Official 06-07 Off-Season Thread

[football junkie]

Since the Bills are now officially eliminated from the playoffs. And have only a slim chance of finish the season at 8-8, it's time to start looking ahead to the 2007 season.

This thread should address many topics:

possible franchise relocation;

the 2007 NFL Draft, order, potential picks, eventual analysis;

the free-agent market, both additions and departures;

who should get the franchise tag;

off season injuries and player recovery;

mini-camp progress;

possible coaching losses and additions;

and hopefully a lot more.

[football junkie]

Here's some very early info.

A very early mock draft:
http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/sub/mockdraft.html

Potential Free Agents:
http://www.footballsfuture.com/2007/nfl/freeagents.html

Interestingly enough, the Bills could choose to put the franchise tag on CB Nate Clements -- keeping together a solid secondary. And Tony Gonzalez of the Chiefs and Eric Johnson of the 49ers are unrestricted free-agents at TE. Either of those player would greatly improve the Bills passing attack and could provide more blocking protecting for Losman and McGahee.

If the Bills wanted to spend money, they have a nucleus to build on -- especially since they're already only one or two wins away from the playoffs. But I'm sure the franchise owner will cry poverty again, instead of improving the team.

[football junkie]

Bills reward kicker Lindell with extension

NFL.com wire reports
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (Dec. 27, 2006) -- Kicker Rian Lindell has agreed to a five-year contract extension with the Buffalo Bills, preventing him from becoming an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

The deal was reached this week, Lindell's agent Paul Sheehy said. Lindell is a seven-year veteran and in his fourth season with Buffalo, solidifying a job that had been in flux since Steve Christie was released during the 2001 season.

The Bills declined comment because Lindell had not yet signed the contract.

"The number one thing was to get the deal done and stay in Buffalo," Sheehy said, noting that Lindell is happy with being part of one of the NFL's dominant special-teams units.

The move comes as the Bills (7-8), eliminated from playoff contention, close their season at Baltimore this weekend.

Lindell is enjoying a solid season, having hit 23 of 25 field goal attempts -- the 92 per cent success rate currently a single-season best. He has been particularly effective kicking in the blustery conditions at Ralph Wilson Stadium, while also going 10-for-12 from 40 yards or longer, including two from beyond 50.

He's coming off a game in which he matched a career high with five field goals in a 30-29 loss to Tennessee last weekend.

Lindell's best kick was a 42-yarder as time ran out to secure a 27-24 victory against Jacksonville on Nov. 26. It was Lindell's eighth career field goal that tied or won a game in the final minute or overtime, and first with Buffalo.

Lindell has also hit all 32 extra-point attempts, extending his career-long streak to 223 straight since he broke into the NFL with Seattle in 2000. It's the second longest streak by a player from the start of a career, 11 short of matching the record set by Tommy Davis.