‘According to Beane, Buffalo and Cleveland had started to work on the framework of a deal for Cooper even before the Bills kicked off their Monday night game against the Jets. The Bills GM was in contact with Browns GM Andrew Berry starting Sunday night.’
BillsBeat - October 17, 2024
'A fresh beginning, a new start' | Amari Cooper reacts to joining the Bills
‘Despite his quiet demeanor, Cooper said that he is excited about the opportunity to play, equating Tuesday’s drive from Cleveland to Orchard Park like driving to his first day of school. “It’s just that feeling of, having a fresh beginning, a new start, a blank canvas that you get to control your destiny,” Cooper said.’
BillsBeat - October 16, 2024
Bills address a big need by swinging trade for Browns receiver Amari Cooper
‘The Bills, meanwhile, clearly need help at the position. Khalil Shakir has started strong as the team’s primary slot receiver, but the rest of the group – second-round rookie Keon Coleman and veterans Mack Hollins, Curtis Samuel and Marquez Valdes-Scantling – has struggled to create separation for quarterback Josh Allen. To make room for Cooper on the 53-man roster, the team released Valdes-Scantling, who had just two catches for 26 yards in the first five games and was held without a target against the Jets on Monday.’
Upon Further Review: The penalty total in the Bills-Jets game was an NFL season high. Here's why
‘According to research from The Buffalo News, since the beginning of the 2020 season, only three such games have had at least 22 combined penalties, with 11 on each team and at least 204 lost yards. This was only the second time it’s happened in a game involving the Jets, joining an Oct. 6, 1985, win over the Bengals. It was the sixth time it’s happened in Bills franchise history, the most recent having come in an Oct. 4, 2015, loss to the Giants.’
Veteran DE Dawuane Smoot steps into starting lineup for Bills
‘Rousseau led the defensive ends with 47 snaps (75%), followed by Smoot, who got the start and played 43 snaps (68%). Smoot got the start over Epenesa, who had started the first five games of the season. Epenesa ended up playing 35 snaps against the Jets (56%).’
Joe Brady watch: Bills mixed personnel a lot, and run game was efficient
‘Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady mixed up his personnel groups more than any game so far this season, using eight different combinations, not counting the kneel-downs at the end of the game. The run game when the Bills spread out the Jets’ defense with three wide receivers (11 personnel) was especially good. The Bills rushed 11 times for 65 yards, a 5.9-yard average. And nine of the 11 runs were successful, meaning the gained the minimum desired yardage depending on the down.’
Position grades: Bills' attack rebounds as offensive line paves way on first-down runs
‘Quarterback (5.0). The bad trends from the previous two games were reversed. The Jets blitzed Allen 13 times in 36 dropbacks, according to Buffalo News charting. But he kept the chains moving, completing 6 of 10 passes for 73 yards versus blitzes, plus a defensive pass interference play. Allen also was great under pressure, including on the 42-yard pass to Ray Davis and the 12-yard TD pass to Dawson Knox.’
Former pro athletes with Toronto ties reportedly in talks to buy Bills' minority stake
‘Former NBA stars Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady and former U.S. Soccer star Jozy Altidore were all in attendance at Highmark Stadium when the Buffalo Bills played a Monday night home game last month.’
Alan Pergament: Buck, Aikman balance humor, strategy in crazy Bills win that will be even funnier in retrospect
‘When they weren’t refereeing whether officials got the calls right or finding humor in weird plays, Buck and Aikman were at their best addressing key plays in the game.’
Buffalo Bills trade for Amari Cooper: What we know
‘Essentially, he is what Stefon Diggs is in terms of age and experience, but obviously, he comes to Buffalo at a pittance in salary compared to what Diggs would have cost had he still been in Buffalo.’
Will Ray Davis cut into James Cook’s workload? 3 questions as Bills prepare for Titans
‘In 17 games last year, the Bills allowed 55 running plays of 10 yards or more which was 10th-most in the league, and they finished 28th in yards allowed per carry at 4.6. Obviously, those numbers were not great, but it has gotten much worse in 2024. Through six games they’ve already been gouged for 26 runs of at least 10 yards which is tied for second-most in the NFL, and their 5.3 yield per rush is dead last.’
An ugly win exactly what Bills needed
‘Remember those preseason odds from August that put the Jets a nose ahead of Buffalo to win the AFC East? New York entered the night with a chance to take first place and ended it in third. And the Bills, despite their discouraging losses to two current division leaders (Baltimore and Houston) sit mostly unchallenged, with two games in the win column and head-to-head road victories over both Miami and the Jets.’
Buffalo Bills trade for Cleveland Browns receiver Amari Cooper
‘The Browns have started 1-5 and have shifted into rebuild mode. Franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson has struggled again this season and he’s still on the books for 2025 and 2026 with cap hits north of $70 million.’
Amari Cooper reacts to joining Josh Allen and Buffalo Bills following trade with Browns
‘“(General manager) Andrew Berry called me and told me what was going on,” Cooper told Josina Anderson. “As far as playing with Josh (Allen) I’ve always been fan of his game. I’m sure to see it up close and personal and play alongside him, I’m sure it’s going to be great.” “I’ve been in this situation before, so that helps. I’m just excited to turn a new chapter and to be able to contribute.”’
Buffalo Bills acquiring Amari Cooper ‘feels like a heist’ (Media reactions to trade with Browns)
‘Following the trade, multiple media outlets reacted to Buffalo adding Cooper. Across the board, every media personality featured feels that Buffalo’s roster improved to the point where the Bills have one of the best teams in the league. Here’s a look at what media personalities said after the trade was announced.’