Archives for January 26, 2016

'Bills fans can always count on something reminding them about a time in which the standards were considerably higher than what’s accepted today. Phillips and DeHaven worked together when the Bills won their last playoff game, in 1999, and their dismissals signaled the start of a 16-year playoff drought.'

'Buffalo's lone player to be originally selected to the game, running back LeSean McCoy, will not participate because of a knee injury suffered late in the 2015 season.'

'"Incognito’s off-field reputation preceded him heading into 2015, but he has always been one of the better guards in the league, and his signing always seemed a shrewd piece of business by Rex Ryan from an on-field perspective," PFF's David Aitken writes. "It would appear the year out of the league did him a world of good, as he never had a season as strong as 2015 with Buffalo. Baltimore’s Marshal Yanda held the top spot in PFF’s guard grades for the second straight year, but right behind him was Richie Incognito, buoyed by an excellent performance in the run game."'

'The Bills held the No. 3 pick in that year’s draft – going 4-4 in the final eight games of the season after an 0-8 start. Denver held the No. 2 pick, and had both Luck and Newton been in the draft, would have had a big decision to make. The Broncos still had Tim Tebow, a former first-round draft pick, on their roster. At that point, he only had made three career starts. Would they have taken Luck or Newton and cut ties with Tebow without ever really giving him a chance to start? It became moot after Luck returned to school, but it’s hard not to think about when Newton is playing the way he did Sunday.'

'Wood started all 16 games for the Bills in 2015 and helped pave the way to the Bills having both the top rushing attack in the NFL in yards (2,432) and yards per carry (4.78). The Bills also had three rushers surpass the 500-yard mark – McCoy (895), Taylor (568), and Karlos Williams (517) – for the first time since 1962. Wood is the first Bills center headed to the Pro Bowl since Kent Hull in 1990.'

'Incognito and Wood were part of the Bills' much-improved offensive line. Incognito, who was suspended by the Miami Dolphins in 2013 for his role in a bullying scandal and did not play in the 2014 season, was signed to a one-year deal for 2015. He is now a free agent.'

'The man is 68 and has been coaching somewhere — in high school, college or the pros — in 47 of the last 49 seasons, which bears witness to both his skills and stubbornness. And today, in (a) Colorado and (b) among all those coaching lifers out there, he is pretty much a football hero.'

'Wood is making his first appearance in the Pro Bowl following his seventh season in the league. He made a big jump forward, along with the rest of the Bills' offensive line, under new offensive coordinator Greg Roman. Buffalo led the league in rushing in 2015, and Wood played a part in that.'

'This was Taylor's first season as a starter after spending the previous four years as Joe Flacco's backup in Baltimore. He set a Bills quarterback record with 568 yards rushing while throwing 20 touchdown passes versus six interceptions.'

'Bryant was a key member of the defense this past season. He started week one while Marcell Dareus sat out for his suspension. He then became the full-time starter in place of Kyle Williams after he was lost for the season. He's regarded as one of the smartest players on the team, able to pick up the defense very quickly and understand his roles and responsibilities. That's very valuable for this team going forward, considering last year's issues in that department. Although he came into the league in 2011, Bryant hasn't played enough to qualify for unrestricted free agency, so the Bills have a great opportunity to keep one of their own here without overspending.'

'Running back LeSean McCoy was voted in, but pulled out so he can continue to recover from a late-season injury. Chris Ivory of the Jets will take his place.'

'But Incognito and Glenn are only two of what will be eight unrestricted free agents come the middle of March. There are also seven restricted free agents the team has to make decisions on, as well. The Bills obviously can't keep them all.'

'Along with QB Tyrod Taylor, RB LeSean McCoy and C Eric Wood, this marks the first time the Bills have had four Pro Bowlers on the offensive side of the ball since 2002 when four Bills (QB Drew Bledsoe, G Ruben Brown, RB Travis Henry, WR Eric Moulds) earned Pro Bowl honors.'

'Taylor and Wood were two key pieces to Buffalo’s resurgence on offense in 2015. Under offensive coordinator Greg Roman, Wood led an offensive line that rebounded from a ranking of 25th in rushing in 2014 to lead the league this past season. A Pro Bowl alternate in 2014 as well, this will be Wood’s first opportunity to play in the game.'

'Over the last two games, evidence of that new approach showed on the field with Buffalo, despite being severely shorthanded in terms of injured starters, posted a pair of victories to end the 2015 campaign. Yes, it was too late to qualify for the postseason, but young players helped to chart a new course for future success.'