Archives for December 2, 2016

'It was a first-round filled with uncertainty as many draft “experts” felt it was Mack, and not Clowney, who was the top defender available.'

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'“I grew up a 49ers fan, so it really wasn’t my team, but it was fun to be at home,” Alexander said. “To play for the Silver and Black, I grew up going to more of their games than the 49ers games. You see all the history there, the great players who played there, so to be a part of that legacy in a sense was really cool.”'

'"No real timetable, just trying to be available as fast as I can," he said. "Whether it's this week, next week … just working to be prepared and be available."'

'Seymour made his first career start in Week Nine against the Seattle Seahawks, but that came in the slot. He'll be lined up outside in Oakland, against Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper, who have combined for 126 catches, 1,633 yards and nine touchdowns this season.'

'Asked if Watkins could see a bigger role this week against Oakland, Lynn said, "Well, I mean, the guy has a broken bone in his foot. I don't know if he's going to play one play or 20 plays. So we'll just see how big his role is. I'd like to keep him in there the whole time, but I can't say. He's tough, he's very determined to stay on the football field, but he has a broken bone in his foot at the end of the day."'

'"He’s really an unusual guy," Bills coach Rex Ryan said of Mack. "I mean, some guys are speed guys, but some don’t play with power. Some guys are just power guys, but this guy can do it all. He can truck you, he can run around you, he’s got moves, he’s creative with his pass rush. Him and the Von Miller guy, I think, are the best in the league right now. So yeah, it’s pretty much a nightmare."'

'With just five weeks left in the season, it's looking like it might not be at all this year. The Bills probably won't shut Watkins down for good until they're officially eliminated from postseason contention, but that needs to happen if and when that moment comes. Watkins is too important to the team's future plans for them to continue risking a more serious injury. It's imperative that the team's medical staff and Watkins come up with a plan to get him healthy in the offseason.'

'A former Buffalo Bills running back and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame is scheduled to make a promotional stop from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at M&T Bank, 1882 East Ave.'

'Mack’s story is one of grit and determination. He was barely recruited out of high school in Westwood, Florida, so he showed up on the UB campus just looking for a chance to prove he could play, all the while wondering if he’d be able to cope with the Buffalo weather.'

'I'm taking the Bills over the Raiders in Oakland. I just think, with Sammy Watkins back, Buffalo's offense has the ability to accomplish things it hasn't been able to earlier this season. Oakland's defense, Khalil Mack notwithstanding, can be dissected. And the Raiders have been walking a tightrope with these comebacks. This week could be a comedown.'

'"Michael Crabtree, he's a big receiver, he likes to push off a lot," Gilmore said. "I'll talk to the ref because I see it on film. I'll get physical back with him and if he pushes off I just have to fight through it. Sometimes they don't call it, sometimes they do call it but most of the time they don't call it."'

'Watkins has said he's not overly concerned about the long-term ramifications of this injury because he can have surgery after the season if he needs it. Delaying said surgery allows him to fight through the pain and play. He caught three passes for 80 yards in his first time back, but Lynn isn't convinced the Bills will have him the rest of the season.'

'"Actually, I felt pretty good to be completely honest," Thomas said. "I got a lot better understanding of the game, I got a good feel of the game, I knew what to look for and stuff. I kept flip-flopping teams, which made it tough to get completely comfortable, but I guess that's the past now.'

'The Raiders two losses this season came against the Atlanta Falcons and Kansas City Chiefs. It doesn’t take long to see which team the Bills could attempt to mirror more.'