Archives for September 2017

'So you thought after the Bills cut to 53 players on Saturday afternoon, other than filling out their practice squad, the roster for the coming season was set, at least for the start. Wrong.'

'In addition to his familiarity with McDermott and Beane, Webb is among the most versatile quarterbacks in the league. Webb can contribute on special teams and as a receiver. The veteran had been taking more wide receiver snaps with Carolina this offseason.'

'Buffalo needed to do something at wide receiver after it traded for wide receiver Kaelin Clay on Saturday. By releasing Brown, the Bills now have Zay Jones, Jordan Matthews, Andre Holmes, Brandon Tate and Clay as their five receivers.'

'Buffalo will head into the season with LeSean McCoy, Mike Tolbert and Joe Banyard and Taiwan Jones as their running backs. They also have Patrick DiMarco at fullback.'

'McDermott was a sixth-round pick by the Patriots in the 2017 NFL Draft after a successful college career at UCLA. Lee played 24 games with the Lions and Bears over the last two season by caught only one pass. Lacey spent time with the Cowboys and Dolphins in the NFL, but his most extensive experience was as a CFL player. He played three seasons with the Edmonton Eskimos.'

'"In light of Edelman's injury, a league source said the Patriots and recently retired Anquan Boldin had mutual interest in bringing Boldin to New England this offseason, and he remains intrigued by the possibility," Volin said. "But the point is likely moot. Boldin signed with the Bills, and was placed on Buffalo's reserve/retired list Aug. 22. That means the Bills retain his rights, and they would need to release him in order to let him sign with the Patriots. That sort of cooperation from a division rival doesn't seem likely."'

'Kellen Moore was recently released by the Dallas Cowboys. The 28 year old quarterback could be a good short-term signing for Buffalo if they're looking to carry three quarterbacks into the regular season. Moore's strengths entering the league included getting the ball out quickly and accurately, traits you look for in a West Coast offense. It's unknown whether or not Buffalo's current No. 3 quarterback, T.J. Yates, will be out of the concussion protocol by Week 1.'

'The Bills lost running back Mike Gillislee, LeSean McCoy’s main backup from 2016, during free agency to the New England Patriots. The 23-year-old Williams was expected to take that role. Now it appears Joe Banyard, 28, is the team’s main backup running back. Williams averaged 5.8 yards per carry during the preseason.'

'The moves coincided with Buffalo claiming former Detroit Lions tight end Khari Lee, linebacker Deon Lacey and rookie tackle Conor McDermott, who was drafted in the sixth round by New England. Lacey has three seasons of Canadian Football League experience, and spent this offseason with the Miami Dolphins before being cut Saturday.'

'Expectations: Have plummeted over past month with new regime continuing offseason purge in exchange for draft picks. With Williams cut on Sunday, roster features just 16 players team drafted, including six rookies this year, leaving team in jeopardy of extending NFL’s longest active playoff drought to 18 seasons. Only 25 players return from last season, including OT Seantrel Henderson and WR Walter Powell, who open season serving NFL suspensions.'

'Veteran Mike Tolbert appears to be first in line to back up McCoy. The Bills also have tailbacks Joe Banyard, rookie Jordan Johnson, Taiwan Jones and fullback Patrick DiMarco behind McCoy on their 53-man roster.'

'"I'm going to build through the draft, first and foremost," Beane said recently. "You have to draft well and sign those guys. If you draft well, you sign them. You're not going to see the big splashes of free agency. Free agency sets you up for your draft."'

'Without Williams, the Bills are now expected to use veteran Mike Tolbert as their top option behind McCoy. The team also kept running backs Joe Banyard and Taiwan Jones, whose main contributions are expected to come on special teams, on their 53-man roster.'

'According to Rapoport, the Bills aren't releasing Williams due to an injury or a looming suspension. They're just cutting him for football reasons.'

'None of the players waived/released by the Bills Saturday was claimed by any other NFL team. The addition of McDermott, Lacey, and Lee means the team must make three roster moves to return to the 53-man limit.'