Two Bills Drive

Buffalo Bills News and Discussion

Archives for January 27, 2018

Hard to see now, but timing of Wood’s exit from Bills has potential bright spot

‘For one thing, it gives them sufficient time to work out a replacement plan. Thanks to the foresight of matching the offer sheet he received from the Los Angeles Rams as a restricted free agent last year, they have veteran Ryan Groy, who took over for the final seven games of the 2016 season after Wood suffered a broken leg. They also have plenty of time to seek another experienced center in free agency or find a player at the position in the draft … or do both.’

Jerry Sullivan: Forced retirement of Eric Wood leaves hole on field and in community

‘Wood was truly one of the good guys, a fixture in the community and a faithful, if generally diplomatic, resource for the media. He was the Bills’ nominee for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award in both 2015 and ’16. His Eric Wood Fund raised more than $57,000 at a November fundraiser for the Oishei Children’s Hospital. He gave his time to countless community causes, including the Bills’ Play 60 Program, Teammates for Kids, and Make A Wish.’

Sully’s Mailbag: Bills can’t be afraid to move up for QB

‘You need to be bold sometimes. It’s an inexact science, but if they love a guy, they should definitely spend what it takes to get him. It’s Beane’s job to get it right, and if he identifies the right quarterback, it’ll be worth the price.’

Donald Jones to exit ‘John Murphy Show’

‘He said Jones will be leaving in the coming months “to pursue other opportunities closer to his home in New Jersey. This was Donald’s decision. We thank him for his contributions and wish him and his family nothing but the best.”‘

Sean Kirst: In the face of cancer, Bills icon buoyed by #PanchosPick

‘He went through some tests. The results seemed impossible, against all logic. Castro, 38, had tumors in his liver, lungs and lymph nodes and a massive one, wrapped around his spine, that was removed surgically in December. A guy who’d hardly been sick for a day in his life was suddenly walking around with stage four cancer.’

Bills center Eric Wood issues statement confirming that he will retire from the NFL

‘In that exam, a deteriorated neck condition, caused by years of fighting on the line of scrimmage, convinced team doctors that it was no longer safe for Wood to continue playing. Friday afternoon, Wood confirmed this news in a statement that indicated he will announce his retirement Monday at news conference at One Bills Drive.’

Buffalo Bills center Eric Wood reportedly suffers career-ending neck injury

‘Wood was not only one of the pillars of the Bills’ offensive line, but he was also one of the leaders off the field with community work. His foundation, The Eric Wood Foundation, provides seriously ill, special needs and physically challenged children throughout Greater Buffalo, NY and Lousiville, KY with daily encouragement and life changing experiences, according to its website.’

What Buffalo Bills center Eric Wood said about his career-ending neck injury

‘”I was diagnosed with a neck injury as part of my season-ending physical with the Bills,” Wood said. “After consultation with Dr. Cappuccino and other physicians, I was informed that I was no longer cleared to play football, even with surgery or further treatment. I appreciate and thank everyone for their thoughts, concerns and prayers, and I will shed more light on the situation at a press conference on Monday at the team facility.”‘

Current and former Buffalo Bills react to Eric Wood retirement news

‘News broke on Friday that Buffalo Bills center Eric Wood would have to retire due to a neck injury. Wood later confirmed the news and said he’d talk more about the injury at a press conference on Monday. After Wood shared the news, messages of support from former and current Bills poured in. Here’s a look at some of the messages sent to Wood.’

Senior Bowl: Bills have “extensive” meeting with QB Baker Mayfield

‘“That’s the only upside for me (being here,” Mayfield said to SI. “I’m confident I can show exactly what I’m about, how much I care about football and how I’d do anything to win. And not just that. Put me on a board and let me show you how much I know about the game. Let me show that I can pick information up, take it and run with it. Getting in front of these people was so important.”’

Losing Eric Wood a blow to Buffalo Bills

‘But the biggest blow will be to the team’s leadership structure. Wood was a veteran presence. It’s one thing to find a replacement for his position. But it’s tough to find someone who can fill his shoes as a leader. That may be the Bills’ biggest challenge of all.’

Former Louisville offensive lineman Eric Wood has career-ending injury

‘”He was a pleasure to coach because he came to work every day willing to get better and was a key component in a great run for the University of Louisville football program. Off the field, Eric was an even better young man and a great ambassador for the university. I’m saddened his NFL career was cut short, but I know the next chapter of his life will be just as successful.”’

Bills center Wood retiring after diagnosed with neck injury

‘The revelation of the injury comes as a shock to the Bills. Following a 9-7 season, they lose an influential on- and off-field leader at a time when the team’s fortunes were looking up after ending a 17-year playoff drought, which had been the longest active streak in North America’s four major professional sports.’

Bills C Wood to retire due to neck injury

‘”I appreciate and thank everyone for their thoughts, concerns and prayers, and I will shed more light on the situation at a press conference on Monday at the team facility,” Wood wrote.’

Bills center Eric Wood to retire due to neck injury

‘Wood tweeted that he was initially diagnosed with the injury in his season-ending physical and that team doctor Andrew Cappuccino and other physicians said he will not be cleared to play football, regardless of whether he undergoes surgery or other treatment.’

Bills center Eric Wood suffers career-ending neck injury

‘It was reported early on Friday that an offensive player for the Bills had suffered an injury, but Wood was requesting not to be identified. In 2017, Wood signed a three-year, $25.8 million contract. Ryan Groy, who has been with the Bills since 2015, is expected to be the next starter at center.’

Bills center Eric Wood suffers a career-ending neck injury

‘Wood, 31, just completed his ninth season with the Bills after the team took him in the first round (28th overall) in the 2009 NFL Draft out of Louisville. During his tenure with the Bills, Wood started in all 120 games that he appeared in as center. He was the second-longest tenured Bill behind defensive tackle Kyle Williams, and just recently made his first playoff appearance this season.’

Capaccio: Wood represented Bills with class, on and off the field

‘Win or lose, poor offensive line play or great, taking a bad penalty or having clean game, injured or healthy, another player traded away, a head coach being fired, the starting quarterback getting benched….you get the idea. It has never mattered. When the locker room opened to the media after practice, number 70 was always there unwrapping his taped wrists, still breathing heavy and sweating, but ready to answer whatever questions any of us had.’

Baker Mayfield met “at length” with the Bills

‘If the Bills want Mayfield, they’ll likely have to trade up to get him. The Denver Broncos are a favorite to land Mayfield at the 5th pick. They’re coaching staff is one of the two coaching at the Senior Bowl. Director of the Senior Bowl Phil Savage has said that the Broncos requested to have Mayfield on their team, adding fuel to the perception that they could take him at five.’

Wood’s charity work to continue in retirement

‘Wood’s foundation, The Eric Wood Fund, has been heavily involved in Children’s Hospital and specifically Stone’s Buddies, an organization that supports families coping with chronic and life threatening illnesses.’

Joe B: 10 Senior Bowl standouts that Buffalo Bills fans should get to know

‘By now, you all know the major names from the Senior Bowl… Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield and Wyoming QB Josh Allen, so this list won’t include those guys. No, we’ll look beyond them and familiarize you with 10 names that had a great week that either, you haven’t heard of yet, or have only heard very little of.’

Bills’ Eric Wood suffers career-ending injury

‘Wood released a statement on Twitter Friday. He said “I was diagnosed with a neck injury as part of my season-ending physical with the Bills. After consultation with Dr. Cappuccino and other physicians, I was informed that I was no longer cleared to play football, even with surgery or further treatment. I appreciate and thank everyone for their thoughts, concerns and prayers, and I will shed more light on the situation at a press conference on Monday at the team facility.”’

Neck injury forces Eric Wood to retire

‘Wood will hold a press conference in Orchard Park at 1:00pm on Monday to discuss the injury further. He thanked the many who offered thoughts and prayers.’

Eric Wood’s NFL career is over

‘“I was diagnosed with a neck injury as part of my season-ending physical with the Bills,” said Wood in a team-issued statement. “After consultation with Dr. Cappuccino and other physicians, I was informed that I was no longer cleared to play football, even with surgery or further treatment.’

Teammates express support for Eric Wood

‘“Huge loss today for the Bills organization,” said Incognito. “Eric is a special guy. He’s been in Buffalo his entire career. He’s been a great friend to me, great teammate, great leader. [He’s] a guy I really leaned on a lot when I first got back into the League. It’s really a sad day…He’s been instrumental in me coming back to the League and reestablishing myself. E Wood provided that friendly face in the locker room…He’s instrumental in all my success I’ve had the past couple of years. Just having a buddy to talk to – I really can’t say enough good things about him.”‘

Top 6 observations from the Senior Bowl

‘Wyoming QB Josh Allen came in with the goal of proving doubters wrong when it came to his accuracy as a passer. He said his 56 percent completion percentage was something he didn’t want to talk about anymore, but his week in Mobile did little to quell concerns.’