Archives for May 2016

'Officials say Watkins did have foot surgery in the offseason. According to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, the surgery consisted of a screw being placed into his foot to repair a small bone fracture.'

'Representatives said they’re working to establish a timetable for his return, however shoulder surgeries of the nature can take up to six months to heal, potentially impacting the rookie into November.'

'“The Buffalo Bills are taking measures to prevent the possibility of Shaq Lawson aggravating a pre-existing shoulder condition during the season. While he could continue to play, the Bills medical staff has determined that surgery is the best course of action for the overall health of his shoulder moving forward. He had an occurrence of the condition last week, but that would not preclude him from participating in the offseason program. Shaq is scheduled for surgery tomorrow on his shoulder with a rehabilitation program to follow. A timetable for his return is still being established.”'

'“It will mean a whole lot, I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time. I know everybody is going to be happy just to be finishing up, and just the whole process, the work that we all put in to get here and achieve what we wanted—it comes to a culmination.”'

'“He would not let me do it,” said the younger Washington. “He told me if I came home I wasn’t going to be staying with him. He said, ‘I’m not going to take care of a grown man. You’re either playing football or get a job on your own because you’re not going to stay with me and do nothing.’”'

'There’s speed here but it’s extremely under-cooked, untapped speed for now. Maybe you “can’t coach speed” as General Manager Doug Whaley said after the draft. But from now to September, the Bills must figure out how to use it all effectively.'

'"Part of me thinks he just is because he’s allowed to be in the realm he occupies. It’s weird because we still have mutual friends. I have no desire to ever see or talk to him. I’ll get nothing from it. That’s in the past. I don’t know what his thoughts are and I don’t really care, honestly.”

' In particular, Shaq Lawson and Reggie Ragland should step right into the starting lineup from Day One. But overall, does that mean the Bills have improved? ESPN's John Clayton does not see it that way. In fact, Clayton ranks the Bills fifth on a list of teams that have regressed this offseason, pointing to the departures of Mario Williams, Nigel Bradham, Leodis McKelvin and Percy Harvin from the defense as the main reason.'

'But that leaves about 45 players competing for eight or so jobs. With that in mind, here is The Buffalo News' first projection of the 2016 season, with more to follow as the offseason progresses…'.

'The 6-foot, 223-pound Williams missed all of 2015 with a torn ligament in his foot. He hasn’t carried the ball in a game since Dec. 29, 2014, the primary reason he fell to the 156th overall pick.'

'It's been a quiet week in the NFL with another quiet one coming up. OTA's are still a ways away. So while we've talked plenty about the Bills in this space, let's check in on the other teams in the AFC East and where they stand at quarterback.'

'The Bills could conceivably sign both Gilmore and Taylor before the season, pushing a lot of bonus forward as they did with Glenn, but it’s highly unlikely. Their first priority is Gilmore, who has a $11.08 million cap hit this season. But he’s looking for a bigger number than they’re willing to pay.'

'Quarterback Cardale Jones hasn't wasn't any time letting his personality shine through since coming to Buffalo. But one thing that made Jones shy was jumping on a boat at Canalside. As he stepped on the boat to get the river tour of Buffalo, the Titanic was running through Jones' mind. He had never been on a boat before Friday.'

'Williams joins a Bills offense that led the NFL with 2,432 yards rushing last season. He will be given an opportunity to compete for a job behind starter LeSean McCoy and backup Karlos Williams.'

'The 6-foot, 223-pound Williams joins the Bills after four seasons at Arkansas. He was a dual-threat as a rusher and receiver in his first three seasons with the Razorbacks, playing in 36 games (24 starts). He racked up 2,321 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, while also catching 26 passes for 345 yards and six scores.'