Archives for March 18, 2017

'From 2012 to 2015, the 5-foot-10, 221-pound Banyard spent time with the New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings before returning to the Jaguars. For his career, he has 95 rushing yards and has caught 10 passes for 73 yards.'

'However, if they end up keeping it, I can see them going for defense. New head coaches tend to put their mark on their first draft, and McDermott's is obviously rooted on that side of the ball.'

'Ryan was given a trial run during ESPN's pregame coverage of Super Bowl LI in Houston in February. An opportunity to join ESPN was known to have been available in January, 2015, before Ryan signed a five-year contract to coach the Bills.'

'"Tyrod no longer has to worry about general manager Doug Whaley's favorite draft pick, EJ Manuel, taking his job. That's the good news. The bad news? His No. 2 receiver right now is … Walt Powell? Losing Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin wouldn't hurt most teams that much, but any receiver group led by an injury-prone No. 1 wideout like Sammy Watkins needs depth. The Bills are still looking for two receivers in free agency and the draft to play starter-worthy snaps as offensive coordinator Rick Dennison builds a new offense."'

'Banyard is a depth signing at running back, where the Bills already have a deep stable of backs. The Bills will be Banyard's fourth team since he came into the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2012. The 28-year old running back has 168 total yards from scrimmage in his career.'

'Ryan was always better at talking than he was at coaching, so television should be a good fit for him. After the Bills fired him in December, Ryan said he wouldn't return to the sideline for a defensive coordinator job, and no teams were interested in taking a shot on him as a head coach.'

'Ryan, who still has about $16.5 million owed to him on the final three years of his Buffalo contract, could carve out a long-time role in television if he wants. TV executives were vying for his services after the Jets fired him after the 2014 season.'

'Buffalo needs depth at cornerback after losing starter Stephon Gilmore and cutting primary backup Nickell Robey-Coleman.'

'Ryan served as a guest analyst on the show's Super Bowl Sunday edition and acquitted himself well.'

'Johnson spent last season on new Bills head coach Sean McDermott’s defense in Carolina, collecting a sack and 30 tackles. Prior to that he played for the Buccaneers and Patriots. He has 5 interceptions and 5 forced fumbles in his NFL career. Two of those interceptions were returned for touchdowns.'

'Ryan had long been thought of as a shoe-in to make the switch to television once his time with the Bills came to a completion.'

'Buffalo closed out the week adding three free agents to their roster Friday. The Bills added a RB Joe Banyard, CB Leonard Johnson and WR Corey Washington to their ranks in week two of NFL free agency.'

'Groy proved to be a valuable reserve lineman last season and most notably stepped in for C Eric Wood to start in the pivot for the final seven games of the season.'

'“I love kicking, I love my job. I am excited to learn about the intricacies of (New Era Field),” Hauschka said. “And I also texted Rian (Lindell), he has been awesome. I knew him when he was playing for the Bills. He lives out in Seattle, outside of the Seattle area now. He is from Washington, so I have been texting with him. Great guy, obviously kind of following in his career footsteps I guess, which is a great thing.”'