Two Bills Drive

'Gaines was given a cumulative grade of 87.4 for the entire preseason. Considering how topsy-turvy the offseason was for the fourth-year corner, the figures are very impressive. Gaines’ first game for the Bills came against the Eagles, and he had three tackles, two pass break-ups and an interception. His second game against the Ravens was equally notable. He ended with a tackle and a pass break-up, as he started to garner more starting time.'

'"No, we didn't win, ultimately, the games that we wanted to win. But we were two games outside of the playoffs the first year and a game outside last year. Yes, it definitely hurt, but it's also motivation moving forward and I take that with me each and every day I step on the field."'

'The team also released defensive tackle Deandre Coleman. To fill the open roster spots, safety Colt Anderson was re-signed after being released Monday so that the team could add quarterback Joe Webb. Additionally, defensive tackle Cedric Thornton was signed to the 53-man roster.'

'Lee, a South Florida product, was released recently by the Houston Texans. Stewart was released recently by the Denver Broncos. He had 12 interceptions in his college career at Baylor, including six in his final collegiate season, earning All-Big 12 honors for the third straight year. Wesley is a former undrafted free agent of the Baltimore Ravens who appeared in seven games as a rookie in 2015. He spent 2016 on Baltimore's injured reserve.'

'Before that moment of truth arrives, however, there is a season to be played. It’s easy to look at some of the moves made this offseason as signs the team is in the middle of a rebuild. Trading away players like Sammy Watkins and Ronald Darby last month sent shockwaves through the NFL, and showed no job is safe. The continued purge of players drafted by former General Manager Doug Whaley – including 2016 second-round pick Reggie Ragland – also spells r-e-b-u-i-l-d.'

'Tasker stayed on to chat about the strengths of the Bills' roster and focused on the defensive line, with a nod being given also to the special teams and the starting safeties. Finally, Tasker chatted with callers and talked about the nuances of the 2017 return game overall in the NFL, citing the importance of situational awareness returning kicks out of the end zone and giving up 30-plus yards as a result.'

'Inspired by the roundtable format popularized by Sports Illustrated media columnist (and University at Buffalo graduate) Richard Deitsch, Mixed Media has assembled the inaugural Buffalo Bills Media Roundtable.'

'Here is what the Bills have planned for each home game this season…'

'Game temperature: 68 degrees.'

'Coming home is always thrill for Irwin. He grew up in North Buffalo, just off Hertel Avenue, and graduated from Bennett High School in 1951. After a few years in the Army, he opened a women’s shoe store called the Cobbler Shop in University Plaza across from the University at Buffalo, where he eventually went to college, graduating in 1958. Two years later, the Bills became an official football franchise.'

'As fans descend on New Era Field again this year, no matter how pessimistic the team's fans might be, DeMarco will be waiting to greet them with a smile on his face. While he is contemplating a future retirement, he’s not ready to throw in the towel just yet – on the business or the team. He sat down at the Big Tree’s bar to reminisce, talk football and more.'

'ESPN's Field Yates reported Tuesday that Taylor had been cleared from the NFL's concussion protocol, but Chris Brown of the Buffalo Bills was more cautious. On the team's website, he wrote, "Knowing he was able to participate in practice Monday, it would appear that he was at step 4 (of the five-step protocol), and need(s) only clearance from the Team Physician and Independent Neurological Consultant assigned to the Bills to be a full participant in practice and cleared at some point, hopefully, later this week."'

'According to ESPN's Field Yates, quarterback Tyrod Taylor passes the concussion protocol on Tuesday and is on track to start in Week 1. The team also put quarterback T.J. Yates on injured reserve as he deals with a concussion. Meanwhile, the Bills signed safety Colt Anderson and defensive tackle Cedric Thornton and cut defensive tackle Deandre Coleman.'

'After going unclaimed on waivers, Williams signed with the Denver Broncos' practice squad and will receive a $510,000 salary. The minimum salary for a practice squad player is $122,400, so Williams is making a decent chunk of change.'

'"They made me play center and linebacker," Peterman said at his locker this week. "Even with everything that happened in college, (being the underdog)'s always been my role and it's something I've kind of embraced."'