Archives for March 2015

'“This provision would limit the City of Buffalo and Erie County’s options for building a new stadium for the Bills and possibly harm efforts to keep the Bills in Western New York, and I will oppose it,” Schumer said. “I do not think it has much chance of passing.”'

'"Honestly I can't put it into words. It reminds me of a place I used to play down in the Gainesville called the Swamp. It's the truth. I really appreciate those fans up there because I hadn't experienced that since I had been in the NFL and that just gave me the boost to get up every morning and get my job done."'

'Petty, who will be 24 when he begins his NFL career, comes from a spread offense that didn't force him to take snaps from under center or make multiple reads. He also has quite the injury list that includes multiple knee injuries, multiple concussions and a broken back. Petty is easy to fall for because of his physical tools and leadership, but there are plenty of reasons to be weary of his pro prospects.'

'Harvin is a dynamic receiver and special-teams returner, who joins his fourth team in two years. He opened last season with Seattle before being traded to the New York Jets.'

'Harvin's career got off to a great start after he was honored as the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2009 with Minnesota. Since entering the league, he has averaged 6.7 yards after the catch, which is good for the highest average among all receivers with at least 300 receptions.'

'Terms of the offer weren't disclosed by the Bills, but NFL.com reported the contract to be worth $38 million over five years, including $24.5 million over the first two years. Under the transition tag, Clay would have earned just $7.7 million in 2015 with the Dolphins, although Miami was reportedly trying to work out a long-term deal.'

'The Bills will be Harvin's fourth team in three years after the New York Jets released him rather than pay his $10.5 million salary for 2015.'

'The wideout's struggle to fit within a locker room since he was a first-round pick out of the University of Florida in the 2009 NFL Draft has been well documented. Harvin, 26, was first traded from the Minnesota Vikings to the Seattle Seahawks for a first, a third, and a seventh-round draft pick. After only one-and-a-half seasons in Seattle, the Seahawks elected to move on and trade him to the Jets for a conditional pick.'

'Harvin, who turns 27 in May, is a game breaking talent who will further increase the speed quotient on Buffalo’s offense. He was picked up by plane by Bills receivers coach Sanjay Lal on Wednesday and flown to Buffalo for a free agent visit. Seeing what’s been assembled both on the Bills offensive staff and the offensive side of the ball convinced Harvin that Buffalo is a team that can contend for the postseason.'

'The Bills appear to be pushing all their chips to the middle of the table at tight end when it comes to landing Clay. They sent head coach Rex Ryan, offensive coordinator Greg Roman and tight ends coach Tony Sparano Jr. to pick up Clay on a private jet last Tuesday, the first day of free agency. The trio of coaches brought him back to Buffalo for a free agent visit. A day later the club released veteran TE Scott Chandler.'

'That per-year average of $7.6 million would make Clay the fourth-highest paid tight end in the NFL, behind only Seattle’s Jimmy Graham ($10 million), Jacksonville’s Julius Thomas ($9.2 million) and Amherst native Rob Gronkowski of New England ($9 million).'

'The Buffalo News reported Tuesday that the deal is five years in length and worth $38 million with more than $20 million guaranteed. Fox Sports said the deal is worth $24.5 million over the first two years.'

'Bills general manager Doug Whaley mentioned at the NFL Scouting Combine that new offensive coordinator Greg Roman likes to utilize the tight end position. After cutting veteran Scott Chandler and moving on from backup Lee Smith, it was obvious the team was all-in on Clay. He has played four seasons in Miami and had at least 50 receptions and more than 600 receiving yards in each of the last two seasons. He's athletic enough to play the "move" role on offense and make plays out of the backfield or as an in-line tight end.'

'The deal is reportedly structured in a way to exploit the Dolphins’ expected salary cap issues in 2016. Next year, Ndamukong Suh will cost $28.6 million against the cap and Ryan Tannehill would cost another $16.2 if he plays under the fifth-year option. The Dolphins will almost assuredly want to sign Tannehill to an extension before then to provide cap relief.'

'According to NFL Network, the Dolphins' final offer to Clay was four-years, $27 million, and less than $15 million of that deal was going to be fully guaranteed.'