Archives for September 2017

'Now, I don’t know about you, but that reads like a head coach that knows what they have in McCoy — and more importantly — knows what’s behind McCoy, too. I think McCoy is poised to have a huge workload going into the season both on the ground and through the air. He’s as explosive a runner as you’ll find in the NFL, but now, the worry will be keeping him fresh and healthy through the entirety of the season with as big of a workload as he’ll have. It will be a delicate balancing act for Sean McDermott and company.'

'Taylor is serving as a team captain, along with DT Kyle Williams, LB Lorenzo Alexander, C Eric Wood and K Steven Hauschka.'

'"A team that plays hard. A team that plays fundamentally sound. A team that plays as a team and plays together. That's a team a fan base can get behind," McDermott said. "(The fans) are invested in this football team and we're invested in them. Our players' love for each other has to show up on the football field. That's what connects (with the fans)."'

'“I’m glad to be back on the field. Even though it was a couple of days being off you take that away from a guy where it’s what he does for a living it’s definitely tough watching your guys go out there and you can’t participate. And having fun with those guys.”'

'“Yes, he has been cleared from the concussion protocol and we do expect him to start on Sunday,” McDermott said. “As a player you go out and watch him execute. We’ll continue to do that and to this point he’s done a good job with that.”'

'McDermott and the Bills made it through four preseason games without any “mechanical” issues concerning game management. They worked through replay challenges, time outs, clock management, and other issues seamlessly with what appeared to be an orderly approach. There were no penalties for too many men on the field, and no instances where they had less than 11. It’s not advanced coaching strategy, but it’s encouraging.'

'Gaines was given a cumulative grade of 87.4 for the entire preseason. Considering how topsy-turvy the offseason was for the fourth-year corner, the figures are very impressive. Gaines’ first game for the Bills came against the Eagles, and he had three tackles, two pass break-ups and an interception. His second game against the Ravens was equally notable. He ended with a tackle and a pass break-up, as he started to garner more starting time.'

'"No, we didn't win, ultimately, the games that we wanted to win. But we were two games outside of the playoffs the first year and a game outside last year. Yes, it definitely hurt, but it's also motivation moving forward and I take that with me each and every day I step on the field."'

'The team also released defensive tackle Deandre Coleman. To fill the open roster spots, safety Colt Anderson was re-signed after being released Monday so that the team could add quarterback Joe Webb. Additionally, defensive tackle Cedric Thornton was signed to the 53-man roster.'

'Lee, a South Florida product, was released recently by the Houston Texans. Stewart was released recently by the Denver Broncos. He had 12 interceptions in his college career at Baylor, including six in his final collegiate season, earning All-Big 12 honors for the third straight year. Wesley is a former undrafted free agent of the Baltimore Ravens who appeared in seven games as a rookie in 2015. He spent 2016 on Baltimore's injured reserve.'

'Before that moment of truth arrives, however, there is a season to be played. It’s easy to look at some of the moves made this offseason as signs the team is in the middle of a rebuild. Trading away players like Sammy Watkins and Ronald Darby last month sent shockwaves through the NFL, and showed no job is safe. The continued purge of players drafted by former General Manager Doug Whaley – including 2016 second-round pick Reggie Ragland – also spells r-e-b-u-i-l-d.'

'Tasker stayed on to chat about the strengths of the Bills' roster and focused on the defensive line, with a nod being given also to the special teams and the starting safeties. Finally, Tasker chatted with callers and talked about the nuances of the 2017 return game overall in the NFL, citing the importance of situational awareness returning kicks out of the end zone and giving up 30-plus yards as a result.'

'Inspired by the roundtable format popularized by Sports Illustrated media columnist (and University at Buffalo graduate) Richard Deitsch, Mixed Media has assembled the inaugural Buffalo Bills Media Roundtable.'

'Here is what the Bills have planned for each home game this season…'

'Game temperature: 68 degrees.'