Archives for July 22, 2015

'A pre-camp resolution would strongly signal the Bills aren't concerned with how the criminal case turns out. According to an NFL source, they are pretty well satisfied with the information gathered in conjunction with the league, and what they have learned doesn't make the situation look any brighter for Kromer than what was contained in a disturbing police report.'

'The foundation plans to spend that $1.2 billion, plus investment income, in grants over the next 20 years, with the proceeds “primarily” going to the Buffalo and Detroit areas, the foundation planned to announce Wednesday.'

'“It’s almost difficult to get your head around it. But having studied the history of the game and having understood, with so many Bills players enshrined in recent years that I was fortunate enough to be with, it’s just an incredibly momentous occasion and incredible honor that you’re there with people you’ve revered and looked up to all your life.”'

'The Bills now have an open roster spot heading into training camp. Hunter seemed to be nothing more than a camp body. He hasn't played in the NFL since 2012 with the St. Louis Rams.'

'The Bills' quarterback competition is about more than which player will emerge as the starter. Rex Ryan is going to be running two spot drills and utilizing both practice fields at St. John Fisher College. Will the Bills' receivers have trouble developing a rapport with the quarterbacks because of the divided reps? Will the quarterbacks struggle to get into rhythm and, if so, how much will that affect the flow of practice? Not having the quarterback position settled can have a ripple effect on the rest of the team.'

'“I started both (sports) at the same time and I was pretty good at both my whole life,” Goodwin said on Tuesday at York as the Pan Am track and field competition got under way. “I’ve always been given more opportunities in track. It’s always been a stigma that track guys can’t play football so I tried to break that stereotype.'

'“I wanted to come back and give back to the kids. Growing up in Reno, you didn’t get any NFL athletes coming … It’s a pleasure to be involved with this.”'

'Hunter never had an opportunity to even practice with Buffalo.'

'Hunter, 34, was with the New York Jets from 2008 to 2010 when Rex Ryan, now the Bills' head coach, was in New York. The Hawaiian started all 16 games for the Jets in 2011 and has seen action in 77 career games with 25 starts.'

'Goodwin says training for the long jump not only keeps him from sitting on the couch eating potato chips, but it also improves him as a receiver because it helps maintain his explosiveness and helps him make more precise cuts while running routes. Plus, he enjoys long jumping.'

'If their quarterback position is productive and not self-destructive, a fight for a wild-card spot is viable. If one of their quarterbacks has a career year, then they could challenge the Patriots atop the division.'

'“Yes, very similar. The scheme is Pettine's but a lot more aggressive. I feel like the coverage is a more aggressive on the back end. The D-line they are able to rush more aggressively, too, so it helps out everybody. Last year I was more just coverage basically. And softer coverage, too. I didn’t get to do everything that I wanted to do, as far as being aggressive, being able to play like I really wanted to play. But this year, Rex is allowing me to do that.”'

'Goodwin told me via text Monday his plan was to hit the qualifying mark for the long jump finals in his very first preliminary jump and be “one and done.” That’s exactly what he did. To qualify for the finals a jumper must hit 8.0-meters or have their best jump rank in the top-12 out of 18 competitors. All jumpers are allowed three attempts. Goodwin was the first competitor and only needed to go down the runway once.'

'Now in Buffalo, Rex will obviously want to go back to using his staple in-your-face, man-to-man, pressure defense, and feels he can with cornerbacks like Stephon Gilmore, Leodis McKelvin, Nickell Robey, and second round pick Ronald Darby, a linebacker who can run like Nigel Bradham, and of course, arguably the best pass-rushing group in the league up-front.'

'Wood, who plays one of the most important positions on the offensive line, will have to be the leader not only in voice, but by play on the field as well. The Bills will certainly be depending on that group to pave the way for the rushing attack in lieu of having a solidified answer at quarterback.'