Next Friday, retired players will announce their former teams’ second-round picks. It’s a move that could get some more butts into the seats on Day Two of the draft, given the strong possibility that the lockout-induced reduced interest in the NFL could make Radio City Music Hall look more like Raymond James Music Hall.
For the Bills, who hold the second pick in round two, receiver Andre Reed will do the honors.
Our friends at WGR radio in Buffalo (the very first station on which yours truly ever appeared, so blame them) noticed something that may -- or may not -- have been a strong hint from the Bills about the team’s plans.
Reed posted this message on his Twitter page, to Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder: "@cponder7 Lookin forward to calling your name Draft Day!!!!!!!!! Bills brash like ur style.”
Then Reed deleted it.
Then he posted this: "@cponder7 Lookin forward to the possibility of calling your name Draft Day!!!!!!!!!Bills brash like ur style.........”
For any other team, it wouldn’t mean all that much. But the Bills are like the pre-Holmgren Browns, with plenty of former players having access to what the team is doing and thinking. Of all former Bills, Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly seems to be the most connected; one phone call from Kelly to his favorite target would have been enough to let Reed in on the “possibility” (or perhaps something stronger) that Ponder will be the pick at No. 34.
Ponder has visited the Bills, Bengals, Titans, and Redskins, and he has had private workouts with the Vikings, Broncos, Eagles, Dolphins, Titans, and Patriots.