Archives for May 2017

'The Panthers would have a hard time keeping Beane from interviewing, assuming they wanted to. Teams can block front office personnel from interviewing with other clubs if the position is one that does not include having final say on roster decisions.'

'Wright was released by the Ravens on March 7, exactly a year to the day of him signing a three-year, $16 million deal with the team.'

'“I don’t think it helps anybody to be bitter or hold a grudge, but it’s going to be motivation,” said Peterman. “I’ll carry that with me going forward. As many ups and downs as I’ve had, my confidence always helps me power through tough situations.”'

'"During the draft I kept praying and talking to God, asking him for a chance to play ball at the next level. A couple of minutes later he answered with a call from the Buffalo Bills," Polite said in a Winston-Salem State news release.'

'Beane is immediately regarded as a natural fit to work with Bills rookie coach Sean McDermott because of their past ties to the Panthers. McDermott spent the previous six years as Carolina's defensive coordinator before being hired by Buffalo to replace Rex Ryan, who was fired in the final week of last season.'

'Wright, 30, is a seven-year veteran of the National Football League with tenures with the San Diego Chargers and Baltimore Ravens. Wright has spent the past two seasons with the Ravens, playing in 23 games registering 76 tackles, 11 passes defended, and a forced fumble.'

'Beane served as the interim general manager in Carolina in 2012 after Marty Hurney was dismissed following a 1-5 start. The Panthers went 6-4 in Beane’s ten games in that position.'

'They set the Bills win total at 6. At first glance you might think "6? Sign me up for the over." How far of a stretch is it though to see the Bills win 6 games or less next season? It's roughly the same team as last season, but with a tough schedule. You're also not getting a game against New England without Tom Brady, barring injury.'

'So for now, Wright provides a much-needed depth role that the Bills didn't have previously. Though, in the McDermott era, every starting position will need to be earned — especially at cornerback, so you really can't rule out anything just yet.'

'But like basically everyone else who has come through the doors at One Bills Drive over the last 17 years, Whaley will be remembered more for his failures than his successes. And there were plenty of failures during his nearly four years as general manager.'

'“The process was just pretty much trying to find the best opportunity where I can go in and compete to play on a good defense,” Wright said. “After weighing my options out during that process, I really felt like this was the best opportunity to come here. Going on my seventh year in the league and just looking at the roster, the opportunity was there for me to be able to come in and add something to this defense.”'

'Day 3 picks of note beyond that: G/T Dion Dawkins, who will have a chance to win a job in camp; and QB Nathan Peterman, who slid into Round 5 but could be groomed as a possible Tyrod Taylor replacement down the line.‚Äã McDermott will love LB Matt Milano(No. 163)—he’s a throwback-type linebacker.'

'“He is sharp. He is in the channel, I think, of success. I think he’s going to be a real good pro quarterback,” Gruden said of Peterman. “I think any team in the league, you can cater your offense for Peterman. He’s a lot more athletic than people think. And he can handle an extensive amount of football, so the teams that are really ambitious with deep, thick playbooks, those are the teams that Peterman would fit in with. But I hope he gets with one of those guys that can really stretch him and challenge him.”'

'When asked about Overdorf still being employed, Terry Pegula, at Sunday’s press conference, said, “We’re going to support him as much as we can but that decision will be made by the new GM that’s coming into the organization.”'

'Among other the highlights of Whaley's time with the Bills were the acquisitions of low-cost but productive free agents: quarterback Tyrod Taylor, guard Richie Incognito, and linebackers Lorenzo Alexander and Zach Brown.'