Archives for April 2015

'“Buffalo Bills … guys that are passionate, love to play the game, and will fit right back in with what we already have here,” he said. “That’s going to be the critical part of it and talent? To target a specific position? We’re not doing that. I think we’ll do a great job … I really believe in the scouting department. I think our guys have lined it up … (they’ve) included the coaches so I don’t think we’ll be surprised. I know where the board’s lining up for us. Whatever presents itself, Doug and our crew will be ready.”'

'“I went out and looked at the second- and third-round guys as starters,” Fisher said. “I don’t look at second- and third-round guys as backup players. My whole philosophy when I’m out looking at guys is, I’m trying to reload our team, not rebuild.”'

'"I get where the question's coming from, but this is going to be … no draft is non-important," said coach Rex Ryan on the eve of his first draft with Buffalo. "(Not) impactful on how many starters we get out of a draft? I can see where that's coming from. We have a deep roster already, so for a guy to have immediate impact as a starter, it might be difficult. Am I saying it's impossible? No. It depends on how the draft falls."'

'Hughes, who signed a five-year, $45 million contract extension this offseason, already has Bills coach Rex Ryan excited about what he can do. Ryan estimated that Hughes had five or six sacks before he had to pull him from practice to let the offense get some work in.'

'If there is one thing going for the Bills’ acquisitions, it is that they are not reflective of the 2000 Washington team that signed ancient stars, hoping to squeeze whatever was left out of Bruce Smith and Deion Sanders. LeSean McCoy hasn’t reached the age of the running back wall at 26, Clay and Harvin are also 26 years old, putting them in the center of their prime for receivers and tight ends.'

'Many quarterbacks don’t want to be known as runners. Taylor can flat out fly and he said, “It’s a plus, maybe guys don’t know about the throwing ability, but that’s something to prove and that’s a challenge I take on. If it’s about throwing, I can throw with anyone, so I look forward to show my arm off, but running is a plus because in this league the defenses are getting faster and you have to be able to string the play out, so whatever you have to do.”'

'“It’s a case where I want to get my hands on these guys and get out on the grass with them and get a feel for how they learn and how they pick up the things I’m going to teach them,” said Kromer. “I want to make sure that I get a feel for them on how we want to coach them and see what they can do from there. We have a talented room.”'

'“As a general manager, you’ve got to create a sense of urgency among your scouts because there’s the human tendency to say, ‘Ah, we won’t get that guy and we won’t get that guy,’ ” Polian said. “You never know what’s going to happen, and you always want that information in the files anyway in case that guy should become free at another point. Then, the approach during Draft Day is to stay on top of things. You’ve got to make sure that no opportunity to move up or even move back is overlooked. You’ve got to make sure that you cover every base.'

'While Beckham has become the standard to which Watkins will be held, Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans and Carolina’s Kelvin Benjamin had more catches, yards and touchdowns. Philadelphia’s Jordan Matthews, a second-round pick, had more catches and touchdowns, while fellow second-rounder Jarvis Landry had more receptions.'

'“I don’t look at second- and third- round guys as backup players,” said Kelvin Fisher, the Bills’ director of college scouting. “The history that I’ve been in this business, they all end up playing, and some of them end up being great starters.'

'Cooney said Ferrari and the other former Jills didn’t include the NFL in the suit initially because they didn’t learn of Goodell’s signing and approval of the contracts and the provision requiring the Jills to sign the cheerleading agreement until the Bills included copies of the contracts in the team’s unsuccessful bid to have itself dismissed as a defendant.'

'"I thought it started when we all got back," said Manuel, who watched the Bills trade for Cassel and sign Taylor in free agency, a warning sign that he was about to enter the battle of his football life. "Even in the film room trying to grasp the offense, it's like a race to see who knows it the best and you want to know it the way (offensive coordinator Greg) Roman does."'

'"I thought it started when we all got back two weeks ago or three weeks ago," Manuel said. "Even in the film room and trying to grasp the offense because it's like a race to see who knows it the best. Obviously you want to know it just like coach (Greg) Roman does."'

'After an injury riddled 2013 season, Gilmore emerged as the best player in Buffalo's secondary in 2014. He intercepted three passes and allowed 61 percent of the passes thrown his way to be caught, according to Pro Football Focus.'

'Buffalo is obviously in need of a quarterback, and with pick No. 50 being their first selection in the draft, players like Petty are all that will be left. Petty, who turns 24 in May, was one of the most productive quarterbacks in college football over the last few seasons, but he has a few red flags that make him a risky option on day two. He played in a one-read offense and hasn't shown he can make plays when the first read breaks down.'