Archives for July 31, 2016

'Ryan admitted, “You learn in this league as you go. The longer you’re in it, the better you should be, but last year, clearly, it looked good on paper. I bragged about it forever. We’re running these two-spot drills and we’re going to get all these reps and then when you look at the total thing, when you’re having injuries to Sammy (Watkins, wide receiver), you’re having pulled muscles to Shady (LeSean McCoy, running back) and everybody else … We couldn’t even get a running back (for some practices) and I think a lot of that can be attributed to the fact we were getting twice as many reps.'

'"That’s something I’ve picked up on, I’ve seen it; he’s actually been very vocal with the leadership," McCoy said. "Demanding respect in the huddle, demanding respect as the offensive main guy. He’s the main guy. He’s the quarterback. He’s taking that approach now where before, it was like, 'Alright, I’m just here.' Now, he’s actually arrived and he’s our main guy so it makes a difference in confidence."'

'“You’re darn right I do,” he said. “I like that. We’re going to show up. I feel good about this football team, I can promise you that. It’s a zillion times – well, not a zillion – but we’re a lot further along than we were this time last year, and even any time this past season.”'

'Like it or not, we’re just going to have to wait until the regular season to see if Taylor takes a leap forward. Hold your sweeping proclamations on Taylor until at least the morning of Oct. 3. That’s the day after we see if Tyrod outplays Jimmy Garoppolo. The Bills will be four games into the season. Then we’ll have a better idea.'

'“It’s nothing but work,” Williams said. “Heavy conditioning, hitting the weight room hard again as usual. It’s just about getting my body back where it’s supposed to be, at top peak shape.”'

'Stephon Gilmore couldn't have done it much better if he planned it this way. First play from scrimmage in the team period, a throw by Tyrod Taylor … and an interception by Gilmore. That's the way you make a statement when you're looking to become one of the highest-paid cornerbacks in the NFL. A short while later, Gilmore made a nice play to break up a pass.'

'So it’s almost double the reps like we did last year and the main reason for that is we now have an established starting quarterback, so I think that’s obviously where we’re at.'

'Since, the annual Bills Mafia tailgate has grown to include several hundred members. Held in “Hammer’s Lot,” it’s the game fans from out of town choose to attend because they can put faces to people they would otherwise only know virtually. Besides potluck food and drink and general fraternity, members participate in a chance to win a 50/50 raffle and a gift basket with all proceeds going to Roswell Park.'

'Rex Ryan got a little perturbed when I framed a question about the depth at the position by saying he was "down to IK Enemkpali." Enemkpali is a Ryan favorite, the guy he took in last summer after he had seemingly ended his football career by delivering a jaw-breaking punch to Geno Smith when Enemkpali and the quarterback were New York Jets teammates.'

'The longer schedule would generate more revenue, the No. 1 driving force in the NFL. Some fear more injuries, but players are susceptible to getting hurt in the preseason, too. Coaches see these guys enough in practice to evaluate them. The answer to injury, and uncertainty, would be expanding the rosters.'

'“I put myself, my teammates, and my family in a very bad situation,” Williams said as he met with the media for the first time since his suspension was announced. “I can learn from my mistakes this off-season, get ready to get back in shape and get ready to play football and move forward.”'

'He won’t make that mistake this year nor will he sabotage his trademark hybrid defense he ran with great success in Baltimore and New York with creeping doubt. Ryan vowed Saturday his unit will operate true to itself, “simplified for your guys but complicated for your opponent.’’'

'Fans were overwhelmingly in agreement; it is crucial that the Bills break their 16-year playoff drought.'

'"I think we're also the only team in the league that had, like, a 10 o'clock curfew last night," Ryan said. "We're trying to avoid some of the things we went through last year."'

'"Not far at all," Williams said. "I'm getting comfortable every single day from minicamp to now. I'm pretty comfortable where I'm at now. It's just time to work and get back right. When it's time to touch the field it's time to touch the field."'