Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘”Our hearts broken as we have lost our dear brother ezra “Pancho Billa” this morning. We are thankful and forever grateful for all the love and support during this journey. Ezra was surrounded by family and loved ones. At this time we ask for privacy as we mourn our loss,” read the tweet.’

‘Smith is the son of the late Daryle Smith. His father played offensive line at the University of Tennessee before a six-year career in the NFL and a four-year stint in the Canadian Football League. Smith was actually born during his father’s rookie season with the Seattle Seahawks in 1987.’

‘Castro is suffering from stage 4 cancer, which began as a mass around his spine and has spread into his other organs. The Buffalo Bills selected Castro to announce their third-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft in Dallas. The Bills took Stanford defensive tackle Harrison Phillips with the pick and Castro and Phillips have developed a close friendship since.’

‘“We knew about it as we started the off-season program, a week or two before,” said McDermott. “At the end of the day we respect Derek’s decision, he’s been nothing but a joy to work with all the way back to my time in Carolina with Derek and then what value he provided last year, not only on the field but off the field. He was a guy who brought a lot of wisdom to our team and to the quarterback room in particular.”’

‘More than 50 players were on the field including all eight draft picks, eight undrafted free agents, and 36 who are classified as tryout players, put through the paces by a coaching staff that is still trying to figure out names, let alone skill sets.’

‘Offensive linemen (8) – Depth chart: Dion Dawkins, Mitch Morse, Cody Ford, Quinton Spain, Jon Feliciano, Ty Nsekhe, Spencer Long, Wyatt Teller.’

‘Ansah, who was selected No. 5 overall by Detroit in the 2013 draft, has been inconsistent throughout his six years with the Lions. The speedy and athletic 6-foot-5, 275-pounder out of Brigham Young led all rookies with eight sacks. He recorded an NFC-best 14.5 in 2015 and added 12 sacks in 2017 but finished with 2 sacks in 2016 and 4 sacks in 2018. Ansah was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2015 and is fourth on Detroit’s all-time career sacks list with 48. He’s one of 15 players who have produced at least eight sacks in their rookie season over the last 10 years.’

‘In Sean McDermott’s 4-3 defense, Lawson has been used primarily as an edge rusher, and he simply hasn’t given the Bills enough production.’

‘Sills garnered national attention by leading the country in touchdown receptions at West Virginia. But he was in the national spotlight long before that as a middle school quarterback when he received an offer from USC as a 13-year-old. It led to outlets calling Sills the “LeBron James of football,” an impossible moniker for a barely-teenager to live up to. Sills has overcome injuries, scrutiny and college transfers to transform his body and his game. Now his journey has brought him to Buffalo, where he has a shot to earn a spot on an NFL roster.’

‘The offseason priority in Buffalo was clear: Help second-year quarterback Josh Allen. He was up and down in Year 1, but it was tough to fully evaluate him as the offense didn’t have much talent overall, particularly at receiver and tight end. GM Brandon Beane added wide receivers John Brown and Cole Beasley plus tight end Tyler Kroft to give Allen some better targets. The Bills also reshuffled their offensive line, with definite upgrades at center (Mitch Morse) and right tackle (Ty Nsekhe) and a few other low-cost moves.’

‘If they were hooked up to a lie detector machine, it would be revealed that McDermott and Beane — given the salary cap hell the Bills were in which limited their ability to improve the team — hated much of what took place last year, but they also expected most of it.’

‘“Whatever they want me to play, I’ll be up to the challenge to go out there and do what I can to help the team win,” Joseph said. “I’m somebody who’s going to come in and compete at every level, try to give my all and contribute to the team in any way I can. They’re getting someone who really loves the game and wants to be exceptional in everything he does on and off the field.”’

‘“Johnson plays quick and decisive and covers a lot of ground, accounting for 14 turnovers in 29 starts. He is an eager run defender with the toughness required for downhill work, although his overaggressive appetite and lack of length lead to mistakes. Overall, Johnson is the type of tone-setter who affects the game with his passion and intangibles, but his lack of ideal size and speed will create limitations in the pro game, projecting as a special teamer and back-up safety.”’

‘Johnson will get a chance to prove his ability as a pass rusher as he had 19 career sacks and 41 tackles for loss, but more likely, he seems like a special teams candidate or perhaps a practice squad player.’

‘Sweeney played four years for Boston College, starting 47 of 50 games in a pro-style offense, lined up mostly tight and used as a blocker.’