Marcell Dareus Facing Four-Game Suspension
Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus is facing a four-game suspension for another violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy, league sources tell ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). Dareus still could appeal his four-game ban, but if it sticks, it will be another big blow to the Bills’ D. 
The suspension stems from Dareus’ alleged use of marijuana, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com hears (on Twitter). Today’s news could have lasting implications beyond the first four games of the season as it could void some of Dareus’ guaranteed money.
A defensive tackle under old head coach Doug Marrone, the Bills signed Dareus to an extension last year, locking him into the nose tackle spot in Rex Ryan‘s 3-4 scheme. Interior defensive linemen typically don’t post huge sack numbers, but Dareus did an impressive job getting after the quarterback in his first four seasons, recording 28.5 career sacks, including 10 in 2014, a total that matched teammate Jerry Hughes‘ output. Last year, that number declined as Dareus moved to nose tackle – he logged just 2.0 sacks. However, the Bills value his ability to stop the run at least as much as his ability to bring down the quarterback. Now, they’ll be without that run-stuffing power through the first month of the season.
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Bills To Release Leonard Hankerson
7:30pm: In addition to Hankerson, the Bills have released defensive tackle T.J. Barnes and signed defensive linemen Brandon Deaderick and Alameda Ta’amu, reports Mike Rodak of ESPN.com.
6:10pm: The Bills have released veteran wide receiver Leonard Hankerson, according to Rand Getlin of NFL.com (Twitter link).
[RELATED: Bills sign DE Kroy Biermann]
Hankerson, 27, first joined the Bills in late December after they claimed him off waivers from the Patriots. The veteran was only active for one game with the Bills, just as he was only active for one game with the Pats. Hankerson then re-signed with Buffalo on a one-year deal in March.
Prior to his forgettable walk through the AFC East in 2015, Hankerson appeared in eight games for Atlanta before being waived, compiling 26 catches for 327 yards and three touchdowns in that span. Hankerson will look for a rebound year in 2016 with an eye on replicating his production from 2012 with Washington when he caught 38 passes for 543 yards and three touchdowns.
The Bills signed Hankerson to a minimum salary benefit deal with no guaranteed money, so they won’t carry any dead money on their 2016 cap.
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Bills Sign Kroy Biermann
2:03pm: The Bills have formally announced the signing.
10:13am: Defensive end/outside linebacker Kroy Biermann is on his way to Buffalo to sign a one-year deal with the Bills, source tells ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter (on Twitter). 
[RELATED: Bills’ Reggie Ragland Done For Season]
Last season, Biermann was expected to be a contributor in the defense rolled out by new Atlanta coach Dan Quinn. However, Biermann wound up being relegated to a smaller role and made zero starts after starting in 15 contests the previous year. For the year, Biermann recorded 51 total tackles and 2.5 sacks. In total, Biermann was on the field for less than 50% of the team’s defensive snaps.
This offseason, the Lions looked at Biermann as a defensive end but ultimately decided against signing him. Biermann also visited the Bills in March and even though he did not sign a deal during that visit, he circled back to them today.
In 2014, the 30-year-old started a career-high 15 games for the Falcons, racking up 77 tackles and 4.5 sacks to go along with a forced fumble. The numbers showed that he was an above-average run defender and held his own as a pass rusher. Now, he’ll try to get back to that form in Buffalo.
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Bills’ Reggie Ragland Done For Season
SUNDAY, 8:15pm: Rand Getlin of the NFL Network tweets that Ragland is set to undergo surgery on Tuesday. The linebacker will have his ACL repaired at the The Andrews Institute in Gulf Breeze, Florida.
WEDNESDAY, 8:26am: Based on the initial tests, Bills linebacker Reggie Ragland is expected to land on IR after suffering a tear in his ACL, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Rapoport notes that Kiko Alonso had a similar injury and returned, but the odds are not in the rookie’s favor. The Bills have confirmed via press release that Ragland is expected to miss the 2016 season.
[RELATED: Bills, Tyrod Taylor Discussing Two-Year Deal]
Ragland will go under the knife later this week to fix his partially torn ACL, though it is believed that the knee has additional damage (link). Initially, there was some hope that Ragland might only have to miss 6-8 weeks (link), but doctors are now fearing the worst.
The Bills traded up in the second round this year to land Ragland, considered to be one of their top targets. Soon after the draft, Bills GM Doug Whaley boasted that Ragland would be one of three rookies in the team’s starting lineup to start the season. Unfortunately, Buffalo won’t see its top two picks on the field for a while.
“At least three,” Whaley said in May when asked how many of his rookies will be on the field in Week 1. “[First-round defensive end] Shaq Lawson is going to walk in off the bus starting. [Second-round linebacker] Reggie Ragland, and then [third-round defensive tackle] Adolphus Washington — all three of those guys will start right off the bus. And we’re excited for some guys from the fourth through sixth rounds that will contribute for us.”
The Bills have been bracing for bad news on Ragland, as evidenced by the signings of linebackers David Hawthorne and Brandon Spikes.
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IK Enemkpali Tears ACL, Out For Season
1:09pm: Enemkpali has indeed torn his ACL and will be out for the season, Rapoport tweets.
9:32am: The Bills’ defense received yet another blow yesterday, when outside linebacker IK Enemkpali suffered what head coach Rex Ryan called a “major injury” during Buffalo’s first preseason contest against the Colts (Twitter link via Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News). Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that Enemkpali likely tore his ACL and will be out for the season, though an impending MRI will be needed to confirm.
Enemkpali, of course, made headlines for all the wrong reasons last season as a member of the Jets, when he punched then-teammate Geno Smith in the face and broke his jaw, which prompted Gang Green to waive Enemkpali. The former sixth-round pick out of Louisiana Tech was immediately claimed by the Bills–Ryan, of course, was the Jets’ head coach when Enemkpali was drafted–and appeared in 11 games for Buffalo in 2015.
As Roster Resource shows, Enemkpali at least figured to be an important piece of the team’s OLB rotation, and may have even landed a starting gig to open the season. After all, Enemkpali did impress during spring workouts, and he garnered some reps with the first-team defense. Ryan indicated that the Bills could look to sign a free agent OLB to replace Enemkpali, as Mike Rodak of ESPN.com writes, though of course the pickings are pretty slim at this point in the year.
The news concerning Enemkpali is especially unwelcome in light of the Bills’ recent spate of injuries on the defensive side of the ball. Just a few days ago, the team learned that inside linebacker Reggie Ragland, this year’s second-round pick, would miss the entirety of his rookie season with a torn ACL, and that prized first-round selection Shaq Lawson would not be able to suit up until at least Week 6.
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Reactions To Tyrod Taylor’s Extension
Thanks primarily to subpar production from a slew of quarterbacks, the Bills are mired in an NFL-worst 16-year playoff drought. But they may have finally found a long-term solution under center in Tyrod Taylor, to whom they gave an extension that could run through the 2021 season and pay him up $92MM on Friday. In his first year as a starter last season, Joe Flacco‘s former backup in Baltimore emerged as a quality dual threat, combining for 24 touchdowns (20 passing, four rushing) against six interceptions. He also became the third signal-caller in league history to finish a season with a passer rating over 99 and an average of 40-plus yards rushing per game. While Taylor played under a bargain salary in 2015 and performed like someone worthy of a significant raise, he isn’t necessarily secure for the long haul in Buffalo. In fact, the way his deal is structured, Taylor will have to prove himself all over again this year.
Here are some reactions to the 27-year-old’s contract:
- In extending Taylor, the Bills raised his 2016 salary from $2MM to $9.5MM. That total represents all of the fully guaranteed money in his contract, and Andrew Brandt of The MMQB points out (on Twitter) that it’s $2.5MM less than the $12MM that career backup Chase Daniel received from the Eagles in free agency. Before signing with Philadelphia in March, the soon-to-be 30-year-old Daniel accrued 77 combined passing attempts in New Orleans and Kansas City, and he didn’t necessarily impress in that limited action. Taylor, meanwhile, picked up 380 attempts last year alone and succeeded.
- Considering the cost, the Bills were smart to lock up Taylor, opines Albert Breer of The MMQB (Twitter links). If Taylor falters this year, the Bills can easily move on having only thrown away $9.5MM. On the other hand, should Taylor duplicate his 2015 performance or improve on it, they’ll have a legitimate No. 1 for a below-market cost.
- If he remains in Buffalo through the 2017 campaign, Taylor will collect $37MM, which Tom Pelissero of USA Today notes is the same amount new Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler will rake in through next season. The key difference is that all $37MM of Osweiler’s money was guaranteed at signing, making the Taylor deal look even better for the Bills. In fairness to Houston, Osweiler’s four-year, $72MM payday came on the open market. Still, from a statistical standpoint, Taylor clearly outdid Osweiler in 2015.
- Taylor’s accord is unlikely to impact Redskins franchise-tagged quarterback Kirk Cousins, writes JP Finlay of CSN Mid-Atlantic. The two are vastly different players, for one, and Cousins, at $19.95MM, is already set to more than double Taylor’s salary this year. Both before and after tagging him, the Redskins reportedly offered Cousins $16MM per year and $24MM in guarantees on a long-term deal. While the former figure is in line with Taylor’s new average annual salary, the guaranteed sum is nearly three times higher than Taylor’s total. Nevertheless, it wasn’t enough for Cousins, whom the Redskins failed to sign to a multiyear deal by the July 15 deadline for franchise-tagged players. Like Taylor, he’ll once again try to prove himself this season.
Bills Sign Tyrod Taylor To Extension
4:29pm: Taylor’s deal includes a $15.5MM bonus due next March, tweets Breer, who adds that it features base salaries of $12MM in 2017 and $13MM in 2018. That would give Taylor $50MM over the first three years of the contract and a chance for $42MM more during the latter three.
Tom Pelissero of USA Today offers more details (Twitter link), reporting that Taylor’s $27.5MM for 2017 is guaranteed for injury at signing. Further, Taylor’s $13MM salary for 2018 will become fully guaranteed that March. There are no guarantees beyond 2018 in the pact.
3:11pm: Taylor will make $9.5MM in 2016, then the Bills have a team option, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. If they pick it up, he gets $27.5MM in 2017 and the extension begins.
2:13pm: In a since deleted tweet, Taylor’s agent wrote that the deal is a five-year extension with a $92MM base that could reach up to $115MM though incentives (relayed by Albert Breer of The MMQB on Twitter).
Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter) hears the Bills have a $10MM buyout option after the first year and another out after the second year.
1:33pm: Taylor’s 2016 season is fully guaranteed, but after that there is a lot of “prove-it” in the deal, Rapoport tweets.
1:00pm: The deal can be $90MM if Taylor is retained for the full six years, according to Tim Graham of The Buffalo News (on Twitter). Theoretically, incentives could also push total compensation higher than $90MM. The deal, if fully maxed out, could be worth more than $100MM, per Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post (on Twitter).
12:51pm: Taylor’s Bills deal gives him $15MM/year,, Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News tweets. It’s a six-year deal which gives the Bills cap relief, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) adds. However, the deal will have some flexibility for Buffalo after two years.
The early word on this deal indicates that the two sides have landed somewhere in between their earlier “bridge deal” talks and a desire to remain together in the long term.
12:29pm: The Bills announced that they have signed quarterback Tyrod Taylor to a multi-year extension. Terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed. 
Starting for the first time in his career, Taylor proved himself to be a dynamic playmaker last year, throwing for 3,035 yards and 20 touchdowns in 14 games, completing 63.7% of his passes and tossing just six interceptions. He also provided plenty of value with his legs, rushing for 568 yards and four TDs. Taylor is just the third quarterback in NFL history to finish a season with a passer rating over 99 and over 40 yards rushing per game.
At one point, the Bills and Taylor were reportedly discussing a two-year “bridge” deal that would have afforded the Bills some protection if Taylor faltered. However, the negotiations changed course in recent days with the team suddenly willing to make more of a commitment to their QB.
The Bills have watched Taylor go from intriguing backup to bonafide starter in no time. In a press release, Bills offensive coordinator Greg Roman credited Taylor for busting his behind in order to elevate himself to the next level.
“In order to take those steps it has to come from the player,” said Roman. “The player has to embrace the challenge of self-examination, self-awareness. He has done that A-plus, plus. I couldn’t be happier with his commitment to that process. He’s improving in every aspect of his game. I’m very happy with how he approaches his job.”
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Bills, Taylor Discussing Longer Extension?
It appears that the Bills and Tyrod Taylor are no longer discussing a two-year “bridge” deal. Instead, Buffalo is looking to keep their quarterback for the long haul. The deal being worked on between the two sides could be as long as six years, according to Tim Graham of The Buffalo News (on Twitter). He adds that the Bills are “all-in” on their young signal caller and refers to the proposal as the “upcoming” Taylor deal, which implies that an agreement could be right on the horizon. 
[RELATED: Bills’ Shaq Lawson To Return In October]
Earlier this month it was reported that the Bills were talking about an extension that would tack on $35MM to Taylor’s contract, keeping him in place through the 2018 season. With a shorter resume than most standout quarterbacks, the Bills ostensibly wanted to see Taylor prove himself some more before giving him a long-term pact with significant guaranteed cash. For one reason or another, it seems that the Bills have had a change of heart and they are presumably offering enough money to make Taylor consider signing.
The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder emerged as a high-end dual threat during his 14 starts, finishing top seven among QBs in yards per attempt (7.99) and passer rating (99.4) in 2015. He also completed 63.7 of his throws and accounted for 24 touchdowns (20 passing, four rushing) against a paltry six interceptions. Further, Taylor led all QBs in yards per carry (5.5) and trailed only MVP Cam Newton in rushing yards (568).
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Bills Release Kevin Reddick
- The Bills announced the release of linebacker Kevin Reddick from the reserve/injured list with an injury settlement.
Bills Sources Believe Whaley Should Be Blamed More For Picks' Injuries
As another Bills draft comes under scrutiny in light of Reggie Ragland‘s ACL tear following the season-altering shoulder surgery that Shaq Lawson underwent, Doug Whaley‘s beginning to draw some ire from within the organization. Many inside the franchise are wondering why the recently extended GM has not taken more of the blame for drafting high-risk players, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link).
With five of the past eight Bills first- or second-round picks over the past four years set to miss or having already missed extensive time, the aforementioned anonymous sources believe the fourth-year GM should be held more accountable for what’s happened.
Sammy Watkins, whom the Bills of course traded their 2015 first-rounder to acquire, and current Dolphin Kiko Alonso are among the others who have been injured in this span. Whaley’s initial draft pick, EJ Manuel, has failed to live up to expectations after being the only quarterback selected in the 2013 first round.
- Whaley declared Lawson, Ragland and third-rounder Adolphus Washington would all start “off the bus” in Rex Ryan‘s defense after the draft. Now, Washington is the only one looking ready to live up to that billing, Mike Rodak of ESPN.com writes. IK Enemkpali could now start on the edge in Lawson’s stead after Manny Lawson sustained an injury weightlifting this summer and remains on the Active/PUP list. Although the Bills signed Brandon Spikes and David Hawthorne in the wake of Ragland’s injury, free agent acquisition Zach Brown is expected to step in and start, Joe Buscaglia of WKBW.com writes.