Archives for June 2017

'The Buffalo Bills have named Kade Rannings, Phoebe Schecter, Lonnie Teasley and Byron Thomas as the team’s Bill Walsh Coaching Fellowship participants for the 2017 Buffalo Bills Training Camp presented by Connors & Ferris at St. John Fisher College in Pittsford, NY.'

'"The best decision they made was bringing back Tyrod," an exec said. "Losing [Mike] Gillislee does hurt a little bit. LeSean McCoy had a great year, but it would have been nice to give him more of a breather once in a while, and that becomes harder. Their draft was solid. [Tre'Davious] White, [Zay] Jones and [Dion] Dawkins, everyone agrees they will be pretty good players. Getting [Nathan] Peterman in the fifth was pretty good value. That made sense to me."'

'The point is, that offense, with Maclin, unless it’s devastated by injury, could easily be viewed as in the top half of the league this coming season.'

'He underwent a surgery in December to correct the issue, but never was cleared to practice fully. Because he was injured in college, Listenbee was released with a non-football injury designation.'

'“From what I've seen from Jeremy Maclin, he's definitely a great player,” Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor said. “I know some of our coaches have spent some time with him, as well. Would love to have a guy like him on our team competing and coming out and making plays for us. Especially means a lot to our wide receiver room, putting another veteran guy with a whole bunch of talent and still potential left to reach his best. I would love to have him."'

'Two of the biggest national outlets in the country covering the NFL, ESPN and Sports Illustrated's MMQB, differed on just how good Buffalo's offseason was. ESPN was more favorable, giving the team a B+. Writer Mike Sando compiled a grade for each team after interviewing 15 NFL executives, coaches and evaluators.'

'What the Bills’ hierarchy thinks of Maclin is unknown, but they did agree to meet with him Tuesday. There is an ESPN report that the Ravens, Browns and Eagles have also expressed an interest. That means Maclin will have some leverage in contract talks, though the Bills have about $13 million in cap space right now, so they should be able to work something out if Maclin is interested in talking further.'

'“I feel good,’’ Kelly said. "I fly to New York City every three months and will have to do that the rest of my life, so hopefully I’ll be doing it for like 20 years. But I feel good. I’ll always have pain, that’s part of my life. But talk to any professional athlete that’s been in my position you’re going to have pain whether it’s back, neck, head or in my case my mouth.’’'

'Ross, meanwhile, is on his seventh team since entering the league as an undrafted free agent back in 2013. The 49ers released him on June 1. He has just nine career catches but also has a 101-yard kickoff return touchdown to his credit. Ross' most notable production came during the 2014 preseason when he had 25 catches for 266 yards and four touchdowns. At the very least, Ross is available to practice, which Listenbee hasn't been during his Bills career.'

'In seven seasons, Maclin has 6,395 receiving yards and 46 touchdowns with the Eagles and Chiefs. He's suffered through some injury trouble, but the Bills could use another veteran option to go with Sammy Watkins and rookie Zay Jones.'

'Wright was recently in Chicago and needed a way to get to Buffalo for voluntary OTAs. Instead of taking a flight, Wright decided to call an Uber driver. The eight-plus hour trip cost Wright $632.08. Wright shared his receipt Tuesday on Twitter.'

'"First of all because I trust Tyrod Taylor. The guy does not turn the football over. Six interceptions last year. But some of the additions, including the head coach Sean McDermott, including the defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier because last year this defense left their cornerbacks on an island way too often. That cannot happen if they want to be able to threaten the New England Patriots. And they have LeSean McCoy. They run the football. They run the football with authority. That's what's going to be important if you want to beat the New England Patriots."'

'Last season Maclin was limited to 12 games because of a groin injury, limiting him to 44 grabs, 536 yards, and two touchdowns. He also missed the entire 2013 season due to an ACL injury.'

'Ross’ signing on Tuesday came five days after he was waived by San Francisco.'

'Maclin is also familiar with several members of Buffalo’s coaching staff, including first-time head coach Sean McDermott, who was the Eagles defensive coordinator in 2009-10.'