ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (March 14, 2005) -- The Buffalo Bills released Pierson Prioleau after the backup safety rejected the team's offer to restructure his contract.
Prioleau, a six-year NFL veteran, was in the final year of a four-year contract.
Prioleau's agent, Brian Mackler, said Buffalo offered his client a new three-year deal, which included restructuring the final year of his current contract. But Prioleau turned it down, hoping to find a better opportunity with another team.
Mackler described the Bills' offer as fair, but Prioleau was willing to explore his options after being relegated to mostly special teams last season. After starting a career-high 16 games with Buffalo in 2002, Prioleau had only two starts last season.
His playing time was expected to drop even further after the Bills shifted veteran cornerback Troy Vincent to safety late last season.
Mackler didn't rule out Prioleau re-signing with the Bills.
Also, the Bills re-signed backup tight end Ryan Neufeld. He had a career-high five starts in 16 games last season, taking over after the Bills lost starter Mark Campbell and backup Tim Euhus to knee injuries. Finishing with six catches for 61 yards, Neufeld showed versatility, capable of playing fullback and special teams.
With Campbell and Euhus still recuperating, the Bills were in need of bolstering their depth at the position.
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