Jairus Byrd - FS
- Chances of returning: 3%
- What we're missing: 48 total tackles, 37 solo tackles, 11 assisted tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble and 4 interceptions for 85 yards.
- Comments: Jairus Byrd is a hell of a player and he will continue to be a hell of a player, for another team. I think the Bills rubbed him the wrong way with the Franchise Tag last year and the inability to come to a long-term agreement prior to free agency this year. Frankly, unless the Bills vastly overpaid for Byrd, he was a goner. His heart just doesn't seem to be in Buffalo. He held out last year until late in the summer, was put on the shelf due to a mysterious foot injury and was a part of some of the coldest interviews I've ever witnessed. Rumor has it the Bills offered him $10 million a year and he turned it down. Some fans wanted us to franchise him but the Bills front office knew that it was going to be a repeat of last year and probably felt it would be best to go our separate ways, wash our hands clean of the situation and spend that $10 million on player(s) that want to be here. It's been real Jairus. I anticipate him ending up in PHI, CLE, STL or ATL.
- Chances of returning: 7%
- What we're missing: 33 of 36 FG's made for a 91.7% success rate, the best of his career. A perfect 32 for 32 on XP's and plenty of touch backs on kickoffs.
- Comments: Carpenter was a pleasant surprise last year. He was always known to have a big leg but accuracy was never his thing. You figure kicking in Buffalo, NY wouldn't help the accuracy with all the wind, snow and other elements but it seemed to work well for him. He earned himself a nice contract this off-season, from another team. The Bills drafted Dustin Hopkins and will roll with him going forward. I'll miss you looking like Kid Rock everyday Danny boy, good luck wherever you land.
- Chances of returning: 22%
- What we're missing: 10 total tackles, 6 solo tackles and 4 assisted tackles.
- Comments: He was hurt last year but was a solid backup, rotational player the two years prior. I am hoping his injury will force him into taking a one year prove it deal with the Bills where he can backup Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus. If he plays well and Dareus walks next year, maybe the Bills can extend him longer at that point, but for now, a one year deal sounds like a good idea for both sides.
Scott Chandler - TE
- Chances of returning: 41%
- What we're missing: 53 catches for 655 yards and 2 touchdowns.
- Comments: He's sure handed but offers minimal YAC and is in the opposite mold of what the TE position is becoming. He's stiff and in my opinion, not an ideal starting TE, at least not for the team I'm cheering for. The thoughts of upgrading from Scott Chandler to an Eric Ebron, Jace Amaro or an Austin Sefarian-Jenkins is nothing short of a dream scenario for a guy like me, who loves having an athlete at the position.
- Chances of returning: 16%
- What we're missing: 41 total tackles, 30 solo tackles, 11 assisted tackles, 4 interceptions for 72 yards and 5 passes defended.
- Comments: Jim Leonhard made some plays as a late signing for the Buffalo Bills when Jairus Byrd's mysterious foot injury became public. I think Jim has one year left in the tank but I don't think it will be for the Buffalo Bills. He seemed over matched at times when trying to fill the lanes in the run game and catching up speedier receivers both deep and across the middle of the field.
Arthur Moats - LB
- Chances of returning: 27%
- What we're missing: 54 total tackles, 30 solo tackles, 24 assisted tackles and no turnovers.
- Comments: He was solid but not spectacular. He lost some snaps late to Nigel Bradham and just seemed too slow at times. He's smart and instinctive but is best suited for a backup LB role. There's a chance he returns to the Bills but he may be looking for a fresh start somewhere with a team promising a starting spot.
- Chances of returning: 12%
- What we're missing: Nothing
- Comments: I believe he caught a TD pass in the pre-season last year but was also the source of way too many penalties for someone trying to make a team, especially a team that had positions for the taking. He had a good college background but lacks the discipline to be trusted throughout a full game.
The Bills got lucky with their free agent class this year. Other than losing Byrd, they shouldn't be losing sleep over any other free agent departures. Next year they are losing a few more people. The silver lining in that is that the Bills have a handful of players heading into their contract year which tends to lead to a bit better production and some additional fire that may have been absent from their game in previous years. Here is a list of players in the final year of their contract that will be free agents this time next year:
- Marcell Dareus - DT
- Jerry Hughes - DE/OLB
- Fred Jackson - RB
- Kevin Kolb - QB
- Erik Pears - RT
- Da'Norris Searcy - SS
- Chris Hairston - RT
- Tony Moeaki - TE
- Garrison Sanborn - LS
- Doug Legursky - OG
- Marcus Easley - WR =/
- Lee Smith - TE
- Thaddeus Lewis - QB
- Mark Asper - OG
- Kevin Elliott - WR
- Brian Moorman - P
- Evan Rodriguez - FB
- Corbin Bryant - DT
- Chris Hogan - WR
- Antoine McClain - OG
- Frank Summers - FB
That's a lot of players. Some good, some decent, some replaceable but at the end of the day, that's still a lot of roster spots the Bills would have to fill. Look for the Bills to sign some free agents and draft some players tailored to softening the blow of next years free agency period. The Bills have a good amount of cap space so extending some of these players above may be in the works as the Bills try to alleviate some pressure on themselves next March
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