Archives for August 2021

‘“You work out all offseason very hard,” he said. “I wouldn’t recommend doing two weeks of absolutely nothing and then jumping into training camp. My symptoms weren’t crazy. But I came back from them, and it’s taken a bit to get back into the swing of things. I’m working every day and resting and eating properly and doing all the things I can off the field to help my performance on the field.”’

‘Johnson was caught up in a numbers game at the position with the Bills. The Bills were unlikely to keep seven defensive ends, so they now have the remaining six: Jerry Hughes, Mario Addison, A.J. Epenesa, Greg Rousseau, Boogie Basham and Efe Obada. Rookies Rousseau and Basham were the Bills’ first and second-round draft picks, respectively, in 2021.’

‘Powell signed in March as a potential candidate to help fill the return roles vacated by Andre Roberts’ free-agent departure to the Houston Texans, but he never seemed to be a factor as Isaiah McKenzie and rookie Marquez Stevenson handled return duties in the preseason.’

‘Three Bills made the list, led by Josh Allen at No. 9. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs was No. 18 and cornerback Tre’Davious White was No. 23, his highest ranking among the five outlets who have created lists.’

‘Trubisky is playing on a one-year contract in Buffalo. The Bills surely would like to keep Fromm in the fold as a potential No. 2 for next season.’

‘Last year, the Bills released veteran receiver Andre Roberts and safety Dean Marlowe, but as vested veterans, they did not need to clear waivers, and the team had handshake agreements with both of them to bring them back the next day after some other roster moves. It’s possible the Bills could do that again this year, with running back Taiwan Jones and tight end Jacob Hollister being logical candidates.’

‘The empty formation limits what defenses can do and helps Allen decipher the defensive structure. We did not see any predetermined Allen runs against the Packers, but you will see quarterback runs designed by Daboll from the empty formation as the season progresses.’

‘“Shoot, we’ve got guys like E (Sanders) that keep the offense comfortable, because Josh has guys he can throw that ball to,” left tackle Dion Dawkins said. “It’s just showing. And it just shows the type of person that Josh is. He takes every rep that he gets in practice extremely seriously and it shows on game day.”’

‘Teams have particularly inquired about defensive ends on the roster, a position where the Bills are loaded.’

‘We interrupt this analysis for an annual public service announcement: The Bills were 0-4 the year they went to their first Super Bowl, 1990. The Detroit Lions were 4-0 in preseason the year they went 0-16 (2008).’

‘McKenzie, who is sidelined with a shoulder injury, was fined by the NFL this week for breaking Covid-19 protocols by not wearing a mask around the facility. Based off the language of the letter, McKenzie was not vaccinated at the time of his violation. The fine came the same week that four Bills players missed practice from coming in close contact with a staff member who was vaccinated but tested positive. The four players, wide receivers Cole Beasley and Gabriel Davis and defensive tackles Star Lotulelei and Vernon Butler, were unvaccinated and tested negative. Had they been vaccinated, a negative test would have allowed them to remain with the team. Beasley also was fined for not wearing a mask at the team facility.’

‘Last year, Allen checked in at No. 87, making the catapult to No. 10 one of the biggest jumps across the league.’

‘Ultimately, there will be money from the NFL and money from the Pegulas in a deal. But if you’re struggling with the state making a contribution of, say, $1 billion, it’s really not that much when you put it into context of other things. The School Board in Buffalo gets $1 billion a year from the state. Not just once, but every year, and the amount of scrutiny into that isn’t anywhere near the scrutiny that goes into this, which is a one-time shot. I’m in favor of helping the Pegulas on this and doing it in the right way – and not letting it hang around forever. Just do it. I really think this is the time.’