Archives for May 3, 2017

'The decision speeds up the timetable for Watkins, who is now eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next offseason. It doesn't, however, prevent the Bills from negotiating a contract extension or placing the franchise tag on Watkins to retain his rights.'

'"We look forward to seeing a healthy Sammy Watkins on the field in 2017."'

'Watkins, the fourth overall selection in the 2014 draft, will now enter the final season of his four-year rookie deal. He will count $6.34 million against the Bills' salary cap this season and is scheduled for unrestricted free agency next spring.'

'Those aren’t numbers you want to see from a No. 1 receiver, even if they were in just eight games. Watkins has to prove he can stay healthy before the Bills commit to him, which he just hasn’t done yet.'

'Watkins is under contract for one one more season for a salary cap hit of $6.343 million. If the Bills had picked up his option, he would be guaranteed roughly $13.3 million in 2018, all of which would count against that year’s salary cap. But that money would also be fully guaranteed against injury as soon as they exercised the option, which is most likely the reason why the Bills did not do it.'

'Of all the moves that head coach Sean McDermott has made in the offseason — which include everything that went down in the 2017 NFL Draft — this is the only one that I definitively disagree with.'

'James, a 5-9, 186-pound Charleston Southern product, comes to Buffalo after spending the offseason with the Indianapolis Colts and last season with the Houston Texans. James has played in 34 career games, starting one, with 28 tackles, two passes defensed and one tackle for loss. He originally entered the NFL in 2013 as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants.'

'“Sammy and I have had good conversations about this decision,” McDermott said. “There is no question that Sammy is a very good football player and has worked very hard during his rehab this offseason. We look forward to seeing a healthy Sammy Watkins on the field in 2017.”'

'“Obviously I did know my past receiver coach, now current wide receiver coach was there, Phil McGeoghan,” said Jones in an appearance on the John Murphy Show. “I knew there was some interest because he likes me as a player, but I had no inclination they were taking me. I had spoken with some teams before the Bills and they said they were going to select me and I was just patiently waiting to hear my name called and I’m just blessed that it was Buffalo. Such a great organization. I’m thankful to everyone who has given me this opportunity and is believing in me. I’m fired up for the opportunity and I’m ready to go man. This is awesome."'