NFL Notes: James Ihedigbo, Bills, Ravens

James Ihedigbo

Free agent S James Ihedigbo tells ESPN’s Michael Rothstein that he’s still hoping to play in 2017, despite the fact that he will miss the first four games of the season following a suspension.

“I still want to play. Got some interest from a few teams. Talked to a team a little bit probably two weeks ago up north,” Ihedigbosaid. “We’ll see what happens. I’m still training every day, still in great shape. It kind of sucked last year, getting picked up, starting and playing, I was playing really well, actually, and I ended up breaking my leg, had a fracture. That’s 100 percent healed and just waiting for that next opportunity.”

Bills

Bills HC Sean McDermott told reporters on Thursday that while RB LeSean McCoy and QB Tyrod Taylor have lobbied for them sign free agent WR Jeremy Maclin, they focused on doing what they believe is best for the team.

“We don’t look at it that way,” McDermott said, via Pro Football Talk. “I appreciate the fact that those guys know and respect [Jeremy Maclin] in this case. . . . [T]hat’s a healthy dynamic that we have with a lot of our players. They’ve got to know that they have a voice too and there’s ownership. I respect that and that’s healthy. That said, we’ve got to do what we feel is in the best interest of this team. . . . We’re always going to listen. I would like to believe the good Lord gave me two ears and one mouth, so I would like to think I’m a good listener. That said, like I said before, we’re going to do what’s in the best interest of this football team.

“[W]hen we talk about short- and long-term, this is a good person, number one, and a good football player that at any point — whether it’s a guy we’ve had experience with, in this case Jeremy, or any other player, we’re always going to look to add to this football team,” McDermott added. “Guys that have the character we’re looking for, the types of skill we’re looking for, the D.N.A. — call it what you want to call it — we’re always looking to add competition at every part of this roster. This is no different, in that situation.”

Sal Capaccio reports that the lines of communication are still open between Bills and Maclin and neither side has shut the door on a potential deal.

Ravens

• Albert Breer confirms reports from yesterday that the Ravens are among the team’s that have spoken to the Jets about a trade for WR Eric Decker.
• Decker remains on the Ravens’ roster as of now, so it’s clear they’re trying to see if they can find a trade for him.
• Jeff Zrebiec points out that any trade Decker would almost certainly require him to agree to a revised contract, as he’s still owned nearly $15 million and carries a cap figure of $8.75 million for the 2017 season.