Jerry Hughes slapped with $31K in fines for penalties

Buffalo Bills defensive lineman Jerry Hughes will be writing a decent-sized check to the NFL.

The league fined Hughes this week to the tune of more than $31,000 for a pair of penalties in last weekend's loss to the New York Giants, according to ESPN.com:

Hughes was fined $23,152 for abusive language toward an official, which drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty late in the game. He was also fined $8,681 for an unnecessary roughness penalty in which the NFL said he head-butted an opponent.

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Hughes sticks with Buffalo, inks five-year extension

Jerry Hughes has been a big part of the Buffalo Bills' pass rush since joining the team two seasons ago. Monday, the team showed how big a part, signing the 26-year-old to a five-year deal.

The contract, worth $45 million with $22 million guaranteed, helps to secure Buffalo's defensive front as one of the most formidable in the league. Hughes tallied 9.5 of the team's 54 sacks last season and has had nearly 20 in his two years with the team.

The former TCU standout, who spoke to reporters following the announcement, is looking forward to improving on last year's near playoff run.

"We finished 9-7 and we have a lot of unfinished business," he said via buffalobills.com. "With that being said, I wanted to come back with these guys so we could take care of that and get that accomplished. 

"We had a pretty good year last year, but as the year finished up we all sat in our room and we came to the conclusion that we can do better."

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Jerry Hughes finds his way back on field in big way

BY NICK ST. DENIS

A week ago, Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes got extensive work as a benchwarmer following a second-quarter unsportsmanlike conduct flag against the Denver Broncos.

In that game, defensive line coach Pepper Johnson decided to cut heavily into Hughes' playing time after the penalty.

This past Sunday, however, Hughes was thrust back into action.

Hughes: Bills look to keep Harvin in front of them

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Percy Harvin will take the field Sunday for the first time since joining the New York Jets via a trade last week.

Gang Green fans aren't quite sure how exactly the former Seattle Seahawks wideout will be utilized against the Buffalo Bills, and neither are the Bills.

One thing is certain, however: the Bills' defense will be highly attentive when Harvin lines up.

Marrone not ready to give up on troublemaker Dareus

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus told reporters last week that he "wasn't a trouble guy" following a felony arrest that started after being pulled over for speeding in Alabama a month ago.

Apparently his definition of trouble is different than ours.

Two days after making those comments, Dareus was involved in another speeding-related incident -- this time crashing his car into a tree during an apparent drag race in Hamburg, according to the Buffalo News. He was charged Friday with three misdemeanors and other traffic violations and appeared in court Monday for those charges; he was released on his own recognizance.

Bills' top edge gig opposite Mario up for grabs

BY NICK ST. DENIS

The Buffalo Bills announced the release of defensive end Mark Anderson Tuesday, 16 months after signing the former New England Patriot to a four-year deal worth more than $20 million.

Anderson's first and only season with Buffalo was underwhelming due to injury issues that limited him to six games. He didn't do much in those six games.

Now, as Chris Brown of BuffaloBills.com notes, the battle for the top edge rusher job opposite Mario Williams -- which is of the DE/OLB hybrid variety in new coordinator Mike Pettine's system -- is down to a pair of new Bills in free agent pickups Manny Lawson and Jerry Hughes. Add newcomer defensive end Jamie Blatnick to the mix.

Bills ship Sheppard, ink Rogers among roster moves

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

The Buffalo Bills' 222nd pick in last weekend's NFL Draft was far from their last roster move.

General manager Buddy Nix and his crew have been busy the past 48 hours, snatching up more than a dozen undrafted prospects and cutting four off the roster. That's not counting a little switcheroo at linebacker. (photo: Tennessee Journalist, Flickr)

Buffalo struck a trade with the Indianapolis Colts Monday, sending Kelvin Sheppard off for 24-year-old Jerry Hughes.