Archives for March 2015

'Williams' contract extension is worth $10.5 million and presumably lowers his scheduled $6.4 million cap hit for the 2015 season. Williams, a former fifth-round pick and nine-year veteran, graded out as the seventh best defensive tackle in the NFL on Pro Football Focus for the 2014 season. He has 34.5 career sacks and at least five in four of the last five seasons.'

'Jackson has one year left on his contract, and his job is safe for now. But the Bills are spending aggressively in free agency, so it's tough to take anything off the table.'

'“It’s night and day from when I was a rookie, when my head was spinning, just trying to figure out what I’m doing out there. Now it’s completely different. I think you grow every single year. You come to know more about your strengths, and the things you want to work on as well.”'

'Whether or not the Dolphins match Buffalo’s offer for Clay, Whaley and Ryan have made clear their rather retro strategy, given the lack of quarterbacks any better than Manuel or Cassel in free agency or the upcoming draft. By devoting so many resources to maintaining one of the league’s best defenses while rebuilding a pitiful running game, they want to make the position as irrelevant as possible.'

'"It was a special year we had," Felton said of the playoff season of 2012. "The Vikings treated me well, and they were always up front with me. So there's no hard feelings."'

'Green is a gifted athlete, but Strevay said he is just as impressed with his dedication. “A gift is only good if you work hard on it.”'

'Chandler led Buffalo's tight ends in catches and yards in each of the past four seasons, including last year when he had 47 receptions for 497 yards. He has 17 touchdowns in 65 career games with the Bills. Chandler scored six times in both 2011 and '12 to match the franchise's single-season record for TDs by a tight end.'

'"You guys tired of seeing me yet?" general manager Doug Whaley joked, as he stepped to the podium to introduce Cassel. "I've been working."'

'Felton said it is a four-year deal. He is the latest addition to a run-oriented offense being introduced by new coach Rex Ryan. Felton joins a retooled backfield that will now feature McCoy, who was acquired in a trade with Philadelphia.'

'Over 65 games with the Bills, Chandler accumulated 182 catches for 2,120 yards and 17 touchdowns, ranking third in team history for receptions and touchdown catches for a tight end.'

'Felton, a fifth-round pick of the Detroit Lions in 2008, was named to the Pro Bowl in 2012 as he led the way for Adrian Peterson to rush for 2,097 yards.'

'Harvin was let go by the Jets on Tuesday afternoon, following the official acquisition of wide receiver Brandon Marshall. In 2014, the Seattle Seahawks traded Harvin to the Jets for a conditional draft pick. Between the two franchises, Harvin caught 51 passes for 483 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for 202 yards between the two clubs and another touchdown.'

'As of right now, Chris Gragg, MarQueis Gray, and Chris Manhertz are the lone tight ends on the roster.'

'The question: "Did you ever have the intention of cutting Fred Jackson?" To which Whaley hesitated briefly, and then succinctly answered, "No."'

'Could the Bills go 11-5 this season? That seems on the optimistic side. But I wouldn’t be shocked.'