Archives for April 2, 2016

'The instinctive Lee, an agile, yet punchy 6-foot-1, 232 pounds, fits the mold of a 2016 NFL linebacker. Lee initially took over for 2014 first-round pick Ryan Shazier as a redshirt freshman to start 15 games. That season, Lee finished with 81 tackles (16.5 for loss) and 7.5 sacks as Ohio State won the national title. In the Sugar Bowl semifinal win against Alabama, Lee wreaked havoc with seven tackles (three for loss) and two sacks.'

'Lee would fit a need in the Bills defense as an athletic, rangy complement to Preston Brown but he might not be available at No. 19 overall. Apple, a second-team All Big Ten selection, projects as a first-rounder after taking on the opposition's No. 1 wideout each week in finishing with 33 tackles (two for loss), one interception and eight pass breakups last season. He had 53 stops (5.5 for loss), three picks and 10 break-ups in 2014.'

'Mandatory Minicamp Tuesday, June 14 – Thursday, June 16.'

'He proved to be a disappointment with the Buccaneers, who after signing him to a four-year contract, relegated him to backup duty when he was surpassed on the depth chart by rookie Kwon Alexander. Carter wound up starting three games last season. He was credited with 47 tackles, two sacks and two passes defensed.'

'The film was nominated in the “Outstanding Long Sports Documentary’’ category, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences announced. The winners will be announced at the 37th annual Sports Emmy Awards on Tuesday, May 10 at the Time Warner Center in New York City.'

'Here's a roundup of the news this week, including which draft prospects and free agents the Bills have met with.'

'The Bills had already been tied to Jones, Apple and Lee. Jones is a likely day two pick at quarterback due to his ideal size and arm strength. He's a bit underrated at reading coverage and could develop into a starter in the NFL. Apple was on the fast track to becoming one of the top cornerback prospects in the 2017 NFL Draft but decided to leave school early. He could come off the board as early as the late first round. Meanwhile, Lee has been a popular pick for the Bills in mock draft. He's a speedy linebacker who could fill the 'WILL' position left vacant by Nigel Bradham.'

'The team’s preseason and regular season schedule will be released later this month. Their training camp schedule will be announced later this offseason.'

'"I was excited about the offer, but you also got to weight your options, consult your agent and see what's out there," Mills said on the John Murphy Show on Friday night from Arizona. "I always wanted to go back to Buffalo so bad. I was very anxious about the whole situation and being a free agent, but it all worked out for the best and I wouldn't change it for the world."'

'Voluntary for players, the event is fairly self-explanatory. The team works with the coaches and training staff in off-field activities: stretching, sprints, weight room, etc. It's also the first time for some of the new faces to acclimate themselves with their teammates.'

'For the Bills and their present situation at inside linebacker, bringing in just about anyone would help — that's how bad the depth is at the moment. With Carter, they'd be getting a player with a legitimate amount of starting experience, one that has played in both a 4-3 and a 3-4 defensive scheme, and is familiar with the Ryan playbook from his time in Dallas.

'According to Peter Schrager of Fox Sports, the Bills took the following Buckeyes to dinner on Thursday night: quarterback Cardale Jones, linebacker Darron Lee, offensive tackle Taylor Decker, cornerback Eli Apple, defensive lineman Adolphus Washington, and safety Vonn Bell. Lee, Jones, and Apple were already reported to have been among the pre-draft visit list, which makes Decker, Washington, and Bell new additions to the list.'

'The Buffalo Bills will begin their voluntary offseason conditioning program on Monday, April 18. The offseason conditioning program is VOLUNTARY for all Bills players.'

'Carter, 28, is a former second-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in the 2011 NFL draft. The athletic inside linebacker most recently played middle linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their 4-3 defensive front where he logged 47 tackles, a pair of sacks and two pass breakups.'

'With the dates and times of the Bills 2016 schedule still a few weeks away, here’s a preview of the signal callers Buffalo will go up against this year…'.