Does Buffalo need Bryant Johnson?
Free agent wide receiver Bryant Johnson visited with the Buffalo Bills on Monday, March 3 and expressed interest in joining the team. However, since then there has been nothing more than reports that the team is close to signing the former Arizona first-round pick.
We can assume that Buffalo is interested in him by the fact that he came in for a visit. Additionally, we know Johnson likes the idea of Buffalo from what he said after his visit. “Before I got here I knew Buffalo was a young team and they are definitely on the right track,” Johnson said. “I definitely think I could be a big part in them moving towards the future. I took a tour of the facility and I think the facility is great. I definitely would like to be a Buffalo Bill.”
So, what is the problem? It has to be money. Johnson wants to be paid legit No. 2 receiver money, since he would likely fill that role in Buffalo. However, in Arizona he was a No. 3 receiver, albeit behind Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald.
The value of a receiver has gone up with the insane contract Oakland gave to Javon Walker, although he is supposed to be the No. 1 option. Additionally, the Browns gave Donte Stallworth a seven-year, $35 million deal and the Dolphins gave Ernest Wilford a four-year, $13 million contract. Johnson and his agent must think he is deserving of something along those lines.
Bills Chief Operating Officer Russ Brandon is likely looking at Johnson’s stats and thinking he’s not necessarily worth that much. Johnson’s best season was in 2006 where he had 40 receptions for 740 yards and four touchdowns. Last year he posted 46 catches for 528 yards and two touchdowns.
Johnson has reportedly drawn some interest from Tennessee and Washington, but it doesn’t sound like its any more than Buffalo’s. He and his agent are likely just trying to up his value.
The question I pose is, does Buffalo really need Johnson next season?
His 6-3 height is certainly something the Bills could use to go with Lee Evans (5-10), Josh Reed (5-10) and Roscoe Parrish (5-9). Aside from Johnson the only other appealing free agent wide receiver that has height is D.J. Hackett, who has yet to draw interest from Buffalo. Former Panther Drew Carter could be a low-risk option and I doubt Eric Moulds really wants to return (much less is he wanted).
If the Bills don’t address the wide receiver position in free agency there is the draft, where Buffalo holds the No. 11 overall pick. Since the team addressed its defensive tackle and linebacker needs, they can look for a wide receiver, cornerback or tight end in that position in the first round. In terms of tall receivers a Malcolm Kelly, Limas Sweed, Early Doucet, James Hardy or Devin Thomas could be had in the first or second round.
Buffalo’s passing attack was bad last year, but a good chunk of the blame goes on using two quarterbacks and the horrendous play calling of Steve Fairchild. If there was something resembling creativity in the play calls, Josh Reed and Roscoe Parrish may have been more active in the offense. Any defensive coordinator could shut Buffalo down by doubling Evans and sticking eight in the box to stop Marshawn Lynch.
I think the Bills would still draft a wide receiver even if Johnson were acquired, perhaps just not in the first round. All I’m saying is that Buffalo doesn’t need Johnson.
There is a new poll on how the Bills should address the wide receiver position, vote and leave a comment if you wish.
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, March 12th, 2008 at 3:00 pm and is filed under 2008 off-season, Bryant Johnson, D.J. Hackett, Josh Reed, Roscoe Parrish, Wide receivers, Lee Evans, NFL Draft.
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22 Responses to “Does Buffalo need Bryant Johnson?”
March 12th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
i think we dont need johnson. hes not worth alot of money. we could always get malcolm kelly or a limas sweed in the draft. so dont bother throwing money at him
March 12th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
We don’t need Johnson his numbers were not all that great (taken in consideration) that he played behind Bolen/Fitzgerald. Since when did a 3rd receiver successfully demanded a high pay and was awarded it? Buffalo seem to be on the right track with regards to the free agency pickups and I’m sure that they know what’s best for the team. I believe they have something up theor sleeve that all of us Bills fans will be happy with.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Yes i think we do need him,he is a big reciever we need that badly. When he took over for either bolden or fitzgerald he did a good job being the number two rec. Even if we take kelly in the 1st round it well take him al least one year to get use to the pro level. Just think how good evens would be next year if we get johnson… lets get it done.
March 12th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Yeah, I would love to have a big and tall reciever, but I don’t think its Johnson were after. I think Brandon changed his mind. WE have the money to sign him without question. However, I think this team is bent on the future. You can’t question anymore this teams heart and you certainly can’t question that were a team on the rise aquiring talent. I think Brandon’s mind is now set on the drafting of a James Hardy and the signing of a one Lee Evans.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
yes i do think we need johnson. he has just as much talent as any receiver we have now. when the cardnials receivers went down, he got his chance and he shined. with lee on one side johnson on the other and drafting kelly from o.u. would make a leathel receiving corp. one other thing, please re-sign lee evans, don’t let him hit the open martket next season!
March 12th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
hey kenny how do we get hardy. if we drafted him @ 11 we would be the laughing stock of the league and he will not be there when we pick in the second. so how are we getting him?
March 12th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Who cares how big the receiver is. We need another receiver that is a threat. Drew carter would be a great signing for the bills. He has good speed and good hands. We don’t need tall receiver, we need a good one. I’m not sure if bryant johnson is that good. I really like James hardy out of indiana, mario manningham from michigan (even though his 40 time stinks), and harry douglas from Louisville.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
I think we need him in the worst way. I think we should give him his money and still draft the best available WR with the 11th pick. Bryant Johnson will add a threat we currently do not have and with a Malcom Kelly we will have a weakness turn into a strength. In the NFL you must have strengths and with Evans, Johnson and Kelly we would have a great crop of WR’s a la the Patriots making Marshawn Lynch that much better. Get Johnson, Draft Kelly and then look for the best available TE in the 3rd round (cb in the 2nd) and let Trent Edwards emerge as a top QB.
March 12th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
First Early Doucet is not a tall receiver. We don’t need Johnson. I think we offered him a contract and he wanted more money. He has not provin nothing. We need to draft either Kelly, Sweed, or Hardy. Devin Thomas is to small. Moulds was 6-2 and not a great red zone theart. We need a guy 6-4 and up. I would like Johnson for reasonable money and still draft one of the guys i stated in 1st round. Evans will not renew his contract with Bills, so we need to look in the future.
Checkmate.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
i think we need johnson and i think we need lee evans and all the other guys we have. and yes you are right, the play calling has been terrible. so when it gets better, with all the old weapons and a few new ones, we should be a playoff team. at least we will be a respected force in the league, instead of the laughing stock. i think all of the moves thay have made so far are in the right direction. and getting johnson would just be one more excellent choice. get all you can get and be all we can be!
March 12th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Well so much for Drew Carter, the Raiders signed him today.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:56 am
We definitely need Johnson - for the right price. It really makes me laugh when all of these fans talk about how we will just draft Sweed or Kelly and be fine. WRs in the NFL take time to contribute. Moulds took 4 years. We should certainly draft at least one this year (it is a deep class) but it is silly to assume that the draft will yield a #2 starter. Johnson has a lot of what we need - size, experience, and he is a young vet. Any time you get a chance to get a young vet just coming out of his rookie contract, you should be excited. Let’s just hope the price is right….
March 13th, 2008 at 6:59 am
Yes, we can use Johnson. Contrary to what a rookie will provide, Johnson will contribute right away. He is big AND fast. As to how do we get Hardy, the Bills trade down 6-10 spots in the 1st round…that’s how.
I’m more disturbed that the Bills have signed two Oakland TE castoffs rather than go strongly after Utecht or Troupe. When will we learn that we cannnot get away with going the cheap, hopeful route at this position?
March 13th, 2008 at 9:22 am
Well, to be honest, i watch football and i don’t see all the hipe over Johnson. If he is so good why is anyone else who needs good recievers aka Dolphins, try and get him. I think if we get him he will be another Moulds, good, but not play maker. We need to reach out and get something good in the Draft, learn from the past, FA is only good for certain items. Depth is grown through the draft.
GO BILLS!
March 13th, 2008 at 10:06 am
Don’t spend the money! I hate to see us go down the road of trying to buy our way into the playoffs. Let’s continue the trend of spending moderate money on good talent and developing our draft picks.We need to concentrate on signing Lee more than signing Bryant.
March 13th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Jeff (4/12-7:55pm) , I have the exact same thoughts as you as how to address our needs. Sign Johnson (reasonablly) draft Kelly in round one, corner in round two and tight end in round three.. the rest of the rounds find a pass rusher, and depth in other positions. Sign Macintyre to fill the fullback spot. I also think that Shonert will re-institute some form of the K-Gun/no huddle that Levy wanted to see. We could potentally be pretty leathel if all the parts come together!
March 13th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Buffalo absolutly needs Johnson, the man was a first round pick that has the talent but overshadowed by Boldin and Fitzgerald. What’s the one thing the Bills offense has lacked for years? A big target to catch passes AND block downfield. Recievers out of the draft take to long to develop, and the best one in the draft(Kelly) has had injury problems. Sign Johnson, draft a corner, and trade back into the first to sign that tightend from Purdue.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
It’s certainly a tough decision TJ with all the wide receivers available in the draft. There’s a lot of depth and talent, but no clear cut top guy at this point.
Keller is the tight end from Purdue and I’d definitely like him in a Bills uni.
Right now I’m thinking they should sign Johnson that way they don’t NEED a receiver at No. 11. A good one could still be had in the second round, like a James Hardy perhaps.
March 13th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
yes we need jhonson i think he could be a huge help right away . also on special teams he was a beast at psu returning chicks hes definitly hella fast..
Lee/jhonson/sweed/ now thats a trio.. with parish and reed on the side.. that would be threating..
give him the money and get it done buffalo.. jhonson will catch 70+ balls with close to 10tds … singh him anng get it over and done so we can move to the next hole to fill
March 13th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
I think the Bills would be well served if they signed Johnson. He is a perfect fit for your team. Not only would he not cost you any players, as Stroud did, but he would then free you to address your CB and TE needs in the draft’s first two rounds. With two bona fide WRs, and a TE (a draft with a number of very good prospects who will be off the board when you pick in round 4) who can stretch the field, you would give your young QB, either Edwards or Losman a full arsenal of options they’ve never enjoyed, not to mention opening up the running game by making defenses play more honest. The CB would be my pick in the 1st, and the TE in the 2nd. Just a thought from a roving Charger fan.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
I DO NOT WANT JOHNSON HERE IN BUFFALO BECAUSE THEY ALREADY HAVE ENOUGH BUMS ON THIS TEAM LETS GO OUT AND GET SOME PLAYERS THAT CAN WIN US SOME GAMES IAM TIRED OF ALL THESE CHEAP OFF THE JUNK PILE PLAYERS THAT THEY GET YEAR AFTER YEAR.THE BILLS HAVE GOT TO START SHOWING ME THAT THEY WANT TO WIN IF THEY WANT TO KEEP ME INTERESTED AND TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH THEY HAVE DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING THIS OFFSEASON TO GET ME EXCITED THE PLAYERS THEY SIGHNED ARE NOTHING BUT SOMEONE ELSES JUNK. YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ONE HASBEEN DT AND THREE NEVER WASES.TO ME IT LOOKS LIKE A VERY! BLEAK FUTURE IN BUFFALO OH OR IN TORONTO
March 14th, 2008 at 11:59 am
I think they should sign him if they can get him at a reasonable price. Since he’s mostly been used as a third receiver, he might be better than his stats show him to be. If he played regularly, with his size and speed, he might turn out to be a pretty good player. Plus, he’s relatively young and may not have reached his full potential, and that would make him the type of player the Bills have signed the last couple of years–younger guys with potential for improvement that can be obtained without breaking the bank.
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