Archives for August 13, 2016

'The outside linebacker competition. This is the position Ryan said he'll most be eager to watch. Finding a starter opposite Jerry Hughes has proven to be a challenge for the Bills after rookie Shaq Lawson had shoulder surgery. First, it was going to be veteran Manny Lawson, but he's out with a pectoral injury. IK Enemkpali and Eric Striker have gotten looks with the first team in practice, but neither have impressed.'

'Mike Gillislee, James Wilder Jr., Jonathan Williams, and Boom Herron will see a majority of the reps at running back.'

'With this upcoming contest being only the first of four preseason games, I’d expect a low output from established starters on Saturday night at Ralph Wilson Stadium. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if they just elect to sit players like Sammy Watkins, Kyle Wililams, Marcell Dareus, and maybe even LeSean McCoy in the upcoming contest.'

'“Definitely big for us to move the ball up and down the field, build confidence, and as well just going out there and executing our plays that we’ve worked so hard on each day in camp,” said Taylor. “For us to take our practice and translate it into a game situation definitely is big for us on Saturday.”'

'Nicknamed ‘Big Bird’ by Rex Ryan because of his height and long, floppy blonde locks, Albright has flashed at times as Jerry Hughes backup at outside linebacker. His 6-5 frame makes him a fit for the position. Now he’ll need to show the NFL game isn’t too big for him.'

'The Bills didn't reveal terms, but The News learned from multiple sources that it covers six years and worth approximately $90 million.'

'"We looked at it as we have a quarterback now and I hate to say it, but (for) lack of a better term, we didn't want to be greedy," Whaley said during a conference call. "We like working with Tyrod, we have faith in Tyrod, the coaching staff has faith in Tyrod, but most importantly, the team has faith in Tyrod and Tyrod has faith in himself.'

'Well from day one we always said that we wanted to get a deal done that would be beneficial to the player as well as to the organization. And what we’ve seen from the offseason and in camp leads us to have strong feelings and belief that Tyrod Taylor is the guy that can help us go to where we want to go and reach the heights we want to reach.'

'I would like to say definitely thankful for the Pegula’s, for the Bills organization, and for Rex giving me an opportunity, first and foremost. Them offering me a contract for this many years definitely shows that they’re all in, that’s what our phrase is for this year. As far as a mindset going to a game, having financial stability or not having it, I mean I’m a competitor from day one, so I’m going to go out there and give my all whether I’m under contract or not. I guess it makes it, I guess I can speak in terms of it being done now. I’m not going to say that it puts the ease off my mind but it’s definitely refreshing to know that the deal is done.'

'Instead, Whaley said Taylor has impressed everyone throughout the offseason program and now early in training camp at St. John Fisher College to go ahead and finalize the deal and lock him up before he got the chance to test the free agent market.'

'Is that all it takes these days in an NFL starving for quarterbacks that can throw and chew gum at the same time? Truthfully, it didn’t hurt that the Bills were nudged along by a quarterback market gone wild.'

'“Best thing that could have happened to him (in terms of his football career) because he’s setting himself up as one of our top receivers through the first two weeks of camp and he wouldn’t have even been here yet,” receivers coach Sanjay Lal said of Goodwin missing out on the Olympics. “That dream was put on hold, but now this one can take hold.”'

'AJ Kimmins, 16, of Penfield, who wore an Antonio Brown Pittsburgh Steelers jersey, had a more cynical motive. He wanted to tick off people.'

'Without official numbers on the deal, it's tough to say what type of risk the Bills are taking. Throughout the offseason, the Bills have publicly said they wanted to see more from Taylor. However, it's been clear in recent weeks that the team is intent on doing right by their quarterback. Contract talks really heated up in the last week, and it appears this distraction will be out of the way in time for the season.'

'"We looked at it as we have a quarterback now," Whaley said. "I hate to say it, but for lack of a better term, we didn't want to be greedy. We like working with Tyrod, we have faith in Tyrod, the coaching staff has faith in Tyrod, but most importantly, the team has faith in Tyrod and Tyrod has faith in himself. So we said, 'Let's go with what we have on hand.' And we're excited about the future."'