Archives for June 2015

'Taylor has a mixed review of his work through the offseason. At times, he was happy with his decision-making and passing and ability to move the offense. At times, he wasn’t, noting there were areas that he and the entire offense could improve.'

'“We finally have a coach who will really lay it on the line for us,” he said. “I mean, Rex will make the tough calls and really put us in the position to win, regardless of whatever the stakes are. And he’s not going to be buddy-buddy. He’s like, ‘You’re a grown man and I’m going to tell it to you like it is.’'

'“I am gonna alter my life now, and alter my way of living — drastically,” he told me. “I’ve dropped a lot of friends that I thought were friends, just in the last couple of months. I don’t go around certain areas that I used to go around. I don’t hang with certain people. I don’t do certain things.”'

'Marko Beslach, the 18-year-old Detroit Lions fan who was banned for life from Ford Field after he directed a laser pointer at Buffalo Bills players during a game in October, paid a $235 fine earlier this year to settle his case.'

'“He flashes on the field as a rookie, has good speed,” Gilmore said. “He is a good guy, I talked to him he seems down to earth a good guy and he always asked me questions. I try to tell him all I know and he is just a great guy, a great addition to the room and I think he will help us win games this year.”'

'Off-the-field topics were not the only thing discussed; Darby said that one of his biggest takeaways from the symposium was how to transcend greatness on the field. Hall of Famer Cris Carter was especially impactful in this discussion.'

'The celebration will mark the 50th anniversary of the Bills’ second AFL title. The team waited a year to hold the event, partly because of the change in ownership after Wilson’s death and because they wanted to honor all the players from both of Buffalo’s only major professional sports champions.'

'Ticket brokers estimate that roughly 10,000 tickets are available on the secondary market for each game. But depending on the popularity of the game, a buyer might spend two to five times the face value to purchase a ticket.'

'However, Battle may also come with character concerns. In 2013, he was suspended one game for punching an opponent. Then, last year, he sat out his team's game against Syracuse for an undisclosed disciplinary action after already having sat out the Tigers' opening drive against Florida State for showing up late for a team meeting. Then, earlier this month, according to The Clemson Insider, Battle was pulled over and cited for simple possession of marijuana. In the official release from the school announcing Battle will enter the supplemental draft, the Brooklyn, New York native said he is headed to the NFL for personal reasons, but rumors persist he was asked to leave the team.'

'Henderson might not have made a convincing enough case to shift to the left in the near future, but – provided he doesn’t play himself off the roster – he could be called on to play there if Glenn were injured. He also could end up there if the Bills were to wind up parting ways with Glenn, whose contract is due to expire after the 2015 season. That also was at least part of the reason Cyrus Kouandjio, another second-year player, received starting reps at right tackle.'

'What might be even more interesting, however, is the possibility of the suspension being upheld, either fully or partially, and Brady missing multiple games late in the season when the postseason stakes are presumably higher.'

'"It's great to be back in this wonderful park, making new friends," he said. "It's neat to sign autographs again. It makes you feel like you're special. So, it's a mutual thing. The people from this organization are special and they're making us feel like we're special, which is a good thing."'

'That said, I do think Cassel is perfectly hard wired to be the consummate veteran mentor backup to EJ Manuel or Tyrod Taylor or any younger starter. He is a true professional who knows how to suppress his ego and do what’s right for the team. But do the Bills value that enough to tie up nearly $5 million in cap space on the guy? I tend to doubt it.'

'“Playing 49 to 50-percent of the snaps last year was great for me,” Williams said during OTAs earlier this offseason. “I got my feet wet. Just stepping up as a starter this year and taking on the role is going to make it easier. I believe it is going to be a great competition. We have great safeties here. As soon as Aaron (Williams) gets back, it is going to make our secondary complete. I believe I am going to step in and be that guy. Being under Searcy last year, he was a great veteran who taught me a few things. Jarius (Byrd) too. Playing under him also was a great experience for me, so I feel like I am ready.”'

'"It's not like I retired and went into something else," said the 24-year-old Goodwin who played at Texas and was picked by the Bills in the third round of the 2013 draft. "It's not like I haven't done anything. I've stayed sharp, basically through football workouts.'