The Buffalo Bills signed three players who tried out for them this past weekend, but Nick Clark was not one of them.
The former Alfred University linebacker and Canisteo-Greenwood graduate was one of 21 players who was invited to the Bills’ rookie mini-camp this past weekend at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
Clark was a longshot to receive a contract and may have to look elsewhere to continue his NFL dream.
The Bills did sign fullback Dorin Dickerson who split time on New England and Pittsburgh’s practice squads last season. Selected in the seventh round of the 2010 draft by Houston, Dickerson appeared in seven games for the Texans before being released by the team.
Buffalo also signed former Mississippi State offensive tackle James Carmon and former University of Houston safety Nick Saenz.
To make room on their roster, the Bills released undrafted rookie free agents, quarterback Aaron Corp and safety Ian Wild.

Polian to be placed on Wall of Fame
ORCHARD PARK (AP) — Former Buffalo Bills general manager Bill Polian has been selected to become the latest member of the team’s Wall of Fame.
Polian will become the 28th member placed on the wall that rings Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Bills have not yet selected when Polian will be honored.
Before helping transform the Indianapolis Colts into perennial contenders over the past decade, Polian was the Bills’ GM from 1986-1993. During that time, he was a two-time NFL executive of the year and credited for building the Jim Kelly-led and Marv Levy-coached teams that won four consecutive AFC championships from 1991-94.
Polian has turned to broadcasting since he was fired as the Colts president after Indianapolis’ 2-14 finish last season.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) Former Buffalo Bills general manager Bill Polian has been selected to become the latest member of the team’s Wall of Fame.

Polian will become the 28th member placed on the wall that rings Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Bills have not yet selected when Polian will be honored.

Before helping transform the Indianapolis Colts into perennial contenders over the past decade, Polian was the Bills’ GM from 1986-1993. During that time, he was a two-time NFL executive of the year and credited for building the Jim Kelly-led and Marv Levy-coached teams that won four consecutive AFC championships from 1991-94.

Polian has turned to broadcasting since he was fired as the Colts president after Indianapolis’ 2-14 finish last season.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills general manager Buddy Nix didn’t have any difficulty assessing Vince Young’s attributes Friday after agreeing to a one-year contract with the free-agent quarterback.

Strong arm. Great mobility. And then there’s his winning record as an NFL starter.

But when it came to projecting the quarterback’s role with the Bills, Nix didn’t offer any guarantees except to say the starting job already is taken by Ryan Fitzpatrick, leaving Young to compete with Tyler Thigpen for a backup spot.

“We’re looking always to try to improve our team,” Nix said. “It’s a competition for the backup quarterback job and not the starter … he knows it. That’s the way it is.

“The guy’s been to two Pro Bowls, he’s 31-19 as a starter in this league,” Nix added. “We think he can do that again. If he has to play, he can give us a chance to win the game or at least this: He will make Tyler better.”

The sides reached a deal a little over one week after Young worked out for the Bills at their facility. Citing a league source, ESPN.com reported the contract is worth $2 million, with another $1 million available in playing-time bonuses.

Young’s publicist, Denise White, said the quarterback is scheduled to arrive in Buffalo either Sunday night or Monday morning. White also released a statement from Young, who said: “Thanks to Buddy Nix and Coach Gailey for giving me the opportunity to come in and play and compete. I am looking forward to playing with the guys and helping where I am needed.”

Young, who turns 29 next week, has been biding his time to determine the next step of his career, which started in 2006 as a first-round draft pick by the Tennessee Titans. He struggled last season as Michael Vick’s backup with the Philadelphia Eagles, finishing with four touchdown passes and nine interceptions in six games, and he was sacked eight times in six games, including three starts.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) The Buffalo Bills have agreed to a one-year contract to sign free agent quarterback Vince Young, providing them an established backup and a bona fide threat in their wildcat formations.

The Bills announced the deal on Friday, a little over a week after 2006 NFL offensive rookie of the year worked out for the team at its facility.

A person familiar with the contract provided the length of the deal, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the Bills do not release those figures. Citing a league source, ESPN.com reported the contract is worth $2 million with another $1 million available in playing-time bonuses.

Listed at 6-foot-5 and 232 pounds, Young has a strong arm and is also presents dual threat as a runner, a combination that has the potential of complementing head coach Chan Gailey’s offensive attack.

General manager Buddy Nix said the addition of Young will create more competition at the backup spot behind starter Ryan Fitzpatrick. Young will compete with returning backup Tyler Thigpen for the No. 2 position.

”He brings with him some unique physical abilities that most are aware of, and that will make the competition interesting,” Nix said. ”It’s all about improving our team.”

The move created a buzz in town, overshadowing the start of the team’s three-day rookie minicamp.

Young’s publicist, Denise White, said the player is scheduled to arrive in Buffalo either Sunday evening or Monday morning.

She also released a statement from Young, who said: ”Thanks to Buddy Nix and Coach Gailey for giving me the opportunity to come in and play and compete. I am looking forward to playing with the guys and helping where I am needed.”

Young, who turns 29 next week, has been biding his time to determine the next step of his career after he completed his one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles last season. He struggled as Michael Vick’s backup last season, finishing with four touchdowns and nine interceptions in six games, and was sacked eight times in six games, including three starts.

He’s had an up-and-down career since being selected third overall by the Tennessee Titans in the 2006 NFL draft. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection with the Titans, but eventually lost his starting job on several occasions in Tennessee before the team ran out of patience with him.

Overall, he has a 31-19 record in 50 career starts, with 8,964 yards passing and 1,459 yards rushing. He’s thrown for 46 touchdowns while throwing 51 interceptions. He also has 12 touchdowns rushing.

For Buffalo, it’s the latest offseason splash made by a team attempting to make a serious bid at becoming competitive and ending a 12-year playoff drought – the NFL’s longest active streak.

The traditionally cost-conscious Bills have been free-spenders this offseason after signing free agent defensive end Mario Williams to a six-year, $100 million contract, the most expensive contract awarded an NFL defensive player. They were also able to re-sign starting receiver Stevie Johnson before he became a free agent. Last week, they also awarded starting running back Fred Jackson a two-year contract extension.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – When it came to adding depth to their revamped defence on the final day of the NFL draft, the Buffalo Bills couldn’t pass up the opportunity to pick a Tank.

That’s exactly what they did with their second of two fifth-round picks on Saturday, by selecting Tank Carder, a highly decorated play-making linebacker out of TCU.

Though undersized by NFL linebacker standards at 6-foot-3 and 237 pounds, Carder is coming off an accomplished college career in which he was a two-time Mountain West Conference defensive player of the year. He also earned defensive MVP honours in the 2011 Rose Bowl.

Carder helped key a 21-19 win over Wisconsin by breaking up a potential game-tying two-point conversion with 2 minutes left.

“I’m just excited to be at the point I’m at right now and just make the best of out of every opportunity,” said Carder, a former world and national BMX champion, referring to a past that’s as colorful as his first name. “I kind of live life in the moment. I don’t dwell on the past.”

Bills scout Shawn Heinlen smiled when asked about Carder’s background.

“Yeah, you’re not going to find many like that,” Heinlen said. “He is a competitor in everything he does.”

Selected 147th overall, Carder was the second of two linebackers the Bills drafted on Saturday after opening the day taking Florida State’s Nigel Bradham with the 105th pick.

Buffalo also drafted LSU cornerback Ron Brooks (124th), and added a pair of offensive linemen: FSU tackle Zebrie Sanders (144th) and Oregon guard/centre Mark Asper (178th). The Bills closed the draft taking Western Michigan kicker John Potter with the 251st pick.

The players the Bills selected over the final four rounds are expected to compete for backup spots, adding necessary depth to a team that’s raised expectations this off-season after signing defensive end Mario Williams to a six-year $100 million contract in free agency.

They’re coming off a 6-10 season in which a rash of injuries and lack of depth were blamed on the team losing eight of its final nine games to miss the playoffs for a 12th straight year.

The latest additions come after the Bills filled key needs in the first three rounds by selecting South Carolina cornerback Stephon Gilmore with the 10th pick, Georgia tackle Cordy Glenn (41st) and North Carolina State receiver T.J. Graham (69th).

“We were able to fill everyone (spot) that we set out to fill,” general manager Buddy Nix said in assessing the draft. “We wanted two corners, two tackles, we wanted a wide receiver. We wanted two linebackers, and we were able to get those guys. We got bigger. And we got faster. I just hope it was in the right spots.”

Of the six players Buffalo picked Saturday, Carder’s selection raised the most interest.

There was his success in BMX racing before he gave up the sport because he wanted to try something new. Then, as a 13-year-old, Carder overcame serious injuries sustained in a car crash, in which there were questions of whether he would ever walk again.

Formally named Ricky Carder Jr., he picked up “Tank” at 18 months, when a family friend started calling him that because of Carder’s hefty 33-pound frame.

And he played like a tank at TCU, where he started his final 39 games despite having several operations to repair shoulder injuries, and breaking a finger last season.

“He’s a tough guy,” Nix said. “He brings that kind of temperament to us, and you like to add those kind of guys.”

Though Carder needs to build strength to play at the NFL level, he’s regarded to have good instincts in reading plays, and is fast on his feet.

Bradham, the FSU linebacker, is a three-year starter and became the first Seminoles player to lead the team in tackles for three straight seasons since Marvin Jones did that from 1990-92. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 241 pounds, he’s a solid hitter and has shown a capability of dropping back into coverage.

Brooks adds depth to the Bills defensive backfield after being overshadowed at LSU, where he was part of a star-studded defensive secondary that featured Morris Claiborne, who was selected by Dallas with the sixth pick of the draft, and junior Tyrann Mathieu.

“My focus wasn’t being one of the guys to get all the publicity and get all the shine,” Brooks said. “It’s not about me being in the limelight. I’m just one of those guys. I’m all about winning for my team.”

Brooks did make the most out of his limited playing time, showing he was capable of covering receivers, defending against the run and pressuring quarterbacks. He had 5 1/2 sacks, 12 1/2 tackles for losses, three interceptions and five forced fumbles in 53 games, including three starts.

Sanders, the Florida State offensive lineman, is listed at 6-foot-5 and 308 pounds. He started 50 of 53 games, and has experience playing both tackle positions.

Asper, listed at 6-foot-7 and 325 pounds, was a three-year starter at Oregon, splitting time at guard and tackle. He was part of an offence that ranked third in the nation in scoring and fifth in rushing last year.

Potter completed his four-year career with 333 points, to set a school record among kickers. The Bills already have a veteran kicker in Rian Lindell, but Nix said the team would consider using Potter on kickoffs because of his strong leg. Potter had 36 touchbacks alone last season. He becomes the first kicker the Bills have selected in the draft since picking John Nies in 1990.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) – The Buffalo Bills will open their 4-game preseason schedule by hosting the Washington Redskins.

Buffalo’s other home game will be against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3, according to the schedule released by the team Wednesday. Their two road games will be at Minnesota in Week 2, and at Detroit in what’s become an annual preseason finale against the Lions.

Dates and times of the games have yet to be determined.

Both of Buffalo’s preseason home games will be at Orchard Park.

The Bills were originally scheduled to play a “home” game at Toronto this summer as part of their 5-year series of playing games north of the border. But a scheduling conflict at Toronto’s downtown Rogers Centre led to organizers returning the game to Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) Running back Tashard Choice has agreed to re-sign with the Buffalo Bills after being a late-season pickup last year.

Choice had 23 carries for 70 yards, and added seven catches for 51 yards in six games with Buffalo. The Bills claimed him off waivers on Nov. 23 after starter Fred Jackson broke his right leg.

Choice is expected to compete for a reserve spot behind a fully recovered Jackson and C.J. Spiller.

Buffalo was Choice’s third team last season after he opened with Dallas before being waived, and was then claimed by Washington.

Choice spent his first three NFL seasons with the Cowboys, who selected him in the fourth round of the 2008 draft. He has 1,216 yards rushing and nine touchdowns in 61 career games, including four starts.