Archives for March 2016

'Blanton’s deal is reportedly one year at $840,000.'

'Goff is considered to be one of the best quarterback prospects in the 2016 NFL Draft. The former Golden Bear is likely going to be long gone when the Buffalo Bills are on the board at No. 19, but that didn't stop Whaley from doing his homework, and philosophically, he would have no problem taking Goff if he's there at 19.'

'Blanton, a fifth-round pick of the Vikings back in 2012, started in Minnesota for one year. He will likely come in and compete for the third safety spot behind Aaron Williams and Corey Graham in the Bills' defense. With Bacarri Rambo departing in free agency, Blanton will compete with Duke Williams and Jonathan Meeks to add depth to a secondary that needed it.'

'"Attending the Women's History Month Reception at the White House was an absolutely amazing experience," Smith said via the team. "I am extremely honored to have been invited, and to be in the presence of so many powerful, influential and trailblazing women was a once in a lifetime experience."'

'Hogan reportedly threw the ball well at his pro day and his elongated throwing motion, which has been a cause for concern with him, and looked more compact during his workout. At Stanford, Hogan played from under center often, and that will appeal to NFL teams. Like Hackenberg, Hogan is big and has a strong arm. Accuracy and the windup of a throwing motion are the biggest red flags. Still, Hogan seems to have the traits to at least be a solid backup in the NFL, something the Bills currently lack.'

'Buffalo is expecting safety Aaron Williams to return and play alongside Corey Graham in center field of the Bills defense. Blanton and Duke Williams will round out the depth chart at the position.'

'Blanton has primarily played safety over his first four seasons in the NFL, all in Minnesota, but can play cornerback, as well. He’s started 14 games for the Vikings the past two seasons.'

'It’s unlikely the Bills will be in position to draft the consensus top two QBs in the draft, Carson Wentz or Jared Goff. Paxton Lynch could possibly still be on the board when they choose at 19, but even if he is, the Bills may very well choose to draft a player that will give them more immediate help, then look to the later rounds for their young QB.'

'Blanton (6-1, 200) will provide depth behind incumbent starters Corey Graham and Aaron Williams in the secondary.'

'Blanton, 26, is a four-year NFL veteran, but has been a full-time starter at safety in just one of his previous four seasons with the Vikings. He started 13 games in 2014 and finished third on the team in tackles with 111 and had his only fumble recovery that season against the Bills.'

'A total of 24 of the NFL’s 32 team owners must approve any proposal in order for it to pass. In some cases, proposals are modified before being approved.'

'Hackenberg was supposed to be the cream of the quarterback crop this year. After he stepped on campus as a baby-faced freshman in 2013 and lit up the Big 10, Hackenberg looked like the next big thing at quarterback. A coaching change and offensive line issues derailed what looked like a promising career, though. Hackenberg was either a shell of himself or just regressed to the norm in his final two seasons for the Nittany Lions.'

'The Bills have proposed a rule change that would allow coaches to challenge any official's decision outside of scoring plays and turnovers. Buffalo is not alone in wanting to expand replay. The Ravens have proposed that teams get three challenges instead of two. Washington wants personal fouls to be reviewable and wants to eliminate the rule that a team must win its first two challenges in order to get a third.'

'When Steward met Rex Ryan, the Bills coach told him the biggest reason the team drafted him was because of the kind of person Steward is. “Now every time I see him he cusses me out, gives me some crap,” Steward said. “He is probably crazier than what you hear about. But Rex Ryan had that connection with Clemson and gave me a shot, and I told myself, ‘I’m going to make the most of it.’ ”'

'“Boy, you know what? I think the one thing about Rex is he hasn’t learned his lesson,” Bills Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas told Damon Amendolara, who was filling in as host of CBS Sports Radio’s The Doug Gottlieb Show. “After coming in and saying, ‘Yeah, they were fourth in the league in defense last year and they wanted to be No. 1. We’re striving to be No. 1’ – he put a bullseye on his back. People got excited about that and it didn’t happen for, what, the 16th year in a row the Buffalo Bills haven’t made the playoffs? When you bring a coach in like Rex Ryan, (he’s got to realize), ‘You know what? I can’t be saying stuff like I did in the past. I’ve got to really go out and prove that I’m worthy of still being a head coach in the National Football League.’'