Archives for April 2016

'"We can do as many strength tests and as many mental tests as we can, but it's all going to come down to when we put the pads on," Williams said, after the Bills opened their offseason voluntary conditioning program on Monday.'

'A sixth-round pick out of Clemson last year, Steward had difficulty getting any playing time as a rookie. He was used primarily in a special teams role and appeared in just five games before being placed on season-ending injured reserve as a result of a back injury.'

'"Wow, life's curveballs are unreal! Haha on to the next.," Steward tweeted. "Extremely grateful to the Bills organization for the opportunity they gave me. Looking forward to the next chapter."'

'Some see Conklin as a guard early-on in the NFL. If the Bills do, they probably wouldn’t invest the nineteenth pick in him. But I think most teams – including the Bills – will view him as a right tackle who may be able to move to the left side as he gets more experience in the league. He played both sides at some point of his college career.'

'All three show up in the first round of many mocks. And linebacker Reggie Ragland and defensive tackles Jarran Reed and A’Shawn Robinson could help Rex Ryan’s defense, all in different ways.'

'The Clemson product was hurt in preseason last year and missed the team’s first five games. After playing in the next nine contests, he suffered a knee injury and was placed on injured reserve, missing the final four games of his rookie campaign.'

'“Just having a full year under your belt and establishing myself as a leader on the offense and the team definitely brings more confidence and it brings more responsibility,” said Taylor.'

'The club now has eight linebackers on their offseason roster.'

'“… The business side of it will handle itself. Whether that gets done or not, that has to handle itself. I’m just here to work and get better as a player.”'

'“It’s been so long since I’ve been with the team,” he said. “Being back here, just working out with the guys, running with the guys, lifting with the guys, just feels right. Feels great.”'

'Asked if Trump had Ryan's support for the Republican nomination, the coach said, "I'm going to introduce him, that's a true statement. But I'm not going to say who my endorsement is and all that stuff. I will say this, (New Jersey governor) Chris Christie was my guy one hundred percent because we were the lap band of brothers. We both had that lap band and we are really pretty close."'

'“A guy who’s been out there,” Bryant said in February. “A guy who’s seen a lot. A guy who can break down film really well. A guy who knows the different tricks of the trade to figure out what teams are doing. And also, a physical presence out there as well. All the different parts that we have, everybody brings something great to the table and that’s what’s exciting.”'

'“I can tell you this, our focus specifically with Tyrod is to get him the very best he can possibly be this year,” said Ryan. “There isn’t a person in this organization that doesn’t respect Tyrod Taylor, I can promise you that. Financial things, whatever, everybody’s got it. Whether it’s Tyrod Taylor, this player, that player, there’s always financial things that are very important to that individual specifically, but there’s a balancing act. And what’s best for a franchise may not be what’s best for an individual.”'

'Playing it coy when asked about this, Ryan said, “Well, we'll have to stick around and find out.” But then he came clean and said, “Yeah, it should be interesting. I'm going to introduce him, that's a true statement. But I'm not going to say who my endorsement is and all that stuff. I will say this, (New Jersey governor) Chris Christie was my guy one hundred percent because we were the lap band of brothers. We both had that lap band (surgery) and we’re really pretty close.”'

'Wide receiver Sammy Watkins was not on the field while the Bills' went through light conditioning work at One Bills Drive. Defensive tackle Kyle Williams, who ended the season on injured reserve, and offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson, who missed the the end of last season while reportedly battling Crohn's disease, also weren't on the field for the start of workouts.'