Archives for March 2014

‘The Saints weren’t in a position to spent megabucks on a free agent as they’re about $2 million under the salary cap before the Byrd deal. So the Saints will have to make significant salary maneuvering to make this deal work as Byrd secured the $9 million per season price tag he sought in free agency.’

‘The 5-foot-10, 203-pound Byrd, a former second-round pick by Buffalo, has gone to three Pro Bowls in his five seasons. He has 22 interceptions, 11 forced fumbles and three sacks since entering the NFL in 2009 out of Oregon.’

‘Caussin missed the past two seasons because of injuries. He was sidelined last season with a hip injury sustained early in training camp. Caussin missed the 2012 season because of a knee injury.’

‘Without going into detail, general manager Doug Whaley announced Tuesday the team released Kolb after he failed a physical.’

‘Over 73 career games, Byrd has 356 tackles and 22 interceptions, nine of which came in his 2009 rookie campaign.’

‘Carpenter has converted 160-of-191 field goals (83.8-percent) in his career, along with 186-of-187 point after tries for 666 points in 92 games played. His 160 field goals made since 2008 are fourth-most among NFL kickers.’

‘The Bills said Tuesday that Kolb, who also missed games in the 2010 and 2011 seasons with separate concussions, failed a physical.’

‘Nine of Byrd’s 22 career interceptions came in his rookie season, a year in which he also registered a career-high 11 passes defensed.’

‘”This reiterates our core principle, to sign our own guys and a guy that made 33 out of 36 field goals in that stadium is somebody that we were very interested in and we were very happy to get him signed up for a long-term deal,” said Whaley.’

‘The Bills will move on with Williams as their top safety, and one of Da’Norris Searcy, Duke Williams or Jonathan Meeks as the other starter. That is, of course, unless Buffalo addresses the position through the rest of free agency or in the 2014 NFL Draft.’

‘”Even when I was playing against Buffalo in my Miami days I’ve always recognized how great the fans have been here and their support of the Bills,” Carpenter said Tuesday. “For us it was a no brainer to come back to Buffalo. We were comfortable and loved it here last year. To be able to go back somewhere and be wanted where you would like to go, you’re very fortunate in this league for that to happen. We’re very happy to be here and excited to see where it goes.”‘

‘Considering his injury history and a $1 million roster bonus due on Thursday, the Bills had to decide on Kolb’s future rather quickly. Kolb, 29, was released by the team due to a failed physical according to GM Doug Whaley.’

‘Carroll, 27, is a 6-foot, 205-pound defensive back that has 26 starts in his four-year career with the Dolphins. In 2013, he had 47 tackles, three interceptions and two tackles in 12 starts for Miami.’

‘Caussin, a restricted free agent as of 4 pm, re-signed with the team on an undisclosed contract. Caussin, 27, has played in only six games since entering the NFL in 2010. The 6-foot-5, 243-pound tight end was an undrafted free agent out of James Madison.’

‘Byrd and his representatives made it clear they wanted to test the free agent market after the safety played under the franchise tag in 2013. Now he’ll be teamed with New Orleans first-round pick of a year ago in safety Kenny Vaccaro in the Saints’ defensive backfield.’