Archives for February 2016

'Here are a handful of quarterbacks who could enter the discussion next month in free agency or the following month in the draft…'.

'“It’s one of the toughest cities to grow up in," Tapper said. "You have to be very tough-minded. Coming out of Baltimore is like winning the lottery for a lot of us. You don’t see too many kids or anything coming out of Baltimore. It’s like a rose in the concrete almost."'

'"They had him high in preseason and nobody really knew about me because he had a lot of playing time in the previous seasons," Dodd said. "Nobody really knew about me. They're going to go with what they project. If they projected Shaq to be All-ACC, that's who they're going to roll with and that's who they went with. I had my chances and I got my opportunities to showcase who I am and I took full advantage of it."'

'The Bills have two good starting cornerbacks in Stephon Gilmore and Ronald Darby, their first draft pick last year, so Cromartie might be looking at a different role than he is used to if he goes to Buffalo. It also is possible Ryan is looking for someone who knows his defense and could bridge the gap between he and the Bills defenders that developed last year when several were publicly critical of Ryan.'

'Nevertheless, Cromartie made it clear he’s open to joining his former coach. “I love Rex,” he said. “That would be a great opportunity for me. I think he’s doing something good up in Buffalo to try to get that organization turned around.”'

'Cromartie, who will turn 32 in April, is expected to land somewhere in the second wave of free agency that begins March 9.'

'Cromartie will be 32 in April. With Ronald Darby and Stephon Gilmore entrenched as starting corners for the Bills, the 6-2, 210-pounder would either be a backup cornerback for depth purposes or be signed to play safety, as well.'

'Cromartie enjoyed some of his best years in the league as a Jet under Ryan's regime. He was one of Gang Green's best athletes during his initial stay with the team from 2010 to 2013, where the corner compiled 160 tackles, 51 passes defended and 13 interceptions.'

'“We’ve always been able to do what we needed to do to get where we want to go,” Whaley said. “We won’t be able to sign everybody but we have a wish list and I feel confident what we’ll be able to get done on the wish list. Giving you a guarantee? Until they sign on the dotted line, you never know. But I feel confident.'

'“Even though we were much criticized for that move by a lot of people in here,” Ryan said, “it ended up working out.”'

'At the heart of that embrace was Norwood. If any absolution was sought or required, for Norwood or any of them, it was granted that day. I don’t know if it will take another mass rally, or simply its modern equivalent – a social media outpouring of affection – to cleanse the emotional backwash from a quarter-century ago. But it’s long past time for the guy who was never to blame to forgive himself.'

'The team is pretty flush against the cap already and saddled by some massive salaries, and they will remain as active as any club in the league trying to rework and restructure contracts between now and the official start of the NFL league year on March 9. They aim to keep both left tackle Cordy Glenn — and have long budgeted for the fact they may well have to franchise him to keep him — as well as guard Richie Incognito, who played at a very high level a year ago and stayed out of trouble. On top of that, they'd like to add a few value free agents from other clubs.'

'Connor Cook, Michigan State.'

'Glenn, 26, was drafted 41st overall by the Bills in 2012. He has played and started in 61 games for the Bills, including every game over the past three seasons. He is considered one of the top impending free agents this offseason — Around The NFL ranked him No. 8 in its top 99 free agents.'

'Wentz was clearly the most impressive performer. He was superior to just about all the other quarterbacks in arm strength and was far and away the best passer when it came to accuracy. The North Dakota State product was putting the ball on the chest of receivers so quickly that the other receivers waiting to run their route were hooting about Wentz’s ball velocity. He carried himself with confidence and yet appeared loose and comfortable.'