Archives for February 2017

'From year one to year two, no guard improved more than Miller. Pro Football Focus shared that Miller and Patriots guard Shaq Mason were the most improved second year guards in 2016.'

'Gillislee is the Bills most talented RFA of the lot. Gillslee rushed for 577 yards, 5.7 yards per carry and eight touchdowns behind starter LeSean McCoy. Gillslee's downhill running style is a change-of-pace from the elusive McCoy.'

'This is an easy call – there is no reason to bring Bush back. Running back is a young man's position, and he's on the wrong side of 30. It's surprising the team kept him on the 53-man roster the entire year. The Bills can find a younger, cheaper option to serve as their third running back, and may even have that player on the roster in second-year Jonathan Williams. Bush's NFL days are likely done.'

'The veteran minimum for a player with eight years of experience next year is $900,000. If the Bills want to re-sign Tate to a one-year contract, they can take advantage of the minimum salary benefit that would mean Tate earns that amount, but counts just $615,000 agains the salary cap – the amount of a player with two years of experience. Given the Bills' cap situation, that's the offer they should make to Tate. If he's beaten out for the job at training camp, the Bills can move on with minimal impact to the salary cap.'

'The mere fact that I would even pose the following question should tell you all you need to know about the desperate situation the Buffalo Bills are in regarding the quarterback position, but here goes: If they move on from Tyrod Taylor, is Jay Cutler a viable option as a replacement?'

'Put all three areas together and you can understand why Danny Kelly of The Ringer ranked Buffalo as one of the least stable franchises in the NFL. Kelly ranked Buffalo second-to-last in his NFL stability rankings. The 49ers were the only team to finish behind the Bills in Kelly's stability rankings.'

'Manuel’s time with the Bills should be over. His legacy will be that of a first-round draft bust, even if it’s not his fault the Bills reached for him. Some may argue that Manuel was never given a fair shake, but two separate coaching staffs agreed he wasn’t good enough. Now on his third agent as a pro, his best hope is to compete for a backup job somewhere, but it shouldn’t be in Buffalo.'

'The annual Sports Collectors Expo runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 18 and 19, at 8315 Park Road, Batavia.'

'Jackson makes plenty of sense for the Bills if the team picks up Tyrod Taylor's contract. Taylor displayed one of the league's best deep balls in 2015 and a combination of Jackson and Watkins could challenge any secondary deep. If Taylor isn't Buffalo's starting quarterback next season, Jackson suddenly isn't as great of a fit with the Bills. Jackson is coming off of a season in which he caught 56 passes for 1,005 yards and four touchdowns with Washington.'

'The reason the 1990 Bills offense only ran 931 plays is because the K-Gun offense was able to put up points quickly. In addition to the Hall of Fame players mentioned, the offense also featured important contributors such as Kenneth Davis, Jamie Mueller, Keith McKeller, Don Beebe and Pete Metzelaars.'

'"The psychological testing is really, really important," Polian said on ESPN's Mike and Mike this week. "The background goes without saying. By the way, the most talented quarterback in the draft is probably Chad Kelly, but he has a ton of baggage," Polian said. "So you get that out of the way immediately."'

'It's an interesting situation because, on top of being a solid blocking fullback, Felton's great relationship with McCoy must be considered. Soon to turn 31, the Bills likely wouldn't need to break the bank to bring back Felton and help out the running game. They should look to bring him back for 2017, all the while searching for the later part of the draft and in undrafted free agency for a more athletic type to battle Felton in the summer, and eventually take over as the lead at the position.

'Michael Dubke, the founder of conservative public relations group Crossroads Media, is also on the advisory board of the Buffalo Bills fan alliance and describes himself as a Buffalo Bills season ticket holder.'

'Pegula Sports and Entertainment announced today the promotions of Bruce Popko and Erica Muhleman within PSE’s executive management team. Popko has been elevated to Chief Operating Officer, while Muhleman has been promoted to the role of Executive Vice President of Business Development.'

'While it’s widely expected that the Patriots will franchise LB Dont’a Hightower, what to do with TE Martellus Bennett is a bit more complicated. There’s incentive to sign Bennett long term knowing Rob Gronkowski’s injury history, but a big contract could complicate the team’s standing with Gronk, who will make just $4.25M in 2017. A short term agreement is more likely.'