Niagara Gazette

‘I won’t begin to pretend to be some draftnik who claims to know how certain players will turn out. I could not have named four of the seven players the Bills ended up drafting before Saturday. But Beane’s history — the Bills have gotten at least three starting-caliber players out of each of his previous three drafts, and 16 of the 22 players picked remain on the team — has earned him the benefit of the doubt. Assuming he knows what he’s doing, the Bills got better this week.’

‘But we still play the old guessing game: Where will they go with their first pick? Offense or defense? Do they add another skill player or O lineman to help Josh Allen in his critical third year as franchise QB? Or does McDermott get another piece for a defense that’s been top three in yards the last two seasons?’

‘Experts are reluctant to make them the AFC East favorite. The Bills will be better, but it doesn’t always translate in wins. The schedule will be tougher, with crossovers against the AFC West and NFC West, plus the Steelers and Titans.’

‘With the COVID-19 pandemic putting many things in the sports world on hold, though, it’ll be interesting to see if the Bills can get a deal together to keep their best player in town before the 2020 season kicks off. That’s if we even get a 2020 season.’

‘But there are no excuses now. The time for coddling Allen and coaching to his limitations is over. Beane has given him one of the best group of receiving weapons in the NFL. Allen needs to make full use of that offensive stable and take the passing game to another competitive level.’

‘Over a span of about 10 hours late Monday into early Tuesday, the Buffalo Bills went from plucky playoff hopeful to AFC East favorite. They made the all-in move many had been hoping for, and their greatest rival folded away half its stack.’

‘The potential impact on taxpayers must be considered as part of any equation where they will be expected to underwrite expensive stadium upgrades or construction. And, it would be counterproductive for the team to pursue a new facility if it means ticket prices need to be raised to the point where average Bills fans are shut out of the market.’

‘Demone Harris, former University at Buffalo edge rusher, has found himself waking up today for “Super Sunday” and living out a lifelong dream. It’s been a journey to this point — from just beginning to play football during his junior year at Bishop Timon, to walking on to join the Bulls roster, Harris is now finding a home with his third team over the past two seasons.’

‘It’s fine to gush about Sean McDermott, who has done wonderful things since becoming head coach three years ago this month. But history will likely reflect that he made a colossal mistake by trading the 10th overall pick to his mentor, Andy Reid, on the night of that ’17 NFL draft.’

‘It’s understandable if Bills fans are tired of waiting. I’m sure they noticed that three of the four QBs in the AFC divisional round — Jackson, Houston’s Deshaun Watson and Mahomes — were guys the Bills passed over in the draft.’

‘“They’ll say, ‘This is a team that won the division,’ or advanced in the playoffs or whatever. So you’re going to get everyone’s best next season and you better prepare for it. There’s no sneaking up on anyone or people underestimating the Buffalo Bills. “That will be a different test,” Beane said, “and we didn’t always answer that in Carolina. Sean (McDermott) and I have talked about that, and it will be something we definitely focus on this offseason and into training camp.”’

‘Then reality came calling. In the end, the Bills played like a young team that wasn’t quite ready for the biggest stage. They had an opponent down and couldn’t put them away. In the most crucial moments, they lost their poise and went to pieces when the Texans got up off the mat.’

‘“I would love to be a coach,” he said, “to have more skin in the game, to feel a win and a loss. Coaching is appealing. I think I would be good at it. It think it would be rewarding. But the amount of hours those guys put in nowadays, I am not willing at this point to be away from my family that much.”’

‘Alexander’s parents came in for the game. He stood proudly with his wife and his other children as Zoie sang, thinking “Don’t forget the words, don’t forget the words.” He said a few of his teammates were crying afterwards. It was that sort of moment.’

‘That’s the thing about Allen. For all his flaws, he has a way of rising up late in games. He has a soaring belief, one that Bills fans have begun to share. But he also holds himself to a high standard and doesn’t hide from the reality of his own shortcomings.’