Archives for March 2016

'The exact formula for awarding picks has never been revealed, but the Bills most likely were awarded their selections for their losses of safety Da’Norris Searcy to Tennessee and running back CJ Spiller to New Orleans after they had a net loss of free agents gained vs. free agents lost in 2015. '

'With a $5.5 million cap hit for the upcoming season, the Bills would have been left with under $1 million in current cap space — making their ability to match the offer sheet highly unlikely.'

'The two additional picks now gives the Bills eight selections in the 2016 NFL Draft. They now own one pick in the first, second, third, and fifth rounds, while they have two selections in both the fourth and sixth rounds. The Bills are without a selection in the seventh round because of the Matt Cassel trade with the Minnesota Vikings.'

'The NFL gave the Bills fourth and sixth-round compensatory picks based on the free agent players who signed elsewhere in 2015. Those two extra picks are the 139th and 218th overall selections in the 2016 draft.'

'The 6-foot-5, 323-pound Charles has spent the last three years in Buffalo, totaling 48 tackles (29 solo) with five sacks and two forced fumbles. Charles, an Oshawa, Ont., native, played 21 percent of the snaps in a rotational role last year. Without much salary-cap space to work with, the Bills decided to place the low tender on defensive tackle Corbin Bryant, who played 59 percent of the snaps, instead of Charles.'

'Bradham likewise was a breath of fresh air. From taking responsibility for a one-game suspension earlier in his career to the challenges of growing up with his older brother, and father figure, in and out of prison, he was always a compelling interview subject.'

'Buffalo would have five days to match any offer made by New England, but would receive no compensation if it loses the restricted free agent. This was the inherent risk the Bills took in placing the low tender, a one-year pact at $1.671 million, on Hogan. An offer higher than this could easily be out of Buffalo's price range. Once Richie Incognito's new deal is processed, the Bills are expected to have only about $4.5 million in cap space.'

'"I feel like our personnel was really more built for the Jim Schwartz scheme," Bradham said. "And you know it changed, and we were real dominant, we knew how great we were, and some things with some of our top players didn't like some things the way he was running it. It just didn't work out. I think the personnel and the scheme didn't match."'

'In addition to the pro day being another chance for Ryan to support Clemson, he was also likely checking out the school's crop of defensive talent. Defensive ends Shaq Lawson and Kevin Dodd could be options for the Bills at pick No. 19. Linebacker B.J. Goodson, safeties T.J. Green and Jayron Kearse, defensive tackle D.J. Reader and wide receiver Charone Peake could all be options for Buffalo after round one.'

'The New England Patriots are hosting wide receiver Chris Hogan on a free agent visit, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Hogan, who had 36 catches for 450 yards and two touchdowns in 2015, was tendered by the Bills at the minimum of $1.6 million. If the Patriots decide to offer Hogan a contract, the Bills will have five days to match.'

'What do you think Taylor was thinking when he saw Brock Osweiler, a quarterback who has started just seven games, thrown for 10 touchdowns and six interceptions, land a $72 million contract on the open market? Taylor, don't forget, threw for 3,000 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions while rushing for over 500 yards in his 14 starts this season.'

'Bradham will help fill the role created by the trade of linebacker Kiko Alonso to Miami.'

'“He felt like he was at a disadvantage, and for him to be a captain and a leader of this team and somebody who they said the team was built around, he felt like it wasn’t built around him because the scheme didn’t fit him. So I think it was more of just a thing where him and Rex didn’t mesh. I felt like his work ethic, he always came to work every day.”'

'He played 37 games in a Bills uniform, including two starts, and recorded 48 total tackles, five sacks, and two forced fumbles.'

'The Bills chose to use the lowest possible tender on Hogan, which gave them a cap hit of $1.671 million, and in doing so they only assured themselves the right of first refusal for the wide receiver. If Hogan signs the offer sheet and the Bills do not match it, Buffalo will receive no draft pick compensation.'