Buffalo Bills safety Jairus Byrd has given himself more than enough time to be ready for the start of the regular season after signing his one-year, $6.9 million franchise tender Tuesday night. The signing comes after the two-time Pro Bowler missed all of the teams off-season workouts, and nearly all of training camp. Buffalo will hold its final practice in suburban Rochester on Wednesday afternn before returning to its headquarters in Orchard Park, N.Y. A person familiar with Byrds plans told The Associated Press that the player is not in the Buffalo area and intends to join the team within the next couple of days. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Bills have only announced that Byrd has signed. The person added Byrds decision to sign the tender came without any assurances from the team that it wont apply the tag again next off-season. The Bills have the option to do that once more to prevent Byrd from testing free agency. Bills president Russ Brandon has only said the team will continue its attempt to sign Byrd to a long-term contract once it is allowed to after the season. The two sides failed to reach an extended deal before a July 15 deadline. The timing of Byrds signing should not come as a surprise. The move was made to give Byrd enough time to assure him of collecting his entire salary. Had he waited another week, the Bills -- under NFL rules -- could have been put in a position to ask the league for a one- or two-week roster exemption, during which time Byrd would not have been paid. That option is now off the table, with Byrd having two weeks to prepare for the Bills opener against New England on Sept. 8. Byrd, a second-round pick out of Oregon in 2009, has 18 career interceptions -- tied for the NFLs third-highest total since 2009. Byrd is expected to be a focal point of the teams new scheme under defensive co-ordinator Mike Pettine. Speed and versatility have been the foundation of Buffalos defence and the team has used a variety of pressure packages this preseason. That approach would appear to play to Byrds strengths by creating opportunities for him in the secondary. Byrd is not expected to play in Buffalos third preseason game Saturday against Washington and its uncertain if he will be ready to play in the teams preseason finale Aug. 29. Earlier on Tuesday, general manager Doug Whaley said Byrd will have some work to do to learn the new system. "A lot of its just installation and the mental part of it," Whaley said. "Its a new system, its an intricate system and safeties do make a lot of calls so hes missed that. ... So hes going to have some ground to make up but hes a professional. I know hell come in here ready to work and try to contribute as much as possible." When Byrd returns, its expected that he will replace third-year pro DaNorris Searcy in the secondary. Former cornerback Aaron Williams has impressed since making the switch from corner to safety this off-season and is listed as the teams top strong safety on the depth chart. Byrd is Buffalos top free safety. Byrd was Buffalos most consistent defender in 2012 and was added to the Pro Bowl roster as an injury replacement. He led the Bills with five interceptions and four forced fumbles and finished fourth on the team with 76 tackles. The three players ahead of him on that list -- George Wilson, Nick Barnett and Kelvin Sheppard -- are no longer with the team.Reggie Lewis Jersey . The Croatian served 21 aces and hit 42 winners against Sijsling, who double-faulted to give Cilic a 4-3 lead in the deciding set. "All the players, they know me and they were really happy to see me and they were really happy that this is over for me," Cilic said. Shaquille ONeal Jersey . LOUIS -- Theres no telling how these wacky World Series games will end. http://www.authenticcelticsproshop.com/Larry-Bird-Jersey/ . Calgary scored on the first shift, and Michael Cammalleri scored twice as the Flames cruised to a 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals on Saturday. Jaylen Brown Jersey . Breaking three of his own world records on his way to winning in Paris, Chan silenced the critics and left the audiences standing in appreciation and awe. Robert Parish Jersey . Tevez, who has had conflicts with coaches in the past, has not been called up since Sabella was named coach in 2011. Argentina boasts Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Angel Di Maria.HARRISONBURG, Va. -- Cole Johnson threw for two touchdowns as James Madison defended its unbeaten conference record, routing Elon 63-14 in a regular season closer on Saturday.Johnson, who played just three quarters, had 12-of-13 passing for 274 yards for the Dukes (10-1, 8-0 Colonial Athletic Association) who close the season atop the CAA standings. Khalid Abdullah ran for 125 yards and a score. Domo Taylor had 114 yards receiving and caught two touchdown passes. Rashard Davis, who leads the nation in punt return toucchdowns, tk an Elon punt 76 yards for a score in the fourth.ddddddddddddJames Madison led the entire game starting in the first quarter with a 23-yard scoring run by Trai Sharp, followed by a 70-yard touchdown pass from Johnson to Taylor, and a 23-yard field goal by Tyler Gray to lead 17-0 at the end of the period.Daniel Thompson threw for 132 yards and a score for the Phoenix (2-9, 1-7). ' ' '