Archives for February 2016

'Myles Jack would be an incredible fit into the Bills, or to any team’s defense for that matter.'

'If the Bills were to use the franchise tag on Glenn, an upcoming unrestricted free agent as of March 9 at 4 pm, that would give the Bills, at the very least, the right of first refusal if another team tried to sign the left tackle to an offer sheet. By using the tag, they would have to declare it with one of three options…'.

'Four games? Six games? Any amount of time McCoy would miss this season would have ramifications on the field. A few to consider…'.

'The 26-year old Glenn has been the anchor of the Bills left side of the line since he broke into the league. He’s started 61 games in four years, including every game over the past three seasons. It's going to be costly to keep him, whether that’s via the franchise tag for one year or a longer deal, because young left tackles who start every game don't come along that often in free agency. Especially ones who were on a team that led the league in rushing. But, Glenn is an extremely important part of what the Bills want to do going forward. They'll most likely do whatever they have to to keep him, even if that means slapping the franchise tag on him.'

'It’s hard enough when every player on your offense is new to your scheme including your starting quarterback. It’s a much taller task when you don’t know who your starting quarterback is. Buffalo’s three-way quarterback competition was necessary. The cost was not developing a rapport in the passing game between an entrenched starter at quarterback and his receiving corps.'

'With Smerlas using brute force to control the middle of the line of scrimmage, freeing up Haslett and Nelson to make plays, “The Bermuda Triangle” was a formidable challenge for opposing offenses. “He was a beast,” Nelson, in his Texas drawl, said of Smerlas. “Baddest man on the planet.”'

'But from every indication I've received from those at the top of the Bills' organization, there is virtually no desire to move forward at any time in the foreseeable future with plans to build a downtown palace of their own. Despite considerable speculation on that front, the idea hasn't been met with a whole lot of enthusiasm from the Pegulas — league pressure or not.'

'Carpenter is set to make over $2 million in 2016 and will count over $2.8 million against the salary cap. He has a roster bonus of $250,000 that kicks in on March 15. If the Bills are going to release him and move on to a free agent or a drafted rookie, they’ll maximize their savings by waiting until after June 1 when they’ll only be charged $537,500 in dead money and save $2.3 million against the cap. However, they’ll have to decide if they can wait that long before saving that money or instead save roughly $500,000 less against the cap (just over $1.76 million) by releasing him before June 1. Given their current cap situation, the team may choose to get as much relief as they can as quickly as possible. Free agency begins March 9 and that’s when all teams must be under the league’s 2016 salary cap.'

'Ryan made another unfulfilled promise – that the Bills would reach the playoffs in 2015 – but it’s fair to say the largest disappointment in going 8-8 during his first season at the helm was the shocking regression of the defense. The many variables that can influence landing a postseason berth, not to mention the significant question mark hovering over the quarterback situation at the time of Ryan’s hiring, made such talk ring a bit hallow even to the most optimistic Bills fan.'

'But even after flaming out in Washington, Griffin still has name value and his mere presence could very well detract from Taylor's feeling, after four years as a backup in Baltimore, he finally has established himself as a firm No. 1 QB. Unless, of course, the Bills still aren't completely settled on that.'

'Kenney has spoken with the police commissioner and is waiting for the district attorney’s office to issue warrants for McCoy and the three other suspects involved. He has seen the video posted of the incident.'

'The police department has already announced that the officers involved in the fight – Darnell Jessie, Roland Butler, and Sgt. Daniel Ayers – will not be disciplined by the department for their role, nor will any charges be filed against them. Butler and Jessie were both hospitalized, Butler suffering a broken nose, broken ribs, a sprained thumb, and a laceration to his right eye, while Jessie was treated for a possible skull fracture and received eight stitches to close a cut over his left eye. Both have since been released.'

'Bradham's case is complicated. Heading into 2015, most considered the athletic linebacker from Florida State a priority among the Bills' upcoming free agents. He was coming off a stellar season in Jim Schwartz's 4-3 defense and figured to play a prominent role in Rex Ryan's hybrid scheme.'

'The outspoken Kiley sparked controversy last month when called the Buffalo Bills hiring of a female assistant coach "absurd." Those comments in addition to previous statements that women shouldn't be allowed to vote for the Pro Football Hall of Fame or work as an NFL official drew negative attention for Kiley and 92.3 The Fan. Mike Florio at Pro Football Talk called for a boycott of the station.'

'Defense attorney Larry Krasner says authorities told him a decision won't be made until at least Wednesday.'