Archives for August 2016

'Meanwhile, the Bills suffered two more season-ending ACL injuries in their loss to Washington. Cornerback Jonathan Dowling, who was probably a longshot to make the team, and tight end Chris Gragg, a fourth-year player who was enjoying a very good preseason and was firmly on the roster.'

'"I really like the way he played," Ryan said. "I like the way he competes. He has a great look in his face, man, he loves playing. Guys, you know what, sometimes quarterbacks take a little longer to develop, and I think this is the best EJ Manuel that I've seen."'

'“Obviously, everybody struggles,” he said. “You can pick any kicker in this league, past, present and future, pretty much can guarantee that. They’re going to struggle at some point. It’s not the first time I’ve struggled and I’d like to say hopefully it’s the last time ever. But I’m a realist and I might have a bad game here or there or whatever. You just got to move on and move forward."'

'Quarterback Cardale Jones, who missed yesterday’s practice for personal reasons, but has also been dealing with a sore shoulder, was throwing the ball in the early QB-WR portion of practice.'

'“I’m not bashing him. I commend him for standing up,” Watkins said. “I’m not that guy to say he’s wrong or right. Like I said, he’s an adult. He knows what kind of backlash he was going to get.”'

'“It was cool,” said Goodwin. “I didn’t do much. I did individual (position drills) ran some routes and stuff. I’m just trying to bounce back and get ready. I’ve just got to go through the protocol and take the steps that I need to make sure everything is cool and I respect that.”'

'Normally, at this point, the Bills roster would already be down to the NFL limit of 75 players, well before today’s mandated 4 p.m. deadline.'

'So who might be on the chopping block? Here are 12 names to consider…'.

'"There are going to be guys that are playing that are going to be on our football team, without question," he said. "Safeties are going to have to play. … I don’t think it's clear who is shaking out. It will be good for Manny to play some more. He missed that time with the pec, so I think you can see someone like him getting in there and getting some reps."'

' I think our guys can play, but yeah sure. I mean I’m just telling you how much I thought that Gragg had really elevated his game, and it’s just unfortunate that we’re going to lose this young man cause, you know, he was doing it on special teams, he was doing it as a blocker and he was doing it as a receiver so it’s real unfortunate, you know, that that happened.'

'None of Buffalo’s starters are expected to play against the Lions, including quarterback Tyrod Taylor. Top backup EJ Manuel is also expected to play sparingly if at all while rookie Cardele Jones is still recovering from a shoulder issue.'

'"All I know is I'm being investigated by the league," Lawson said in the locker room at One Bills Drive. "The incident that happened two years ago in which there was no physical violence was disorderly conduct. We'll see what the league has to say about that, that's what we're going to wait and see what their decision is."'

'Trainor's signing makes sense as the Bills aren't likely to play their starters for very long against the Detroit Lions, and Cardale Jones' status for the game is unknown as he deals with shoulder soreness. By signing Trainor, the Bills won't need to play EJ Manuel for an extended period of time.'

'If there's personal beliefs that keep you from doing it, I understand, but at the same time, you've got to look at the gifts that we have, the opportunity that we have to play a great game is through the men and women that serve our country. That's an opportunity right there just to show respect. I think that's why, when you see our team, every one of us are on that line. That's kind of our way of giving thanks."'

'Trainor doesn't have any NFL experience since completing his college career at West Georgia in 2013. He had a brief stint with Buffalo in spring 2015, when he took part in the team's rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.'