‘“I’m ready to come here and go to work,” he said via a conference call with reporters. “The defense plays fast and physical. I have to come in and earn my respect from coaches and teammates.”’
BillsBeat - March 13, 2019
Buffalo Bills going crazy in tampering period, set to sign WR Cole Beasley (report)
‘The terms of the deal are reportedly for four years and $29 million with $14.4 million guaranteed.’
Buffalo Bills set to sign free agent WR John Brown (report)
‘Brown offers Bills franchise quarterback Josh Allen a dependable, versatile and experienced pass catcher. Buffalo offensive coordinator Brian Daboll will be able to play around with how to use Brown in different formations.’
Buffalo Bills to sign OT Ty Nsekhe to two-year deal
‘Nsekhe, 33, has one of the most unique career paths in the NFL. He played in the Arena Football League from 2009-2012 before joining the then St. Louis Rams in 2012. He would appear in two games that season, but would not appear in another NFL game until 2015. He bounced around various NFL offseason rosters during this time, appeared in the CFL with the Montreal Alouettes (2014) and had a short return to the AFL with the Los Angeles KISS (2015).’
Buffalo Bills set to sign free agent guard Jon Feliciano (report)
‘The Bills are still expected to be in the market for some of the top offensive and defensive linemen left on the market. Detroit Lions defensive end Ziggy Ansah is scheduled to visit the Bills on Wednesday when free agency begins and Carolina right tackle Daryl Williams, who many believe to be a top target for the Bills ahead of free agency, is still on the market. Keep it locked on NYUP for more details as free agency continues to unfold.’
Buffalo Bills to host DE Ziggy Ansah on free-agent visit
‘As Rapoport noted, Ansah is coming off of shoulder surgery so the Bills will want to see how his shoulder is healing before offering the defensive end a long-term deal. If his shoulder checks out, the Bills may make an aggressive offer to keep Ansah from making his visit with the Saints.’
9 thoughts and a grade on Buffalo Bills signing free agent C Mitch Morse
‘So what are the Bills getting here? ESPN’s Mike Clay had Morse ranked as his top center available in free agency. He’s three years younger than Denver’s Matt Paradis and graded out as a better pass blocker in 2018, according to Pro Football Focus. When you put that into perspective, and consider the talking points we’ve discussed heading into free agency around Buffalo needing to pay more to attract talent, the signing makes all the more sense.’
10 things I think about the Buffalo Bills following NFL's active legal tampering window
‘Locking down Morse early was wise as Bills fans saw what happened between Paradis and the Jets. New York reportedly held off on making Paradis an offer as they waited to hear back from running back Le’Veon Bell. Perhaps the Jets felt that there was no competition with the Bills signing Morse, but it blew up in their face with Paradis joining the Panthers.’
NYS investigating Trump projects, including failed bid for Buffalo Bills (report)
‘The New York Times reports James issued subpoenas to Deutsche Bank and Investors Bank on Monday for information on their financing of Trump’s Bills bid and four Trump Organization projects. The subpoenas reportedly seek information on loan applications, mortgages, and lines of credit for transactions including the Bills bid, Trump International Hotel in Washington, the Trump National Doral outside Miami, and the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago.’
Bills clearly targeted their most obvious needs this offseason
‘While the Buffalo Bills are putting pen to paper today to finalize the deals they have agreed upon so far this offseason, it’s easy to see the contract figures and feel skeptical — but that’s how free agency goes. Year after year in the NFL, teams pay a high price tag to fill their needs. The positive for Bills fans to take so far is that Buffalo has been aggressive, motivated and focused on filling the biggest holes on the roster. That’s something Bills Mafia should be excited about.’
On the move: Buffalo Bills sign seven free agents, continue rapid build of 2019 roster
‘Beane continued what has been a rapid, but conservative, build of the team’s roster on Monday and Tuesday, when he made several moves to acquire numerous free agents which may not have been highly sought after, but will help plug the holes that litter Buffalo’s roster.’
Bills corral better receivers, protectors for QB Josh Allen
‘The Buffalo Bills obtained a wide receiver surnamed Brown after all.’
Loss of Cole Beasley is a step back for a Cowboys team wanting to improve aerial attack
‘Beasley, who reportedly sought $20 million in guarantees, is getting $14.4 million guaranteed from Buffalo, according to Garafolo.’
Cole Beasley is gone to Buffalo. What will Cowboys miss most from the reliable slot WR?
‘Per a source, what the Cowboys will miss most in Beasley was his ability to make the clutch catch on third down.’
After up-and-down year with Ravens, receiver John Brown reportedly set to join Bills
‘But there were concerns about his drop-off in production with Lamar Jackson. In eight games with Jackson at quarterback, Brown caught 10 passes on 33 targets and averaged 12.8 yards per catch, far from his average of nearly 20 yards with Joe Flacco under center. In the Ravens’ playoff loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, with the team’s run-first approach failing, he caught two passes for 14 yards.’
Former Baltimore Ravens receiver John Brown will sign with Bills, reports say
‘Wide receiver John Brown has agreed to a three-year deal to join the Buffalo Bills after one year in Baltimore, according to multiple reports. Brown led the Ravens with 715 receiving yards last season, but his production dipped when quarterback of the future Lamar Jackson took over behind center.’
Report: Raiders lose offensive lineman to Bills in free agency
‘The 27-year-old Feliciano, a favorite of coach Jon Gruden, has only started eight games for the Raiders since being drafted in the fourth round out of Miami in 2015. However, he has filled in admirably during games numerous times at guard and center, and a little at tackle.’
Cole Beasley leaving Dallas Cowboys to sign with Buffalo Bills
‘“I’ll always love #cowboysnation and I appreciate the time we have had together,” he wrote Tuesday afternoon. “Thanks to the jones family for giving me a shot. Excited for this new journey. Can’t wait to get started in Buffalo. Let’s go! #Bills Mafia”’
AP sources: Free-spending Bills add receivers Brown, Beasley
‘Nsekhe’s agent, Vince Taylor, said his client agreed to a two-year, $14.5 million contract, with $7.7 million guaranteed.’
Bills to add WRs Beasley, Brown, sources say
‘The signings of Brown and Beasley will address another position of need for the Bills’ offense, which ranked 30th in the NFL last season. Buffalo is also expected to sign deals with running back Frank Gore, tight end Tyler Kroft and center Mitch Morse when free agency officially opens Wednesday.’
Former Cowboys receiver Cole Beasley headed to Buffalo, Bills also reportedly to sign ex-Ravens receiver
‘The reason Beasley didn’t stay in Dallas though, is because the Cowboys just couldn’t meet his asking price. At one point this offseason, Beasley said he was looking to get $20 million in guaranteed money, but as it turns out, he was willing to settle for $14.5 million. Either way, the asking price was too high for the Cowboys.’
Report: Bills Bolster Wide Recievers Squad By Signing John Brown, Cole Beasley
‘Brown is expected to sign a three-year, $27 million deal. Beasley, a former Cowboys receiver, is slated to earn $29 million over four years with $17 million over the first two years of his deal and $14.4 million guaranteed. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Dallas wanted Beasley back, but didn’t offer high enough.’
NFL free agency news: Former Cowboys WR Cole Beasley to sign with Bills
‘Beasley, 29, tallied 65 catches for 672 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games in 2018. In eight seasons with Dallas he totaled 319 receptions or 3,271 yards and 23 touchdowns.’
Reports: Bills will sign wide receiver Cole Beasley
‘His best season in Dallas came in 2016 when he posted career-high totals in receptions (75) and receiving yards (833), and brought in five touchdowns. Last season in Dallas, Beasley caught 65 passes for 672 yards, and found the endzone three times in the air.’
Reports: Bills, wide receiver John Brown agree to three-year deal
‘Prior to Baltimore, Brown spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals. He had his most productive season with the Cardinals in 2015, where he compiled 65 receptions for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns.’
Reports: Bills add offensive lineman Ty Nsekhe
‘Nsekhe has had quite the football journey. After playing college football at Texas State, he signed with the Corpus Christi Sharks of AF2 (Arena Football 2) as an undrafted free agent in 2009. Over the next 10 years, he spent time in the Arena Football League, AF2, and the NFL with the Sharks, Dallas Vigilantes, Philadelphia Soul, San Antonio Talons, Indianapolis Colts, St. Louis Rams, New Orleans Saints, Montreal Alouettes, Los Angeles Kiss, and Washington Redskins.’
Report: Bills to sign OL Jon Feliciano
‘Feliciano played his college football at Miami (FL) and was a Raiders 4th round pick in 2015. He suited up for all 16 games in 2016 and 13 games each of the past two seasons, including starting four games at left guard last season in place of an Kelechi Osemele while Osemele was injured.’
Reports: Buffalo Bills to sign WRs John Brown and Cole Beasley
‘We’ll start with Brown, who is an incredible fit for not only Brian Daboll’s vertically-based offense, but for a big-armed quarterback like Josh Allen who the Bills encourage to push the ball down the field. The Bills had a speed threat emerge down the second half of the season in Robert Foster, but Brown comes in with tons of starting experience and a proven track record.’
Report: Bills Signing WR Cole Beasley
‘Beasley had 65 receptions for 672 yards and 3 touchdowns last season with the Cowboys.’
Report: Bills Bringing in WR John Brown
‘Brown had 42 receptions for 715 yards and 5 touchdowns with the Ravens last season.’
Free agency day 2: Bills go big on offense
‘The team has reportedly signed former Cowboys receiver Cole Beasley and former Cardinals and Ravens wideout John Brown to new contracts along with former Washington tackle Ty Nsekhe.’
Bills add free agent cornerback Kevin Johnson
‘Buffalo had the benefit of having a coach on staff who knows Johnson personally in secondary coach John Butler. Butler served as Johnson’s defensive backs coach in Houston his first three seasons in the league.’
Bills Today: Newest Bill CB Kevin Johnson sold on team culture
‘“What I felt when I was down here, the coaches and everybody in the building, I think the culture of this organization is something I want to be a part of,” Johnson said on One Bills Live. “I’m just looking to come in here and compete and play ball.”’
BillsBeat - March 12, 2019
Bills set to fill big hole at center with signing of Mitch Morse
‘Morse would address a major need along the Bills’ offensive line. The combination of Russell Bodine and Ryan Groy proved incapable of adequately replacing Eric Wood in 2018, making center a top priority in free agency.’
Bills reportedly signing RB Frank Gore
‘Gore and McCoy are close friends and the two worked out last offseason in Miami.’
Bills to sign TE Tyler Kroft to three-year deal
‘A third-round pick of the Bengals in 2015, his best season in the NFL came in 2017, when he started all 16 games and caught 42 passes (on 62 targets) for 404 yards and seven touchdowns. He has been used more as a blocker in his career than as a receiver. Analytics website Pro Football Focus has charted Kroft taking part in 998 snaps as a blocker (either in the gun game or passing) as opposed to just 677 as a receiver in his four seasons. He’s also been a contributor on special teams, taking 531 snaps there in his first two seasons.’
Bills add depth, competition at cornerback by signing Kevin Johnson
‘Johnson, a 2015 first-round draft pick of the Texans, has dealt with injuries over the last three years, appearing in just 19 games and making eight starts in that time. He has played in all 16 games just once in his career, as a rookie in 2015. Johnson was released last week by Houston, which elected not to pay his fifth-year option salary of $9.069 million. That was guaranteed for injury only, meaning Johnson has been medically cleared, or else he could not be cut.’
Potential Bills targets Trey Flowers, Jesse James head to Lions
‘Even considering getting into the market for Flowers is interesting from a Buffalo perspective, because it calls into question the future of the Bills’ current top three players at the position – Jerry Hughes, Trent Murphy and Shaq Lawson.’
Bills set to address a major need on offensive line by signing center Mitch Morse
‘Morse was considered one of the keys to helping Patrick Mahomes blossom into the league’s MVP, and now he will anchor the middle of the line in front of quarterback Josh Allen. Center was a trouble spot all season as Russell Bodine and Ryan Groy struggled, particularly in run blocking, which helped lead to the worst season of running back LeSean McCoy’s career.’
NFL free agency: Bills reportedly signing Frank Gore
‘Beyond that tiny monetary saving, it is uncertain why the Bills would be interested in bringing in a running back who turns 36 in May during an era in the NFL where the younger you are at that position, generally the better you are.’