It didn’t exactly qualify as breaking news late Wednesday afternoon when the Buffalo Bills announced they tendered exclusive rights free agent Dorin Dickerson, meaning the team retained his rights for the 2013 NFL season.
In fact, I’d venture to say plenty of casual fans may have shrugged their shoulders and uttered “so what” upon hearing the news.
If things go his way, you may someday regret bushing his return aside.
After signing with the Bills as a free agent last May, Dickerson played fewer than 100 snaps with Chan Gailey as head coach. His break came late in the season after Scott Chandler went down with an ACL injury. In his lone start and extended action of the season at Miami, Dickerson caught four passes for 54 yards and got open several other times but quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick didn’t get him the ball.
Unfortunately for Dickerson, his breakthrough game ended with a fumble and injured leg late in the game.
A versatile pass catcher who can also play H-Back or fullback, Dickerson was coveted by Bills assistant general manager Doug Whaley and people I’ve talked to say new head coach Doug Marrone and offensive coordinator Nate Hackett were impressed with his physical attributes.
The organization doesn’t know if Chandler’s knee will be fully healthy for him to be effective this season, making adding a tight end notably high on their priority list. Dickerson will be afforded the opportunity to build on the conclusion of his 2012 season and not only make the roster, but become a significant contributor.
Keep in mind the Bills could’ve almost guaranteed themselves of having pass catchers Donald Jones and David Nelson back strictly by offering tenders to the restricted free agent. They didn’t largely because they didn’t feel either was the proper fit for Hackett’s offense.
That’s certainly not the case with Dickerson.
The Bills have one more exclusive rights free agent to decide on and he’s another tight end, Mike Caussin.
Earlier in the day the Bills announced that they re-signed Bryan Scott to a one-year contract. He was due to become an unrestricted free agent.
Free agency begins on Tuesday March 12 at 4:00pm.





















