‘“I think they’ve worked hard. Again, all three in slightly different positions in their growth cycle,” coach Sean McDermott said last month. “But this is going to be a big offseason for those guys. … We need them to really, really grow and develop and make a mark on our defense. And not just in a supporting role, but in a primary role.”’
Archives for June 2022
Former Bills defensive tackle Harrison Phillips returns to host event in Buffalo
‘“It was a no-brainer,” Phillips said. “They all made it possible. Within like 16 hours, this camp completely sold out. And there’s been a waiting list. Our sponsors matched everything that they’ve done in previous years, and this was the most volunteers we’ve ever had at an event.”‘
Harrison Phillips back at Highmark for Playmakers Camp
‘“I made this place home, like home-home, and anyone who followed the Bills or my career know how much I meant that,” Phillips said. “And it means a ton to keep it going and get back here in my offseasons get back here in the summer, keep doing events for these kids year-round because they are my family.”’
Harrison Phillips returns to Buffalo for annual Playmakers event
‘”I was worried it wouldn’t happen because you never know. … Are the kids only interested in a current Buffalo Bill?” said Phillips, who signed a new deal with the Minnesota Vikings this offseason.’
Bills Today | Isaiah McKenzie + three former Bills to appear on America’s Got Talent
‘The other three members are former Bills linebacker Bryan Scott, tight end Michael Gaines, and running back Dwayne Wright. At one point in all of their careers, they played for the Bills. Scott played for the team from 2007 to 2012, Gaines in 2007, and Wright was drafted by the Bills in the fourth round and played in Buffalo from 2007 to 2008.’
Offensive line coach Aaron Kromer returns to a Bills team that’s nothing like the one he left
‘It’s a return to Buffalo for Kromer, who spent the 2015-16 seasons as the Bills’ offensive line coach under Rex Ryan. To say the franchise is in a much different spot now than it was then would be a colossal understatement.’
Bills Mailbag: Should fans be worried about all the preseason hype Josh Allen’s getting?
‘Here’s why I’m not worried about it, though. Allen played golf Wednesday in Las Vegas. It would have been incredibly easy for him to chill in Vegas for another day, but instead, he hustled back to Buffalo and was at Thursday’s practice. As a reminder, all practices up to this point in the offseason are entirely voluntary. Allen didn’t treat it that way, though. That says a lot about his leadership and commitment to this team. Don’t just take it from me. Here’s what General Manager Brandon Beane said about that this week: “I don’t think Josh looks at himself that way (as a celebrity). I really don’t. I think that’s what’s great about him. I think he’s still the kid from Firebaugh. I mean, I’m around him when he’s talking to his parents or his family or whatever. He’s the same dude. He really is. Obviously, he’s matured.”’
Veteran wide receiver Tavon Austin eager to show Bills he still has electric traits
‘“I took some tough injuries back in the day when I was with the Rams, and that kind of turned my career a little bit,” Austin said. “I feel like a lot of people forgot about Tavon Austin. I can say I’m healthy now. And I am looking forward to do those type of things, out of the backfield, slot or outside, whatever the team may need honestly. I just know my skill set. I know mentally where I’m at and I know physically where I’m at.”’
Pollock: Assessing Bills’ ‘D,’ specialists before minicamp
‘Pro Bowl corner Tre’Davious White is recovering from knee surgery and is questionable to return by the beginning of training camp. Last season’s other starter, Levi Wallace, went to the Steelers as a free agent. That leaves the spot opposite White to first-round draft choice Kaiir Elam, the presumptive starter, though he’ll be learning on the fly. Most of the time, the Bills start three cornerbacks and Buffalo has a quality one in nickel back Taron Johnson, who isn’t about to change positions. That leaves a group of youngsters — Dane Jackson, Siran Neal, Cam Lewis, Tim Harris and Nick McCloud — hoping to fill the void in the team’s weakest position.’
Eric Wood doesn’t believe Ryan Fitzpatrick will sign one-day contract with Bills
‘“I hate to break peoples’ hearts, but I don’t believe that’s going to happen,” Wood told WKBW’s Matt Bove and myself. “I played middle-man for that negotiation. He was extremely honored that the Bills felt that way, but he has so many special relationships with so many organizations he didn’t want to slight anyone else.”’
Tavon happy with Bills: “A lot of people forgot about Tavon Austin”
‘“If you look at it, regardless of these last four years, I’m still standing,” Austin said. “Even if I wasn’t in the top four receivers and wasn’t playing, I was the fifth one. I knew I still had it, it just wasn’t my time, and it’s okay.”’
After ‘communication’ breakdown in playoff loss to Chiefs, Matthew Smiley ready to take over running Bills’ special teams
‘“In my position, I am, I’m a Buffalo Bill, so if Heath was here for another 10 years, I would be thrilled to still be a Buffalo Bill in that role,” he said. “The fact that Heath left and that opened up the opportunity for me, that was unexpected, but I’m glad that I have this chance. As far as, kind of, any of the details surrounding it, it would probably be a better question for Heath.”’
Heath Farwell tells Jacksonville Jaguars media he doesn’t think twice about ’13 seconds’
‘”That’s part of the way I live my life. It’s going forward, and what we’re doing here. I’m loving the guys I work with here. I got a great appreciation for the players there. I had fantastic players, still good friends of mine that I talk to all the time. But down here, I’m trying to build something down here special. That’s what it’s about for me. I move on. I honestly don’t think twice about it.”‘
Pollock: Looking at Bills offense before minicamp opens
Running back: Starting with minicamp, the candidates will be microscoped. Devin Singletary, a third-round pick in 2019, has teased us with his speed and elusiveness, but has been decidedly inconsistent. Zack Moss, a third-rounder a year later, hasn’t shown much and the Bills rolled the dice again in April using a second-round pick to take James Cook, a back who supposedly owns superior pass catching skills. That’s a lot of draft capital spent on three players at virtually the same position. Also in the mix are free agent Duke Johnson and special teams standout Taiwan Jones. What concerns the Bills is that Allen has been the team’s second-leading rusher in yards and his average of eight rushing TDs per season is the same as Singletary and Moss combined.’
Bills defensive coordinator emphasizing one message to team about loss to the Chiefs
‘“There are a lot of intricacies in the game of football, that it’s not as much as it is comforting to say, ‘it’s your fault. It’s his fault. This is exactly what happened.’” Smiley said. “It’s the overall communication. Whether it’s 13 seconds to go in a playoff game or whether it is a Tuesday practice and what drill is going to go where, it’s improving communication that I think is very important.”