Bills wide out Lee Evans has given back to the Buffalo community off the field, while being an explosive playmaker on it. Will the team give him the extension he seeks before the start of the season? - Photo by Don Grassmann
Buffalo needs to re-sign Evans sooner rather than later
At the Buffalo Bills pre-draft luncheon last Wednesday, COO Russ Brandon was asked about the status of contract negotiations with wide receiver Lee Evans. Brandon responded:
“We certainly take a hard look at that from the standpoint of how we go about building this roster short-, mid-, and long-term. Lee obviously is a core player in this organization and we want Lee to be here for many years to come. We will be proactive in looking at not only Lee’s situation but other players on this roster that we identify and that is the way that we feel we can continue to build this good, young roster and having the core players as part of our philosophy.”
So, if the Bills really want Evans to stay with the team, they should re-sign the star wide receiver sooner rather than later. If they can get a deal done before the start of the 2008 season, it won’t be a distraction for Evans. But, if they wait until the end of the season, Evans will likely drive up his value with a strong season and think about testing free agency.
Now is the perfect time to sign him. Statistically, 2007 was a down year for Evans, so perhaps the Bills could get a bit of a discount for him, though, I’m sure his agent will point to a horrible offense and a rookie quarterback.
In March, Javon Walker signed a ridiculous six-year $55 million contract with the Raiders. Evans is younger than Walker, and doesn’t have a huge injury problem, so I don’t know why he won’t get a comparable deal. The longer the Bills wait, the higher the price of a top receiver is going to soar.
Evans is a key part of the Buffalo offense. Since the departure of Eric Moulds, Evans has led the Bills receivers by a large margin. In 2006, he caught 82 balls for 1,292 yards and eight touchdowns. On top of that, Evans is an offensive captain and one of the most popular players among fans.
Recently, Buffalo has extended the contracts of Rian Lindell, Brian Moorman and Roscoe Parrish. Now, it’s important that the team do the same for one of its best players. If the Bills let Evans leave, it sends a message to free agents that they are not committed to winning. Hopefully, the management learned a lesson from the Buffalo Sabres.
I have a personal interest in Evans staying with the team, as I’ve owned his jersey since the 2005 season.
Do you think the team should or will sign Lee Evans before the start of the season? Post a comment!
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10 Responses to “Buffalo needs to re-sign Evans sooner rather than later”
April 21st, 2008 at 6:25 pm
I think that they should re-sign him soon as possible I think that five years for 60 million would work then it would help for now and in the long term. Walter in Oklahoma city
April 21st, 2008 at 7:27 pm
If the team is serious about wanting to be an annual contender, I don’t see how they couldn’t resign him. This would be different if they had a #2 ready to step into his role (like Lee was with Moulds), but they don’t, and any drafted rookie won’t be ready in his 2nd season. Giving up on Lee for financial reasons would be insulting to the fans and and essentially a commitment to yet another year of building their offense. I know 1 player doesn’t make your team, but a #1 receiver (without another in the wings) is pretty darn important.
And while you’re at it, make some use of that Toronto revenue and resign Crowell!
April 21st, 2008 at 7:45 pm
They definitely need to sign Lee ASAP look at the Sabres screw up last year the presidents cup and the playoffs this year squat ,if the Bills and Mr. Wilson want the fans to stand behind them they need to show us they’re willing to give this team what it needs to win !!!
April 21st, 2008 at 8:11 pm
I love Lee Evans. Hell, I live in Wisconsin, and I’m a Bills fan-how couldn’t I? If the Badgers had a better QB, and passing game while he was there he would have lit up every game he was in. The Bills better re-sign him, and FAST or I’m going to be seriously pissed. He’s done such a great job for us under horrible circumstances, especially when you consider how bad our passing game has been since he’s been here. Too many Coordinators, and too many QB changes! Don’t let LEE-LEE(that’s what I like to call him-got it from a Badger fan I know) run away to another team-RESIGN HIM NOW!
April 22nd, 2008 at 7:59 am
If he left right now we could feature Josh Reed at WR haha.
April 23rd, 2008 at 2:48 pm
WOW! LOL! Yeah, he deserves the chance(sarcasm)!LOL!
April 23rd, 2008 at 2:51 pm
He was the best WR in college football his last year at LSU. Must’ve been a weak WR class.
April 25th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Right! Let’s just hope this year’s crop of WR talent is ready to be one of the best. Especially since I Bill-eive that we will take two WRs within the 1-3 rounds in this draft.
April 25th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
I’m not buying in on two in the top three yet.
I think
1. WR/CB
2. whichever we didn’t do
3. TE
However, I think we should trade down from 11, pick up an extra second. If we get an extra second or third to play with on top of those three picks, I’m all for an extra WR
April 25th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
I know, I’m one of the few that says that and it probably sounds CRAZY. But you know what I’ve been saying Dan, if we can do it we take:
1)WR Devin Thomas MSU
2)TE John Carlson ND
3)WR Jordy Nelson KSU
I AM CRASSSSZZY!!! GOOO BiLLLSS!!! GOOO 08′ NFL DRAFT!!!!
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