Archives for June 2017

'Jones, a national champion at Ohio State, isn't doing himself any favors with his performance on the field early this offseason either as the 24-year-old is looking like the odd man out for the Bills.'

'Signed this offseason to replace EJ Manuel as the veteran backup to Tyrod Taylor, TJ Yates stole the show on the second day of minicamp.'

'“All I can say is he looked great,” backup quarterback Cardale Jones said. “I don’t want to compare last year to this year. The reps that he took yesterday and today — he looked good to me.”'

'"We're just moving on," he said. "We're in McDermott's regime now, and we're going to do his thing. And we're going to make the best out of it."'

'“I’ve always had my hand in the dirt, been an attack type of defensive end, not standing up and dropping back in coverage a lot of times'" Lawson said. "So that’s what I’ve been doing, that’s what got me drafted in the first round. I’m just very comfortable with it because I’ve been doing it all my life.”'

'As defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers, McDermott often ran wa package referred to as a “big nickel” or, ironically now that’s he’s the Bills head coach, “buffalo nickel." That’s using a hybrid safety/linebacker-type player in the box, close to the line of scrimmage, to line up against bigger tight ends or receivers, but also help in run support. Mcdermott often used linebacker Shaq Thompson in that role with the Panthers. At 6-foot, 197-pounds, Hyde isn’t as big as Thompson (6-2, 231), but he’s better in coverage.'

'The team will be back on the field Thursday for their last mandatory minicamp. It will be their final offseason workout before training camp opens in late July.'

'This is a crucial next few months for second-year quarterback Cardale Jones. Now surrounded by a coaching staff that didn't draft him, a general manager that didn't draft him, and a rookie draft pick that the coaching staff did bring in — the deck is stacked against Jones this spring and summer.'

'On a day where the offense had five cracks at a game-winning opportunity during the two-minute drill segment of practice, the defense got stops on four of the five drives.'

'“When you look at [Tyrod Taylor], certainly this is not a new offense for him because of his familiarity with Rick Dennison from their time together in Baltimore. That said, it’s a new offense because the offense he was in last year was different than what we are asking him to do this year. I’ve really been impressed with the leadership, the intangible qualities that are inherent or must be inherent to that quarterback position,” McDermott said. “I’ve watched [Tyrod Taylor] develop in those areas and that’s important as we look to move forward. There’s leadership qualities at that quarterback position that are important to winning football games and I think he’s done a nice job in that area.”'

'Officially, the word from the Bills is that Glenn is “week to week” with an ankle injury. Given that the team has just two more practices before taking about six weeks off, it’s a safe bet that the next time Glenn takes the practice field, it will be at St. John Fisher College during training camp.'

'"It was just really, Sammy was in a position, going into practice, where he felt in a good place," coach Sean McDermott told reporters. "Last week it was individual, and he built a nice foundation last week. And the pitch count" Tuesday "was right around four or five reps of team drills, and he did a nice job."'

'The Buffalo Bills' inability to land free agent wide receiver Jeremy Maclin is a setback for the team.'

'“The foundation was built last week with the individual period and then today he was able to put some reps on top of the individual period which was good to see,” said McDermott.'

'After releasing Annen, the Bills are now left with six tight ends on their roster. Among them, Charles Clay is the only player who should be considered a lock for Buffalo's final 53-man roster. The other tight ends on the roster are Nick O'Leary, former quarterback Logan Thomas, Jason Croom, Keith Towbridge and Wes Saxton.'