Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘Two guys who have persevered through personal setbacks and overcome long odds to be in Sunday’s opening day starting lineup for the Bills against the Baltimore Ravens.’

‘This is just the eighth regular-season meeting between the teams since the Ravens were formed in Baltimore in 1996. The Ravens lead the series, 4-3. This is the second time in three years the Bills are opening a season in Baltimore. In 2016, Buffalo dropped a 13-7 decision to the Ravens as the Bills’ offense managed just 11 first downs and 160 yards. LeSean McCoy, one of the few offensive players still with Buffalo, had 58 yards rushing.’

‘But there will be a step backward in 2018 before any steps forward are taken in 2019 and beyond, and that’s just reality. And in a read-between-the-lines sort of way, Beane did acknowledge that before training camp when he said, “This is a new year, but hopefully fans understand or believe in what we’re doing here as a group … that we have it (headed) in the right direction, but we have not arrived, by any means.”’

‘That performance in the so-called “dress rehearsal game’’ for the real thing was the story behind the story as the Bills’ first-unit offense mustered 78 yards, including negative 5 passing, under rookie quarterback Josh Allen.’

‘“So we’ve had guys ‘do it’ through sports, but Kaepernick is a guy doing it right now, so I think it’s a great pairing with Nike and him. To say something is worth sacrificing if you really believe in something (is a powerful message). I don’t think anybody would sacrifice their job right now for certain things, that’s a big sacrifice, it’s how you feed your family. I know I’d be asking, ‘How is this going to affect my job?’’

‘“It doesn’t bother me at all,’’ said center Ryan Groy, who steps in for Wood, a nine-year starter and team leader. “At the end of day, anybody can think what they want. We know what’s in this locker room. We’re going to play hard, with tenacity and get after it.’’’

‘“Honestly, I don’t know how he does it other than the grace of God and the prayers of so many,” she wrote. “And of course being ‘Kelly Tough.’”’

‘Peterman was the clear-cut winner of the three-way competition that also included rookie Josh Allen and free agent acquisition A.J. McCarron. So confident are the Bills in Peterman, and Allen’s ability to be the backup, they traded McCarron on Saturday to the Oakland Raiders and received a 2019 fifth-round draft pick in return.’

‘“It makes it certainly gratifying as a coach to be able to reward a young man who has earned it,” McDermott said. “He went through some adversity. Not only last season but in his college career. We’ve all been through that. If you go through some adversity early in life, you’re that much more prepared for it later in life and that to me, that becomes a character trait that’s good to have.”’

‘Allen certainly would have been the better marketing choice, but Peterman was superior on the field, which is all that should matter.’

‘So much for McCarron being “absolutely” in the starting discussion per McDermott Thursday night in Chicago.’

‘About 1,100 players are now without a team so Buffalo will still make moves to solidify it’s opening day roster and form a practice squad.’

‘McCloud hurt his knee Thursday, and depending on the seriousness, he may be unavailable. Too bad because while he’s not ready to help on offense, he showed kick return ability. If he’s out, I’d keep Brandon Reilly who I think has potential. If nothing else, the Bills should be able to get Reilly back onto their practice squad, as well as Cam Phillips who showed production in practice.’

‘Phil Sklar, co-founder and CEO of the National Bobblehead HOF and Museum, said in an email: “Given that the bobblehead commemorates last season, it’s more appropriate for it to be the version of Billy Buffalo from last year. And from the sounds of it … fans prefer the old Billy Buffalo.”’

‘The Bills were down to fourth-and-23 from their own 3-yard line with under two minutes left but McCarron bought time in the pocket and threw a dart to Keith Towbridge for the winning TD pass with 13 seconds left. McCarron finished 13 of 34 for 156 yards, 3 TDs and 2 INTs and he also scrambled for 54 yards and a TD.’