Niagara Gazette

‘But the Bills are looking to solidify the No. 2 running back spot behind James Cook and they also have to replace more than 1,200 special teams snaps from a year ago. Gore’s ability to find holes or to pick up blitzers as a running back is important, but he also knows his ability to cover kickoffs and punts might be his ticket to a full-time job.’

‘The Bills had 10 practices open to the public at the school last year and 11 the year before. No practice times or further dates have been released, but the Bills did confirm the annual red and blue practice would be held Aug. 2 at Highmark Stadium.’

‘The general consensus: Despite the often-lofty projections on economic returns pushed by supporters, such projects, even those involving pro-level teams like those found in the NFL, NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball, often lead to disappointing results for taxpayers.’

‘The free agent safety spoke Thursday at Northtown Automotive ahead of his annual charity softball game and said that he’s in “no rush” to make a decision, but it’s been narrowed down to playing with the Bills or retiring. On the few occasions Hyde has spoken publicly since the season ended, he has consistently said there’s no hurry to make a decision on his future, which is what he said following Buffalo’s playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.’

‘The Bills are set to play five primetime games in 2024, a year after playing seven last season. The NFL could flex the Bills into more primetime games near the end of the season, which is what happened for the regular-season finale against the Miami Dolphins.’

‘Valdes-Scantling has caught 186 passes for 3,155 yards — a 17-yard average — and 16 touchdowns over six seasons, which included two Super Bowl rings with the Kansas City Chiefs the last two seasons. The 29-year-old also brings experience playing with elite quarterbacks, having played his entire career with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay and Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City.’

‘“Coach Henry has been helping me a lot,” Coleman said. “We’ve been Zooming the past week or so and just breaking it down into pieces, understanding the terminology and within each play, what they’re to get done with the read. That makes it very, very simple, because there are so many concepts you can run.”’

‘“It’s hard,” Murphy told WBEN. “It wasn’t that hard until the last day or two. I’ve been thinking about all the things I’ll miss a great deal. … I’ll miss the people more than anything.”’

‘Thursday’s announcement that John was stepping aside, officially, as the play-by-play announcer for the Buffalo Bills was one that even those — myself included — who held out hope wouldn’t come, knew was inevitable 16 months after suffering a stroke. Even though it was a difficult decision for him, it’s not a day to be sad, but one to remember the highlights of a career of a man whose craft was defined by his passion for Buffalo sports, particularly the Bills.’

‘The knock over the past 20 years is that running backs break down early, and with an emphasis on the passing game, they are valued less financially and in the draft, with five backs taken in the first round over the last five years and six were taken in the first round in 2000. And in an attempt to decrease wear and tear, teams have gone to a rotation in the backfield, but it hasn’t lengthened many careers.’

‘Claypool is the most intriguing of the trio, given the early success in his career after the Pittsburgh Steelers made him a second-round pick in 2020 and that he’s still only 25 years old. The problem is that Claypool has floundered the last two seasons.’

‘One of the most stable rosters in the NFL was turned upside down, shaken and flipped back over during the offseason. There are still 16 spots left to be filled by undrafted free agents before training camp, but there’s an infusion of new blood that could create intrigue Buffalo hasn’t been accustomed to over the last few years.’

‘“He will have a lot to learn but we think his DNA, his intelligence, super smart by all accounts at Utah when we spent some time with him, our coaches did and this guy knows ball and seems like he’s a quick processor and understands that he’ll have work to do,” Bills general manager Brandon Beane said. “… He’s going to have a hard time starting at the beginning of the season, but we’ll see how it all shakes out. We told him today, just learn the playbook, follow the vets and your time will come.”’

‘One of the top run defenders in the NFL, Rousseau ranked 10th by Pro Football Focus among defensive ends and 14th among all defensive linemen with a grade of 79.6.’

‘Jokes aside, the Bills need instant production from the No. 33 overall pick. Perhaps it’s unrealistic to assume he’s going to achieve 1,000 yards, but Buffalo can’t trade away Stefon Diggs and expect to survive without replacing his numbers in some fashion.’