Could Bills Land Tony Romo?
Where will Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo wind up this offseason? The Broncos, Jets, and Bears would be the most obvious fits for the Cowboys quarterback, NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal opines. Beyond those teams, the Cardinals could be a possibility if Carson Palmer retires. Meanwhile, the Bills and Texans represent “longshot” landing spots for the veteran. Buffalo already has a QB in Tyrod Taylor, but his contract gives them an out if they see Romo as the better option to win right now. In Houston, Brock Osweiler could use another QB to push him, but they’d probably look to a younger player.
Bills Paying Logan Thomas Significant Bonus
This week, Logan Thomas made a position change when he signed with the Lions’ practice squad as a tight end. Soon after, the Bills stole the former Virginia Tech quarterback by signing him to the active roster. It initially seemed like Buffalo was making a low-risk move, but it turns out they have some skin in the game. The Bills gave Thomas a $75K signing bonus and guaranteed $120K of his $680K base salary, a source tells ESPN.com’s Field Yates (Twitter link). 
Thomas’ willingness even consider the tight end position is a recent development. Several teams mentioned a position switch to him prior to the 2014 NFL draft, Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com writes, but Thomas made it clear he had no interest in playing anything but QB. After a few unsuccessful stops as a QB and watching Terrelle Pryor succeed as a receiver, Thomas reconsidered things. With a big body and solid athleticism for a player of his size, the potential is there for Thomas to be a difference maker at TE. Still, one personnel man tells Mortensen that he’s not sold just yet.
“He’ll have to totally buy in like Pryor, but tight end is an even bigger challenge for a former quarterback than switching [to] receiver, or running back, or safety,” the official said. “When you look at him physically, he is big, strong and has the ability to move, but can he run those routes, get separation, master the assignments that are demanded at tight end, as well as put his hand on the ground and be willing to block somebody? It’s not simple.”
There is some history of quarterbacks converting to tight end and finding success, such as Redskins star Jordan Reed. However, Reed made the position switch while in college. Thomas is going to try to make that change at the professional level and he’ll need the right coaching and guidance to make it work.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/1/16
Thursday’s practice squad changes:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: S Shamiel Gary
- Placed on practice squad/injured list: S Joe Powell
Green Bay Packers
- Cut: WR Dez Stewart (Twitter link via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com)
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: DL Demetrius Cherry, TE Ryan O’Malley
Bills Notes: Henderson, Watkins, Lewis
Bills head coach Rex Ryan says he told offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson that while the club supports him, every player must abide with the rules of the NFL, tweets Mike Rodak of ESPN.com. Henderson, of course, was handed a 10-game suspension earlier this week following a second positive test for marijuana. Ryan, though, calls Henderson a “unique circumstance” given that he may have been using marijuana to treat his Crohn’s disease. Given Ryan’s supportive words and Henderson’s cheap salary for 2017, it’s a good bet that he’ll return to the team next year despite his latest setback.
Here’s more from Buffalo:
- Ryan also told the media that wide receiver Dezmin Lewis, activated from the practice squad this week, “has to poop or get off the pot,” (Twitter link via Rodak). Lewis, a seventh round pick in 2015, has shown flashes of ability but has yet to truly break out. Reading between the lines, Rodak feels that Buffalo is giving him one last shot to get it all together. If he doesn’t, he could be dropped from the Bills’ 53-man roster and left without an invitation to join their practice squad.
- Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins did not practice today because of his ailing foot, as Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News tweets. Watkins, who returned on Sunday to post three receptions for 80 yards, was expected to be limited during the workout, but him not practicing at all could be an indication that his status for this weekend is in doubt.
- Earlier today, the Bills signed offensive lineman Isame Faciame to their practice squad.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/30/16
Today’s practice squad moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: G Isame Faciane
Detroit Lions
- Signed: LB Brandon Chubb
New York Giants
- Signed: S Christian Bryant
New York Jets
- Signed: T Donald Hawkins
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: RB Kelvin Taylor
Washington Redskins
- Signed: DL Trevon Coley
Bills Sign Logan Thomas Off Lions P-Squad
Yesterday, the Lions signed quarterback Logan Thomas with the idea that they would convert him to a tight end. Today, the Bills decided to swoop in and sign him to the 53-man roster. By rule, the Bills will be required to carry Thomas on their 53-man roster for the next three weeks. 
The Thomas deal is one of many moves for Buffalo today. The team has also promoted wide receiver Dezmin Lewis and defensive lineman Deandre Coleman to the active roster. Wide receiver Walt Powell and defensive lineman Corbin Bryant will head to injured reserve.
Thomas, a former quarterback for Virginia Tech, was a draft pick of the Cardinals in 2014. Since entering the league, he has only appeared in a couple of games as a QB. After his most recent stint with the Giants ended, Thomas decided on pitching himself as a tight end. Always known for his athleticism, Thomas aims to put his big body to use at a new position. The Bills are hoping that they have found the next Terrelle Pryor – a QB turned pass-catcher – in Thomas.
Bills’ Henderson Handed 10-Game Suspension
Seantrel Henderson‘s season is over. The offensive lineman has been hit with a ten-game ban, the team announced. 
Henderson violated the NFL’s Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse. He appealed the decision, but it appears that his bid to 86 the suspension was denied. Henderson has been treating his Crohn’s disease with marijuana and he likely appealed on the basis that he was using the drug as medication, not for recreational purposes. There has been a movement to allow marijuana use for NFL players, but the rules will not change until the offseason, at the earliest. Any changes to the drug policy must be made through the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, of course, that must be hammered out between the league and the NFLPA.
Henderson already served a four-game suspension at the start of this season for a similar violation. Now entrenched in the program, Henderson is subject to additional tests and increased penalties when he fails. Therefore, the newest ban will span ten games, ruling him out for the remainder of the 2016 regular season and possibly bleeding into 2017.
Henderson remains under club control for the 2017 season, the last year of his rookie contract. He will count just over $700K against the cap, so there is a good chance Buffalo will keep him around.
NFL Teams Showing Interest In Rugby Stars
Last year, rugby star Jarryd Hayne signed with the 49ers and tried his hand at the NFL. His stay in the league was short, but there are now a pair of rugby standouts that are hoping to follow his footsteps. Australian Rugby League players Valentine Holmes and Jason Taumalolo tried out for teams on Saturday, as Howard Balzer of BalzerFootball.com tweets.
The Bills, Bears, Browns, Packers, Colts, Jaguars, Chiefs, Rams, Jets, Eagles, Chargers, Seahawks, Cardinals, and the 49ers were all in attendance for the workout (Twitter link). Taumalolo, 23, and Holmes, 21, ran passing routes, underwent speed and agility tests, and ran the 40-yard dash, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. Taumalolo hears that he could project to fullback, tight end, or linebacker while Holmes was pegged as a wide receiver or safety.
At least four NFL teams expressed interest in taking a second look at the duo, the Australian Associated Press reports. Scouts from the Packers, Eagles, Jets, Chiefs and Cardinals appeared to be the most interested. The AAP writes that both players intend on fulfilling their NRL contracts for 2017, but one has to imagine that they could change their minds if presented with an NFL offer.
Seantrel Henderson Faces 10-Game Ban
We heard several days ago that Bills offensive lineman Seantrel Henderson was facing another suspension, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports today that Henderson is looking at a 10-game ban for violating the NFL’s Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse. Henderson is appealing the ruling, and the appeal will be resolved sometime this week. If he is unsuccessful, he has not ruled out litigation to get back on the field.
Henderson’s battles with Crohn’s disease represent something of a microcosm of the league-wide dilemma concerning medical marijuana use. The 24-year-old Miami product uses marijuana to deal with the pain resulting from the illness and two intestinal surgeries, and one of Rapoport’s sources has said that Henderson “needs cannabis. You can’t take pain killers with the way his intestines are.”
Henderson already served a four-game suspension at the start of this season for a similar violation. Although his marijuana use dates back to his collegiate days, he insists he now utilizes marijuana only to treat his disease. But until the NFL softens its stance on marijuana, it appears as if Henderson will be stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Henderson has played in only one game this year after starting in all 26 appearances during his first two seasons, including 16 as a rookie. Thanks in part to his health issues, Henderson lost the Bills’ No. 1 right tackle job to Jordan Mills. However, his upside remains considerable, and as Rapoport writes, Henderson was a topic of trade discussions right before this year’s deadline. Teams like as the Vikings and Seahawks needed tackles, and Henderson was the top starter-quality player available at his position. Opposing clubs, though, were unable to meet the Bills’ asking price, and Buffalo opted to hold onto its embattled swing tackle.
Henderson remains under club control for the 2017 season, the last year of his rookie contract. He will count just over $700K against the cap, so there is a good chance Buffalo will keep him around even if the suspension stands.
Bills Activate Sammy Watkins
He’s back. Mike Garafolo of NFL.com reports (via Twitter) that the Bills have activated wideout Sammy Watkins from the injured reserve. ESPN’s Mike Rodak reports that Watkins is expected to play Sunday against the Jaguars. Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News tweets that the team has also released tight end Gerald Christian and placed safety Robert Blanton on the injured reserve. Finally, the Bills have also signed kickoff specialist Jordan Gay.
Watkins hasn’t played since Week 2 as he recovered from a lingering foot ailment, and he was placed on the injured reserve in late September. The wideout has been dealing with the foot injury since last May, when he had a screw inserted following a minor fracture. The 23-year-old struggled in his two games this season, hauling in only six catches for 63 yards. Of course, there’s no denying the talent of the former first-rounder, as Watkins finished the 2015 season with 60 catches for 1,047 yards and nine touchdowns in only 13 games.
The Bills could certainly use some help at receiver, especially with Robert Woods listed as doubtful for this weekend’s game. The Bills rank dead last in receiving yards this season, and while that could partly be attributed to quarterback Tyrod Taylor, the team’s lack of big-play wideouts have certainly limited the offense’s potential.
The team will be welcoming back an offensive weapon, but they’ll be losing some depth on defense. Blanton has played in 10 games this season (two starts), compiling 35 tackles. The 27-year-old injured his foot during last week’s game against the Bengals. Blanton will join fellow Bills safeties Colt Anderson and Aaron Williams on the injured reserve.
Christian, the Mr.Irrelevent of the 2015 draft, made two appearances for the Bills this season. The team signed the 25-year-old to their practice squad during the offseason, and he was promoted to the active roster in early October. Christian has already been released by the Bills once this season, and he subsequently landed on the team’s practice squad. Therefore, it’s easy to assume that the tight end will probably end up sticking with the organization.
Gay served as the Bills kickoff specialist during the 2014 and 2015 season, and he was let go by the team in late September. Dan Carpenter will presumably continue with field goal and extra point opportunities, with Gay strictly contributing during kickoffs.