Archives for August 12, 2017

'Well, I know this. I know we've got – what we're looking at is still a quality group of receivers when you talk about bringing in a guy like Jordan Matthews. You add him to who's already here with Anquan [Boldin], who was not even on the field last night and Zay [Jones] and then the rest of the guys that you saw last night. I know where you're going with that and we're bringing in a corner with this deal that has started games – started a number of games. He's going to blend right in and compete and earn his right to be on this football team and start. I think we're moving in the right direction.'

'"I was actually just talking to somebody about it. You could view it one way from my perspective, if we got a pick this year, two two years from now for both picks. We’re actually getting guys that are coming back to play those positions so I don’t scout and evaluate guys, so we’re actually getting people back and some picks. I know more than anything that my attitude and my leadership and the way that I work cant change because of it changes, guys change and above all that, I trust Sean [McDermott]. I’m going to do what I’ve always done and I’m going to go out there and get ready to win."'

'Some former Bills players reacted to the deals on Twitter shortly after news broke. Here's a look at how some former Bills reacted to today's deals.'

'"Tanking" not an excuse for Bills. Darby is in in Year 3. EJG is older/worse. J-Matt is a downgrade and in a contract year same as Watkins.'

'In three NFL seasons, Matthews has caught 67 passes, 85 passes and 73 passes. In three seasons, Watkins has caught 65, 60 and 28. Yes, Matthews has stayed on the field for all but two games in his career, while Watkins has missed 13 games in three seasons, but that is part of the appeal. The Bills get a receiver who, while a bit less talented, has a consistent track record of production.'

'Gaines missed the entire 2015 season with a lisfranc injury to his foot. He didn’t look the same in 2016 and took a step back as a result. That’s to be expected with such a major injury, but it’s also something to keep an eye on going forward. If he can’t find his pre-injury form, Gaines may not stick with the Bills beyond 2017.'

'"He's a young player that has worked extremely hard," Bills coach Sean McDermott said. "This wasn't the first time that he has flashed. He earns it, he really does. That's going to personify or typify our football team. He's one of the first ones in the team meeting every morning. He's got flash cards, he's drilling himself mentally, so his success on the field tonight was not a surprise to those that know him and I'm really happy for him."'

'Zay Jones, Anquan Boldin, Jordan Matthews, Andre Holmes, Rod Streater, Brandon Tate.'

'Eddie Yarbrough started in place of Shaq Lawson on Thursday night and the defensive end continued his strong play. Yarbrough finished the game with three total tackles, one sack and one near-sack during his time on the field. It seems that the defensive end is well on his way to making the Bills' 53-man roster.'

'As for Darby, it's a roll of the dice. Can the Bills replace him? Time will tell. But EJ Gaines could be that. As a sixth-rounder, Gaines found a starting job with the Rams his rookie season. He lost it due to injury and hasn't regained form. Darby also wasn't the same last year as he was in his rookie year.'

'After Friday, 28 of the 53 men on the Bills’ final 2016 regular-season roster are gone.'

'Watkins’ departure signals another step in owner Terry Pegula’s plan to rebuild his team — which is in the midst of a 17-year playoff drought — practically from scratch. Pegula fired head coach Rex Ryan in the last week of the 2016 season and waited until the day after this year’s draft to send Whaley packing.'

'The Bills, who haven’t made the playoffs since 1999, are under new management, with first-year Coach Sean McDermott and General Manager Brandon Beane working quickly to leave a fresh imprint on a team that seems to be forever spinning its wheels.'

'“We kind of had an idea about him trying to rebuild the whole team,” McMiller said of Brandon Beane, the new Bills general manager. “We’re definitely excited about going over to L.A. It’s warm weather. The fans are great. They’re going to be getting a brand new stadium. We’re just looking forward to it.”'

'McDermott acknowledged his most difficult challenge was not merely breaking the news of Watkins' departure to Taylor. "I'll take it a step further: How do you sell it to the entire team?" McDermott said, before outlining his message.'