Niagara Gazette

‘More than Tre’Davious White’s slow recovery from an ACL tear or the Bills’ revolving door at the cornerback spot opposite him, it was clear that losing Hyde was the biggest blow to the secondary last season.’

‘Certainly his elbow impacted his performance, but Allen made some critical mistakes that he hasn’t since his first two seasons. No player has thrown more interceptions the last three years and the guy who had one pick in his first six playoff games had three in two postseason games last year.’

‘Murphy attended high school at DeSales and eventually earned a degree from Syracuse University. Murphy was given the Dick Gallagher Legacy Award by the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 2022.’

‘“(Beane), Sean, Kim and I have a very good relationship with open discussions, debate and a lot of communication,” Bills owner Terry Pegula said in a statement on the team’s website.’

‘On Wednesday, McDermott back-tracked to say that he did excuse Diggs from practice, but again declined to provide any more details other than saying he believes the Bills and Diggs are “in a real good spot.”’

‘It’s foolish to think McDermott or any other member of the Bills would publicly divulge the details of the spat, but in an attempt to bury a perceived distraction, they created an even bigger one.’

‘Multiple outlets reported Diggs reported to the stadium for a physical Monday and was in the building Tuesday morning. But by the time coach Sean McDermott reached the podium just before noon, Diggs was gone and was the lone absentee during practice.’

‘Allen, who has been a vocal proponent of the video game franchise, started last season with a 92 overall rating in the game and peaked at 96 during the season. Being named to the cover confirms his status as one of the NFL’s best and most popular players.’

‘It remains to be seen how Kincaid will fare when defenders are permitted to use more contact in practices and games. Kincaid must prove he can get off the line of scrimmage despite getting chipped or bumped and if he can maintain his concentration on catches with a defender ready to give him a smack.’

‘Hamlin took part in stretching, which was customary the first two weeks, but then he was an active participant in special teams and then again during 11-on-11 portions of practice.’

‘From Bills brass like the Pegula family to general manager Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott to politicians like Gov. Kathy Hochul and Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, they all took turns sliding shovels into the dirt and tossing it into the air to start a new era of Buffalo Bills football.’

‘“Coaching is being honest, not only with your players, but yourself and making sure that if you didn’t like something, ‘OK, we could probably get away from what we’re doing here,’” Dorsey said. “I think you look at those things … and evaluate it and if it’s not something that fits our personnel, fits our identity, then we’re not going to run it as much. If it is then we’re going to continue to grow.”’

‘The Bills started six different cornerbacks and six safeties during the season as a unit that was once one of the best secondaries in the NFL was ravaged. But when Poyer returned to the field during voluntary organized team activities, the Buffalo was at full strength for the first time since Thanksgiving 2021.’

‘If the Bills are interested in Hopkins, the first thing to understand is that they aren’t getting the same player who made five Pro Bowls in six seasons.’

‘“Josh taking his game to another level really means being a great decision maker,” McDermott said. “… It’s been talked about adjusting his style of play enough to keep himself healthy and to play smarter at times, as well. And then I just think overall approach to the game. I’ve seen a different Josh this offseason. Not that it was bad before, but he’s got a new sense of focus, I would say, and determination, which is good.”’