Archives for August 26, 2016

'“Every year we have high hopes going into the season, and they kind of break our heart in a way,” Vossler said in the Allegany-based restaurant he owns with his wife. “This is kind of standard. There’s always issues and stuff."'

'The debut of Sammy Watkins. Ryan said the Bills No. 1 receiver will play for the first time in the preseason. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor explained why that will be valuable for the offense. If Taylor and Watkins can pick up where they left off at the end of 2015, it will be a very good thing for the offense.'

'"A hell of a lot further along than we were last year," Ryan said. "I mean, that goes without saying, but I think it’s pretty obvious. Just every day in practice, that’s a different defense than it was last year, thank goodness.'

'“People that I’ll lean on said that it was best to just get him through this spot and then we’ll build him up to play in this game,” the coach said. “So I wasn’t going to just throw him out there and I was the only one that felt that way.”'

'“He’s made a pretty good account of himself,” Ryan said of Groy, who acknowledged he’s in the drivers’ seat for that role. “We have to come up with someone who can be a swing center/guard, we have to look for that.”'

'With the departure of Karlos Williams, the Bills' running back depth chart has settled into place. James Wilder Jr. and Dan Herron have a lot of ground to make up in the final two preseason games if either one wants to pass Jonathan Williams on the depth chart.'

'The battle at receiver isn’t close to being over. At the final media session prior to Friday’s game, Ryan confirmed Marquise Goodwin is in concussion protocol after hitting the back of his head on the ground trying to make a catch. Goodwin was slated as the No. 3 receiver behind Watkins and Robert Woods. Rex essentially called out Dez Lewis, Walt Powell and Greg Salas to step it up. Greg Little is also a factor.'

'"As of right now, I've been out for a while so it's all about competing," Henderson said. "Whatever the outcome is, of course I would love to start. Jordan has it right now and he's my teammate and I wish the best for him and he wishes the best for me. Early on I had some of those doubts (that my career was in jeopardy), I didn't know what the future had set for me, I just kept doing everything the doctor said, eating right and moving forward to get back on the field," he said. "Not a lot's different, just the diet, certain things I have to stay away from. Stay away from the stuff know I have to stay away from and I think I'll be fine."'

'But that's the reality of being a Ryan. You're born with extra-thick skin. By the time Rex and Rob were in second grade, they knew they wanted to be coaches, just like their dad. Around that same time, Jim also knew they'd be trouble.'

'“My focus really is on my job, coaching and doing the best I can at it,” Smith told me earlier this month at Bills training camp, at St. John Fisher College in suburban Rochester. “I do recognize that my role has some significance, but that has never been in the front of my mind, or been my motivation. I didn’t really look at it in that light until after the fact, sort of until everyone else started to.'

'Entering his fifth season in the National Football League, Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore will likely receive a pretty high pay raise this off-season. Gilmore's base salary could go from a little over $2 million a year to around $11 million.'

' Perhaps a bit earlier than expected, the Bills welcomed former starting right tackle Seantrel Henderson back to the practice field this week. Henderson, who started 26 games for the Bills over the last two seasons, had a serious battle with Crohn’s disease that left some to ponder if he’d be able to play again. Now Henderson is back on the field, and it immediately led to the question about his potential availability and playing level for the 2016 season.'

'A pair of starters will see preseason action for the first time on Friday at Washington. OLB Manny Lawson and WR Sammy Watkins will both see playing time at FedEx Field. Lawson has been practicing the past two weeks in his return from a partially torn pectoral muscle. Watkins has had his reps in practice closely monitored throughout training camp and the athletic training and medical staff believes now is the appropriate time for Watkins to see game action.'