‘“If we have to move this guy from here to here, I want that guy to try but it’s just, as long as we’re on the same page, the rest is good,” said Dawkins. “That bond happens on the field in every play, just from practicing, and playing, and playing hard and going through hard times together.”’
Archives for August 2019
Bills Today: ESPN votes Ed Oliver as the team’s MVP of training camp
‘The rookie reportedly had a “long way to go” before the Bills began training camp, but he’s picked things up quickly ever since. Oliver inserted himself into the starting lineup almost immediately after the full pads came on and held his own against All-Pro Quenton Nelson in the first preseason game. At this rate, he’ll be the interior force Buffalo needs to jump-start the 26th-ranked pass rush from 2018.’
Bills’ tight ends Dawson Knox, Jason Croom return to practice
‘”It was just so great to finally get back out there,” said Knox, who suffered a tweak to his right hamstring on July 27. “Because it was frustrating, having to miss a little time, obviously. I was able to get a lot of mental reps, stay sharp in the classroom. The only thing right now I’ve got to get back up is my cardio, which will come in a couple of practices, but it felt good out there.”‘
Matt Barkley might be the Bills’ most reliable backup QB since Frank Reich
‘“It’s good to have Matt,” coach Sean McDermott said. “I really appreciate the way he plays and his leadership on this team, the way he works, his work with Josh and Tyree (Jackson) and that’s an important piece as the backup quarterback. He’s done a real nice job to this point.”’
Buffalo Bills: Who are the Top 100 players in franchise history?
‘1. Bruce Smith.’
Buffalo Bills tight ends return to field on Sunday
‘Knox’s roster spot is obviously safe, but it would be good to have him work with Josh Allen between now and Week 1 of the regular season. Croom, however, is very much on the roster bubble thanks to the emergence of seventh round pick Tommy Sweeney. If the Bills decide to carry four tight ends at the start of the year, Croom could claim the last spot if Kroft starts the regular season on the PUP list.’
Bills’ secondary performing to level of top-five unit in NFL; Hyde & Poyer and White & Wallace make up two elite-level duos
‘“When I walked in, Jordan and Micah were here and they’re a great tandem,” said Beane to WGR 550 AM after the Bills’ win over the Panthers this past Friday. “They’re good individually but they’re even better as a pair. They feed off of each other and they communicate so well. They set the whole back end. They are just so calm and collected.”’
Sullivan: Bills earning warranted optimism this preseason
‘But some preseasons are more meaningful than others. This one feels different. The Bills have the sense of a team whose time has finally come, one that has a good chance to be one of the five NFL teams, on average, that improve by four games from one season to the next.’
Nsekhe, Croom, and Knox making progress; Morse and McDermott still in concussion protocol
‘Tight ends Jason Croom and Dawson Knox, who had hamstring injuries, both practiced. However, McDermott used some caution when addressing their situations. “We’re taking it one day at a time with both of them,” he said. “I think they’ve both made some progress but we will see once I get out there today and then tomorrow as well.”’
Bills release EJ Gaines with injury settlement
‘This training camp, Gaines was one of the team’s two main backup cornerbacks, along woth Kevin Johnson, who returned an intercetion for a touchdown in Friday night’s 27-14 preseason win over the Crolina Panthers. Lafayette Pitts, Ryan Lewis, Captain Munnerlyn, Cam Lewis, and Denzel Rice are all still vying for a roster spot in that role.’
Bills return to OP, begin prep for 3rd preseason game
‘“I think the one advantage to it is that through some of the injuries that we have incurred in training camp, Mitch being out, has provided some position flexibility or versatility,” head coach Sean McDermott said. “That, I think, is good for us. That being said, we want to get this thing set here in the foreseeable future.”’
Quick Hits: Wide receivers need to do the “dirty work”
‘“No position is given,” McDermott said. “You have to make the most of your opportunities. We look for who is going to go in there and block in the run game, who’s going to put the team first and be unselfish in their approach.”’
Bills Today: This NFL analyst sees improvement in Josh Allen
‘“Yeah, a trust level with Josh and a trust level with the offensive line and their communication because that has to be on the same page as well when they’re trying to determine who the fifth rusher is, when you have the four down linemen and the fifth rusher,” McDermott said. “They’ve been doing a good job in terms of their communication off the field and then in between plays and making sure we get the protection set the right way.”’
Matt Barkley quietly playing lights out with Bills’ second-team offense
‘“It’s good to have Matt,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said. “I really appreciate, not only the way he played, but his work – his leadership on this football team – with Josh and (Tyree Jackson). That’s an important piece at the backup quarterback position. He’s done a real nice job to this point.”’
Bills Mailbag: Does Christian Wade have a shot at making the team’s active roster?
‘Give him a year to learn more about the game, and then we’ll see if he can contribute in 2020. Keep in mind that LeSean McCoy, Frank Gore and Senorise Perry are all in the final year of their contracts. There could be a spot for Wade down the road.’