Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Bills' departures outshine additions on Day 1 of FA

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

General manager Doug Whaley said earlier this week the Buffalo Bills would not be making any "big splash" moves during the free agency period.

If Day 1 is any indication, he wasn't kidding.

Buffalo was relatively quiet on the acquisition front following the official start to the season Tuesday, though the same can't be said for the team's departures. The team saw three-time Pro Bowler Jairus Byrd bail to New Orleans on a six-year deal, and Whaley canned backup quarterback Kevin Kolb after he spent all of last season on Injured Reserve.

Whaley re-signed his veteran kicker, Dan Carpenter, as well as tight end Mike Caussin. He also set up a visit with prospective cornerback Nolan Carroll, who spent the last two years with division rival the Miami Dolphins.

Carroll is expected to arrive in Buffalo Tuesday night, with an official visit set up for Wednesday, according to Tim Graham of the Buffalo News. Carroll struggled in coverage at times for the Dolphins last season but still managed to hold receivers to a 47.8 reception percentage, according to ProFootballFocus. He tallied three interceptions and 12 pass defended, along with two sacks, in a little more than 800 snaps.

The Bills have little depth at cornerback behind former No. 1 pick Stephon Gilmore, who struggled for much of last season after dealing with a broken wrist. Leodis McKelvin stepped up and was stellar in coverage as a full-time starter, though the team's bench beyond their starting duo was largely disappointing.

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