When free agency begins, the Buffalo Bills have 14 pending unrestricted free agents and three restricted to deal with. Since I don’t feel much like writing a long lead-in to an already obvious topic, I’ll jump right into things with a forecast on how things may shake down, who’ll be back and who’s most likely to be playing elsewhere in 2012.
LOCK TO RETURN
Scott Chandler: It makes far too little sense for either side to want to part ways after the season Chandler just had. The Bills finally got solid production out of the tight end spot with Chandler, who caught 38 passes for 389 yards and six touchdowns as he became a go-to guy for Ryan Fitzpatrick. The offense is clearly better with him in the lineup, and I’d be shocked if Buddy Nix didn’t provide fair compensation for his services. Most people, including myself weren’t even sure he’d make the 2011 roster last summer.
Coming & Going: The Bills Free Agent Class – continue reading…
As first reported by ESPN and later confirmed by the team, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Roscoe Parrish will miss the rest of the season after suffering an ankle injury early in Buffalo’s win over Oakland this past Sunday.
Wide receiver Naaman Roosevelt was promoted from the practice squad to take his place on the 53-man roster. Roosevelt caught nine passes for Buffalo as a rookie last season.
Parrish had one catch for 16 yards through the first two games and returned five punts for an average of 9.2 yards, including a 28-yarder against the Kansas City Chiefs in the season opener.
This will mark the second consecutive season Parrish’s campaign has come to an extreme premature end. Parrish missed the final eight games of the season last year after breaking his wrist attempting to make a jumping reception near the sidelines when the Bills faced the Chicago Bears in Toronto.
Roscoe Parrish Headed To Injured Reserve – continue reading…
The good news, of course is that the Buffalo Bills improved to 2-0 on the season with a dramatic fourth quarterback comeback over the Oakland Raiders, 38-35. While the hot start, unexpected by most, has fans and the media buzzing throughout the nation, reality is the victory appears to have come with a significant price.
Starting right guard Kraig Urbik and wide receiver/punt return Roscoe Parrish both left the game in the first half with injuries, and early reports indicate they will miss significant time.
Bills head coach Chan Gailey gave the media an injury update and said Urbik will be lost for two to four weeks. Urbik was off to solid start at guard this season before injuring his knee Sunday just before halftime. He was replaced in the lineup by Chad Reinhart, who did a fine job filling in. With Urbik missing time, the team may turn to the waiver or wire or practice squad to find a replacement reserve. Colin Brown is not likely ready for NFL game action while Sam Young and Chris Hairston are both reserve tackles.
Parrish, Urbik To Miss Significant Time For Bills – continue reading…
We don’t know exactly when it’s going to happen, with multiple reports surfacing it could commence in as little as two to four weeks. We also don’t know what the rule will be in regards to seasons accrued, whether it’s fourth, fifth of sixth year players meeting minimum requirements. But even with the NFLPA decertifying and the owners locking the players out, there is going to be NFL free agency.
Without heavily delving into the legal aspects of how free agency will work (we’ll save that for someone more in the know) we’re going to focus on the Buffalo Bills and what approach they make take in the open market.
It’ s no secret the Bills could use a number of roster upgrades. When you’re coming off a 4-12 season and haven’t sniffed the playoffs in over a decade, finding quality veterans to blend in with incoming rookies is a necessity to improve your football team– especially in a division stacked with New York, New England and Miami.
Bills Free Agency Preview: Wide Receivers – continue reading…
When it came to the 2009 NFL season, the only drama surrounding Roscoe Parrish each week would be waiting to see if his tenure in Buffalo would officially come to an end via a pink slip. After all, unofficially it already pretty much over.
Parrish was inactive for four games in 2009 and hardly mattered when he did get to suit up. In fact at times Parrish would be listed active only as the team’s emergency third quarterback. For the entire season Parrish had three receptions for a whopping 34 yards. Once one of the premier punt returners in football, Parrish was a disaster there as well. He had a mind-blowing five fumbles last season, including two in one game, both lost against Cleveland as the Browns dealt the Bills an embarrassing 6-3 loss.
Naturally, it led to Parrish’s benching and endless speculation that then-head coach Dick Jauron was getting ready to drop the hammer on his uninspiring Buffalo career.
What Went Right: Roscoe Parrish – continue reading…
By the end of the 2009 season, most assumed that wide receiver Terrell Owens had little, if anything left in the gas tank. Apparently, first-year Buffalo Bills general manager Buddy Nix was among the doubters. He made the decision weeks before free agency began last winter that the Bills would not make an attempt to re-sign Owens, making him a one-and-done player.
It wasn’t that Owens furthered damaged his reputation while in Buffalo. He was on his best behavior and at times almost robotic with the media and his “I’m just going with the plays that are called” verbiage. Rather, it was concluded because Owens’ time in Buffalo would end because at age 36 his best football was long behind him and the team was ready to give other, younger guys an opportunity.
Nix’s Call on Owens Was a Win-Win Move – continue reading…
In a huge blow to an offense still trying to find its way, Buffalo Bills head coach Chan Gailey just announced that wide receiver Roscoe Parrish will be placed on season-ending injured reserve with a broken wrist suffered late in yesterday’s loss to Chicago.
After nearing being released on several occasions over the past year when Dick Jauron was the Bills head coach, Parrish was having a breakout season under Gailey. In eight games this season Parrish had 33 receptions for 400 yards and two touchdowns. The yardage total was already a career-high and he was just two off his career-best of 35 catches, set in 2007.
Parrish broke the wrist trying to catch a pass along the right sideline in the fourth quarter Sunday. Parrish came down with the ball but his left wrist hit out of bounds before his feet did. Gailey challenged the play but the incompletion was upheld. Unfortunately, it’s also the play that’s ending his season.
Season Over for Parrish, Davis – continue reading…
The Buffalo Bills lost again Sunday, 22-19 to the Chicago Bears in front of a pro Chicago crowd at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. Buffalo has reached the midpoint of their season and they’re still looking for that elusive first win.
To quote Jon Bon Jovi, “Oh, we’re halfway there.”
As has been the case in recent weeks, the Bills played tough. The loss was their third consecutive defeat by three points. This time it was a blocked extra point and a pair of backbreaking interceptions by Ryan Fitzpatrick that sealed the deal. When it comes to finding ways to lose football games, the Bills are geniuses.
It was said last week, the week before and will surely be stated again before this season mercifully ends. But the Bills keep coming close and losing. Unfortunately, close doesn’t count in the NFL. The bottom line is Buffalo fell to 0-8 and headed towards their worst start since 1984 when they opened with 11 straight losses.
Simply put, the Bills are writing a masterpiece on how to not win football games.
Bills Lose to Bears: Random Ramblings – continue reading…
It’s hardly unforeseen that the Buffalo Bills fell to 0-6 on the season with a road loss (37-34 in overtime) Sunday against the highly regarded Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore is considered one of the league’s elite teams while Buffalo… well, they’ve played like anything but one.
But had you told me Sunday morning the way this game would have played out, I’d have given you a polite smile before recommending an experienced shrink. Let’s be honest — nobody except possibly the players inside the Bills locker room (and even that’s debatable) expected to see them go toe to toe on the road like they did Sunday afternoon. After being run on, thrown on and laughed out of Lambeau Field and Gilettte Stadium already this season, Buffalo staying within 20 points of an incensed Ravens team coming off a loss at New England the week before would’ve been considered adequate accomplishment.
But the Bills showed the heart and plenty of execution that’s been lacking since the first snap against Miami in the season opener. Buffalo dominated at times and constantly fought back when they were against the ropes, a characteristic that’s hardly been an attribute of this year’s Bills model.
Bills Lose, But Find Reasons for Optimism – continue reading…
Some news & notes regarding the Buffalo Bills from a fairly busy Wednesday.
♦ Many people anticipated the Buffalo Bills would make an attempt to trade for suspended San Diego wide receiver Vincent Jackson, but I’m told that the Bills made no such inquiry. I’m also told the team doesn’t have an interest in trading for Philadelphia quarterback Kevin Kolb either.
♦ Marshawn Lynch started and carried the ball 17 times against the Packers last Sunday, prompting heavy speculation that he was being auditioned for other teams as trade bait. I spoke to an offensive player wishing to remain anonymous on Wednesday, and he told me in no uncertain terms that Lynch isn’t going anywhere. “He started and got the bulk of the carries because coach (Chan Gailey) thought he’d give us the best chance to move the ball,” the player said. “Marshawn isn’t going anywhere and he’ll continue to be an important part of the team as we try collectively to all get better.”
♦ Despite questions surfacing on why the Bills used a third round draft pick on a player (Alex Carrington) who has yet to suit up for a game, it appears Gailey isn’t in any rush to get him on the field and is leaving it up to defensive coordinator George Edwards to determine when he’ll be ready.
Buffalo Bills News & Notes – continue reading…
◊ Kawika Mitchell considers himself to be both ahead of and behind schedule in his quest to earn a starting spot on the Buffalo Bills defense in this John Wawrow AP report.
◊ Chris Brown of Bills.com reports that Marv Levy visited the team in his Day 3 minicamp recap.
◊ More on new linebacker acquisition Reggie Torbor, from Mark Gaughan of the Buffalo News.
◊ BillsGab says that Roscoe Parrish wants a bigger role in the Bills offense in 2010. Then again, it’s not like this is anything new (We’re talking about Parrish wanting a bigger role)
The Daily Links – June 7, 2010 – continue reading…
Now that it’s common knowledge the Philadelphia Eagles are at least entertaining trade offers for Donovan McNabb, it’s only logical for the Buffalo Bills to be linked to rumors. The Bills are one of the few teams in the league with a completely unsettled quarterback situation, so much that as of now Chan Gailey claims there will be an open competition come training camp.
It’s being reported the Eagles could part with McNabb for a second round pick. It’s also been reported that the St. Louis Rams have already offered their second round pick (33rd overall) to the Eagles, though both sides have denied such an offer.
Buffalo owns the ninth pick of the second round, the 41st overall.
An Examination of Bills Second Rounders – continue reading…
I’ve learned that with the possible exception Terrence McGee (knee) and Jairus Byrd (groin), who will be a game time decisions, the Buffalo Bills inactive list for tonight’s game in Toronto against the Jets will look exactly like last week. I’ve also been told Roscoe Parrish will again be returning punts.
I just spoke to someone in Toronto covering the team and was told Perry Fewell is “heavily leaning” towards the same inactive list as last week. Against Miami the Bills inactives were: Steve Johnson, McGee, Ashton Youboty, Demetrius Bell, James Hardy, Chris Ellis, John McCargo. Brian Brohm was the third QB.
If McGee can go, and the team is hopeful he will, then Cary Harris would be deactivated. Byrd is also questionable and on a short week with little recovery time, the team may be careful with him. But my source expects him to be in uniform and not starting. He may used as a backup and/or emergency situation the same as Donte Whitner was when he came back from his ankle injury.
Hardy a likely scratch, Parrish to return punts – continue reading…
After missing nearly ten months of football, 2008 second round draft pick James Hardy officially returns to the Buffalo Bills this week. Barring a last minute setback at practice over the next few days, Hardy will be taken off the PUP list and added to the active 53-man roster.
The Bills have a lot invested in Hardy, including the high draft selection last year. They are eager to find out what they have in the former Indiana University star, as his rookie season last year is hardly enough to evaluate his future.
With Josh Reed and Terrell Owens both scheduled to become free agents after the year, the Bills will get him as much work as he can handle, which will help them evaluate what they’ll do at the position over the winter. Hardy caught 9 passes for 87 yards and 2 touchdowns last year before tearing up his right knee.
Bills Ready To Promote Hardy.. Who Gets Cut? – continue reading…
Roscoe Parrish may not currently have a role with the Buffalo Bills, but he certainly still has a pulse.
Speaking with Bills.com reporter Chris Brown earlier today, Parrish let loose over his frustration on being shelved last week in New York and the high probability he’ll be doing the same in Carolina on Sunday.
Among his very candid comments, Parrish had this to say.
Parrish Frustration Boiling Over – continue reading…
