Archives for May 1, 2017

'Brett Veach, co-director of player personnel, Kansas City Chiefs.'

'The past is ugly. Hopefully the future looks a lot better.'

'Beane was one of several candidate to interview for the San Francisco 49ers' general manager job in January. The team hired John Lynch later that month.'

'The national media was clearly impressed with Buffalo's draft class as the Bills earned high marks across the board.'

'As Pegula pushes forward with the interview processes in both organizations, which may come to an end soon for the hockey team which Pegula hinted might happen, he needs to make his own decisions.'

'“It’s pretty nice to see all these fans come out more than 12 years later. It means you did something right in life,” Smith said. “I’m very grateful and thankful to Bills fans in Western New York and all over the country. That’s one of the things that inspired us and motivated us, because they’re such passionate, blue collar fans. They love their sports, they love the Bills. It was an honor to play for them.”'

'Whaley’s draft record let him down.'

'Voytek is the second former Trumbull High star to get signed by the NFL team after being passed over in the draft in the last two years as Don Cherry, a former Villanova linebacker, was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles after not being drafted in 2016. He didn’t make the Eagles active roster but was signed to the practice squad and on Jan. 2 signed a reserve/futures contract with the team.'

'Pyke (6 feet 5, 320 pounds) was a three-year starter for the Bulldogs. He moved to right tackle for his senior season after playing guard the previous two years. Pyke's teammate on the Georgia offensive line, Brandon Kublanow, is expected to sign with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent.'

'Until the Bills hire a new GM , Pegula said he and his wife Kim, the team’s co-owner, will handle personnel moves. And the biggest decision for this team—as has always seemed to be the case since Jim Kelly’s prime—will be the team’s quarterback situation.'

'McDermott was granted significant power when came over from the Carolina Panthers. In the past four months, there have been changes at many levels of the organization, from player engagement to media relations to the team chaplain to now the scouting department.'

'Though Whaley was present in the Bills draft room this past weekend, it was unclear how much influence he had on the selections.'

'Pegula said McDermott took a more active role in draft decisions over the weekend, including the Bills moving out of their original first-round slot — No. 10 — in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs.'

'The Bills traded down 17 spots in the first round and filled a glaring need by picking White. He isn't flashy, but he was a consistent performer at LSU who had 34 career pass breakups and six interception playing both outside and inside as a slot corner. Already has earned his degree, and is considered a strong character player with leadership skills.'

'In his first draft as general manager in 2014, Whaley traded the Bills' 2015 first-round pick to move up and select wide receiver Sammy Watkins fourth overall. Watkins eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving in 2015 but has missed 11 games the past two seasons because of injuries.'