Archives for March 2016

'"It feels rejuvenating," Williams told ESPN's Josina Anderson.'

'McKelvin reunites with Bills 2014 defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. The Eagles and Schwartz are reportedly also interested in Bills linebacker Nigel Bradham, who is also a free agent.'

'Multiple reports say that the three-year deal is worth a total of $15.75 million, and will keep 80-percent of last year's starting offensive line in tact for 2016. Incognito, 32, spent his first season with the Bills in 2015 after spending a year-and-a-half away from football following the bullying scandal in Miami.'

'The Dolphins also traded for former Bills linebacker Kiko Alonso on Monday, who the team traded to Philadelphia last year in return for running back LeSean McCoy. The New York Giants were said to be in the mix for Williams, but separate reports indicate that the franchise is moving in a different direction.'

'After spending eight seasons in Buffalo, the two sides were unable to come to terms on a pay cut and the cornerback was released. McKelvin's removal from the active roster saved the Bills $3.9 million in cap space for the 2016 season, which helped bring back both left tackle Cordy Glenn, and left guard Richie Incognito with new contracts.'

'“It was a major point of emphasis this offseason because you love to have those big uglies up there for continuity sake and the longer you can keep them together the better they are going to be,” said Bills GM Doug Whaley. “And again Jim Overdorf has done wonders with always having cap space and money available for us to get the most important people done.”'

'“You can’t put a price tag on being happy,” Incognito said, shortly after agreeing to teams with the Bills on a new contract. “That’s where I’m happiest, playing in Buffalo, playing at the Ralph. I have great teammates. I’m surrounded by great guys: Tyrod, Sammy, Shady, Jerry Hughes, Kyle Williams, and Wood.”'

'“After that first week, when all the big money guys get their big contracts, there’s that second wave of free agents,” Bills GM Doug Whaley says. “That’s where we’re going to concentrate this year.”'

'Given that the job description for an outside linebacker and defensive end can sometimes be blurred depending on the type of scheme a team plays, outside linebackers are also included here….'.

'By bringing in Evans, the Bills may be looking to gain leverage in talks with Incognito, who has repeated he wants to return. Buffalo did not extend an offer during the season to Incognito and made his reps a low initial offer at the NFL scouting combine.'

'The deadline for restricted free agents to sign their offer sheets is April 22. Hogan received the low tender at $1.671 million, and it's likely that Bryant and Mills both received low tenders as well. Add it all up and the Bills will roughly have about $7 million in cap space with free agency set to open soon where both guard Richie Incognito and inside linebacker Nigel Bradham are set to be unrestricted free agents.'

'By releasing Mario Williams, Kraig Urbik, Leodis McKelvin, and Boobie Dixon last week, and by not committing money to four RFAs, the Bills are now about $6-7 million under their adjusted salary cap of $157.3 million, but they may need to find more room if they want to get offensive guard Richie Incognito re-signed before free agency begins.'

'Meanwhile, the team still has not reached deals with top unrestricted free agents Richie Incognito and Nigel Bradham.'

'Former New Orleans Saints guard Jahri Evans is visiting the Bills on Monday, his first visit since the Saints cut him in February. Evans went to Bloomsburg University, the same school Bills director of player personnel Jim Monos graduated from. Monos was a scout with the Saints when they drafted Evans in 2006.'

'Buffalo has yet to tender offers to defensive tackle Stefan Charles, linebacker Ty Powell, safety Bacarri Rambo and tight end MarQueis Gray.'