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Buffalo Bills News and Discussion

Archives for May 2019

Bills superfan Pancho Billa dies after cancer battle

‘Castro has battled cancer for over a year and entered hospice care last month in Texas. Despite his health failing, he was still able to call in the Bills first-round draft pick last month from his bed.’

Passing of Pancho casts somber mood on One Bills Drive

‘“You know what he’s been dealing with for several weeks now,” said Bills owner Kim Pegula. “Still when you hear the news it’s hard to believe that it actually happened. I was obviously very saddened. He was such a big part of our Bills community. I can’t recall anyone who was not a player that had such a big impact on our fan base.”’

Bills Today: ESPN analysts agree, Bills improved the most this offseason

‘They’ve been the team I’ve most focused in on this offseason throughout our variety of roundtables. General manager Brandon Beane and his staff have a clear pattern on how they want to build this roster, and I thought this offseason was productive in not just adding starters but also building competition across the roster. Between at least two new offensive line starters, two new starting wide receivers, their likely two top tight ends, backfield depth, an elite defensive line talent in Oliver and more, Buffalo made major strides.’

Bills sign five, including tight end Lee Smith, and release two

‘As those numbers suggest, Smith’s primary role for most of his career has been as a blocker. The analytics website Pro Football Focus ranked him seventh in its positional grading for 2018. That included a run-blocking grade of 70.9 that ranked 17th overall. In 61 pass-blocking snaps, he was charged with allowing one sack and two quarterback hurries. Smith was used more by the Raiders as a run blocker, playing 176 snaps in that role in 2018.’

Josh Allen, New Era design hat to benefit Oishei Children’s Hospital

‘“It’s a different opportunity and different experience every time you can get out and meet new people,” he said. “Just to hear stories like that, the hardships that the families have gone through, it makes it all worthwhile knowing that my presence here can affect someone’s mood and bring them up. They do the same for me. This is one of the cooler things that I’ve ever been able to be a part of. We get to design a hat, and all the money goes to the hospital. Knowing that it goes to such a great cause makes me so happy.”’

Three things to know about Bills’ free agent pickup Lee Smith

‘Smith is the son of the late Daryle Smith. His father played offensive line at the University of Tennessee before a six-year career in the NFL and a four-year stint in the Canadian Football League. Smith was actually born during his father’s rookie season with the Seattle Seahawks in 1987.’

Petition urges Buffalo Bills to sign Pancho Billa to 1-day contract as he battles cancer

‘Castro is suffering from stage 4 cancer, which began as a mass around his spine and has spread into his other organs. The Buffalo Bills selected Castro to announce their third-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft in Dallas. The Bills took Stanford defensive tackle Harrison Phillips with the pick and Castro and Phillips have developed a close friendship since.’

Buffalo Bills sign veteran free agent tight end Lee Smith; release TE Jake Fisher

‘With the addition of Smith, who is one of the better blocking tight ends in the league, the Bills in turn released tight end Jake Fisher, who is attempting to convert from a left tackle to a tight end. Fisher’s reps were likely going to be limited with Smith’s addition and the team likely wants to get reps for the young tight ends on the roster.’

Josh Allen will win most games among 2018 Round 1 QBs; lead Buffalo Bills to playoffs, says Michael Robinson

‘At least four of the first-round picks from one season ago will start in 2019 and look to build of their rookie seasons. Which quarterback will win the most games? That’s a question NFL.com asked its writers. Opinions were split with Shaun O’Hara and Adam Rank choosing Mayfield, David Carr selecting Darnold, Jeremy Bergman tabbing Jackson and Michael Robinson taking the Bills signal-caller.’

ESPN NFL analyst Field Yates tabs Bills as most improved NFL team

‘They’ve been the team I’ve most focused in on this offseason throughout our variety of roundtables. General manager Brandon Beane and his staff have a clear pattern on how they want to build this roster, and I thought this offseason was productive in not just adding starters but also building competition across the roster. Between at least two new offensive line starters, two new starting wide receivers, their likely two top tight ends, backfield depth, an elite defensive line talent in Oliver and more, Buffalo made major strides.’

Retirement of Buffalo Bills QB Anderson could open door for rookie Jackson; Former Bull DB Lewis also hopes to crack Bills roster

‘“There was no where else I would rather be than here,” said Jackson. “Just having a relationship with the Bills and in school (when we practiced) here, and just knowing the fans here and how much they care about their team and love their team. I was so excited after talking with Coach Dorsey and Coach McDermott and there (is) no where else I would rather be.”’

Bills sign tight end Lee Smith

‘Smith joins Croom, as well as drafted tight ends Dawson Knox (Ole Miss) and Tommy Sweeney (Boston College), and free agent additions Tyler Kroft and Jake Fisher from the Cincinnati Bengals. Also, the agency for rookie tryout tight end Moral Stephens (Florida) tweeted over the weekend that he had signed a contract with the Bills, but the team has not announced that as of yet.’

Bills sign four players, release two

‘Tight end Jake Fisher, signed as a free agent from the Cincinnati Bengals, was released, as was running back Keith Ford, who spent most of last season on the team’s practice squad, but played in two games at the end of last year, carrying the ball 21 times for 79 yards.’