Archives for March 11, 2017

'"It has some similarities, but also being in the system one year in Baltimore, (there will) definitely (be) some changes in it as far as the play-action pass and getting on the edge," Taylor said. "Just a very player-friendly system. Definitely a system that LeSean (McCoy) is going to like. Get a chance to move Sammy (Watkins) around into different places.'

'Groy received the lowest restricted free agent tender from the Bills, which would pay him $1.797 million on a one-year contract. Another team can offer Groy a contract, which the Bills would have the right to match. Because he was undrafted, the Bills wouldn't be entitled to any compensation if they elected not to do so.'

'Hunter, 25, appeared in 12 games and made five starts for the Bills in 2016, catching 10 passes for 189 yards and four touchdowns. The 6-foot-4, 203-pounder is a former second-round draft pick of the Tennessee Titans in 2013. He had 68 catches for 1,116 yards and eight touchdowns in Tennessee before eventually landing in Buffalo after a one-game stop in Miami.'

'"This is going on my 10th season, and the fullback has slowly been dying out," Tolbert said during a news conference Friday. "You get a guy like Coach McDermott, who believes in us. He not only brings in myself, but also Patrick DiMarco.'

'Graham, who turns 32 in July, has been a remarkably durable player throughout his 10-year career. He missed three games as a rookie in 2007, but since then has played in all 16 games nine years in a row.'

'Graham had one year remaining on the four-year, $16 million contract he signed with the Bills back in 2014. The Bills will save $4.05 million on the salary cap by cutting Graham.'

'"Versatility, smarts, intangibles, toughness is where you start, McDermott said. "And then you look at the skill set on the field – ball skills, the ability to take the football away and score on defense or set up our offense in scoring position will be big for us moving forward, and just the ability to run the defense and be that quarterback in the secondary was big for us."'

'"Just being around each other we got to know each other a good deal," Tolbert said Thursday after getting signed by the Bills. "He called me and he's like, 'I need you. I want you.' And I'm like, 'I got you.'"'

'Ok, so no video games. But what about the fullbacks? The Bills signed Patrick DiMarco and Mike Tolbert, two players who have been Pro Bowlers at the fullback position. What's up with loading up at that position?'

'"Could the Bills be all in on O.J. Howard? Yes, according to a scouting contact with the team," said Miller. "Now that Tyrod Taylor is locked up, the team won't be forced to go quarterback early. Howard, according to the scout, is a player the Bills love."'

'In his first season with the Bills, Alexander started in all 16 games and set career-highs in multiple categories. He recorded 76 total tackles, 12.5 sacks, six passes defensed, one interception and three forced fumbles.'

'"He called me and he was like, 'I need you. I want you.' And I'm like, 'I got you,'" Tolbert said Friday, two days after signing with the Bills in free agency.'

'The Bills will save $4.05 million in 2017 salary-cap space by releasing Graham, who was set to earn a $500,000 roster bonus Monday as part of a $5.65 million cap number in the final season of his contract.'

'The former Turner-Carroll High School product registered 214 tackles and 2.0 sacks with the Bills, along with five interceptions and a defensive touchdown. After a career-year in 2015, Graham slowed down in 2016 with just 58 tackles, nine passes defended, one sack, a recovered fumble, and an interception.'

'Removing Graham from the roster means one thing: Sean McDermott is getting his way with who goes and who stays on the roster. He wants players that can play multiple roles, and while Graham has past experience playing cornerback, he's on the decline of his career and made way too much money to keep on the roster.'