Image Courtesy of Bill Wippert/AP Photo
As week four approaches quickly, Buffalo seems to be lacking key players in their secondary due to injury. One person who is needed greatly right now is Jairus Byrd.
Byrd is a key component of the secondary, as we have all seen in years past. His rookie season he had a surprising nine interceptions and last season he had five interceptions, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. Byrd is considered as one of the top Free Safeties in the league and his numbers certainly back that statement up.
However, anyone who is a fan of the Bills knows that there is tension between Byrd and Bills. This was apparent this off season when talks between the Bills and Byrd weren’t going well. Neither side could agree on a long-term contract and Byrd was refusing to sign his one-year franchise tender.
It looked like Byrd was ready to holdout for a long time. However, right before the Bills were done with their training camp at St. John Fisher College, Byrd signed the one-year tender and things were starting to look up for the young secondary.
Fans and players had a reason to be fired up about, with a new defensive scheme and the return of Byrd it seemed the defense could only get better. Although, as we approach week four it seems Byrd is still unlikely to step onto the playing field. Byrd is dealing with plantar fasciitis and has dealt with this injury for a while.
Last season, Byrd played through this ailment and played very well. This year it seems that Byrd is unwilling to play unless he is 100 percent. Now I am just speculating but either Byrd is truly injured or he taking the easy way out of Buffalo. And what I mean by that is Byrd is guaranteed $6.916 million this season, no matter what, so if he sits the bench due to injury he gets his money unless the Bills and Byrd can come to some contract agreement in the off season or the Bills use their franchise tag on him again, Byrd will become a free agent and can sign with any team that makes him an offer.
For the sake of the game I am hoping I am wrong about this and Byrd is truly not 100 percent. But if we recall Byrd and his agent apparently demanded a trade and that has not been granted. Now, Byrd has publicly denied that he has demanded a trade, but folks there is still tension between Byrd and organization and in someways it looks like he is taking the easy way out of Buffalo. If he is taking the easy way out it’s a shame. For a player has good as Byrd to sit the bench and make that kind of money while he watches a depleted secondary and his teammates working towards a common goal. Again folks I am just speculating and I sure hope I am wrong because Byrd is a game changer and has been a stand up guy in Buffalo. But the Bills certainly need Byrd’s talents in the secondary right now, and lets just hope he is able to play sooner rather than later.
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