Archives for May 3, 2015

'In general, the Bills’ six picks from Friday night’s second round through Saturday’s seventh were guided by the grading of the player-personnel department. “We factor position in, but highest guy on our board,” Monos said of Williams. “I know you” reporters “laugh when I say it, but he was.”'

'Giving second chances is one thing, but just how far is General Manager Doug Whaley willing to go with that philosophy? Far enough, apparently, that a player who was wanted for questioning in a domestic violence case and also accused of setting up a drug deal that ended in an armed robbery now has a home in Buffalo.'

'No, and as far as the players and police were concerned, nothing happened that night in December 2012. And Karlos Williams’ pregnant girlfriend got those bruises on her arm when she punched a door.'

'And share people did. By May 2, the image had been shared nearly 18,000 times — and that's only on Facebook. At least two well-known football-related Twitter accounts — @TheBillsMafia, with 53,000 followers, and @DraftDiamonds, with 76,000 followers — sent the plea out to their audiences.'

'Contrary to Whaley's renewed enthusiasm, there's not a lot to get excited about, but that's the good thing about having upgraded the roster so significantly though free agency and the trade market. The Bills don't have any glaring holes, they have depth at almost every position group, and they didn't need to hit home runs in this draft.'

'Interestingly, Buffalo took Steward at 188 over, six picks before O’Leary, who seemed the more marquee player. They rolled the dice and won.'

'And it’s not without irony that the best-known of the group was the last Seminole selected by general manager Doug Whaley.'

'"I think running back is still a position we need to add depth at," Monos said. "I don't think that's a set position at all. We want to make sure all of those guys are competing so we look at that as a position we need."'

'After trading Kiko Alonso, the Bills needed some depth at linebacker. Still, Steward may have a tough time making the roster. He says he feels most comfortable at inside linebacker and thinks his special teams prowess could help him stick on the Bills' roster.'

'Bills offensive coordinator Greg Roman has expressed interest in possibly dressing four tight ends on game days, so O'Leary may have a better chance of making the roster than other late-round Bills picks this season. Bills director of player personnel Jim Monos mentioned O'Leary's character and mental makeup when discussing what makes him a good fit with the team. He also feels O'Leary complements newly signed Charles Clay.'

'"Raw receiver who is still learning how to play to his size. His average athleticism won't impress NFL teams, but they were impressed with the way he caught the ball at the combine. Lewis could be a third day target but will need time to grow as a receiver in order to transition from small school prospect to NFL receiver."'

'Here's an updated list of the Bills' reported signings.'

'“He handed the phone to the owner,” Steward said Saturday evening from Columbia, S.C., where he enjoyed the draft with his agent and girlfriend, Brittany Burns. “He offered me the position and that’s how it happened. It was an overwhelming feeling of joy and excitement. I can’t fully explain it. It’s amazing.”'

'But O’Leary’s toughness, and his ability to find space in the defense and adjust his routes, were in his favor, as were his improved blocking skills. He is often described as a throwback, one reason being he doesn’t wear gloves. O’Leary’s value in the NFL will not be as a down-field receiver but perhaps as an H-back.'

'Hudson, from Redlands, Calif., was all but off the team after his junior season in 2013. UW’s most productive defensive lineman in 2012, Hudson lost his starting spot in 2013 and finished the season with just two tackles. He was so far down the depth chart that eventually he volunteered to work with the scout team in practice, just so he could get some work in.'