‘The reality is, Wood made millions of dollars while enjoying nearly double the career length of the average NFL player. Best of all, he emerged with his health … at least as healthy as a pro football player can be at career’s end.’
Archives for January 2018
Path to the Passer: Is Baker Mayfield the next Drew Brees?
‘Mayfield’s improvisational genius on the field and some of his antics off it have drawn comparisons with similarly undersized NFL bust Johnny Manziel.’
Bills exec Lake Dawson reportedly a candidate for Panthers’ GM job
‘Dawson, 46, has 23 years of NFL experience, including six years as a wide receiver and 17 in scouting. He spent a year as a national scout for the Browns before coming to Buffalo, and prior to that spent nine years in Tennessee’s front office, working as the director of pro personnel, vice president of football operations and vice president of player personnel.’
Inside the Bills: Ryan Groy ready if called on again to replace Eric Wood
‘“I feel for him, I really do,” Groy said Saturday of Wood, who is a close friend. “He’s such a great person, and he means so much to the community and the team. It’s unfortunate the way that it happened, but in the other sense, I’m glad that they found it before something terrible happened.”’
Eichel on Eric Wood’s retirement: ‘I know how much football means to him’
‘”Personally from getting to meet him and know him a little bit and talk to him here and there, he’s just an unbelieveable guy. … Obviously he has to look out for his best interests and his health. I know how much football means to him and how much pride he takes every time he goes on the field. I really feel for the guy. I can’t imagine going through something like that. But his impact on the game and other people will move people far beyond the field.”‘
Andy Dalton would ‘be a king’ if the Buffalo Bills traded for QB, says Preston Brown
‘Buffalo is expected to move on from Tyrod Taylor this offseason and the team could find his replacement in the draft, free agency or via trade. The Bills will keep all of their options open, but is Dalton a realistic possibility?’
Senior Bowl: Why Harrison Phillips is an ideal fit for Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills
‘At 6-feet-3-inches tall and 303 pounds, Phillips plays a brawling style on the interior of the defensive line. He hardly came off the field for the Cardinal and racked up 103 tackles this season from a position not known for that type of production. Oh, and Phillips is an ex-wrestler.’
Buffalo Bills’ Lake Dawson to interview for Carolina Panthers GM job (report)
‘Dawson joined the Bills in May of 2017. Brandon Beane had nothing but positive things to say about Dawson and the experience that he brought to the Bills.’
7 reasons Nick Foles will be the Buffalo Bills’ starting quarterback in 2018
‘The Eagles promoted Nate Sudfeld from their practice squad in November. Sudfeld, originally a sixth-round pick in the 2016 draft by Washington, appeared in one regular season game with Philadelphia this year and completed 19-of-23 passes. Sudfeld is signed through 2018 and will be a restricted free agent in 2019. If Philadelphia feels confident in Sudfeld’s growth this season, Foles would be even more expendable.’
Football legends Billy Shaw, Richard Price maintain a lifelong friendship
‘Shaw played in the 1960 College All-Star game against the NFL Champion Philadelphia Eagles. It was there that legendary Cleveland Browns quarterback Otto Graham would change his career. Shaw began practicing as the second team defensive tackle, but Graham, who was the head coach, decided to flip him to the starting guard spot.’
Top Bills Community Relations moments of 2017
‘The Buffalo Bills teamed up with the Independent Health Foundation and the Buffalo Niagara American Heart Association this season to support the Play 60 Challenge and Fitness for Kids Challenge. The programs, which took place in over 500 local classrooms, encourage children in grades two through five to get 60 minutes of physical activity per day and to maintain healthy nutritional habits. To kick off the programs, the Bills, with help from several players, held a pep rally and Play 60 gym class at Buffalo Public School 32 – Bennett Park Montessori on Oct. 3.’
Eric Wood confirms career-ending neck injury, thanks community
‘”I appreciate and thank everyone for their thoughts, concerns and prayers, and I will shed more light on the situation at a news conference Monday at the team facility.”‘
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.’