Niagara Gazette

‘“Josh will be getting the big payday soon,” Rex said. “I see a breakthrough year for the kid. I don’t care if they have to give him $35 million a year. They haven’t paid that kind of money for a quarterback in decades. Where did it get them?”’

‘Soon enough, you’ll see professional sports return to New York. Well, not in person.’

‘But when I see people picking them to go 12-4, my dubious side kicks in again. Twelve wins for any NFL team nowadays is a monumental achievement. The Bills could be better and struggle to win 10 games again.’

‘How can they not be favored? The Bills won 10 games last season and should have won 11; they played the Patriots close. Then New England lost Brady and four defensive starters in the offseason while the Bills were trading for Stefon Diggs and adding four significant players to one of the NFL’s best defenses.’

‘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.”’