‘The veteran coach only spent one season with the Bills, but was able to be a part of the coaching staff that ended Buffalo’s 17-year playoff drought. Waufle began coaching in the NFL during the 1998 season. He served as the defensive line coach of the Oakland Raiders (1998-2003, 2010-2011), New York Giants (2004-2009) and Rams (2012-2016) before joining Sean McDermott’s staff.’
Archives for January 2018
Everything Buffalo Bills’ Eric Wood said at his ‘retirement’ press conference
‘”Sorry for the delay,” Wood said. “Thank you to everyone who came out today. This press conference was set up a couple of weeks ago, in light of me finding out about the injury an hour before my son Garrett was born. As many of you already know given the leak on Friday, Dr. Cappuccino has informed me I will no longer be able to play football given the neck injury. Even with further treatment, rehab or surgery, a return is not possible. In Week 5 I got the first stinger of my life, and I got one the following week. After that game, we did an X-ray on my neck that showed no significant damage. After the season, as part of the exit physical, we got an MRI that revealed a disc that was dangerously close to my spinal cord at C2, C3. That was alarming.’
What Bills’ Brandon Beane, Sean McDermott said about Eric Wood situation
‘”There’s all sorts of things when you’re doing roster management,” Beane said. “He’ll stay on the roster for now. We’ll figure out what’s the best tactic for the Buffalo Bills as we move forward. Really, we’re a long way away from figuring out where we’re going.’
8 options for the Buffalo Bills to replace center Eric Wood
‘Ryan Jensen may be the most expensive option to replace Wood. The soon-to-be free agent had a breakout season with the Baltimore Ravens and finished the year as Pro Football Focus’ No. 9 center (74.9 overall grade). Jensen, a physical center, is 26 years old and just entering the prime of his career.’
Eric Wood’s short retirement press conference
‘Originally scheduled to begin at 1 p.m., the Buffalo Bills offensive lineman didn’t speak until nearly an hour later.’
5 takeaways from Monday’s Eric Wood press conferences
‘Whatever came up prior to the press conference this morning, was unplanned. It’s not close to Whaley’s “privy” comments, but wasn’t a great look for the Bills.’
Sean McDermott & Brandon Beane discuss Eric Wood retirement
‘Due to his quick exit and Wood not answering questions, general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott were stuck in the headlights of media members in search of answers.’
Report: contract bonus the reason for Wood confusion
‘In August, Wood signed a two-year extension and team’s are allowed to request a portion back if the player retires before it’s over. Per the AP, there is a “gray” area if retirement is forced because of a career-ending injury.’
On the bright side: Ryan Fitzpatrick is still a fun guy
‘“I would say I’m more familiar with Eric [Wood] than most people on this earth…Maybe not his wife, but I’ve been places many others haven’t with Eric,” Fitzpatrick said.’
Hornell’s Waufle announces retirement from Buffalo Bills
‘Injuries from his playing days made the day-to-day grind of coaching in the NFL too much to handle for another full season. “I was in constant pain on a daily basis — both knees, foot, back, ankle. All those things added up from my playing days,” Waufle told The Tribune.’
Sabres, shmabres: Ex-Bills coach Rex Ryan back to loving Leafs
‘“As soon as I got fired by the Pegulas, I was like, no chance. I got rid of all my Sabres stuff. I had the (Roger) Crozier jersey, the French Connection jerseys … I got rid of every damn one of them.”’
AP source: Bills’ Wood retirement on hold over bonus issue
‘According to the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, teams can ask for a portion of bonus money to be returned if a player retires before his contract expires. There is, however, a gray area if a player retires as a result of a career-ending injury.’
Bills C Wood still on roster, does not retire
‘The team can save about $400,000 if it waits until after June 1 to place him on the reserve/retired list.’
Eric Wood remains on Bills’ roster, puts retirement on hold due to salary-cap issue
‘”We don’t have any cap room right now,” Beane said. “You roll it over [into the next season]. He’ll be on our roster for a while, until we figure things out.”‘
Bills’ DL coach Mike Waufle retires, Teerlinck named replacement
‘Whitecotton makes the move to the assistant defensive line coach after spending last season as the Administrative Assistant to the Head Coach. Prior to that, Whitecotton had spent four years as a defensive assistant with the Jacksonville Jaguars.’