Archives for August 2017

'Beane may believe he has job security since he was hired just this year, and he surely kept Pegula in the loop as these trades were consummated. But Beane should bear in mind that Pegula unloaded former GM Doug Whaley one year after signing him to a four-year extension. The Bills owner might give Beane time to fortify the talent base, or he might decide to quickly move on from Beane, especially if the team has a disastrous season and the fan base is in uproar.'

'“A lot of it depends on how quickly Keith gets up to speed, which it’s a short week so there’s a challenge,” the first-year head coach said. “But Keith’s been in the system before in Baltimore and that was the main attraction with Keith. He’s a good football player, so I look forward to seeing him in action Thursday night. How much remains to be seen. The balance of Nate and Keith is what we’re driving at right now for Thursday night.”'

'Perhaps the most notable name on this list is safety Bacarri Rambo, who had been signed just over a month ago on July 25. Rambo was looking to make the Bills in his second stint with the organization, but has been banged up for a good portion of the preseason.'

'So, without Taylor, that presents a potential problem for the Bills. If Taylor’s concussion puts him in danger of missing the first week of the regular season — which is a distinct possibility due to the unpredictable nature of concussions — that leaves the Bills with the potential of starting Nathan Peterman against the New York Jets.'

'Hughes said he isn't stopping at $25,000. He'll also give an additional $5,000 for every sack he makes this season. So, to give you an idea of the possible additional donation, Hughes made six sacks in 2016. “I kind of just wanted to contribute and do my part and help out a fellow American, a fellow Texan at this time right now,” Hughes said.'

'“It’s a challenge, regardless if a player has been in this system or not,” McDermott said. “Just off of two, three days max is going to be a challenge and he’s up to the challenge.'

'Safety Bacarri Rambo, who was signed right before the start of training camp, was released along with offensive lineman Karim Barton, defensive end Jake Metz, running back Cedrick O’Neal, corner Jumal Rolle and special team’s returner Rashard Ross.'

'Additionally, Hughes will donate $5,000 for every sack he records this season.'

'“They’re in concussion protocol,” said head coach Sean McDermott. “Very little information flows out of that. That’s part of the situation. We just respect what’s going on there and they’re in the protocol and that’s basically the information I get every day.”'

'The NFL eliminated the roster cut down to 75 this year allowing all teams to carry up to 90 players right through to the final cut down to 53 on Sept. 2nd. The Bills however, decided to trim their roster before that deadline on Tuesday releasing six players.'

'After redshirting his freshman year, Reilly slowly turned into one of the key receivers on the Cornhuskers team. After seeing minimal playing time his redshirt-freshman and sophomore years, he broke out during his final two seasons. His most successful season was in 2015, when he had 40 catches for 754 yards, and four touchdowns.'

'Asked Sunday if Ragland was "fighting for a roster spot," McDermott said, "He is, and that said, he’s working extremely hard. You saw him play extensively (in Saturday night's preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens) on special teams. A big part of being a linebacker is playing special teams, embracing that role, and I thought he did some good things there."'

'McDermott's points about the timing of the release of the ball and blocking technique would seem to speak to the fact the Bills are still in the process of learning the new offensive scheme of coordinator Rick Dennison.'

'What isn't a joke is that McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane know they have their hands tied by Dareus' contract if they wanted to do anything more drastic than prevent him from traveling with the team. (Ironically, according to an NFL source, part of what prompted the discipline was Dareus' missing all of the team buses that transported the Bills from their Baltimore hotel to M&T Bank Stadium, thus resulting his arriving, on his own, later than McDermott preferred).'

'If we start with the 2013 draft, when the Bills were transitioning away from GM Buddy Nix and to Whaley, then only nine of 28 draftees prior to this year's class remain on Buffalo's roster.'