Bangy 19 Posted February 17, 2012 (edited) Per ESPN ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills haven't given up on re-signing Stevie Johnson before the receiver's eligible to become a free agent next month. A person familiar with the discussions told The Associated Press on Thursday that the two sides exchanged offers over the past week, and plan to meet again at the NFL combine in Indianapolis next week. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because negotiations are not being made public. The exchange of offers is the first indication that contract talks have resumed since the two sides broke off discussions in November. That's when Johnson rejected the Bills' latest offer and said it would be up to the team to make the next move. In completing the final year of his contract, Johnson became Buffalo's first receiver to have consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. He led the Bills for a second straight year with 76 catches for 1,004 yards and seven touchdowns. Johnson's season did end in controversy, after he was benched for the final three quarters of the Bills' finale at New England. He was disciplined for drawing an excessive celebration penalty after he scored a touchdown and pulled up his jersey to reveal the words "Happy New Year" written on his undershirt. It was the second time last season and third time in two years that Johnson had been flagged for a TD celebration. Coach Chan Gailey has said he would be open to Johnson returning as long as he can keep his emotions in check, and general manager Buddy Nix said last month that the Bills want to re-sign Johnson. Starting next week, the Bills have the option to place a franchise tag on Johnson to retain his rights for one more season. That possibility was considered unlikely, because it would put the team in a position to pay Johnson about $9.4 million next season -- and that's far more than what the Bills are willing to shell out. Losing Johnson would be a big blow to the Bills' offense, which already lacked experienced depth at receiver last season after the team traded veteran Lee Evans to Baltimore in August. In other Bills news, defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt said tackle Kyle Williams "is right on schedule" in recovering from a surgically repaired foot. Williams had previously indicated he expects to be cleared to practice in time for the start of training camp. After coaching outside linebackers during his first season in Buffalo last year, Wannstedt was promoted to defensive coordinator after George Edwards was fired a day after the Bills' final game. Wannstedt's first move is having the defense switch back to a 4-3 scheme. Outlining his philosophy, Wannstedt said his defenses rely on big linemen, who can plug holes and pressure quarterbacks, while being supported by mobile linebackers. His top priority is improving the blitz after the Bills finished tied for 30th in the NFL with 29 sacks. The inside of the line is expected to be anchored by Williams and Marcell Dareus, who's coming off a solid rookie season. Veteran outside linebacker Nick Barnett will continue his role as a three-down player, including moving inside during pass situations. Wannstedt was also impressed with how Kelvin Sheppard progressed at middle linebacker as a rookie last season. He said he has "all the confidence in the world" in Sheppard starting in the middle this year. One question mark is the status of pass-rushing specialist Shawne Merriman, who missed the final 10 games after surgery to repair nagging injuries to his right Achilles tendon and shoulder. "That's a great question, and I don't have an answer," Wannstedt said of his expectations of Merriman, who has one year left on his contract. "How it all comes back, we'll all find out together." Edited March 5, 2012 by NaTaS Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NaTaS+ 958 Posted March 5, 2012 via ESPN The Buffalo Bills and wide receiver Stevie Johnson are on the verge of a five-year contract that is likely to be completed in the next 24 hours, according to a source familiar with the deal. The two sides spent much of Sunday negotiating and are aiming to wrap up the deal Monday, the source said. Last week, Johnson's agent, C.J. LaBoy, said he was "very optimistic" after describing talks as being "productive," in an email to The Associated Press. Johnson, 25, led the Bills with 76 catches, joining Eric Moulds as the only Bills receivers to have 75 in consecutive seasons. He also became the first Bills receiver in the franchise's 52-year history to post back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons. He finished with 1,004 yards. Johnson, however, was penalized twice in five weeks for excessive touchdown celebrations -- the second leading to a benching by coach Chan Gailey for the final three quarters of a season-ending 49-21 loss at New England. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted March 5, 2012 Bills re-signed WR Stevie Johnson to a five-year, $36.25 million contract, with $19.5 million guaranteed. The deal pays over $24 million in its first three years. Johnson was seeking roughly $8 million annually, so the Bills got him right where they wanted him by playing a little hardball. The $36M over five figure is barely more than free agent Pierre Garcon turned down from the Colts. (Johnson is much, much better than Garcon.) A seventh-round pick in 2008, Johnson is now signed through 2016, his age-30 season. He's posted an average line of 79/1,039/8.5 since being inserted into the starting lineup in 2010, and will continue to be the Bills' featured player in the passing game. Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BC 331 Posted March 8, 2012 Good for Buffalo. Love it every time you see a shitty organization make a little bit of progress. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
