Archives for June 15, 2017

'“There’s obviously value in continuity, and that comes through years of being able to do things the right way where you can acquire, you can develop, and then you look to retain those players,” McDermott said. “It’s our first year in this situation. That said – we’re not looking for any excuses, we’re looking to get the job done and be ready to play when that time comes.”'

'"This is something that can happen during the season," he told reporters. "You never know with the running back position, how physical it is. It could be an injury, or it could be an illness, or something like that and the guys have to step up."'

'Jones is at a disadvantage in terms of knowing then offense when compared to Taylor and Yates, both of whom have previously played under offensive coordinator Rick Dennison. He was also drafted under a different front office and coaching staff than currently is in place, so Peterman is ahead of him in that regard, too. Considering all that, it's fair to put Jones squarely on the hot seat at training camp.'

'"To be able to take part in something like this, enjoy it, but don't let it feel like the icing on the cake. One day maybe you'll end up back here doing the same thing I'm doing right now and you'll see how fun it is."'

'The first-team defense has been a step ahead of the first-team offense this spring, and that continued on Wednesday. Tyrod Taylor led the first-team offense during the two-minute drill portion of practice and the group went 0-2. The offense went four-and-out on their first attempt thanks to a drop from Zay Jones. The group's second attempt was a bit more successful. Jones caught three passes but a sack stalled the drive. '

'Jones, a national champion at Ohio State, isn't doing himself any favors with his performance on the field early this offseason either as the 24-year-old is looking like the odd man out for the Bills.'

'Signed this offseason to replace EJ Manuel as the veteran backup to Tyrod Taylor, TJ Yates stole the show on the second day of minicamp.'

'“All I can say is he looked great,” backup quarterback Cardale Jones said. “I don’t want to compare last year to this year. The reps that he took yesterday and today — he looked good to me.”'

'"We're just moving on," he said. "We're in McDermott's regime now, and we're going to do his thing. And we're going to make the best out of it."'

'“I’ve always had my hand in the dirt, been an attack type of defensive end, not standing up and dropping back in coverage a lot of times'" Lawson said. "So that’s what I’ve been doing, that’s what got me drafted in the first round. I’m just very comfortable with it because I’ve been doing it all my life.”'

'As defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers, McDermott often ran wa package referred to as a “big nickel” or, ironically now that’s he’s the Bills head coach, “buffalo nickel." That’s using a hybrid safety/linebacker-type player in the box, close to the line of scrimmage, to line up against bigger tight ends or receivers, but also help in run support. Mcdermott often used linebacker Shaq Thompson in that role with the Panthers. At 6-foot, 197-pounds, Hyde isn’t as big as Thompson (6-2, 231), but he’s better in coverage.'

'The team will be back on the field Thursday for their last mandatory minicamp. It will be their final offseason workout before training camp opens in late July.'

'This is a crucial next few months for second-year quarterback Cardale Jones. Now surrounded by a coaching staff that didn't draft him, a general manager that didn't draft him, and a rookie draft pick that the coaching staff did bring in — the deck is stacked against Jones this spring and summer.'

'On a day where the offense had five cracks at a game-winning opportunity during the two-minute drill segment of practice, the defense got stops on four of the five drives.'

'“When you look at [Tyrod Taylor], certainly this is not a new offense for him because of his familiarity with Rick Dennison from their time together in Baltimore. That said, it’s a new offense because the offense he was in last year was different than what we are asking him to do this year. I’ve really been impressed with the leadership, the intangible qualities that are inherent or must be inherent to that quarterback position,” McDermott said. “I’ve watched [Tyrod Taylor] develop in those areas and that’s important as we look to move forward. There’s leadership qualities at that quarterback position that are important to winning football games and I think he’s done a nice job in that area.”'