Archives for March 28, 2017

' "Doug and I worked together on (free agency), we absolutely worked together on all of this."'

'In 21 games during the 2014 and 2015 seasons (with no starts), Crichton was credited with only 10 tackles. Late in the 2015 season, he suffered a concussion against the Arizona Cardinals and was placed on IR four days later.'

'The source also said the Pegulas told the league they're still early in the process of establishing themselves as owners of the Bills and understanding the dynamics of the franchise's relationship with the community. They bought the team from the trust of the late Ralph Wilson in October 2014.'

'Meanwhile, the Bills still aren't sure if they have an answer at quarterback for one more year in Tyrod Taylor, signing him to a restructured contract that allows the team an easy out after the 2017 season.'

'"My father used to say the greatness of the Raiders is in the future," Davis said. "This gives us the ability to achieve that."'

'"This certainly is not intended to send any message and I don't believe anyone should take any message in it," Grubman told reporters at the league's annual meeting at the Arizona Biltmore. "Buffalo's fans are legendary and ranked right up there with the greatest fans in the NFL. Ownership there is evaluating their options and those options are very long-term in nature.'

'Also from the Competition Committee, there’s a proposal to make permanent the rule that disqualifies a player who is penalized twice in one game for certain types of unsportsmanlike conduct fouls. This rule was used on a trial basis last season, and I have no problem with making it permanent.'

'Pegula is his own man, and he's his own owner, too. He doesn't have do be Wilson, and that can be a good thing in some ways. But the NFL could always use a conscience, and the last 18 months wouldn't have sat well with the Bills' founder and former conscience of the league.'

'Davis chased the money, which is what every other owner in his shoes would have done. The $750 million is the most public money ever committed to a U.S. stadium project. Most of that will come in the form of a visitor tax in Las Vegas, a small charge on a hotel bill for tourists. Vegas comes out a winner, as does Davis.'

'The defensive end played for Oregon State in college and left after a junior year that saw him record 47 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. In three seasons with the Beavers, Crichton recorded 165 total tackles, 51 tackles for loss, 23.5 sacks, 10 forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.'

'"Pittsburgh gets the top spot ahead of Dallas because Le'Veon Bell adds so much value as a receiver," said Schatz. "Atlanta gets a one-two punch out of the multidimensional performance of Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, but the lead blocking is important to that scheme, so we moved Buffalo ahead of Atlanta when the Bills grabbed fullback Patrick DiMarco away from the Falcons in free agency. In fact, Buffalo had the NFL's best running game, according to Football Outsiders DVOA ratings, although some of that production came from quarterback Tyrod Taylor."'

'Brady turns 40 in August. Belichick turns 65 in April. But any Bills fans hoping for the legendary quarterback-coach duo to retire in the near future might not be getting their wish. Kraft said at the NFL owners meetings on Monday that he thinks Brady can play another six or seven years and Belichick can coach until he's 80.'

'"Buffalo's fans are legendary and rank right up there with the greatest fans in the NFL," Grubman said. "Ownership there is evaluating their options, and those options are very long-term in nature. I don't want to speak for them, but I think you can see by virtue of the fact that they're not waiting and have done work on the stadium already that they care about their fans and they care about Buffalo."'

'A report from Jason La Canfora of CBS cast serious doubt over the future of general manager Doug Whaley in Buffalo. McDermott has been the lone voice for the Bills since he was hired, and it's fair to wonder whether he would want to bring in like-minded personnel people rather than continue with an arranged marriage. This issue will likely be at the forefront of all things Bills this week.'

'Along with the Bills, the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons only have six draft picks. Buffalo has the highest first pick of those three teams, making them a target for team who’d like to trade up in the draft.'