‘Now the starting outside cornerback job opposite White is a two-way fight between incumbent Levi Wallace and Josh Norman, the free-agent signee from Washington.’
Archives for August 3, 2020
Column: McDermott, Beane carry weight of Bills’ Covid-19 challenge
‘“Listen, I’m trying to stay healthy, too,” McDermott said. “People think that, just because you’re a coach or the head coach, as we’ve seen (the coronavirus) doesn’t discriminate. And because I know someone doesn’t mean that they can’t give it to me, or I can’t give it to them. It’s, again, a unique time.”’
Limiting spread of coronavirus will require Bills to hold each other accountable
‘“We talk a lot about accountability,” McDermott said Sunday on a Zoom call with Western New York reporters. “We talk about respect for one another, we talk about love for one another, positive energy. Every decision that I make as a coach, every decision that every teammate of mine, and every person in this building, which we’re all teammates, make has got to be with so much love, appreciation and respect for everyone else’s health and safety.”’
Bills planning on worst-case salary cap scenario for 2021
‘The Bills would be one of 13 teams currently over the 2021 cap floor. Philadelphia would be $85 million over the cap, and New Orleans would be $77 million over.’
5 things about new Bills cornerback/special teamer Akeem King
‘King did not play football in high school until his junior year, having been a basketball player and a track athlete. His size and speed made him a candidate to play wide receiver and he also played fullback and tight end on offense and linebacker and defensive back on defense.’
4 things about new Bills defensive tackle Niles Scott
‘The Bills will be Scott’s fourth team after having spent time with the San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos and Cincinnati Bengals since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2018.’
Here’s what Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott had to say on eve of Bills training camp
‘“Our expectations are always high,” he said. “This is going to be a different camp, a camp like no other. But I think at the end of the day we have to still hold ourselves to a high standard and Sean and I aren’t going to sit here and say, ‘It was the COVID year, we didn’t make the playoffs, so be it.’ Nothing’s changed here; we expect playoff-caliber practices. That’s why the pressure is on us all to stay healthy and to do things right so that we can have the best 53 guys out there and not have 10 guys on the COVID list come mid-September.”’
Bills taking every precaution possible to keep players, staff safe at their facility
‘“Nobody wants to sit in an apartment or a hotel room all the time, but this is the year that we’ve got to do whatever it takes, and we’ve got to find a way to keep ourselves healthy. Hold each other accountable. Our veteran leaders peer pressure, peer leadership … I know some of those guys spoke up on a call the other day and they did a great job of stressing to everyone on the call that we can’t let our guard down.”’
Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane says CB E.J. Gaines is opting out
‘Gaines, 28, was expected to compete for a depth role in Buffalo’s secondary in his third stint with the team.’
Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane: ‘Cody Ford could slide in’ to replace Jon Feliciano at RG
‘“Cody Ford could slide in there,” Beane said. “There’s a lot of combinations we can do (but we have) a long way to go before it’s settled of how that would play out. Right guard, right tackle – I think Cody will be in the mix of one of those. But just have to see where he fits best. “Are we better with someone else at right tackle and slide Cody in (or) are we better leaving Cody at right tackle and someone else (inside for the right guard) job?”’
Buffalo Bills sign CB Akeem King, DT Niles Scott; roster officially under 80 players
‘King and Scott will be added to the group that’s set to compete on the defensive line and in the defensive backfield.’
5 things to know about new Buffalo Bills DB Akeem King
‘“I did track. I was mainly a jumper, and then they put me in the 100 one time and I ended up setting the school record. No one knew I was fast. I was a really dorky kid. I had an afro, big glasses. Everybody kind of overlooked me. Once they found out I was fast they convinced me to come out for football. I ended up trying out.”’
3 things to know about new Buffalo Bills DT Niles Scott
‘Scott did not hear his name called during the 2018 NFL Draft. He signed with the 49ers following the draft, but failed to make the team’s 53-man roster. In addition to playing with the 49ers, he also spent time on the Denver Broncos’ practice squad that season.’
Former Viking Leslie Frazier could be hot coaching commodity if Bills stay on the rise
‘”His fingerprints are all over our operation, and I’m extremely grateful for all the years we have worked together,” said McDermott, who was hired in 2017. “Leslie’s impact on our team is felt every day through his guidance, wisdom and his genuine care for people. He is a great example to everyone within our organization.”‘
Bills open training camp following early setbacks
‘“We’ve got to be smart,” McDermott said. “It’s important that we onboard these players and staff in the right way with a methodical approach. … There’s a lot of planning, and we’ve got to be razor-sharp on that end.”’