Archives for May 2017

'The 26 year old Hodges was productive last year in San Francisco, racking up 80 tackles, 3 sacks, and 2 interceptions for the 49ers after not having nearly that kind of production for the Vikings his first three years in the league. He’s just about the exact same frame as former Bills LB Zach Brown (6’-1”, 243) who signed with the Washington Redskins, and he’s considered a very good coverage linebacker, exactly what new head coach Sean McDermott likes at that position.'

'Williams will replace Gillislee as the second halfback, and the 2016 fifth-round pick from Arkansas has potential as a power back. But the real interest in the Bills backfield will be how they deploy both DiMarco and Tolbert, two veteran fullbacks with wildly different characteristics. With the Falcons, DiMarco was a great blocker, but he would also flex from the backfield to the formation as a receiver everywhere from the slot to out wide.'

'The essence of what Dennison learned from Gibbs is the wide-zone blocking that will have the linemen doing far more lateral movement than they've been used to doing. Expect a noticeable increase in stretch plays that will have McCoy and other ball-carriers following the outside flow of blockers with an eye toward finding cut-back lanes in the defense.'

'Hodges could represent a good find this late in free agency. The 26-year-old is coming off the best season of his four-year career, starting 12 games and making 83 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions. In 584 defensive snaps, he posted the eighth-highest overall grade of any inside linebacker, according to analytics web site Pro Football Focus.'

'"I think the easiest way to try to get that production up is finding the quarterback," Whaley told co-hosts Jim Miller and Pat Kirwan. "I've always said, it's an easy business, but it's a hard business. It's an easy business, because if you get a franchise quarterback, everything else is a lot easier. But it's hard finding that franchise quarterback."'

'"Going into year 12, I still feel like I have a lot left to prove, a lot left to give this game before I'm done," he said. "I don't want to put a number on how many years I have left. I think once you get past year 10, you just gotta take it one year at a time and go from there. I'm still excited, still looking forward to playing football again this season, still staying in shape, still working out. I plan to be somewhere in September."'

'Whaley reduced the problem to his failure to find a franchise quarterback. In explaining himself, Whaley revealed yet again he wasn't up to the task.'

'“Great owners, great people,’’ Whaley said. “There’s nothing we asked as a personnel department that they said no to. I said it (before), it’s a production-based business and we didn’t produce well enough when I was head of the football operations department and I take full responsibility for that. I don’t blame anybody but myself for that and I wish the Pegulas and the Buffalo Bills all the luck in the world.’’'

'The veteran linebacker has played in a rotational role throughout his career, but he's known as a quality run stopper. If signed by the Bills, Gachkar would contribute on special teams while adding depth to the position.'

'"They won't be beating themselves," Whaley said on the Bills under McDermott. "He will have them prepared as well as any coach in the NFL and the game won't be determined on them beating themselves because he will have them prepared."'

'I think putting all your effort into trying to find that franchise quarterback but also building that team until you get that. That's a tricky business and it's not easy. If I get a shot again I'm going to try to map out a road map to accomplish both at the same time but try to get that franchise quarterback as quickly as possible.'

'"Last year, I was going, dropping back in coverage," Lawson said. "This year, I'm pretty much hand in the dirt, set the edge guy and play fast. You don't have to think a lot when you play d-end. Just play fast. It fits me well. It's pretty much the same thing I did at Clemson. The exact same thing I did at Clemson. Set the edge, play fast and being very comfortable in what I do."'

'Hodges would add some competition to the linebacker room. While defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said the Bills have linebackers to fit the 4-3 scheme, it appears to be one of the weaker positions on the roster in terms of depth.'

'"[McDermott] is methodical. The one thing that impressed us throughout the interview process was how detailed he is and how methodical he is in his approach to everything he does. The one thing I feel very confident is that the Buffalo Bills, he will have them in position to win a lot of games. They won't be beating themselves. He will have them prepared as well as any coach in the NFL. The game won't be determined on them beating themselves, because he will have them prepared."'

'Whaley added "As a parting gift, we left them with two first round picks next year."'