Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘But there will be a step backward in 2018 before any steps forward are taken in 2019 and beyond, and that’s just reality. And in a read-between-the-lines sort of way, Beane did acknowledge that before training camp when he said, “This is a new year, but hopefully fans understand or believe in what we’re doing here as a group … that we have it (headed) in the right direction, but we have not arrived, by any means.”’

‘That performance in the so-called “dress rehearsal game’’ for the real thing was the story behind the story as the Bills’ first-unit offense mustered 78 yards, including negative 5 passing, under rookie quarterback Josh Allen.’

‘“So we’ve had guys ‘do it’ through sports, but Kaepernick is a guy doing it right now, so I think it’s a great pairing with Nike and him. To say something is worth sacrificing if you really believe in something (is a powerful message). I don’t think anybody would sacrifice their job right now for certain things, that’s a big sacrifice, it’s how you feed your family. I know I’d be asking, ‘How is this going to affect my job?’’

‘“It doesn’t bother me at all,’’ said center Ryan Groy, who steps in for Wood, a nine-year starter and team leader. “At the end of day, anybody can think what they want. We know what’s in this locker room. We’re going to play hard, with tenacity and get after it.’’’

‘“Honestly, I don’t know how he does it other than the grace of God and the prayers of so many,” she wrote. “And of course being ‘Kelly Tough.’”’

‘Peterman was the clear-cut winner of the three-way competition that also included rookie Josh Allen and free agent acquisition A.J. McCarron. So confident are the Bills in Peterman, and Allen’s ability to be the backup, they traded McCarron on Saturday to the Oakland Raiders and received a 2019 fifth-round draft pick in return.’

‘“It makes it certainly gratifying as a coach to be able to reward a young man who has earned it,” McDermott said. “He went through some adversity. Not only last season but in his college career. We’ve all been through that. If you go through some adversity early in life, you’re that much more prepared for it later in life and that to me, that becomes a character trait that’s good to have.”’

‘Allen certainly would have been the better marketing choice, but Peterman was superior on the field, which is all that should matter.’

‘So much for McCarron being “absolutely” in the starting discussion per McDermott Thursday night in Chicago.’

‘About 1,100 players are now without a team so Buffalo will still make moves to solidify it’s opening day roster and form a practice squad.’

‘McCloud hurt his knee Thursday, and depending on the seriousness, he may be unavailable. Too bad because while he’s not ready to help on offense, he showed kick return ability. If he’s out, I’d keep Brandon Reilly who I think has potential. If nothing else, the Bills should be able to get Reilly back onto their practice squad, as well as Cam Phillips who showed production in practice.’

‘Phil Sklar, co-founder and CEO of the National Bobblehead HOF and Museum, said in an email: “Given that the bobblehead commemorates last season, it’s more appropriate for it to be the version of Billy Buffalo from last year. And from the sounds of it … fans prefer the old Billy Buffalo.”’

‘The Bills were down to fourth-and-23 from their own 3-yard line with under two minutes left but McCarron bought time in the pocket and threw a dart to Keith Towbridge for the winning TD pass with 13 seconds left. McCarron finished 13 of 34 for 156 yards, 3 TDs and 2 INTs and he also scrambled for 54 yards and a TD.’

‘Good for them, though I put very little stock into what happens in the preseason games, be it one-sided losses or miraculous comebacks. Despite the rally and victory, which produced a 2-2 exhibition record, let’s put things into perspective. It came in the second half of the fourth preseason game and I still think it’s a stretch to think that Sean McDermott’s second team is at the same level as his first, which somehow found its way to the playoffs last year.’

‘Logically, that should mean Peterman gets the call against the Ravens, Allen serves as the starter in waiting, and for McCarron, I really don’t know what to make of his situation. He did not sign with Buffalo to be a third-string clipboard carrier, he’s clearly unhappy with how things have played out, and you have to wonder if the Bills might just cut him, or try to trade him (highly unlikely).’