Archives for September 2015

'“What he’s done is come to Buffalo and really re-create the same situation,” Dansby said. “You have Tyrod Taylor, you have Shady McCoy, and then you’ve got Charles Clay at the tight end position that can get down the field. It’s going to be successful. He’s going to turn a lot of heads and put some points on the board.”'

'You don’t know what Ryan might do or say next, but he’ll never be boring. He promised to build a bully and brought in some of the NFL’s notorious miscreants, including Richie Incognito, Percy Harvin and IK Enemkpali, the man who punched out Rex’s former quarterback, Geno Smith.'

'Keep an eye on those footballs. Tom Brady, thanks to a judge nullifying his suspension in the “Deflategate” case, is coming to town. Brady’s record against the Bills is 23-3.'

'That simply was too much money to pay to a backup quarterback who, while a veteran, certainly isn't a game-changer. Manuel will now slot in as the No. 2.'

'The Bills have the option to roll over the cap space saved by cutting Cassel to 2016, when they have to worry about signing defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, linebacker Nigel Bradham and offensive tackle Cordy Glenn, among others.'

'The decision to cut Cassel came as a slight surprise. A day earlier Cassel said he was given "no indication" from the team that he should be worried about his job. He added that he was under the impression the Bills were intending to keep three quarterbacks after Buffalo released fourth-stringer Matt Simms.'

'The Bills paid Cassel a $500,000 roster bonus but avoided paying him a $4.15 million base salary for the season, according to Pro Football Talk.'

'In addition to Cassel, the Bills have released defensive tackle Red Bryant, center Dalton Freeman, safety Jonathan Meeks, and linebacker Kevin Reddick.'

'In an effort to get down to the 53-player roster limit deadline at 4 pm Saturday, Buffalo parted with the veteran quarterback after acquiring him in a trade with Minnesota this past offseason. Releasing Cassel does save the Bills money on their salary cap, which many outside observers believe will go toward investing in some of their younger core players whose contracts are up after the 2015 season. Chief among those players is Pro Bowl DT Marcell Dareus.'

'Though Manuel’s consistency in training camp practices wasn’t quite as good as Taylor and Cassel, his performance in the preseason games was undeniable. Prior to Thursday’s final slate of preseason games, Manuel was tied for the NFL lead with four touchdowns passes. He also ranked fifth in the league with a 146.9 passer rating. His gaudy 11.9 yards per attempt figure was also ranked in the top 10.'

'As he enters his third season as the Bills GM, it’s clear Doug Whaley has put his stamp on the talent assemblage in Buffalo. Almost two-thirds of the players on the roster were acquired since Whaley assembled the GM title in May 2013. Thirty two of the 52 were added on Whaley’s watch. That includes 10 draft picks, 15 free agents, three waiver claims, two via trade, and two undrafted rookie free agents.'

'How popular is Fred Jackson? Thurman Thomas told Channel 7’s Shawn Stepner this past week that if Jackson ran for mayor of Buffalo he would probably win.'

'For now, Cassel and EJ Manuel are the backups behind Tyrod Taylor, and Cassel said that’s what he’s “planning on” when the regular season begins on Sept. 13 against Indianapolis'

'“That’s why we’re working here every day, man, with the treatment and the trainers to get everything right,” he said.'

'If Cassel were to be sent packing, that would mean Ryan and the coaching staff is fully confident that EJ Manuel can be a reliable backup quarterback to starter Tyrod Taylor. If there’s any doubt about Manuel, then it’s likely that Cassel stays as the No. 2, and Simms remains on the waiver wire. It does not seem as if Manuel’s place on the roster is in jeopardy.'