BILLS CAN’T AFFORD TO LET GILLISLIE GET AWAY...CAN THEY?
The New England Patriots are up to their old tricks and the joke could be on the Buffalo Bills – again.
The Patriots have offered a contract to talented Buffalo restricted free-agent running back Mike Gillislie.
The Bills have five days to match New England’s two-year $6.4 million contract offer in order to retain Gillislee.
The big question is whether the Bills can afford to keep him. If Buffalo doesn’t match the offer sheet, it would get a fifth-round draft pick from New England. Big deal. We’d prefer Gillislee.
Obviously, the loss of Gillislee would be a cruel blow to Buffalo’s top-ranked rushing attack.
Check out Gillislee’s combined stats as LeSean McCoy’s primary backup for the 2015 and 2016 seasons:
148 carries for 844 yards (5.7-yard average) and 11 touchdowns; 15 catches for 79 yards and 1 TD.
The Patriots “stole” wide receiver Chris Hogan from under similar circumstances last year. He wound up enjoying his best season and was a post-season hero.
The Patriots reportedly would part ways with veteran running back LaGarrette Blount if they land Gillislee. Does anyone doubt that Gillislee would turn into a high-profile star with New England?
The Super Bowl 51-champion Patriots could open this season with 3 of their 22 starting players recent Bills – first Hogan, then cornerback Stephon Gilmore and now – maybe – Gillislle.
If the Patriots wind up with Gillislee, it would yet another example of why New England is so consistently good while the Bills are so consistently frustrating to root for. It would be the latest example of how Buffalo can’t compete with New England on or off the field.
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