New England Patriots AFC East Offseason Analysis: Buffalo Bills

Nov 2, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins tight end Charles Clay (42) makes the touchdown catch in the first half against the San Diego Chargers at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

Two other moves included signing wide receiver Percy Harvin and spending a boatload of money on prying tight end Charles Clay from the Dolphins. Clay was an average player when playing with an above-average quarterback and now will have Cassel or Manuel wobbling passes his way .The Bills had an above-average tight end on a reasonable contract in Scott Chandler but cut him and then overcompensated by putting together a ridiculous offer sheet (five years for $38 million with $20 million guaranteed) for Clay. How do the Bills reconcile a midrange talent Rob Gronkowski, Julius Thomas and Jimmy Graham money?

Signing Percy Harvin was another puzzling move with the production of Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods already in place and an offensive coordinator in Greg Roman who has already been handed a script from coach Rex Ryan for a heavy dose of “ground and pound”. The Bills had much more pressing needs along their weak offensive line, but like in New York Ryan again goes with a potentially volatile skill position player over a competent blocker.

On defense the Bills paid a huge contract to keep outside linebacker/defensive end Jerry Hughes. Hughes is a productive pass rusher who has been underpaid the past few season but he does not even start in the Bills’ base defense. He is basically a sub-rushing end (or outside linebacker in Ryan’s defense) and he is getting $9 million per season.

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