Archives for April 27, 2019

‘Ford started 14 games as a junior in 2018 and was named an AP All-America Third Team selection.’

‘Looking for one word to describe Ford? Mauler, is the correct choice. Ford’s physical play stands out on the field. Ford’s physical play helped Oklahoma win the 2018 Joe Moore Award for best offensive line unit.’

‘Metcalf’s potential and Williams’ ties to current Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White were nice stories, but let’s not forget the main objective set before Beane this offseason after a disappointing 6-10 season last year: surround franchise quarterback Josh Allen with protection and weapons.’

‘When I talked to (Bills head coach) Sean McDermott at the combine, one of the things he said is we have to get better around Josh Allen, well, they did. This kid gets them really that much better. This is a heck of a tackle. Nice move by the Buffalo Bills.’

‘What were media members and one Bills player saying about Ford following his selection? Here are some of the top reactions.’

‘Singletary played in 38 games during his collegiate career and totalled 4,299 yards and 66 touchdowns. He became the first player in school history to earn AP All-America honors after getting a second-team nod last season.’

‘When looking for LeSean McCoy’s heir apparent, who better to eventually replace the veteran than a back that has drawn comparisons to Buffalo’s lead back? The 5-foot-7-inch running back is known for his ability to improvise on the field.’

‘The move was surprising mostly because Beane signed free agent T.J. Yeldon just a few days ago and he joins veterans LeSean McCoy and Frank Gore, along with holdovers from 2018 Marcus Murphy and Keith Ford.’

‘What were media members saying about the move? Here are some of the best reactions.’

‘Many expected the next move to come in the draft to get younger but Beane signed 25-year-old free agent T.J. Yeldon, who played his first four seasons in Jacksonville, just days before the draft. That move seemed to put the running back position on the back-burner in the draft. Maybe a Day 3 flyer on a speedy dual-threat back?’

‘Knox may not be the Ole Miss product Bills fans were hoping for — many wanted the team to draft speedster receiver D.K. Metcalf — but the newest tight end on the Buffalo roster was certainly a position of need heading into the draft despite adding free agent Tyler Kroft from Cincinnati.’

‘Adding a tight end that can catch and block was important to Buffalo. Knox is a willing blocker and among the better blocking tight ends available in this year’s draft class.’

‘“He’s a very good athlete. He tested well,” Beane said. “(I) was able to see him live this year versus South Carolina. And warming up, you could just see. I didn’t feel like they used him to accentuate some of the things that he does well. He’s one of those guys, he is a combo guy. Some of the tight ends we think are truly just a flex or some are just a Y that you really don’t want to include in the passing game a lot. I do think that he is a dual threat. I think he’s got upside.”’

‘With the No. 96 pick, Buffalo selected Ole Miss tight end Dawson Knox. Knox reportedly held a private workout with the Bills and was one of the team’s top-30 pre-draft visitors. He’ll enter a situation where he can earn immediate playing time as long as he can hold off the likes of Tyler Kroft, Jason Croom and Jake Fisher.’

‘“When I got that call, I pretty much knew who was on the other end,” Oliver told Howard Simon and Jeremy White. “I was so excited because I knew if I was there they were going to take me. Just for them being so honest with me and upfront with me. Their d-line coach (Teerlinck), their defensive coordinator (Frazier) standing on the table, saying, ‘If you’re there, I’m standing on the table for you. We’re going to take you,’ and it actually came true.”’

‘“Actually, Kyle Williams hit me up last night and basically letting me know that everything gonna be all right and if you need anything, hit him up,” Oliver said Friday at the Bills facility. “I told him, yeah, I wanna holler at him and I wanna pick his brain a little bit and see what kept him around so long.”’

‘The Bills lucked out in having Oliver, one of the draft’s two best defensive tackles, falling to them at ninth overall. Some thought the team was going to trade up to No. 3 overall to land Alabama’s Quinnen Williams, but that would have cost Buffalo a lot of draft capital. Oliver has the potential to be a difference-maker for the Bills’ defense, and they didn’t have to surrender any additional choices to get him.’

‘I also really liked the Bills taking defensive tackle Ed Oliver with the following pick. He has the potential to be a high-end 3-technique. Oliver is disruptive in the middle, posting 53.5 tackles for loss over three seasons at Houston. He legitimately could have been top-four pick, but Buffalo had some good fortune in the powerful lineman falling into its lap.’

‘After entering the draft with 10 selections, Buffalo can currently walk away with eight prospects at most depending on what they do on Saturday.’

‘We will not post McCoy’s tweets, but here’s a look at how fans and some media members dealt with the Bills running back giving away a major part of the movie.’