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02 Aug 2010

Bills Moving On Without Aaron Schobel

The Bills have apparently decided that they don't care if Aaron Schobel chooses to retire or not; they're moving on without him.

I'm not sure what the process would be if he did choose to return, as he's still under contract to the Bills and hasn't filed retirement papers with the league.

Posted by: Bill Barnwell on 02 Aug 2010

11 comments, Last at 03 Aug 2010, 7:14pm by Ryan C.

Comments

1
by TayloreatsBrady (not verified) :: Mon, 08/02/2010 - 12:58pm

A wise man once said about the Buffalo Bills: what a mess.

2
by spenczar :: Mon, 08/02/2010 - 1:15pm

Oh, I don't know. The Bills are switching to a 3-4 and Schobel is really just a 4-3 end. Where would you put him? Would you make him an OLB and tell the 32-year old to learn coverage schemes for the first time since highschool, or would you make him a run-defending, space-eating end, even though he's always just been a pass-rush specialist and is listed at just 243 pounds?

I think this makes some sense. He just doesn't have a spot on a 3-4 team and he's probably too old to make a major change in position.

3
by MilkmanDanimal :: Mon, 08/02/2010 - 1:40pm

Why not attempt to trade him, then? While he's past his prime, he still has some ability. I'd have to think some 4-3 team would be willing to toss a late-round pick Buffalo's way for him.

4
by jbrown (not verified) :: Mon, 08/02/2010 - 1:50pm

Exactly. Even if you just get a 5/6th round pick for him that's better than nothing right? I remember a while back there was a lot of local talk about the Texans trying to pick him up as a pass rush specialist since he is from the area and all. Even if they didn't work out wouldn't a team like JAX or TEN want him as a #2 or #3 option at DE?

On a side note, I would love to see the Texans grab him just to see their 4 DE 3rd down rush - bump Mario Williams and Antonio Smith inside, with Connor Barwin and Schobel on the outside.

6
by dryheat :: Mon, 08/02/2010 - 3:54pm

Eh...the threat of retirement will keep teams from trading for him. In reality, he can dictate where he wants to go, if he still wants to play. I guess a team could flip a conditional 7th or something for him, but I don't know if Buffalo wants this to drag on if they trade him somewhere he doesn't want to go and he retires and they have to give the pick back and his rights revert back to Buffalo. They'll just accept the cap space and call it a win.

5
by loneweasel (not verified) :: Mon, 08/02/2010 - 2:47pm

"He just doesn't have a spot on a 3-4 team"

Neither, apparently, does the idea of a pass rush. A 3-4 D with Maybin as the premiere pass rushing threat is a joke.

7
by davidm (not verified) :: Mon, 08/02/2010 - 4:15pm

First let me say that I liked Schobel. But I have to give Bills GM Nix credit for finally saying put up or shut up.
This team is finally trying to improve. What they don't need is an Aaron Schobel situation. There's finallity, a concrete message that were going with the players we have.
A bold move, a good move. I agree, attempt to trade him for whatever they can get. Personally I see him as a backup somewhere. And nobody is going to pay him what he wants as a back up. He should retire.
Dave
Buffalo, N.Y.

8
by YouppiOfTime (not verified) :: Tue, 08/03/2010 - 12:11am

It's always nice when teams just give up and install retarded systems and make dumb draft picks that turn them from bad to comically awful. It's a lot easier for your team to make the playoffs when the AFC East only has three teams in it and you get to start off the year 2-0. Go Dolphins!

9
by Topas :: Tue, 08/03/2010 - 3:52am

You will eat your words, Youppi

10
by Basilicus (not verified) :: Tue, 08/03/2010 - 1:47pm

dryheat's right. Nobody will trade for a 32-year-old role player if he doesn't even know whether he's going to retire. The burden's on Schobel. His agent has to work something out with the Bills and his team of choice. If he failse to even do that, the Bills are entirely right to move on without him.

Congratulations, everyone! We just witnessed the one thing the Bills are right about this offseason! Savor this memory. Tell it to your grandkids one day; it may be generations before the Bills ever do something right again....

11
by Ryan C. (not verified) :: Tue, 08/03/2010 - 7:14pm

I really don't think Schobel will be missed in the least. he was a non factor against the run his whole career, and had an affinity for picking up garbage sacks at meaningless times in meaningless games (not that the Bills have played many meaningful ones the past few years). He is a stat padder at best, and won't be too tough to replace.