Archives for August 16, 2017

'The Buffalo Bills' head coach halted practice to give his team a "butt chewing," according to guard Richie Incognito, and came away satisfied with the results – even if it meant some extracurricular activity after the whistle.'

'Seldom have you heard a discouraging word about the Buffalo Bills trade of Sammy Watkins to Los Angeles for cornerback E.J. Gaines and a second-round draft choice.'

'he following players will not play in the game this week at Philadelphia: Jeremy Butler, still with a concussion; Jordan Matthews with the chip fracture in the sternum, he’s week-to-week; then Cordy Glenn, Cordy flew to Wisconsin and had an injection in his foot done by Dr. Anderson – we will list him as week-to-week.'

'Sammy Watkins' departure has left a sizeable hole in the Buffalo Bills' receiving corps that isn't likely to be filled any time soon.'

'"It’s a little bit bittersweet, we leave today, but certainly appreciate all of the effort, all the time," coach Sean McDermott said.'

' The Buffalo Bills will have a new backup quarterback Thursday night for their second preseason game. Coach Sean McDermott confirmed Tuesday that rookie Nathan Peterman will serve as the No. 2 behind Tyrod Taylor against the Philadelphia Eagles.'

'Peter King's "Monday Morning QB" column has long been required reading for NFL fans. This week's edition is of particular interest for those who follow the Buffalo Bills. In it, King interviewed Bills General Manager Brandon Beane following the team's pair of blockbuster trades last week.'

'Steve Tasker's primary assignments are with Tom McCarthy and Steve Beuerlein, though he sometimes joins other teams, as in Week One when the Bills host the New York Jets. CBS' lineup for that game has Tasker alongside Kevin Harlan and Rich Gannon.'

'The coach said Glenn, who has been out of practice for a week, is listed as "week-to-week" and won't play in Thursday night's preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Glenn also missed last Thursday night's preseason-opener against the Minnesota Vikings.'

'Darby, the Bills' second-round draft pick from Florida State in 2015, joined the Eagles last Friday as part of a trade that sent wide receiver Jordan Matthews from Philadelphia to Buffalo. Matthews won't play Thursday night due to the chip fracture in his sternum that he suffered in his very first practice with the Bills.'

'"Where we are right now is getting Dion comfortable at the right side," McDermott said. "As I mentioned earlier in the week, we have a little bit of a foundation built up at the left side there, so we just have to stay on top of it moving forward."'

'"Hand-picked by Rex Ryan, Ragland was identified as an ideal fit for the ex-Buffalo coach's 3-4 scheme," writes Sessler, who didn't indicate what the Bills would get back in his potential trade – the obvious key consideration for Beane if any deal were to be struck. "In Sean McDermott's 4-3 operation, though, the hard-hitting Alabama star has failed to click, riding with the third-team defense in recent days. Ragland's rookie season was washed away by a knee injury, but the 2016 second-rounder is filled with promise as an old-school, aggressive defender who fearlessly seeks out ball carriers. I'd love to see him grow in Kansas City, where the team could use an understudy to Derrick Johnson, who turns 35 this November. Few teams do a better job of developing young defenders — the kind of attention Ragland desperately needs."'

'Guys might not be so inclined to lay it on the line for the new coach. I can't imagine that Tyrod Taylor is happy about losing his best wideout and being left with a glut of slot receivers. But I'm especially curious about running back LeSean McCoy, who must have another huge year if the Bills hope to have any kind of success.'

'McDermott, who didn’t win over any hearts with his 8:45 a.m. practices and preference for using a small auxiliary field that kept fans and sponsors (egad) at bay, was polite and succinct with his closing remarks, saying it was great to see “our fans in this part of the country."'

'“Well the doctors are hopeful, we’re all hopeful,’’ McDermott said. “That said, it’s really week to week at this point, and we hope to get him back as soon as possible.’’'