Archives for March 11, 2015

'Breathe easy, though. Cassel's trade is official and he will have a press conference at noon Wednesday. Better yet, by the end of the week he could be a part of an offense that includes not only recently acquired LeSean McCoy but tight end Charles Clay and wide receiver Percy Harvin.'

'When you combine Ryan’s big personality with Pegula’s big bankbook, you begin to command respect. For too long, the Bills were the joke of the NFL. Now they’re the talk of the league, an organization that has regained a measure of relevance by talking tough and spending large.'

'“I think any player who’s been with a franchise for so long and built the kind of relationship with the management, the owner … any player would be angry,” he said. “Once I kind of collected my thoughts, talked to my family … a lot of things that happen, it’s a blessing.”'

'Clay not only is getting a tour of the Bills’ facility, as the team announced Tuesday night, but The News has learned he also will look for potential places to live in the area.'

'In seeking to add the NFL as a defendant, Ferrari’s attorney, Sean E. Cooney, cited broadcast rights contracts from 2007 and 2009 between the Bills and Citadel, which Cooney said also gave Citadel the exclusive rights to run the Jills cheerleading squad.'

'“It’s a team that’s committed to running the ball,” said McCoy. “Look at Rex Ryan and all the things that he’s done; his teams get to the playoffs, win games, with the team he had. And you bring in a defense like this and with Greg (Roman) as offensive coordinator, who has the ability to get the ball in the running back’s hands, in open space, to make plays, that’s all you want.”'

'But an Incognito vs. Suh showdown has me wondering what the over-under on unsportsmanlike conduct penalties will be when the Bills and Dolphins meet twice next season.'

'Harvin has played for three different teams since 2012. The Vikings traded Harvin to the Seattle Seahawks for first and third-round picks in the 2013 draft as well as a seventh-round pick in the 2014 draft. Harvin won a Super Bowl in Seattle but was traded to the Jets in the middle of his second season with the Seahawks for a conditional draft pick that will be a sixth-rounder since New York released him.'

'The bigger question, though, might be what McCoy said to Gore, who was reportedly close to signing with the Philadelphia Eagles before deciding on the Indianapolis Colts. McCoy repeatedly mentioned feeling appreciated in Buffalo, but he didn't bite when asked what he might have said to Gore about Eagles coach Chip Kelly.'

'Clay, who has played four seasons in Miami, fits the bill. He had at least 50 receptions and more than 600 receiving yards in each of the last two seasons. Clay is athletic enough to play the "move" role on offense and make plays out of the backfield or as an in-line tight end. That versatility will appeal to head coach Rex Ryan, who likes to use a fullback on offense.'

'Revis, who became a free agent when the Patriots decided not to pick up his $20 million option, played four of the first six seasons of his career under now Bills coach Rex Ryan in New York. When healthy, Revis has been arguably the best cornerback in football since he entered the league back in 2007.'

'Smith has just 20 receptions in his four-year career and is known primarily for his blocking skills. He received a 1.9 grade from Pro Football Focus for his run blocking in 2014. The Bills have plenty of blocking tight ends on their roster, though, and keeping Smith at that price tag wasn't an option given their cap situation.'

'Felton, who is a former fifth-round pick of the Lions, has played eight NFL seasons in his career, the last three years of which has been spent in Minnesota. He's best known for being Adrian Peterson's lead blocker during his 2,000-yard season. Felton finished each of the last three seasons as a top-six run-blocking fullback on Pro Football Focus.'

'At the NFL Scouting Combine, Bills general manager Doug Whaley mentioned that free agent safety Da'Norris Searcy would be tough to keep in Buffalo. Given the price he reportedly commanded on the open market, it's easy to see why. Searcy is getting more than $10 million guaranteed on a four-year, $24 million contract with the Tennessee Titans, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Searcy earned himself a raise with a breakout season in 2014.'

'"That's the nature of the game," Taylor told The Baltimore Sun at the end of last season. "I knew that coming into this situation. When I got drafted here, Joe was pretty durable. My job was to stay ready and I think I've done that in my time here. I've learned a lot."'