‘“You’ve got to have enough self-awareness to manage yourself. If getting notice was the goal (last season), then maybe we accomplished that. But if winning (it all) and the goals we had set up, we didn’t accomplish that last year. This is a new season, a new team, and as I’ve said countless times, we’ve got to respect the process and remain humble and hungry because if you don’t, this league gets you and it gets on you fast.”’
Archives for July 29, 2021
How did Josh Allen spend most of his summer break: Working
‘“I got in some good weeks’ work,” Allen said after the Bills’ first training camp practice Wednesday. “I feel like I figured out some more things. It’s awesome when you go into an offseason and you’ve got goals in your mind. … I feel good where I feel very confident in the things that I worked on. And it’s fun to go out here and try to apply those to game-like situations.”’
Bills’ Cole Beasley releases statement, song about vaccine refusal; NFLPA responds
‘“There are different rules for vaccinated players vs. unvaccinated players based on the science and data provided by the CDC and medical experts we rely on for guidance,” George Atallah, the NFLPA’s assistant executive director of external affairs, wrote in an email to The Buffalo News in response to Beasley’s statement. “The protocols for unvaccinated players are the same as last year. This year’s protocols are a moving target given the evolving nature of the virus and what the data is emerging about the Delta variant. The only recommended change we have suggested to date is increasing the frequency of testing for vaccinated players as an extra precaution.”‘
Training camp observations: Brandon Beane plays it low-key on Josh Allen deal
‘It’s true that there isn’t a gun to Beane’s head to close a deal. The Bills have Allen under contract in 2022, by virtue of exercising the fifth-year option on his deal. Still, you have to believe the Bills would rather get a deal sooner than later, both as a reward to the QB and because the price likely only will go up. And striking a big deal now gives Allen protection from a catastrophic injury.’
Jim Kelly recovering from second ankle replacement surgery
‘The initial surgery to insert a titanium replacement in his right ankle, necessitated by two decades of football wear and tear, didn’t work out so well. Kelly, who has faced multiple bouts with cancer and the resulting surgeries, had to go through the agonizing process of getting another new ankle.’
Bills announcers John Murphy, Eric Wood to go to road games but Sabres announcers won’t travel
‘According to sources, the plan is for Murphy and Wood to go on the road to call games this season, unless things change because of the spread of Covid-19. The Bills open the preseason on Aug. 13 at Detroit.’
Buffalo Bills open training camp with one thought: Last year is a thing of the past
‘“Every year is different, every team is different, but you have to start at square one every year,” he said. “You have to start over and have to, mindset wise, be as humble and hungry as you can be. I’ve found over the years that that humble and hungry approach goes a long way inside the building and outside the building, and life in general. That’s what we subscribe to and that’s what I expect to see from our team.”’
Cole Beasley says he is ‘pro choice’ on COVID vaccine then releases song on Twitter
‘Whether he intended to be or not, he’s the face of the Bills’ vaccine debate, and he figured the best way to address the situation would be to sit in front of the media on day one of camp and then, at least in his mind, be done with it.’
Bills’ Jake Kumerow gets massive praise from Packers QB Aaron Rodgers following first day of training camp
‘“Jake Kumerow has been such a solid performer for us the last couple of years,” said Rodgers on SiriusXM NFL Radio. “I love his reliability. I think he’s a fantastic, steady player who’s very heady on the field. He makes plays, he plays with a lot of confidence and he’s a guy you love having on the squad.”’
Bills training camp 2021: Cole Beasley takes center stage; 8 observations from Day 1
‘“The issue at hand is information being withheld from players in order for a player to be swayed in a direction he may not be comfortable with,” Beasley said. “When dealing with a player’s health and safety, there should be complete transparency regarding information that is vital in the decision-making process. Without having all the proper information, a player can feel misguided and unsure about a very personal choice.”’
Takeaways from Bills GM Brandon Beane and HC Sean McDermott’s pre-training camp press conferences
‘A few Bills players begin training camp on the non-participation list. Veteran defensive end Jerry Hughes failed to pass a pre-camp physical and begins camp on the NFI list with a calf strain. Two offensive linemen, Ike Boettger and Dion Dawkins, both begin camp in COVID-19 protocol.’
Bills WR Cole Beasley: I’m not anti-vaccine, I’m pro-choice
‘Allen declined to comment on his vaccination status during his presser. Beane said during his press conference that near 80% of the Bills’ roster has had at least one COVID shot, while the entirety of the Bills’ coaching staff has been fully vaccinated.’
Beasley Makes Vaccination Statement, Then Changes Topics
‘In his statement, Beasley repeatedly referred to a lack of transparency and information — while the Bills have said that they have done everything they can to educate their players about vaccinations. Coach Sean McDermott has spoken at length about his desire to see his players vaccinated.’
Buffalo Bills’ Cole Beasley pushes back on NFL COVID-19 policy, says ‘information being withheld from players’
‘Beasley, reading a statement from his phone on the first day of training camp, said that the main issue is that there is “information being withheld from players” that could possibly influence their decision.’
Buffalo Bills WR Cole Beasley says NFL vaccine gripe is over differing standards, wants players to have ‘proper information’
‘”It’s common sense that if a vaxxed or unvaxxed player is tested less frequently, the likelihood of a player being pulled for COVID drops dramatically,” he said. “In regard to player safety, I’ll conclude by saying we all want to be safe.”‘