Archives for March 2015

'Chandler was in the last year of his contract with the Bills. His release provides a measure of cap room that could be instrumental in signing his potential replacement to an offer sheet. Buffalo is hosting Miami transition player TE Charles Clay on a free agent visit.'

'“It was first class all the way and they let me know their intentions from the get-go,” said Felton. “There was a lot of excitement around it and I know I’m wanted here and I feel good about it and I’m just ready to be a Buffalo Bill.”'

'Taylor, who is set to turn just 26 in August, has played his entire career with the Baltimore Ravens. The AFC North club made him a sixth-round pick in the 2011 NFL draft.'

'For Harvin there is familiarity with Ryan as well as receivers coach Sanjay Lal, who Harvin played under in New York for the second half of the 2014 season. In his eight games with the Jets, Harvin had 29 receptions for 350 yards and a touchdown. He was additionally used as a rusher, primarily on jet sweeps and end arounds. He also returned kicks for New York averaging a solid 24.8 yards a return.'

'“They reached out after the combine and got the ball rolling there,” Whaley said of the Eagles. “It wasn’t a lengthy trade process. We reached an agreement pretty much in one day. They asked about some situations to see if we’d have an interest. We gave them a counterproposal and it was to their liking and then we just got approval from both ownership groups and worked out the paperwork and said when the league year begins we’ll make it official.”'

'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.'