Archives for August 13, 2017

'"I'm still trying to dissect what's real and what's true as I move forward."'

'“When you see a guy of that caliber get traded, it kind of makes you think about your job security, especially younger guys that are new to this business,” veteran center Eric Wood said. “There’s a lot of turnover in this business. They’re making decisions that they feel is best for this team.”'

'Beane might have taken a harder line on Watkins when he became GM. He admitted on Friday that Sammy's injury history was a factor in the trade. Watkins was a diminished asset, and Beane was obviously open to moving him.'

'Thanks to his dynamite camp so far, Streater also gets a spot on my projection. After that, I'm going with Andre Holmes and Brandon Tate, for now. Holmes is on shaky ground because of drops. I'm also interested in acquiring a compensatory third-round draft pick for the loss of Stephon Gilmore, and to do that the team would have to release Holmes, defensive end Ryan Davis and guard Vlad Ducasse. Those three players figured into the compensatory formula and would be the easiest to move on from.'

'“It’s been great having them at practice and around campus,’’ McDermott said. “The players appreciate it, I appreciate it, it adds a bit of motivation each and every day which is great.’’'

'Buffalo's top four receivers from 2016 are gone and the only receivers who recorded a reception in Buffalo last season are Walter Powell and Brandon Tate. The two combined to catch 22 passes for 259 yards. Buffalo will look to replace their former top four with Zay Jones, Jordan Matthews, Anquan Boldin and Andre Holmes.'

'Rolle was originally signed by the Bills as an undrafted free agent out of Catawba in 2013. He was released in late August by the team. The cornerback would spend time on the practice squads of the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers as a rookie before being promoted to Green Bay's 53-man roster. He'd return to the Packers' practice squad in 2014 before the Texans signed him to their main roster.'

'"I just thought I was catching it hot," Watkins told the Los Angeles media. "I mean, they was targeting me pretty quick, and after the game, I was… 'Oh, I probably was out there auditioning.'"'

'“Being in the league for almost seven years, you know that every day that you step into a building, it could be your last day. Things happen around the league. It’s definitely, like I said, just surprised. I wish Sammy the best. I haven’t gotten a chance to talk to him. I will call him today. It’s been a fast day, but definitely surprised.”'

'If I were the GM of the Bills I would not have traded away Watkins. I thought the Bills made the right decision in deciding not to pick up the 2018 option year on his contract. The best course of action was to see if Watkins could stay healthy this season and then decide his future. I think Sammy is an extremely talented receiver who can bring explosive plays to the field. If he stayed healthy and was productive, the Bills could have then pursued a multi year contract or at the very least used the franchise tag.'

'"It was fast," Darby told reporters at Philadelphia Eagles practice Saturday morning. "I just heard I was being traded, like closed my eyes, opened them, I'm on a plane, closed my eyes, opened them, I'm laying down in the hotel and now I'm out here, everything has just been moving really fast."'

'Rolle, who began his NFL career with the Bills as a undrafted rookie free agent now rejoins the team after spending parts of two seasons (2014-2015) with the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens.'

'“It’s an awesome feeling,” said Robert. “To have two of your sons, we actually have three, to make it to this level, it’s a wonderful opportunity. Just the ride over here – the nervousness that you feel, you just want both to do well. Someone has to win, someone has to lose. But, I love the fact that both of them have worked their butts off and have gotten to this point. I am just excited to see how they do on the field.”'

'PFF has Matthews with a total of 2,389 receiving yards out of the slot the last three seasons to lead the league. Behind him are names like Randall Cobb, Jarvis Landry, Doug Baldwin and Larry Fitzgerald.'