Archives for August 2017

'The Ragland trade did not come as a surprise a day after coach Sean McDermott acknowledged the player was still fighting to win a spot on the roster. Ragland was having difficulty adjusting to a new defense introduced by McDermott, who was hired in January after Rex Ryan was fired in the final week of the season.'

'The ruling that found Washington not guilty came Monday after a nonjury trial in Hamilton County Municipal Court.'

'Ragland played only three defensive snaps in Buffalo's 13-9 preseason loss Saturday night to the Baltimore Ravens. He had moved to the third team after a week of practice this summer in favor of veteran Gerald Hodges.'

'In each of the last two regular seasons, Dareus has started on the suspended list. One game in 2015, four games in 2016, for violating the league's substance abuse policy. During a four-week span in May 2014, he was arrested on a drug-possession charge and then accused of drag racing after crashing his vehicle into a tree. That came on the heels of being late twice to meetings near the end of the 2013 season, and getting benched by then-head coach Doug Marrone.'

'The Bills previously traded 2016 fourth-round pick Cardale Jones to the Chargers, 2014 first-round pick Sammy Watkins to the Rams and 2015 second-round pick Ronald Darby to the Eagles. Buffalo also released 2014 second-round pick Cyrus Kouandjio in May. As a result of trades, the Bills own six selections in the first three rounds of the 2018 draft.'

'It is unclear whether Washington will face discipline from the NFL, which conducts its own investigations under the personal conduct policy.'

'This summer alone, the Bills have traded Ragland, receiver Sammy Watkins, cornerback Ronald Darby, and quarterback Cardale Jones. In return for all of those players, they netted a fourth-round pick, a second-round pick, a third-round pick, and a seventh-round pick. And don't forget what the Bills did in the draft, when they gave the Chiefs the 10th pick for the 27th pick, 91st pick, and a 2018 first-round pick.'

'Wenning, 26, is familiar with Rick Dennison's offense from his time spent with the Baltimore Ravens. Wenning has also spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals and the New York Giants.'

'With the link, it also means there is likely a fair bit of familiarity with the scheme that Dennison runs, enough to get the Bills through the preseason finale. Wenning joins rookie quarterback Nathan Peterman as the only two healthy quarterbacks on the roster for Thursday night's game at New Era Field.'

'Ragland, a prototypical thumping 3-4 inside linebacker really wasn’t suited well for a role as an athletic middle linebacker in head coach Sean McDermott’s scheme. Now, he gets a chance in Kansas City with the defensive scheme he’s made for.'

'The conversation we had, we spoke in deep, deep thought. We spoke even after practice and we have a thorough understanding. So, we’re just going to continue to move forward with what we’ve got going and make this run this year.'

'He said, "People from all different races, religions, and backgrounds working together for one shared goal. The core values in football are some of the most important you can learn in life. To always be there for the guy next to you and not let your fellow man down. You do whatever it takes to make sure your brother is okay."'

'He suffered a knee injury and missed the 2016 season. Ragland was having a tough time adjusting to the new defense of Head coach Sean Mcdermott and defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, and found himself far down on the depth chart.'

'Ragland (6-2, 252) was selected in the second round (41st overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. He sat out the 2016 season with a knee injury. Prior to entering the draft, Ragland played four seasons at the University of Alabama where he became one of three linebackers in Crimson Tide history to earn unanimous first-team All-American honors. The Huntsville, Alabama, native recorded 222 tackles (116 solo), 4.0 sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and an interception in his college career. His senior season, Ragland was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year after recording 102 tackles, 2.5 sacks, seven passes defensed and two forced fumbles.'

'A four-year player at the University of Alabama, Ragland was part of the 2012 and 2015 national championship teams.'