Toronto Bills Blog

Buffalo guard Eric Woods is looking to training camp. He is recuperating from a major leg injury sustained in the Jacksonville game. He is participating in the Bills voluntary conditioning workouts. Woods hopes to be ready to play in the season opener. The 6 – 4, 315 pound offensive lineman started in 10 games last year. He was drafted in the first round out of Louisville.

The Bills have re-signed linebacker Keith Ellison. The 4 year veteran played 8 games last season before being placed on injured reserve. He had 66 tackles. The 6 – 1, 229 pound Ellison was drafted in the sixth round from Oregon State in 2006. Buffalo also re-signed free agents Cary Harris, George Wilson, Jon Corto, Felton Huggins, and Jonathan Stupar.

Jim Kelly reportedly dined with Tim Tebow over the weekend. The Florida Gator is in town for a private workout with the Bills. Kelly’s wife posted on Twitter that he sees Tebow as “a class act and great guy.” There have been 9 starting quarterbacks in Buffalo since Kelly retired. He led the Bills to 4 consecutive Super Bowls in the early nineties. Tebow is thought to be well liked by coach Chan Gailey and general manager Buddy Nix. Buffalo may draft him in the second round if he is still available.

The Eagles are said to want a top 42 draft pick for Donovan McNabb. Buffalo could still draft ninth overall in the first round and trade away their second round pick for him. He would be an immediate starter for the Bills while they develop a young quarterback. McNabb is reportedly not interested in finishing his career with a losing team. Minnesota is seen as a preferable alternative to Buffalo. With Brett Farvre undecided on whether to play next year, the Vikings may not deal for McNabb. The Raiders, Rams, and Cardinals are also interested in him.

The Bills have a number of quarterback options. They could trade for the experienced but aging Donovan McNabb. They could sign free agent Dante Culpepper, a name player who failed in Oakland, Miami, and Detroit. The draft offers standout prospects Sam Bradford and Jimmy Clausen, but they are likely to be gone by Buffalo’s ninth overall pick. Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow will probably be available in the second round. Tebow’s star status would help the franchise sell tickets. These are the alternatives as Chan Gailey and Buddy Nix struggle to solve the Bills quarterback problem.

Philadelphia reportedly wants a high draft pick for Donovan McNabb. Buffalo might offer a second-round pick for him. He has the name recognition that would help the team sell tickets. Having played college ball at Syracuse, he might round out his career in upstate New York. The Eagles likely will trade him or pay a $6 million roster bonus in 6 weeks. McNabb could be the starter next year while the Bills groom a quarterback of the future such as Tim Tebow or Sam Bradford.

The Eagles may trade quarterback Donovan McNabb. The Bills are rumored to be interested in adding him to their roster. The veteran was drafted by Philadelphia in the first round in 1999. He has appeared in a Super Bowl, 6 Pro Bowls, and 5 NFC championship games. There are also trade rumors concerning Eagles backups Michael Vick and Kevin Kolb. Buffalo coach Chan Gailey did not rule out the possiblity of acquiring a name quarterback. At age 33 McNabb may not be the solution to the Bills long-term problem.

Quarterback Daunte Culpepper is looking to talk to the Bills. He says he would like to compete in Buffalo. The free agent was released by Detroit after spending 2 seasons there. He is attending this week’s NFL owners meeting in Orlando in the hope of interesting a team. The 33 year old Culpepper made 3 Pro Bowl appearances while with Minnesota. He has 146 career touchdowns and 101 interceptions. His age may be against him as the Bills look to the future in this rebuilding year.

Three teams are said to be interested in Terrell Owens. He has been a free agent since Buffalo did not renew his contract on March 5. He had a career low 55 receptions during his one year stint with the Bills. His agent Drew Rosehaus indicated that Owens may wait until the summer to sign a deal. He met with the Bengals earlier this month but did not get a contract. At age 36 many teams may not be willing to pay what he commands. He insists that he is still a starter.

The Bills have another marketing glitch. The team sent a promotional flyer to last year’s season ticket holders encouraging them to renew. The image shows punter Brian Moorman standing in the Buffalo end zone, punting the ball away during the Cleveland game. In the background is the scoreboard with the season ticket holder’s name on it. The marketing department is to be faulted for selecting a photo of the Bills punting deep in their own territory. It showcases one of the worst defeats in team history when Buffalo lost 6 – 3. Too bad there weren’t more positive plays in 2009 to help sell tickets.