‘Campers got in free, but any money from parents or spectators for admission goes towards Hyde’s charity, the Imagine for Youth Foundation, which helps disadvantaged kids in academics and athletics. “Back when I was a senior in college [at the University of Iowa], it was a class project. From there, we started collecting sporting equipment to give to the kids in need. That was the foundation of it,” said Hyde.’
Archives for June 2022
‘He’s gonna rise to the occasion’ | Bills players react to Ken Dorsey’s first months as offensive coordinator
‘”It just makes our life a lot easier,” wide receiver Gabriel Davis said about Dorsey’s promotion to OC. “We still have a similar offense, tweaking some things here and there, but it’s nothing too crazy of a change. But he played the quarterback position. He’s been back there. He’s been through the fire. He’s been on great teams and played with great people. He understands what people want and what us players want. And that’s a lot of fun to have a guy like that back there.”‘
UB product Ja’Marcus Ingram traveled long road to earn shot with Bills
‘“It’s surreal; it’s still kind of hard to wrap my mind around it,” Ingram said after a recent Bills practice. “Right after the second rookie minicamp practice, it felt like I was about to go home because they huddled us up and said at 4 o’clock they would be transporting us to the airport. I was like, ‘Dang, they’re going to send us home. I’ll be going back to Dallas.’ But after the coaches huddled up, they walked over to me and whispered in my ear, ‘Congratulations, we want to sign you.’ It was a dream come true.”’
Bills release undrafted free agent wide receiver Malik Williams
‘The Bills agreed to a deal with Williams in the aftermath of the NFL draft and announced Williams’ signing May 13 and took part in the team’s rookie minicamp and organized team activities.’
Erik Brady: For a former Bill, mass shootings hit much too close to home
‘Gant, 70, who played tight end for the Buffalo Bills in the 1970s, is executive director of the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation, a nonprofit organization devoted to finding social harmony in our fractured world. He came to work Thursday morning deeply upset about the murders at a local hospital the night before.’
Bills adding more speed and playmaking ability at wide receiver by signing Tavon Austin
‘Austin will likely be competing with Jamison Crowder and Isaiah McKenzie for playing time in the slot, though he can also line up on the outside.’
FitzMagic Runs Out: 39-Year-Old Journeyman QB Is Retiring
‘Fitzpatrick informed former teammates of his decision on Thursday, and former Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson was the first to reveal on Twitter that the veteran QB planned to retire. Jackson shared an image from Fitzpatrick with the names of hundreds of teammates, along with the message: “Forever grateful for the magical ride.”’
Carucci Take 2 Bills Mailbag: Ken Dorsey’s impact on already explosive Bills offense will command greatest scrutiny
‘Obviously, his greatest challenge will be overcoming his lack of experience calling plays. Offseason and training camp practices, and preseason games will give him opportunities to handle this new coaching task, but nothing will replicate doing so in a game that counts. His close personal and professional relationship with Josh Allen is helpful because he already has plenty of insights into the plays the quarterback likes and doesn’t like, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of his game. (And, yes, as great as Allen has played the past two seasons, he really does have shortcomings in his game that opposing defensive coordinators look to expose).’
Bills sign wide receiver Tavon Austin
‘The veteran most recently with the Jacksonville Jaguars joins the Bills’ talented wide receiver room in his 10th NFL season. Austin has played in 101 games and started 50 games throughout his career. He’s racked up 221 receptions for 2,034 yards and 15 receiving touchdowns along with 196 rushing attempts for 1,340 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.’
‘He was a ton of fun to play with’ | Eric Wood remembers Ryan Fitzpatrick’s Buffalo career
‘”He’s just so smart, and he’s so witty,” Wood shared. “He’ll specialize in some cross-the-line childish games at times, but he’s just a ton of fun to be around and he’s such a genuinely good person, that everyone in the locker room loves him. So, no one’s off limits, he was a ton of fun to play with.”‘
Bills sign veteran wide receiver Tavon Austin
‘Austin was traded to Dallas for a sixth-round pick in 2018 and spent two seasons with the Cowboys. He began the 2020 season with San Francisco, but did not appear in any games after being placed on injured reserve with a knee injury. The 49ers released with him with an injury settlement and he played the final four games of the season with Green Bay, before joining Jacksonville in 2021.’
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, forever a favorite of Bills Mafia, appears set to retire after 17 NFL seasons
‘A “magical ride” is an apt description of Fitzpatrick’s career, which included a stop in Buffalo from 2009-12. Over four years with the Bills, Fitzpatrick started 53 games. Although the team did not have an overwhelming amount of success during his run, “Fitz” became a fan of the Bills Mafia thanks to his fearless style of play and engaging personality. With a beard that would made a lumberjack proud, the “Amish Rifle” eventually earned another nickname: “Fitzmagic.”’
Pollock: ‘Match’ wasn’t great golf, but it was entertaining
‘Rodgers carries a 4.6 handicap, both Brady and Allen an 8.1 and Mahomes a 13.2 but under the glare of national TV, there were numerous errant shots, plunked spectators and splashed irons.’
Buffalo Bills sign Tavon Austin: Is former top-10 pick the answer at punt returner? (4 things to know)
‘As it stands, Buffalo does not have a clear cut option for returning punts. Isaiah McKenzie, Marquez Stevenson and Micah Hyde all recorded returns in 2021. Sean McDermott lost trust in McKenzie and Stevenson as returners so it’s unknown if either will get a crack at it in 2022. Hyde is good at hauling in punts, but putting one of your key defenders back on punts is a bit of a dangerous game to play.’
After 17 seasons in the NFL, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick tells Bills teammates he’s retiring
‘The Buffalo community embraced Fitzpatrick when he played for the Bills and it has continued to show love wherever he’s gone – even twice in the division. He was one of the highlights of the drought era where the team didn’t make the playoffs for 17 straight seasons. He returned to town for Wood’s retirement announcement in 2018 to support his friend.’