Archives for February 2016

'Schwartz has emerged as one of the better young right tackles in the league, but playing in Cleveland, doesn’t get the recognition he may deserve or some others at his position get. He has started every single game of his four-year career after being selected in the second round in 2012. He’s the brother of Giants offensive guard Geoff Schwartz, and some believe New York will pursue him to have the brothers tandem on their right side.'

'Just by scanning around the Buffalo locker room, Taylor can easily identify the building blocks for the Bills future success. He’s got a Pro Bowl running back in LeSean McCoy, who battled through injuries to help make Buffalo the number one rushing attack in the NFL.'

'Darrelle Revis received a five-year, $70 million contract. Richard Sherman inked with Seattle at five years, $59 million. Joe Haden signed a six-year, $75 million deal. Gilmore may seek a contract in this stratosphere, so it's on Buffalo to prioritize which positions matter most on this roster. Much money is already tied up in running back, tight end, the defensive line and the Bills are still skating by on the cheap at quarterback.'

'“I still have to see a lot more. A lot more," Esiason said. "I know that Coach Ryan was real excited about his athleticism and all of the things that you love. And this is Tyrod’s first time starting. So let’s not jump to conclusions one way or the other. The good thing about Tyrod is he cares. He wants to do it. So that’s the first part that you have to get. I think the limited success he had this year is going to bode well for him going into next year. Even they are not sure if he’s the long-term answer. Only time will tell.”'

'Phillips was asked what went through his mind as that fateful final kickoff return was unfolding in Nashville that day. “When I was standing on the sidelines, I knew it was a forward lateral,” he said, “so I thought they were going to bring it back. If they had HD in those days, we wouldn’t be sitting here. I’d be a head coach somewhere.”'

'"I think it's something that we can accomplish next year," Taylor said. "It's definitely not going to be easy. Each year presents its own challenges. But I think we have the team to do it. Walking into it, of course, from the other teammates, they didn't know who their starting quarterback was going to be. They were kind of mislead early on. Once we figured out who the quarterback was, we were able go out there and start making things happen. But I think to get onto the playoffs is definitely something we can do next year."'

'A player signed to a reserve/future contract can be added to an NFL team's roster when it expands from 53 to 90 players for the offseason on March 9, the first day of the NFL's 2016 calendar. The reserve/future players are eligible to participate in offseason workouts, minicamps and OTAs as team members.'

'“I learned a long time ago, before the Super Bowls and before Marv, that you never give up, regardless of the situation,” Kelly said. “You turn a negative into a positive. During my senior year at Miami, I blew out my shoulder and they said I would never play football again. I was drafted by Buffalo, but went and played in the USFL instead. I had my son born on my birthday and had all these dreams of what I was going to do for him … and he passed away. I’ve been diagnosed with cancer not once, but twice. It’s been a whirlwind.'

'“We’ve got great friends there and enjoyed our time in Buffalo. We were there six years. That was a big part of our coaching lives."'

'Arenas has recorded 106 punt returns for 1,035 yards and 73 kickoff returns for 1,541 yards.'

'Arenas originally entered the NFL in 2010 as the second round (50th overall) draft pick of the Kansas City Chiefs. The 5-9, 197-pound Alabama product has also spent time with Arizona and Atlanta. Arenas has appeared in 69 games with 12 starts totaling 143 tackles, five sacks, two interceptions, nine quarterback hits, seven tackles for a loss and 24 passes defensed.'

'"I loved my time there," Studesville said, "and loved my time in Western New York. … They’ve got a good staff there. They’ve got good guys there in Buffalo. It’s only a matter of time. They’ll get it turned around.”'

'It’s an alternate universe, and CBS Sports will take us there Sunday with a pre-Super Bowl game segment, “A (Revised) History of the Buffalo Bills,” that blissfully reverses the outcome of those four consecutive losses between the 1990 and 1993 seasons.'

'"In fact, honestly, that’s when you have your most growth. I know for me I had my worst year in the second year in the league. And I came back and went to the Pro Bowl the next decade. So it was one of those things — embarrassment drives you. I don’t know if he’s embarrassed or not but I certainly think he’s unhappy with what happened this year and he’s going to go out there and get it right.”'

'A developmental quarterback should be added at some point in the draft, but Buffalo’s early picks need to be spent rebuilding the defense.'