Archives for March 2017

'Taylor will earn $30.5 million in 2017 and 2018 combined before his contract automatically voids on the fifth day after the Super Bowl in February 2019. Under his previous deal, Taylor would have earned $40.5 million in 2017 and 2018 combined if the Bills exercised an option in his contract that would have kept him under the team's control through 2021.'

'"He's done [playing]," Barnett said.'

'Taylor clearly believed the Bills gave him the best chance for success, and his new deal allows him to become a free agent in 2019. If he plays well the next two years, he could cash in big time.'

'Once Groy signs the offer sheet, the Bills would have five days to match the offer or the 26-year old will become property of the Rams. The Bills gave Groy an original-round RFA tender before free agency began, which is worth $1.8 million. However, since Groy was originally undrafted, the Bills would not receive any compensation if they decide not to match the offer.'

'It goes from a five-year pact essentially to a two-year deal. The final three years of the deal automatically void, but due to the structure of the contract, the prorated signing bonuses would continue out and if the two parties split ahead of the 2019 season, Taylor would keep a dead money hit. The signing bonus from the original extension also carries over, which bumps up some of the dead money as well.'

'S Micah Hyde – So far the biggest money free agent added to Buffalo’s roster. With the turnover at the safety position, Hyde is expected to step into the starting lineup at one of the two centerfield positions and fill a multitude of roles in the secondary.'

'“I have a great relationship with (Carolina LB) Thomas Davis,” said Alexander. “We actually were rookies together in Carolina and have maintained that friendship. I have a lot of respect for him, as far as who he is and he put his name on Sean.'

'In five seasons, the 6-foot-2, 260-pound Davis has played in 47 games, registering 30 tackles, 11 sacks, one interception, three passes defensed, 26 quarterback hits, 12 tackles for loss, three fumbles forced and four fumble recoveries.'

'After being released by the Ravens early last September, Butler joined the practice squad of the Buccaneers and spent five days on their active roster with no game appearances. He then hooked on with the Jets, but didn't play for them, either.'

'Jones, who returned to Buffalo in August as co-host of “The John Murphy Show” on WGR-AM 550, played three seasons for the Bills. He has battled kidney health problems his entire life, and will talk about what ultimately led to his retirement from football, as well as a subsequent kidney transplant and his current efforts to serve as a kidney health advocate.'

'Groy, 26, appeared in 16 games with the Bills in 2016 and made seven starts at center after Eric Wood was placed on the injured reserve. He fared well in Buffalo's starting rotation and Pro Football Focus gave Groy a 79.5 overall grade, 23rd among all centers.'

'"Surprise. The NFL likes Kamara more than those of us on the outside. The running game will be critical for the Bills success, as it was last season. I love LeSean McCoy. Love. But some have suggested he is an awkward fit in the new running scheme."'

'Last season, Butler, who stands 6-feet-3-inches tall, spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets before latching on with the Chargers. In signing Butler, who turns 26 in April, the Bills now have six wide receivers on the depth chart. They lost Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin in free agency and are left with Sammy Watkins, Dezmin Lewis, Kolby Listenbee, Walt Powell and newly signed Philly Brown along with Butler.'

'In 47 career games, Davis has 11 sacks, including a career-high 6.5 sacks back in 2014 with the Jaguars. Davis joins a defensive line that already features Kyle Williams, Marcell Dareus, Jerry Hughes and Shaq Lawson. At 6-feet-2-inches tall and 260 pounds, Davis has the ability to be a situational pass rusher off the edge. He's never started a game in his NFL career.'

'"At the end of the day, in my head, I've mainly played guard being in the NFL," Ducasse said. "Then again, I was in Chicago two years ago in a situation where we didn't know if it was going to be guard or right tackle. So you kind of expect the unexpected, but thank God we had Kyle Long, who is very versatile and all that stuff. But once you have that title of O-line, you know, just be ready for anything. For me, except center."'