Archives for April 2015

'Here is The News’ third look at how the first round may play out, as well as the first two picks for the Bills…'

'Of the four QBs currently on the roster, he added, “They’re all going to have ample opportunity to get out there and practice. When we start evaluating then we’ll start to play around with things a little bit, who’s with the first team the one day, and the next day, and so forth.'

'“Coach MacNeill is my number one mentor,” said Rebrovich. “He’s helped me understand who I am as a coach. While at Cortland, I was truly able to gain a thorough understanding of my strengths and weaknesses. I became honest with myself, and was able to properly develop my coaching philosophy.”'

'His aptly titled role, senior offensive assistant, is designed to allow coach Rex Ryan, offensive coordinator Greg Roman, and the rest of the offensive staff to take advantage of all that he has done and seen in a variety of coaching capacities at the professional and collegiate levels.'

'“It’s hard to explain, but interviewing for the job, you want to get it,” Reich said Saturday, after hosting his 14th annual Call to Courage Award Breakfast at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo. “But when Rex got the job, I was like, ‘That’s the perfect hire.’ I really felt that was a great hire.”'

'All in all, the Bills' initial picks in drafts where they didn't have a first-rounder — Thomas, Beebe, Cowart, and Parrish — proved to be a mighty fine foursome. Now, it will be up to Doug Whaley, Rex Ryan, and the personnel and scouting staff to keep that streak alive by finding a gem when their turn finally comes up at No. 50 in the second round.'

'The league might want to save Ryan vs. the Jets for prime time one week later rather than placing it in the 1 p.m. slot on the opening weekend. The first meeting between Ryan and the Jets has to be at MetLife. It loses something if it opens way off-Broadway in Buffalo.'

'"It's not the truth. And that's the thing that I was saying. It's absolutely not the truth," Ryan said Saturday. "That kid's a little, you know, he's gonna get — we'll see what happens. I just know it's not the truth, and for him or anybody else to pop off like that, I think it's absolutely a joke.'

'"I just know it's not the truth, and for him or anybody else to pop off like that, I think is absolutely a joke. Now, look, if David Harris would have said something, or D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Nick Mangold, or someone, I would be hurt by it. I would be absolutely devastated by it. But a kid like that? Nah. I know him, and that doesn't bother me one bit."'

'“We’ve just got to learn the offense,” Watkins said. “I don’t know who’s going to be the starter; all I can do is be on the same page as the QBs, whether it’s EJ, Matt Cassel or Tyrod Taylor. I’m going to be open when they throw the ball.”'

'Former Bills who still call the Buffalo area home include Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Steve Tasker, Andre Reed, Mark Kelso, Steve Christie and Joe Devlin, to name a few. Former Sabres who remained in the area include Rob Ray, Larry Playfair, Mike Robitaille, Rene Robert, Rick Martin (until his death in March 2011), Matthew Barnaby, Bill Hajt, Andrew Peters and Darryl Shannon.'

'“I’ll always have love for this city and look forward to watching them play and look for them to get back to where they belong. This is a special place, and I can tell they’re building something special.”'

'It will be interesting to see how much progress Manuel shows from the time he has invested in the offseason working with former NFL quarterback Steve DeBerg, from working out with Bills receiver Chris Hogan near Hogan’s home in the New York metropolitan area, and especially from the instruction he receives from Lee. Coach Rex Ryan is convinced Lee’s tutelage will go a long way toward helping Manuel take big steps in his development.'

'"You never know what's going to go on in the front office, but this organization did a great job making the changes they made and I can't wait to give it my all and get back to football," he said. "We can stretch the field. We've got a lot of fast guys out there now with Clay, (Robert) Woods, me, Marquise (Goodwin), (Chris) Hogan … so many guys you have to pay attention to."'

'The NFL Draft begins two weeks from tonight. So, let’s take a minute to refresh everyone on the details, specifically where the Bills stand.'