Bills Introduce Variable Pricing: The Bills announced they will have a new variable ticket pricing formula. According to the team's website, the new ticket model will include a tiered-pricing system for preseason and regular season games. Season tickets will list different prices for the home games based on the variable tiers. Russ Brandon said, "The goal of variable pricing is to create a pricing structure that best reflects the market demand for all games." Season ticket holders will continue to see discounts over individual game tickets but they will see their first price increase since 2010. The new structure will likely make less desirable late season games cheaper.
Bills Sign Free Agents:. The Bills locked up their exclusive rights free agents by tendering Chris Hogan, Antoine McClain, and Frank Summers while re-signing Brandon Smith. Doug Whaley said on Monday they would tender the players to keep them in Bills uniforms. Front Office Page.
Bills Host LB: The Bills are hosting a free agent for the second straight day as LB Jasper Brinkley is visiting today. The former Cardinal was released on Monday as part of a salary cap purge. He was a fifth round pick of the Vikings in 2009. He had 99 tackles and three forced fumbles as Minnesota's middle linebacker in 2012. The Bills appear to be looking for a veteran guy in the middle so they can move Kiko Alonso to the outside.
Wednesday March 5, 2014
Williams Gets Contract Extension: The Bills announced today they have given Aaron Williams a contract extension. Reports say the deal is for 4 years, $26M (with incentives) and $14.625M guaranteed. There is reportedly a $6.5M signing bonus with a $4.5M option. He was due to become a free agent after this season. Many feel it doesn't pay to have two high priced safeties so this may be an indication they don't expect Jairus Byrd to re-sign with the team.
No Front Office Issues: Russ Brandon said on WGR this morning that the collaboration of everyone in the organization is crystal clear and has never been clearer. He said Doug Whaley has total say on the 53 man roster and the value placed on each player. Jim Overdorf does the negotiations but takes his cues from Whaley. Brandon said every team has a chief neogtiatior. On free agency, Brandon said they have a master plan and will be active. He said they will also be looking to negotiate new contracts for some players nearing the end of their deals and they are continuing to talk to Byrd.
No Toronto Game In 2014: The Bills have announed that there will be no game in Toronto this year as they are taking a one year hiatus as all eight home games in 2014 will be at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Russ Brandon released a statement along with Rogers Media President Keith Pelley that stated in part, "The Buffalo Bills and Rogers are committed to delivering a first-class NFL experience to Canadians. As such, we have postponed for one year the scheduled 2014 regular season game at Rogers Centre in Toronto, and that game will return to Ralph Wilson Stadium. We will use this time to collectively evaluate opportunities and build on the foundation to enhance future games." Brandon said on WGR that they will go through a lengthy review before deciding on if the hiatus will be tacked on to the end of the deal or if the series will continue. He acknowledged last year's loss to Atlanta was a setback. The Buffalo News reports that Russ Brandon and Doug Marrone had to convince others in the organization to take the break as Ralph Wilson appeared committed to the series.
Free Agent Visit? The Baltimore Sun is reporting that weakside linebacker Jameel McClain will visit with the Bills on Wednesday. He was released last week by the Ravens and this will be the first of a few free agent visits. He started 10 games last year after coming off the physically unable to perform list. He has recovered from a spinal cord contusion in the 2012 season. For his career he has 338 tackles, 4.5 sacks, an interception and nine pass deflections.
Tuesday March 4, 2014
Byrd Leaves Door Open: Jairus Byrd did a media blitz today on ESPN including a chat session and several interviews. He said he's excited for free agency but has not closed the door on possibly re-signing with the Bills. He said the lines of communication remain open and each side knows where they stand. He added there is no bad blood and everything has been professional and pleasant. He said he spoke to Russ Brandon and Doug Whaley a couple of days ago. He also said don't believe everything you hear when asked about the reported $30 Million in the first three years of a supposed offer by the Bills.
Monday March 3, 2014
Bills Release LB: The Bills released LB Willie Jefferson. He had signed a futures contract on January 16th. He did not seem to be a fit for Jim Schwartz's defense. Doug Whaley also said today that they will tender all their exclusive rights free agents. That means Chris Hogan, Antoine McClain, and Frank Summers will remain with the Bills. Front Office Page.
No Tag Used: Doug Whaley announced that the Bills decided did not use the franchise tag on Jairus Byrd or anyone else. It seems almost certain that the two sides will now part ways but Whaley did say they remain open to getting a deal done with Jairus. This close to the open market it is hard to believe Byrd will forgo free agency and sign with the Bills. All unrestricted free agents will be able to begin negotiating with other teams on Saturday and sign deals with other teams next Tuesday when free agency officially opens.
Tag Day: The Bills have until 4pm to decide whether or not to use their franchise tag. All reports over the weekend say they will not use it on Jairus Byrd. That likely means they will keep the tag in their pocket although it wouldn't be totally shocking for them to use it on Dan Carpenter as kickers tag prices are relatively low.
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