Two Bills Drive

‘Among the nine players the Bills drafted, Gray said Hairston was the longest conversation in pre-draft meetings for the coaches, scouts and executives. Longest because the position was a big need? Or because the stakes were so high? “A little bit of both,” Gray said. “We take pride in making sure we bring the right guys in from rounds 1-7, but your first 3-4 picks are viewed as cornerstone pieces, and it being a corner, it warranted a long discussion.”’

‘ Beane is absolutely correct that the Bills’ offense scored a lot of points last year. However, that doesn’t mean that being of the opinion that the wide receiver group could use a vertical threat to keep the defense honest is some outlandish idea. It’s quite the opposite, actually. Adding depth to the position and giving Josh Allen every opportunity to flourish should be a goal every offseason. We use the Eagles as an example here in the mailbag, a lot, and for good reason. They are the world champions, and they employ a pair of dynamic receivers, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Wanting the Bills to give Allen similar weapons is totally reasonable. So, too, is Beane’s belief that the defense needed an overhaul. That is the unit that has so often let the team down in the playoffs. There is no argument there.’

‘Right now, most of the South Campus is zoned for residential use, so it would likely require Hamburg to create a new zoning district that accommodates economic development, including ancillary uses to the stadium.’

‘“I’m excited, I really am,” McDermott told me after he appeared at a Buffalo Wegmans supermarket to support and help build awareness for allergen-free foods Thursday. “I believe when you draft, it’s a little like Christmas morning and sometimes, you get exactly what you’re looking for and sometimes, just the way the draft unfolds, you’re not always able to get your hands on everything you’re looking for.”’

‘“I’m really anxious, man,” Coleman said Wednesday night in a phone conversation with The Buffalo News. “It’s a lot of hard work that I’m putting out. I’m praying that I stay healthy the whole year. It’s going to be a fun year.”’

‘“Job well done Mark,” quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick wrote on X. “Always appreciated your professionalism and friendship throughout the years … enjoy retirement!!!”’

‘John Polka, vice president for Bills stadium development, recently said the stadium project, from its infancy, was designed with opportunities in mind for development around the team’s Abbott Road campus.’