Bills could use OL, CB
Posted by Chris Brown on November 6, 2012 – 5:25 pm
Buffalo moved some hobbled players to their injured reserve list Tuesday in Terrence McGee and Erik Pears. Now they'll have to find players to replace them.
The Bills now have two vacant roster spots, but both will presumably be filled by a cornerback and an offensive lineman. With McGee now on I-R it has left Buffalo's secondary very, very young. The Bills secondary now consists of veteran Leodis McKelvin, second-year men Justin Rogers and Aaron Williams (injured) and rookies Stephone Gilmore and Ron Brooks.
With just four healthy corners, knowing Aaron Williams is out a few weeks, Buffalo will need to add a corner, preferably with some NFL years under his belt. The most obvious choice is Stanford Routt, a veteran cornerback, just cut by the Chiefs.
He was the first free agent visitor of Buffalo's offseason this past spring, so clearly the Bills had an interest then. Routt has two interceptions in his first seven games with Kansas City this season. He was inactive for the Chiefs game last Thursday night against San Diego. Chiefs head coach Romeo Crennel said their "relationship was not progressing" as a reason for the release.
As for offensive linemen Buffalo has some young prospects on their practice squad. OT Andrew Jackson (6'5″ 299), OT/G Reggie Stephens (6'3″ 320) and G Keith Williams (6'5″ 330). Buffalo has lost Erik Pears and Chad Rinehart to I-R in less than a week leaving them with just C/G David Snow and G/T Sam Young as their only reserves.
Tags: Aaron Williams, Chad Rinehart, Erik Pears, Stanford Routt, Terrence McGee
Routt signs with KC
Posted by Chris Brown on February 20, 2012 – 3:03 pm
Free agent CB Stanford Routt has signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.
The AFC West club announced the signing Monday afternoon on their team website. ESPN is reporting it's a 3-year deal worth $19.6 million with $6.5M guaranteed part of which is a $4M signing bonus.
Routt's decision isn't surprising. He's playing in a familiar division having spent his entire career with the Raiders in the AFC West and the Chiefs likely told him we'll commit to you since we're unlikely to afford their own free agent CB Brandon Carr, knowing they have big money tied up already in Brandon Flowers.
Tags: NFL free agency, Stanford Routt
Routt decision soon?
Free agent CB Stanford Routt will reportedly make a decision on where to sign very soon.
That according to Pro Football Talk. Routt made free agent visits to Buffalo, Kansas City and Cincinnati, with the visit to the Bengals taking place on Friday. There were reportedly other teams interested, but no word on if those unnamed clubs have had any contact with Routt.
Routt in Cincy
The free agent tour for CB Stanford Routt continues.
Released by Oakland last week, Routt after visiting Buffalo first, followed by Kansas City has moved on to the AFC North. That according to NFL.com's Jason LaCanfora.
Jason La Canfora Stanford Routt making his latest free agent visit today, in Cincy. Was in Buffalo and KC earlier this week. #insideslant
With Leon Hall coming off a major injury last season and Nate Clements getting long in the tooth, the Bengals certainly need to bolster their cornerback contingent.
Routt still talking to Bills
Posted by Chris Brown on February 15, 2012 – 10:41 am
Free agent CB Stanford Routt is spending a second day in Kansas City to visit with the Chiefs on his free agent tour that began in Buffalo with the Bills on Monday. And Buffalo is still very much in the hunt.
That according to NFL.com's Jason LaCanfora, who tweeted the following concerning Routt's free agent visit schedule.
Jason La Canfora Stanford Routt remains in KC for second day of meetings with Chiefs. Still talking to Bills and scheduled to visit Bengals Fri #insideslant
Texans not on Routt's itinerary
Even though some national media outlets have reported that free agent CB Stanford Routt will be visiting with the Texans later this week, one of the most respected football journalists in the country says it's not happening.
Houston Texans' beat reporter John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reported that Routt is not a player of interest for the Texans. Here's what he wrote in his column today (Tuesday).
There were reports by reputable websites that cornerback Stanford Routt had visits lined up with the Texans this week. I checked with the Texans and with Routt's people and was told no by both sides. The Texans will kick the tires on a lot of players, but even if they loved Routt, they couldn't afford him. They don't have cap dollars to spend on free agents from other teams.
Their top priority is Mario Williams. And they're going to have to scramble big time to make Williams a serious offer before he becomes unrestricted on March 13.
Add in the fact that the Texans spent big free agent dollars on CB Jonathan Joseph in free agency last offseason (5 yrs. $48.75M, $23.5M guaranteed, $12.5M to sign) and you see why spending significant additional dollars at the same position would compromise keeping one of their best players on defense (Williams).
Routt's roots a factor?
Free agent CB Stanford Routt, who visited with the Bills on Monday, had a busy schedule lined up with other teams to meet with as well. Two of those teams are from his home state. Will it make a difference in his decision?
Routt is a Texas native, born in Austin and played his college ball at the University of Houston. It wouldn't be shocking if he chose to play closer to home with Houston and Dallas both interested.
According to NFL.com's Jason LaCanfora, Routt will be visiting with the Chiefs in Kansas City today (Tuesday) with other visits lined up with a few other NFL clubs.
Jason La Canfora Former Raiders CB Stanford Routt visiting KC today and HOU, DAL and TEN later this week.
Routt knows Wannstedt's resume
Bills free agent visitor Stanford Routt is very familiar with Bills new defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt. Growing up in Austin, Texas he still remembers his defensive coordinator in Big 'D'. Whether it's enough to lure Routt to Buffalo remains to be seen.
"I remember Dave all the way when he was back with the Cowboys and the Bears," said Routt. "It was a pleasure meeting him. Obviously he's a great guy and a great football mind and he can definitely bring a lot of things to a corner('s game)."
Routt was asked to describe his strengths and responded with the following.
"I can cover," he said. "Obviously I can run and I can come up and make plays in any facet of the game."
Being a free agent when the rest of the cornerback crop is not is to his advantage. He doesn't have to worry as much about doors closing on him knowing other free agents aren't out there scooping up potential jobs that he could have. So it sounds as though his final decision on his new NFL destination might be a while.
"It's definitely been a bit different," he said. "This is the first time ever being a free agent, but I'm enjoying it and I know that I'll find a home eventually."
Our updated story on Routt's visit is at the home page of Buffalobills.com right now.
Tags: Dave Wannstedt, NFL free agency, Stanford Routt
CB Routt visiting 1 Bills Dr.
As scheduled free agent cornerback Stanford Routt is visiting One Bills Drive this afternoon.
Routt arrived after meeting with team physicians for a physical earlier in the day Monday. He's now meeting with members of the coaching staff. We'll have much more on the home page at Buffalobills.com. Routt was released by the Raiders last week.
5 teams interested in CB Routt
According to an ESPN report there are five NFL teams already expressing interest in CB Stanford Routt including the Bills.
ESPN Dallas Calvin Watkins is reporting the following.
*Update: The Vikings are one of five teams that have inquired about Routt. The others, including the Bills and Titans, are the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys. At this point, Routt's only scheduled visits are with the Bills and Titans.
Routt has six interceptions and 28 pass breakups the past two seasons and now we know why he was clipped by the Raiders. He was due a $5M roster bonus today. ESPN is reporting that Routt will visit the Bills on Monday.
Report: CB Routt to visit Monday
Posted by Chris Brown on February 10, 2012 – 9:39 am
Recently released Oakland CB Stanford Routt will reportedly pay a free agent visit to Buffalo on Monday.
The 28-year old cornerback was released by the Raiders Thursday as the new regime under GM Reggie McKenzie did not see him as a part of their future plans. Per the report Routt graded out as one of the top cover cornerbacks in the league in 2010, but slipped from those lofty performance levels a bit in 2011.
Two years ago Routt allowed the lowest completion percentage against him in the league among corners (39.4%). That number increased to 47.4 this past season, but is still considered well above average.
Opposing quarterbacks completed better than 63% of their passes against Buffalo's defense last season. The Tennessee Titans are also reportedly interested in Routt, but no visit has been scheduled with them as of Friday morning.