Levy continues shakeup at One Bills Drive

By Connor Byrne  |   Thursday, March 02, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Buffalo Bills
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Wednesday, Bills' GM Marv Levy cut three more veterans in an effort to save on the team's salary cap. Strong safety Lawyer Milloy, defensive tackle Sam Adams and tight end Mark Campbell were all shown the door by the new Buffalo Bills' administration. All three started at their respective positions last season.

Last week Levy released expensive, yet underachieving offensive tackle Mike Williams in his first key cost-cutting decision. A couple of days later, starting wideout Eric Moulds revealed that he would not be willing to accept the Bills' contract restructuring. Much to the chagrin of many of the Bills' loyalists, his release appears imminent at this point.

Wednesday's key releases save the Buffalo Bills an estimated $7 million on the current salary cap. Buffalo saved $3.5 million by releasing Adams, $2.5 million by releasing Milloy and around $1 million with the release of Campbell. Moulds' likely departure should put them into double-digit free cap space for the free agency period, which begins this Friday.

The 32-year old Adams signed with the Bills prior to the 2003 season and made it to one Pro Bowl. However, his last two seasons were mired by a poor relationship with head coach Mike Mularkey and defensive line coach Tim Krumrie. That frustration from Adams' part led to a large drop-off in production. Even with Mularkey and Krumrie out of the picture, Levy made it clear last week that Adams would not return to the Bills because he fails to fit in with the team's new Cover 2 defense.

The loss of Adams does indeed leave a gaping hole in the middle of the Bills' defensive line. Will they stick with the unaccomplished duo of Ron Edwards and Tim Anderson? That's probably not a good idea. Levy needs to pursue at least one more tackle in free agency and/or the draft.

Milloy, also a 32-year old, signed with the Bills just days before the 2003 regular season began. New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick sent shockwaves through the NFL as he released Milloy, one of the most respected, accomplished safeties in football. Unfortunately for the Bills, Belichick was proved right in this situation as Milloy never became the impact player that Buffalo hoped he would. Instead, he spent two seasons playing solid football, but experienced a disastrous '05 campaign. 2005 manifested itself as the year when Milloy finally lost it.

With the loss of Milloy, the Bills have a large hole to fill at the strong safety position. On their roster the best option is future second-year man Jim Leonhard. The undrafted Wisconsin star spent much of last season on the team's practice squad, but caught on late as a special teamer. However, Buffalo probably has to pursue a safety in free agency or the draft. Entering 2006 with Leonhard penciled in as the starter is dangerous.

Campbell, 30, caught just 19 passes in 2005 and failed to make an impact in his short tenure with the Bills' organization. The former Cleveland Browns tight end spent three seasons in Buffalo, but pulled in just 70 receptions.

Campbell's replacement, Kevin Everett, is expected to see much more passes thrown his way because he possesses much more talent than any of the Bills' current tight ends. The former third-round draft pick from Miami spent all of 2005 - his rookie season - on the sideline with a torn ACL. Even though they have Everett, the Bills might do everything in their power to pursue Maryland Terrapins tight end Vernon Davis in the first-round of the draft.

Don't be surprised if the Bills make more cuts on what will become known as "Bloody Thursday" throughout the NFL. With a deal on a new CBA not having been reached, expect some major stars to be released in cost-cutting moves.

For the Bills the shoe may drop on free safety Troy Vincent, offensive guard Bennie Anderson, and linebacker Jeff Posey. As I stated earlier, Eric Moulds' release is forthcoming, so expect his name to be announced on Thursday as well.

When the 80-year old Levy took over as the Bills' GM, he certainly never promised fireworks. Well, for those in Western New York, pyrotechnics is exactly what you're getting in the latter stages of a bitter cold winter.

- Connor Byrne can be reached at cbyrne@realfootball365.com.
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