Archives for March 9, 2015

'McCoy’s salary cap number in 2015, however, will be $5.5 million. That accounts for his base salary, workout bonus and prorated amount of his signing bonus ($2.625 million). That’s nearly $5 million less than the $10.25 million he was scheduled to count against the Bills’ cap under the terms of his old contract – a key maneuver for the team to free up cap space to take into free agency, which begins Tuesday.'

'Only the top 51 salaries on a team's payroll count against the cap during the offseason, so factoring in those players and the projected money needed to sign draft picks, the Bills now have approximately $18.4 million in cap space. That's before any potential savings they could create by releasing contracted players, and offensive guard Kraig Urbik is at the top of that list. Cutting Urbik would free up $3.75 million.'

'Powell has been a favorite of Ryan since the two first met before the 2011 draft. The Jets picked Powell in the fourth round that season, and the Louisville product proceeded to rush for 1,296 yards on 332 attempts over the last four seasons. He will likely come cheap, but Powell would still further crowd the Bills' running back depth chart. Do the Bills have room for all five running backs?'

'Bills general manager Doug Whaley has said Dareus will be priority No. 1 for the Bills once the dust settles on free agency and the draft this season, but the deals for Suh and McCoy have made bringing Dareus back to Buffalo a bit more complicated.'

'McCoy, who will be 27 when the 2015 season starts, had three years remaining on his contract that carried cap hits of $10.25 million, $6.9 million and $7.6 million, but that contract had only $1 million left in guaranteed money. According to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports, McCoy's new contract is worth $40 million over five years with $26.5 million in guaranteed money. McCoy will receive $16 million in the first year of the deal, including $13 million up front.'

'Nothing like a deadline to increase the pressure in negotiations. Once other teams were allowed to contact Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes on Saturday, not only were the stakes raised in negotiations but the price the Bills will have to pay likely went up as well. Considering the Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears, New York Giants and New York Jets are all interesting in Hughes, according to Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports, the Bills could be getting themselves into a bidding war to keep the pass rusher.'

'The final numbers on a restructured McCoy contract could also have an impact on what the Bills are able to do in free agency. McCoy's current contract is scheduled to carry a cap hit of $10.25 million in 2015. If the Bills are able to lower that by converting some of McCoy's salary to guaranteed money, they will have more flexibility when it comes to bringing back defensive end Jerry Hughes or aggressively pursuing other free agents.'

'Clay, a four-year veteran the Dolphins selected in the six-round of the 2011 NFL draft, will be guaranteed $7.057 million for the 2015 season because of the transition tag. But it appears the Bills will offer a substantial multi-year deal, trying to lure the Clay from a rival AFC East team.'

'McCoy's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, confirmed in a text to The Associated Press on Sunday that his client has agreed to the new contract. McCoy is guaranteed to make $26.5 million, including $16 million this season, making him the NFL's highest paid running back, Rosenhaus said.'

'Forget the friends Garth Brooks might have in low places. The country music star has some high-profile buddies he can count on as well. Like Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas, for example.'

'McCoy had three years worth $25 million remaining in his existing deal with only $1 million of his $10.25 salary for 2015 guaranteed. With his new contract, the first year is guaranteed for $16 million and he will get a total of $26.5 million guaranteed of $40 million overall.'

'The deal will start once McCoy is officially traded to the Bills by the Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday. The deal will add two years to McCoy's existing contract, and includes an increase in base salary for 2015 from $10 million to $16 million. He will earn $21.05 million over the next two years.'