Two Bills Drive

‘“Being in the New York market, 90 percent of it was going to be negative, no matter how great he was going to be doing,” Allen said. “So he told me, ‘I stopped reading all that stuff. I just tuned it out completely, kept to me, my family and my teammates and I felt like a different man.’ ”’

‘Welcome to Buffalo @rasmusdahlin00! Can’t wait to watch you play, wings on me later this summer. #LetsGoBuffalo.’

‘”Jim has some swelling and healing that needs the take place after this recent procedure,” she said. “We are very thankful for the team of Mount Sinai doctors taking care of Jim. We appreciate the continued prayer and support and trust God with everything.”‘

‘There are plenty of other bodies at the position – including sixth- and seventh-round draft picks McCloud (Clemson) and Proehl (North Carolina), and the speedy and athletic Foster, an undrafted free agent from Alabama – but it could take some time before anyone distinguishes himself … if that happens at all.’

‘When Benjamin is healthy, there is plenty to like about what he’s capable of offering. At 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, he can be a matchup nightmare for most defensive backs who don’t have the size or strength to keep him in check. Daboll’s offense, which will incorporate plenty of the horizontal-style passing of the New England Patriots, should often put Benjamin in position where he can make plays on slant routes.’

‘The reality is, Allen better be much better than those two, or else the Bills will have made a huge mistake. Keeping in mind that it is early, as Jeff points out, I’d say Allen looked better than I thought he would in the spring. While he did miss some throws that you expect an NFL quarterback to make, he also made some throws that the other two quarterbacks on the roster can only dream of. His arm is as strong as advertised. By all accounts, he takes coaching well. After throwing a bad interception, he immediately sought out safety Micah Hyde to figure out how he broke on the ball so quickly. Those are all good signs.’

‘Jill Kelly posted shortly after 3 p.m. that Jim was out of surgery and in recovery. She included a photo of her and Jim holding hands.’

‘With Tyrod Taylor at quarterback, the Bills never put together a strong enough passing game to maximize McCoy’s running and receiving. Whether that will change now that Taylor has been traded to the Cleveland Browns and someone else will be behind center remains to be seen. One plus, in McCoy’s opinion, is the Bills’ new offensive coordinator – McCoy’s fourth in three seasons – is Brian Daboll.’

‘But this much is known: McCoy takes tremendous care of his body. He puts in considerable time, on his own and at the Bills’ facility, in the weight room and with cardiovascular work. He’s determined to show he can be as effective as any running back five or eight years his junior, and with 10,000 career rushing yards, he is locked in on getting to 12,000.’

‘”I’m grateful to the NFLPA for entrusting me with this opportunity to work with a marquee collegiate showcase,” Whaley said in a news release issued by the game. “We are an organization that will be with the players for their entire careers both on and off the field. I’m thrilled to serve in this capacity of introducing them to the union, our partners and the many great programs available to help them make the most of their experience.”‘

‘His progress could very well cause him to move up the depth chart during training camp and the preseason. In the meantime, McCarron and Peterman will try to separate from each other by demonstrating which one has the best grasp of the offense. McCarron might have a modest edge in experience with four career starts, but Peterman made a surge during OTAs and should have something to say about who gets the No. 1 job.’

‘He also showed that his arm is far superior than the ones belonging to the two players ahead of him on depth chart: AJ McCarron and Nathan Peterman. That’s what drives the notion that regardless of whatever edge McCarron and Peterman might have in experience — or the media-created narrative that Peterman’s OTA showings might have pushed him into a starting job — Allen has too much physical skill to hold back.’

‘As part of renovations to the three 200-level sideline clubs, Pegula Sports and Entertainment announced Tuesday naming-rights deals with Dunn Tire, Toyota and Pepsi. Team owners Terry and Kim Pegula are funding the renovations, which are expected to cost $18 million. It’s the first renovation of the three club areas since they were installed in 1999.’

‘“He played in a good defensive system in Kansas City,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said of Gaines. “He’s played outside as well, so he offers some position flexibility. He’s long. He’s got some experience there, so he’s a smart player that I’ve been impressed with to this point. We’ll see how that position unfolds at camp.”’