Archives for March 9, 2016

'Ryan had a lot to do with Incognito's desire to return. "He treats us like men, he treats us like pros," Incognito said. "Playing for a guy like Rex and him having confidence in us, having our back, it speaks volumes about Rex and his style.'

'By doing so, they gave themselves flexibility in the secondary. Darby had such a good season that the Bills felt comfortable releasing veteran Leodis McKelvin in a move to save salary-cap space.'

'Williams was expected to sign a contract that will pay in the neighborhood of $8 million a year, NFL Network first reported.'

'Incognito said his agent, David Dunn, heard from “six or seven teams” on Monday when the NFL’s two-day “legal tampering” window opened, but in the end, it came down to this for Incognito: He wanted to stay in Buffalo, partly because he really likes the team and the direction it’s going, partly because he likes his teammates and coach Rex Ryan, and partly because he didn’t want to turn his back on the people that helped revive his dormant NFL career.'

'"We definitely took a discount to stay in Buffalo," Incognito said on a conference call Tuesday. "I felt I owed it to them. I think that's what made negotiations so hot and heavy for a second because we knew what we had on the outside. It was important for me to come back, like I said before, because they saved me. They believe in me, and I believe in them. You can't put a price tag on happiness, and you can't put a price tag on being comfortable."'

'Incognito, who turns 33 in July, is coming off a season in which he played in the Pro Bowl. Last February, Incognito signed with the Bills after nearly two years spent out of football as a result of his involvement in the Dolphins' bullying scandal.'

'“Yeah, that is accurate to say,” the 32-year-old said. “We definitely took a discount to stay in Buffalo, and I felt I owed it to them. I think that is what made negotiations kind of so hot and heavy there for a second, because we knew what we had on the outside.'

'Williams' signing probably means the Dolphins either (1) won’t match any offer that transition-tagged defensive end Olivier Vernon might receive once free agency officially kicks off Wednesday at 4 p.m. EST, or (2) will rescind the transition tag, rendering Vernon an unrestricted free agent. Williams' signing might also mean that ex-CFLer Cameron Wake’s time in Miami is done.'

'The new contract represents the latest step in Incognito's re-emergence. His future had been uncertain before he signed a one-year contract with Buffalo in January 2015. It came after Incognito spent 15 months out of football for being a central figure in the Miami Dolphins' bullying scandal in 2013.'

'Williams, 31, has 96 sacks, but had only five last season under new Bills coach Rex Ryan. At times, Williams complained about his role and seemed disinterested.'

'McKelvin has played in 98 career games. He has a dozen career interceptions and 56 pass breakups. He's also compiled more than 3,000 yards on punt and kickoff returns and scored four return touchdowns.'

'"You know the biggest thing for me was they believed in me when no one else would," Incognito said on a conference call. "They gave me an opportunity to come in and reestablish (myself). That was it, you can't put a price tag on that. '

'Williams, 31, had five sacks in 2015 and with two years left on his deal, was released before he counted $19.9 million against the salary cap next season. Releasing Williams saves the Bills $12.9 million against the salary cap.'

'Staying healthy hasn't been a given for McKelvin, who ended 2014 with a fractured ankle and played in only nine games in 2015.'

'The move ensures the Bills will keep both their left guard and left tackle after both were scheduled to become unrestricted free agents. The team placed the franchise tag on left tackle Cordy Glenn last week.'