Bills to release Dockery; possibly Royal
Fullback McIntyre re-signs
by Mark Gaughan
The Buffalo Bills will release veteran left guard Derrick Dockery today as they prepare for the start of the free-agency shopping season, a league source told The News.
Dockery was the Bills' big free-agent addition in 2007, signing a $7 million a year contract for seven seasons. He wound up playing only two seasons and getting paid about $18.5 million.
A 6-foot-6, 335-pounder, Dockerey had a subpar year in 2008 and was not dominant enough, particularly in pass protection, for the Bills liking.
Meanwhile, the Bills also will release veteran tight end Robert Royal, who spent the past three years with the team.
Dockery, 28, still will count $5.4 million against the Bills' salary cap this year, but that's less than he would have counted if he had stayed on the roster ($5.85 million). By releasing him, the Bills will avoid paying him a $1.75 million roster bonus in the coming weeks.
The NFL's free-agency season begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday.
Royal, who turns 30 in May, caught 33 passes last season but had just nine catches the second half of the year. The Bills have not had a tight end catch 50 passes in a season since 2001.
The Bills also re-signed fullback and special teamer Corey McIntyre to a two-year contract. He was due to become a free agent.
mgaughan@buffnews.com
http://www.buffalonews.com/452/story/590928.html
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