Niagara Gazette

‘Greg Rousseau had three sacks and a forced fumble in a season-opening win against the Arizona Cardinals. After flickering for three seasons, it was the type of performance that would indicate the light was about to stay on.’

‘Beane was part of two Super Bowl teams in Carolina that had hulking defensive lines. The 2003 Panthers featured Kris Jenkins (335 pounds) and Brentson Buckner (335), while the 2015 squad had Kawann Short and Star Lotulelei, both of whom were 315.’

‘The NFL Players Association polled 1,695 players to provide information about their current teams. Players are asked to vote on nine categories — family treatment, cafeteria, nutritionists/dieticians, locker room, training room, training staff, weight room, strength coaches, team travel, head coach and owner.’

‘While the Buffalo Bills brass is getting to know their next potential crop of players, they locked up one they already have.’

‘Being good is no longer enough for many people. A Super Bowl is the only thing that can quench their thirst.’

‘The Buffalo Bills simply weren’t up to par on special teams. Sean McDermott was adamant about keeping the team’s special teams coordinator, Matthew Smiley, four days after the season ended.’

‘Sean McDermott is in Indianapolis to scout the next crop of players to enter the NFL. But his week started by discussing prospective rule changes.’

‘Defense is expected to be the talk of the offseason, specifically defensive line play. But the Bills also didn’t perform to their usual standard in the secondary in 2024 and the two groups are intertwined, especially in McDermott’s scheme.’

‘Brandon Beane might not have a restful offseason. Not only will his next 2 ½ months be consumed with the salary cap, draft and free agency, but the Buffalo Bills general manager also has to start looking toward the future. And five potential cornerstones in the coming year are set to enter free agency in 2026.’

‘The Bills struggled to stop the run, couldn’t get off the field after third down and were carved to bits by the Kansas City Chiefs in a season-ending playoff loss.’

‘Sometimes losses truly expose weaknesses and sometimes it makes people view the big picture through a cloudy lens. Losing to the same team four times in five years is enough to make you mad.’

‘The Buffalo Bills ran 603 running plays (including the playoffs) and 602 passing plays and became the first team in NFL history with 30 rushing and 30 passing scores in a season. It was the first time the Bills ran more than they threw since 2015.’

‘There’s a price to be paid for being good in the NFL.’

‘Two days after the Bills fired longtime assistant Matthew Smiley, the team has hired Chris Tabor to replace him. Tabor has 15 years of NFL experience coaching special teams, including 12 as the coordinator.’

‘Since 2021, the Eagles have allocated nine of their 13 picks in the first three rounds to defensive players, including three consecutive first-round picks. In the playoffs those picks produced 16 tackles for a loss, 14 sacks, three forced fumbles and three interceptions.’