‘The quarterback carousel was spinning rapidly Tuesday, and one by one, the veteran market in free agency shrank. The Buffalo Bills never took a ride, and after the flurry of activity Tuesday, General Manager Brandon Beane finds himself with few options at a need position. When the trade of Tyrod Taylor to the Cleveland Browns is made official Wednesday on the start of the NFL’s new league year, the Bills will have just one quarterback on their roster in Nathan Peterman. Joe Webb is an unrestricted free agent.’
Archives for March 14, 2018
Bills to sign Panthers DT Star Lotulelei when free agency opens
‘The pairing is a logical one. Bills General Manager Brandon Beane was in the Carolina front office when Lotulelei was drafted in the first round in 2013. Bills coach Sean McDermott was Carolina’s defensive coordinator for the first four seasons of Lotulelei’s career. The Bills also have a big need at defensive tackle after trading Marcell Dareus last season and the pending unrestricted free agency of veteran Kyle Williams.’
5 things to know about new Bills DT Star Lotulelei
‘The website Pro Football Focus, which assigns grades to every NFL player, ranked Lotulelei 45th out of 49 defensive tackles who took at least 50 percent of their team’s snaps in 2017. That’s one spot ahead of Bills defensive tackle Adolphus Washington. In 2016, Lotulelei ranked 20th out of 31 defensive tackles who took at least 50 percent of their team’s snaps, and in 2015 he was 27th out of 37.’
Williams on return to Bills: ‘Buffalo is home’
‘Williams didn’t entertain thoughts about retiring. His goal of winning a championship with the Bills remains very much on his mind. He was part of the end of their 17-year playoff drought last season, which resulted in a wild-card appearance that ended in a close loss at Jacksonville.’
What He Said: Bills DT Kyle Williams on new contract, offseason moves
‘It’s kind of been a pretty long process. It was first to start with, “yeah, hey, listen, I definitely want to come back. I definitely want to play. Those are my intentions, those are my plans.” Then, you start kind of picking away at things. It’s amazing how quickly they can wrap up when there’s a league-wide deadline, you know what I’m saying? We kind of really over the last few days, really kind of got down to it and talked it out. Like I said earlier, [I’m] really excited about it, to pump up the staff and everybody. Everybody’s fired up and I couldn’t be happier and more excited.’
Bills to sign safety Rafael Bush
‘The Bills’ starters are safety are set with Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer. The only two backups on the roster at the moment, Colt Anderson and Shamarko Thomas, are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents Wednesday.’
Five things to know about new Bills safety Rafael Bush
‘The Bills are Bush’s fifth NFL team (and he had two stints with the Saints). After going undrafted, Bush signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Falcons and spent most of the 2010 season and the first half of the 2011 season on their practice squad. He was on the 53-man roster for the season finale in 2010 but did not play in the game. Denver signed off the Falcons’ practice squad in October 2011 and he played in six games that season. He spent four season with the Saints, one season with the Lions and returned to the Saints for the 2017 season. He has played in 76 games in 18 starts.’
Bills’ OT depth takes hit as Henderson signs with Texans
‘The Texans, who last season traded left tackle Duane Brown to Seattle after his holdout, are in desperate need of offensive line help and could end up with as many as four new starters.’
As free agency begins, here’s a look at what the Bills may have on their shopping list
‘The Bills had already found and played Glenn’s replacement, Dion Dawkins, while Taylor was clearly no longer in Buffalo’s future plans; and rather than just cutting both players before $8 million in roster bonuses came due this week, Beane was able to get valuable compensation, a third-round pick from the Browns for Taylor, and a swap of first-round picks with the Bengals that moves the Bills up to the No. 12.’
The free agent quarterback market is dwindling fast so who’s left for the Bills?
‘While it seems apparent the Bills are gearing up to trade into the top five of the draft to select their franchise quarterback, they still need a veteran on the team, at the very least to act as a mentor to the rookie, but also perhaps to serve as the bridge starter in 2018. In this game of musical chairs, the Bills don’t want to be left standing with only Nathan Peterman in a backup role, do they?’
Kyle Williams resigns, says there was never a doubt in his mind about returning to Bills
‘“When it comes down to it, as eloquently as I can put it, I haven’t exhausted my dream of playing this game and chasing being a champion,” Williams said via conference call Tuesday afternoon, hours after a new one-year, $6 million contract that allows his return to the Bills became official. “Buffalo is home, it’s where I want to be, where I want to win.”’
Bills reportedly set to sign ex-Panthers defensive tackle Star Lotulelei
‘Lotulelei is a 6-foot-2, 315-pounder who got off to a great start in his NFL career, but last year wasn’t quite so effective. Still, what he does best may be what the Bills need most — he can occupy blockers in the middle of the line, which will enable the linebackers to make plays.’
Bills sign safety Rafael Bush for depth, lose OT Seantrel Henderson
‘Reports indicate the two-year contract will be worth up to $4.5 million.’
Buffalo Bills bringing back Kyle Williams for another season
‘Williams, who will turn 35 in June but has maintained a high level of play despite his age. He’s also been the team’s main leader in the locker room and is the franchise’s longest tenured player, having been drafted by the team in 2016.’
What Kyle Williams said about why he returned to Buffalo Bills for another season
‘Williams made it clear to the Bills that he wanted to be back early in the offseason. The two sides had until Wednesday at 4 p.m. to get a deal done, and the deadline forced the action. In addition to signing Williams, the Bills also reportedly agreed to a deal with defensive tackle Star Lotulelei. However, Williams has also watched quarterback Tyrod Taylor and left tackle Cordy Glenn get traded away while center Eric Wood retired.’