Bills Officially Sign G Richie Incognito

Update:

Bills owner Terry Pegula released a statement regarding the signing of veteran G Richie Incognito.

“I personally met with Richie, along with Doug Whaley, Rex Ryan and Kim regarding an opportunity to earn a spot on the Buffalo Bills roster. Obviously, we all discussed Richie’s past experience in the NCAA and NFL. We are convinced that Richie is prepared to move forward and has and will continue to take the necessary steps to improve himself as a person and a teammate. Following discussion with the rest of the coaching staff, we as an organization will provide him with the opportunity to do so.”

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The Bills officially announced the signing of Richie Incognito Saturday.

The Bills have reached an agreement in principle with veteran G Richie Incognito http://t.co/RbIIpOisSI pic.twitter.com/Qvqc4GoaPI

— Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) February 7, 2015

• Mike Rodak reports that Incognito receives a one-year contract worth $2.25 million from the Bills. 
• Jeff Darlington reports that Incognito’s contract won’t be official until Monday.

“I hung with Rex. He’s the man,” Incognito tells Darlington. “The Pegulas (Bills ownership family) are awesome. I’m ready to roll.”

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Jeff Darlington reports that Richie Incognito signing with the Bills is a “done deal.”

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Tim Graham of the Buffalo News is reporting that the meeting between the Bills and veteran G Richie Incognito is a ” formality” and Buffalo will be signing him to a contract.

According to Graham, signing Incognito was viewed as a “high priority” for new Bills HC Rex Ryan.

Jeff Darlington mentions that the Bills have wanted to sign Incognito for some time now, and they even met with him at the Super Bowl last week.

During Ryan’s introductory press conference he told reporters that they “we’re going to build a bully,” which seems like an interesting choice of words in hindsight.

“We’re going to build a bully,” Ryan said back in January, “and we’re going to see if you’re going to play us for sixty minutes because we’re going to give everything we have every snap out there.

“That represents not just ourselves. It represents our community, and we’re proud to represent Buffalo. … We’re going to earn it, earn that respect that our fans give.”

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James Walker of ESPN reports that the Bills will be hosting free agent G Richie Incognito for a visit on Saturday.

• According to Walker, Incognito will take a physical with the team.

Last we heard regarding Incognito, the Broncos brought him in for a visit and a workout back in November. At the time, Denver was in major need of offensive line help, but they ultimately elected to not sign him to a contract.

The Bills could use some help at guard now that Kraig Urbik and Erik Pears are coming off of underwhelming 2014 seasons. Pears will be an unrestricted free agent, so this could be an indication that they are prepared to move on with him.

Incognito has reportedly remained in good shape, as he was waiting for another opportunity in the NFL.

Incognito, 31, appeared in eight games during the 2014 season before he was suspended indefinitely. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 24 guard in the league that season, and gave him above average ratings in both run and pass-blocking.