‘Over a span of about 10 hours late Monday into early Tuesday, the Buffalo Bills went from plucky playoff hopeful to AFC East favorite. They made the all-in move many had been hoping for, and their greatest rival folded away half its stack.’
Archives for March 2020
Wednesday’s Arizona Coverage
Bills Add Diggs In Trade, Shore Up Defensive Needs
‘Needs: There aren’t many left after Buffalo agreed to acquire receiver Stefon Diggs in trade with Minnesota and shored up defensive needs before NFL’s signing period began.’
Bills lock up safety Jordan Poyer with 2-year extension, source says
‘Poyer came to Buffalo as part of coach Sean McDermott’s first free-agent class in 2017 and forms one of the NFL’s best safety duos alongside Micah Hyde.’
Bills reach agreements with Quinton Jefferson, Vernon Butler
‘Phillips’ departure left an opening behind 2019 first-round pick Ed Oliver, Star Lotulelei and Harrison Phillips. Jefferson should split reps at three-technique defensive tackle but could also be used at defensive end, where the Bills are also relatively thin.’
Trading for Stefon Diggs means Bills’ Super Bowl window wide open
‘”We’re not gonna go in and just throw a bunch of money at receivers or anything like that, but we’ll try to find [players],” he said in January. “I don’t think we’re one player away. I never think you are, and I definitely don’t think we’re one player away. You lose the first round of the playoffs that doesn’t say to me that the Bills are one player away from being exactly where they want to be.’
NFL Free Agency Fantasy Fallout: Stefon Diggs gives Josh Allen a true No. 1; now will there be enough volume?
‘Diggs’ frustration in Minnesota was often centered around the play-calling and quarterback play. There’s certainly reason to doubt whether that’s going to get better in Buffalo. The Bills did throw the ball 47 more times than the Vikings in 2019, but they completed 20 fewer passes. What I would say is there’s less known in Buffalo. I feel far more confident that Minnesota is going to be a low pass-volume team in 2020. Buffalo could conceivably let loose of the reins on Allen, who could take a step forward as a passer.’
Buffalo mayor takes jab at Tom Brady, reminds fans to ‘celebrate responsibly’ amid coronavirus
‘It may seem odd to hear a mayor talk about an NFL quarterback during a global pandemic, but Bills fans are known to be some of the most enthusiastic in the league. Brady led the Patriots to 17 of the last 19 AFC East titles, so the door appears open for another team to take the crown.’
Report: The Bills extend Jordan Poyer for two more years
‘Poyer was scheduled to become a free agent after the upcoming season. He will be 29 years old before the 2020 season and this deal will keep him through his age 31 season. The $10 million per year is a big pay raise from the roughly $3 million he was scheduled to make this year.’
Reports: Bills to sign defensive linemen Vernon Butler and Quinton Jefferson
‘Jefferson will turn 27-years-old at the end of this month. He entered the league as fifth round pick out of Maryland in 2016. After two years of playing only nine games for the Seahawks, he started 24 games over the last two seasons, collecting 59 total tackles and 7.5 sacks in his four-year career. In Seattle, the 6-foot-4, 291-pound Jefferson played both defensive tackle and defensive end in their hybrid 4-3/3-4 defense. In Buffalo, he’ll most likely fit in on the interior defensive line.’
Report: Bills to sign linebacker Tyler Matakevich
‘Matakevich entered the league as a seventh round pick of the Steelers out of Temple in 2016 and has been almost exclusively a special teams player for them throughout his four-year career, collecting more special teams tackles than any player in the league over that time.’
What a day for Bills fans
‘Diggs is the piece they were missing. A receiver who can beat guys one on one but can also make contested catches. A guy you can count on even though he might be(and will be) double teamed. A speed guy, a deep threat, a receiver who can be moved around, who can run the full route tree and who has football smarts. Diggs covers it all. Diggs averaged 73 catches for 924 yards and six touchdown passes over five years as a Viking where his quarterbacks were Sam Bradford, Case Keenum and Kirk Cousins.’
Capaccio: Thoughts on a wild 24 hours from the Bills
‘It’s not just about the stats with the three wideouts. Diggs, Brown, and Beasley will complement each other in their roles really well in Brian Dabol’s 11-personnel offense. According to Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis, the Bills used 11 personnel (three wide receivers) on 80% of their offensive snaps from weeks 11 through 17, the most in the NFL during that time.’
Report: Bills reach two-year extension with Jordan Poyer
‘According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Bills have reached a two-year extension with Jordan Poyer, through 2022.’
Report: Bills agree to terms with both Vernon Butler & Quinton Jefferson
‘A former first-round pick, Butler is coming off his best season as a pro, in which he recorded 32 total tackles and 6.0 sacks. The 25-year-old tackle started nine games for the Panthers, appearing in 14. Butler also forced three fumbles this season and added seven tackles for loss.’