Mario

[ND72]

Just read that Chicago will fly Mario out ASAP tomorrow, and plan to make a "significant" offer to him. He has said he has a huge interest in playing in Chicago. Holy F Ted....figure something out and offer him more! Do it for Rodgers.

[Bretsky]

Chicago knows their window is closing; this would be a win now move and IMO they are in that mode

[Joemailman]

Some teams go out and sign free agents to get their best players. Other teams just draft 'em

[Patler]

Peppers and Williams - would be nice to have the Clifton and Tauscher of 7-8 years ago. Those would be great match ups to watch.

[Brandon494]

How can they afford him? God I hope that doesnt happen.

[Patler]

How can they afford him? God I hope that doesnt happen.

The Bears are reported to have something like $20 million in cap space.

[Joemailman]

Bears have the cap room, since they really only have 6 guys good enough to demand big money. Bears have little money invested at OL, WR and TE, hence the large amount of cap room. Next year would be the tough year for them when Forte and Urlacher are scheduled to be UFA's, and Tillman's salary goes up by 4 million.

[red]

that would suck

[pbmax]

How can they afford him? God I hope that doesnt happen.


The Bears are reported to have something like $20 million in cap space.

Plus all the cash the Mike Tice has raked in selling unused player tickets to the Super Bowl. Bears are rolling in space and liquidity.


And I smell another Left Tackle draft pick.

[sheepshead]

The Texans are cutting guys. Making cap room to keep him in town??

[pbmax]

The Texans are cutting guys. Making cap room to keep him in town??

It would very much depend on how much space they were creating. They are $4 mil or so over the cap as of March 11. They carried over no space from last year. All numbers via PFT.

Carryover: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/12/cap-carryover-for-2012/

Cap Space: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/11/team-by-team-cap-space-as-of-march-11

[Cheesehead Craig]

I heard Chicago wanted Vincent Jackson too. He's going to command big money. If they get both of them, their cap is going to be shot.

[Packers4Glory]

they would have a good defense. their secondary is still just average. i'm not sure that would bode well for keeping Forte long term. Their offense is still the weakness of that team. You have to score to win, and good offensive teams will still score on the bears.

Teams like GB could offset that pass rush w/ quick short stuff and by spreading them out 4 and 5 wide getting them out of their base. Teams that don't have our depth on offense will have a much tougher go.

[pbmax]

It would very much depend on how much space they were creating. They are $4 mil or so over the cap as of March 11. They carried over no space from last year. All numbers via PFT.

Carryover: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.ignoreMe/

Cap Space: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/11/team-by-team-cap-space-as-of-march-11

Ignore the carryover, I should have realized it from the Packer number, but that Cap link includes all 2011 carryover and all transactions prior to 4 PM, March 9th.

[denverYooper]

Plus all the cash the Mike Tice has raked in selling unused player tickets to the Super Bowl. Bears are rolling in space and liquidity.


And I smell another Left Tackle draft pick.

LOL!

When I think Tice, I think scalping.

[ND72]

they would have a good defense. their secondary is still just average. i'm not sure that would bode well for keeping Forte long term. Their offense is still the weakness of that team. You have to score to win, and good offensive teams will still score on the bears.

Teams like GB could offset that pass rush w/ quick short stuff and by spreading them out 4 and 5 wide getting them out of their base. Teams that don't have our depth on offense will have a much tougher go.

Giants secondary is very average...amazing what a good defensive front and pressure will do for a secondary.

[denverYooper]

Giants secondary is very average...amazing what a good defensive front and pressure will do for a secondary.

Or vice versa, as we well know...

[Packers4Glory]

Giants secondary is very average...amazing what a good defensive front and pressure will do for a secondary.

or a bunch of dropped passes.

[pbmax]

Mario's first visit in to Buffalo to learn what that city has to offer before he rejects them.

[pittstang5]

Mario's first visit in to Buffalo to learn what that city has to offer before he rejects them.

Heard that too. God, I hope he gets a deal with Buffalo. Williams and Peppers is just outright insane!

[pbmax]

Heard that too. God, I hope he gets a deal with Buffalo. Williams and Peppers is just outright insane!

If the numbers Joemailman and Patler have on Brandon Marshall's contract are correct (cap number near $9 mil) then it just got alot harder to sign Mario.

[Joemailman]

If the numbers Joemailman and Patler have on Brandon Marshall's contract are correct (cap number near $9 mil) then it just got alot harder to sign Mario.

http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/chicago-bears/brandon-marshall/

9.3 mil base salary. I assume the Dolphins get hit with the signing bonus on their salary cap.

[ND72]

or a bunch of dropped passes.

They've been to a super bowl like that before.

[Patler]

http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/chicago-bears/brandon-marshall/

9.3 mil base salary. I assume the Dolphins get hit with the signing bonus on their salary cap.

The signing bonus wasn't much, $5.5 million on the five year contract, so the Dolphins should have only $3.3 million of it left. Marshall was on a pay-as-you-go contract, after the issues with him in Denver.

[KYPack]

The Bills are claiming that they are gonna sign the big boy.

Man, there is a lot of action and $ flying around in FA right now.

[woodbuck27]

The Bills are claiming that they are gonna sign the big boy.

Man, there is a lot of action and $ flying around in FA right now.

Every Packer fan is hoping the Bills get Mario Williams. I hope he's not aware of the lousy hotels in Buffalo.
Maybe his parents don't attend games and that Buffalo 'poor hotel thingy' is moot.

[woodbuck27]

Ohh Ohh The Bears may still be a possibility according to this report:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/category/rumor-mill/

Report: Mario Williams won’t sign tonight, will visit others (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/13/report-mario-williams-leaving-buffalo-without-signing-will-visit-others/)

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 13, 2012, 11:20 PM EDT
http://nbcprofootballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/m-williamsvsno.jpg?w=179 AP The Buffalo Bills appear to have fallen short in their quest to make a big splash on the opening day of free agency with the biggest free agent contract ever given to a defensive player.
Instead, Mario Williams (http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/3636/mario-williams) will leave Buffalo without signing and has scheduled a visit with at least one other team, Jason La Canfora of NFL Network reports.

So Williams, this year’s top free agent outside Peyton Manning (http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/1493/peyton-manning), will continue to look around. What we don’t know is whether his decision to leave Buffalo is an indication that he didn’t like Buffalo’s financial offer, that he didn’t like what he heard from the Bills’ football people, or if he simply wants to take his time and weigh other offers.

Among the teams that are reportedly still hoping to get an audience with Williams are the Bears and the Titans.

Some team will almost certainly make Williams the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history, and that team might be the Bills. But it won’t be today.

[ND72]

Someone tweet Nick Barnett ad tell him to help us out!

[woodbuck27]

Bills’ Kyle Williams optimistic Mario Williams will join team (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/14/bills-kyle-williams-optimistic-mario-williams-will-join-team/)

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 14, 2012, 7:53 AM EDT
http://nbcprofootballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/x6103-e1320702619392.jpg?w=250 AP

Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams said on Wednesday morning that after dining with Mario Williams (http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/3636/mario-williams) on Tuesday night, he thinks the Bills have a good chance of landing the NFL’s top defensive free agent.

In an interview on WGR, Kyle Williams expressed optimism about Mario Williams, who is still in Buffalo this morning. Kyle said they had a good meeting over dinner along with members of the Bills’ front office and coaching staff, and that Mario seemed to like what he was hearing about the future of the Buffalo franchise.

Kyle said he told Mario that if he joins the Bills they’ll have the best defensive line in the NFL, and that Mario seemed to agree with that assessment.

Although Mario has reportedly scheduled at least one other visit that he wants to make before any decision about his future, the Bills will give him another pitch this morning before he leaves town. And it’s still possible that Mario won’t leave town at all, at least not until after he’s been introduced as Kyle’s newest teammate.

[woodbuck27]

Bills say Mario Williams will be back Thursday (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/14/bills-say-mario-will-be-back-thursday/)

Posted by Mike Florio on March 14, 2012, 7:23 PM EDT
http://nbcprofootballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/m-williamstshirt-e1331767363465.jpg?w=250 AP
The Bills know that if defensive end Mario Williams (http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/3636/mario-williams) leaves town without a contract, he may not come back. (Except as a member of the visiting team.)

And so, according to the Bills, Williams has changed his plans. As of 5:30 p.m., Williams was scheduled to leave town tonight. The team says that, while he has left the facility for the evening, he plans to on Thursday (https://twitter.com/#!/buffalobills/status/180063900476260352).

A source with knowledge of Williams’ plans tells PFT that, in reality, whether he indeed returns on Thursday depends on what happens tonight. Which suggests that negotiations are continuing — and that they’re at a critical stage.

The fact that the Bills are saying Williams will be back possibly implies that the Bills intend to work through whatever potential hiccups remain in order to land what would be the biggest free agent in franchise history.

Either way, Williams will be back with the Bills tomorrow. Unless he isn’t.

[woodbuck27]

Bills, Mario “getting closer to a deal”

Posted by Mike Florio on March 15, 2012, 10:48 AM EDT

In Buffalo, there will be white smoke at some point on Thursday. The question is whether it will be coming from the chimney at the team’s facility (if, you know, it has a chimney) or from the jet that will be carrying Mario Williams (http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/3636/mario-williams) to his next destination.

For now, the smart money is on the chimney.

A source with knowledge of the negotiations tells PFT that Williams and the Bills are “getting closer to a deal.”
Stay tuned.

[woodbuck27]

It's being reported that Mario Williams was sighted at the airport in Buffalo. He was there to meet his 'Lady' on her expected arrival. So what's that mean!? I think it means that Mario Williams wants his Lady present when he announces that he will become a Buffalo Bill.

[TheRaven]

It seems to be looking that way. The guy is a great player, though I am a little concerned with the amount of games missed the last two years. Despite that, Buffalo needs something like this to help turn that franchise around.

[KYPack]

Christ! The SOB finally signed with the Bills.

Talk about much ado over very little!

[Fritz]

My guess is that before His "Lady" showed up, Nick Barnett took Mario Williams to the kinds of places where he could find the company of a different kind of "lady."

Thank goodness they were attractive.

[pbmax]

Its like the Bills were pulling the auto salesman trick of not letting you leave because they had your drivers license.

Rodgers just Tweeted (and Stafford retweeted) congratulations to Williams for signing and thanks for going to the AFC East.

[Fritz]

Glad he's out of the way. Now we can get down to the serious business of seeing who signs Chris Myers - then Wells will follow. I think Wellsy is visiting the Titans then St. Louis.

And the Titans have offered P Manning a huge deal, apparently. Scott Wells can have a very rich man's hands between his legs if he signs with Tennessee.....

[MadScientist]

Its like the Bills were pulling the auto salesman trick of not letting you leave because they had your drivers license.

Rodgers just Tweeted (and Stafford retweeted) congratulations to Williams for signing and thanks for going to the AFC East.

I'm guessing Matt Flynn didn't re-tweet that one.

[Fritz]

Not if he ends up in Miami, at least!

[ND72]

NFL Network via Chris Myers agent said Green Bay has not contacted him.

[woodbuck27]

Heard that too. God, I hope he gets a deal with Buffalo. Williams and Peppers is just outright insane!


Comment woodbuck27: Just as it seemed to be shaping up. The Bills get Mario Williams.

Mario gives Bills legitimacy, stout defense

Posted by Mike Florio on March 15, 2012, 1:25 PM EDT
http://nbcprofootballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/126541232_crop_650x440-e1331832321163.jpg?w=250 Getty Images

In 1993, the Packers made a huge move toward their first Super Bowl title in 30 years by persuading defensive end Reggie White to come to Green Bay. Nineteen years later, the Bills have taken a similar step in the direction of legitimacy by persuading defensive end Mario Williams (http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/3636/mario-williams) to choose Buffalo.

For Bills fans, an excruciating two days ended with good news, thanks to a full-court press launched by the organization when Williams arrived on Tuesday for a visit. Other teams wanted a shot at him, but the Bills did just enough to keep Williams around long enough to get the deal done.

Giving Williams a record contract was a given, but Williams easily could have taken a little less to play for a team that he believes to be a true contender. (He already has made nearly $60 million in six years.) So perhaps it’s no stretch to conclude that, after two days in Buffalo, Mario believes the Bills will be a true contender.

The offense has been moving in the right direction.

With Mario Williams lined up next to Kyle Williams and Marcel Dareus — and with Shawne Merriman (http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/3171/shawne-merriman) hopefully returning to the field and also to form — the Bills’ defense could be much better in 2012. Which would make the team much better. Which could make the Bills Mafia much happier.

More importantly, the decision of the first overall pick in the 2006 to choose the Bills could make other free agents choose the Bills. Which could make the Bills even better. Which could make the Bills Mafia even happier.

It’s been too long since this franchise has been truly relevant. The fans in Western New York deserve it. Until the games start, they’ll get the next best thing.

Genuine hope.

[swede]

NFL Network via Chris Myers agent said Green Bay has not contacted him.

Not contacted him yet...

[pittstang5]

Not contacted him yet...

Not surprised. Has TT ever been a player in the 1st week of FA.

[woodbuck27]

Not surprised. Has TT ever been a player in the 1st week of FA.

Notes on Free Agency are flying all over the classroom. (-:

[woodbuck27]

Mario Williams signs, Bills schedule press conference to announce (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/15/mario-williams-signs-bills-schedule-press-conference-to-announce/)

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 15, 2012, 12:33 PM EDT
http://nbcprofootballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/mariowilliams-1-e1331762050246.jpg?w=250 Getty Images
The Bills have scheduled a press conference to make it official: Mario Williams (http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/3636/mario-williams) won’t be leaving Buffalo without a contract in place.

Williams has signed a six-year contract and will join Bills officials to formally announce that his deal with the Bills is done, as ESPN’s Chris Mortensen first reported.

The deal will make Williams the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history, and it fulfills the Bills’ promise to make a big splash at the outset of free agency. For the first time in a long time, it’s beginning to look like the Bills are building a winner in Buffalo.

Williams arrived in Buffalo on the first day of free agency, and although there were reports that he had other visits scheduled, the Bills were able to keep him in town and keep the hard sell on him for nearly 48 hours, and it worked:

Buffalo fans can celebrate, as Mario Williams is a Bill.

[woodbuck27]

Six year, $96 million for Mario Williams

Posted by Mike Florio on March 15, 2012, 1:56 PM EDT
http://nbcprofootballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/gyi0061423305.jpg?w=250 Getty Images
The numbers are in for defensive end Mario Williams (http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/3636/mario-williams).

And they’re impressive.

A source with knowledge of the contract tells PFT that the deal has a base value of $96 million over six years, including $25 million fully guaranteed on signing.

Another $25 million is guaranteed for injury on signing, and the money will become fully guaranteed at a later date.

The deal can be worth as much as $100 million.

Williams, who made nearly $60 million in six seasons with the Texans, will earn $53 million in his first three seasons with the Bills.

Williams missed much of the 2011 season with a torn pectoral muscle suffered in the fifth game of the season.

He had to make a quick transition to the team’s new 3-4 defense.
In Buffalo, he’ll be back in a 4-3 defense — and he’ll be able to focus on rushing the passer.

[woodbuck27]

D’Brickashaw Ferguson: I like the Jets’ odds against Mario Williams (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/15/dbrickashaw-ferguson-i-like-the-jets-odds-against-mario-williams/)


Posted by Michael David Smith on March 15, 2012, 5:10 PM EDT
http://nbcprofootballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/ferguson-e1329998547508.jpg?w=250 AP

Jets offensive tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson (http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/3620/dbrickashaw-ferguson) isn’t worried about the presence of Mario Williams (http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/3636/mario-williams) in the AFC East.

Shortly after Williams’s signing with the Bills became official, Ferguson took to Twitter (https://twitter.com/#!/DBrickashaw) for the first time in months to make it known that he thinks the Jets’ offensive line will be fully capable of out-playing a Bills defensive line that suddenly looks like one of the most fearsome in the league.

“Congrats to Mario, now he has to face us twice a year,” Ferguson wrote. “I like our odds. Go Jets!”

Based on the 2011 season, Ferguson has a reason to be confident: The Jets beat the Bills twice last year, with Mark Sanchez (http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/5192/mark-sanchez) throwing for five touchdown passes and only getting sacked once. It’s Williams’s job to change that.

[pbmax]

NFL Network via Chris Myers agent said Green Bay has not contacted him.

Isn't Myers the guy that the Packers were supposed to have talked to during the combine and isn't Rosenhaus his agent? If correct, I think player and agent need to keep their story straight.

[Joemailman]

Isn't Myers the guy that the Packers were supposed to have talked to during the combine and isn't Rosenhaus his agent? If correct, I think player and agent need to keep their story straight.

Packers supposedly had talked to Rosenhaus about Myers at the Combine, but of course this was not confirmed. I don't see anything new here.

[woodbuck27]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/17/breaking-down-the-mario-williams-deal/

Breaking down the Mario Williams deal

Posted by Mike Florio on March 17, 2012, 2:17 PM EDT

[Pugger]

Packers supposedly had talked to Rosenhaus about Myers at the Combine, but of course this was not confirmed. I don't see anything new here.

I suspect somebody saw the 2 gentlemen talking at the combine and started a rumor.

[Smidgeon]

I suspect somebody saw the 2 gentlemen talking at the combine and started a rumor.

Sounds about right since almost everyone out there who isn't the Packers says how the Packers refuse to bend the rules...

[pbmax]

Sounds about right since almost everyone out there who isn't the Packers says how the Packers refuse to bend the rules...

I think the bend the rules thing got overblown. Thompson has said he has told his people to listen but not to talk. He hasn't told them to stick their fingers in their ears and start singing when approached with privileged information.

Everyone talks to agents about everybody, otherwise nothing would get done. In this case, it was simply a leverage ploy by Rosenhaus to hike the price for his client Myers. He wanted leverage for negotiations.