Two Bills Drive

‘The Buffalo News asked a half dozen members of the CBS broadcast team – all of whom either played or coached in the NFL – that one question. Here were their respective responses…’.

‘This was supposed to be the year for the Bills. Buffalo’s first two playoff losses to Kansas City had come in Arrowhead Stadium, but this time, the Chiefs had to come to Buffalo. That was no small thing. In an indication of just how great Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been in his career, he had never played in a true road playoff game, because the Chiefs were good enough to earn home games or neutral-site Super Bowl appearances.’

‘“Just learned a lot. I was a young, up-and-coming coach under Rex Ryan, and then to have to take over a team offensively after the second game of the season, that was trial by fire,” Lynn told The Buffalo News this week ahead of Super Bowl LVIII. “But we ended up with a top-10 offense that year. Just learned a lot. I do think the different experiences I had in a short time definitely helped me.”’

‘“Coming to the Boys and Girls Club is always dope, because there’s so many different types of kids here,” Dawkins said. “And I’m bonding with these kids like never before. I’m happy that I’m here. And that’s what makes it all worth it.”’

‘Elam’s rookie contract is affordable, even as a first-round draft pick. He’ll count $3.73 million against the cap next season, and if the Bills traded him before June 1, they’d save just $165,000 in cap space. If they cut him before June 1, they’d have a “dead money” cap charge of more than $8 million. So it makes no sense to do either of those things. By comparison, Leonard Floyd, who’s not even signed for 2024, is scheduled to count $4.376 million in “dead money.” At Elam’s price, even if he’s decent depth, that’s fine at the money he’s making. What they have to hope happens is new cornerbacks coach Jahmile Addae can find a way to break through and unlock the potential the Bills saw in Elam when they traded up in the first round to draft him out of Florida. Clearly, Elam and former defensive backs coach John Butler didn’t click, so maybe a change at position coach will be a good thing.’

‘The extent of Papa’s childhood love for the Bills was illustrated in a wide-ranging telephone interview in which he recalled many highlights in the team’s history with amazing detail. A Paul Seymour touchdown catch in a playoff game. A Charles Romes drop of an interception of a Dan Fouts pass. O.J. Simpson’s record 250-yard game. Dallas speedster Bob Hayes beating the excellent cornerback Robert James for a touchdown. Herb Mul-Key’s kickoff return in the Rich Stadium opener.’

‘As part of the marketing effort, IBN officials are working with the Bills and a network of 71 Bills-backer bars across the country to promote the initiative, which includes a website where anyone who is interested can sign up for monthly updates on job opportunities, lifestyle events and housing.’

‘“I mean, it sucks. I don’t like doing this stuff, you know?” Allen told The Buffalo News as he walked between interviews. “But to partner with some cool brands, again, that kind of comes with the territory. As a kid, you always kind of looked at this and thought, ‘If I’m in this position, I think it would be pretty cool to come out here and do some cool things.’ I guess that makes it a little better to at least be here, but I don’t want to be here.”’

‘Hamlin received more first-place votes (21) than Flacco (13), but a weighted scoring system gave Flacco 151 total points to Hamlin’s 140.’