Two Bills Drive

'Bills buses, the ultimate combination of game day travel and tailgating party spot, seem to be surfacing in greater numbers these days. At least three of those are based in this area, two in Olean and one — Jenny’s Bus — that was seen parked at a local restaurant last week.'

'As Rapoport pointed out, members of the Patriots' scouting tree have had success in recent years. Jon Robinson of Tennessee, Thomas Dimitroff of Atlanta and Jason Licht of Tampa Bay are all current GMs with New England roots.'

'Boston played in 42 games the past three years with the Panthers, making 77 tackles, 10 passes defensed, three interceptions and two sacks. He started 16 games over that time, including 10 in the 2016 season. The Bills are woefully thin behind projected starters Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer at safety. Colt Anderson was re-signed, but he's primarily a contributor on special teams. After that, Jonathan Dowling, Trae Elston, Shamiel Gary, Joe Powell and expected undrafted free agents B.T. Sanders Jeremy Tyler will compete for one or two jobs.'

'Brown is the third candidate to interview with the Pegulas at their home in Boca Raton, Fla, following Panthers' assistant general manager Brandon Beane and Texans director of player personnel Brian Gaine. To this point, Bills coach Sean McDermott hasn't sat in on interviews, according to Rapoport, but he is expected to for the second round of interviews.'

'It's no surprise that the Bills are interested in Boston. He has spent the first three years of his NFL career playing for Bills head coach Sean McDermott. During that time, Boston has appeared in 42 games (16 starts) with the Panthers and recorded 77 total tackles, 10 passes defensed, three interceptions and two sacks.'

'Trey Brown, the Eagles’ director of college scouting, interviewed with Bills ownership on Saturday. Brown was named to the position last May after one year as the assistant director of college scouting and two years as the team’s west coast scout. He also worked for the New England Patriots.'

'Brown's meeting would fulfill the Bills' obligation under the Rooney Rule to interview a minority candidate.'

'With Joe Douglas in control of the personnel department, those changes aren't very surprising. But now it looks like the Eagles could lose another big piece of their scouting department whether they want to or not.'

'Brown has spent the last four seasons with the Eagles and was promoted to his current role in the scouting department less than a year ago.'

'Having played in McDermott's scheme, the move would make sense. However, according to Pro Football Focus Boston ranked 47th out of 90 at the position.'

'Brown has spent the last four seasons in Philadelphia, but being from the Patriots tree helps make him a hot candidate. Others with Patriots backgrounds have had success, including Jon Robinson of the Titans, Jason Licht of the Buccaneers, Bob Quinn of the Lions, and Thomas Dimitroff of the Falcons. Adam Peters, a surprise personnel hire for the 49ers, could be the next one. That connection helps Brown.'

'Brown was named to his current post almost exactly a year ago (May 11). The Eagles hired Brown to be a West Coast area scout in 2013, a role he held for two years before being promoted to assistant director of college scouting in 2015.'

'Not surprisingly, areas of need — tight end, wide receiver, and safety — received extra attention from the Buffalo Bills with their 13 signings of undrafted free agents Friday.'

'According to an NFL source, the team intends to take its time in the GM search, especially because it is the first time team owners Terry and Kim Pegula are going through the process.'

'So while the Pegulas will likely hire a general manager type to replace Whaley, he'll defer to McDermott, whose vision prevails in the organization. It'll be like Kansas City, where John Dorsey is GM but Andy Reid runs the show. Or New England, where there's no GM and Bill Belichick serves the role.'