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Bills Release Fred Jackson, 11 Others

August 31st, 2015 at 9:58am CST by Luke Adams

9:58am: In addition to Jackson and the three other players noted below, eight other players have been cut by the Bills, getting the team’s roster count down to 77 players. Here are today’s other cuts in Buffalo, per a team release:

  • Michael Buchanan, DE
  • Justin Hamilton, DT
  • Ellis Lankster, CB
  • Kenny Ladler, S
  • Wes Miller, S
  • D.J. Morrell, G
  • Cedric Reed, DE
  • Ricky Seale, RB

9:15am: The Bills’ first series of roster cuts this week includes a bit of a shocker, according to Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News, who reports (via Twitter) that the club has released veteran running back Fred Jackson. While Buffalo had a crowded depth chart at the position, it was expected to be a younger back, rather than Jackson, who became a casualty of the roster crunch.Dec 14, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson (22) runs the ball during the second half against the Green Bay Packers at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Bills beat the Packers 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Jackson, who debuted with the Bills in 2007 and had been with the team since then, is the league’s oldest running back, at age 34. Despite his age, Jackson doesn’t have a ton of mileage on his legs, since he started his career late and has split carries with other backs throughout his tenure with the Bills. Over the course of his eight-year career, Jackson has compiled 5,646 rushing yards and 80 rushing touchdowns on 1,279 carries. He’s also a capable receiver out of the backfield, setting a career high in 2014 with 90 targets.

While Jackson was slowed by a hamstring injury earlier in the training camp this year, he looked good in his preseason debut this weekend, carrying the ball five times for 48 yards. But rather than playing out the final year of his contract with the Bills, Jackson will be looking for a new team. Had he remained on Buffalo’s roster, he would have been due a base salary of $2.35MM, so the team saves a little money by releasing him. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), Jackson wasn’t asked to take a pay cut before he was released.

Following the Bills’ acquisition of LeSean McCoy in March, multiple reports indicated that Jackson would remain on the roster, but it seems the team had a change of heart after assessing its options this summer. With Jackson no longer in the picture, McCoy will be backed up by Karlos Williams, Boobie Dixon, and Bryce Brown.

Jackson won’t have to pass through waivers before becoming a free agent, so he’ll have the chance to sign with a new team immediately. He figures to draw some interest from teams in need of a veteran back around the NFL — the Browns come to mind as one logical suitor.

The Bills figure to announce their full list of cuts down to 75 players either today or tomorrow, but some other names have started to trickle out as well. Agent Brett Tessler tweets that edge defender Andrew Hudson has been cut by the Bills, while Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets that the team has also waived offensive lineman Terren Jones. Last year’s fourth-round pick, cornerback Ross Cockrell, has been waived too, tweets Mike Rodak of ESPN.com.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Bills Sign 12 Undrafted Free Agents

May 8th, 2015 at 12:49pm CST by Rory Parks

FRIDAY, 12:49pm: The Bills’ deal with Barton fell through, leaving the club with one empty roster spot, according to Mike Rodak of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

MONDAY, 3:17pm: The Bills have officially announced their UDFA signings, confirming the 11 players listed below and adding defensive end Erik Williams (Bethune-Cookman) and offensive tackle Jermaine Barton (Illinois State)

SUNDAY, 11:38am: Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News provides a list of the 11 undrafted free agents who have agreed to sign with the Bills (all Twitter links). There are no quarterbacks in the group:

  • Clay Burton, TE, Florida
  • Tyson Chandler, OT, N.C. State ($7,500 signing bonus, per Aaron Wilson)
  • Andre Davis, WR, Southern Florida
  • Justin Hamilton, DL, Louisiana Lafayette
  • Andrew Hudson, DE, Washington
  • B.J. Larsen, LB, Utah State
  • Merrill Noel, DB, Wake Forest
  • Cedric Reed, DE, Texas
  • Spencer Roth, P, Baylor
  • A.J. Tarpley, LB, Stanford
  • Cam Thomas, CB, Western Kentucky

Draft Notes: Strong, Peters, Beasley, Fowler

April 15th, 2015 at 8:35pm CST by Luke Adams

Teams are in full swing in preparing for the 2015 NFL Draft, meeting with prospects and hosting workouts to fill out final draft boards. Here we will keep up with which prospects are garnering interest in a jam-packed notes post, with any updates added to the top:

  • Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun tweets that Louisville tackle Jamon Brown will visit the Broncos, Lions, and Washington, and has private workouts scheduled with the Bengals and Bills.
  • Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Rams have visited with LSU tackle La’el Collins and Louisville WR DeVante Parker (Twitter links). In a separate piece, Thomas offers a little more detail on Parker and provides a complete list of all the pre-draft visits that the Rams have hosted.
  • Kevin White visited with the Giants today, tweets Jordan Raanan of NJ.com. Raanan adds that the team is doing its due diligence just in case the wideout should fall to New York, which holds the No. 9 overall pick.

Earlier Updates

  • Jaelen Strong definitely has a wrist injury, but he contradicts the report that he will need surgery, according to Reuben Frank of CSNPhilly.com (via Twitter).
  • In addition to Strong, Todd Gurley, Cedric Ogbuehi, and Tevin Coleman will be having Combine rechecks this weekend, writes Rapoport (via Twitter).
  • The Seahawks will meet with University of Louisiana at Lafayette defensive tackle Christian Ringo, according to Rapoport (via Twitter). The team will also host Michigan defensive end Frank Clark (via Twitter). Clark had recently visited the Saints in New Orleans.
  • In addition to Kendricks, the Falcons will work out UCLA defensive end Owa Odighizuwa, according to Chase Goodread of NFL.com (via Twitter).
  • Western Oregon wide receiver Tyrell Williams will visit the Chargers on Monday, reports Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter). The Division II star has already met with the Patriots, Lions, and Cardinals.
  • Minnesota defensive tackle Cam Botticelli has a number of team’s interested in his services, writes Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News (via Twitter). The Texans, Eagles, Lions, Seahawks, and Buccaneers have looked into him.
  • University of Cincinnati quarterback Munchie Legaux worked out for the Bengals at their local prospect day, according to the Associated Press in USA Today. Legaux will also have the opportunity to work out for the Saints later this week.
  • The Saints will also host Tulane running back Dante Butler at their local prospect day on Friday, reports Tammy Nunez of NOLA.com.
  • Arizona State wide receiver Jaelen Strong has a fractured bone in his wrist, which should require surgery, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). He will be among players that will get combine rechecks this weekend, and the injury could affect his draft stock (via Twitter).
  • Potential first-round cornerback Marcus Peters met with the 49ers yesterday and the Falcons today, according to Rapoport (via Twitter). Peters will visit with the Raiders tomorrow.
  • Pass rusher Vic Beasley has met or will meet with at least six teams drafting in the top ten, writes Rapoport (via Twitter). He will meet with the Titans today, and visit the Jets and Washington sometime next week.
  • Florida pass rusher Dante Fowler Jr. will visit with Washington as well, according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post. The visit might be for naught, as most believe Fowler is going to land in Jacksonville on draft day. The Jaguars select third overall.
  • Stanford offensive tackle Andrus Peat visited with the Broncos, who are need of help along the offensive line after losing Orlando Franklin in free agency, writes Mike Klis of the Denver Post. Peat might not last that long, but could provide immediate impact for a team trying to return to the Super Bowl.
  • Cardinals running backs coach Stump Mitchell attended Tevin Coleman’s workout at Indiana, writes Josh Weinfuss of ESPN (via Twitter). The Lions already had Coleman in for a workout earlier in the process, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter). Tony Paulie of DraftInsider.net adds that the Cowboys and Patriots have expressed interest in the Indiana tailback (via Twitter).
  • The Rams have scheduled a workout with Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty in Waco, according to Gil Brandt of NFL.com (via Twitter). Brandt notes the team has indicated that it will select a quarterback at some point in the draft.
  • The Lions also hosted Kansas State receiver Tyler Lockett for a visit, the sixth receiver the team has brought in according to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com.
  • The 49ers have expressed interest in a number of LSU players, including linebacker Kwon Alexander, running back Terrence Magee, and cornerback Jalen Collins, writes Eric Branch of SFGate.com.
  • Ohio State speedster Devin Smith told SiruiusXM NFL Radio he had a visit with the 49ers, saying he got a “really good vibe from the coaches and staff,” and that the visit “went really well,” (via Twitter).
  • UCLA linebacker Eric Kendricks met with Saints’ assistant coaches Joe Vitt and Rob Ryan during his visit with the team earlier this week, writes Katherine Terrell of NOLA.com.
  • Texas linebacker Jordan Hicks worked out for the Bengals at their local prospect day, and could be a player the team keeps an eye on in the middle rounds of the draft, writes Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com.
  • Florida State defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. has visited with the Patriots, according to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports 1 (via Twitter). Edwards will visit with the Texans and Seahawks as well, although Garafolo believes Seattle will need to trade up from No. 63 to draft him.
  • Old Dominion basketball player Richard Ross has drawn interest from NFL teams who believe he could be next in line of basketball players making the transition to tight end. The Vikings are among the teams interested in Ross, sending tight ends coach Kevin Stefanski to the school for a private workout, writes Mark Craig of the Star Tribune.
  • The Browns have conducted a private workout for quarterback Garrett Grayson at Colorado State, a source tells Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com (Twitter link). Assuming they don’t trade up in the draft, the Browns figure to miss out on at least the top two QBs in this draft class, meaning a player like Grayson probably represents a more realistic target.
  • Washington State wide receiver Vince Mayle has visited the 49ers, Chargers, Giants, Jets, Dolphins, Seahawks, and Washington, and is on his way to visit the Colts today, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee (Twitter links).
  • South Florida cornerback Chris Dunkley has visits lined up with a number of NFL teams, according to Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter). Dunkley says by the end of the process he will have met with the 49ers, Chargers, Falcons, Dolphins, Patriots, Bills, Lions, and Ravens.
  • Coastal Carolina interior offensive lineman Chad Hamilton will work out privately for the Falcons on Thursday, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Hamilton previously had a private workout for the Texans.
  • Wilson also reported that Western Kentucky tight end Mitchell Henry met with the Chargers for a private workout. Mitchell will meet with an NFC team this week. Additionally, Wilson reports that Marshall cornerback Darryl Roberts has had workouts for the Colts, Eagles, Chiefs, 49ers, and Packers.
  • University of Washington pass rusher Andrew Hudson met with the Browns, Buccaneers, and Washington this week, as part of his pre-draft visits, writes Brett Tessler of Tessler Sports (via Twitter).
  • Utah guard Junior Salt, BYU wide receiver Jordan Leslie, and San Diego State University linebacker Derek Largent are among the players the Dolphins are targeting as late-round picks or priority free agents, reports Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald (via Twitter).

Rob DiRe and Rory Parks contributed to this post.

East Rumors: Mariota, Grayson, Flowers

April 13th, 2015 at 6:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

In the escalating derby to become the team that drafts Marcus Mariota second overall, the Jets may have the trump card, writes ESPN’s Rich Cimini.

The sweepstakes featuring the Jets, Browns, Rams, Eagles, Bears, Chargers and Saints, according to Cimini, vying to vault into the Titans’ No. 2 spot may hinge on how far a team devoid of blue-chip talent will be to fall in the draft order.

The Jets pick the highest of these teams, but Cimini notes that the No. 2 overall slot is worth 2,600 points on the draft value chart, meaning the Jets would have to throw in not only their second-round selection this year (No. 37) but their first-rounder in 2016 to make the numbers match up. Cimini also notes the Chargers would be the favorite if they part with Philip Rivers. Washington should probably also be included among those interested, and it holds the No. 5 pick, which would make things interesting despite their complex Robert Griffin situation.

Other notes from the eastern divisions on Monday night …

  • Colorado State quarterback Garrett Grayson will work out for the Jets a few days before the draft, notes Cimini on Twitter. Grayson projects anywhere from being the No. 3 quarterback in the top-heavy class to a mid-round pick.
  • Ereck Flowers‘ flight log will expand further in the Eastern Time Zone soon when the Miami tackle visits the Giants, according to a Flowers interview with Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com. The prospective first-round right tackle already visited or has meetings scheduled with the Browns, Panthers, Colts, Buccaneers and Jets.
  • Texas Southern’s Tray Walker worked out with the Patriots today and will visit the Rams on Tuesday, reports Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net on Twitter.
  • Washington will host Nebraska guard Jake Cotton on Friday and Washington Huskies edge defender Andrew Hudson this week, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun and NFL agent Brett Tessler, respectively (Twitter links).
  • Bills offensive coordinator Greg Roman told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk each of the roster’s four quarterbacks — EJ Manuel, Matt Cassel, Jeff Tuel and Tyrod Taylor — will receive first-team reps as they vie for the job. Although Cassel and Manuel are the frontrunners here, Florio notes Taylor, signed from the Ravens this offseason, is the only QB Rex Ryan‘s openly praised thus far.
  • The Eagles‘ infatuation with Oregon talents continues, kind of. According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter), the Eagles are categorizing Southeastern Louisiana signal-caller Bryan Bennett as a safety. Bennett played under Kelly at Oregon but transferred from Eugene when he lost a position battle with Mariota.

North Notes: Bears, Perriman, Draft, Peterson

April 13th, 2015 at 4:31pm CST by Dallas Robinson

As the Bears search for Brandon Marshall‘s replacement at receiver, they’ve brought in one of the top draft prospects at the position for a visit, meeting with UCF receiver Breshad Perriman today, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (Twitter link). Perriman, who posted a 4.25 40-time at his Pro Day, is fighting with Louisville’s Davante Parker to be the third receiver chosen behind Amari Cooper and Kevin White.

Let’s take a look at more from the NFL’s two North divisions:

  • The Steelers met with three prospects today, per Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (via Twitter), who says the club visited with Texas A&M tight end Cameron Clear, West Virginia guard Quinton Spain, and Auburn receiver Sammie Coates.
  • Having already brought in UAB return specialist J.J. Nelson for a visit, the Lions met with another special teamer/receiver — Utah’s Kaelin Clay — today, writes Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com.
  • Though Adrian Peterson was in Minneapolis over the weekend, he did not meet with any Vikings officials, according to Ben Goessling of ESPN.com.
  • Rob Housler‘s one-year, $1.76MM deal with the Browns contains $750K guaranteed, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.
  • Washington defensive end Andrew Hudson just wrapped a predraft visit with the Browns, per Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link), and he’ll meet with the Buccaneers next.

Draft Notes: Patriots, Browns, Titans

April 8th, 2015 at 9:20pm CST by Ben Levine

We’ve already passed along plenty of news pertaining to prospect workouts today, including those visiting the Buccaneers and Ravens. There have been some additional rookie visits reported throughout the evening, and you can find that information below…

  • Following his meeting with the Buccaneers, Marcus Mariota is in Tennessee to presumably meet with the Titans this evening, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). The reporter adds that the quarterback is set to meet with the Chargers a week from tonight.
  • Samford safety Jaquiski Tartt worked out for the Patriots today at South Alabama, sources tell Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (Twitter link). Tartt is considered a probable mid-round pick.
  • Defensive end/linebacker Andrew Hudson has scheduled a visit with the Browns, reports agent Brett Tessler (via Twitter). We learned earlier this evening that the former Washington Husky was also meeting with the Buccaneers.
  • Louisville outside linebacker Deiontrez Mount is set to meet with the Titans on Thursday and Friday, according to Terry McCormick of 247sports.com. As the writer notes, Mount was a versatile member of the Cardinals defense, playing outside linebacker, inside linebacker, defensive tackle and defensive end.
  • Miami offensive tackle Ereck Flowers will meet next week with the Browns, Panthers and Washington, according to Fox Sports’ Alex Marvez (on Twitter). There’s been speculation that Flowers could be the first tackle off the board during this year’s draft.

Buccaneers Notes: Mariota, Winston, Draft

April 8th, 2015 at 5:27pm CST by Ben Levine

The Buccaneers have been busy the past couple of days, as they traveled to Oregon on Tuesday to work out quarterback Marcus Mariota before flying to Tallahassee, Florida to meet with Jameis Winston this afternoon. Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole provided some insight into the organization’s thinking, and he suggests an explanation for why the team may ultimately pass on Winston for Mariota:

“What the Buccaneers are attempting to do in this situation is to get as close a live look as they possibly can… to make sure that they have it as fresh in their minds what these two players look like, how they handle themselves, [and] how they conduct themselves. While the Buccaneers are still overwhelmingly expected to take Jameis Winston with the number one overall pick, there is some thinking and consideration about Marcus Mariota, and ultimately, whether off-field issues regarding Winston will eventually push the Buccaneers to take Mariota instead of Winston.”

Let’s take a look at some more draft notes out of Tampa…

  • Albert Breer of the NFL Network believes there’s a sense of support for Mariota within the Buccaneers organization (Twitter link).
  • Defensive end/linebacker Nate Orchard will meet with the Buccaneers, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). The former Utah standout, who recorded 18.5 sacks this past season, previously met with the Bills and Steelers.
  • Defensive end Andrew Hudson will also meet with the Bucs, according to Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter). The former Washington Husky recorded 12.5 sacks as a senior.