WGR

‘”It’s a challenge. That’s what I have a great staff around me. We’ve got great ownership that gives us what we need to win and the resources we need. With that, it makes my job a whole lot easier. And I’m just fortunate to have good players as well that make my job easier. It’s been a team effort. For those that have been around here, the complexion of our building has changed, and again, I think it gives us the chance to be successful. I don’t know that it’s realistic to think that we’ll keep it 100%, in terms of the positive or negative cases, but I think that’s just being realistic about it. We’re trying to get ourselves focused on growing as a team, bringing our team together, getting to know one another because today is really our first day together as a full team.”‘

‘Although King’s main position is cornerback, he’s been primarily used on special teams over the last couple years. In 2018, King played 29.2% of Seattle’s special teams snaps compared to just 14.6% on defense. Last season, he played 35.5% on special teams and 29.5% on defense.’

‘”At the end of the day, we still have to hold ourselves to a high standard,” Beane told reporters via a Zoom conference Sunday morning. “Nothing’s changed here. We expect playoff caliber practices.”‘

‘The Bills may elect to move Ford from right tackle to right guard, a position many feel he’s more suited to play at the NFL level. Ford started at right tackle for 15 games last season as a rookie, but often rotated with Ty Nsekhe, who played 10 games, missing six due to an ankle injury. If Ford kicks inside, Nsekhe and Daryl Williams would most likely battle for the starting right tackle spot. Williams was a Second-Team All-Pro in 2017 while starting at right tackle all 16 games for the Carolina Panthers. However, he tore his right MCL and dislocated his kneecap in 2018 and missed almost the entire season. After re-signing a one-year contract in Carolina last offseason, he played in all 16 games, but moved around to different spots on the offensive line, starting four games at left tackle, three at right guard, and five at left guard.’

‘Although King’s base position is cornerback, he could provide more value for the Bills on special teams. In each of the last two seasons, King played a higher percentage of special teams snaps than defensive snaps. In 2018, King played 29.2% of Seattle’s special teams snaps compared to just 14.6% on defense. Last season, he played 35.5% on special teams and 29.5% on defense.’

‘While being placed on the Reserve/Covid list can mean that a player either tested positive or was in close contact with someone who did, the Bills confirmed to ESPN that five players have tested positive, and provided the following statement: “As we were informed by medical experts as training camp opened, we expected to have positive tests for COVID,” the team said in a statement to ESPN. “With 5 since the beginning of the testing period last Tuesday, we decided to take a disciplined, proactive and preventative approach to hopefully eliminate additional cases within our team.”‘

‘The Bills have now had five players test positive since they started administering tests last Tuesday.’

‘Fans complain about how often Smith is used, but he was on the field for less than 30% of the offensive snaps last year (and more than 25% in only one of the last seven game), and is one of the best blockers in the NFL for his position. Almost every team has a guy like Smith, and it’s good to have one. The Bills also gave Smith a three-year, $9 million deal, and cutting him would only save $1.75 million versus $1.5 million still on the cap as dead money.’

‘Williams and Taylor either tested positive for the coronavirus or have been in close contact with an infected person or people. They can return as soon as they’ve cleared testing protocols of multiple negative tests in a row.’

‘Easley was signed to future/reserve contracts when the season ended after spending all season on the practice squad. The Bills love his work ethic and he flashed at times in camp last year, then had four catches for 41 yards in preseason before being let go during final cuts right before the regular season. He’ll be fighting for reps in training camp.’

‘The message passed along was taken to heart by many Buffalo sports fans, including Scarsella’s granddaughter who took to Twitter to relay the pride she felt for Scarsella, who passed away July 19.’

‘The 30-year-old veteran was about to enter his third season with the Bills before deciding to opt out this year. In his two seasons in Buffalo, Lotulelei has not missed a single game, while making 36 combined tackles, registering two sacks, getting three quarterback hits and coming up with an interception.’

‘Wade was re-signed to a future/reserve contract and is in the exact same situation this year as he was last season. As part of the International Pathways Program, he is exempt from the camp roster, allowing the Bills 81 players as of August 17. The former rugby player is also, once again, exempt from the practice squad if he does not make the final roster. The Bills chose to go that route last year, which made him ineligible to be activated at all. Although he had a couple terrific plays last preseason, including an electrifying 65-yard touchdown run on his first professional football carry, and he works extremely hard and proved he is very serious about football, I expect the exact same thing to happen this year… and a lot of Bills fans shouting that he should have made the final roster.’

‘NFL teams have the option of practicing as one with an 80-man roster, or splitting up into separate squads and maintaining a 90-man roster limit. It appears the Bills are on their way to the former.’

‘At the end of 2018, Barkley and Derek Anderson were both set to be a part of the team headed into training camp, surrounding Allen with two veterans he could continue to watch and learn from. With Anderson’s retirement, that role fell squarely on Barkley and he embraced it, while also being ready to play if needed. Barkley is clearly right now the No. 2 quarterback, and although the further Allen goes on his career the less he needs that veteran backup behind him, the fact there was no offseason, there will be no preseason, and teams will have to get on the same page a lot quicker starting this week, Barkley is an even more valuable asset to have.’