeling is with a defense that’s going to be attacking a lot they need a player that can command double team attention and fit well against the run. Marcell Dareus is one example of that. Torell Troup could be that, but is unproven. Alan Branch can line up in that edge defensive tackle position for Buffalo and hold the point effectively.

He might not make a ton of plays in that role, but he’ll allow players like Mario Williams and Kyle Williams and Dareus to make more of them.

Based on 2012 season stats and film review PFF has Jairus Byrd as the league’s 25th best player, while Kyle Williams, despite playing with a bad Achilles ranked 22nd. Here’s what they wrote about the two Bills defenders.

25. Jairus Byrd, S, Buffalo Bills (72nd)

Is there a better deep safety in the league than Byrd right now? A legitimate playmaker that quarterbacks have to be mindful of on every down, Byrd comfortably finished the year our top ranked cover safety. Now, the way he’s used may not make him the most complete safety out there, but he’s so good at what he does you can’t help but appreciate the Bills’ franchise player.

Best Performance: Week 11 vs Miami, +5.3

Key Stat: Intercepted five passes and wasn’t beaten for a touchdown all year.

22. Kyle Williams, DT, Buffalo Bills (Unranked)

After missing nearly all of 2011 some wonder if Williams would take some time to find his best form. Outside of a couple of disappointing games, they needn’t have worried. Williams missed out on finishing second overall in our defensive tackle rankings only because of penalties, displaying the kind of every-down talent which he has for a long time. As is always the case, Williams was making plays at a relentless pace throughout the entire season.

Best Performance: Week 10 at New England, +6.8

Key Stat: His 65 combined hits, sacks, hurries and defensive run stops were third-most of all defensive tackles.

Bills GM Buddy Nix indicated that their choices in those two rounds were based on board value more than anything else.

“They were the two best guys up there at the time we were picking,” said Nix. ”Obviously we want to be prepared for whatever happens.”

To this point Byrd has not signed his franchise tender. Bills President and CEO Russ Brandon is hoping Byrd and the club can reach an agreement on a long term agreement.

“He has the opportunity to wait until he’s comfortable,” said Brandon of Byrd signing his one-year franchise tender. ”We’ll continue that dialogue. You always want to always have all your guys here, but we understand the situation and we’ll just keep working through it.”

Brandon also confirmed that the club would like to have Byrd back in the fold.

“Organizationally of course we’d love to have him back,” said of Byrd. ”We utilized the asset that was available to us with the franchise tag as you all know. It’s a priority for the organization and we hope to continue to work through the process with him and more importantly his agent, and we’ll keep conversations in a fluid process.”

After cleaning up in the 1st round last week, Leodis McKelvin’s primetime punt return did it again yesterday against a Donald Jones TD. In what was predicted to be a close game between a No. 4 and No. 5 seed, McKelvin finished with 88% of the vote.

With the hardwood tournament tipping off this afternoon, Bills Bracketology will only pick up steam. Today, it’s Jairus Byrd’s diving interception under the bright Thursday night lights at the Ralph against a tricky Scott Chandler endzone grab against the Patriots.

Who will heat it up today? VOTE NOW!

It’s official. Bills Bracketology had its first real late-night madness. Just like the Syracuse vs. Georgetown game last night, the 2nd seeded Jairus Byrd vs. the 15th seeded C.J. Spiller top plays matchup came down to the wire. The favorite, Byrd’s primetime pick, hung on by a nail winning 51% to 49%.

After the game, commentator Jay Bilas might have said, “Anything can and will happen when the 15 seed comes to play.”

Byrd will advance to next week’s second round to play the winner of today’s potential upset, as the 7th seeded Chandler TD faces a tough No. 10 seed in Mario Williams’ sack, forced fumble, and fumble recovery play. VOTE NOW!

Yesterday’s 4- vs. 13-seed game was the most exciting first-round game yet. A late push from Leodis McKelvin’s punt return for a touchdown in our Thursday night home game finished off Jairus Byrd’s 2^nd interception of the day in Arizona. The final score was 59% for McKelvin’s return to Byrd’s 41%.

It’s safe to say McKelvin came to play in this year’s Bills Bracketology; this marks his second win in just four games played so far.

Byrd is back for revenge today after yesterday’s loss to take on C.J. Spiller’s 49-yard run against the Jets. WATCH the plays and VOTE now in today’s matchup!

Moore re-signed with the Falcons Saturday for a reported five years and $30M with $14M guaranteed. ESPN’s Adam Schefter has since reported that the maximum value of the deal is $32M, but that’s likely to be the case if every single incentive is reached. For round numbers sake let’s just take the $30M figure for now.

For a strong safety that’s a pretty good deal, especially for a 28-year old that has had durability issues, with just one 16-game season in his career.

Byrd however, is a free safety and only 26 (he’ll turn 27 in October). One would expect Byrd’s camp to push for a long term deal similar to that of San Diego FS Eric Weddle. He was 26 when he signed his five-year $40M contract two years ago, which included a $13M signing bonus and $19M guaranteed.

Ironically, Weddle has offered to restructure with the Chargers this offseason knowing they’re trying to add free agent talent to the roster. Byrd’s game is probably more comparable to Weddle’s and so it would seem inevitable that the comparison to him would be made by the Byrd camp.

Those kinds of negotiations between the Bills and Byrd are not on the front burner right now. There are more pressing personnel issues to be dealt with right now.

The club confirmed this afternoon that the franchise tag used was non-exclusive. That means that other NFL clubs can try and sign Byrd to an offer sheet. Buffalo has the right to match any offer, but if they choose not the Bills would be awarded a pair of first round picks by the club that signed Byrd away.

That’s unlikely to happen. It’s virtually unheard of for a team to part with a pair of first-round draft choices for a safety.

First, the franchise tag is essentially a one-year qualifying offer in which the team agrees to pay the player  the average of the five largest Prior Year Salaries for players at the position or 120% of his prior year’s salary, whichever is greater.

There are two designations of the franchise tag. Exclusive and non-exclusive.

The Bills did not disclose whether they used the non-exclusive or exclusive franchise tag. The non-exclusive franchise tag still allows other clubs the opportunity to sign Byrd to an offer sheet and gives the Bills the right to match any offer. If Byrd is signed by another club and Buffalo chooses not to match the Bills would be awarded a pair of first round draft choices from the club that signed Byrd.

The exclusive franchise tag prohibits any other club from negotiating with Byrd.

The Bills also have the opportunity to negotiate with Byrd’s camp in an effort to sign him to a long term contract extension up until July 15th.

Byrd, who is a very religious man, tweeted the following approximately four hours prior to the news breaking that he was given the franchise tag.

Jeremiah 29:11-12…it’s all good!

— jairus byrd (@jairusbyrd) March 1, 2013

The Bible verse Byrd cited reads as follows.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

That according to ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter. The franchise tag for a safety is $6.916M.

Bills are placing franchise tag on S Jairus Byrd.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 1, 2013

NFL.com’s Ian Rapaport later followed up with a report of his own.

Looking like #Bills likely will franchise S Jairus Byrd, source says. We’ll see what he decides to do. (@adamschefter had it first)

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 1, 2013

1 - Hey Chris,

I have a few questions for you. 

First, with reports of Brian Urlacher possibly hitting the Free Agent market, do you see him as someone the Bills would bring in to add veteran depth and leadership at ILB? Also, if the Bills were to add a WR in free agency, who would be most likely? 

Finally, could we possibly see a similar situation to that of Washington last offseason and take two QBs in the draft? In my opinion, the chances are in your favor in that situation. 

Thanks,
Korey
Kenmore, NY

CB: Urlacher is on the decline. Not the same player. So no I don’t see him here. WR is a position that has limited top flight talent, so the guys at the top will be looking for big money. I don’t know that they can commit more big $$ at the position after handing out a big contract to Stevie last offseason.

I think affordable options that fit the mold of the big outside receiver that Buddy Nix is looking for are Braylon Edwards and Jerome Simpson.

2 - Hi Chris,

There continues to be serious concern regarding new contract negotiations with Andy Levitre and Jairus Byrd. Could you please update me with whatever progress is being made and how realistic is it that those two players will be on the roster in the fall.
Go Bills,
Richard
Los Angeles

CB: I respect the concern. We know that Bills President and CEO Russ Brandon and Senior VP of Football Administration Jim Overdorf met with the agents for both Andy Levitre and Jairus Byrd.

We’re about a week and a half away from the opening of free agency. Plus the new rule this year allows other clubs to talk to the agents of free agents from other clubs beginning March 9th, to open a dialogue on a possible contract. Only the team that had the player on their roster the previous season could sign said player however, prior to March 12th. The franchise tag is no longer an option effective at 4 pm on Monday.

I like both Levitre and Byrd as players, but if Levitre is asking for the moon I don’t see him back in a Bills uniform. As for Byrd I think if necessary the Bills would make use of the franchise tag at $6.79M. We’ll know by Monday afternoon for sure.

3 - Chris,

Is there any possibility of the Bills looking at Ryan Mallett from the Patriots? Seems like he was highly rated coming into the draft and slipped to the Patriots, you would have to think he’s learned a thing or 2 from backing up Brady the last 2 years. Of course the Patriots would have to be willing to give him to an intra division rival, if they even look at the Bills as that!

-Dan G in West Palm Beach

CB: The only way I see this as a remote possibility is if Matt Cassel is released by the Chiefs and signs back with New England where he began his career. That would make Mallett expendable, but even then I can’t see New England sending a player with potential to a division rival particularly at the quarterback position.

4 - @ChrisBrownBills Think Bills would consider going LT (Johnson/Fisher) at #8 and move Cordy Glenn to LG if they lose Levitre?

MustangMike23

CB: I believe both of those offensive tackles are in the right area in terms of value. Lane Johnson is a rare athlete and Fisher has NFL feet and strength right now. Glenn did play some guard in college, but I think if a quarterback they like is off the board when they’re on the clock at eight that they’ll go with the best defensive player on the board.

5 - @ChrisBrownBills

Well now with Kelsay gone would we try to target a pass rusher? Jordan or Jones?

JackJablonski

CB: I think the two are mutually exclusive. Kelsay’s retirement I don’t think would’ve had much bearing on whether they feel they need to add a pass rusher at OLB. What does have a bearing on it is where they feel that Mark Anderson fits. Knowing Buffalo’s defense is going to be a multiple front scheme is he a DE and OLB or just a DE? I would think they see him as a stand-up rusher in a 3-4 look. Now they could probably use another one in light of their deficiency at the position in general.

And as I said in the above response if there isn’t a quarterback there at eight that they like I think they’ll go with the best defensive player on the board. That could very well be a pass rusher.

With the previously released figures only being projected numbers the greatest change between the projected figures to the actual ones below took place at quarterback position with an increase of $254K, defensive end ($195K) and cornerback (194K).

At safety, a position where the Bills could make use of the franchise tag on impending free agent Jairus Byrd, the franchise tag went up $118K from a projected $6.798M to $6.916M.

Position  Franchise/Transition
QB: 14,896,000/13,068,000
RB: 8,219,000/6,970,000
WR: 10,537,000/8,867,000
TE: 6,066,000/5,194,000
OL: 9,828,000/8,709,000
DT: 8,450,000/7,039,000
DE: 11,175,000/9,151,000
LB: 9,619,000/8,358,000
CB: 10,854,000/9,095,000
S: 6,916,000/6,002,000
K/P: 2,977,000/2,700,000

In a morning appearance on WGR Sportsradio 550, Nix stated a desire to keep all of their free agents including CB Leodis McKelvin.

“Leodis is a guy we’d like to keep,” said Nix. 

And while re-signing all of their unrestricted free agents would be fine with Nix, he also realizes that may not happen.

“We’d like to keep all our guys. There does come a time when you can’t keep everybody and it just doesn’t fit,” Nix said. ”If somebody else see their value as a lot more than we do then good luck to them and good luck to the player.”

1 – Hi Chris,

My question is about the Bills pick in the first round. Do you see the Bills taking T’eo, I think that T’eo would fit in with the Bills defense next season? Because we got a healthy Mark Anderson coming back, plus, Mario Williams if not do you think that the bills might go after Ryan Nassib from Syracuse? If not one of them then who do you think the bills might take in the first round?

Thanks for all the work you guys do
Chris
CB: I think a lot of the direction the Bills choose to take in the first round of the draft will hinge on what acquisitions are made in free agency. Te’o is an interesting case. He was a playmaker in college, but so was Paul Posluszny. That production and playmaking ability did not carry over to the NFL game. I’m no scout, but I wonder if Te’o is not the same kind of linebacker. Obviously how he times at the Combine will say a lot about whether he’d be a true sideline to sideline player at the NFL level. His lack of playmaking against Alabama was eye opening against top college talent. Knowing that he’ll be facing comparable and better talent in the league makes me wonder about his long range potential. And if there’s that kind of doubt among scouts I think he goes late first round, not top 10.

2 – Chris,

As free agency approaches it’s clear the Bills will want to retain Byrd and Levitre.  However, isn’t Spiller going to demand more if he stays the course, and wouldn’t it be in the Bills best interest to extend him now rather than later?  In addition, has Marrone made any indication on the status of Ryan Fitzpatrick, as I’m one of the few that would rather have him while prepping another quarterback.

Thanks,
Dave Faber

CB: Spiller still has two years left on his contract. I think in due time the Bills will make sure he’s extended to ensure his future with the club, but players like Byrd and Levitre are far more pressing in nature with them set to hit the market in just over a month if they’re not re-signed. So at the earliest I would expect Spiller to possibly be addressed next offseason.

3 – Good Day Chris,

I have not heard much from the Bills this season about the Tarvaris Jackson trade / signing.  Has anyone at One Bills Drive talked about his addition to the team in 2012 and what progress he might have made during the season?  If I understand correctly, he is a free agent soon and I wonder if the Bills have any plans to extend his contract?  Especially given the draft pick they needed to give up getting him.  It would be a shame to let him walk now with 1 less pick come the draft this year.  

Best Regards,
Brad
Fonthill, ON

CB: It’s hard to ascertain at this point whether there are plans to retain Jackson for 2013. You’re right he will be an unrestricted free agent. What is working in Jackson’s favor concerning the new coaching staff is prior to coming to the Bills this past season the only offensive system he knew was the West Coast offense, or some variation thereof.

Knowing Nathaniel Hackett’s offense is rooted with West Coast principles he is at least well versed in a lot of the concepts that Buffalo’s offense would presumably run.

Is that enough to interest Buffalo’s offensive staff in re-signing him to their roster? That remains to be seen.

4 - Chris,
Any news on how Torell Troup’s recovery is progressing?  I want to see him in our rotation next year.

John MacGaffick

CB: Hopefully you saw our write up on Troup’s Battle Back this week on Buffalobills.com. Troup is finally back to normal and two arduous years of back problems. He’s still rehabbing now, but expected to be ready to roll for OTAs in the spring.

5 – Hi Chris,

Thank you for answering our questions. It’s very helpful. Can you please explain players who are signed as reserve/future players?

Bob Hammond

CB: Typically they’re players that served the previous season on the team’s practice squad. In order to retain those players NFL clubs have a week to sign them to a future free agent contract. Teams can also sign players from other practice squad units if they’re not re-signed by their former club, or a player that joined the team as a signee in the second half of the season (after 10^th regular season game) with one accrued NFL season of credit or less can be signed as a future free agents.

It’s essentially a category for rookie or first-year players that clubs want to retain and see how they develop from their practice squads.

ESPN NFL analyst and former NFL GM Bill Polian put together his list of top free agent talent set to hit the market in mid-March and two Bills appear near the top of his list.

Polian graded pending free agents with A, B and C grades. Here’s how he valued those grades in terms of investment.

A Players: Worth paying big, starter-caliber money.
B Players: Guys I would sign but only if the value made sense.
C Players: Guys I’d sign for low-salary, short-term (one or two years) value, with low bonuses.

Appearing on his ‘A’ list for offense was Bills free agent G Andy Levitre, who was listed 8th overall on the offensive side. Here’s Polian’s assessment.

Andy Levitre
Player Analysis: Levitre is a very solid, professional, strong, offensive guard. While he has the talent, his position might limit the money he’ll see.

Appearing on his ‘A’ list for defense was Bills free agent S Jairus Byrd, who ranked 12th on the defensive list.

Jairus Byrd
Player Analysis: Timed speed is a question mark, but instincts, toughness and production are not.

The only other Bills that appeared on Polian’s free agent list were Leodis McKelvin (B grade – but injury concerns) and Tashard Choice (C grade).

“It was a fun and enjoyable week,” Spiller told Buffalobills.com not long after Sunday’s game ended in Honolulu, 62-35 in favor of the NFC. “It was more laid back than a typical game week in the regular season. So my family and I tried to make sure we made the most of it.”

Spiller had just one carry in the game, but also contributed four catches for 25 yards for the AFC. Kyle Williams had a tackle while Jairus Byrd had three tackles and recovered a fumble for the AFC defense.

Always trying to improve his game, Spiller made sure to be part of the conversations where some NFL wisdom was passed around by veteran players as well.

“I learned some things while I was out here this week as well,” Spiller said. “How to get prepared for the season, prepared for games, different things like that. So it was a help that way too.”

Spiller and his family will be making the long flight home on Monday back to the east coast.

The last time Buffalo had three Pro Bowl players or more in the all-star game the same year was nine years ago in 2004. Buffalo’s second-ranked defense that season sent three in Sam Adams, Nate Clements and Takeo Spikes. Terrence McGee also went that year as a kick returner.

The 2000 (Ruben Brown, Sam Cowart, Eric Moulds, Ted Washington) and 2002 (Drew Bledsoe, Ruben Brown, Travis Henry, Eric Moulds) seasons are the only other instances since the turn of the century when the Bills have had three or more Pro Bowl representatives.