Archives for June 2017

'“Who is going to emerge at receiver? Who is going to back up Shady? The Mike Gillislee departure left a void to fill,” Polian said. “I have no question that the defense will come together. It just might take a while. It will come more sooner than later because (the scheme is) so similar to what Jim Schwartz did there. You’ll see them get cohesive relatively soon. I want to see how the offensive line performs. That’s an area where I think there are some question marks as to how well it can perform.”'

'"I’ve really been impressed with the leadership," Taylor displayed, "the intangible qualities that are inherent or must be inherent to that quarterback position," McDermott told reporters during last week's mandatory minicamp. "I’ve watched him 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."'

'“We’re both sort of short and stocky – and aggressive,” Johnson said. “Mike Tyson was fearless. He knew every time he stepped in the ring, he was going to dominate somebody. So to be compared to that, that’s pretty good. But I have to uphold my part.'

'Pro Football Talk reported on Monday that Jackson will participate in a Spring League Showcase game on July 15 at Napa Memorial Stadium. Jackson won't be the only former Bills player or coach in attendance. Fellow running back Anthony Dixon will also take part in the game and former defensive backs coach Donnie Henderson will coach the Spring League East team.'

'Kelly, who played 11 seasons as an NFL quarterback, all of them with the Buffalo Bills, was in Utica on Monday to be the guest speaker at the Observer-Dispatch’s inaugural All-Mohawk Valley All-Stars Awards Banquet. O-D Publisher Terry Cascioli said Kelly made it a condition of his contract that he have time to visit local patients before the event.'

'This depth chart is how I believe the coaches have it set after what I witnessed in OTAs and minicamp regarding reps, etc.. It's not necessarily how I would have the depth chart. Essentially, how I believe they'll line up when training camp begins July 27.'

'Putting pressure on the quarterback used to be a staple of the Bills' identity, but now, all the team can do is hope.'

'"I want to play and it’s one of those where we’ll see what happens,” he said during the Kelly for Kids Foundation Gala on June 4. “Training camps are around the corner and if teams lose a back or two, maybe they’ll give me a call.'

'The next three episodes will feature the ‘Top 10 Defensive Players in Bills History,’ the ‘Top 10 Bills Draft Diamonds,’ and the ‘Top 10 Bills Individual Performances.’'

'Buffalo Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander was third in the NFL according to their stats right behind Atlanta’s Vic Beasley and Indianapolis’ Erik Walden. Alexander converts his pressure into sacks 28 percent of the time.'

'“We put in the work to earn the right to win as a football team, myself included, and that’s really where it starts. That’s what I expect and the players know that. But it’s a period of time on the calendar where things happen, so we have to make sure we stay mindful of that, aware of that, and that we do things the right way.”'

'“I’ll tell you the guy that’s really stood out has been Andre,” McDermott said. “He’s done a phenomenal job, not only on offense, but also special teams. Very solid performer day to day, consistent and just really – that’s been a nice pickup for us so far and I really appreciate his leadership.”'

'Tre White is a pretty good football player. White was not noticeably beat at all during minicamp despite being a rookie on the first-team defense and on top of that, he had multiple interceptions throughout the week.'

'“It’s a testament to the ‘want to’ that we have down there, and the tradition that we have as DBs,” White said. “Those guys who have come into the league and played a long time, they hold the young guys that’s at LSU accountable. That ‘Defensive Back University’ thing, we take it seriously. It’s like a fraternity.”'

'Here's the thing, though: The Bills don't have any other options. The backups ranged from mediocre to brutal throughout the spring. Without Taylor, this is maybe a four-win team. The question of whether he is a franchise quarterback has been debated for the better part of two years now. The truth is, nobody has that answer, which is why the Bills brought him back, but only with a $10 million pay cut. If he shows he is, the team has him under contract for another season. If he shows he's not, he can be released with a moderate impact on next year's salary cap.'