Archives for March 2017

'Poyer missed the final 10 games of last season when he suffered a lacerated kidney. The 25-year-old free safety started all six games prior to his injury and has two career interceptions in 48 career games (10 starts).'

'Williams said in January that his family suggested he retire from the NFL, however his father later told the Associated Press that his son was "leaning toward" coming back this season.'

'Gilmore reeled in a pair of interceptions in Week 11 against Cincinnati and finished with a career-high five picks to go along with 48 tackles last season. He has 14 interceptions in his career since being selected with the 10th overall pick by Buffalo in the 2012 draft.'

'Hauschka, 31, has a strong leg, but he has struggled recently with extra points, missing 10 PATs over the past two seasons. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll often pointed out that Hauschka, who had been with the Seahawks since 2011, was kicking the ball too low.'

'The move will save $1.775 million in salary-cap space for the Bills in 2017, unless the team designates Williams as a post-June 1 cut. If they do, Williams' full $6.625 million 2017 salary-cap hit will remain on their books until June 1, at which point they will save $4.2 million against their 2017 salary cap and take a $2.425 million dead-money hit in 2018.'

'After the Bills exercised Gilmore's $11.082 million fifth-year option in May for the 2016 season, the two sides failed to reach a long-term contract agreement before talks ended last summer. Gilmore made his negotiating position clear during training camp, saying he believed he was among the elite cornerbacks in the league.'

'The development not only means the Patriots are getting one of the best players to hit free agency , but that they likely won’t try to re-sign Logan Ryan, a physical cornerback who excelled in their system but isn’t the playmaker Gilmore is.'

'Gilmore was arguably the top cornerback available, next to A.J. Bouye of the Texans. The former Bills star has been a solid DB in the NFL for several years now, earning his first Pro Bowl bid in 2016. The past two years, he’s racked up eight interceptions and 30 passes defensed, and he has been a staple in Buffalo’s secondary since he was the 10th overall pick in 2012.'

'DiMarco, 27, was a Pro Bowl fullback for the Falcons last season who helped pave running lanes for Atlanta's top-ranked offense. DiMarco was also named a 2nd-team All Pro last season. The Bills signed DiMarco to a four year deal worth up to $8.5 million.'

'So this is essentially a two-year deal for Tyrod. If he doesn’t become the franchise QB the team wants moving forward, they can move on. In that case, according to a source, the dead money for the salary cap hit would be roughly $5 million in 2019.'

'The other name on the move on Thursday is free agent wide receiver Robert Woods. He is expected to sign with the Los Angeles Rams when the NFL's Free Agency period opens at 4 p.m. on Thursday. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Woods' new deal will likely pay him $39 million, including $15 million of that money guaranteed.'

'Hauschka, 31, is set to join the Bills after spending the last six seasons with the Seahawks. With the Seahawks, Hauschka was a career 88.8-percent field goal kicker, including two seasons where he kicked 93-percent or better. Last season, Hauschka struggled with extra points after the move to make them harder to convert. Hauschka only converted on 82.9-percent of his extra-point attempts, which was a lower percentage rate than Carpenter who finished with a 88.9 conversion percentage.'

'According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Patriots are expected to give Gilmore a contract that is slated to eclipse the $14 million mark per year.'

'The Bills are in a desperate need for capable defensive backs, and Hyde can move into an every game starting role while still coming into his own. The money might be a tad high for some, but Hyde has built a strong reputation as a playmaking player at his position. Over the last three seasons, Hyde has a total of eight interceptions, which would provide the Bills with a ball-hawking style of safety that they're losing with the release of the oft-injured Aaron Williams.'

'Really, he's a fascinating guy. He matured from the day he was drafted into a lovable, fan favorite — and a player you know would look you in the eye and give you a straight answer. Unfortunately, none of those factors help him to be an asset for the Bills moving forward.'