Wed 6/19 11:00 AMX
Yardbarker
Bills' Jeff Tuel to show off baseball skills in Toronto[Yardbarker: Wed 6/19 11:00 AM]
Bills' Jeff Tuel to show off baseball skills in Toronto
Source: Yardbarker
The Buffalo Bills won't be competing at Rogers Centre until Week 13 this year, but some of the team's rookies have plans for some north of the border fun a bit earlier than that.According to the team's official Twitter feed, the first-year players are headed to Toronto on Wednesday for some batting practice with the Blue Jays before catching the game against the Colorado Rockies. One of those players is undrafted free agent Jeff Tuel, who spoke with John Murphy Tuesday about the cross-border trip and his own baseball background."I'm pretty fired up about it," Tuel said. "I've got a big baseball background so I'll be swinging for the fences, that's for sure."Tuel told Murphy that his experience dates back to his youth, and that he played baseball as much as he did football growing up. Rotating between third base and pitcher, Tuel left the game his senior year of high school to fully dedicate himself to football."It's like ridin...
Wed 6/19 11:00 AMX
Inside The Bills
Jets added rest before facing Bills not new[Inside The Bills: Wed 6/19 11:00 AM]
Jets added rest before facing Bills not new
Source: Inside The Bills by Chris Brown
We showed how the division rival Jets have a decided scheduling advantage this season against the Bills in that they’re coming off a Thursday night game in Week 2 to face the Bills off 10 days rest in Week 3. Then they come off their bye week in Week 10 to face Buffalo in Week 11. As ludicrous an advantage as that might sound it’s not the first time. In fact this marks the second time it’s happened in three years.
In 2011, the Jets, off their bye in Week 8 played the Bills in Week 9 and won going away 27-11.
Three weeks later New York coming off a 10-day rest following a Thursday night game beat Buffalo again 28-24.
You can look at the
Wed 6/19 10:00 AMX
Yahoo! Sports
Bills complain about bye-week scheduling (NBC Sports)[Yahoo! Sports: Wed 6/19 10:00 AM]
Bills complain about bye-week scheduling (NBC Sports)
Source: Yahoo! Sports
The NFL undoubtedly hears plenty of complaints from plenty of teams on plenty of issues. Most of those complaints are communicated privately to the league office. The Bills have opted to take one specific gripe public, via the team’s official website. The concern arises from one of the apparently unavoidable scheduling quirks — the number…
Wed 6/19 9:45 AMX
The Buffalo News
Bills declare 2013 schedule unfair[The Buffalo News: Wed 6/19 9:45 AM]
Bills declare 2013 schedule unfair
Source: The Buffalo News by Blog Editor
By Tim Graham
The NFL regular season doesn't begin for nearly three months, and
already the Buffalo Bills are complaining about their schedule.
BuffaloBills.com has produced a breakdown of how unfair their
2013 schedule is and calls on the NFL to change its procedures for assembling 512 regular-season games.
"While we all realize the perfect NFL schedule is
almost impossible to achieve," writes Chris Brown of BuffaloBills.com,
"it's hard to think that a league that is typically ahead of the curve
doesn't realize how much this year's NFL schedule is slanted
Wed 6/19 9:45 AMX
Inside The Bills
Half of Bills division games vs. rested foes[Inside The Bills: Wed 6/19 9:45 AM]
Half of Bills division games vs. rested foes
Source: Inside The Bills by Chris Brown
As we profiled on Buffalobills.com Wednesday, Buffalo and Atlanta are the only two clubs with four or more games against opponents coming off of extra rest the week before. The Bills and Falcons also hold the dubious distinction of another scheduling disadvantage.
Buffalo and Atlanta are also the only two teams that have two or more of their division games among those in which they face an opponent off extra rest. Here’s how it lays out.
Teams who face three division opponents off extra rest
Buffalo – NYJ twice, Miami
Teams who face two division opponents off extra rest
Atlanta – Tampa, Carolina
There is no other club in the league that faces more than one opponent off extra rest that is a
Wed 6/19 9:45 AMX
Inside The Bills
NFL scheduling does Bills, Falcons no favors[Inside The Bills: Wed 6/19 9:45 AM]
NFL scheduling does Bills, Falcons no favors
Source: Inside The Bills by Chris Brown
While we all realize the perfect NFL schedule is almost impossible to achieve, it’s hard to think that a league that is typically ahead of the curve doesn’t realize how much this year’s NFL schedule is slanted against the Bills and Falcons.
To fully lay out all the schedule disadvantaged clubs that we profiled on the home page of Buffalobills.com, here’s the comprehensive list that we compiled in terms of the number of teams each club has to face coming more than a week of rest either via a Thursday night game the week prior or a bye week for 2013.
Teams that play against 5 teams with extra rest
Buffalo
Teams that play against 4 teams with extra rest
Atlanta
Teams that play against 3
Wed 6/19 8:30 AMX
The Buffalo News
Canisius High football reaps Tyrone Wheatley progeny harvest[The Buffalo News: Wed 6/19 8:30 AM]
Canisius High football reaps Tyrone Wheatley progeny harvest
Source: The Buffalo News by Blog Editor
By Tim Graham
Chalk up Canisius High as being in favor of Doug Marrone's
arrival.
St. Joe's? Maybe not so much.
That's because when Marrone was hired as Buffalo Bills head
coach, he brought Tyrone Wheatley with him from Syracuse to coach running backs. Wheatley's
son is blue-chip recruit Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
Buffalo News reporter Keith McShea writes on his Prep Talk
blog Wheatley Jr., who will be a junior and already has received scholarship
offers from Alabama, Michigan,
Penn State, North Carolina
and Syracuse, will
attend Canisius High.
McShea calls it "one of the most
Wed 6/19 8:15 AMX
The Buffalo News
Canisius High football reaps Tyrone Wheately progeny harvest[The Buffalo News: Wed 6/19 8:15 AM]
Canisius High football reaps Tyrone Wheately progeny harvest
Source: The Buffalo News by Blog Editor
By Tim Graham
Chalk up Canisius High as being in favor of Doug Marrone's
arrival.
St. Joe's? Maybe not so much.
That's because when Marrone was hired as Buffalo Bills head
coach, he brought Tyrone Wheatley with him from Syracuse to coach running backs. Wheatley's
son is blue-chip recruit Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
Buffalo News reporter Keith McShea writes on his Prep Talk
blog Wheatley Jr., who will be a junior and already has received scholarship
offers from Alabama, Michigan,
Penn State, North Carolina
and Syracuse, will
attend Canisius High.
McShea calls it "one of the most
Wed 6/19 8:15 AMX
AFC East Blog
Morning take: Aaron Hernandez update[AFC East Blog: Wed 6/19 8:15 AM]
Morning take: Aaron Hernandez update
Source: AFC East Blog
Here are the most interesting stories Wednesday in the AFC East:
Massachusetts police searched the home of New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez in connection with a homicide investigation.
Morning take: The important thing is that Hernandez is not a suspect. However, it’s hard to tell how serious a matter this will be until all the facts are released.
It looks unlikely that the Miami Dolphins will sign defensive tackle Randy Starks to a contract extension.
Wed 6/19 8:00 AMX
Buffalo Rumblings
Buffalo Bills schedule 2013: opponents have bye week advantage[Buffalo Rumblings: Wed 6/19 8:00 AM]
Buffalo Bills schedule 2013: opponents have bye week advantage
Source: Buffalo Rumblings by Brian Galliford
When the NFL releases its regular season schedule each spring, a favorite pastime for Buffalo Bills fans is to comb through the slate of games and figure out how many times the Bills get screwed playing against the New England Patriots a week after the Pats' bye.
Chris Brown of BuffaloBills.com took that exercise a step further in a post published this morning, revealing that the Bills play more games than any other NFL team against teams coming off of extra rest in 2013.
Wed 6/19 8:00 AMX
Buffalo Rumblings
Buffalo Bills news, 6/19: Nathaniel Hackett shares offensive insight[Buffalo Rumblings: Wed 6/19 8:00 AM]
Buffalo Bills news, 6/19: Nathaniel Hackett shares offensive insight
Source: Buffalo Rumblings by Matt Warren
Bills Focus: Nathaniel Hackett Sit Down Part 1 - VIDEO - BuffaloBills.com
"The Bills offensive coordinator sits down with Chris Brown to talk about why all the offensive players get the QB notes, how fast the offense can run, and his outlook for C.J. Spiller."
More clicks
Bills’ coach Marrone needs to be careful - Sports - The Buffalo News
"Look, I
Wed 6/19 6:16 AMX
BuffaloBills.com
NFL scheduling in need of regulations[BuffaloBills.com: Wed 6/19 6:16 AM]
NFL scheduling in need of regulations
Source: BuffaloBills.com by Chris Brown
The Buffalo Bills are at a decided scheduling disadvantage in 2013 as in years past.
Wed 6/19 2:30 AMX
Yahoo! Sports
Dr. Robert Watkins releases statement on Gronkowski back surgery (NBC Sports)[Yahoo! Sports: Wed 6/19 2:30 AM]
Dr. Robert Watkins releases statement on Gronkowski back surgery (NBC Sports)
Source: Yahoo! Sports
Tight end Rob Gronkowski underwent yet another surgery Tuesday as part of an offseason filled with procedures aimed at patching the New England Patriots star back together. This surgery was to address a problematic back. The surgery was said to have gone well and now the surgeon who performed the procedure, Dr. Robert Watkins, has…
Tue 6/18 6:45 PMX
Buffalo Rumblings
Jairus Byrd contract update: no movement yet, per report[Buffalo Rumblings: Tue 6/18 6:45 PM]
Jairus Byrd contract update: no movement yet, per report
Source: Buffalo Rumblings by Brian Galliford
We are now less than four weeks (27 days) away from a July 15 deadline for NFL teams to sign their franchise tagged players to long-term deals. According to a report from Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, the Buffalo Bills and free safety Jairus Byrd have yet to make much progress on that front.
"There hasn't been any real movement in these talks, according to sources, so based on that alone one might not be optimistic," La Canfora wrote earlier this
Tue 6/18 6:45 PMX
AFC East Blog
Report: Hernandez questioned by police[AFC East Blog: Tue 6/18 6:45 PM]
Report: Hernandez questioned by police
Source: AFC East Blog
It's been a tough offseason for tight ends of the New England Patriots. The latest situation involves fourth-year player Aaron Hernandez, who was questioned by police Tuesday in relation to a homicide investigation, according to a report by Sports Illustrated.
A source told Sports Illustrated that Hernandez is not a suspect. However, police are investigating a SUV rented in Hernandez’s name that might have a connection to the body found of a 27-year-old man earlier this week in North Attleboro, Mass.
Tue 6/18 6:30 PMX
BuffaloBills.com
Bryan Scott hosts USA Football FUNdamentals camp[BuffaloBills.com: Tue 6/18 6:30 PM]
Bryan Scott hosts USA Football FUNdamentals camp
Source: BuffaloBills.com
Bills linebacker Bryan Scott invited over 100 young athletes to the Ralph Wilson Stadium field as he hosted the Team B-Scott and USA Football FUNdamentals Camp.
Tue 6/18 6:30 PMX
BuffaloBills.com
Bills show support for Heads Up Football[BuffaloBills.com: Tue 6/18 6:30 PM]
Bills show support for Heads Up Football
Source: BuffaloBills.com
The Bills and USA Football provided area coaches with the opportunity to learn about player safety, as dozens of area coaches met for a full day Player Safety Coach Training in the Bills Healthy Zone Fieldhouse.
Tue 6/18 5:30 PMX
AFC East Blog
Twitter reaction: Ryan Tannehill projections[AFC East Blog: Tue 6/18 5:30 PM]
Twitter reaction: Ryan Tannehill projections
Source: AFC East Blog
Last weekend, we wrote an interesting column on setting Year 2 expectations for Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Miami spent a lot of money and resources to boost the roster this year. However, the Dolphins will only go as far as Tannehill takes them.
To further the topic, I took the conversation to Twitter to ask Miami fans what kind of numbers they expected from Tannehill in 2013.
Here were some of the responses:
@JamesWalkerESPN 3,800 yrds 25 tds 10 ints i think thats reasonable and a solid season
— LetsgoPhins!
Tue 6/18 4:45 PMX
The Buffalo News
A breakdown of EJ Manuel's contract, signing bonus[The Buffalo News: Tue 6/18 4:45 PM]
A breakdown of EJ Manuel's contract, signing bonus
Source: The Buffalo News by Blog Editor
By Tim Graham
EJ Manuel's contract numbers are in.
The Buffalo Bills' rookie quarterback -- the first selected in April's draft -- has a fully guaranteed
contract worth exactly $8,885,300 over four years with a club option for a fifth year. Earlier
today, Buffalo News reporter Mark Gaughan explained how the option works under
the collective bargaining agreement.
Manuel's money is distributed as a signing bonus and base
salaries. There are no workout or roster bonuses.
2013: $405,000 base salary; $4,842,036 signing
Tue 6/18 4:15 PMX
AFC East Blog
Video: Chad Johnson not giving up on NFL[AFC East Blog: Tue 6/18 4:15 PM]
Video: Chad Johnson not giving up on NFL
Source: AFC East Blog
Former New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins and Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Johnson is not giving up on his dream to play in the NFL again. Johnson went on ABC’s “Good Morning America” Tuesday to discuss his future and lessons learned in his first media appearance since spending a week in a Florida jail.
Johnson violated probation that stemmed from a domestic dispute with his former wife, Evelyn Lozada. Johnson showed up in court not expecting jail time.
Tue 6/18 3:30 PMX
AFC East Blog
AFC East chat preview[AFC East Blog: Tue 6/18 3:30 PM]
AFC East chat preview
Source: AFC East Blog
The offseason workouts are officially in the books. Let's chat about it.
Join me at 4 p.m. ET Tuesday for our weekly chat on the AFC East. We will discuss all the latest with the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and New York Jets. We can also discuss the wildly-popular topic of new Patriots quarterback Tim Tebow. Or we can keep this chat a Tebow-free zone. The choice is yours.
Here is the link. Don’t miss the AFC East party.
Tue 6/18 3:15 PMX
Yardbarker
Bills, Jairus Byrd reportedly not close to getting a deal done[Yardbarker: Tue 6/18 3:15 PM]
Bills, Jairus Byrd reportedly not close to getting a deal done
Source: Yardbarker
According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, there’s been no movement between the Buffalo Bills and safety Jairus Byrd who’s currently holding out after being slapped with the franchise tag.
There hasn’t been any real movement in these talks, according to sources, so based on that alone one might not be optimistic. But, man, the Bills cannot afford to risk losing any good young talent. This ball hawk is a difference maker, and if Buffalo can ever get that pass rush thing figured out, then the opportunities for Byrd to get his hands on the ball only increase. The Bills are sitting on about $20 million of cap space, fourth-most in the NFL, and getting Byrd off the tag will actually create more space for them over time. You don’t overspend like mad on Mario Williams only to let your homegrown talent depart, and franchising again Byrd in 2013 would just be more expensive. It also isn’t exactly the way for a new coaching and front office regime to engender positive vibes in the locker ro...
Tue 6/18 3:00 PMX
Inside The Bills
LaCanfora handicaps Byrd talks[Inside The Bills: Tue 6/18 3:00 PM]
LaCanfora handicaps Byrd talks
Source: Inside The Bills by Chris Brown
With the deadline for the Bills and franchise designated player Jairus Byrd now less than a month away, national reporters have begun to handicap the odds of a long term deal being struck between the two sides.
CBSSports.com’s Jason LaCanfora is the latest to do so. Here’s what he wrote about the Bills’ situation with Byrd along with a host of other franchise players in similar circumstances.
Jairus Byrd, S, Buffalo Bills: There hasn’t been any real movement in these talks, according to sources, so based on that alone one might not be
Tue 6/18 2:30 PMX
The Buffalo News
Like all 1st-rounders, EJ Manuel has fifth-year option in deal[The Buffalo News: Tue 6/18 2:30 PM]
Like all 1st-rounders, EJ Manuel has fifth-year option in deal
Source: The Buffalo News by Blog Editor
By Mark Gaughan
The rookie contract signed by EJ Manuel last week is worth $8.88 million over four years. However, it's possible Manuel will be locked up through 2017, not 2016.
In all first-round deals since the 2011 collective bargaining agreement was signed, the club has an option for a fifth year. The club can't exercise the option until after the player's third season. Once executed, the amount is guaranteed for injury, meaning he gets paid that fifth-year money even if he can't play due to injury.
That fifth-year money is guaranteed for skill and cap reasons as well if he's still on the roster on the first day of the league year (in March) that fifth season. That means he gets the fifth-year money at
Tue 6/18 1:30 PMX
Buffalo Rumblings
Doug Marrone: no timetable on Buffalo Bills quarterback competition[Buffalo Rumblings: Tue 6/18 1:30 PM]
Doug Marrone: no timetable on Buffalo Bills quarterback competition
Source: Buffalo Rumblings by Brian Galliford
Buffalo Bills training camp begins in 40 days, and when it does, a pending starting quarterback competition between Kevin Kolb and rookie EJ Manuel will take center stage. In a taped appearance on The John Murphy Show Monday evening, Murphy asked Bills head coach Doug Marrone if the race for that job was a "dead heat" - and Marrone agreed.
"Yeah, I look at it that way," Marrone told Murphy. "Kevin is a
Tue 6/18 1:15 PMX
AFC East Blog
A look at how the Patriots own first down[AFC East Blog: Tue 6/18 1:15 PM]
A look at how the Patriots own first down
Source: AFC East Blog
The New England Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady dominate the NFL on first down.
The rest of the AFC East? Not so much.
If there was ever one stat to clearly explain the large gap between the Patriots and their three AFC East rivals, it's how all four teams perform on first down. New England was immensely successful in 2012 and led the NFL in first-down offense, while the rest of the division finished no higher than 15th.
It is no secret that success on first down makes it much easier for offenses to convert on second and third downs.
Tue 6/18 1:00 PMX
The Buffalo News
Like all 1st-rounders, Manuel has fifth option year in deal[The Buffalo News: Tue 6/18 1:00 PM]
Like all 1st-rounders, Manuel has fifth option year in deal
Source: The Buffalo News by Blog Editor
By Mark Gaughan
The rookie contract signed by EJ Manuel last week is worth $8.88 million over four years. However, it's possible Manuel will be locked up through 2017, not 2016.
In all first-round deals since the 2011 collective bargaining agreement was signed, the club has an option for a fifth year. The club can’t exercise the option until after the player’s third season. Once executed, the amount is guaranteed for injury, meaning he gets paid that fifth-year money even if he can’t play due to injury. That fifth-year money is guaranteed for skill and cap reasons, as well, if he’s still on the roster on the first day of the league year (in March) that fifth season. That means, he gets the fifth-year money
Tue 6/18 12:15 PMX
Yahoo! Sports
Schadenfreude for Mark Sanchez, Geno Smith and David Lee of the New York Jets (Yahoo! Contributor Network)[Yahoo! Sports: Tue 6/18 12:15 PM]
Schadenfreude for Mark Sanchez, Geno Smith and David Lee of the New York Jets (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
Source: Yahoo! Sports
COMMENTARY | The name Mark Sanchez does not quite ring out like Peyton Manning or John Elway these days. The New York Jets' starting quarterback (for the moment) remains as unproven and unpredictable heading into his fifth year with the team as he was when he was an upcoming rookie.
Tue 6/18 11:30 AMX
Yahoo! Sports
Insightfully Examining the Buffalo Bills 2013 Draft Class with Rotoworld's Eric Stoner (Yahoo! Contributor Network)[Yahoo! Sports: Tue 6/18 11:30 AM]
Insightfully Examining the Buffalo Bills 2013 Draft Class with Rotoworld's Eric Stoner (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
Source: Yahoo! Sports
The Buffalo Bills underwent a changing of the guard this offseason-Russ Brandon's the new president, Doug Whaley's the new general manager, Doug Marrone's the new head coach, EJ Manuel's the (likely) new starting quarterback and Stevie Johnson has new wide receiver buddies in Robert Woods, Marquise Goodwin and Da'Rick Rogers.
Tue 6/18 11:15 AMX
AFC East Blog
Poll: Will Manuel or Geno Smith start first?[AFC East Blog: Tue 6/18 11:15 AM]
Poll: Will Manuel or Geno Smith start first?
Source: AFC East Blog
The AFC East division has two competitive quarterback competitions heading into training camp this summer. Buffalo Bills rookie first-round pick EJ Manuel and New York Jets second-round quarterback Geno Smith are both involved in close races to determine who will be the Week 1 starter for their respective teams.
But which rookie quarterback is more likely to win the starting job right away: Manuel or Smith? Both players have the same opportunity.
Tue 6/18 10:00 AMX
Inside The Bills
BDC 6/18: Day of Champions Dinner Tonight[Inside The Bills: Tue 6/18 10:00 AM]
BDC 6/18: Day of Champions Dinner Tonight
Source: Inside The Bills by Bills Daily Charge
DAILY REPORT
– DB Williams in Rochester Today: Bills DB Duke Williams will be a guest at tonight’s Rochester Press-Radio Club’s 64th Annual Day of Champions Dinner. Williams was a University of Nevada (Reno) teammate of San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick who will receive the Coca-Cola Sports Personality of the Year award tonight.
–NFL Broadcast Boot Camp Features LB Scott and former WR Moulds: Buffalo LB Bryan Scott and former Bills WR Eric Moulds are among the 24 current and former NFL players who are taking part in the
Tue 6/18 9:15 AMX
Sports Media 101
Buffalo Bills Tickets for Toronto Game Vs. Atlanta Falcons on Sale[Sports Media 101: Tue 6/18 9:15 AM]
Buffalo Bills Tickets for Toronto Game Vs. Atlanta Falcons on Sale
Source: Sports Media 101 by Paul Lane Sabres 101
Tickets for the
Buffalo Bills' Toronto "home" game are now on sale, and they're available at the same discounted rates as last season.
The Bills will play the
Atlanta Falcons Dec. 1 at the Rogers Centre. Tickets start at $48. Nearly 88 percent of tickets cost less than $150 each. That's a stark contrast from when the Bills
Tue 6/18 8:45 AMX
Buffalo Rumblings
Debate: who is the Buffalo Bills' best player?[Buffalo Rumblings: Tue 6/18 8:45 AM]
Debate: who is the Buffalo Bills' best player?
Source: Buffalo Rumblings by Brian Galliford
The Buffalo Bills haven't made the playoffs for 13 consecutive seasons, so finding ways to be optimistic about this team isn't always the easiest thing to do. Even with a new-look front office and a brand new coaching staff, any optimism built this off-season is largely contained to a hopefully bright future, and not necessarily the 2013 season.
Still, the Bills managed to field three players in the Pro Bowl a year ago (albeit as replacements), so we know the roster isn't completely devoid of talent.
As a way of having a more upbeat conversation, our question for you this morning is a simple one: who is the Bills' best player? Last year's three Pro Bowlers -
Tue 6/18 8:15 AMX
AFC East Blog
Morning take: Jets' top rookies[AFC East Blog: Tue 6/18 8:15 AM]
Morning take: Jets' top rookies
Source: AFC East Blog
Here are the most interesting stories Tuesday in the AFC East:
The New York Jets still have three unsigned draft picks remaining.
Morning take: First-round picks Dee Milliner, Sheldon Richardson and second-rounder Geno Smith are not under contract. But there’s little reason to panic with the rookie wage scale. Things will work out.
Buffalo Bills general manager Doug Whaley says cornerback Stephon Gilmore is ready to make the jump in Year 2.
Tue 6/18 7:45 AMX
Yardbarker
Bills QB Competition is Open, But Not Even[Yardbarker: Tue 6/18 7:45 AM]
Bills QB Competition is Open, But Not Even
Source: Yardbarker
Since the coronation as franchise savior drafting of QB EJ Manuel by the Buffalo Bills, one of the most talked about stories heading into camp has been whether Manuel will start week 1, or if Head Coach Doug Marrone (HCDM, for short) will turn to grizzled vet Kevin Kolb to minimize his own growing pains as a brand new head football coach. And shoot if you thought Buddy Nixon didn’t have a HOT TAKE on the subject.
According to Marrone, the competition is open. HCDM enlightened:
“Once we see one person pull away from the others, then I think you make that decision. To put a timeline or anything on it, I think, is very difficult, It’s up to the players to do that.”
Simply put, Marrone isn’t giving out roses any time soon.
However, just because the QB job is up for grabs does not mean that both competitors are on equal footing. As alluded to earlier, EJ Manuel’s status as a first round rookie quarterback means that the fate of the franchise in at least the next 3-5 years, and perhaps longer, rides on
Tue 6/18 6:15 AMX
BuffaloBills.com
Hackett broadening scope for each offensive player[BuffaloBills.com: Tue 6/18 6:15 AM]
Hackett broadening scope for each offensive player
Source: BuffaloBills.com by Chris Brown
Offensive Coordinator Nathaniel Hackett feels it's important for all the players on offense to possess that all-encompassing view of the offense, and he used that philosophy in installing his new offense.
Tue 6/18 2:30 AMX
Yardbarker
Manuel or Kolb: Who deserves to start for the Bills?[Yardbarker: Tue 6/18 2:30 AM]
Manuel or Kolb: Who deserves to start for the Bills?
Source: Yardbarker
For the Buffalo Bills and new Head Coach Doug Marrone and the rest of his coaching staff, there is a lot of work that needs to be done in order to bring this team back into the playoff picture. It all starts (and may possibly end) with the QB competition between free agent signee and NFL veteran Kevin Kolb and rookie QB and first round draft pick EJ Manuel. Each quarterback has certain aspects of their games that would make any Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator jump at the chance to take them under their wings Let’s break down what each QB has to offer and what the coaches will more than likely be looking at this offseason... Read more
Mon 6/17 10:45 PMX
BuffaLowDown
Who is the Only Bill you wouldn’t want to see go?[BuffaLowDown: Mon 6/17 10:45 PM]
Who is the Only Bill you wouldn’t want to see go?
Source: BuffaLowDown by John Starba
Jun 11, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive back Stephon Gilmore (24) during mini-camp at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
As this Bills team waits for training camp I wanted to see who people think is the most important player on the roster. They have definitely brought in players that may be worthy of this but you can only pick one. In selecting a candidate you will want to look position, age, progression and what he means to this team.
My selection would have to be Stephon Gilmore. Coming off
Mon 6/17 7:45 PMX
The Buffalo News
PFT announces ballot for Bills' Mount Rushmore vote[The Buffalo News: Mon 6/17 7:45 PM]
PFT announces ballot for Bills' Mount Rushmore vote
Source: The Buffalo News by Blog Editor
By Tim Graham
ProFootballTalk.com's team-by-team Mount
Rushmore series has reached the Buffalo Bills.
There are a dozen candidates for readers to choose from. All but one of them are on the team's Wall of Fame. Seven are in the Pro Football Hall of
Fame and a couple more often are argued as worthy of induction.
Readers are asked to vote for four of the following:
Cornelius Bennett
Joe DeLamielleure
Jim Kelly
Jack Kemp
Marv Levy
Andre Reed
O.J. Simpson
Bruce Smith
Darryl Talley
Steve Tasker
Thurman Thomas
Ralph Wilson
When I asked ESPN.com readers to chisel a Mount
Mon 6/17 6:15 PMX
Yardbarker
Jairus Byrd’s Contract Situation, Part 4[Yardbarker: Mon 6/17 6:15 PM]
Jairus Byrd’s Contract Situation, Part 4
Source: Yardbarker
As Jairus Byrd remains unsigned leading up to training camp and mandatory mini camp, how much do the Bills value the four-year safety? We’ve already determined the level of play he will probably reach over the upcoming seasons, how much that production is worth, and the ideal term for a new contract, but not whether the Bills think they really need him.
Let’s begin with the case for Jairus Byrd.
First, he has been one of the best safeties in the NFL since he burst on to the scene in 2009. After a slight sophomore slump, Byrd established himself as a top-ten safety in 2011 and 2012. The table below shows Byrd’s +EPA ranking by season.
Byrd’s ability to cover the field, make plays on the ball, and still rack up tackles proves his versatility. Defensive Coordinator Mike Pettine requires his safeties to adapt to the wide range of looks he asks the defense to show the offense. This article from Buffalo Rumblings does a great job breaking down the many roles LaRon...
Mon 6/17 5:15 PMX
AFC East Blog
Will Rob Gronkowski take a step back?[AFC East Blog: Mon 6/17 5:15 PM]
Will Rob Gronkowski take a step back?
Source: AFC East Blog
After losing 2012 starting wide receivers Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd, the New England Patriots must rely heavily on tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez in the passing game. But can the Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady count on Gronkowski to have another Pro Bowl season in 2013?
Gronkowski is slated for back surgery Tuesday and is expected to miss a portion of training camp. The main goal is to have Gronkowski ready for New England's Week 1 AFC East battle against the Buffalo Bills.
Mon 6/17 4:15 PMX
Billszone
Football Gameplan’s 2013 Bills Preview[Billszone: Mon 6/17 4:15 PM]
Football Gameplan’s 2013 Bills Preview
Source: Billszone by King Bedard
Mon 6/17 3:15 PMX
AFC East Blog
Hopefully, Chad Johnson learned his lesson[AFC East Blog: Mon 6/17 3:15 PM]
Hopefully, Chad Johnson learned his lesson
Source: AFC East Blog
It turns out former New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chad Johnson only spent one week in a Florida jail. He had his month-long sentence reduced Monday after issuing an apology to the judge, who felt Johnson’s pat on the butt to his lawyer was a sign he wasn’t taking his court appearance seriously.
Johnson stayed out of legal trouble most of his career but has suddenly fallen on hard times in the past year. He got into a domestic dispute with his former wife, Evelyn Lozada, which led to a divorce and probation.
Mon 6/17 1:30 PMX
AFC East Blog
Poll results: Tim Tebow will make Patriots[AFC East Blog: Mon 6/17 1:30 PM]
Poll results: Tim Tebow will make Patriots
Source: AFC East Blog
The New England Patriots rocked the football world last week when they signed immensely popular quarterback Tim Tebow to a two-year contract. But one of the underrated aspects of the signing is Tebow has no guaranteed money, and New England can cut the quarterback without penalty.
With that said, we ran an AFC East poll last Friday on whether Tebow will make New England’s 53-man roster. The results were overwhelming. After more than 7,000 votes, nearly 70 percent of our AFC East community predicts Tebow is good enough to make the Patriots’ final roster.
Mon 6/17 12:45 PMX
Yahoo! Sports
Doug Whaley: Stephon Gilmore’s made a leap this offseason (NBC Sports)[Yahoo! Sports: Mon 6/17 12:45 PM]
Doug Whaley: Stephon Gilmore’s made a leap this offseason (NBC Sports)
Source: Yahoo! Sports
Whether you call it rebuilding or something else, there’s no question that the Bills are again in a state of transition. There’s a new coaching staff headed by Doug Marrone and a new General Manager in Doug Whaley and the chances for a long run on both fronts will have a lot to do with…
Mon 6/17 12:00 PMX
Buffalo Rumblings
Video: EJ Manuel interview from NFLPA Rookie Premiere[Buffalo Rumblings: Mon 6/17 12:00 PM]
Video: EJ Manuel interview from NFLPA Rookie Premiere
Source: Buffalo Rumblings by Brian Galliford
The Buffalo Bills drafted EJ Manuel at No. 16 overall in April's NFL Draft, making him the first quarterback off the board. At the 2013 NFLPA Rookie Premiere, Manuel spoke with SB Nation's Dan Rubenstein about transitioning to life in the NFL, making sure his big uglies up front are well-fed, and more.
In case you missed it, Rubenstein also sat down with rookie wide receiver Marquise Goodwin, which you can view
Mon 6/17 11:45 AMX
Buffalo Rumblings
Doug Whaley: Stephon Gilmore has "made a leap" in 2013[Buffalo Rumblings: Mon 6/17 11:45 AM]
Doug Whaley: Stephon Gilmore has "made a leap" in 2013
Source: Buffalo Rumblings by Brian Galliford
As the Buffalo Bills transition into a new defensive scheme under coordinator Mike Pettine, one of the most important players on the team is now second-year cornerback Stephon Gilmore. Asked to anchor the team's cornerback position from the day he walked into team facilities, Gilmore struggled with penalties as a rookie, but otherwise was a steady performer.
Now, in a defense that will feature more man coverage, Gilmore is the alpha dog at a position that is younger and has more question marks than it did a year ago. The pressure is on Gilmore to become a bona fide No. 1 corner, and GM Doug Whaley
Mon 6/17 11:30 AMX
The Buffalo News
Marv Levy: Deacon Jones copied George Allen with 'sack' term[The Buffalo News: Mon 6/17 11:30 AM]
Marv Levy: Deacon Jones copied George Allen with 'sack' term
Source: The Buffalo News by Blog Editor
By Tim Graham
Deacon Jones did not coin the term "sack." George
Allen did.
So says Buffalo Bills legend Marv Levy.
Levy was an assistant on Allen's coaching staff with the
1970 Los Angeles Rams, where Jones played, and in 1971 and 1972 with Washington.
In a story by Rochester Democrat and Chronicle columnist Leo
Roth, Levy said he never heard Jones say "sack," but he heard Allen say
it in a speech before Washington
played the Dallas Cowboys.
"I know exactly how the term was coined. George was talking the night before in the team
Mon 6/17 11:15 AMX
AFC East Blog
Can Dion Jordan make up ground?[AFC East Blog: Mon 6/17 11:15 AM]
Can Dion Jordan make up ground?
Source: AFC East Blog
The Miami Dolphins put in a lot of work to improve this offseason. I attended most of Miami's sessions open to the media and saw progress made in several areas.
However, the one player the Dolphins couldn’t get their hands on this offseason was No. 3 overall pick Dion Jordan. The rookie defensive end was the only Dolphins player who was absent from both organized team activities and mandatory minicamp.
Jordan could not attend Miami’s practices because of the University of Oregon’s quarter system.
Mon 6/17 9:30 AMX
Inside The Bills
BDC 6/17: NFL Broadcast Boot Camp[Inside The Bills: Mon 6/17 9:30 AM]
BDC 6/17: NFL Broadcast Boot Camp
Source: Inside The Bills by Bills Daily Charge
DAILY REPORT
–NFL Broadcast Boot Camp Features LB Scott and former WR Moulds: Buffalo LB Bryan Scott and former Bills WR Eric Moulds will be among the 24 current and former NFL players who will take part in the seventh annual NFL Broadcast Boot Camp at NFL Films in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey from June 17-20, The program, directed by the NFL Player Engagement and NFL Broadcasting departments, covers a wide range of topics with instructors from each of the NFL’s broadcast partners – CBS, ESPN, FOX, NBC, NFL Network, SiriusXM, Dial Global Radio, plus local radio and TV. It will include hands-on work in areas such as tape study, editing, show preparation, radio production, control room