Steve Johnson Fantasy News

Tuesday, May 1, 2012, 2:40pm

The Buffalo Bills traded up in the third round to the 69th overall pick to grab wide receiver T.J. Graham from North Carolina State. They moved up two spots with the Washington Redskins and gave up one of their two seventh round picks (217th overall) to get their speed receiver. The Bills had three glaring needs heading into the draft and they have now addressed all three with their first three picks.

Graham may not have the ideal size to play opposite of Stevie Johnson, but he has outstanding speed and head Coach Chan Gailey stated unequivocally that he will line up outside.

“He’s 5’11” and something and he can run by most everybody, I mean the guy can fly,” said Gailey.

“We like his speed and he can catch the football and return. They’ll have to cover deep,” said Bills GM Buddy Nix.

Graham was a successful punt and kick returner in college. He took back two kicks and two punts for scores in his four-year collegiate career. He has a track background, but never let it get in the way of football. Gailey indicated that they’re inclined to let him focus on receiver first.

“I don’t know that we’ll (have him return) off the bat,” said Gailey. “We’ll let him work at receiver and let him be proficient there.”

Bills sign Steve Johnson to five-year deal
Monday, March 5, 2012, 3:26pm

The Buffalo Bills today announced that WR Steve Johnson has signed a contract extension with the team. In accordance with team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Johnson led the Bills in receiving for the second straight year in 2011, catching 76 passes for 1,004 yards and seven touchdowns. Along with a career-high 82 receptions for 1,073 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2010, Johnson became the first player in franchise history to record consecutive 1,000 receiving yard campaigns.

Saturday, January 28, 2012, 6:05pm

Steve Johnson's agent, C.J. Laboy, says there has been no progress made in contract talks with the Buffalo Bills

"We did speak to them following Buddy’s press conference, but we have had no contract talks," Laboy told WGR on Friday.

Now, this isn't supposed to ignite critical concerns by the fan base. With free agency about a month-and-a-half away, things usually start to heat up right around the time of the annual NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Laboy said as much when asked if Johnson would just test the market with it being so close.

"Far too early for that," Laboy said. "The Bills have options. They can use the franchise tag on him, they can negotiate an extension, or they can let him walk. It is no secret where Stevie’s heart is, but at the same time he has to do what is best for his family."

Monday, January 9, 2012, 7:34pm

Bills GM Buddy Nix on Steve Johnson: "He's not a criminal. He made a mistake. He cost us and he paid the price. We do want him back."

On Johnson's penalties: "We're not happy about that. The things he does at practice. You know, he practices hurt. I think he's a team guy. Yeah we want him back."

Thursday, December 29, 2011, 5:14pm

Steve Johnson, whose contract is up at the end of February, admitted he considered the possibility that last week's game against Denver could have been his last at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

"Since last week playing at The Ralph, I thought about it -- walking on the field, walking off the field, looking around, looking at the crowd," Johnson said Wednesday. "It was kind of crazy because it seemed like four years went by pretty fast, me playing only two years of it. Being in this city and how they adopted me, I thought about it. I don't think I'll be somewhere else next year. I'm still pretty sure I'll be here next year. But if not, it's a pretty crazy feeling."

The Bills have not been able to reach a contract extension with Johnson. If no deal is reached by February, they still could keep him in the fold for 2012 by using a franchise tag on him. However, that will be expensive -- roughly $9.5 million.

Johnson said his viewpoint is not based on any progress in contract talks. Why does he think he will be back? "I don't know," he said. "I just feel like being here four years and with the coaches that I have here, with the players, with Fitz signing his deal, you would think you'd have the one-two punch. When Fitz came on, I came on. So you would think they would keep it together."

Thursday, December 22, 2011, 5:31pm

Darrelle Revis could see plenty of Hakeem Nicks, the Giants' best wide receiver, on Saturday. Nicks is coming off a game in which he dropped a sure-handed touchdown pass after he lost it in the sun early in the first quarter during the Giants' 23-10 loss to the Redskins last Sunday.

Nicks is looking to redeem himself, but he is not getting caught up in the hype of a potential one-on-one matchup with Revis.

Victor Cruz, though, is looking forward to seeing those two go at it.

"Not only is [Revis] good athletically, but he watched a lot of film," Cruz said. "He knows the routes that we like to do on certain downs and distances and he picks up on tendencies. We have to be disciplined. We can't show any of our stuff and make sure we get to the right depths and using the right technique against them."

"It is going to be a good one," Cruz said of Revis against Nicks. "I think it is going to be a lot of back and forth, both guys making plays, both guys are very talented. Whoever makes that last play to win the game will be the victor."

Tuesday, December 20, 2011, 8:17pm

Bills WR Steve Johnson is being held out of practice today to rest sore groin, but he's expected to play Saturday.