Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘“It never changed,” Spain said Monday via a conference call with reporters. “I’m a man of my word. I said I wanted to come back and if they could get it done before free agency, and I like it and they like it, then I’ll sign the deal.”’

‘The Bills have to improve on the edges, and they need to get younger in the process. What they shouldn’t do is pay the enormous sum it would take to get someone like Jadeveon Clowney.’

‘The owners got their much-wanted 17th regular-season game which they can institute any time between 2021 and 2023, thus increasing the schedule from 256 games to 272. And starting in 2020, the playoffs will be expanded to 14 teams with four division winners and three wild-card entrants in each conference.’

‘In addition, Alexander became a driving force in the locker room helping to set the culture when McDermott and Beane took over the team. His retirement following 2019 will be difficult for the Bills to overcome.’

‘In looking back through the 27 years of NFL free agency, it was interesting to me that it was easier to find signings the Buffalo Bills hit on than the ones they missed on.’

‘By bringing Spain back, it’s an indication that one of the hottest offseason questions about the Bills has been answered: Cody Ford will remain at right tackle.’

‘This means that any coaches, executives and scouts who have been on the road attending college pro days will head back to Orchard Park where they will presumably do their work via computer and phone.’

‘”A Quiet Place Part II,” a major motion picture set to hit theaters this month, filmed for much of the summer in western New York and the Hudson Valley, a decision that entitles Paramount Pictures to millions of dollars in state tax breaks. State records show some of the movie’s crew got another state-backed perk: a suite for a Buffalo Bills game.’

‘Should the Bills be interested in the 6-foot-5, 320-pounder? It essentially comes down to one thing – what is their plan for Cody Ford. If they decide to move last year’s second-round pick to guard, the only viable option they currently have on the roster for right tackle is 35-year-old Ty Nsekhe, who will be in the last year of his contract.’

‘“You hope you’re drafting A.J. Green,” said NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah. “I don’t think he’s on that level, but that’s the style with which he plays. There’s a little bit of concern with him just getting off press. Some of the better competition they played later in the year, he struggled a little bit with that. But he has incredible ball skills down the field. He can elevate and also adjust to the back-shoulder ball. After the catch, he is very smooth and slippery.”’

‘“I would have to say probably close to 60 or 70 people,” Epenesa said Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine, recalling the get-together who watched as Iowa blew out the Trojans and Epenesa was named defensive player of the game with 2.5 sacks. “All of my family from L.A., from Oceanside, from San Diego, they all kind of just migrated to San Diego and people from Samoa, too, were able to come.’

‘“When he first came in, I was thinking this is just another guy, he puts on his pants the same way we do,” Jones said Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine. “But then the second day of pads, he’s lined up at nose, running with the twos, and he lifts up the center, tosses him out of the way. Hits the running back in the backfield. His helmet pops off, the ball flies in the air. I’m like, ‘OK, alright, he’s a good player.’”’

‘Nearly 11 years later, Laviska Jr. is the very picture of perseverance, a young man who understood at a very young age that life isn’t fair, and all you can do is what his father would want him to do.’

‘“Honestly, I’m looking for a good player,” general manager Brandon Beane said. “Receivers come in the Baskin-Robbins’ 31 flavors — size, speed, length, run after the catch. I think it will probably be the deepest (position) in the draft. We’re not just looking for speed or size. We’re looking for good players who can come in and fit with players that we have — John Brown, Cole Beasley and the rest of that group.”’

‘“I love these other leagues,” Beane continued. “We don’t have a minor-league system like some of the other professional leagues do. For us, that’s another chance for guys to play football. You can run around and work guys out, but this is true simulation, helmets on, pads on, playing the game. We definitely do have an eye on the XFL.”’