Archives for January 14, 2016

'Thanks in no small part to Incognito and stepped-up performances from others on the line, the Bills led the NFL in rushing with 2,432 yards and their offense improved from 26th to 13th in the league.'

'Chances are, you won’t hear from most of them again. But of the 14 darts thrown at the board, a few should land.'

'"It's reflected in the cost," Bills vice president of communications Scott Berchtold said Wednesday of the manner in which season-ticket holders were informed of the increase. "You can see there's an increase right there. I think it's clear, when you look at the pricing, that it's communicated."'

'Don't be surprised if the team continues that effort in the draft. Outside of Sammy Watkins, the Bills don't have a sure thing at the position. Robert Woods has been a reliable player, but is entering the final year of his contract. After that, the depth chart is wide open.'

'“Obviously, he’s played in this system at a MVP-caliber level and he’s a real student of the game,” said Ryan. “I think he’s going to be a phenomenal coach and I truly believe our players are going to love learning from him.”'

'“Definitely think that we progressed each and every week,” Taylor said. “Started off a little slow, wasn't getting the ball to him as much as I would like to, but was able to get the ball to him (later) and that type of guy you want him to have it because he's special when the ball is in his hands. We didn't have a lot of time in the preseason to work with each other. He was injured a couple times early, I was too. So us just being out on the practice field together each and every day, finally getting reps and working towards getting him the ball.”'

'The 2015 Bills finished as the worst defense Ryan has ever coached, and he's making some adjustments to the coaching staff in hopes of turning things around in 2016.'

'Meanwhile, Buffalo's burghers can wink and nod because if not for the deep pockets of Terry and Kim Pegula, coupled with their corresponding allegiance to western New York, the Bills might have beaten the Rams to southern California.'

'Dan Carpenter missed six extra points this season, the second-most in the league. Oddly enough, he missed fewer field goals than extra points this season. Still, Carpenter's 85.2 percent field goal percentage was his lowest since 2010. The Bills should bring in some offseason competition for Carpenter.'

'Reed joins the Bills after concluding his long and distinguished playing career in 2013. A 12-year NFL veteran, Reed finished his career regarded as one of the best players to ever play the safety position.'

'When a custom's officer asked Teso how many beers he had consumed, he was honest. But his answer of 10 beers gave the officer a reason to have him pulled over to check on his sobriety.'

'"I can attest to the incredibly high level of professionalism he is going to bring with him to Buffalo," Ryan said in a statement released by the team. "I think he's going to be a phenomenal coach and I truly believe our players are going to love learning from him."'

'Reed retired in 2013 after 12 years in the NFL. He was a nine-time Pro Bowl safety, earned first-team All-Pro honors five times and was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2004. Reed's 64 career interceptions rank as the sixth most in NFL history and his 1,590 interception return yards are the most all-time. Reed also collected 699 total tackles, six sacks, 154 passes defensed, 12 forced fumbles and 10 fumble recoveries in his career.'

'Reed reunites with Ryan on his coaching staff after spending the first seven years of his career playing under Ryan in Baltimore. Reed also played the final seven games of his NFL career under Ryan with the New York Jets in 2013.'

'“The longer they’re together the better they’re going to be,” he said as he prepares to go to the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama in two weeks. “And for us to have them in year one, have us leading the league in rushing, that’s a pretty high mark and a good standard and we want to keep that. And those two guys, I think, is a key to us taking the next step forward for next year.”'