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ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Bills general manager Doug Whaley is done playing franchise tag with safety Jairus Byrd. After spending much of the past year trying to negotiate a long-term contract, Whaley preferred risking the loss of Byrd in free agency rather than applying the one-year tag on the three-time Pro Bowler for a second consecutive season. "We didnt think it was the best option for the team, for us to get better," Whaley said shortly after the NFLs deadline for teams to designate franchise players passed Monday afternoon. "The best thing for the Buffalo Bills was to try to get him signed to a long-term deal." Whaley didnt rule out the possibility of the sides negotiating a deal before the start of the NFLs free-agency period on March 11. "As they say in the movies, theres always a chance," he said. Whaley, however, did call it a "fair assessment" that Byrd is more interested in testing the market to determine his worth after being prevented from doing so last year. Negotiations reached a standstill last weekend after the Bills made Byrd what they regarded as a lucrative multiyear offer. Without revealing the full value and length of the proposal, people familiar with the deal told The Associated Press that Byrd would have been paid about $30 million over the first three seasons of the contract. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because neither side is publicly discussing the negotiations. Byrd played under a $6.9 million franchise tag last year. The price for Buffalo to apply the designation again would be about $8.4 million this season. The one-year price tag might not have scared the Bills from using it one more time. A bigger deterrent was paying that much money for a disgruntled player who missed nearly the entire off-season last year before accepting his contract a day before the Bills broke training camp in late August. "I wouldnt say those words," Whaley said, when asked if he was frustrated by a failure to reach a deal. "I would say, Hey, we worked hard. Its still not over yet. Then, when its over, Ill let the feelings seep into the equation." Byrd, selected in the second round of the 2009 draft out of Oregon, will have an opportunity to be among the top defensive backs available in free agency. He enjoyed a breakout season as a rookie, when he tied for the NFL lead with nine interceptions -- a rookie franchise record. Last year, Byrd earned his third Pro Bowl selection. He finished tied for the team lead with four interceptions, and added a sack and a forced fumble despite missing the first five games of the season because of plantar fasciitis in both feet. Byrd has 22 interceptions and 11 forced fumbles in 73 career games. The Bills could lose their top defensive back on a unit that showed considerable improvement last season. Though Buffalo struggled against the run, the defence finished 10th in the NFL in yards allowed -- its best ranking since a second-place finish in 2004. The Bills also finished second in the league with a franchise-record 57 sacks. The defence is in transition this off-season with Jim Schwartz taking over as co-ordinator. He replaced Mike Pettine, who left the Bills after one year to become the head coach of the Cleveland Browns. The Browns could be a potential landing spot for Byrd. They have plenty of space under the salary cap, and Byrd enjoyed playing under Pettine. The Bills made a roster move Monday by releasing linebacker Willie Jefferson, who was signed to a reserve/future contract in January. Blake Martinez Jersey .Y. -- Syracuse guard Trevor Cooney was mired in a shooting slump, and his woes coincided with a late-season swoon by the Orange. Marcedes Lewis Jersey . -- Arizona coach Bruce Arians says there "were obviously very, very many problems" with the officiating in the Cardinals 24-21 loss at Philadelphia. http://www.officialgreenbaypackersfootball.com/authentic-aaron-rodgers-jersey-womens .com) - His team lost in the round of 16 of the FCS playoffs, yet Northern Iowa football coach Mark Farley says his team has made a strong case to be voted to the top 5 in the final rankings. Davon House Jersey . Once again, the third baseman delivered in a big spot. Ramirez kept up his torrid hitting with a two-run homer to help back Wily Peraltas solid start, and the Brewers extended their winning streak to seven with a 4-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night. Marquez Valdes-Scantling Jersey .Mateo Kovacic and Andrea Ranocchia scored for Inter, which had goalkeeper Samir Handanovic to thank for several crucial saves.Its an important victory against a Chievo side which plays well, Mancini said.Leicester goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer believes the club face some tough challenges ahead if they are to keep hold of manager Claudio Ranieri and their top players. The Foxes 1-0 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday keeps them five points clear of title rivals Tottenham at the top of the table with seven matches of their season to go.But Schwarzer, who was on the bench at Selhurst Park, feels they may face an even more difficult test in keeping hold of the popular Ranieri and the leading lights at the club next season. Players really like him and really admire him for his passion, dedication and wisdom, Schwarzer said of the Italian on Sky Sports Now. Leicester keeper Mark Schwarzer highlights their defence as the key to their form It is vitally important [for Leicester to keep Ranieri]. He has taken them to a completely different level.There are certain factors Leicester are going to have to deal with at the end of the season.Firstly, the manager, whether he stays or goes. He is at the stage of his career where he may never move on to bigger or better things.He has been mentioned for the Italian job and if that were offered to him, that would be a difficult one to turn down because it is such a prestigious job.He will be key to keeping hold of players such as Jamie Vardy, who has recently signed a new contract, Riyad Mahrez, NGolo Kante, Danny Drinkwater. Phil Thompson on Leicesters win at Palace There will be clubs really starting to take notice of these players and putting them on a list of players they might want to try and sign this summer.ddddddddddddLeicester will have to do all they can to hold onto these players and try to build further.Schwarzer feels Ranieri has given fresh hope to players who may not have been given the opportunity to shine in the past.In particular he cited the example of Drinkwater, who was not a regular in the side last season, but who has featured regularly this campaign, earning a call-up to the England squad for the upcoming friendlies against Germany and the Netherlands.He has given certain key players confidence and self-belief, added Schwarzer.At the end of last season, Danny hardly played a game, he was on the sidelines, but he has rightly been called up to England because he has been such a key player. He has been mentioned for the Italian job and if that were offered to him, that would be a difficult one to turn down. Schwarzer on Claudio Ranieri Danny is a calming influence on the pitch and has great vision and awareness. Technically he is very good and his array of passing is exceptional but he can mix it with his challenges.Schwarzer also commented on the change of emphasis in recent weeks, that has seen a free-scoring Leicester side win four of their last five matches 1-0.Initially we were playing a lot more open football, we attacked whenever we had the opportunity, said the Australian.That was one of our strengths, the ability to counter-attack very quickly, and that is still one of our weapons.But once we hit that first clean sheet of the season, it cemented the idea that keeping clean sheets is important and is a good foundation to build upon. 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