Archives for May 3, 2016

'It’s fair to say the Bills found at least two, and possibly three, quality rookie starters with their first three picks (Clemson outside linebacker Shaq Lawson, Alabama inside linebacker Reggie Ragland, and Ohio State defensive tackle Adolphus Washington). They also just might have come up with a long-term solution at quarterback in Ohio State’s Cardale Jones.'

'"I stick to my principles, and one of them very simply is to have fun," O'Neal said. "I just wanted to do the right thing, play with a passion, be involved in the communities where I lived and leave a good impression.'

'The Bills also are bringing in former Williamsville South and University at Buffalo quarterback Joe Licata to throw passes, on a tryout basis, during this week's rookie minicamp.'

'The decision is hardly a surprise as the option would have cost the Bills about $11.4 million.'

'Wynn’s spot on the roster was in peril once the Bills used their first-round draft pick last weekend to select edge rusher Shaq Lawson, then took another defensive lineman, Adolphus Washington, in the third round.The defensive end, who played for Buffalo in 2014 but then missed all of 2015 after suffering a knee injury in training camp, was waived along with cornerback Merrill Noel and center Ronald Patrick.'

'The offense got better after all that, but Buffalo’s No. 4 defense slipped like stock in Staples, finishing 19th in yards and 15th in points allowed last season. Worse, the pass rush went from accumulating an NFL-best 54 sacks to 21, which is like Pavarotti getting laryngitis.'

'It's tough to find too many analysts who took issue with the Bills picking Shaq Lawson or Reggie Ragland with their first two picks in the NFL Draft. Beyond that, opinions were mixed, but the consensus seems to be the Bills did well for themselves this weekend.'

'Lawson can have an immediate impact on defense. He'll have some help on a defensive line that already has Jerry Hughes at defensive end and Marcell Dareus at defensive tackle. He could be a solid option at outside linebacker in Rex Ryan's scheme.'

'Listenbee brings another deep threat opposite Sammy so they can slide coverage to one side….Great pick! Looking forward to this combo..'

'“Obviously, it was pretty stressful yesterday (Saturday) just waiting,” Zimmer said. “After it’s all said and done, I get a chance and that’s all you can really ask for.”'

'At 6-feet and 221 pounds, Striker went undrafted despite being a three-year starter, and finishing with 46 1/2 tackles for a loss and 23 sacks. He was also noted for his leadership abilities in earning Oklahoma's Bob Kalsu Award last year.'

'The youngest of five Gronkowski brothers, Glenn follows in the footsteps of his older All-Pro brother Rob, as well as brothers Dan and Chris, both former NFL players.'

'Manuel has not been the Bills' full-time starting quarterback since Week 4 of the 2014 season. After beginning that season with a 2-2 record and an 80.3 quarterback rating, Manuel was benched in favor of veteran Kyle Orton.'

'Job well done by Doug Whaley and the scouts. Can we get to training camp already?'

'After beginning his rookie training camp as the backup to Kevin Kolb, Manuel became the starter due to an injury to the veteran. He went into 2014 as the starting QB, but eventually lost his job to Kyle Orton.'