Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘First, Dawkins is still young, but he showed tremendous promise last season when he was thrust into playing what is considered the most difficult position on the offensive line when Cordy Glenn couldn’t stay healthy. Second, Dawkins is still adjusting to life without left guard Richie Incognito and center Eric Wood, two excellent veterans who retired in the offseason. Third, it’s the preseason, and now’s the time to get the kinks out, and that’s what Dawkins is doing. Fourth, it was all offensive line coach Juan Castillo’s fault.’

‘McDermott has conducted a fair and extensive quarterback competition among Allen, A.J. McCarron and Nathan Peterman, and since McCarron and Peterman were given starts in the first two preseason games, it’s perfectly logical that Allen gets his chance to play with the first string.’

‘“It’s sticking with, for the most part, our plan and our evaluation to this point,” said McDermott. “He certainly has earned most of, I hope, everything we do here. He’s had a good camp to this point and this is all part of the plan, part of the process at this point in terms of the stage of his development.”’

‘Whether McCarron can handle some of the work and keep himself in the competition for the starting job depends on how he progresses. Signing another quarterback, particularly for the fourth preseason game, on Aug. 30 against Chicago, is always an option.’

‘According to a copy of the arrest report, Employees of Messingers Pinnacle Peak Mortuary told Scottsdale police that the former Pro Bowler said he wanted his father’s head cut off for research purposes and that he walked through the funeral home punching caskets and throwing things.’

‘“You recalibrate your eyes, especially when you’ve had a few days off,” said Holmes, who first started using the technology when he played for the Raiders. “Sometimes you come back and you’re a little tired and I recalibrate my eyes and it works out for me. It allows me to focus on seeing the ball.”’

‘“Yeah, (GM) Brandon (Beane) and I have spoken about it,’’ McDermott said about signing another quarterback to play out the summer with. “Like always, he’s always looking at our situation and what we may need to do for not only the long term, but the short term in this case.’’’

‘Ryan, who doesn’t lack for a colorful past, was the Seattle Seahawks punter for the past 10 seasons. He averaged 44.7 yards on 912 attempts with a net average of 38.4 and dropped 311 punts inside the 20.’

‘Scottsdale police were called to the Messinger Pinnacle Peak Mortuary at about 3:30 p.m. Monday on reports of disorderly conduct. Officers were told Incognito was upset with staff, damaged property inside the business and shouted at employees.’

‘“I trust this new head coach (Sean McDermott) and GM (general manager Brandon Beane). I think they are very methodical. I would say this is to gauge where he is. It’s a new offensive system. If they are close (in performance), well why not (start Allen)?”‘

‘“Matt was slowed a little bit with a hamstring, but even how he handled that (by) sticking around Buffalo during the break to get himself right and ready to go for training camp was a big sign, I thought, of maturity,” said coach Sean McDermott. “He’s very serious about his job and what we’re trying to do as a football team, so I certainly appreciate that.”’

‘When asked what McCarron missing time means in his quest to win the starting job over Nathan Peterman and Josh Allen, McDermott said, “Let’s take his health status, number one, and then factor that into (the fact that) we just have to get into this next stage one day at a time here and then we’ll go from there. We’ll see. If healthy, then we pick up where we left off.”’

‘A quick scan of the veterans available includes Derek Anderson, Mark Sanchez, Matt Moore, Scott Tolzien, Christian Hackenberg, Mark Sanchez, Kellen Clemens, Josh Johnson, and T.J. Yates among others. That’s flat out depressing, but if the Bills were planning to carry three quarterbacks into the regular season, they may have to consider one of these players.’

‘McCarron and the Buffalo first-string offense struggled against the Browns. McCarron finished 3-for-6 for 12 yards and failed to lead the Bills to a first down on four possessions. He was sacked in the first quarter but stayed in the game until early in the second quarter.’

‘Harrison Phillips. I love the way he plays. He never gives up on a down, and he’s going to be a perfect fit in the middle of the Bills defense. Kyle Williams suffered a knee injury early on, and while it appears he’ll be OK, he’s 35 and that might not be the last injury he suffers. Phillips is going to play a big role in this defense.’