Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘“I knew there would be guys sitting on their couch all day looking at stats and trying to project things without knowing what was going on, and maybe would say I’d be undrafted just purely based on that,” Knox said recently following an OTA practice, referring to the ever-growing roster of so-called draft experts.’

‘But as every coach in the history of the NFL has said at one time or another, there is a monumental jump for most players from year one to year two, and Allen — no longer the third-stringer but now the starter and face of the franchise — is currently in the midst of taking that leap.’

‘By recommissioning 32, the Bills are saying nothing is off limits regarding their continued homage of Simpson, 71.’

‘Last year, Jim Kelly had major surgery on his upper jaw to treat a recurrence of oral squamous-cell carcinoma, which was first diagnosed in May 2013. Last September, he had reconstructive surgery so that dentures could be placed and in February he had back surgery to remove a cyst that was pushing against his spinal cord.’

‘“The cream is going to rise to the top in that room,” Wood said of the unprecedented turnover that will occur this season. “Everybody is going to get reps, and there’s a bunch of grown men in that room. They have a lot of guys with experience, and guys who don’t make this team are going to go on and win jobs on other rosters, and that hasn’t always happened here on the offensive line, or really a lot of places in general.”’

‘“You never want to take credit away from where credit is due,” McDermott said when asked if he considered sacks an overrated measuring tool. “You look at the great sack artists over the years, (Mark) Gastineau, (Lawrence) Taylor, all these guys that had the numbers. I’d never take anything away from them, but just when you study the game of how you win games, you have to affect the quarterback.”’

‘Also, wide receiver Cole Beasley and center Mitch Morse each underwent recent surgery to correct core muscle injuries, and running back Frank Gore is still working back from foot and ankle injuries that slowed him last season in Miami.’

‘”I know the situation. I know that greatness comes with that number, playing in Buffalo. But I’m willing to take anything that comes my way. I’m going into my sixth year, and I know what it takes to get in this league and stay here. With that number on my back, I know I’m doing well for my family.”‘

‘By the time McDermott got here and installed this defense, DT Kyle Williams was in the homestretch of his career, and as good as he was at his advanced age, he did not have the speed and strength package that Oliver will bring to the field.’

‘Castro is survived by his two children Gino, 6, and Lourdes, 3, and his longtime partner Veronica Borjon. According to a Buffalo News article, he underwent an experimental treatment that was successful in rolling back the tumors in Castro’s liver, but it compromised his lungs and made it difficult to breathe without access to supplemental oxygen.’

‘”Our hearts broken as we have lost our dear brother ezra “Pancho Billa” this morning. We are thankful and forever grateful for all the love and support during this journey. Ezra was surrounded by family and loved ones. At this time we ask for privacy as we mourn our loss,” read the tweet.’

‘Smith is the son of the late Daryle Smith. His father played offensive line at the University of Tennessee before a six-year career in the NFL and a four-year stint in the Canadian Football League. Smith was actually born during his father’s rookie season with the Seattle Seahawks in 1987.’

‘Castro is suffering from stage 4 cancer, which began as a mass around his spine and has spread into his other organs. The Buffalo Bills selected Castro to announce their third-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft in Dallas. The Bills took Stanford defensive tackle Harrison Phillips with the pick and Castro and Phillips have developed a close friendship since.’

‘“We knew about it as we started the off-season program, a week or two before,” said McDermott. “At the end of the day we respect Derek’s decision, he’s been nothing but a joy to work with all the way back to my time in Carolina with Derek and then what value he provided last year, not only on the field but off the field. He was a guy who brought a lot of wisdom to our team and to the quarterback room in particular.”’

‘More than 50 players were on the field including all eight draft picks, eight undrafted free agents, and 36 who are classified as tryout players, put through the paces by a coaching staff that is still trying to figure out names, let alone skill sets.’