‘“I’m not sure when Josh Allen came here from Wyoming a lot of people knew who Josh Allen was and what he had done at Wyoming and how talented he was,” Manning said on a recent episode of the “Upon Further Review” podcast. “I can remember that particular year we were doing a competition one day, the college quarterbacks, and it started raining. We didn’t get them off the field because there wasn’t lightning – so we let them go. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone throw a wet football like Josh Allen threw that day.”’
BillsBeat - April 17, 2021
An all-star boycott that called for change long, long ago
‘The players gathered the next morning and discussed a boycott. Several white players, including Kemp and Ron Mix, the Hall of Fame offensive lineman from the Chargers, urged the Black players to stay and play. Another Bills All-Star, Butch Byrd, a rookie cornerback, would later recall to a reporter that Gilchrist was adamant about the boycott: “Like he did many times during games, he just took over, said what he had to say, and made it stick.”‘
Cuomo reacts to Poloncarz vaccine mandate for Bills & Sabres fans
‘“I think his recommendation is plausible,” remarked Governor Andrew Cuomo.’
What will it take for a full house at Highmark Stadium? Gov. Cuomo and Poloncarz at odds over who decides
‘Legally, whether it’s county property or city property, or private party, doesn’t matter. The state has to approve the regulation. But that’s neither here nor there. The question is what should the intelligent regulation be when the season reopens,” added Cuomo.’
Who could the Bills select at No. 30 in the NFL draft?
‘The Bills finished 20th in the league in yards per game, so they could be looking to draft another back since neither Devin Singletary nor Zack Moss broke 100 yards this past season.’
Bills projected 5th highest wins for 2021 season
‘Buffalo is projected to win 10.5 games which is tied for 5th highest with the LA Rams.’
BillsBeat - April 16, 2021
Vaccinations required for Buffalo fans?
‘And, can you imagine the mob scene at entrance gates before kickoff or the opening faceoff with fans – especially tailgaters at Bills games who wait until the last minute – frantic to have apps scanned, ticket holders who inevitably forget their phones or those who merely protest the vaccination policy and gum up the entry process?’
NFL draft preview: Time could be right for Bills to add a cornerback early
‘To this point in the offseason, Beane has not signed a veteran free agent to compete for the starting cornerback job opposite Tre’Davious White – as he’s done the past three years. Perhaps that move is still to come, but if not, there should be options available to Beane – either at No. 30 overall in the first round, or on the draft’s second day – that come in ready to compete for a big role right away.’
Mel Kiper thinks Georgia's Azeez Ojulari is stout enough for Bills
‘“I think when he played with his hand on the ground he was pretty effective,” Kiper said on a conference call with reporters Thursday. “He came on late in the year. He can play obviously standing up. He can cover. He’s a great talent. He’s going to keep getting better. He plays with great energy and enthusiasm for the game. You look at what he did over the final six games of the year, how he really came on. He tested well.”’
The Editorial Board: Proof of inoculation at sports venues will keep us safer, despite the doubters
‘Bills quarterback Josh Allen caused a stir this month when he said on a podcast he wasn’t sure about getting vaccinated, but he would study it because he’s “a big statistics and logical guy.” He has likely gotten a good education on the topic since then; there are plenty of statistics showing the safety and efficacy of the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.’
If Bills are thinking about edge rushers, Tryon and Oweh could be second-round fits
‘With the exception of Michigan’s Kwity Paye – who may be the first edge rusher selected in the 2021 draft, well before the Bills are scheduled to pick at No. 30 in the first round – the other edge rushers considered first- and second-round material fall well short on experience.’
Buffalo Bills OT Trey Adams retires: ‘72 signing out’
‘Adams was once viewed as a potential day one or day two pick in the NFL draft after his sophomore season with the Washington Huskies. Injuries, however, took their toll on the prospect. Adams suffered an ACL tear as a junior that that cost him six games. He gained an extra year of eligibility following the ACL tear, but two bulging disks derailed his red shirt junior year (10 games missed).’
Former UW Huskies left tackle Trey Adams announces retirement from football
‘In large part due to those injuries, Adams was not selected in the 2020 NFL draft — but signed with Buffalo as an undrafted free agent. The former four-star recruit spent the 2020 season on the Bills’ practice squad.’
Bills offensive tackle Trey Adams announces retirement
‘Adams was signed by the Bills as an undrafted free agent last year, highly touted out of the University of Washington, where he had been thought of as an early-round draft pick before injuries hurt his college career. He spent last season on the Bills’ practice squad and was expected to compete for a backup role in 2021.’
ESPN's Mel Kiper predicts the Bills first round pick
‘At 6-3 and 240 pounds Ojulari is known for his speed and power. The Georgia native had 8.5 sacks last season while he added three forced fumbles.’
Bills announce these jersey number changes for 2021
‘The Bills also announced the following number changes for veterans.’
Bills Today | Trey Adams announces his retirement from NFL
‘In college, he appeared in 47 games through five seasons with the Huskies and was named First-Team Pac-12 twice (2016, 2019). He battled through injuries during his college career, suffering a torn ACL in 2017 and a back injury in 2018. He showed resilience and came back stronger in his final year of eligibility, starting in all 12 games for Washington in 2019.’
BillsBeat - April 15, 2021
NFL draft preview: Bills set at linebacker; Micah Parsons to Patriots at No. 15?
‘Milano’s new deal guaranteed $23.5 million at signing and made him one of the highest-paid players on the team, a testament to his impact on defense. But he’s missed 11 games with injuries in four seasons, which makes linebacker depth paramount.’
Cuomo: Erie County can't demand Bills, Sabres fans be vaccinated to attend games
‘Poloncarz responded that no state approval is necessary.’
Miami edge rushers Phillips, Rousseau each have size, speed, but lack experience
‘If that’s true, and the Bills covet either player, it will likely take a trade up, probably into the late teens or early 20s, to procure their man. However, there are enough nitpicky things with each that could result in one or both falling into Buffalo’s range.’
Buffalo Bills most interesting man? Backup QB Davis Webb may take the cake
‘Webb, 26, the son of a high school coach who has long enjoyed a play sheet and film session just as much as throwing a touchdown pass, has found a way to be an invaluable piece for the Bills. He hasn’t given up on his dream to play quarterback in the NFL but he’s working while he waits.’
Will Bills fans have to be vaccinated to attend games? Gov. Cuomo says, ‘we are not there yet’
‘The governor held a conference call on Wednesday and was asked about what Poloncarz said during his briefing in regards to fan attendance. Cuomo said that he did not believe Poloncarz was legally correct and added that the state would have to sign off on any regulations making it mandatory for fans to be fully vaccinated to attend Bills games. He would go on to add that, “We are not there yet.”’
Rachel Bush, Jordan Poyer’s wife, loses it on Twitter over Bills vaccine rule
‘“We have pregnant wives. Wives who are breast-feeding. Wives who have already had Covid (so it’s dangerous to get vaccinated now) etc etc. NONE of us are comfortable with getting the vaccine. NONE of us should be forced to do so in order to watch our own husbands play live,” Bush, who was a regular at Bills homes games pre-pandemic, tweeted.’
Jordan Poyer's wife slams COVID vaccine mandate at Bills games: 'Very disturbed'
‘”I am alarmed by the amount of Americans that think it’s perfectly okay for the government to force an experimental vaccine on citizens. Very disturbed,” she said one tweet.’
Cuomo: State needs to sign off on regulations for fans at Bills games
‘Cuomo’s comments came one day after Erie County Executive Mark Polancarz said he supports full capacity at all Buffalo Bills homes games for the 2021 season, but any fan who wants to attend must show proof of being fully vaccinated.’
Cuomo: Not sure if Poloncarz has authority to make decision on how to allow fans at Highmark Stadium
‘On a conference call Wednesday afternoon, the governor said he does not believe Erie County Executive Poloncarz is legally correct in his assertion that this move to require fans to be fully vaccinated in order to attend home games at Highmark Stadium.’
Bills fans have mixed reactions to vaccine requirement for home games
‘”They’re trying to control people and that’s what they’re doing,” LeBuff said. Me and my family’s opinion is there’s no way they could possibly have tested this product enough. Like how do you know?”‘
After viral donation campaign started by Bills Mafia, organization to donate bags of food to WNY
‘Back in January, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson had to leave the Ravens’ playoff game against the Buffalo Bills due to concussion protocol. Following Jackson’s departure and the Bills win, a Bills fan on Reddit shared that he donated $25 to Jackson’s favorite charity, the Louisville Chapter of Blessings in a Backpack.’
Cuomo: Too early to make decisions on vaccine requirement for stadium attendance
‘“I don’t think the County Executive is legally correct,” Cuomo said Wednesday during a conference call with statewide media. “But besides that, we tend to work in a collaborative with local government and were just not there yet to make those decisions. … Legally, the state would have to sign off on it. Practically, we tend to do it as a collaborative.”’
Attorney Terry Connors provides legal analysis on Erie County’s Bills game vaccination rule
‘That mandate raises many questions, particularly about the legal issues at stake.’
Bills Today | Will Buffalo address the defense with the 30th overall pick?
‘Kelly’s scouting report on Newsome pointed out that he has ideal length, quickness and ball skills and rarely gives up plays over the top, a staple of Buffalo’s secondary play. He also mentioned that durability concerns are what could keep him on the board until the Bills are on the clock.’
BillsBeat - April 14, 2021
Report: Bills look at veteran CB depth with visit by T.J. Carrie
‘While Carrie was the Colts’ No. 4 cornerback last season, he played 43% of the Colts’ defensive snaps, mostly as an outside corner. He started in place of injured Rock Ya-Sin in the wild-card playoff loss in Buffalo.’
NFL draft preview: Bills could bolster run defense with mid- or late-round defensive tackle
‘Interior defensive linemen could represent the weakest position group in the 2021 NFL draft.’
Marv Levy inducted into Canadian Football Hall of Fame
‘The Alouettes were the first professional head coaching gig for Levy. He had been a head coach at the University of New Mexico, the University of California and at William & Mary earlier in his career. He went to Montreal after spending the previous three seasons working as an assistant to Hall of Fame coach George Allen with the Los Angeles Rams and the Washington Redskins.’
Only vaccinated Bills, Sabres fans can attend games this fall
‘Poloncarz announced the vaccination policy after expressing deep disappointment at the sudden drop-off in people making vaccine appointments.’
Erie County Executive Polancarz would welcome fully vaccinated Bills fans to fill stadium
‘Everyone purchasing a ticket has to be fully vaccinated and show proof of such if they plan to attend.’
Bills mock draft 2021: ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. gives Buffalo edge rusher at pick no. 30
‘“With starting defensive ends Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison over the age of 30, the Bills need to get younger on the edge. They took AJ Epenesa in Round 2 last year, but that’s not enough. The speedy pass-rusher Ojulari had 8.5 sacks and three forced fumbles last season. Cornerback and running back are other positions Buffalo could target.”’
Bills to have ‘full house’ at home games in 2021? County to require fans be vaccinated
‘The NFL sent out a memo on Tuesday that informed teams that all employees wishing to be Tier 1 or 2, which allows for less restrictions inside the building, must be vaccinated – unless they have a medical or religious exemption.’
Wednesday's Montreal Coverage
Canadian Football Hall of Fame finally comes calling for Marv Levy (Montreal Gazette)
The merits of Marv Levy finally recognized (Journal de Montreal)
An expectation that makes it all the more special for Marv Levy (RDS)
Marv Levy Addressed The Media About His Nomination (MontrealAlouettes.com)
Buffalo sports fans will need vaccine to attend games
‘“Our goal is to have a 100% full house for the Bills and the Sabres starting in the fall,” Poloncarz said during a daily briefing.’