Archives for February 8, 2015

'Spiller has up to March 7 to re-sign or have a ‘franchise tag’ placed on him by the Bills. If neither happens, he’d officially become an unrestricted free agent. March 7-10 the rest of the league can contact Spiller for negotiations – he can sign as soon as 4 p.m. on March 10.'

'Incognito no doubt understands that this is his last shot at an NFL career, and he'll surely be on his best behavior in Buffalo, whatever that is. But if the move backfires the way some of his attempts to rehabilitate bad characters in New Jersey did, Jets fans will be able to watch from afar and say three familiar words: "Same old Rex."'

'The simple answer is, the team needs help at the position he plays. Right guard Erik Pears is a pending unrestricted free agent, and the left guard position was a revolving door between Chris Williams, Cyril Richardson and Kraig Urbik in 2014 – none of whom impressed.'

'Of the seven available head-coaching spots, two were filled from the 12 other candidates on the Bills’ list. Of the remainder, two are out of football, two wound up moving to new teams in the same capacity, and two are in the same roles they had at the time they interviewed with the Bills.'

'“I just want to tell the people of Western New York thank you, and I appreciate everything they did for me. I didn’t do it for that reason. I did it to bring awareness to what’s actually going on with players when they’re done, as far as the injuries that they have,” Talley said.'

'Ryan has never been afraid of controversy, and he said he wanted to build a bully. The offseason is still young, and he's well on his way.'

'Back in 2009, a Sporting News poll of NFL players named Incognito the dirtiest player in the NFL. That year, while playing for the Rams, Incognito was benched after getting two 15-yard penalties in one game for head-butting. He was released a few days later.'

'What better way to build a bully then by signing the player who sparked the NFL's BullyGate scandal.'

'Incognito, 31, is considered an upgrade over the Bills' current options at guard, but it remains to be seen whether new Bills coach Ryan and his staff can keep him in line.'

'The Bills' reported decision to sign Incognito is already coming under fire. Joe Banner, the former Eagles president and Browns CEO, ripped the move on Twitter.'

'It’s hilarious to think that Buffalo players would pass up what they viewed as a better opportunity elsewhere for the good of their Bills teammates and coaches.'

'The NFL investigation identified Incognito as the ringleader in the harassment of Martin, who walked away from the Dolphins and now plays for San Francisco. Incognito was a central figure in a report on the behavior of Dolphins players and their locker-room culture conducted by Ted Wells, which also identified Dolphins Mike Pouncey and John Jerry as instigators.'

'In Ryan, Pegula has ultimate trust not only to lead his locker room, but to lead the Bills back to the playoffs for the first time since 1999 — beginning a once-toxic player Ryan is convinced will be the last guy to let him down.'

'The Bills have a need at guard, after they went through numerous starters last season.'

'Incognito, a 10-year veteran with 102 career starts to his credit, spent the entire 2014 season out of football, essentially black-balled from the NFL for his participation in the infamous Miami Dolphins bullying scandal in 2013.'