WGR

‘Whether the Bills will be run heavy or more aggressive in the passing game, how will the offensive line hold up and who are the five starters? Right now left tackle Dion Dawkins is the only guy you can write down in ink. The other four spots look like they are wide open.’

‘As for the tight ends, Charles Clay remains a steady starter at the position, with depth coming in Nick O’Leary and Logan Thomas. Clay was second on the team with 49 catches and led the team with 558 yards. O’Leary has become a solid second tight end, quietly fourth on the team in yards last year with 322 yards on 22 catches. Thomas, a converted quarterback, will battle with Khari Lee and Jason Croom for the third spot.’

‘There was some question as to whether or not McCoy would be at training camp on time for the Bills as he is a possible subject of an investigation of a targeted home invasion involving his former ex-girlfriend at a house he owns in Georgia. McCoy was in Florida at the time of the home invasion, but there were some thoughts that the NFL might put McCoy on the commissioner’s exempt list while the league’s investigation continues. The Bills have also said they are looking into the matter.’

‘Harbor is 31-years old. He’s played 98 games in the NFL over the course of seven seasons. Harbor has been a depth guy throughout his career, never eclipsing 300 yards or two touchdowns in a single year. He played the first three seasons of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles. After that, he spent time with the Jaguars, Lions and Patriots. Harbor was at training camp with the Saints last year, but was placed on IR before the regular season.’

‘The offensive line may have some issues and have a dip in play without Wood, Incognito and Glenn, but don’t expect a line with holes that will give up sacks like it’s going out of style.’

‘“Nathan’s….super smart,” Beane said. “He’s not going to tell you how good he is or how smart he is. He’s just, he’s Steady-Eddie every day and you love how he approaches the game. I know Sean’s been there more than me, but even I’ve stopped in there a couple times when (offensive coordinator Brian) Daboll’s had those guys in there and they’re writing stuff on the board. He’s playing Jeopardy with them. He’s trying to just see what they know, and Nathan is really, really smart.”‘

‘The defensive line HAS to be better, simply since it’s hard to fathom how much worse it could have performed last season. Of the 27 sacks, 6 were from players not on the defensive line. The defense wound up needing to rely on timely blitzing to help generate pressure on the pass rush. The addition of Murphy and Odighizawa should help, as well as what looks like a renewed focus from Lawson.’

‘The Bills have promise at linebacker. It starts with Edmunds, the exciting rookie with tons of potential to be a key for the defense for years to come. In addition to Edmunds, Milano poised to be a full time starter, but questions will rise about if the 6′, 223 lb. Milano can handle the rigors of being a regular starter. If Milano needs help in the rotation, Humber can take snaps for Milano as well, proving he can be a spot starter in Sean McDermott’s defense. Alexander continues to impress with his capabilities (15.5 sacks in two years with Buffalo) as his career continues on. If the starters, especially Edmunds, can stay healthy, expect more from the linebackers and an improvement on their run defense. They’ll be able to thank the likes of another new addition, defensive tackle Star Lotulelei, for being able to absorb blocks and clear lanes for the linebackers.’

‘Sean McDermott being the process oriented guy that he is, I decided to bet on the idea that he and his coaching staff would want to take their time with Allen. You don’t want to rush something this important. How important is giving Allen every chance to be successful to McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane? Well, consider how many guys in their gigs get a second shot at drafting their franchise quarterback. It rarely happens. Fair or not, it usually works like this. Get it right and you’re set for life, or a good 10-15 years. Blow it and nice try, thanks for all you’ve done for the team but we’re going in a different direction.’

‘“When I got here, you know you hear a lot of things before you come into the building,” McDermott said. “And that’s true of anyone taking any new job. You try to do your research. I had some people who had worked here before, so I knew there were some good people here. I learned from where I was that you don’t just go in and have guns blazing. You listen. And I tried to do that. And in doing so, found out there were in fact, it’s true, there were a number of good people here. And that’s really where it starts, with people in terms of building the culture. And then when Brandon got here, we continued to add. Brandon’s done a phenomenal job. I think this is where us being aligned on the DNA as he mentioned a few minutes ago, the types of people we want to bring in, not only players, but also at the staff level. That’s been a huge part of it.’

‘“The next step was watching him through the year, and then going to see him play live. The great thing about seeing a guy play live at quarterback is yes, I can see all the stuff that I can watch on film, but I can see all the stuff in pre-game, how’s he interacting with his guys. When they’re going through stretch lines, is he patting them on the butt and getting them going? When they go three-and-out two series’ in a row, what’s he doing? When he comes off, who’s he talking to? Is he talking to one guy, is he screaming at people, is he a mute? What’s his leadership like? It’s such an important part of playing that position, because we all know you’re going to have those days or weeks when you lose three in a row. How’s he going to respond? Can he handle adversity?”’

‘No. 12 then thanked everybody around in his life including his coaches family, friends and of course the fans with a message of encouragement. “The fans… make a difference today for someone who is fighting for their tomorrow… every single person in this room can be a difference maker.”‘

‘Going into year two, White will be counted on and expected to be the team’s No. 1 CB in most situations, and that’s even with two-time pro bowler Vontae Davis on the other side of him.’

‘The Buffalo Bills have announced how fans can get tickets to the five ticketed training camp practices at St. John Fisher College and one at New Era Field.’

‘“One day when I’m done with football I want to be a director and producer in movies,” McCloud told me after one of his final minicamp practice before heading back to Florida before training camp starts, adding he wants to act, as well. “I’m going to learn how to write scripts word-for-word, but right now I just write how I want my movie to be, planned out and set.”’