Archives for March 2017

'Hyde (6-0, 197), 26, was originally a fifth-round pick of the Green Bay Packers in 2013. He’s been a durable, productive and versatile player in his four-year career with Green Bay.'

'“The main thing throughout the process was that me and Coach McDermott were able to keep an open line of communication,” said Taylor. “If I needed to talk to him about something I could call him. Things were difficult sometimes with trying to move money around and trying to find what was best for the team. But ultimately we were able to get it done and I’m happy that we got it done.”'

'His future playing career is still undetermined since his 2016 season was ended prematurely due to a neck injury suffered against the Dolphins in Week 7. It was the second straight year in which a neck injury landed Williams on injured reserve.'

'“You look at the individual first and the skill set he brings to the table and the success he’s had to this point,” said Taylor. “You’re continuing to develop a player and we know about the mobility when plays break down. It does create headaches for defensive coordinators. I’ve been on that side of it. The scheme is an extremely good fit for Tyrod and his skill set. This was a very solid move in that regard.”'

'And, in fairness, it will be interesting to see how Taylor fares with a healthy receiving corps and a defense that doesn’t leave him to score over 34 points which was the opponents’ average in seven of the eight losses he started.'

'"We are excited about the opportunity to keep Tyrod with the Bills," coach Sean McDermott said in a statement released by the club. "I've gotten a chance to know Tyrod and study him over the past several weeks and he is both a great person and competitor. Doug and I are confident this was best move for the Bills at this time."'

'“I was hoping that they could get something worked out,” left guard Richie Incognito said. “The reports were all over the place, so you've got to kind of wait until the decision is final to really get something to hang your hat on. I'm glad it worked out this way.'

'Mike Glennon, a backup for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who has a very limited body of work, is widely viewed as the best quarterback in the open market and is reportedly on the verge of signing with the Chicago Bears for between $14 and $15 million per year. The quarterback class in the draft is generally viewed as lacking high-end talent.'

'Well, first and foremost, it’s a credit to Tyrod. We’ve been in touch, really, since the first day on the job and he’s made himself very available in that regard and so I really appreciate that on his end of it. We’ve had some very good, productive, healthy conversations and he’s been first-class the whole way. It shaped up the right way and I feel like this is a good move in the best interests of the organization at this time.'

'Tolbert, 31, is a 5-foot-9, 250-pound nine-year veteran who has spent the past five seasons in Carolina, where Bills coach Sean McDermott previously served as the Panthers' defensive coordinator. Tolbert was released Feb. 21 – which made him eligible to be signed Wednesday – after rushing 35 times for 114 yards and catching 10 passes for 72 yards and one touchdown in 2016. He has just one rushing touchdown in the past three seasons on 134 carries.'

'Schmidt is coming off a down 2016, finishing 29th in net average (38.1 yards) and 26th in punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line (20). In 48 career games with the Bills, he has a gross average of 43.9 yards on 243 punts, placing 73 of them inside the opponent's 20-yard line.'

'The move wasn't a surprise after Easley missed all of 2016 with a devastating knee injury suffered late in the 2015 season. The 29-year-old was scheduled to count $1.875 million against the salary cap in 2017. The Bills designated Easley as a post-June 1 cut, meaning they will save $1.45 million of that amount. Easley will count $425,000 in "dead" money against the cap in 2017 and 2018.'

'Wagner, 27, is a former fifth-round draft pick who has appeared in 62 games over the past four seasons, with 47 starts. He has some familiarity with Bills offensive coordinator Rick Dennison, who was on Baltimore's staff as the quarterbacks coach in 2014.'

'DiMarco isn't a big of a receiving option. He has just 37 catches over the past four years for 273 yards and four touchdowns. He's carried the ball just once in his career. He'll be counted on to be running back LeSean McCoy's new lead blocker. The website Pro Football Focus gave DiMarco its highest grade for run blocking by fullbacks in 2016.'

'Ducasse, 29, is a 6-foot-5, 326-pounder who entered the NFL as a second-round draft pick of the New York Jets in 2010. After four years in New York, he spent a single season with Minnesota, Chicago and then Baltimore in 2016. He has played in 88 career games, with 30 starts. While he's primarily been a guard in the NFL, Ducasse does have some experience playing tackle, so his versatility could lead to him getting a look at right tackle for the Bills.'