Archives for April 2016

'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…'.

'Henderson endeared himself to ex-coach Doug Marrone, but Mills is the one who started 29 games under current Bills offensive line coach Aaron Kromer with the Chicago Bears. He’s more scrappy, than overwhelming. And whenever Henderson was down, Mills got the call over 2014 second-round pick Cyrus Kouandjio.'

'"First off I think with Thurman — and I really like Thurman — he cares deeply about his team," Ryan said. "I expected to be in the playoffs last year. Didn't happen and we're all disappointed about it, there is no question about it. I'm hoping for different results but I'll always be myself."'

'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.'

'Jason Vrable takes over as an assistant quarterbacks coach after spending the previous three seasons as the team's offensive quality control coach. The promotion comes after Vrable spent part of last season working with quarterbacks coach David Lee in developing first-year starter Tyrod Taylor.'

'Jason Vrable, who had spent the last three seasons as the team’s offensive quality control coach, has been promoted to assistant quarterbacks coach. Vrabel began his coaching career as a strength intern at the University of South Florida. Since then he’s been with Marietta College, Robert Morris, Syracuse, and Charleston.'

'I know it’s easy to make fun of his play last year in London, or hitting the hospitality tent in training camp, but the cold, hard reality is EJ Manuel was really no better or worse than almost any other backup in the league last year.'

'If all else fails in the first two-to-three rounds as far as linebackers are concerned, Morrison would be a solid addition to the Bills' roster — and could even start for them in 2016. He projects right into a need position for Buffalo, and was noted as an emotional leader of an impressive Gators defense in the 2015 season.'

'Hackenberg, 21, spent the past three seasons as the Nittany Lions starting quarterback. He enjoyed his best season as a true freshman, throwing for 2,955 yards, 20 touchdowns, just 10 interceptions, and a 58.9-percent completion rate.'

'Meyer worked with the Bills in the capacity of football operations consultant in 2015. Last season, Meyer provided assistance to the Bills offensive line in 2015 and the unit achieved exemplary marks. The Bills offensive line helped pave the way to the Bills having both the top rushing attack in the NFL in yards (2,432) and yards per carry (4.78). In addition, Bills G Richie Incognito and C Eric Wood earned Pro Bowl honors for their performances. Prior to Meyer’s arrival in Buffalo, he spent the 2014 season working as the Chicago Bears’ offensive line coach.'

'Buffalo lost half of their special teams core as Ron Brooks, Boobie Dixon and Chris Hogan are no longer on the roster. Their kickoff coverage lineup in last year’s season opener is down four players. The three aforementioned players and Bacarri Rambo, who is still a free agent. Add in the departure of returner Leodis McKelvin and Percy Harvin still undecided on where he’ll play this season, and it has left special teams coordinator Danny Crossman with the task of finding suitable replacements for a number of roles.'