Two Bills Drive

'Maybe a rookie shouldn't be considered as a breakout candidate, but Zay Jones has the opportunity to contribute significantly as a rookie. Jones is the odds on favorite to replace Robert Woods as Buffalo's No. 2 receiver.'

'The Dolphins could have blocked the move, but instead allowed Schoen to leave for a job he wanted with a division rival.'

'During his tenure in Miami, Schoen oversaw both the college and pro scouting departments. He served as a key liaison between Miami’s coaching staff and the personnel department.'

'His ties to Beane began with the Carolina Panthers, where the two broke into the NFL as interns a few years apart. Schoen spent seven years in Carolina's scouting department, while Beane worked his way up to become the Panthers assistant GM.'

'MMQB: Is Buffalo’s quarterback of the future on the roster now? McDermott: He is, in Tyrod Taylor.'

'Schoen has been a part of the Dolphins scouting staff for the last nine years, and has served as their Director of Player Personal for the last three. Before joining the Dolphins, Schoen earned his stripes with the Carolina Panthers where he worked as a Scouting Assistant and later promoted to the club's National Football Scouting scout. Schoen first broke into the business as a Ticket Office intern with the Panthers in 2000.'

'And yes, you guessed it: There is a Panthers connection.'

'"It's nothing like playing in it in high school and then playing and practicing on the professional level. It's way more intense," he said. "It's a blessing to be here.'

'And, speaking of connections, they extend to the coaching staff as well. Not just with Beane and head coach Sean McDermott, but with wide receiver coach Phil McGeoghan, who coached Buffalo's second round pick Zay Jones at ECU.'

'Schoen had been in the Miami Dolphins front office for the better part of the last decade, serving the last three as Dolphins Director of Player Personnel.'

'“I can tell you this, it’s been sleepless nights,” said White. “You know the week of the draft, I didn’t sleep at all. Then flying to Buffalo that morning, back to Baton Rouge and being in the hospital for two straight days, well four or five – it’s been something I’ll never forget [and] I wouldn’t want it any other way."'

'“Just in terms of mutual respect … that’s key in any relationship,” he said. “I certainly came up one way, he came up in a similar fashion through this business. When you look at his foundation that he’s been able to build for 19 years – coming up through a solid organization in Carolina, he’s been trained the right way, he’s earned everything he’s gotten and those are qualities, to me, that are very attractive.”'

'“I don’t really compare myself to anybody,” he said Friday after the Bills completed their first rookie minicamp practice. “I think I’ve had a good background. I’ve been taught very well, but there’s always things to improve on, so coming in here, it is a new offense. I’m just soaking up every word” quarterbacks coach David Culley and offensive coordinator Rick Dennison “have been saying, and just trying to learn it as fast as I can.”'

'We did learn Botterill and Beane likely aren't the types of managers who will sacrifice draft assets for the sake of being bodacious.'

'Like with everything else, it has to start at quarterback. Heading into spring practices, the pecking order figures to be Tyrod Taylor, T.J. Yates, Cardale Jones, Nathan Peterman and Josh Woodrum. The two biggest questions to me are, 1. Is Yates solidified as the backup?, and 2. Will Peterman push Jones off the roster?'