Archives for February 24, 2017

'The NFL Draft could and probably should be one avenue, but it would also make sense for the Bills to utilize the free-agent market as well.'

'Admittedly, the decision on what to do isn’t an easy one, which is why it’s been so polarizing for fans. The Bills are at a crossroads. Do they part with Taylor, which would signify the beginning of a rebuild? Or do they retain him and try, again, to make things work with a roster that has some talent, but has fallen short of its goals?'

'The Bills’ have taken several black eyes in the public-relations department recently, including a widely mocked media policy that was rolled out before the 2016 season and viewed as overly restrictive. The season-ending press conference of General Manager Doug Whaley in January also was looked at as a disaster from a public-relations standpoint.'

'Coming off a serious injury, Gragg won't command a big salary. Maybe it says more about the players he was competing against, but before he got hurt in training camp, it was clear he should be the No. 2 tight end. If the Bills want to bring him back to compete for a reserve role, they shouldn't have any trouble getting him re-signed. It would not be a huge loss if he were to sign elsewhere, though. Given the lack of draft picks to add depth, keeping Gragg around isn't a bad idea.'

'That's because there's ample reason to believe Taylor has no desire to go that route. Consider the following…'.

'"A player that started the 2016 on fire, Brown struggled down the stretch as he graded positively in just two of his final eight games after doing so in all of his first eight games. Brown has posted back to back above-average-graded seasons in coverage and graded well against the run for the first time in his career in 2016. Fourth amongst all ILBs with 38 run stops, Brown showed potential for becoming a complete LB but considering his late-season decline and never doing so in any other season, there will be concern, which could lower his market value."'

'Former Buffalo Bills defensive backs coach Tim McDonald tells the Daily Mail that he said the catchphrase that appeared in the 1996 movie "Jerry Maguire" when writer-director Cameron Crowe was following him. At the time, McDonald was a defensive back for the Phoenix (now Arizona) Cardinals, the same NFL team that Cuba Gooding Jr.'s character Rod Tidwell plays for in the film.'

'Tyrod Taylor isn’t certain to be back as the Bills may choose to decline his option and free up cap space for an outside quarterback, considering they only have an estimated $26 million in cap room for 2017. That will be enough to bring in a handful of free agents, and possibly a big name to help a defense that has struggled in recent years.'

'Rapoport also believes the relationship between the Bills and Taylor has improved, "The fact that the relationship between him and the team seems to be good… New coach, new coordinator who he's very familiar with."'

'“Derek brings a wealth of NFL experience to the Bills organization and will be a very valuable addition as the leader of our communications department,” Brandon said. “On behalf of the Bills organization, I would like to thank Scott for his class and dignity while steering our communications efforts for close to three decades. As we welcome Derek and his successful track record to the organization, we also look forward to the continued benefit of Scott’s experience, as he will oversee a number of important projects in his new position.”'

'“You can fit into any scheme, it’s all about the want to,” Humber said. “I don’t think size matters. Schemes do matter for certain players, but it’s the want and will to beat a block, to even get open. I like the 4-3 system a lot better than the 3-4, but I think you have to understand your players and what they’re capable of doing.”'