‘”I think Buffalo will have a winning record, I really do,” Simms said Tuesday during CBS’ annual NFL media day at the network’s broadcast center. “I’m a believer in the coach, Sean McDermott, and the general manager, Brandon Beane. I think that’s where it all starts. I’ve seen many talented teams, year after year, maybe the best talent in the NFL, not win because they didn’t have the right coach.”‘
Archives for August 14, 2019
Bills’ Josh Allen compares notes with Luke Kuechly, revels in work with Panthers
‘“I thought we did a good job today,” Allen said. “A different environment, playing in different weather against a different team, I thought we adjusted pretty well. I think our juice was there. Being able to see somebody different across the ball from us, I think we needed that. Super impressed with how we handled things today. We were a very mature, professional football team today.”’
Bills’ Cole Beasley separates, two-minute O stalls
‘The Bills’ new slot receiver continues to build a good connection with quarterback Josh Allen. Beasley showed off his quick separation ability in one-on-one drills against cornerbacks – it’s not a fair fight – and gave Allen wide-open windows to target for completions. Beasley also caught three of Allen’s nine completions during team work against the Panthers. In the first 7-on-7 pass in the red zone, Allen hit Beasley near the goal line for a completion but safety Eric Reid popped the ball out and recovered the fumble.’
Harlan, Gannon to work Bills season opener as assignments set for first 3 games
‘Greg Gumbel is on play-by-play and Trent Green is the analyst on the Bills game against the New York Giants on Sept. 15 in the Meadowlands. Melanie Collins is the sideline reporter. Gumbel and Green, who worked with Bruce Arians last year, also are working the Bills preseason game against Detroit on Aug. 23. Arians is now the coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.’
Bills-Panthers Day 1: Teams were all business while Bills fans took over the place
‘“I wasn’t surprised,” said Panthers wide receiver Chris Hogan, who played four years in Buffalo before joining the Patriots and is now with the Panthers. “Just playing across the league in my time with Buffalo, it didn’t matter where we played, they’d always be there loud and proud. It’s great to bring some people here to Spartanburg.”’
Panthers’ Luke Kuechly thinks Bills QB Josh Allen is poised for ‘jump’ in Year 2
‘That’s been an area Allen and Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll have been focusing on the past few weeks during training camp. Allen’s 52.8-percent completion rate last season has been one of the most talk-about parts of the passer’s rookie season. If Allen can start to complete the quick hitters it could take his game to the next level.’
Buffalo Bills training camp 2019: Mitch Morse takes step forward in concussion protocol
‘Morse, 27, has been in the concussion protocol since July 27. Details surrounding Morse’s progress have been vague, but it appears Morse is one step closer to clearing the protocol. On Tuesday morning, Morse was spotted in pads and a non-contact jersey after head coach Sean McDermott noted that the center was moving in a positive direction.’
Bills-Panthers joint practice: How did Josh Allen do against Carolina defense? (5 observations)
‘It was hard to track all the action as the two offenses went up against the other team’s defense. It was almost like dueling pianos as Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Carolina quarterback Cam Newton went to work almost in unison in front of the hoards of Bills fans that packed in behind a barricaded fence at the far end of the fields.’
Bills-Panthers joint practice wrap-up: News, injuries, lineup notes, quotes, more
‘Josh Allen had more ups than downs at Wofford College against the Carolina Panthers defense. NYUP’s Matt Parrino noted that Allen once again worked the short game efficiently while mixing in a few deep passes along the way. One of Allen’s best balls of the day was a 50-plus yard pass to John Brown in tight coverage that should have resulted in a touchdown. Instead, the ball fell incomplete.’
Captain Munnerlyn returned to Panthers camp, but not in the uniform he wanted
‘There’s no good way to get fired, but Munnerlyn’s was at least unique. He took an apologetic “Sorry, but we’ve got to let you go” call from Panthers general manager Marty Hurney right before he was about to board a cruise, along with 50 friends and family members. He still went on the cruise and tried to put the best face on the situation, but the midnight buffets tasted somewhat hollow after that.’
Josh Allen debriefed Panthers’ Luke Kuechly on plays; Brian Burns ankle injury
‘Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, known for his diagnostic approach, took full advantage Tuesday via a post-practice discussion with Bills quarterback Josh Allen. They talked through a specific play Buffalo ran, and apparently the discussion got quite involved. “He said it’s a good concept,” Allen said. “We talked about the hardships (created) for a defense on a certain play and what can make that play not so great.”’
Former Tigers Shaq Lawson, Ray-Ray McCloud growing with Bills
‘“I’ve got to take that next step,” he said. “That will determine whether I sign a one-year deal or a big deal. I’m just out here trying to get better every day and let everything fall into place.”’
Bills fan finds something to hold on to
‘Michael Stewart had to get to practice in Spartanburg on Tuesday. He starts chemotherapy on Wednesday.’
Former Gamecocks Receive Warm Welcome At Panthers Camp
‘”I was here for a long time and coming down the hill I was like dang I’m back in Spartanburg at a training camp. It was a little different but it was great to do it,” Munnerlyn said.’
Wednesday’s Carolina Coverage
Captain Munnerlyn returned to Panthers camp, but not in the uniform he wanted (Charlotte Observer)
Josh Allen debriefed Panthers’ Luke Kuechly on plays; Brian Burns ankle injury (Charlotte Observer)
Former Tigers Shaq Lawson, Ray-Ray McCloud growing with Bills (Spartanburg Herald Journal)
Bills fan finds something to hold on to (Spartanburg Herald Journal)
Photo gallery 1 (Spartanburg Herald Journal)
Photo gallery 2 (Spartanburg Herald Journal)
Munnerlyn Expecting ‘Big Things’ From Ex-Teammate Newton (AP)
Panthers-Bills joint practice friendly, familiar (WCNC-TV)
Former Gamecocks Receive Warm Welcome At Panthers Camp (WLTX-TV)
2019 Training Camp Observations: Panthers-Bills Tuesday Joint Practice (Panthers.com)
Photo gallery 1 (Panthers.com)
Photo gallery 2 (Panthers.com)
Photo gallery 1 (BuffaloBills.com)
Photo gallery 2 (BuffaloBills.com)
Photo gallery (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle)
Bills running back Christian Wade hopes to hinge hype to roster spot
‘”I’m feeling really good right now. Scoring on my first touch in my first game just for me kind of gives me extra motivation to just keep doing what I’ve been doing,” Wade told Stats Perform. “There’s been times where I’ve woken up and been ‘this is really a struggle’ and I guess doubting myself a little bit. Maybe sometimes not getting enough reps, which I guess is usual for a new guy.”‘
Bills, Panthers have solid, competitive practice
‘A spirited practice between the two clubs gave them a chance to be in a competitive environment against an opponent other than themselves. Oftentimes in these situations, things get a little too testy and skirmishes, or even outright fights break out. That wasn’t the case at all on Tuesday.’
Cody Ford will have plenty of motivation vs Panthers
‘One will be hard pressed to find a more disruptive DT duo than Carolina’s in Kawan Short and Gerald McCoy. There is a combined 87 sacks between the two interior pass rushers. That is the most of any DT pairing in the league.’
Bills starters and roster coming into focus
‘When it comes to the offense there are still some decisions to be made. Lets start up front since there were questions all along the offensive line going into camp. The Mitch Morse concussion certainly threw a wrench into the plans for the rebuild of the line since Morse is the critical piece in the middle. When healthy he is obviously the starting center but the concussion, Morse’s fourth since 2015, means the Bills must have a really solid plan B at that spot. The good news is the Bills off season wave of free agent signings for the line included guys who can play center. Both Jon Feliciano and Spencer Long have played the position before and either could be pressed into duty until Morse is ready to return. The left side of the line appears to be set with Dion Dawkins at tackle and Quinton Spain at guard.’
Friend of LeSean McCoy’s ex drops lawsuit over home invasion
‘Lawyers for Donald, McCoy and Porter said in a filing in May they were trying to settle the case. A lawyer for Donald on Thursday filed a document dismissing the case without providing any further details.’
Allen learns from both Newton and Kuechly during first joint practice with Panthers
‘“Just kind of how he processes the game, how he kind of went from a mobile QB to a QB who will run when necessary,” Allen said about what he hopes to learn from Newton. “I’m still going through that tradition so I can take a lot of lesson from his early career as well.”’
Bills Mafia shows up for joint practices in South Carolina
‘”We’re a slowly building fan base,” another fan, originally from East Aurora said. “When I first moved down here it was just a couple Bills bars but every year it gets bigger and bigger and bigger.”‘
Cam Newton, Josh Allen comparisons
‘People revere him as one of the guys they’ve been around football wise and I can attest to that. I spent some time with Luke in the past just to hear him talk about football and I had a chance to talk to him about a certain play after practice today. The insight and knowledge he has is pretty awesome. At the end of the day we don’t have each other on the schedule so we’re out here trying to make each other better.”‘
4 Observations from Bills/Panthers Joint Practice
‘The Bills starting offensive line: LT- Dion Dawkins, LG- Quinton Spain, C- Jon Feliciano, RG- Cody Ford, RT- Ty Nsekhe.’
Brandon Beane returns to comfortable confines
‘“We come down here and we know the set up and the fields are good and we know the staff and it’s going to be a productive two days,” Beane said. “Today, as far as I could tell was productive and hopefully tomorrow will be the same.”’
Politicians tour New Era Field
‘Owners Terry and Kim Pegula meet with Speaker of the Assembly Carl Heastie and majority leader Crystal Peoples stokes earlier this year for a discussion. Heastie took a tour of the stadium Tuesday, along with County Executive Mark Poloncarz, Assemblyman Pat Burke and Peoples-Stokes.’
Bills pick “perfect” practice partner in Panthers
‘“You’re looking for an opponent, ideally, that you don’t play in the season,” Beane said. “Also, we were looking for some heat. The third thing is you’re looking to practice against people who are looking to get good work and, hopefully, avoid any skirmishes.”’
Beane and McDermott return to Wofford College
‘“This is a campus– much like St. John Fisher at home where they welcome us with open arms,” said McDermott. “It’s again neat to think back to how far the Good Lord has brought me in my career and my family and I’m blessed to not only be in Buffalo but also to be here.”’
Bills Super Bowl parade picking up steam as Facebook event
‘More than 1,500 people have already committed to going to the event with nearly 3,000 more who say they’re “interested” in attending. The discussion on the page has been enthusiastic and organizer Stevie Gorcyca posted that it’s better to schedule ahead for the parade instead of forgetting and having to go to work that day.’
Quick Hits: Mitch Morse moving in a positive direction
‘“He’ll be out there in pads,” said head coach Sean McDermott. “At this point other than that nothing has changed. He’s still in the protocol.”’
Top 3 things to know from the first Bills-Panthers joint practice
‘“I thought we did a good job today,” said Allen of the offensive performance. “Different environment, playing in different weather against a different team. I think we adjusted pretty well. Our juice was there seeing a different team across the ball from us. We needed that. I was super impressed with how we handled things.”’
In their own words | Bills gain confidence from practicing against a different opponent
‘“That’s how you build confidence,” Beasley said. “We go against our team every day and sometimes they start playing us a little better than maybe other teams that come in, will. So it gets really tough. Today was good work for us. It’s exciting to see what [our offense] looks like against another team and just build confidence. It’s an awesome feeling when we have success against another team.”’
Bills Today: Panthers Pro Bowl LB Luke Kuechly says Josh Allen is poised to make jump in year two
‘“I think obviously his athleticism is one of his biggest strengths,” Kuechly told Bové. “Big arm, he’s fast. He runs well. But I think what he did a good job with today, the ball came out quick. He was quick on his reads. Those guys did a really good job. He’s got some good guys to throw the ball to. I thought Cole Beasley did a really good job running routes today, so you know they did a great job and we are excited to get back out there tomorrow.”’