Tag: ej. gaines

Cornerback is Bills’ ‘red flag’ says B/R

Bleacher Report says there’s concern in the Buffalo Bills’ cornerback room behind Tre’Davious White. 

Bleacher Report says there’s concern in the Bills’ cornerback room behind Tre’Davious White.

Pegging every NFL team’s “red flag” as the 2020 NFL Draft approaches, B/R named that area as the draft spot for the Bills:

The Bills have one of the best corners in the NFL in Tre’Davious White. Free-agent addition Josh Norman was once thought of in the same terms. But the cold, hard reality is that Norman is 32 years old, was brought in on a one-year deal and was abjectly awful in 2019 in Washington.

At the very least, the Bills could stand to add depth at the position. At most, the team needs to be prepared for the possibility that Norman is not the player he used to be.

There’s good news and bad news here for the Bills. B/R might be right on Josh Norman, still, there’s actually plenty of depth here for Buffalo. EJ Gaines was added this offseason as well to a group that also has Levi Wallace. The Bills have three cornerbacks already vying for their No. 2 spot behind White. Buffalo could still add only with one of their seven picks at the upcoming draft, but by no means is cornerback a glaring need for the club.

Truthfully, having cornerback named here is a good sign for the Bills. If this is their biggest need? Well, that means a lot of other holes are filled. Also for consideration here could be another running back or tight end.

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Brandon Beane says Bills’ Josh Norman has ‘something to prove’

On a video call Brandon Beane talks about the addition of Josh Norman and says he has something to prove.

The Buffalo Bills first free agency move this offseason was to sign cornerback Josh Norman to a one-year, $6 million deal. The contract raised some eyebrows across the NFL landscape due to Norman’s age, 32, and his play with the Washington Redskins the past two seasons.

Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane justified the acquisition while talking to reporters on Thursday via video call. While slightly admitting there might be some understandable questions, Beane said Norman has a bit of a chip on his shoulder.

“We don’t think the system Josh Norman played in Washington played to his strengths… he’ll bring an edge to our defense and I think he’s got something to prove,” Beane said.

Norman has a connection to both Beane and head coach Sean McDermott, with Norman being a 2012 fifth-round selection during their time in Carolina together. His best years came when McDermott was his defensive coordinator, tallying seven interceptions over four seasons together. In 2015, Norman rose to All-Pro status, earning those honors, but it ushered in his exit from the Panthers. In a strange twist rarely seen, Carolina franchise tagged him and when a long-term deal couldn’t be reached, the Panthers opted to remove the tag, making Norman a free agent. He went onto the Redskins where he started well, but his play in recent seasons fell off.

Because of that, the Bills will hope Norman may see a resurgence in his career under his old defensive coordinator. Giving the likes of Levi Wallace and EJ Gaines, there’s extra competition to play opposite star cornerback Tre’Davious White. Buffalo’s No. 2 cornerback position will likely be up for grabs, even with those others, the Bills might hope that helps Norman.

With his previous two spots, Norman was relied upon as the top cornerback. With the Bills, that’s going to be White. Less pressure, more production? That’s Beane’s hope.

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Bills bring back CB E.J. Gaines again

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Bills have re-signed cornerback E.J. Gaines. The contract is reportedly a one-year deal. 

The third time is hopefully the charm for the Bills and cornerback E.J. Gaines.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Bills have re-signed Gaines. The contract is said to be a one-year deal.

Gaines first joined the Bills in 2017 via trade, coming to Buffalo in the deal that sent Sammy Watkins to the Rams. Gaines had a successful season that year, notching 59 tackles, nine passes defended and an interception.

But he did only appear in 11 games due to injury, a problem that’s followed him his entire career.

Speaking of which, Gaines left the Bills following the 2017 season in free agency, inking a one-year deal with the Browns; he played only six games with them. Then he had a stint with the Bills in 2019, but was released with an injury settlement in August because of a core muscle injury.

Gaines’ injury history is extensive and his most serious was in 2015, a Lisfranc injury. Terms of his newest deal with the Bills have yet to be released, but it’s unlikely the 28-year-old comes with a high price tag based on his injury history.

When healthy, Gaines can provide the Bills with versatility as a slot cornerback or on the outside, which is where he played in 2017. But with the additions of Josh Norman and returner Levi Wallace to consider, that Bills’ secondary will be a tight positional battle in training camp.

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