Archives for March 9, 2017

'And, in fairness, it will be interesting to see how Taylor fares with a healthy receiving corps and a defense that doesn’t leave him to score over 34 points which was the opponents’ average in seven of the eight losses he started.'

'"We are excited about the opportunity to keep Tyrod with the Bills," coach Sean McDermott said in a statement released by the club. "I've gotten a chance to know Tyrod and study him over the past several weeks and he is both a great person and competitor. Doug and I are confident this was best move for the Bills at this time."'

'“I was hoping that they could get something worked out,” left guard Richie Incognito said. “The reports were all over the place, so you've got to kind of wait until the decision is final to really get something to hang your hat on. I'm glad it worked out this way.'

'Mike Glennon, a backup for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who has a very limited body of work, is widely viewed as the best quarterback in the open market and is reportedly on the verge of signing with the Chicago Bears for between $14 and $15 million per year. The quarterback class in the draft is generally viewed as lacking high-end talent.'

'Well, first and foremost, it’s a credit to Tyrod. We’ve been in touch, really, since the first day on the job and he’s made himself very available in that regard and so I really appreciate that on his end of it. We’ve had some very good, productive, healthy conversations and he’s been first-class the whole way. It shaped up the right way and I feel like this is a good move in the best interests of the organization at this time.'

'Tolbert, 31, is a 5-foot-9, 250-pound nine-year veteran who has spent the past five seasons in Carolina, where Bills coach Sean McDermott previously served as the Panthers' defensive coordinator. Tolbert was released Feb. 21 – which made him eligible to be signed Wednesday – after rushing 35 times for 114 yards and catching 10 passes for 72 yards and one touchdown in 2016. He has just one rushing touchdown in the past three seasons on 134 carries.'

'Schmidt is coming off a down 2016, finishing 29th in net average (38.1 yards) and 26th in punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line (20). In 48 career games with the Bills, he has a gross average of 43.9 yards on 243 punts, placing 73 of them inside the opponent's 20-yard line.'

'The move wasn't a surprise after Easley missed all of 2016 with a devastating knee injury suffered late in the 2015 season. The 29-year-old was scheduled to count $1.875 million against the salary cap in 2017. The Bills designated Easley as a post-June 1 cut, meaning they will save $1.45 million of that amount. Easley will count $425,000 in "dead" money against the cap in 2017 and 2018.'

'Wagner, 27, is a former fifth-round draft pick who has appeared in 62 games over the past four seasons, with 47 starts. He has some familiarity with Bills offensive coordinator Rick Dennison, who was on Baltimore's staff as the quarterbacks coach in 2014.'

'DiMarco isn't a big of a receiving option. He has just 37 catches over the past four years for 273 yards and four touchdowns. He's carried the ball just once in his career. He'll be counted on to be running back LeSean McCoy's new lead blocker. The website Pro Football Focus gave DiMarco its highest grade for run blocking by fullbacks in 2016.'

'Ducasse, 29, is a 6-foot-5, 326-pounder who entered the NFL as a second-round draft pick of the New York Jets in 2010. After four years in New York, he spent a single season with Minnesota, Chicago and then Baltimore in 2016. He has played in 88 career games, with 30 starts. While he's primarily been a guard in the NFL, Ducasse does have some experience playing tackle, so his versatility could lead to him getting a look at right tackle for the Bills.'

'If the report is true, it would indicate the Bills have no intention of retaining fullback Jerome Felton, who is due to become an unrestricted free agent on Thursday as well.'

'In his message Wednesday, Christie went on to say, "I wished him the best of luck signing with a winning team or one in a domed stadium. He has my contact info now and knows that I'm available to help him if needed. The point here was to help Dan before he was released, not to bury a GM or Coach or as some have implied, getting a job over there. (I'm very happy living in Florida now-post health situation and don't see that changing anytime soon). All the best Bull. Go Bills.'

'The Bills have only three receivers signed for 2017, so if Hunter is willing to come back on a cheap contract to compete for a roster spot in training camp, that would be fine. If he expects a multi-year contract or more than a veteran-minimum salary, the Bills shouldn't sweat letting him go.'

'There’s no other way to read things in the wake of the announcement that Tyrod Taylor will be returning to the team on a restructured contract that reportedly lowers his salary-cap figure this year from $16 million to $10 million, and includes a $7 million signing bonus. Details are still coming out.'