Archives for July 2016

'Any unused cap space can also be carried over into 2017 – an important factor to consider given that quarterback Tyrod Taylor and cornerback Stephon Gilmore are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents after the coming season.'

'Behind Taylor, there also shouldn't be a question as to who the number-two is. EJ Manuel is entering his fourth year and last under contract with the team. Because they didn't go out and upgrade the backup spot in the off-season and only drafted Jones, the message is clear heading into camp that the 2013 first round pick will be taking the field again if Taylor gets hurt.'

'The job could also be there for Kouandjio to take, but he'll have to beat out Mills who will start day one of camp.'

'Because the team needs him there when it matters most, his reps during training camp and preseason games are expected to be reduced as well.'

'Both Little and Hankerson were coveted draft choices when they entered the league. Both had prominent roles within their respective offenses to achieve successful seasons early in their careers. However, both stumbled to get their footing after they parted with the clubs that drafted them. With Watkins sidelined by surgery in the spring, Little and Hankerson had more snaps to get passes from Taylor. Lal believes that their past resumes give them a chance to secure the third spot.'

'“We’ve all made mistakes. It’s 100 percent. Guys in our locker room, guys in the coaches’ locker room, all over the building, nobody’s perfect. There are a lot of really good people. Nobody’s perfect. Everybody’s made mistakes in their lives. It’s just you try to learn from them and grow from them.”'

'“I think it’s just really more so players taking ownership,” Lawson says. “We’re the ones that are out there on the field. If we don’t understand it, the coaches can’t play it for us, so we’ve got to do it.”'

'“It will be a great challenge, there’s no question,” coach Rex Ryan says. “But it starts with the players. We have really good players. We’ve got a great stable of backs, we’ve got a physical offensive line, and we’ve got a scheme that changes. So it’s not just that you’ve got to stop the power. You might have to stop the counter. Can we run zone plays? Yes. Can we run gap schemes? Absolutely. Can we run zone reads? Yes. We run it all, we run the gamut.'

'That leaves a gaping hole in the Bills’ starting lineup. Veteran Manny Lawson is most likely to get the first crack at replacing Shaq Lawson. Manny Lawson is a trusted veteran who has superior football intelligence. But he never has been much of a pass-rush option. Manny Lawson has just 24.5 sacks in 143 career games and only 2.5 over the past two years in Buffalo.'

'“It’s ridiculous the amount of injuries we’ve had,” coach Rex Ryan lamented after the Bills were officially eliminated from playoff contention after an ugly loss to Washington in December. “Is that a contributing factor? Of course. And it would be ridiculous if you don’t think it is.”'

'An undrafted free agent out of Georgia, Morgan can steal the job by showing the Bills he’s better than Carpenter (or at least equal to him) and cheaper. He may also save them a roster spot if he can boom his kickoffs, making Gay expendable.'

'The interactive games area adjacent to the practice fields is a highlight of camp for youths. It is open whenever the Bills practice. There will be a Bills Super Slide for kids. Here’s a rundown of the challenges…'.

'Arenas provides cornerback depth, but to make the roster he’ll have to win the punt-return job. The good news for him is the Bills do not have a lot of proven options for that job. He has a decent chance of doing just that.'

'If he gets off to a great start in 2016 and convinces the Bills he’s their man, perhaps the organization will try to complete an in-season extension and prevent Taylor from hitting free agency in March, similar to what it did with Ryan Fitzpatrick in 2011. On the flip side of that scenario, maybe Taylor will bet on himself by playing the season out and then jumping into the free agency pool to see what he can get from someone else.'

'"Fortunately for us, LeSean hasn't forgotten about his roots," said Paul Kreider, who helped coach McCoy at McDevitt and remains a close mentor. "His family is in the area, his parents live in Harrisburg. He cares about the place, and it cares about him."'