Olean Times Herald

‘“You start with the person and the DNA he exhibited last year (in) our time together,” McDermott said. “He was a guy that really worked his tail off on the field, played with a certain level of intensity, energy and toughness that really personifies some of what we’re about.”‘

‘Perceiving a problem that needn’t have been, the billionaire’s club, at its annual meeting, came up with a perfectly ridiculous alternative.’

‘In one way he was ahead of his time … way more guarded than his peers. Now it’s the norm.’

‘That sounds reasonable enough … but even Brandon can’t put lipstick on this pig.’

‘Brandon joined the Bills in 1997 and worked his way up to president. At one point, he briefly served as the NFL team’s general manager. The Pegulas also hired him as Sabres president in July 2015.’

‘Franchise quarterback, check. Middle linebacker, check. Defensive tackle, check. Cornerback, check, check. Wide receiver, check, check.’

‘Wearing Bills gear, that included a sombrero, the fan was presented with a NFL Draft jersey containing the number 18. Then, he announced Buffalo’s selection, Stanford defensive tackle Harrison Phillips, whom the NFL Network crew assessed as a “young Kyle Williams.”’

‘“Of all four or five quarterbacks in the (first round), I feel I’m the one that was suited for Buffalo – the type of atmosphere that you have to play in, the weather, the toughness it takes to play in a cold-weather place. I was that guy. I’m fortunate enough that they came up to get me and I’m going to be forever grateful to be a Buffalo Bill. Hopefully I call this place home for the next 15 to 20 years.”’

‘Well, the Bills got their quarterback in the first round on Thursday night and, as predicted, they had to trade up to do it, but he comes with a bit of physical and personal baggage.’

‘The reaction of Buffalo’s faithful was based on his on-field performance. Clearly, the assessment of Allen by Pro Football Weekly’s Draft Guide showed why.’

‘The popular narrative, though, is that the Bills will move up in Round 1 for the second time since mid-March. First, owning the 21st and 22nd picks, they traded tackle Cordy Glenn to Cincinnati to go from the choice at 21 to No. 12. But is that high enough?’

‘This season, 15 of the Bills’ 16 games are 1 o’clock starts, the lone exception being an Oct. 29 Monday nighter against New England at New Era Field. And, apparently, that’s a trade-off as, for the first time since 2011, Buffalo doesn’t have a Thursday night game, seemingly ending the NFL’s previous contention that every team would have at least one per season..’

‘Yeah, Bills general manager Brandon Beane and coach Sean McDermott met with the media on Monday afternoon at the stadium during a luncheon ostensibly to discuss the draft, but what we got was pretty much …. uhhh, nothing.’

‘Presuming Incognito follows through, the Bills will have lost the best 60 percent of a good offensive line.’

‘There are six QBs who are speculated could go in the first round: Sam Darnold (USC), Josh Rosen (UCLA), Josh Allen (Wyoming), Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma), Mason Rudolph (Oklahoma St.) and Lamar Jackson (Louisville). The question, of course, is where.’