Archives for March 18, 2015

'That per-year average of $7.6 million would make Clay the fourth-highest paid tight end in the NFL, behind only Seattle’s Jimmy Graham ($10 million), Jacksonville’s Julius Thomas ($9.2 million) and Amherst native Rob Gronkowski of New England ($9 million).'

'The Buffalo News reported Tuesday that the deal is five years in length and worth $38 million with more than $20 million guaranteed. Fox Sports said the deal is worth $24.5 million over the first two years.'

'Bills general manager Doug Whaley mentioned at the NFL Scouting Combine that new offensive coordinator Greg Roman likes to utilize the tight end position. After cutting veteran Scott Chandler and moving on from backup Lee Smith, it was obvious the team was all-in on Clay. He has played four seasons in Miami and had at least 50 receptions and more than 600 receiving yards in each of the last two seasons. He's athletic enough to play the "move" role on offense and make plays out of the backfield or as an in-line tight end.'

'The deal is reportedly structured in a way to exploit the Dolphins’ expected salary cap issues in 2016. Next year, Ndamukong Suh will cost $28.6 million against the cap and Ryan Tannehill would cost another $16.2 if he plays under the fifth-year option. The Dolphins will almost assuredly want to sign Tannehill to an extension before then to provide cap relief.'

'According to NFL Network, the Dolphins' final offer to Clay was four-years, $27 million, and less than $15 million of that deal was going to be fully guaranteed.'

'But it's hard to see the Dolphins doing anything but shaking his hand and letting Buffalo have him. He had a career high of six touchdowns in 2013. He's a nice seam threat and a good guy to have on your team. But he's also battled knee issues and, while a presence, hasn't exactly been a force in many games.'

'The Dolphins could be handcuffed by salary-cap constraints to match the Bills' offer after Miami signed free-agent All-Pro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh to a $114 million, six-year contract last week. It made Suh the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.'

'The Miami Herald reported that the Dolphins weren't offering Clay more than $7 million per season in recent talks.'

'According to Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News, the Bills and Clay have agreed to and signed an offer sheet that is worth $38 million over five years, with $20 million guaranteed. The deal, according to Carucci, will also pay him $24.5 million in cash over the first two years.'

'Former Bills coach Marv Levy always maintained “the most important free agents you sign are your own.” And Buffalo has done that. Key, of course, was defensive end Jerry Hughes, a critical, but expensive cog in the Bills’ best unit. Since being acquired from Indianapolis in a trade for linebacker Kelvin Sheppard, now with the Dolphins, he has 20 sacks in two seasons with Buffalo.'