Archives for July 2016

'Already, with training camp and its usual surprise injury or two still not underway, the Bills know they could be without backup running back Karlos Williams, who was suspended for four games for violating the NFL's banned substance policy, pending a likely appeal. Two of their past three No. 1 draft picks — wide receiver Sammy Watkins and pass rusher Shaq Lawson — are coming off injuries that limited their offseason work.'

'"Obviously you wish that he was in much better shape," the coach said. "There's no question about it. In the future, he has to realize that what he did this offseason is far from what you want. He's a young guy. Hopefully, he'll learn from it."'

'In recent years, there’s a sense desperate Bills fans have become more tolerant of indecent behavior. The general message from Bills Nation: Nobody cares about character. What matters is how players perform on the field. People should care. Character matters when these characters can’t stay on the field.'

'That's undeniably good news for the Bills: Brady has a record of 25-3 in 28 career games against them. Brady's streak of 112 consecutive games played in the regular season will end in Week One.'

'Will the standoff with Fitzpatrick ever end? It’s the obvious fit for both sides, but neither one seems willing to move off their position. The thought of starting Geno Smith has to be a terrifying one for Jets fans.'

'Williams said part of the problem was he often ate at crazy times because his fiancée was pregnant, and he let his eating get out of control while slacking off on his conditioning work. He made light of the situation at mini-camp when he said, “I like to eat and then her being pregnant gave me an excuse to eat, so eating anything and everything. She’d wake up, one or two o’clock, ‘I want a snack.’ Well I’m not going to sit here and watch you eat because I don’t want you to feel bad.”'

'Buffalo Bills running back Karlos Williams has been suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2016 season for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse, the league announced Friday.'

'History tells us that the third season is when wide receivers traditionally make their biggest statistical jumps. Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas and DeAndre Hopkins are the most recent examples of this, but the trend goes back to the late 1980s. The 2014 wide receiver class got their stardom started early with the likes of Odell Beckham Jr. and Allen Robinson, but that doesn't mean Watkins won't be just as good in his third season. He's steadily moved forward in his first two seasons and clearly has the talent to dominate. Now if he can just stay on the field …'

'Williams can partake in the team’s offseason workouts and preseason contests, but will miss games against Baltimore, New York Jets, Arizona, and New England, respectively.'

'The news comes a day after Bills running back Jonathan Williams was arrested in Arkansas on a misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated. He was a fifth-round pick this year for the Bills after sitting out his senior season at Arkansas with a torn foot ligament.'

'Williams had 93 carries for 517 yards and seven touchdowns during his rookie season last year.'

'The Bills are scheduled to face the Patriots in the final week of Brady's suspensin and will most likely face Jimmy Garoppolo, who will begin the season as the Pats starting QB.'

'The Florida State product recently showed up out of shape and overweight at the team's mandatory minicamp, and did not take part in any team drills while he worked with trainers on the side.'

'Williams, already in hot water with the team for showing up to mandatory minicamp overweight and out of football shape, will miss the first four games of the season, and during the regular season, will not be eligible to be with the team until Monday, October 3 — the day after the team's October 2 game against New England.'

'For Bills fans, it also means that Brady will officially be suspended for Buffalo's Week Four showdown with the Patriots in New England. That game is scheduled to occur on October 2 at Gillette Stadium and barring injury, the Bills will be up against backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.'