Archives for March 22, 2016

'“If that isn’t enough to warrant an extension, I don’t know what will be.”'

'“We were able to sign the line back,” the general manager reminded a group of reporters at the NFL meetings here Monday, referring to the $13.7 million franchise tag the Bills placed on tackle Cordy Glenn and the three-year, $15.75 million deal that they reached with Richie Incognito before he could become a free agent.'

'“For me, it’s all about getting better every day," Butler said. "I never know what’s going to happen in this league, so I always try to continue to work hard and continue doing what I’ve been doing so I can be someone they really rely on. That’s the most important part with Leodis leaving and Ron leaving. I don’t know if it affects me but my mind-set is the way its always been going into this sixth year. Just continue to control what I can. Go out and make plays. If I do that, I’ll be in a good place.”'

'Whaley said the team could conceivably be OK with what they have on their roster if Harvin returns to a group that would also have Marquise Goodwin, who is training for the Summer Olympics, and Robert Woods returning from a groin injury, and Greg Salas vying for the second, third and fourth spots behind Sammy Watkins.'

'"There's many possibilities right now, because there's still some guys out there on the street," Whaley said. "There might be some trade possibilities where once we get closer to the draft or draft day, teams may call up and say they have a quarterback (available), so we're going to keep all options open."

'“Tyrod's going to look at that,” Whaley said. “That's one of those things where you look at it and say, ‘Hey, they wanted the guy and they went out and got him.’ So is it going to make our negotiation challenging? Absolutely. But, again, is that the price today? That's the tough situation and that's where the negotiation comes in.”'

'“Last thing I heard was Jim Overdorf talked to his agent and hopefully he's gonna make a decision the next week or two on if he's gonna play, and if he's gonna play, if he's coming back to us,” Whaley said Monday during a break in the NFL owners’ meetings at the Boca Raton Resort and Club. “We'll hopefully know in the next week or two. From what I heard, he's leaning towards playing.”'

'The replay challenge proposal is by far the more important proposal, and it piggy-backs on what the arch rival Patriots have clamored for in the past. New England coach Bill Belichick talked about this at last year’s meeting in Arizona, saying that it makes no sense to not have all plays reviewable. After all, at its core, instant replay is supposed to correct mistakes, so why limit the amount of mistakes that can be corrected?'

'"It's the Bills' prerogative to do what they want to do as it relates to Tyrod Taylor or any other Bills plater," Bakari told Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News. "Fortunately, there are 31 other teams that have watched and will be watching Tyrod. And the fact of the matter is what Tyrod was able to do as a first-time start in 2015 was give the Bills the best quarterback play they've had since Jim Kelly. If that isn't enough to warrant an extension, I don't know what is."'

'"Well, cap-wise, we're in the circumstances to still be able to get our goals done," Whaley said. "So we will always be in a position to get our goals done. Now, again, I wish we could have the goal to sign everybody, but that's not going (to happen). But we're going to prioritize the guys we want to sign and we will have space to sign those guys."'

'Whaley said the Bills are open to a shorter contract if that's what works for both sides. It doesn't necessarily need to be a long-term deal. The Bills got an initial offer from Taylor's agent, Adisa Bakari. Taylor is entering the final year of his contract, and after throwing for more than 3,000 yards, 20 touchdowns and just six interceptions in his 14-game debut as a starting quarterback, Taylor could command big money on the open market. After the monster contract the Houston Texans gave Brock Osweiler, negotiations won't be easy for the Bills.'

'"The last thing I heard, (Bills Vice President of football operations) Jim Overdorf talked to his agent and hopefully he's going to make a decision in the next week or two of if he's going to play, and if he's going play, if he's coming back to us," Whaley said."We'll hopefully know in the next week or two."'

'Hogan started for four years at Stanford, where Bills offensive coordinator Greg Roman used to be the offensive coordinator. Hogan has been considered a day three pick by most. He's big and has a strong arm, but his long windup has been a point of concern.'

'The Bills knew they were in a tight spot with the salary cap entering the 2016 offseason. That led to a handful of players getting cut just so Buffalo could retain its two biggest free agents, Cordy Glenn and Richie Incognito. The Bills aren't done yet, though. Glenn, cornerback Stephon Gilmore and quarterback Tyrod Taylor are all entering contract years. Jim Overdorf and Doug Whaley still have a tall task ahead in making sure they can keep as much of this nucleus in Buffalo as long as possible.'

'He underwent hip surgery again this past fall after assorted injuries cut short his 2015 season — his first in Buffalo — after only five games, in which he caught 19 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown. He added defence-stretching danger to the Bills’ attack opposite star receiver Sammy Watkins, a threat the team missed at times over the final three months.'