Archives for April 21, 2016

'“With our history people in this draft and in the league know we’re open to doing anything,” he said.'

'The Bills need a game-changer, a blood-thirsty pass rusher to zap life into an often-lethargic defense that finished with a franchise-low 21 sacks. And in a draft lacking such weapons — beyond Ohio State’s Joey Bosa, it’s a crapshoot — Correa may make the most sense. The 6-foot-3, 243-pounder racked up 19 sacks and four forced fumbles the last two seasons, lit up his Combine with a 4.69 in the 40, 34-inch vertical leap and scouts were impressed with his positional drills.'

'We still have, by sheer numbers, some holes we have to fill. Not only do we have the draft but after the draft there is going to be some other guys, some veteran guys that get let go. So you will have that opportunity to add then as well.'

'“Let’s put it this way, when they come in a meeting and we have a game plan together, saying this is how we’re going to attack this draft, and that’s when (Terry will) say, ‘Hey, have you thought about this?’” Whaley said during Wednesday’s Bills pre-draft media briefing. “And we like it because they haven’t been around football long enough to be tunnel-visioned like we are, and they bring an outside perspective. There’s been a couple times he’s mentioned stuff that we never talked about and we went, ‘That’s great.’'

'The good news is the Bills don't need to act out of desperation. Taylor wasn't the chief problem in 2016, throwing for 3,035 yards, rushing for 568 with 24 total touchdowns and a 99.4 passer rating through a Pro Bowl first season.'

'"If you can get somebody to call up to 19, we'll definitely entertain it," he said. "To answer your question, yes there's depth and perceived depth in a lot of areas that we need sheer numbers. So that opens up the possibility and it's intriguing to us. To go up would probably be something really special, but again we've done it before. Most likely, with what we're doing, moving down would be a highly more intriguing situation than going up."'

'Sammy Watkins, whose absence from Monday's start of the Buffalo Bills' offseason voluntary conditioning program caused a bit of a stir (especially after he posted a photo on Facebook placing him at a casino), was at One Bills Drive Wednesday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media.'

'"Guys are happy hearing that we don't have as many situations and checks on plays, so guys are excited that we're starting to compromise going into the season, just trying to make it simple and as fast as possible."'

'"His resume is short, you have to take that into consideration when you're making that decision," Whaley said. "All these picks are a leap of faith, and that's a greater leap of faith than a lot of other guys."'

'"Nope, my phone has not rung on Tyrod," Whaley said Wednesday.'

'"It's his team," Whaley said. "He can do whatever he wants. Absolutely."'

'Watkins doesn't face any punishment for missing voluntary workouts and is not eligible for any workout bonuses, so his absence will go without consequence. The Bills, though, now have one of their best players back in the fold. After Watkins called into question the Bills' leadership late last season, his presence is important, particularly when the team is stressing its "All In" mantra for 2016.'

'I think the biggest traits that we look for are accuracy, decision making, and ability to make people around him play better, and to lead and have command. Not only of the offense, but of the huddle.'

'“Everybody says defensive line, and it is (deep),” he said. “But we feel like every position, if you are good evaluators you are going to find a guy in any round. Quarterback gets labeled as a deep position, every team is going to be different. But we do think quarterback and D-line, we do think it is good for those this year.”'

'“In all. Just look at football in all,” the GM explained. "Those old-school MIKE’s (middle LBs) that take on fullbacks and blow up guards, you’re not finding them in college, because colleges don’t don’t that. And it’s getting fewer and fewer teams here in the pros.”'