Archives for March 1, 2017

'They have exclusive negotiating rights for another week, but with agents and front-office personnel from all 32 teams converging in Indianapolis this week for the NFL Scouting Combine, Gilmore’s representatives will certainly come away with a good idea of interest in his services.'

'"We haven't talked any numbers yet," Alexander said.'

'Entering his fourth season, McCray should be able to be retained on a veteran-minimum contract. The new coaching staff has shown a willingness to re-sign players who have filled important special-teams roles, so it would make sense to bring him back on a one-year contract as low-cost depth.'

'If I was in the interview room reserved by Bills’ owners Terry and Kim Pegula, these are the five positional groups that I’d be spending the bulk of my time on because they are all areas of need, and with only six picks at their disposal — at least for now, barring trades — the Bills can’t afford to miss on any.'

'Tasker, who said he had three head injuries while at Northwestern University, will take part in Brainstorm, a series of panel discussions from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at the Hyatt Regency Rochester, the last of three events hosted by Catholic Charities Community Services and Rochester Regional Health to raise awareness of concussions among parents and medical professionals.'

'The deadline for the Bills to place the franchise tag on Gilmore or any of their other free agents is Wednesday at 4 p.m.'

'Alexander faced off with Baltimore Ravens safety Eric Weddle. Both players exchanged one bad joke without laughing before Alexander emerged victorious. Alexander's matchup with Weddle can be seen around the 3:40 second portion of the video below, but the other matchups are well worth watching.'

'"Sometimes, teams use the franchise tag to increase trade return. The Bills capitalized on Price's career year — 94 receptions, 1,252 yards, nine touchdowns — in 2002 to dangle him with the tag the following offseason. The Falcons were known to regret passing on Price in the 1999 draft and still wanted him as a weapon for quarterback Michael Vick. Atlanta surrendered its first-round pick in 2003, No. 23 overall, for a player the Bills weren't planning to bring back. In turn, the Bills used the pick on tailback Willis McGahee — who sat out his rookie year while recovering from a knee injury but then produced 3,365 yards and 24 touchdowns from 2004 to 2006."'

'"Is he a franchise guy?" Mayock asked. "No, I don't believe so. But he doesn't turn the football over and when you complement him with a strong run game and a good defense, it's a winning formula. So I kind of like the kid.'

'Last season Gilmore set career marks in both interceptions [5" target="_blank"> and defended passes [12" target="_blank">. It was by no means a perfect season after a rocky start, but Gilmore progressed as the year continued.'

'“He’s more excited than I am,” Mills said. “He’s talked to the Bills a couple of times, but he’s really going to talk to them at the combine this week. So I’m anticipating a lot of good things coming from the Bills and some other teams.”'