Archives for January 2017

'Williams made 15 starts this season and recorded 64 total tackles and five sacks. Pro Football Focus gave Williams a grade of 82.7 this season, good for 17th among all interior defenders. His run defense grade of 84.8 was the fourth highest grade at the position.'

'Buffalo's 2014 first-round draft pick had two screws surgically inserted into his left foot in April after tests discovered a stress fracture. He was cleared to practice a few weeks into training camp before complaining of discomfort and soreness.'

'The foot surgery is the second for Watkins. He underwent the first procedure in April but experienced issues after playing in two regular-season games and was placed on injured reserve. He returned to play in the final six games.'

'Lawson, the Bills' first-round pick in the 2016 draft, missed the first six games of last season because of shoulder surgery he elected to undergo after joining the team.'

'Whether or not Watkins participates in any on-field work prior training camp will depend upon his rehab and recovery, as well as if he is cleared by both Dr. Anderson and team physicians.'

'However, if the Bills do this right with Watkins this offseason and don't allow him to force his way back on the field too prematurely, there are many reasons for optimism to finally get him back to 100-percent health. Both Bryant and Jones have been able to come back and continue their dominant ways in the NFL, and with a similar type of injury, perhaps Watkins can be the third to follow that trend.'

'Buffalo Bills WR Marquise Goodwin will be back home in Lubbock Saturday for a signing session. Goodwin was born in Lubbock and attended Wester Elementary.'

'DL Shaq Lawson underwent arthroscopic knee surgery following the season and is projected to be cleared to participate in all offseason activities.'

'This is the fifth time in Williams’ career that he has earned Pro Bowl honors after being named a Pro Bowler in 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014. Williams, the longest tenured Bill, joins Bruce Smith (11) and Fred Smerlas (5) as the only Bills defensive lineman to ever head to five Pro Bowls.'

'Dees will be making his return to Buffalo after filling the same role and making his NFL coaching debut with the Bills during the 2012 season. Following his time with the Bills, Dees spent the next three seasons with the San Diego Chargers from 2013 through 2015.'

'Perhaps most important is the fact that he was a three-time AFC champion as a linebacker for the Broncos during a nine-year playing career, and a three-time Super Bowl champion as a coach with Denver, including Super Bowl 50 last year.'

'The key free agent is Gilmore, a source of vehement disagreement among Bills fans. Some see him as a near-Pro Bowl talent, others view him as pedestrian and point to the way he and fellow cornerback Ronald Darby were absolutely embarrassed by former Buffalo QB Ryan Fitzpatrick in a 37-31 nationally-televised loss to the Jets at New Era Field in the season’s second game.'

'In all, Dennison has been on three Super Bowl-winning coaching staffs, also serving as special-teams coach for the Broncos' victories in XXXII, XXXIII.'

'“I'm a believer in franchises with new head coaches starting fresh with new quarterbacks, and it appears likely the Bills move on from Tyrod Taylor after hiring Sean McDermott,” Kiper wrote on ESPN.com. “That leaves Buffalo with a huge hole and a top-10 pick to fill it. I wrote last week that I didn't think Watson would get a post-title game draft bounce, but I've heard differently from people around the NFL.”'

'Dennison broke into the NFL as a player in 1982 with the Broncos and played through the 1990 season, mainly as a backup linebacker and special teams player. He did start 52 of the 128 games he appeared in and he had five fumble recoveries and 6.5 sacks. During his time, the Broncos played in three Super Bowls and lost all three.'