Archives for March 2006

‘They released linebacker Junior Seau, clearing $2.92 million against the salary cap, and will have 12-year veteran defensive tackle Sam Adams in for a visit today. Buffalo released Adams last week in a salary-cap move. Although Adams can sign now, agent Angelo Wright said his client likely will wait until Thursday — the start of free agency and the deadline for clubs to get under the salary cap — before making a decision to see if there will be more money available under the cap.’

‘Diagnosed as Burkitt’s lymphoma (form of cancer) in late April last year, Ferguson’s physicians knew chemotherapy would have to be the course of action for the very aggressive cancer that had spread to his chest cavity and small intestine. Ferguson was taken aback by it all considering his healthy lifestyle. "You’re kind of in shock wondering how it could happen," he said. "Then you get to a point where you say, ‘Okay I’ve got this and I have to go in this direction to fight it. Let’s get it started.’ And that was kind of the attitude that I took."’

‘This means that free agency will begin at 12:01 a.m. (EST) Thursday. Teams will now have until 9 p.m. Wednesday to get under the $94.5 million salary cap.’

‘The Bills do not have to make any cuts because they already are under the cap. Buffalo had a cap total of $85.8 million, according to News estimates. However, it still is expected the team will release veteran receiver Eric Moulds soon. Moulds is due to receive $7.1 million in cash this year.’

‘"You have to be ready for that transition from life as an NFL player to life in the real world," Schneck says. "We make a lot of money early on, then when we’re done playing we drop back and it’s difficult to stay at that level of income."’

‘Releasing Adams increases the likelihood the team will select Oregon DT Haloti Ngata if he’s available when it picks eighth in the first round. The team favors smaller defensive linemen in its new defensive scheme.’

‘My father says that Dick Jauron, the Buffalo Bills’ new head coach, has a reputation in some circles for being a little too nice to succeed in the NFL. Does AFS buy that argument? Can someone really be too nice for their own good?’

‘”The bottom line is they want Eric to take a drastic cut and we don’t feel his skills have diminished to justify that,” personal advisor Greg Johnson said. “It’s just not going to work.” What could make it work? An extension to the collective bargaining agreement. If the CBA were extended, the salary cap now set at $94.5 million would rise an estimated $10 million and restrictive transition year rules that cut into cap space and limit how contracts are structured would be lifted. That would make living with Moulds’ $10.8 million cap figure and paying him the $7.1 million in cash that he’s due in 2006 a lot easier for the Bills.’

‘Unrestricted free agents: DT Justin Bannan; DE Ryan Denney; DT Ron Edwards; OT Greg Jerman; QB Shane Matthews; WR Josh Reed; LS Mike Schneck; FB Daimon Shelton; C Trey Teague; CB Kevin Thomas.’

‘Levy on free agency: “I’m not coming in with a shoot-from-the-hip comment, ‘We’re going out in free agency and doing this and that.’ We’ll evaluate. We have good cap money. We don’t want to be foolish and throw an inordinate amount out for something. But I see us being active in free agency, yes.”‘

‘While the focus in recent days has been the percentage of revenues that will go to the players, with the NFLPA asking for 60% and the NFL offering 56%, Vincent said you can always move North and South. He maintains the major issue is the owners internal battles over how to divide significant amounts of unshared revenue such as luxury boxes, naming rights and local broadcasting deals. "That is still the number 1 issue" said Vincent. We as players will not sign an extension without that being included. We don’t want to create any more disparity between club number 1 and club number 32 and without revenue sharing, it doesn’t work."’

‘Buffalo Bills Head Coach Dick Jauron will be among the guests during Sunday’s 44th Annual Variety Kids Telethon on Sunday, March 5th.’

‘Moulds’ release would give the Bills $5.3 million more space under the salary cap.’

‘Agent Harry Henderson and Johnson proposed a restructuring plan to the Bills Thursday that was rejected. The team still wants its second all-time receiver to cut his pay.’

‘The Bills tendered offers to linebackers Mario Haggan and Josh Stamer, wide receivers Jonathan Smith and Sam Aiken, running back Shaud Williams, cornerback Jabari Greer and offensive lineman Jason Peters.’