Archives for March 2017

'"I have a lot of things to process as far as the season and trying to figure those things out," Williams said. "As far as moving forward, we'll see. There's a whole lot of guys in here who aren't going to be here, whether it's retirement or they're moving in a different direction. It could be a whole number of things. I just worry about the things I can control. Heal up a little bit. Spend some time with the family and really evaluate the year and always look to get better."'

'A smirk spread across McDermott's face when a reporter asked whether he wants Taylor back.'

'“We’re going through that process right now, and Tyrod's no different,” McDermott said. “We’re going to exhaust every ounce of time looking at it from every angle. I think the thing you'll find out about me is I'm pretty methodical in my approach. So it takes time, and that's what's in front of us right now."'

'“I’m a big believer that everything happens for a reason. And I’m happy to be in Buffalo.’’'

'Should the Bills decide to move on from Taylor, it's hard to imagine the Browns wouldn't at least consider him, especially because unlike Patriots backup Jimmy Garoppolo, he wouldn't cost the team any draft picks.'

'With the Rams expected to tag Trumaine Johnson, Gilmore becomes the top option on the open market. Some team will compensate him for his services. Last year, the Giants signed Janoris Jenkins to a five-year, $62.5 million deal. With the cap expected to jump $10 to $15 million, it's likely Gilmore's deal exceeds Jenkins'.'

'That means he will become a free agent March 9 unless the he and the team can come to a longterm agreement. The franchise tag payout for cornerbacks this season projects to be $15 million.'

'Williams played at LSU from 2002-05 where he had 16.5 sacks among his 26 tackles for loss while starting 33 of 46 games, and was a first-team All-SEC pick in 2005.'

'The franchise tag for a cornerback would have cost the Bills about $15 million. Barring the two sides reaching an agreement on a new contract by next week, Gilmore will become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career when the new league year starts March 9.'

'The conundrum there for the Bills, of course, is that the QB free-agent market looks quite bare at the moment, barring a surprise release or two. Washington just placed the franchise tag on Kirk Cousins, so the non-Taylor options would include Mike Glennon, Brian Hoyer, Matt Barkley and Ryan Fitzpatrick. There is no one that would count as an upgrade on Taylor.'

'If Taylor isn’t brought back, the Bills starting QB in 2017 will either be a veteran they sign or trade for, a rookie they draft, or second year signal-caller Cardale Jones. “Cardale is an option for us, as well,” McDermott said. “And so when you look at Cardale, you do look at what he did in college as part of the evaluation. You know, I've gone back and my staff has gone back and we've looked at all the practice tape, his tape in the last game of the year (at the New York Jets). So, we're excited about working with Cardale just like we are the rest of the players on the roster.”'

'I'm a first time head coach. And I respect that. And so I want to put experience around me yet at the same time have guys with great energy to get the job done. That juice is important, as you've heard me say before all morning, and yet where we didn't have experience I wanted guys with great upside in terms of some youth. And so that chemistry that starts on the staff, the players see that and I want them to feel that and develop that chemistry around the building.'

'Williams earned a fifth Pro Bowl appearance last year after collecting 64 tackles and 5 sacks, but was contemplating retiring. Originally a 6th round pick in 2006 out of LSU, Williams has been with the team longer than anyone else on the roster. He turns 34 in June and has one year remaining on his contract. He will count for $8.3 million on the Bills salary cap in 2017.'

'It is in the best interests of the Bills to have talks with agents and see what it might cost for any free agent quarterback the Bills covet and to see if that player is willing to come to Buffalo. Free agent signings and official trade announcements can start on March 9th giving the Bills two days to see what might be out there in terms of a trade for a quarterback.'

'This is a move that most saw coming. Stephon Gilmore is a really good player and wants to be paid like a great one. The Bills have held a high opinion of him but weren't ready to dole out the type of money he may seek — and get — on the open market come March 9.'