Archives for May 29, 2014

‘”This is the day I had circled on the calendar for a long time,” Bills coach Doug Marrone said after the team went through a two-hour practice without pads. “I couldn’t be more excited, more pumped up to be out there with them knowing that we all have a lot of work ahead of us.”‘

‘The contract is worth an average of $5 million a year. It’s worth a total value of $19.9 million, according to a league source. Watkins, the fourth overall pick in the draft, will get a signing bonus of about $12 million. The top rookie deals are fully guaranteed in the NFL.’

‘While emphasizing the preliminary nature of any plans for a stadium, the Syracuse native and former Syracuse University lineman remains committed to a major redevelopment of the former Seneca Mall. He unveiled plans for a mixed-use, public-private mega-project with two hotels, residential apartments, office buildings, retail, a theater, community facilities featuring twin hockey rinks and vast underground parking.’

‘”I kind of prepared myself for it happening,” Kouandjio said of his fall from the first round. “I had an issue with my knee, so I thought it might be a possibility, but I thought it was slim. But it happened, and it was a tough and humbling experience for me.”‘

‘”I feel like I’m on the straight and narrow,” Dareus said. “Things happen; young, dumb. You’ve got to correct it and just work through it.”‘

‘Buffalo is counting on Watkins to immediately step into the starting lineup for a team that has not been to the playoffs since 1999, the NFL’s longest current drought.’

‘The person added that Golisano’s proposal will include building a new football stadium south of Buffalo. The land belongs to Pyramid Management Group, which is owned by Robert Congel, Scott’s father. The Syracuse-based company is one of the largest shopping mall developers in the northeast.’

‘Financial terms have yet to come available, though the former Clemson All- American is expected to receive slightly more than the four-year, $18.7 million contract No. 5 overall pick Khalil Mack signed with the Oakland Raiders.’

‘The Bills traded wide receiver Stevie Johnson one day after selecting Watkins, clearing the way for Watkins to be the Bills’ top receiver this season.’

‘Manuel and Watkins both worked full-go, but several veterans are not practicing due to injury issues. Woods (ankle) and Graham (hip) as well as another receiver, Marcus Easley (knee), were all sidelined. Tight end Scott Chandler (knee), defensive end Mario Williams (hip), defensive end Jerry Hughes (undisclosed), linebacker Kiko Alonso (hip), cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore (hip) and Leodis McKelvin (hip) and safety Aaron Williams (shoulder) all watched.’

‘”Right now I’m kind of slow. I’m not going full speed. I’m not running real fast. I’m thinking still,” said Watkins. “It’s a process that I have to get by and once I get to rolling full speed running out of routes and breaks it’ll be totally different.’

‘”It’s great just to put that behind you,” Watkins said minutes after signing. “Just to know you have financial stability and now it’s just all football. Every day I can come in and worry about football, my plays and my job. Just worry about the connection of the offense and learning from the older guys. That’s what it’s about.”‘

‘”It’s a legal issue. It’s not really something I’m going to talk about,” Dareus said. “I’m here to just do what I do, which is have fun, play ball, stay focused and try to get better and that’s going to take care of itself. We handle it and do the best we can with it.”‘