Archives for March 29, 2017

'Speaking with reporters Tuesday at the owners meeting during an early morning coaches breakfast – not as early as his MMA sessions – McDermott sounded like a teenager turned loose on the new Kong ride at Universal Studios (or a man freed from his first Buffalo winter).'

'McDermott said Hyde will start at safety in the Bills' defensive backfield. He figures to be the Bills' starting strong safety, but eventually Hyde could be used similarly to how he was in Green Bay.'

'"I had our video guys tape it last weekend, the [NCAA] finals," McDermott said at the AFC Coaches Breakfast today. "I was at the NCAA basketball tournament, so I didn't know if I'd get a chance to watch it. … And I watched it and I was tearing up, because you know what the young men have put into it with the preparation and dedication to the sport and you look at their bodies and they're warriors, just animals, in terms of what they put themselves through. And they're hugging their coaches.'

'McDermott also dismissed the report at the AFC coaches' breakfast earlier Tuesday, saying, "Like I said at my opening press conference, I'm comfortable with the situation. That hasn't changed at all. I look forward to working together."'

'“We just spent the afternoon working together, the three of us,” Pegula said, referring to McDermott, Whaley, and himself. “Those guys get along great. They’ve been making some key decisions, and they work well together.”'

'“Reggie had the setback last year. I know Reggie from from tape in college and what he can do and we'll start at the middle linebacker position, really, is where we see him,” McDermott said. “And in what innately comes with that position is the leadership skills. I know that his character, really, he possesses those leadership skills – to get us lined up, be the antenna so-to-speak of the defense….and over the years when you look at that position in this system. Guys like Luke Kuechly, guys like Jeremiah Trotter, that can check the defense, get us in and out of bad calls, bad defenses, set us up for success. That's an important part of that position, and Reggie, from what I can tell, what I’ve observed and been told about him, he has that DNA.”'

'Among the highlights, the owner touched on the relationship between general manager Doug Whaley and head coach Sean McDermott, new stadium talk, and much more.'

'We have no reason to believe that McDermott would be fibbing about the relationship with the Bills GM at this point in time. While it’s more than likely McDermott has an enhanced “say” in some of the moves that happen with the Bills roster, it seems as though everything actually is fine for the time being. I think we first need to let the draft play out as to who exactly the Bills are targeting to impact their roster. Until then, Doug Whaley is more than likely going to be the general manager of this team, and probably much beyond that as well.'

'“That will be a fun battle to watch throughout the offseason, preseason and training camp. Who that is, remains to be seen but I believe he’s on the roster,” McDermott said. “A lot of times when you look at it, the answer is on your roster. That will be the fun part of finding out for me, when you get to phase two and you can get on the field, that’s going to be an interesting three days at voluntary mini-camp for us in evaluating our roster and setting up the draft.”'

'“It’s a blessing for me to come back, and I appreciate the organization for having me,” Tate said. “I’m really excited to get to work and I can’t wait for April 3rd. It’s an opportunity that you have to take one day at a time and really work for it.”'