Archives for August 2016

'“It’s just another opportunity. Hopefully Sammy comes back soon, he brings a lot of talent,” Goodwin said. “We look forward to playing for each other, each day and getting better every day.”'

'Sammy Watkins was among the sidelined players who were briefly working out on the sidelines. During ladder drills, Watkins showed he’s close to one hundred percent. The attached video shows highlights of Watkins.'

'Ragland is projected to start at inside linebacker for Buffalo after being drafted 41st overall. The Bills are already without first-round pick Shaq Lawson, projected to start at outside linebacker.'

'"It's going to be very similar to last year with the way we laid it out, but the only difference is we're gonna add a two-minute period for all three groups," Ryan said after practice on Friday. "So the first, second, and third [units" target="_blank"> will also have a two-minute [session" target="_blank"> to go along with how we practiced last year."'

'This was the most intense of the practices as far as players getting after each other. The same intensity I saw in OTAs and minicamp, but had yet to see out here. At one point, there was a small scuffle. Started with Max Valles vs Fernando Velasco. Others joined in on pile, separated shortly after.'

'After practice, head coach Rex Ryan said he did not think there were ligaments involved, but he was concerned due to the fact that it was a non-contact injury. “Sometimes those can be the worst ones,” Ryan said.'

'Ragland stayed on the ground for several minutes as they looked at his left knee, and even owner Terry Pegula hovered over him while he was being checked out. Ragland was able to get up and walk to the locker room under his own power.'

'The other thing that stood out in the first live drills was that backup runner James Wilder, Jr. failed to discern himself when given carries.'

'long with Dareus, former starting right tackle Seantrel Henderson has been a member of the Non-Football Illness list and has only been able to work on the sidelines with team trainers. Henderson had a battle with Crohn’s disease, and whenever the Bills have been asked about his potential playing status, they have deflected and directed reporters to the medical staff instead. That same trend continued on Friday, which means one thing: there is no immediate plan in place for Henderson to get back anytime relatively soon.'

'It’s long gotten comical how much the Patriots, their high-end talents, their coach, and their system continue to swirl around in Rex’s head, even MONTHS before they take the field against each other. Reporters know they’re going to get a drawn-out answer and perhaps a money-quote or three when they pose questions about the team at Patriot Place. In fact, you don’t even need to ask him sometimes, he’ll just bring them up.'

'“I think it’s big. We treat it like a preseason game,” said head coach Rex Ryan. “In fact, our ones practice more in this game or scrimmage more than they do probably in the first preseason game. So it’s a good—I think it’s a first shot, you know, of really evaluating guys in live situations so as a coach, you’re really excited about that for sure.”'

'“It’s a knee,” said head coach Rex Ryan of Ragland’s injury. “I’m not sure the extent of that injury. But we’ll obviously be very concerned with that injury. Hopefully right now it doesn’t appear to be with the ligaments involved. So we’ll just keep our fingers crossed there.”'

'“Coach (Rex) Ryan had the whole staff over to his house for a cookout,” said Taylor. “It was awesome. I’ve always watched the NFL from behind the scenes. Getting to hear Coach Ryan and other coaches tell their stories was surreal.”'

'Since the Bills' first practice at their St. John Fisher College training camp last Saturday, he seems to have picked up where he left off, consistently getting open and catching pretty much everything that comes his way. In a third-and-two situation Thursday, Tyrod Taylor couldn't find anyone open from his first three options. Finally, he fired deep to Salas, who had the presence of mind to adjust his route and to the ball to make one of the better catches of camp.'

'After starting at outside linebacker in last Tuesday night's practice, free-agent rookie linebacker Eric Striker found himself with the third-team defense Thursday. Ryan said he "did some good things" Tuesday night, "and then he had like five busts, I think." IK Enemkpali was back as the No. 1 outside linebacker opposite Jerry Hughes. Enemkpali still looked brutal in coverage, though. On the first play of team drills, he was supposed to drop into the flat, but instead took a deeper drop and wound up colliding with inside linebacker Reggie Ragland.'