BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -High-priced left guard Derrick Dockery and veteran tight end Robert Royal were released by the Buffalo Bills on Thursday as the team cleared salary cap space to prepare for free agency.
The moves came a day before the start of NFL free agency and are an indication that the Bills plan to be active in revamping their roster after three consecutive 7-9 finishes. Releasing Dockery and Royal frees up a total of about $8 million in salary cap space for the Bills, who have missed the playoffs for nine consecutive years, the worst streak in franchise history.
em the best of luck in the future.”
The Bills retained four players who would’ve become free agents: Fullback Corey McIntyre, who agreed to a two-year contract; offensive lineman Kirk Chambers, who agreed to a multiyear deal; third-string quarterback Gibran Hamdan; and backup defensive back Dustin Fox.
The Bills also retained the rights to running back Fred Jackson, who provided Buffalo’s ground game a one-two punch behind starter Marshawn Lynch, versatile safety George Wilson and linebacker Keith Ellison. All three were tendered contract offers.
The team’s top priorities in free agency are now addressing its offensive line to replace Dockery as well as finding a starting center. Duke Preston, who took over the starting center job last season, and backup Melvin Fowler are both eligible to become free agents.
Another need is a backup quarterback to replace J.P. Losman, who was not re-signed after completing the final year of his contract.
Dockery’s agent, Todd France, said he was informed by the Bills that they wanted to go in a different direction. He added that Dockery didn’t fit the offensive line scheme under assistant Sean Kugler, who took over last year after Jim McNally retired.
ned him to a seven-year $49 million deal on the first day of free agency in March 2007 as part of major offensive line overhaul, which included the addition of right tackle Langston Walker.
Listed at 6-foot-6 and 335 pounds, Dockery started all 32 games in Buffalo and was part of one of the NFL’s largest offensive lines in terms of height and weight. But the line struggled last season, allowing 38 sacks, 12 more than the previous team, and the offense finished 25th in the NFL in total yards.
Dockery was expected to be the Bills’ stalwart at left guard after the team went through eight changes at the position after Pro Bowler Ruben Brown was released following the 2003 season.
Royal completed his seventh NFL season, and was released after spending three years with the Bills. He was scheduled to make just under $3 million over the final two years of his contract.
Despite being nagged by injuries last season, the seven-year NFL veteran finished with career-highs in catches (33) and yards receiving (351) and scored one touchdown in 15 games, including seven starts.
The Bills are also expected to lose starting cornerback Jabari Greer to free agency. The Bills had talks to re-sign Greer this past month, but a deal had not been reached by Thursday evening.
ast season with a knee injury, is also expected to test the free agent market.
The Bills hosted two free agents on Thursday, former Jacksonville cornerback Drayton Florence and former Denver linebacker Jamie Winborn. Earlier this week, former Jacksonville running back Fred Taylor and former New England receiver Kelley Washington visited.
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