Archives for May 2013

‘The Buffalo Bills announced Friday that they signed four more of their picks from the NFL Draft.’

‘Manuel got his playbook on his I-Pad right after he was drafted. He said it’s been a constant companion, “Yes. I’ve been drilling it like crazy. Coach Hackett said to look over it, but obviously he wants to coach it his way to Jeff and I. We pretty much went from square one today and just went to work.”‘

‘Here is a brief synopsis of how each player looked during their first day on the job…’.

‘This camp is for free agent signees and draft picks. Marrone said, “What I told them last night you’re coming here with opportunity to compete for a position. At some point we’re going to be at 90 and 53 guys are going to make this team and a lot of people don’t talk that way to players. No one wants to bring that up, but that’s just the reality of it and that’s the way it is so if you’re going to not have persistent thoughts about making this team and your thoughts are going to go other places, you’re going to have a tough time making it.”‘

‘With the rookie wage scale in place, there really isn’t too much room for negotiations with most draft picks just being slotted in to their contracts.’

‘”Our goal as coaches was to come out here and get with these players, start teaching them the playbook, the offense, defense and special teams,” Marrone said. “Start working on even special teams. Really just trying to get a chance to know them, how they learn, what they do and really teach them our tempo of practice and what our expectations are out of them.”‘

‘I thought EJ (Manuel) did well, and I thought Jeff (Tuel) threw well. I thought both quarterbacks did a nice job coming in here. I thought what we gave them, not a large package, but we got them off and they looked like…both the quarterbacks got off to a good start. Again, the offensive line really blocked well today because it was mostly seven-on-seven. (Laughs) But no, I was happy with both quarterbacks today.’

‘It’s all predicated on the pass concept, just pairing the footwork with the passing play. It’s a lot you have to remember. It’s the first day, but I thought overall, like I said, the whole team did a good job.’

‘The Bills signed third-round receiver Marquise Goodwin, fourth-round defensive back Duke Williams, fifth-round safety Jonathan Meeks and sixth-round kicker Dustin Hopkins.’

‘"I feel like it will work well for me," Meeks said. "We had a chance to go over some plays, where he drew up some plays. I just fell in love with the defense within one day and coach as well."’

‘Gragg, the 222nd overall pick in the draft, played in 43 games for the Razorbacks, making 20 starts, with 72 career catches for 1,003 yards. Of his seven touchdowns at Arkansas, Gragg had three in the 2012 season.’

‘Remember, you’re a rookie. Keep your ears open and your mouth closed. It will take you a long way in the locker room and a longer way in the community. Buffalo is a small town, but it’s not Mayberry. The people here love their connection to big-time football players, but they never fully embrace big-time attitudes.’

‘An indoor gym, which is 50 feet by 25 feet, includes a basketball hoop, and is adorned with the Syracuse logo and Orange walls.’

‘s signed with the Buffalo Bills, whose front office has some appreciation for CAA Football.’

‘He was chosen 222nd overall out of Arkansas, and becomes the first of Buffalo’s eight draft picks to sign with the team. Gragg had 72 catches for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 43 career games, including 20 starts.’