‘The Bills’ coverage units have been especially strong the past two years. Buffalo ranked second in punt return average allowed and third in kickoff average allowed in 2021. In 2020, the Bills also were third in kickoff return average allowed, and they were 17th in punt return average allowed (but first in net punting overall).’
Archives for February 10, 2022
Now at the Super Bowl, former Bills guard Quinton Spain opens up on his surprising release
‘“The situation there was, me and (Sean) McDermott, we didn’t see eye to eye,” he said. “I feel like they was trying to mess up my career so I was a man and asked them, ‘can they release me so I can start over?’ At first, they didn’t want to do that, but at the end of the day they released me, so I’m happy they released me. I had an opportunity to go to Cincinnati and put my name back out there. It was a great decision that I made to better myself again. I’m happy I did it.”’
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell ‘encouraged’ by Bills’ stadium negotiations with New York State
‘“The bottom line on it is we have to get a new stadium in Buffalo,” Goodell, a Jamestown native, said. “The governor has recognized that. It’s got to be a public-private partnership. All parties are going to have to work together. That means the state, the county, the team and the NFL to be able to achieve that.”’
Buffalo Bills may upgrade at guard in free agency, draft. Here’s who they could turn to.
‘Boettger suffered a torn Achilles’ in mid-December, a tough injury to come back from, plus he’s an unrestricted free agent. Bates, who played well when he finally got his chance to start, is a restricted free agent who will require a tender offer that is expected to be about $2.4 million in order for the team to exercise its right of first refusal.’
Buffalo Bills coaching changes continue as offensive line coach hired, special teams coach leaves
‘However, the end was not good for Farwell. Although McDermott has refused to expose what happened, something was clearly amiss on the kickoff with 13 seconds remaining in the AFC divisional round playoff loss to Kansas City.’
Bills promote Matt Smiley to special teams coordinator after Heath Farwell joins Jaguars staff
‘Smiley has been a member of the Bills’ coaching staff since Sean McDermott arrived in 2017. Farwell has always spoken highly of Smiley as the two have helped develop players as core special teamers over the past three seasons together.’
Even after ’13 Seconds,’ Buffalo Bills fans believe. This is how they do it.
‘”At 13 seconds, my wife was dancing around with our kids, thinking it was won,” Aaron says with an ever-present laugh, calling his wife, Kristy, a hardcore fan. “And I was sitting in my chair, like: ‘Hold on. It’s not over.'”‘
Bills replace Heath Farwell with Matthew Smiley as special teams coordinator
‘If the Bills didn’t want to make it appear as though they were scapegoating Farwell, this is how it would’ve looked. Waiting for Farwell to get another job before announcing Smiley.’
Goodell “encouraged” by progress of stadium negotiations
‘”Well, I’m encouraged by the progress that’s being made both at the state level and county level and with the club,” Goodell said. “We have been involved in a lot of those discussions. The governor has stepped into a very difficult challenge because when she came into office not only is the lease up in another year, but the stadium has been studied by experts and it’s reaching the useful life of that stadium. It probably has no more than five years, according to many of those studies. The bottom line on it is, we have to get a new stadium in Buffalo. The governor has recognized that.”‘
Report: Jacksonville Jaguars to hire Buffalo Bills’ Heath Farwell as special teams coordinator
‘Prior to coaching, Farwell played in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks.’
Special teams chief Heath Farwell leaving Bills for Jaguars
‘The special team unit took a lot of flak after the AFC division round loss against Kansas City after the decision to not squib the kickoff with 13 seconds left on the clock.’
Goodell ‘optimistic’ on Bills new stadium talks
‘”I’m encouraged by the progress that is being made,” said the NFL commissioner. “The Governor [Kathy Hochul] has stepped into a very difficult challenge because when she came into office, not only is the lease-up in another year but the stadium has been studied by experts and it’s reaching [the end of] its useful life for that stadium. It probably has no more than five years, according to many of those studies.”‘
Bills name Matthew Smiley special teams coordinator
‘The new special teams coordinator has helped the Bills special teams unit reach success in many different ways. In 2021, kicker Tyler Bass produced 135 points – becoming the first Bills player with consecutive 100-point seasons since Dan Carpenter in 2013-2015. In 2020, Bass set a team record with 141 points. Also in 2020, Bills kick and punt returner Andre Roberts ranked amongst one of the best in kickoff return yards (961, 2nd) and punt return yard (286, 5th). Smiley helped Roberts earn Pro Bowl honors and second-team All-Pro honors in 2019 and 2020. In 2017, he helped lead a special teams unit that ranked seventh in the NFL according to Rick Gosselin.’