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Bills Still Free Agent Shopping
By Chris Brown – Lead Journalist, buffalobills.com
04/11/2006 4:19 PM
The NFL Draft might be just 18 days away, but the Bills haven't shifted much focus away from the free agent market. A day after signing wide receiver Peerless Price, the Bills hosted Carolina free agent guard Tutan Reyes and Houston free agent running back Jonathan Wells.
Reyes is a 6'3" 310 pound guard that started all 16 games for the Panthers in 2005 at right guard. He also started in each of the team's three playoff contests as they advanced to the NFC title game. The sixth-year pro has 28 NFL starts in his career and was originally a fifth-round draft pick of the New Orleans Saints in 2000.
The Queens, New York native was pleased with his day long tour at One Bills Drive.
"I enjoyed my visit," said Reyes. "It's definitely the best one I've had in the free agency process. All of the coaches were real receptive and it looks like the organization is going in the right direction. I'm anxious to see what will come out of it."
Reyes was part of a potent offense in Carolina as the Panthers finished eighth in the league in scoring last season. He would bring a physical style to the Bills front line if he signed with Buffalo.
"The style in Carolina was run them over, pull the guards, get them in out in space and put the big guys on the little guys," Reyes said. "Obviously they're very interested up here feeling I have some skills that could possibly help."
What's most attractive to Reyes about Buffalo is the open spot at left guard on the offensive line.
"When you're coming from an organization where you've started a few years and had some success and playoff experience and you have to leave, you definitely want to go to a place where you can still start," said Reyes. "Nothing is written in stone of course and coach would still like me to compete because nothing is going to be handed to you. I'm all for that because I've had to work for everything my whole career so I would relish the opportunity."
Reyes has already had a free agent visit with Houston and is scheduled to have a visit with the Detroit Lions later this week.
Buffalo also hosted Jonathan Wells, who is still trying to get his career as a tailback off the ground. The problem he ran into in Houston was he was stuck behind starter Domanick Davis on the depth chart. In an effort to take advantage of his physical skills the Texans asked him to bulk up so they could get him on the field as a fullback. The results were mixed.
Ironically Wells faced a similar situation in college at Ohio State. He started in only 15 of his 45 career games, but blossomed late rushing for 2,292 yards on just 446 carries (5.1 avg.) and 26 touchdowns. It got enough attention to make him a third round pick of the Texans in the 2002 NFL Draft.
Now a free agent, Wells is looking for a team where he'll be able to compete as a tailback again. The Bills are in the market for some big backs with some wiggle which is why Wells made the trip to Buffalo his first free agent visit.
"This year I intend to play between 230 and 235 (pounds)," said Wells who was over 250 with Houston last season playing fullback. "I'm definitely going to drop between 15 and 20 pounds to get my quickness back that I had in college and get my tailback skills back. I've been a bruiser the past couple of years getting four yards per carry, but I want to get back to making big plays in the running game. At 230 or 235 I can do that."
When playing at that lighter weight Wells believes his greatest asset is his versatility.
"I don't have to come off the field," said Wells. "I can play on first and second down and I can catch and pass block on third down. I bring a physical attitude to the backfield. I don't think there are many guys that can do more things on the football field that I can do. I've played every position on special teams, I've played fullback. I've played running back. I've caught the ball. I can do anything on the football field that needs to be done if I have the right opportunity in the right situation."
Wells, who like Reyes enjoyed his visit, got to meet some familiar faces from earlier in his football career while touring One Bills Drive.
"I played against Robert Royal and Josh Reed in high school and just finished meeting with them," said Wells. "And I know Nate Clements and Tim Anderson from Ohio State so there are a few guys I've bumped heads with on this roster. There's a good family atmosphere here."
Wells realizes Willis McGahee is the number one tailback, but says he always sees himself one play away from being a starter and takes that approach every day.
While he's promised himself to be patient in making a decision on where he will sign he was encouraged by what Buffalo had to offer.
"Everybody here wants to win and they're ready and willing to do the work to win," said Wells. "It's a place that I could see myself."
RB Jonathan Wells (official thread)
What he meant was, "I saw Will Allen blow him up in Tempe."
