‘Sean McDermott looks at Edmunds and Josh Allen as the two critical pieces of his roster—middle linebacker and quarterback.’
BillsBeat - January 21, 2019
Bills defensive analysis: Buffalo squeezed a lot out of their pass rush
‘The Bills’ 36 sacks on the season ranked only 26th in the league. That’s misleading. The Bills faced the second fewest pass attempts in the NFL in 2018 (which, obviously, helped them allow the fewest passing yards). Yet the Bills found a way to be disruptive.’
Pollock: Officials affected two outstanding NFL title games
‘Still, the spectre of questionable officiating has become, by far, the NFL’s biggest public relations problem and desperately needs to be fixed.’
Buffalo Bills may promote Chad Hall to wide receivers coach (report)
‘Promoting Hall to wide receivers coach would follow Buffalo’s pattern of hiring this offseason. Offensive line coach Bobby Johnson had experience as an assistant offensive line coach, but this will be his first stint as an offensive line coach in the NFL. Heath Farwell will also be getting his first chance to be a special teams coach in Buffalo in 2019 after serving as an assistant special teams coach with the Seattle Seahawks (2016-2017) and the Carolina Panthers (2018).’
2019 free agency: Free agents with ties to Buffalo Bills OL coach Bobby Johnson
‘After a stint as the Bills’ assistant offensive line coach from 2010-2011, Johnson made stops with the Jacksonville Jaguars (tight ends coach), Detroit Lions (tight ends coach/assistant offensive line coach), Oakland Raiders (tight ends coach) and Indianapolis Colts (assistant offensive line coach). Players that Johnson coached at all four stops will hit free agency come March. Here’s a look at a few potential fits for the Bills that Johnson could possibly help Buffalo land in free agency.’
Buffalo Bills fans, media remind Adam Schefter that Saints' suffering far from worst
‘Needless to say, Buffalo Bills fans and media members were quick to remind the ESPN insider about the team’s postseason losses during the Super Bowl era as well as the Music City Miracle. Here’s a look at some of the best reactions to Schefter’s tweet.’
Bills Today: New special teams coordinator earns praise from this Bills veteran
‘“I think the biggest thing is that he’s been an assistant, so he’s been falling in line with whoever has set the tone and standard for that core, in special teams meetings and setting standards for players,” Alexander said. “Now he has to develop who he is as a coordinator, and that’s kind of a growing process. Some guys, I think, have a better understanding of what that is. I think he will do a good job because he’s played. I played against him, probably one of the best players that I’ve competed against, really good core guy.”‘
BillsBeat - January 20, 2019
Offense Analysis: Josh Allen's improvement seen in empty formations
‘The Bills used an empty backfield – with all the receivers and running backs lined up in wideout positions – only 13 plays in the first 10 games. After Allen returned from his elbow injury, they used it 66 plays the last six weeks.’
Inside the Bills: Comparing Sean McDermott's staff changes to his counterparts
‘“I would say it’s probably about par,” Bills General Manager Brandon Beane said of the changes to the coaching staff in two years. “You know, what’s hard is, when you come in as GM or head coach, people are under contract, and sometimes you can’t get – you might have five guys that you want to be your coordinator on this side of the ball, or your O-line coach, or whoever – but you couldn’t get them because they’re under contract. So you’re constantly trying to keep up with that.”’
Jay Skurski’s Bills Mailbag: What’s the team’s timeline for winning?
‘I will say, however, that I think the current front office and coaching staff fully expected this rebuild would take at least three, and probably four, years. If that coincides with the end of Brady’s career, then all the better. The tough part of that is fans lived through the 17-year playoff drought, and therefore don’t love having patience preached to them. A big reason for the drought was facing Brady twice a year, so there’s no doubt the outlook for every team in the AFC East gets brighter when he’s gone.’
One-on-One Coverage: Jon Dorenbos on life's challenges, playing for Bills and magic
‘I actually lived right around the corner from a restaurant called the Poppyseed (in Blasdell), and they had the best chicken chili. When I go back to Buffalo, I stop by the Poppyseed for the chicken chili. That, and, obviously, the Big Tree. After games, you go to Big Tree. I was lucky to play with Brian Moorman, who was the punter and who was very involved in the community. So my introduction to the Bills community was kind of riding his coattail and him introducing me and seeing really how the community responded to him and his PUNT Foundation.’
5 facts to know about the Bills roster heading into the 2019 offseason
‘The Bills have six players who are set to enter unrestricted free agency. Should they not sign an extension with the Bills before March 11, they can begin to negotiate with other NFL teams. They cannot officially sign these contracts until March 13 at 4:00 p.m., the start of the new league year.’
BillsBeat - January 19, 2019
Bills turn special teams rebuilding project over to young Heath Farwell
‘Seattle coach Pete Carroll recognized Farwell as coaching material while he was playing. Farwell spent his final Seahawks season on the sidelines after suffering a serious groin injury in preseason. Rather than reaching an injury settlement with him, Carroll opted to keep Farwell on the injured reserve list and use him in a mentoring/coaching role for the special teams. Seattle reached the Super Bowl that year, losing to New England in the final game.’
Kyler Murray among early-entry QBs Bills can hope become draft darlings
‘Since the Bills are out of the quarterback market, the more QBs taken ahead of them in the 2019 draft, the better.’
Bills Hall of Famer Jim Kelly gets clean bill of health at latest checkup
‘Jill Kelly said the results “took a bit longer than usual because of all the reconstruction Jim has had inside his mouth. They wanted to be certain that all was good.”’
Former Bills lineman Joe O'Donnell dies at age 77
‘O’Donnell moved back to Milan after his playing career and served as an assistant coach on the high school football team for several decades. He’s a past winner of the assistant coach of the year award from the Michigan high school coaches association. The football field at Milan High was named in his honor in 2009.’
Bills quarterback Josh Allen inspired by Patrick Mahomes' early success with Chiefs
‘“Absolutely I do think it can happen,” said Allen, who played in 11 more games as a rookie than did Mahomes. “Kudos to him for having such a great season. He’s having a season that quarterbacks dream of. He’s a really good dude, an outstanding player and I’m really happy for him. I definitely think that it can be attained by a young quarterback and why not me? That’s what we all strive to do, to win games and have a fun time doing it. That’s something we’ll be chasing here, not the stats or the MVP or whatever, but winning football games and hosting the AFC Championship.”’
Josh Allen's growth and o-line's struggles: Q&A with Bills OT Jeremiah Sirles
‘”When I walked in there I didn’t know any of those receivers besides Kelvin (Benjamin). I hadn’t heard of any of them before. So to watch Zay become close to our number one receiver towards the end of the year – if there was a go-to moment it was going to Zay Jones. Seeing that role that he stepped into with Kelvin leaving and Terrelle Pryor leaving, with opportunity really staring at him in the face and he grabbed it. It was awesome to see.”‘
Jim Kelly's MRI comes back clean of cancer
‘Doctors again declared him cancer-free in July 2018, one week after he received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the 2018 ESPYs. Still, Kelly had to undergo another procedure in November 2018, one doctors hoped would be his last. With the MRI results coming back clean, that appears to be the case, although there is always a small chance for the cancer to return later on in life.’
Bills Hall of Fame Quarterback Jim Kelly is Cancer Free
‘Kelly, 58, has been battling cancer for years. He was initially diagnosed with oral cancer five years ago and had been cancer free since September 2014. In March of last year, his oral cancer returned for the third time.’
Hall of Fame QB Jim Kelly reveals he is cancer free once again
‘The legendary Bills quarterback received the Jimmy V Award at the 2018 ESPY Awards in July as “a deserving member of the sporting world who has overcome great obstacles through perseverance and determination.”‘
Bills hire new special teams coordinator
‘Farwell replaces former special teams coordinator Danny Crossman . Crossman was fired this past offseason.’
2018 Buffalo Bills All-22 in Review: Interior Offensive Line
‘It’s somewhat fitting that the top graded player from the 2018 season was the one to be benched in favor of the youth movement. Though, when you consider that Ducasse is five-plus years older than John Miller and only performed marginally better, it’s hard to argue against the Bills seeing what they had in Miller throughout the 16-game season.’
Bills Hall of Famer Jim Kelly gets a clean bill of health
‘”Hope this reminds you that THIS (whatever your “this” is) is NOT the end of the story. Immeasurably more is always in store for those who hope in the Lord!” said Jill Kelly in the post.’
Bills hire Heath Farwell as special teams coordinator
‘Last season, the Bills special teams unit struggled allowing opponents an average of 21.2 yards on kick returns — 9th worst in the NFL. They also ranked 30th in the league in punting while rotating between Colton Schdmit, Corey Bojorques and Matt Darr. They ranked 31st in net punting yards, averaging 39.2 per punt.’
Wife: MRI comes back clean for Jim Kelly
‘In an Instagram post, Jill Kelly says: “We finally got back the results from Jim’s recent MRI…CLEAN! Thank GOD! It took a bit longer than usual because of all the reconstruction Jim has had inside his mouth. They wanted to be certain that all was good…”‘
Bills name Heath Farwell as special teams coordinator
‘Farwell, who excelled on special teams as an NFL player for 10 years, has spent the last three years coaching special teams. He was the Carolina Panthers assistant special teams coach last season and he spent 2016-17 as an assistant special teams coach for the Seattle Seahawks.’
Where this team captain thinks the Bills need to improve the most plus 5 things you missed on OBL
‘“I think the biggest thing is red zone efficiency,” he said. “We were the No. 2 defense but in the red zone we were probably low 20s if I had to guess off the top of my head. We need to be able to prevent teams from scoring touchdowns and minimizing them to three points.”’
Bills remember AFL Champion OL Joe O’Donnell
‘It was with heavy hearts that the Buffalo Bills learned that two-time AFL Champion offensive lineman Joe O’Donnell passed away on Thursday at the age of 77. A staple on the team’s offensive line, and a respected voice in the locker room during his seven seasons with the club, O’Donnell will forever be remembered for his unmatched work ethic and dedication to his teammates.’
BillsBeat - January 18, 2019
Josh Allen: Bills are ‘looking to build something special’
‘“The one thing I really want to tell them is ride the wave,” Allen said. “There’s going to be ups, there’s going to be downs. You’re not going to be perfect, so don’t expect to be perfect. Obviously, you want to strive to be perfect, but things aren’t going to go your way all the time.””
Shaq Lawson was improved in 2018, but should Bills invest a fifth year in him?
‘“We’ll go back and watch all of Shaq’s stuff,” Beane said. “His professionalism went leaps and bounds this year. He really worked hard, and I saw a guy putting the effort in not only on the field, but he brings juice and energy to our practice like I didn’t see a year ago. (Defensive line coach) Bill Teerlinck tells me he brings it to the meeting room, as well. I think we’ll continue to watch him, how he handles the off-season, how he comes back in here, but I’m happy for him and his success.”’
NBC Sports’ Mike Tirico thinks Bills’ Josh Allen ‘energized organization’ in 2018
‘“Josh got off to a start similar to a lot of rookie quarterbacks over the years where there were some things that he saw that were new for him,” McDermott told Tirico on the podcast. “Then you fast forward to the last five, six games when he came back off the injury and really was a different quarterback.”’
Unmasked: Lifelong Texan, die-hard Buffalo Bills fan lives life to the fullest
‘“I don’t drink. I don’t smoke. Never have my whole life,” Pancho admits. “Never done recreational drugs. Find a 39-year-old like that and a Bills fan.”’
Capaccio: How the Bills should approach free agency with all that cap space
‘Let’s not forget how the team got in the situation they were in in the first place when Beane arrived. He said from the day he was hired that it would take two years to fix the cap mess. That resulted in having to eat close to $70 million of dead money this past season. Now, in his own words, “that’s fixed,” but that doesn’t mean Beane is, nor should, just start writing blank checks to average players just because they play wide receiver or offensive line.’
2018 Buffalo Bills All-22 in Review: Cornerback
‘In 2017, Tre’Davious White took over a starting role for the Bills as a rookie and became one of the best at his position in the league. In 2018, White was an at times dominant player that allowed the Bills to change the way they called their defense and improved his overall GPA from his rookie season.’
Bills Today: This Bills OL became a leader in 2018
‘Bodine matched Wood’s level of play on the field, and in his own way, he was able to match Wood’s impact off the field, as well. Wood was renowned as a positional leader in Buffalo, someone who other offensive linemen went to for guidance.’
BillsBeat - January 17, 2019
Lorenzo Alexander re-signs with Bills for what he says will be his final NFL season
‘“We like Lorenzo and appreciate all that he’s done for this organization. I’m about keeping those types of guys around,” Bills General Manager Brandon Beane said at the team’s end-of-season press conference. “I think we all in here can agree – he can still play.”‘
Bills sign OL Jeremiah Sirles to one-year contract extension
‘Sirles, 27, is a 6-foot-6, 315-pounder who joined the Bills in September off waivers from Minnesota. He played in 12 games, making five starts, although that total comes with an asterisk. Four of those starts were as an extra tight end in a run-heavy formation to start the game, and Sirles played sparingly the rest of the way. He did make one start at right guard in place of John Miller, that coming in Week 13 against Miami.’
Buffalo Bills re-sign Lorenzo Alexander to contract extension
‘“At some point,” Alexander continued, “you have to walk away from the game and start the second half of your life. And for me, the end stage of my career, having a family that has been acclimated to this culture and been accepted after bouncing around a couple years, it just made sense for us to get something done early, know where we’re going to be at, know what our kids’ school is going to look like. All that stuff that gets overlooked in these negotiations.”’
NFL mock drafts: 7 players the Buffalo Bills could take in the first round
‘Yes, it is January and the NFL Draft is still three months away, but early versions of mock drafts are starting to pop up and have the Buffalo Bills looking at several positions — with defensive line, offensive line and wide receiver leading the way — with the ninth overall pick.’