Niagara Gazette

‘They need to get the offense rolling in a hurry this time around, particularly at the start of the game. Arizona gave up nearly as many passing touchdowns (32) as times they sacked the quarterback (33), ranking 30th in the league in both categories.’

‘“Bobby is just a lot more energetic and juiced every single day,” Bills cornerback Taron Johnson told the Gazette. “That’s something that’s just different. I like it. It rubs off on the other players, so which in turn, gives us that same energy, that same juice that he puts out.”’

‘John Percy, president and CEO of Niagara County’s lead tourism agency, Destination Niagara, said the NFL fan impact on Niagara Falls and surrounding communities tends to be greater when the Bills have home games against opponents within driving distance, citing Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns fans as two examples. “When there are drivable teams, teams within a driving distance, we do see an influx of rooms and an impact from those teams that are probably in an eight-hour radius,” Percy said.’

‘“When the season starts, it gets really busy,” said Alexa Territo, the manager of Totally Buffalo’s Lewiston location at 467 Center St.’

‘Bernard is so in-tune with his body composition that he can tell when his weight fluctuates a few pounds, but there’s also a mental aspect. When Bernard sees a specific number on the scale, he knows that hard work went into reaching it and how his body performs at that weight.’

‘“I thank everybody in this entire building from the top down for supporting me and giving me the space to allow me to heal and have my process exactly how I needed it to go,” Hamlin said. “… Last season was primarily just about healing and making myself do the hard stuff, thrusting myself into things that were uncomfortable, that made me fearful or gave me anxiety. But I was doing the hard stuff last year to make it easier this year.”’

‘“Got a lot of faith in him,” Allen said. “He’s a smart player, he’s much faster than you think, he’s got a very big catch radius for smaller arms, too. He finds ways to go up and get the ball. He’s not afraid to go and catch it with the safety right in front of his face. He just does all the little things right.”’

‘Virgil was placed on injured reserve near the end of training camp last year and was waived by the Broncos during final cuts Tuesday. Cain was signed ahead of the final preseason game after trying to reboot his career in the United Football League, catching three passes for 28 yards against the Carolina Panthers in the preseason finale.’

‘“We would have probably loved to maybe play a little bit more of the offense, but circumstances dictated things to be a little different as far as getting Josh and the first group out there a little more,” Beane said. “You react the best you can to each situation. Those guys have had a lot of work. I think Sean (McDermott) and the coaches have done a good job of giving them a lot of competitive one-on-ones.”’

‘Club members who visit the bar for 10 or more games will be eligible to win a “Bills tailgate” package featuring team merchandise and clothing valued at more than $500.’

‘Andreessen spent the day at home in Lancaster — where he will be one of the few NFL players to live with his parents — and that dreaded phone call never came. For the Bills, the call only comes when a player doesn’t make the team.’

‘“There was so many mixed emotions,” Codrington said Wednesday. “I didn’t know. Am I going to make the Jets? Am I going to get cut? Am I going to be on the practice squad? Next thing I know, I’m with another team. It just felt good (to be wanted).”’

‘There were a few eyebrow-raising moves, like trading swapping 2026 late-round picks with the New York Jets to add rookie cornerback and return specialist Brandon Codrington, a North Carolina Central product who had a 63-yard kick return and a 31-yard punt return during the preseason. That led to the Bills waiving sixth-round pick Daequan Hardy, who had been the team’s top returner during the preseason.’

‘The 2021 first-round pick played almost exclusively on the left side during his first two NFL seasons, but with Leonard Floyd and Von Miller favoring that position, Rousseau was moved around frequently last season, finishing with five sacks, down from eight in 2022. With Floyd off to San Francisco, Rousseau is back in his natural spot and that could help him get to the quarterback more often.’

‘“Special teams is how I got in this league,” Shavers said. “… I don’t feel any differently about special teams than I do about offense. I look at it as another opportunity to make a play.”’