WGR

‘Not that the first three weeks are any easier. The Bills only have two home games in the first month-and-a-half of the season, opening the year at Highmark Stadium against Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals, and then facing former Bills wide receiver Gabe Davis and center Mitch Morse in another “Monday Night Football” matchup in Week 3.’

‘Valdes-Scantling spent the last two seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he was able to win back-to-back Super Bowl championships. In 33 games played in Kansas City, the 29-year-old reeled in 63 passes on 123 targets for 1,002 yards and three touchdowns.’

‘The game will be streamed on Amazon Prime.’

‘While second-round pick Keon Coleman was the main focus for most of the media on-hand, there were plenty of other players and storylines to go with them, including kicker Alex McNulty, who went to high school in Rochester and played his college football at the University at Buffalo.’

‘One of the more notable undrafted signings is five-time Pro Bowler and former Bills running back, Frank Gore’s son Frank Gore Jr out of Southern Mississippi. In his four years at Southern Mississippi, Gore Jr. rushed for 4,022 yards and 26 touchdowns.’

‘John Murphy has served as the play-by-play voice on the Buffalo Bills Radio Network for parts of 19 seasons, taking over for broadcasting legend Van Miller upon his retirement after the 2003 season. Murphy was the soundtrack of Bills football on local airwaves stretching much of New York State, and even into Northern Pennsylvania and as far West as Cheyenne, Wyoming.’

‘You are also the connection between the fans and their beloved team, in this case the Bills. When you think about some of your favorite moments and best memories from games over the years, that play-by-play voice is the link. It’s as if that person becomes a member of your family.’

‘The Bills are still ratings gold because of one player: Josh Allen. He is one of the most exciting quarterbacks in the league, and that means the Bills will be in plenty of national TV games once again.’

‘Over the course of his eight-year career since being drafted in the second round (52nd overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft, the 29-year-old has spent time with three different organizations – Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns and the Panthers. In Atlanta, Jones did put up a Pro Bowl caliber season in 2017, where he racked up 138 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, one sack, 10 passes defended and three interceptions.’

‘So, let’s not pretend there is this giant chasm between the two teams. There isn’t. Buffalo has been chasing, but they have also been losing photo finishes. As long as Kansas City has Mahomes and Buffalo has Josh Allen, it will be a tough matchup for both teams. So, stop letting them live rent-free in your heads and let’s see what the Bills are made of. Save the panic for January, that’s when it’s going to be needed.’

‘Jones, 29, has had three other stops in the NFL, starting in Atlanta after being a second round pick by the team back in 2016 and playing there until 2022. During his time in Atlanta, Jones did have his lone Pro Bowl which was in 2017. Early in 2022, Jones was traded to Cleveland where he finished the season before heading to Carolina for this past season.’

‘Cephus, along with Lions teammate safety C.J. Moore and Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney, were all suspended for the entirety of last season for placing bets on NFL games. According to USA TODAY, the NFL said that a “league review uncovered no evidence indicating any inside information was used or that any game was compromised in any way.”‘

‘The defensive end will now be under contract for 2025 at a price tag of $13.387 million guaranteed, both in actual base salary and against the salary cap.’

‘According to the agency that represents him, the Bills will sign former Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus, who did not play last season due to a season-long suspension for violating the league’s gambling policy.’

‘Over a four-year career at Mississippi State University, the 5’8”, 185-pound Gore, Jr. rushed for over 4,000 yards, including 1,382 yards in 2022 and 1,181 yards last season. He added 75 catches for 692 yards in the receiving game.’