'But as Monos cautioned, “We’re pretty excited, but I always tell you guys, every team right now loves their draft. You’re all sitting around like, ‘Wow, I can’t believe this guy fell.’ You’re going to hear all the clichés. “I’m excited about the schools we got these guys from, I think there’s something to that. Those schools hold their guys accountable — and that’s what we want our guys to do.”'
Archives for May 1, 2016
Bills head coach Rex Ryan gets what he wants in NFL Draft; now it's up to him
'This Rex Ryan boast may be no exaggeration. After three busy days, he now has a disruptive pass rusher (Shaq Lawson), snarling inside linebacker (Reggie Ragland) and versatile defensive lineman (Adolphus Washington). Now, it's on Ryan. This is a defense that fell from No. 4 to No. 19 overall, one that had 54 sacks under Jim Schwartz and then a franchise-low 21 under Ryan. Going defense-defense-defense absolutely puts more pressure on Ryan to now get it right.'
Why the Bills opted to wait and see with QB Cardale Jones
'"We think our situation's good for him," Whaley said. "He's going to come in and be a three, be able to develop, be able to learn under some professionals that have been at their craft for awhile, with EJ and Tyrod. We like his skill set. He's got the talent to possibly be a franchise guy. Is he there yet? Absolutely not. He's got a lot of work and a lot of ways to go.'
Bills select Ohio State QB Cardale Jones in 4th round
'Said Jones, "Playing the waiting game was the longest three days of my life, really. But it was all worth it to be in a position to play for one of the top organizations in the NFL. So I'm just extremely excited."'
Bills 'very comfortable' in taking the EJ Manuel gamble again behind Tyrod Taylor
'"When you look around the league, we think he's as good a No. 2 as most out there," Whaley said. "He's a No. 2 for a reason and so are a lot of other guys. But we think he can come in and hold serve if Tyrod ever loses some playing time. And then, he's a consummate professional. He's going to try to get better and better each day. Granted, everybody's going to say 'Look at the Jacksonville game.' But we were leading until that last drive and he came back from a 28-point deficit. If we win the game everybody talks about it being the biggest comeback victory since Frank Reich.'
Five things to know about the Bills' newest quarterback, Ohio State's Cardale Jones
'"He really didn't play that poorly this year when you look at his games," Bills Director of Player Personnel Jim Monos said. "He didn't have blow-up games. The guys just wants to be good and he's going to be molded."'
Transcript of Bills' Whaley & Monos and draft picks Cardale Jones & Jonathan Williams
'He’s got a lot of work and a lot of ways to go, but this guy’s driven. This guy’s a proven winner. He’s undefeated. Everybody talks about his accuracy but look at his completion percentage; it’s over 60-percent. He had a 105 quarterback rating against ranked teams. And again, he’s undefeated. All I’m saying is we got a nice guy to work with, with a high upside, so we’re excited to have him.'
Bills choose Arkansas RB Jonathan Williams in 5th round
'In 2014, Williams was a second-team all-SEC selection after rushing for 1,190 yards and 12 touchdowns, even though he split carries with junior Alex Collins. Williams also shared the load with Collins as a sophomore, when he had 900 yards and four touchdowns.'
Bills keep doubling down as a run-first offense with Jonathan Williams pick
'Despite boasting a full convoy of backs, the Bills took Arkansas running back Jonathan Williams, who missed all of the 2015 season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in his foot. Splitting carries the year before, he rushed for 1,190 yards and 12 touchdowns. He'll now join a backfield that includes LeSean McCoy, Karlos Williams, Mike Gillislee and James Wilder Jr. Last year, this group was hit hard by injuries at various points. In a 14-13 win at Tennessee, Buffalo was forced to start Boobie Dixon (19 yards on seven carries) and Boom Herron, picked up off the streets, even had a team-high nine carries that game.'
Three things to know about the Bills' newest running back, Jonathan Williams
'"He's downhill, straight ahead. Great vision. Instincts," Monos said, explaining the 6-foot-0, 223-pounder's running style.'
Bills make TCU WR Kolby Listenbee their 6th-round draft pick
'"I could go to the Olympics if I wanted to," he said, while declaring himself the fastest player in the NFL.'
Bills hope WR Kolby Listenbee, self-proclaimed fastest player in football, opens up offense
'Armed with a quarterback (Tyrod Taylor) who can throw deep and a wide receiver (Sammy Watkins) who draws double-teams, the Bills hope TCU's Kolby Listenbee provides what Graham and Goodwin could not.'
Three things to know about the Bills' newest wide receiver, Kolby Listenbee
'"I'm playing football," he said. "I'm a football player that happened to be fast – happened to be blessed to be fast."'
Transcripts of interviews with 6th-round picks Kolby Listenbee & Kevon Seymour
'Oh yeah, for sure. I’m the fastest football player probably in the NFL so I bring speed, I got great hands. Right now, I got a chip on my shoulder because I got to go out there and show what I have and I mean, I just work hard. I just need an opportunity to go out there and make it happen.'
Bills use second 6th-round pick on USC CB Kevon Seymour
'The 6-foot, 185-pound Seymour had three career interceptions at USC, as well as seven kickoff returns for 92 yards.'