Bills GM Buddy Nix stated last week that they planned to tender qualifying offers to some of their impending free agent players. Buffalobills.com has learned that Buffalo tendered three potential restricted free agents in TE Scott Chandler, LB Paul Posluszny and S Donte Whitner.
Posluszny and Whitner under the rules of the soon to expire CBA would normally be unrestricted free agents. However, under a new CBA it's possible that Posluszny, who has four accrued seasons and Whitner, who has five accrued seasons could still be restricted free agents.
In light of that possibility, Buffalo tendered both players in an effort to protect their negotiating rights with both players. Should both be deemed restricted free agents under a new labor agreement Buffalo would retain the right of first refusal.
That means if another NFL club signed Posluszny or Whitner to an offer sheet, if and when a free agency period begins this offseason, Buffalo would have a week to match or at the very least receive compensation in the form of a draft choice equal to the round in which they were drafted. Per team policy Buffalo does not disclose the tender level of their qualifying offers.
Posluszny was a second-round pick in 2007, Whitner was a first-round pick in 2006.
Chandler (6'7" 272), who was claimed off waivers by the Bills on Dec. 3 last season is a former fourth-round pick of the San Diego Chargers in 2007. The tight end appeared in Buffalo's last four games of the 2010 season with one catch for eight yards. He also played on special teams.
Huggins, Sanborn tenderedExclusive rights free agents Felton Huggins and Garrison Sanborn were also tendered qualifying offers ensuring that both will be back on Buffalo's roster in 2011.
Sanborn has served as the Bills long snapper each of the past two seasons. Huggins spent the 2010 campaign on injured reserve. The receiver was on Buffalo's practice squad in 2008 and 2009.
