Bids for the Bills franchise are due in about two weeks, a source tells John Wawrow of the Associated Press. Morgan Stanley, the bank supervising the sale of the team, hopes to have a new owner in place by October, and as of now, Buffalo Sabres owner Terry Pegula is considered the favorite to land Buffalo’s club. Former Bills quarterback Jim Kelly recently turned down an offer from rocker Jon Bon Jovi to join forces, while entrepreneur Donald Trump and former Sabres owner Tom Golisano are also among the contenders to purchase the team.
More from the NFL’s East divisions:
- The Bills signed Alan Branch to a contract extension last December, but they might already be looking to rid themselves of the defensive tackle. Mike Rodak of ESPN.com looks at how a release of Branch would affect Buffalo’s cap.
- As Steve Serby of the New York Post details, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie almost chose to sign with the Jets rather than the Giants during the offseason. In hindsight, it seems as though the Jets should have pressed harder for Rodgers-Cromartie, as their secondary has struggled during camp and the preseason.
- DeSean Jackson‘s failure to get separation against press-man coverage last season has been cited among the reasons why he was released by the Eagles. Now that referees intend to crack down on illegal defensive holding this season, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer wonders if Jackson, and other less physical receivers, will benefit from the rule change.
- Guard Dallas Thomas is among the Dolphins whose stock is falling, writes James Walker of ESPN.com. Thomas was beat several times by Gerald McCoy in Miami’s last preseason game, and it looks like free agent signee Shelley Smith might be able to regain his spot among the starters in place of Thomas.