'“I’ve been supporting Jim and Hunter and the Kelly family since the first day Hunter was born and I haven’t stopped since then,” Thomas said before playing in Monday’s afternoon round. “So whenever I can lend my time to Jim and whatever he’s doing, whether it’s golf tournaments, charity events, we’re like family. I’ll continue to do it ‘til the day I die.”'
Archives for August 8, 2017
Bills' OC: Tyrod Taylor 'can't wait for a route to open up'
'"He understands what we want done," Dennison said Monday, before the Bills' 10th practice of training camp at St. John Fisher College. "It's just keeping him on the same page, listening to his feet, getting the ball out on time. That's the biggest thing for (us) working on it.'
What does Rick Dennison expect from his offense in first preseason game?
'Each has their own individual challenges as well, starting with Taylor, who has vowed to make smarter decisions in the pocket rather than honing in on his scrambling prowess. McCoy, the team's best player at 29, is tasked with bucking the trend of running backs experiencing a decline at his age. Watkins will be watched with a hawk's eye by everyone inside and outside program to see if health allows the No. 1 receiver to gel with his quarterback.'
Bills sign veteran receiver Anquan Boldin
'Boldin, who turns 37 in October and is entering his 15th season in the NFL, visited the Bills on July 24. Although he left without a contract, he told the team he wanted to talk with his family to figure out his next step. Three days later, when the Bills opened training camp, Beane said Boldin had options besides signing with the Bills to consider.'
How much help will Anquan Boldin be to Bills' desperate situation at receiver?
'But that résumé covers 14 years and it's attached to a body that will turn 37 on Oct. 3, two days after the Bills' fourth game of the season. The next-youngest Bills recently turned 34: linebacker Lorenzo Alexander, defensive tackle Kyle Williams and offensive guard Richie Incognito.'
Mark Gaughan's Power Take: Bills fans shouldn't underestimate Dolphins
'Miami’s receiving corps is far superior to that of the Bills. Slot receiver Jarvis Landry is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and is in a contract year. Speedy Kenny Stills, who runs a 4.38 40, had nine TDs with a 17.3-yard average last year. Young DeVante Parker is 6-3, runs a 4.45 40 and caught 56 passes. Then Miami added tight end Julius Thomas, who produced 24 TDs in two years with Gase as his coordinator in Denver. Jay Cutler thrived under Gase in 2015, posting his second best completion percentage and his lowest full-season interception total. Cutler will be at least as good as Tannehill, probably better.'
Jerry Sullivan's Power Take: Boldin adds vital WR depth
'Rookie Zay Jones shows promise and Rod Streater is having a fine camp. But there's no proven commodity behind Sammy Watkins. It's a leap to assume a rookie can step right in and produce. Even if he's nominally the No. 3, Boldin will provide vital depth to the wideout corps.'
Olympic wrestling champion Jordan Burroughs visits Bills camp
'"I just wanted to tell those guys to stay focused. Embrace the journey," Burroughs said. "Trust the process and enjoy the true essence of the sport and why we all started this."'
What we learned at Bills Camp: Day 10
'Some lesser names got to shine during live action in Seymour's absence. Charles James intercepted Nathan Peterman over the middle and Bradley Sylve continued his strong work as a second-team cornerback. Our Jay Skurski currently projects Sylve, the former Alabama defensive back who hasn't played football in a year due to an Achilles injury, as the first cut among the cornerback group.'
What They Said: Bills GM Brandon Beane, OC Rick Dennison, TE Charles Clay, QB Nate Peterman, RB Jona
' I was very confident that we were a team that he thought was a fit and we thought was a fit. We had a great visit back a couple weeks ago when he visited us in Buffalo. Everything went great, he left, the agent – everybody was very confident that the Bills were a good fit but I know he had some other options out there. The other thing; this was an important family decision. Sean [McDermott] and I preach family, culture, character and we’re not going to try to talk him into something that he doesn’t feel is a good family fit.'
What They Said, Day Nine: Sean McDermott, Cordy Glenn, Sammy Watkins, Zay Jones
'I think those are good at the right time, based on where you are as a football team. I’ve been a part of one of those situations in the past in Carolina and it worked well. You’ve got to do it with the right team, of course. We’re open to that.'
Bills upgrade wide receiver position by signing veteran Anquan Boldin
'The 36-year-old Boldin visited the Bills on July 24, and Beane and coach Sean McDermott both said the meeting was productive and enjoyable, and that essentially, the ball was in Boldin’s court. The Bills were clearly interested given their questionable depth chart at receiver, but Boldin – who lives in Florida with his wife and two sons, aged 13 and 7 – had to decide if Buffalo was the right place for him.'
McDermott says Bills aren't presently at proper stage for shared camp practices
'“I think those are good at the right time, based on where you are as a football team,” McDermott said. “I’ve been a part of one of those situations in the past in Carolina and it worked well. You’ve got to do it with the right team, of course. We’re open to that.”'
Buffalo Bills OC Rick Dennison wants QB Tyrod Taylor to throw with anticipation
'"He understands what we want done," Dennison said. "It's just keeping him on the same page, listening to his feet and getting the ball out on time. That's the biggest thing for me and him working on. He's bought into it and he knows what he needs to do. He knows that the ball will get out. He knows where everybody is. That's the biggest thing for me. Distribution and if his feet are telling him to move on, he's got to move on. He can't wait for a route to open up. If it ain't getting there, something's wrong so he has to move on.'
Buffalo Bills sign WR Anquan Boldin to one-year deal
'"We're giving him his time to do what he wants," Beane said last week. "He's gotta be all-in."'