The Bills made an addition at a position that could no longer go unaddressed on Monday afternoon, as Buffalo signed tight end J.P. Foschi. The four-year veteran spent last season with the Cincinnati Bengals appearing in 15 games with 10 starts.
Foschi (6'4" 265) set career highs in receptions last season with 27 for 260 yards and a pair of touchdowns for the Bengals. His receiving ability is considered by most to be his best asset, though he is also known as a capable blocker.
"I'm your typical blue collar tight end," said Foschi. "Last year was a testament to the Bengals having confidence in me, giving me an opportunity to play and I just took advantage of it. I love to play, the more tired I am the better I feel I play."
He has spent time with the Oakland Raiders (2005-2006) and the Kansas City Chiefs (2008) before playing for Cincinnati last season. The 28-year old was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the New York Jets in 2004.
Foschi has some familiarity with Buffalo's coaching staff having played his college ball at Georgia Tech when Bills head coach Chan Gailey was the Yellow Jackets head coach. He also crossed paths with Gailey again in 2008 when he was the offensive coordinator for the Chiefs.
"I've had J.P. for a few stops," said Gailey. "He knows our system which is great. He's a competitor and a tough guy and we can always use those kind of guys."
"This will be my third go around with his offense so I'm familiar with the terminology and plays are coming to memory so I feel comfortable," said Foschi. "I think I probably learn everything in seven to 10 days."
Foschi is also familiar with tight ends coach Bob Bicknell, who coached him with the Chiefs as well.
Foschi practiced with the team this afternoon shortly after working out for the club's personnel department earlier in the day.
"This is basically how my career has been, so when I get the call I go and that's it," said Foschi.
He steps in immediately to help ease the burden on starting tight end Jonathan Stupar, as he was the only healthy tight end on the roster.
Gailey indicated that the team will keep looking for more reinforcements at the tight end position. For the time being he said that offensive lineman Nick Hennessey will be used at the tight end position to reduce the number of reps for Stupar and Foschi.
Matthews placed on waived/injured listA day after suffering a foot injury in practice, Michael Matthews was placed on the waived/injured list.
"We had to waive Michael Matthews," said Gailey. "It's a tough situation for him with the injury, but we had to have the roster spot and that's one of the things you have to do in this business. Unfortunately it's a business."
Gailey said that Matthews' recovery time would have been too long to wait on with the regular season just three weeks away.
