Archives for March 2016

'Buffalo rightfully gave Incognito a prove-it deal last offseason, but he more than proved himself and was one of the top guards in football. The Bills are pressed up against the salary cap and also have to take care of left tackle Cordy Glenn, who is expected to be given the franchise tag at some point Tuesday.'

'Ryan’s Bills are transforming, and he’s had to shed some of the team’s original appeal to cater to his schemes. So while one of his biggest critics is out of the locker room, the heat is on Ryan if 2016 doesn’t work out.'

'Williams, who expressed his disappointment at several points this season with his role in Buffalo’s defensive scheme, was due a roster bonus of $2.5 million at the start of the new league year.'

'Neither move was a surprise.'

'The Bills also released guard Kraig Urbik, who took a pay cut to stay with the team last spring, and running back Boobie Dixon.'

'"I'm prepared for anything because I know I'm going to prove a point, and that is not even a question in my mind," he said. "At the end of the day, if I'm not – I'll show you that I'm better than what I've been before. Like, that's just a chip on my shoulder regardless of whether I am there or not, because given the opportunity, I'll get back to what I was."'

'Immediately after news of the Bills placing the franchise tag on offensive tackle Cordy Glenn was hitting social media, so were tweets from several Bills players letting fans know of their release from the team…'

'In addition to Mario Williams, Boobie Dixon, Kraig Urbik and Marqueis Gray announcing on Twitter that their time with the organization is coming to an end.'

'Other teams can negotiate with the former second-round pick, and even sign him to an offer sheet. But the Bills would then have the right to match that offer, or receive two first-round draft picks as compensation.''

'The Bills' risky signing of Incognito in the offseason paid off as the veteran guard landed in the Pro Bowl. PFT reports the Bills were hoping for a discount because they were the only team willing to take the risk on him last year.''

'Over four seasons with the Bills, Williams compiled 43 sacks — but had his second-worst output of his career in 2015, with only five sacks.'

'With the Bills putting the franchise tag on Glenn, it does two things. First, it puts Glenn in line for a one-year, fully-guaranteed salary of $13.706 million for the 2016 season if he signed that deal. Second, teams are still able to negotiate with Glenn, but if they strike an agreement and the Bills choose not to match, that team would then owe Buffalo two first-round draft picks — a price tag few, if any would be willing to pay.'

'According to the report, Incognito has declined the Bills' initial contract offers and the team had hoped he would sign for less than what he would get on the open market.'

'“We want to thank Boobie, Kraig and Mario for everything they did during their years with our franchise," said GM Doug Whaley in a team statement. "Each of them contributed to our team in a unique way. Days like this are never easy and this is a part of the business that is difficult on everyone. We will now focus our attention on moving forward as we continue to prepare for free agency, the upcoming Draft and the 2016 season.”'

'Glenn, 26, has been the team’s starter at left tackle since his rookie season in 2012. The former second-round pick hasn’t missed a start in the last three seasons. Buffalo had until 4 pm Tuesday to make use of the franchise tag and keep Glenn off the market.'