‘”It was crazy,” Shorter said. “I feel like draft day is just insane because you are sitting around, basically waiting the whole time. But I literally watched every single pick, so everyone who went before me, I feel like that was just fueling my fire. And finally, I put my phone down and got that phone call and I was just super excited. I started screaming, thanking God.”‘
Archives for May 2023
Mark Gaughan: Onus is on Bills’ coaching staff to make it work at middle linebacker
‘It was a bad draft for linebackers. The Bills picked one in the third round, Dorian Williams of Tulane. He’s a super-fast, weak-side linebacker who is 227 pounds and is going to need development time. Might he adjust to the middle down the road? Sure. But it’s hard to imagine him challenging for the middle job this year.’
Latavius Murray excited to bring ‘different element’ to Bills’ running game
‘“Obviously, it’s been a team that’s been contending for the past few years. I think we have an opportunity to compete for a championship, so that’s first and foremost,” Murray said on a video conference call about what attracted him to the Bills. “Then growing up just a few hours from here, I think it’s just really cool to be able to come back to the state of New York and play football, especially at this stage of my career.”’
Buffalo Bills sign veteran running back to add depth, strength in short yardage
‘Murray played his high school football at Onondaga Central and then attended Central Florida. The 33-year-old was originally a sixth-round draft pick of the Raiders in 2013 and he later played for the Vikings, Saints, Ravens and Broncos.’
Buffalo Bills sign running back Latavius Murray to 1-year contract
‘Murray, a 2022 Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame inductee, played for the Broncos and Saints last season. He rushed for a total of 760 yards (4.4 per rush) and six touchdowns. He’s rushed for at least four touchdowns in eight consecutive NFL seasons, which is the longest active streak in the league.’
Buffalo Bills GM reveals why team did not consider drafting a RB in 2023 NFL Draft
‘On One Bills Live, Buffalo’s GM explained how he used the draft to give him some leverage in getting a deal gone. “That was actually done while we were still drafting,” Beane said on agreeing to terms with Latavius Murray. “I reached out to his agent on Saturday and I was like, ‘There’s still some backs I can draft, but I could use some picks elsewhere at some different positions if you’ll go ahead and do this deal. I won’t draft a running back.’”’
Who is Alex Austin? Bills’ final selection could fit right in to defense (4 things to know)
‘Austin played in a multiple scheme defense at Oregon State that included zone coverage. His experience in zone could benefit him when it comes to picking up Buffalo’s defensive system. In “The Beast,” by Dane Brugler of The Athletic, the draft analyst suggests Austin’s best fit is in a defense that runs primarily zone.’
Bills sign veteran RB Murray to one-year deal
‘Murray, 33, is a massive 6-foot-3, 230 pounds and joins James Cook, Nyheim Hines and Damien Harris as the four RBs on the Bills’ roster. Cook and Hines are quicker, more elusive runners, while Harris and Murray pack a bit more of a punch. Buffalo is hoping the latter duo, both signed this offseason, can provide the team the physicality it’s been searching for from the RB position for the past several seasons.’
Beane discusses Bills draft, plans for remainder of offseason
‘“Beyond that, I wanted to add a D-tackle,” said Beane. “From what I’ve told you guys, as far as I don’t have long-term guys under contract there. But I think that shows you we truly do stick to the board. There were guys we could have reached for, it just wasn’t working the way our board was set when we were picking. Did we hit every single thing? No, you rarely do. But I do think we’ve added guys that will help us either as starters, key contributors and then key backups that will help us on fourth down.”’
Bills middle linebacker race hinges upon where third-round pick Dorian Williams fits best
‘On paper, Williams seems to lack everything but the size to replace Tremaine Edmunds as Buffalo’s on-ball linebacker. He might get a shot eventually, but it doesn’t appear the Bills are in a rush.’
Sabato: Brandon Beane delivered by replenishing Bills offensive weapons
‘How Buffalo was going to help Allen with salary cap limitations and minimal draft assets was the main question, but general manager Brandon Beane found a way. Seven of the team’s new free agent acquisitions are offensive players and four of their six draft picks are offensive players.’
Pros and cons of Buffalo Bills taking Ole Miss football’s Nick Broeker in 2023 NFL Draft
‘That versatility is a bit of a double-edged sword for Broeker. After the 2021 season, he was told that his arms were too short for him to play tackle at the NFL level consistently, which led to his move to guard for the 2022 campaign.’
Bills Bulk Up Backfield, Sign Latavius Murray To 1-Year Deal
‘“It’s just so crazy how it works, just the fact that I could go out in Denver and do what I thought I knew I could do,” Murray said. “And so, obviously, here I am and this organization saw that, and so just grateful for the opportunity.”’
Bills sign veteran RB Latavius Murray to one-year deal
‘The 33-year-old Murray, a Syracuse native who also earned an MBA from Syracuse in 2020, becomes the second-oldest player on the Bills’ roster (behind Von Miller) and adds experience to a running backs room that is headlined by 2022 second-round pick James Cook.’
Bills make move by signing Broncos leading rusher from 2022 to one-year deal in free agency
‘Murray will likely be able to come in and help right away for the Bills. At 6-foot-3 and 230-pounds, Murray is a bruising running back who will almost certainly see action in short yardage situations in 2023. The 33-year-old is coming off a 2022 season where he was one of the few bright spots for a Broncos’ offense that struggled with Russell Wilson at quarterback.’