Archives for March 5, 2016

'McKelvin joined the Bills in 2008 as a first-round draft pick, 11th overall, from Troy (Ala.) University. He suffered a broken ankle that caused him to miss the final six games of the 2014 season, which he finished with a career-best four interceptions. A setback in his recovery caused him to sit out the preseason and first seven games of the 2015 season and opened the door for Darby to take over.'

'McKelvin follows Mario Williams, Boobie Dixon, Kraig Urbik and MarQueis Gray out the door this week as the Bills try to find a way to create enough money to tender their own restricted free agents, plus possibly get unrestricted free agent offensive guard Richie Incognito re-signed before he hits the open market Wednesday.'

'Glenn has started every game over the last three seasons at left tackle for the Bills. He was the Bills' second-round pick in 2012 and is still just 26 years old.'

'Here's a partial list of who they have met with so far…'

'With all of this week's moves, the Bills will likely have somewhere in the neighborhood of $15 million in cap space (depending on the terms of Graham's restructure) to sign Incognito, free agent-to-be Nigel Bradham, as well as their restricted free agents.'

'In 2015, McKelvin was riddled with injuries, playing in only nine games, recording 32 tackles with two interceptions. In three of his first four seasons, McKelvin played in all 16 games for the Bills, but had not since 2011.'

'The emergence of Stephon Gilmore and Ronald Darby made McKelvin — who had a $3.9 million cap hit — expendable. A 2008 first-round pick, McKelvin played 98 games through eight seasons for Buffalo and with a shallow pool of cornerbacks available in free agency, there’ll be interest elsewhere.'

'The former Troy standout had one season remaining on a four-year, $17 million contract that he signed in 2013. McKelvin's release takes $3.9 million off the Bills' books for 2016.'

'Buffalo's 2008 first-round draft pick was entering the final year of his contract and due to make a $3.1 million base salary. It was deemed too expensive for a player filling a backup role behind starters Stephon Gilmore and Ronald Darby.'

'General manager Doug Whaley referred to re-signing Glenn as one of his top offseason priorities. Another is re-signing offensive guard Richie Incognito, who is expected to attract lucrative offers after completing his one season in Buffalo.'

'Rookie Ronald Darby graded out as one of the best cover men in the AFC last season and helped to make McKelvin expendable.'

'McKelvin is now free to sign with any team. He does not have to wait until free agency begins March 9.'

'Among other subjects, Reed talked about how welcoming the team has been and how excited he is to coach the Bills. “I have been comfortable since I have been here, now it’s all about getting into a groove and mindset as a coach,” said Reed. “The coaching staff has been very helpful and everyone has been welcoming.”'

'Without McKelvin, the Bills are left with Stephon Gilmore, Ronald Darby, Nickell Robey, Mario Butler, and Merrill Noel as the cornerbacks under contract that spent time on the 2015 active roster.'

'The Bills cleared $27.225 million from their salary cap over the past week, even without the restructured deal of Corey Graham. With the official signing of Glenn, that pool of cap room is reduced to $13.519 million, again, before the Graham restructure is finalized.'