Archives for July 23, 2015

'In retrospect, the Bills probably could’ve stayed put at No. 9 and taken the ridiculous talent from LSU. Beckham Jr. averaged 109 yards and one touchdown per game. If Watkins was solid, Beckham Jr. looked potentially transcendent. Beyond him, Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans (68 receptions for 1,051 yards with 12 touchdowns), Carolina’s Kelvin Benjamin (73-1,008-9), Miami’s Jarvis Landry (84-758-5) and Philadelphia’s Jordan Matthews (67-872-8) all burst onto the scene.'

'The 2013 third-round pick placed second in the long jump at the Pan American Games with a jump of 27 feet, 1 3/4 inches. Goodwin, who was a two-time NCAA champion at Texas, previously took 10th at the 2012 Olympics in London and fourth at the U.S. championships last month. Whether or not Goodwin looks to compete in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro probably depends on where his football career is at that point.'

'The deal between the team and the restaurant chain had been in the works since the Bills played the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium last October, when Bills officials spoke with Dinosaur owner John Stage about a possible sponsorship. The agreement was completed a few weeks ago, Clancy said. The chain had previously offered a suite menu in conjunction with Delaware North during the 2014 Super Bowl at MetLife Stadium.'

'Fred Jackson Age:34 Chances of making the roster: 80 percent.'

'"I like track and field for the simple reason that I determine my own outcome," Goodwin said. "I don't rely on my coach or the president or the CEO making a decision. I'm kind of like the CEO of my own corporation. I make the calls on if I'm going to be here or going to be there, as opposed to football where other people are making that decision. Other people are in charge of how much you play and what plays you get. In that aspect, I like that about long jumping."'

'The popular barbecue restaurant which opened a location in Syracuse back in 1988 and arrived in Buffalo in 2014, has been named the official barbecue of the Buffalo Bills and will now be featured at concessions stands inside Ralph Wilson Stadium during Bills home games. Dinosaur Bar-B-Que will also have a standalone concession stand inside the stadium operated by the restaurant's staff.'

'The foundation could not say how much money will go to Michigan, as there is no set allocation of dollars between the two regions and some money could also go to charities around the country. Priorities for funding include health lifestyles, early childhood and youth development, caregivers, community development and economic growth.'

'Formal, long-term grant cycles for the foundation will begin in 2016, official said. Official guidelines for applying for 2016 grants will be announced after the foundation’s program officers are in place, foundation officials said.'

'"Ralph saw firsthand the impact of his generosity in his lifetime," Wilson's widow Mary said in a statement. "Always thinking of others even in his own legacy, his hope with this trust was that the Foundation's work may make a direct impact in the lifetimes of those who knew him best."'

'Goodwin was a two-time NCAA champion in the long jump at the University of Texas and finished 10th in three years ago at the London Olympics.'

'A mission statement released Wednesday said grants will go to causes that resonated with Wilson. The Hall of Fame owner's priorities included supporting healthy lifestyles, early childhood and youth development, caregivers, community development and economic growth.'

'"My teammates give me a hard time about that all the time," Goodwin told ESPN. "'Hey, if you catch the ball and get in an open field, I want you to long jump from the 10 into the end zone.' … I might make it happen one of these days."'

'"I love long-jumping, and if I'm granted the opportunity without repercussions, then I will pursue it further," he said, "but I'm obligated to Buffalo Bills football and that's the main focus."'

'1) Charles Clay.'

'Goodwin jumped a season best 8.27-meters (27-feet, 1.59-inches in his third attempt, which held up for second place overall and the silver. Goodwin’s Team USA teammate Jeffrey Henderson won gold with a jump of 8.54-meters while Emiliano Lasa of Uraguay took home bronze with a leap of 8.17-meters.'