Archives for August 16, 2016

'“I bought a JUGS machine this offseason so I could have it back at home in Texas,” Hughes said. “That just goes to show you I'm ready for the challenge. You put expectations on yourself before the season takes place. I kind of knew what was going to be expected of me, so that's why I've been working at it in the offseason and now at training camp to just get ready for that moment.”'

'"But it was more mental than anything. I had a lot of confidence in myself that I'd be back on the field in a short amount of time. I had a lot of support from my teammates, coaches, ownership. That made the process a lot easier, also with the support of my family."'

'An ESPN report suggested he agreed to a one-year deal with the Bills.'

'“I’m eating a lot of chicken, being very strict,” he said. “The running backs actually went out a couple times and I chose to stay in. I can’t go to a restaurant and see something on the menu and I won’t eat it. So I chose to stay back. Just trying to be really strict on myself. Be very disciplined. It’s very hard, it’s part of the process, part of the growing pains and something I’m willing to do to get back on the football field.”'

'Biermann actually visited the Bills back in March at the start of free agency, but he was not signed by Buffalo, or any other team. The 30-year-old is a former fifth-round draft pick of the Falcons who made 37 starts among his 104 NFL games. He has 23.5 sacks and has been in on 331 tackles, primarily as an outside linebacker.'

'However, Ryan wasn’t completely off his rocker with that comment because there were some things to be pleased about. The first-string defense looked very good, though it wasn’t facing Andrew Luck; EJ Manuel looked competent, again with the caveat that he wasn’t playing against the Colts’ A-team; several players made some eye-catching plays; and the Bills, even in a game that matters not at all, were fighting to the bitter end to win it, and nearly did.'

'Ta'amu (6-3, 348) was drafted in the fourth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2012. The Washington product played in 21 NFL games between the Steelers, Arizona Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs.'

'"I wouldn't say turn," Williams said. "I believe it's all good fun. Social media is all good fun. You see people post comments and funny pics all day, and you have to roll with the punches. I roll with the punches and I joke back. You have to have tough skin in this business and you have to be able to take jokes and be able to deliver them back. Some people don't like taking jokes well. I take jokes very well. I'm a funny guy. I make a lot of people laugh in the locker room, so if I joke back with you I don't want you to take it personal. That's just how it is, it's just social media. Things are going to get taken out of context, that's just how it is. "'

'Some may also be familiar with Biermann's wife, Kim Zolciak, one of the original housewives on the reality show, "The Real Housewives of Atlanta."'

'Up until Saturday, the Bills were one of just eight teams in the NFL without a corporate sponsor for their stadium.'

'Boykin’s stand out plays on Saturday might have added some time on his Bills career.'

'The Bills also announced that the team has designated LB IK Enemkpali as waived/injured.'

'“More mental than anything. Playing the game of football, you’ve got to be mentally tough and you’re going to have to go through things, whether it’s getting back in shape, or whether it’s still trying to learn the playbook,” he said.'

'For the first time this training camp, the Bills faced a “scout” team defense, presumptively one that will prepare them for their season opener against Baltimore.'

'The second-year player's troubles mounted last month, when the NFL suspended Williams for the first four games of the regular season for violating the league's substance abuse policy.'