Archives for March 2017

'Tate originally signed with the Bills just prior to the start of the 2016 season and initially provided a boost to Buffalo’s return game. He finished 2016 ranked fifth in the league in punt return average (11.6) and seventh in kick return average (22.8).'

'“I’d go into any of these other teams and I know I would be a starter,” Groy said. “Here (in Buffalo), on paper right now I’m not a starter. But of course you’re going to go in and try to start. I’m not going to go in and fight for a backup job. That’s not in my nature to do. I’m not going to fight to be second-best. Going to do what I can to push the guys ahead of me and make the team better.”'

'"That got me excited, because a guy like me, my strength is the running game," Ducasse said. "I mean on the offensive line, in the NFL, you need to know how to pass block, too, but my greatest strength is the running game. So seeing this and the great running backs they have, good quarterback, it got me excited to come here because those guys all mean business.'

'“A lot of times when you have an athlete who enters into business, they are really just door openers,” Patti said. “Thurman has taken a very active role in learning the business and being very hands-on with what we do.”'

'"Per a source with knowledge of the contract, Taylor makes another $500,000 if the Bills make it to the divisional round of the playoffs in 2017. The total moves to $1 million with a berth in the AFC title game. The full $2 million becomes earned if the Bills make it to the Super Bowl. The same package of incentives applies to 2018."

'The team’s top corner, Stephon Gilmore, signed with the Patriots. They cut nickel man Nickell Robey-Coleman. Corey White is a free agent and yet to sign anywhere. Right now, the Bills currently have five players at the position: Ronald Darby, Kevon Seymour, Leonard Johnson, Charles Gaines, and Marcus Roberson.'

'This time, it's actually happening. The Buffalo Bills announced Saturday they have, in fact, come to terms on an agreement with free-agent wide receiver Andre Holmes.'

'Stephen Hauschka doesn't feel comfortable discussing the subject. As with most NFL kickers, it's always best to try to keep negative occurrences as far in the past as possible. This one still stings, though. A lot.'

'Although his Twitter handle is @StephenHauschka4, the name on the account still has his first name spelled incorrectly. The Bills also spelled his first name "Steven" on a bio sheet they distributed to reporters.'

'The majority of Buffalo’s signees are in their mid-20s with their best football ahead of them. Their contracts are kind on the salary cap. They had other offers.'

'Holmes' production was limited last year with the Oakland Raiders. He finished the year with 126 yards receiving and three touchdowns on 14 receptions. Despite his limited production during the regular season, Holmes would go on to lead the Raiders in receiving yards (50) against the Houston Texans in their 27-14 playoff loss.'

'Listed at 6-foot-5 and 208 pounds, Holmes was limited to 14 catches for 126 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games last season. His best year came in 2014, when he had 47 catches for a team-leading 693 yards and four touchdowns.'

'On Saturday, Holmes sent a thank you tweet to Raiders fans while also tweeting a shout-out to his new employer and its fans by writing: "What's up #BillsMafia"'

'His production has faded as the Raiders have improved, going from 47 catches for 693 yards and four touchdowns for a 3-13 team in 2014 to 14 catches for 201 yards and three touchdowns for a 7-9 team in 2015 to 14 catches for 126 yards and three touchdowns for a 12-4 playoff team last season.'

'The 6-5, 208-pound Holmes will be a legitimate red zone threat the Bills need, especially after losing 6-4 Justin Hunter to the Steelers earlier this week.'