Archives for March 13, 2014

‘Is Williams good enough to make the position a strength?’

‘Graham, who turns 29 in July, had a sensational high school career at Turner-Carroll. He was first-team All-Western New York in football as a senior after rushing for 1,406 yards and 22 touchdowns. He started for the Catholic league championship basketball team and he was the All-Catholic track champion in the 100 and 200 meters.’

‘”It’s tough,” Byrd told The Buffalo News from New Orleans. “It’s definitely tough, not being able to win, to have your season be over early, never having a chance to compete late in the season.”‘

‘”I’d go to Antarctica for an opportunity, so Buffalo is a lot better than Antarctica,” Williams said after signing a reported four-year, $13.5 million contract to become the team’s new left guard.’

‘”With the signing of Chris Williams, I am particularly excited about the direction our offensive line is moving in because we wanted to address this position and we feel like we filled the need with a very good player,” Bills general manager Doug Whaley stated in a press release.’

‘Graham’s ability to play in the slot will be missed by the team. He proved a valuable commodity after the Ravens signed the former Chicago Bear to a two-year, $4.2 million deal before the 2012 season, largely because of his prowess on special teams.’

‘Williams has six years of NFL experience after going to Chicago with the 14th pick in the 2008 draft. Williams spent three-plus seasons with the Bears before being cut, and the past year and a half with the St. Louis Rams.’

‘The Bills addressed three needs by signing offensive guard Chris Williams to a four-year contract, agreeing to a four-year deal with cornerback Corey Graham and agreeing to a two-year deal for $5 million with linebacker Keith Rivers. A person familiar with Rivers’ contract revealed the terms of the deal on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t disclosed by the Bills.’

‘The team did not disclose terms of the deal, but it is reportedly a four-year contract worth $13.5 million with $5.5 million guaranteed.’

‘Graham, a 2011 Pro Bowl selection, recorded career-highs of four interceptions and 12 passes defensed to go along with 68 tackles with the Baltimore Ravens in 2012.’

‘Pro Football Focus graded Williams as the worst starter on the Rams’ offensive line last season.’

‘Williams’ deal includes $5.5 million guaranteed. He played on a one-year, $1.4 million deal in 2013.’

‘Coming to the Bills by way of the St. Louis Rams, the six-year veteran started each of the team’s 16 games at left guard during the 2013 season. The Rams signed him in October of 2012 after Williams was released by the Chicago Bears.’

‘At the very least, Graham adds depth to the cornerback position that presently consists of Stephon Gilmore, Leodis McKelvin, Nickell Robey, Ron Brooks, Brandon Smith and Mario Butler.’

‘Rivers most recently was employed by the New York Giants, where he started 14 games over the past two seasons. He spent his first three years with the team that drafted him in the first round out of USC, the Cincinnati Bengals. Over the course of five seasons, Rivers has 275 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions.’