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Buffalo Bills News and Discussion

Archives for June 5, 2018

Bruce Smith on Bills’ pursuing franchise QB: ‘It’s about time’

‘”I think we’ve made some poor decisions in the past (with) acquisitions, not investing in probably the most important position on the team,” the Hall of Fame defensive end told The Buffalo News while in town for Kelly’s annual celebrity golf tournament Monday. “Obviously, second, I’m a little biased to it, is pass-rusher. So I think it’s about time.”‘

Bruce Smith tempers hype over fellow former Virginia Tech standout Tremaine Edmunds

‘”I don’t want to set this young man up for failure, setting expectations so high,” Smith said at a party at the Adam’s Mark Hotel for Jim Kelly’s annual celebrity golf tournament. “You’ve got to remember, this young man’s only 20 years old. And, obviously, this is a man’s sport. Having said that, being coached properly, being in the right system, this young man can be very effective very early. So that’s what’s critical.’

Slimmed-down Eric Wood satisfied with terms of Bills exit

‘Wood said Sunday night that he and the Bills reached a “mutual decision” that it would be best for him to be released before June 1, so that the balance of is contract – which had been extended through 2019 – would count against the team’s salary cap this year rather than next year.’

Jim Kelly to receive Jimmy V award at ESPYs

‘“Jim Kelly truly epitomizes perseverance,” Alison Overholt, the vice president and editor in chief, ESPN The Magazine, espnW, and The ESPYS said in the same release. “We are honored to give him the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance this year as he embodies the determination, strength of character, and spirit of the award.”’

Hall of Famer Bruce Smith is fan of Bills rookie Tremaine Edmunds

‘Smith is well-acquainted with the Edmunds family. Tremaine’s father, Ferrell, played tight end for the Miami Dolphins in the late 1980s and early ’90s when the Bills-Dolphins rivalry was at its peak. Also, Bruce’s son, Alton, was college roommates at Virginia Tech for one year with Tremaine’s older brother, Trey, who now plays running back for the New Orleans Saints.’

Buffalo Bills will be in shouting range of the first-overall pick, says Jason La Canfora

‘The Bills are probably going to start AJ McCarron and they are very much playing for the future. I suspect the Bills will be in shouting range of the first-overall pick when it’s all said and done, which won’t be a bad thing for their continued rebuild. In the meantime, they have lost 60 percent of the offensive line, the run game might not be nearly as robust, the defense has lots of holes, still, and they don’t have playmakers on offense. Baltimore is a solid-enough team with the coach and QB playing for their future there, and the receivers are upgraded from a year ago. Joe Flacco is finally healthy again and plenty motivated, and the Ravens at home early in the season are usually a safe bet.’

Jim Kelly says he will receive Jimmy V Award at 2018 ESPYs

‘It still hurts Kelly to speak for too long and he’s still not eating solid food. But he addressed the crowd at his tournament and even spoke to reporters for a few minutes. This latest battle with cancer has been tough on him, but he doesn’t even get down about it. In fact, the courage he’s shown will be awarded at the ESPYs next month when he will receive the Jimmy V Award for perseverance and determination. ESPN hasn’t confirmed that Kelly will receive the award only that he’s a finalist. They are expected to confirm the news later on Monday.’

Historic Jim Kelly Classic Golf Tournament at Terry Hills as former Buffalo Bills QB announces ESPN award and celebrities come out to honor him

‘“Batavia has been awesome, to have my golf tournaments here at Terry Hills, is a life-saver,” Kelly told the Daily News after cutting the ribbon on a new foot bridge on the course. “By having it here it has made us probably an extra $50,000 to $75,000 by having as many people as we have here. We are trying to talk them into having nine more holes because we are selling so many foursomes with five people.”’

Bills center Eric Wood still adjusting to retirement

‘”The body feels good. Can’t play ball, which stinks. And I miss it,” he added. “There’s been a lot of times this spring where I’ve seen pictures posted and you think, ‘Well, that’s my team.”

Jim Kelly to receive Jimmy V Award for battling cancer

‘”The good Lord has put me in this situation to help not only the people out there who are suffering from cancer, but little kids, too, who are going through tough times to never give up, to keep fighting, because you never know,” Kelly said.’

Jim Kelly to be honored with Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at ESPYS

‘”As people out there know, when you have cancer, you never know what tomorrow holds,” he said Monday. “When I was diagnosed for the first time, it scares you. Second time, even more. Third time, I don’t even worry anymore. It is what it is. If it comes back, it comes back.”‘

Wood happy to have retirement situation resolved

‘“A lot of it was just the timing for the team and letting them just figure out exactly how they wanted to handle it all, and I was fine with it and told them, ‘I won’t be sensitive about it,” Wood told the media prior to Jim Kelly’s 32nd annual Celebrity Golf Classic. “Now, it became a delayed process which kind of stunk, but it all worked out.”’

Jim Kelly to receive the Jimmy V Award at the ESPYs

‘Kelly will be the second former Buffalo Bills player to receiver the Jimmy V award for perseverance and determination. Former tight end Kevin Everett, who was paralyzed from the neck down in a game in 2007, received it in 2008.’

Jim Kelly’s 32nd Annual Charity Golf Outing

‘Jim is still on a strict liquid diet but will switch over to solid foods in the next couple of months. Kelly jokingly told the media that wings and pizza in the blender is just not the same.’

Wood retired, happy and moving forward

‘”I literally got the call from (Bills orthopedic surgeon) Dr. Cappuccino while I was in the delivery room with my wife. And then we had our son (Garrett) an hour later,” Wood said. “It was a very emotional few days.”‘

Former teammates excited about Kelly’s award

‘”What he’s accomplished, 32 years of selling out this golf tournament and giving back to the community. He’s really a special person,” said longtime friend and Sabres head coach Phil Housley.’

How an ESPN award and support from friends lifts Jim Kelly’s spirits

‘“It affects all of us,” said Pro Football Hall of Famer Bruce Smith. “Not just the victim of this horrible disease. You know, through prayer, through compassion and through love, we hope that we’re doing our part to support Jim in letting him know that we care an awful lot about him.”’

Bills Today: Bills future riding on two rookies shoulders?

‘Edmunds, of course, seems destined to start from Day 1. Being the QB of the ‘D’ ain’t easy, but it pales in comparison to all that comes with being a rookie starting QB in this league. His athleticism is off the charts and moving to middle linebacker should allow him even more room to roam and run and wreak havoc compared to how he was often deployed at Virginia Tech… It’s hard to envision a scenario where Edmunds is not on the field virtually all the time as the Bills try to add bite and play-makers to what was the league’s 26th ranked defense in 2017 (29th against the rush and 20th against the pass).’