‘Olsen, who turns 35 next month, caught 52 passes for 597 yards and two touchdowns with the Panthers last season. Foot injuries had hindered him the previous two years. He suffered a broken foot in 2017 that limited him to seven games and 17 catches. A ruptured plantar fascia in his foot limited him to nine games and 27 catches in 2018.’
BillsBeat - February 19, 2020
Bills' current salary structure is anything but top-heavy
‘The Bills currently have just one player with a cap hit of $10 million or more for the coming year. That’s center Mitch Morse. The league average is five players per team at $10 million per year against the cap. The Bills are the only team without one player hitting the $15 million cap mark for 2020.’
Buffalo Bills mock draft roundup: Clemson WR Tee Higgins most popular pick for Bills
‘Most NFL analysts agree that the Buffalo Bills need to take a wide receiver or edge rusher at No. 22 in the first round. Several analysts have the Bills taking Clemson wide receiver Tee Higgins, who is projected to be the fourth or fifth best wide receiver in a deep draft class.’
Buffalo Bills don’t land Greg Olsen, who signs with Seahawks - Now what?
‘Targets that are out there include the likes of Austin Hooper, Hunter Henry and Eric Ebron. But those players are all going to cost more than Olsen and they’re going to get multi-year deals.’
Mel Kiper Jr: Buffalo Bills team to beat in AFC East depending on Tom Brady’s status
‘“Yeah, they are,” Kiper said. “They are a team that’s not going away anytime soon as long as Allen can play. They’re not going away.”‘
NFL Draft 2020: Buffalo Bills add WR ‘who might be the fastest player in the entire class’ in Mel Kiper’s latest mock
‘It would be a surprise to see any of the wide receivers mentioned above fall to the Buffalo Bills at pick 22, but in Mel Kiper’s latest NFL mock draft, the ESPN draft analyst has Ruggs falling to the Bills.’
Scott Norwood still handling his sports nightmare with class
‘“I’d be lying if I said that’s an enjoyable experience, but it’s part of the history of my career, and it’s clearly a historic moment in Bills history, so I’ve learned to cope with it as best I can,’’ he said while signing a pile of jerseys at the Legends & Stars Winter Sports Exposition in Batavia last Sunday. “I can’t deny that kick happened. And most people are good about it, not confrontational. So, I sign the photo and keep moving on.”’
Marcase: Pineville’s Cody Ford looks back on rookie season with Buffalo Bills
‘“Our coaches, and even the guys with either a year or more of experience that I talked with, told me preseason has a speed, then the regular season has a speed and then the playoffs have a speed,” he said. “That was very true in a way. The preseason caught me off guard, but the regular season … I was playing so much, getting experience and getting knowledge from guys every game that it started to slow down. By the playoffs, the different speeds didn’t matter because I had seen so much up until that point.”’
Greg Olsen passes on the Bills, signs in Seattle
‘The Bills and Washington Redskins had familiarity with Olsen, but it proved to not be enough to lure him in. Olsen spent time in Carolina with Bills head coach Sean McDermott, general manager Brandon Beane, as well as new Washington head coach Ron Rivera.’
Report: Greg Olsen signing with Seahawks, not Bills
‘”Greg Olsen really liked Buffalo and Washington and strongly considered both,” Shefter wrote in a tweet explaining Olsen’s decison to sign a one-year, $7 million deal with Seattle.’
Olsen chooses Seahawks over Bills, Washington
‘Olsen chose the Seahawks over the Bills and Washington. The deal is reportedly one year for seven million dollars with $5.5 million guaranteed.’
Top 6 storylines heading into the next phase of the Bills 2020 offseason
‘Beane and his personnel department, including assistant general manager Joe Schoen, Malik Boyd in pro personnel, Terrance Gray in college scouting, Dan Morgan, director of player personnel, and others, have been busy in the last several weeks assessing likely players who might become available in free agency, and setting the draft board.’
Bills Today | Devin Singletary continues to draw attention from NFL fantasy analysts
‘Devin Singletary, RB, Buffalo Bills: Singletary had a slow start to his rookie season due to injuries, but he had 20-plus touches four times in the second half and showed his skills as a top back. He also forced 22 broken tackles, which is pretty solid considering he missed four games. With Frank Gore slated to become a free agent, Singletary should have the top spot in Buffalo all to himself in 2020.’
BillsBeat - February 18, 2020
It's reward time as Bills manage load of cap space in 2020
‘The Bills have four starters who are entering the last year of their contracts who are prime candidates for extensions sometime between now and the start of the season in September.’
NFL Mock Draft 2020 (2 rounds): Buffalo Bills go edge rusher, receiver in pre-Combine mock
’22. Buffalo Bills: K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU.’
Column: Warlick excelled at football, stood up for civil rights
‘The AFL All-Star game was not played in New Orleans, that year. Instead, Houston hosted it a week later. The delay made a powerful statement against racism. By standing up for his dignity, Ernie Warlick earned a place as a civil rights champion that surpassed his accolades as a football champion.’
Who Will Start as Cornerback Opposite Tre’Davious White?
‘Kevin Johnson signed a 1-year, $3 million deal with Buffalo last offseason so he’s an unrestricted free agent. Johnson was healthy all season, which had been the biggest obstacle of his career. I think the Bills will do what they can to bring Johnson back because they like the depth he provides.’
Jim Kelly and family host 22nd annual ‘Hunter’s Day of Hope and Prayer for Children’
‘“We love Western New York,” Jill Kelly, wife of Jim Kelly, told News 8. “We love the Buffalo community, and that’s what we do in Buffalo, we support each other. And most of these people have been there for us, and this is an opportunity for them to show what they do with the community and bless all these kids and these families.”’
Bills Today | ESPN analyst unveils his offseason plan for the Bills
‘The most difficult decision of the offseason for coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane is what to do with one of their breakout stars from 2019. Phillips was a waiver-wire acquisition from the Dolphins in 2018 who signed a one-year … deal to stick around last season, but no one could have anticipated what was going to happen next. Phillips doubled his snap rate and produced more sacks (9.5) in one season than he had over his four prior NFL campaigns (5.5). The only defensive tackle in the league to rack up more sacks was Aaron Donald. … Phillips is going to get a big raise this offseason, but should Buffalo offer him a significant multiyear deal? It’s a tough decision.’
BillsBeat - February 17, 2020
Maturity helps Dion Dawkins establish himself at left tackle for Bills
‘“I’m not going to lie to you, Dion and I butted heads a couple times,” Johnson said. “It was just because I had an expectation level and a vision for him that was maybe greater than his was for himself. I think he’s realized that. His priorities have changed in his life. He works extra. He works hard. The biggest thing is I talk about being self-aware, knowing what your weaknesses are.”’
Why trading for Cardinals’ David Johnson makes sense for Buffalo Bills
‘As it stands, Johnson is due $14 million in 2020 and $12 million in 2021. Buffalo certainly has the cap space to take on the deal, if they wanted.’
Bills Today | Bleacher Report calls this Alabama WR a dream draft target for Buffalo
‘Positioned at No. 22, the Bills aren’t going to see a CeeDee Lamb or Jerry Jeudy fall to them. But maybe the sheer volume of stellar wideouts in this year’s class pushes Ruggs—owner of 1,500-plus yards and 19 total scores over the past two seasons—down the board.’
BillsBeat - February 16, 2020
How Bills are prepared to handle loss of another leader in Lorenzo Alexander
‘”That’s something that they’ve had to adjust to the last two years with two really prominent leaders in Kyle Williams and Lorenzo Alexander both retiring, and this year it’ll be the next guy’s chance to step up,” said Wood, now the Bills’ radio analyst. “We’ll see who that is. They have done really well drafting. They’ve drafted guys that were leaders on their college teams – guys like Tre’Davious White, who was a captain at LSU and wore No. 18 there, which is the most prominent honor within their team. Tremaine Edmunds was a captain last year at 21 years old. Josh Allen, super young, and he was a captain as well.”‘
Bills Mailbag: Is Matt Barkley's job safe as the No. 2 QB behind Josh Allen?
‘Barkley has one year left on his contract. If he were to be released, the Bills would save $1.825 million against the salary cap, leaving behind just $200,000 in “dead money.” Barkley struggled in limited playing time in 2019, going 27 of 51 for 359 yards, zero touchdowns and three interceptions – a passer rating of 51.0. He does have a good relationship with Allen, but that alone isn’t a reason to keep him around if Beane can find an upgrade.’
BillsBeat - February 15, 2020
Buffalo Bills have 6 offseason cut candidates - What to do with Trent Murphy, Tyler Kroft and the rest
‘Priority No. 1 remains positioning quarterback Josh Allen for success by adding weapons and protection along the offensive line so he can continue his development into Year 3.’
Why the Buffalo Bills should not pursue CB Josh Norman after he’s released by Washington
‘The problem is that after you sit and think about it for awhile it becomes clear that Norman just isn’t the same player.’
Bills not renewing contract of chief administrative officer
‘The Bills have launched an external search for Wheat’s replacement.’
Report: TE Greg Olsen in contract negotiations with the Bills
‘ESPN’s Adam Schefter says Olsen is in contract negotiations with the Bills and two other teams, the Washington Redskins, and the Seattle Seahawks.’
BillsBeat - February 14, 2020
Beyond the numbers: Bills Mafia, analysts at odds on social media over Josh Allen
‘“When someone says something disparaging about the team or a player on the team, that to a lot of fans is like insulting their mother,” said Del Reid, one of the founding fathers of #BillsMafia. “So they’re going to come at you. And I don’t condone anyone who crosses a line and is just completely out of line to another human being, if they get into personal attacks or anything like that. But a lot of fans feel like by insulting Josh Allen, ‘Hey, that’s my team’s quarterback. You don’t insult my team’s quarterback. You don’t insult my mother. You don’t talk that way about my sister. It’s one thing if I say something about my brother, but you better not say a word or I’m there to defend him.’ ”’
Bills part ways with chief administrative officer Dave Wheat
‘A source close to the situation said the decision not to renew Wheat’s contract was not linked to previous departures of executives from Pegula Sports & Entertainment.’
Why a combined Bills stadium-convention center isn't in the cards
‘Stadiums are used intermittently for only a few dozen events a year. Convention centers host events all year long, he said. For that reason, he said, there is no great benefit to co-locating a stadium right next door.’
Buffalo Bills’ Ed Oliver will make biggest jump among 2019 rookies, says ESPN Insider
‘Kevin Seifert, national NFL writer: Ed Oliver, DT, Bills. Five sacks as a rookie defensive tackle wasn’t enough to garner national attention, but Oliver displayed the kind of quickness and upfield speed that could make him a major force in 2020.’
Jordan Phillips is perfect for the franchise tag
‘The idea of franchise tagging Phillips has nothing to do with the $15.5 million. It has everything to do with it only being for one year. The worst thing I believe the Bills could do is sign Phillips to a multi-year extension. By 2021, the Bills will have to give out new deals to cornerback Tre’Davious White, left tackle Dion Dawkins, linebacker Matt Milano, and even safety Jordan Poyer if they want to keep him around. A multi-year deal for Phillips would stretch into a time period where the Bills have to pay all those guys, and possibly quarterback Josh Allen and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds too.’
Bills Today | ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay like Buffalo's chances in the AFC East
‘”He needs a bigger target, you got Cole Beasley and Jon Brown who are really good players, but you got to get a guy who’s going to create a mismatch,” Kiper said. “Dawson Knox has a chance to be a good tight end, they hit with Devin Singletary and was a great pick for Brandon Beane in the third round.”‘
BillsBeat - February 13, 2020
'We have all the tools to make a run': Why Dawson Knox is bullish on Bills' future
‘“I didn’t even have any catches that game I don’t think, but just getting out there on the playing field, I mean it just felt like another game,” Knox said. “It just felt like what we did during practice. That was kind of the moment I knew I would be able to do that at this level. Just trying to keep that mindset of trying to win every day. That’s kind of what I had to do at Ole Miss as a walk-on. Come in, try and outwork everybody. Not looking back on yesterday and not trying to think about tomorrow, but just focusing on one day at a time.”’
NFL rumors: Executives believe Buffalo Bills will use franchise tag on Jordan Phillips
‘“Some of these guys we’ve had preliminary discussions with their agents and, like I mentioned at the end of season press conference, some of these guys I know they’re going to want to see what their market is and they’ve earned the right to go to free agency,” he said. “But if we come up with something that they feel, doing their research is at their market value or greater then I’m sure they would sign up beforehand.”’
Who will be Singletary’s running mate?
‘Christian Wade was re-signed to a futures/reserve contract. He’s part of the International Program and is a likely candidate for the exemption which won’t count against the Bills practice squad. I would expect Wade to be in the same situation he was in last year.’
4 early signs of optimism for the 2020 Bills
‘Under McDermott’s staff however, there are a countless number of players that successfully advanced their games. Whether it’s an undrafted player like Levi Wallace, who has developed into a starting caliber cornerback or a fifth-round pick like Matt Milano, who is now a borderline Pro Bowl linebacker, the Bills coaching staff has collectively raised the level of play of several players.’
Bills Today | Way too early Bills fantasy projections for 2020
‘Josh Allen is No. 7 ($17) out of 40 quarterbacks.’
BillsBeat - February 12, 2020
Screen passes present opportunity for improvement by Bills
‘The Bills were 12 of 18 for just 82 yards on screen passes to running backs in 2019, according to Buffalo News charts. Only one screen pass to a running back went for more than 12 yards – a 49-yarder to Devin Singletary vs. Washington in Week 9.’