Bills release Larry Centers
- Thread starter Ed B
- Start date
Krangodnzr
Captain of Team Conner
I would love for the Cards to bring back one of the franchise's most loved players during the Arizona stretch (second imo behind Jake Plummer).
Not as much from a football standpoint, but more from a legacy standpoint.
Not as much from a football standpoint, but more from a legacy standpoint.
red desert
ASFN Addict
I would love to see him back.
LARRY! LARRY! LARRY!
SECTION 11
vibraslap
I thought the world was supposed to end when we released him...
Northern Card
All Star
Well, we haven't had a winning season since he left, have we?
SECTION 11
vibraslap
Originally posted by Northern Card
Well, we haven't had a winning season since he left, have we?
No.
Centers' has had one in '99, but I would attribute that to a pro bowl season by both Stephan Davis and Brad Johnson.
If you do not like Emmitt Smith you sure would not like Larry Centers. I like them both but if making a choice go with Smith.
HoodieBets
Formerly azcardsfan1616
Centers is a legend and should be brought back, i think one day he will become a coach for the cards.
Krangodnzr
Captain of Team Conner
Oh I want Smith here, but if we can't get Smith, it would be nice to bring back Centers. He would'nt give us much of a running threat, but he would give Blake a valuable pass catching target.
Shipp and Centers in the backfield on third down would be harder to defend than Shipp and Hodgins.
Another back I would bring in for a visit: Shawn Bryson another Bill. I've always thought he was a pretty good player, and would be a nice utility back. He come in a relieve Shipp, since he can do some of the things Shipp can and he is a similar player.
At University of Tennessee he moved to fullback to acomdate Jamal Lewis and he was a heck of an around player. He can block, catch the ball a little bit, is a tough runner, and shouldn't be too expensive.
red desert
ASFN Addict
I own one Arizona Cardinal jersey and it's number 39. It's time to bring him back where he belongs.
From John Clayton on ESPN.com
March 19, 2003
Bills release Centers, cut loose 169 receptions
By releasing fullback Larry Centers, the Bills have eliminated 169 receptions from last year's passing offense. They released tight end Jay Riemersa and traded wide receiver Peerless Price to Atlanta.
The reason that the Bills released Centers is that they wanted to increase the role of halfback Travis Henry in the passing offense. Henry caught the same number of passes as Centers (43). The Bills also like the development of Philip Crosby as a backup. The Bills also cut outside linebacker Eddie Robinson on Thursday.
March 19, 2003
Bills release Centers, cut loose 169 receptions
By releasing fullback Larry Centers, the Bills have eliminated 169 receptions from last year's passing offense. They released tight end Jay Riemersa and traded wide receiver Peerless Price to Atlanta.
The reason that the Bills released Centers is that they wanted to increase the role of halfback Travis Henry in the passing offense. Henry caught the same number of passes as Centers (43). The Bills also like the development of Philip Crosby as a backup. The Bills also cut outside linebacker Eddie Robinson on Thursday.
red desert
ASFN Addict
Whoops. I meant to type number "37." Sorry. Went to happy hour this afternoon.
Red Dawn
Go Big Red!
I would like to see Larry come back too, he played with a lot of heart for the Cards, and is always a dangerous receiver out of the backfield. Unfortunately, the backfield would be a bit crowded at this point in time.
TRW
ASFN Addict
Sorry...
this team cannot afford to sign for nostalgia reasons. Larry Centers was a good player for the Cards but he is not needed at this point. I understand the love for the guy but he should NOT be on the Cardinals roster next season.
Thanks for the memories Larry and good luck wherever else you may land.
this team cannot afford to sign for nostalgia reasons. Larry Centers was a good player for the Cards but he is not needed at this point. I understand the love for the guy but he should NOT be on the Cardinals roster next season.
Thanks for the memories Larry and good luck wherever else you may land.
JeffGollin
ASFN Icon
Just wondering - Has anyone watched LC over the past year. Does he have anything left?
Criteria should be no different than for Emmitt Smith. (i.e. What can he do on the field? Can he help us on the field or off).
My guess - Emmitt can help us more (and therefore be paid more). But that's for the coaches to sort out.
And no, we shouldn't sign both of them.
Funny thing. I'd like to sign Emmitt. I lean toward wanting to sign Junior. But I must admit that I'm a little apprehensive about the Cardinals starting to turn into a chapter of AARP. (At some point, you have to say: "Enough already!")
Criteria should be no different than for Emmitt Smith. (i.e. What can he do on the field? Can he help us on the field or off).
My guess - Emmitt can help us more (and therefore be paid more). But that's for the coaches to sort out.
And no, we shouldn't sign both of them.
Funny thing. I'd like to sign Emmitt. I lean toward wanting to sign Junior. But I must admit that I'm a little apprehensive about the Cardinals starting to turn into a chapter of AARP. (At some point, you have to say: "Enough already!")
Jeff: I think a lot of it revolves around the health of these guys.
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One thing about FBs, as opposed to tailbacks, is that FB's must be big contributors on special teams. Centers is a luxury we can't afford, because it would mean cutting a special teams player like McKinley. Your top 2 tailbacks almost never play special teams. That's why it makes more sense to sign Smith instead of Centers.
you bring LC back
to retire him as a Cardinal. Our backfield appears to be very capable, if unproven, and taking Larry over Smith is a bad move IMO. IF Smith turns down our offer, then, I would consider it.
Am I repeating what others have said? If so, I appologize, I was up late after my DVLS upset last night.
to retire him as a Cardinal. Our backfield appears to be very capable, if unproven, and taking Larry over Smith is a bad move IMO. IF Smith turns down our offer, then, I would consider it.
Am I repeating what others have said? If so, I appologize, I was up late after my DVLS upset last night.
From Buffalo News. Com
Bills cut thirtysomethings Centers and Robinson
By MARK GAUGHAN
News Sports Reporter
3/21/2003
The Buffalo Bills released the two oldest players on their roster on Thursday. Both players - fullback Larry Centers and linebacker Eddie Robinson - had seen their roles on the team usurped.
The release of Robinson, who will turn 33 in April, was expected. He was a disappointment at weak-side linebacker last season. He lost his starting job when the Bills signed star free agent Takeo Spikes this month.
Centers, who will turn 35 in June, was more of a surprise, though the Bills last year found others to share his duties.
Centers made the Pro Bowl in 2001 after catching 80 passes, seventh most in team history. Last season, however, the Bills were more willing to throw the ball to starting running back Travis Henry. Centers and Henry each caught 43 passes. Centers was much more of a factor in Mike Sheppard's West Coast offense than Kevin Gilbride's attack.
Centers' role as a blocking fullback also diminished with the development of second-year back Philip Crosby, a 6-foot, 242-pounder from Tennessee.
The Bills still are in the market for a backup running back.
The Bills saved money with the two moves, though that was not the prime motivation for them.
Centers was scheduled to make a base salary of $1.1 million this year. So his release saves about $800,000 (presuming he gets replaced by a young player). He still will count about $125,000 against the cap. Robinson was scheduled to make $900,000 this year, so he saves about $600,000. The Bills are about $8 million under the cap, according to News estimates.
Both players provided experience and character leadership in the locker room. Centers is a 13-year veteran. Robinson has played 11 seasons. Centers was routinely singled out by coach Gregg Williams as a consummate professional.
Centers ranks as the National Football League's all-time leader in receptions among running backs with 808.
Robinson was brought to Buffalo last season because of his knowledge of Gregg Williams' defense. He had spent eight years with the Tennessee franchise. But he made very few key plays for a Bills defense that ranked seventh worst in the league in points allowed. His limited mobility was a liability. Robinson finished with 102 total tackles, third most on the team.
The Bills are expecting much bigger things from Spikes, 26, who signed a six-year, $32 million contract.
Centers' departure means the Bills have lost 169 catches from last year's offense. Peerless Price had 94, and Jay Riemersma had 32.
The Bills think Josh Reed and recently signed third receiver Bobby Shaw will form a good receiving corps with Eric Moulds. Mark Campbell, who the team thinks will be a good blocker at tight end, caught 25 passes for Cleveland last year.
Bills cut thirtysomethings Centers and Robinson
By MARK GAUGHAN
News Sports Reporter
3/21/2003
The Buffalo Bills released the two oldest players on their roster on Thursday. Both players - fullback Larry Centers and linebacker Eddie Robinson - had seen their roles on the team usurped.
The release of Robinson, who will turn 33 in April, was expected. He was a disappointment at weak-side linebacker last season. He lost his starting job when the Bills signed star free agent Takeo Spikes this month.
Centers, who will turn 35 in June, was more of a surprise, though the Bills last year found others to share his duties.
Centers made the Pro Bowl in 2001 after catching 80 passes, seventh most in team history. Last season, however, the Bills were more willing to throw the ball to starting running back Travis Henry. Centers and Henry each caught 43 passes. Centers was much more of a factor in Mike Sheppard's West Coast offense than Kevin Gilbride's attack.
Centers' role as a blocking fullback also diminished with the development of second-year back Philip Crosby, a 6-foot, 242-pounder from Tennessee.
The Bills still are in the market for a backup running back.
The Bills saved money with the two moves, though that was not the prime motivation for them.
Centers was scheduled to make a base salary of $1.1 million this year. So his release saves about $800,000 (presuming he gets replaced by a young player). He still will count about $125,000 against the cap. Robinson was scheduled to make $900,000 this year, so he saves about $600,000. The Bills are about $8 million under the cap, according to News estimates.
Both players provided experience and character leadership in the locker room. Centers is a 13-year veteran. Robinson has played 11 seasons. Centers was routinely singled out by coach Gregg Williams as a consummate professional.
Centers ranks as the National Football League's all-time leader in receptions among running backs with 808.
Robinson was brought to Buffalo last season because of his knowledge of Gregg Williams' defense. He had spent eight years with the Tennessee franchise. But he made very few key plays for a Bills defense that ranked seventh worst in the league in points allowed. His limited mobility was a liability. Robinson finished with 102 total tackles, third most on the team.
The Bills are expecting much bigger things from Spikes, 26, who signed a six-year, $32 million contract.
Centers' departure means the Bills have lost 169 catches from last year's offense. Peerless Price had 94, and Jay Riemersma had 32.
The Bills think Josh Reed and recently signed third receiver Bobby Shaw will form a good receiving corps with Eric Moulds. Mark Campbell, who the team thinks will be a good blocker at tight end, caught 25 passes for Cleveland last year.
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Originally posted by Jeff Golin
<p>Seriously, I've refused to join that organization because of their political stances, but I am old enough to join.
<p>So what's wrong with the AARP?
<p>Seriously, I've refused to join that organization because of their political stances, but I am old enough to join.
I got
my Card! No pun intended.
my Card! No pun intended.
Snakester
Draft Man
I would rather sign LC than Emmitt but I think it's time for both of them to retire.
I think we can afford to sign a couple of guys here and there that are at the end of their career. In fact, not only can we afford to do so, I believe it's imperative. The Cardinals are SO F'N YOUNG! We need veteran leadership--and what's more we need leadership from veterans that have tasted success and are driven to taste it again. Emmitt and Junior certainly fit that description.
