Buffalo Bills "Are A Bad Football Team"

The Buffalo Bills are a "Bad Football Team" and getting worse by the minute. The Bills are the same team we have seen under previous administrations where they always find a way to lose football games. The game against the hapless Steelers in which the Bills lost 23-10 was the final straw for me as a loyal Bills fan. The Bills organization have been telling the fans over the last ten games that the Bills are improving and I don't see any evidence that the Bills are going in the right direction. The Bills are 3-7 and it seems like they ready to throw in the towel for this season. The Bills were not competitive against a Steelers football team that gave up 55 points to the Patriots a week earlier and seem to be "Running For The Bus" until they played the Bills. The Bills could not recover from that terrible lost to the Chiefs in which the Bills dominated the football game but somehow found a way to lose to the Chiefs 23-13. The Game today even made me more pessimistic about the Bills After watching E.J. Manuel look like Ryan Leaf earlier in his career with the Chargers. E.J. could not complete a pass over ten yards the Bills offense was terrible and they play Rex Ryan and the Jets next week. The Bills will have to find a way to a least go 3-3 in the last six games to give the fan any hope for next year. The Bills organization has been in the wilderness for the past 13 years when will they find a way out and finally make a serious push for the playoffs.

Bills vs. Ravens Preview "Bills Upset Ravens

Buffalo Bills will have there toughest test this year playing the Super Bowl Champs the Baltimore Ravens. The Bills will try and bounce back from a disappointing effort against division rival the New York Jets where they gave up 513 yards offense against rookie QB Geno Smith. If the Bills want to salvage there young season the will have to pull off the biggest upset of the week. E.J. Manuel will need best game of his young career and Spiller and Jackson will have to have exceptional game for the Bills to win. This Bills defense will have to improve if they expect to be competitive in the game against the Ravens. I expect a huge game from the Bills defense and great game from E.J. Manuel and the Bills will upset the Ravens 24-21 at the Ralph.

Preseason 2013: Bills vs. Colts Preview

The Buffalo Bills are breaking in a new quarterback and a new head coach. Big changes are happening out East, and the Colts are going to be getting the first look at it.
With Kevin Kolb’s knee giving him trouble and a death in his family, E.J. Manuel has been taking the first team reps and will reportedly be the starting quarterback on Sunday. Manuel is one of the subjects of this article, so let’s take a look at five things to watch on the other sideline. What storylines should we follow as it pertains to Buffalo?
1. The Quarterback
E.J. Manuel, the first QB selected in the 2013 NFL Draft, is one of the biggest storylines in the Bills vs. Colts pre-season opener. As I mentioned earlier, a situation of slipping on a wet mat and injuring his knee is forcing expected starter Kevin Kolb to dress only as an emergency QB.
Manuel was quite possibly the most intriguing pick in the entire first round of the 2013 draft. He has ideal size and athletic ability for the QB position, but some were not sold he was a first or even second round prospect. I figured Manuel wouldn’t last past the second round, but the way things were sounding, it didn’t seem like he was the guy the Bills were targeting in round one.
With Doug Marrone now in the fold, it seemed logical the Bills would pass on a QB in the first round and maybe look to the second or third round and take Syracuse QB Ryan Nassib, whom Marrone coached.
Instead, the Bills made a bold move–a move I really like. This coaching staff and new regime will be attached to the success of Manuel, and it all begins on Sunday.
2. Rookie receivers
As much hype as E.J. Manuel has received–and rightfully so–the Bills also made some really interesting picks at the WR position. They were able to snag USC wideout Robert Woods in the second round–an absolute steal in my opinion–and then they took speedster Marquise Goodwin in the third.
Woods is more of a possession type receiver, but he definitely has a nose for the end zone and can make all the tough catches. He is as pro-ready as they come and I fully expect him to make an impact this season.
Goodwin is having a good training camp and will start off as the team’s #4 receiver. He can be effective in the slot, as a return man, out of the backfield–you name it.
The Bills also picked up another rookie receiver this year who generated a lot of pre-draft hype in Da’Rick Rogers. Rogers was dismissed from the Tennessee football program, and wound up finishing his collegiate career at Tennessee Tech. He appeared to be facing a similar journey to that of Janoris Jenkins, who was kicked off the Florida football team before he wound up getting taken in the 2nd round by the Rams last year, but that wasn’t the case for Rogers.
He went undrafted, and is now facing an uphill climb to make the roster. He needs to have a big pre-season, so we’ll look forward to seeing him battle out there.
3. Jerry Hughes
Jerry Hughes was a mis-fit with the Colts as a former first round pick, and these two teams swung a trade this offseason sending Hughes to Buffalo and inside linebacker Kelvin Sheppard to the Colts.
Hughes needs to have a good pre-season. The Bills don’t have a ton of great pass rushers, and it’s likely Hughes will be the primary backup to starters Mario Williams and Manny Lawson.
4. Bills O-Line
The Bills lost a key piece of their offensive line when Andy Levitre bolted for the Tennessee Titans. It will be very interesting to see how the interior offensive line, or offensive line in general has re-couped. This doesn’t look like the team’s most promising unit, so we’ll have to see them in game action to make initial judgments.
5. CB Nickell Robey
The former USC star and fan favorite has been turning heads, and will see significant action in Sunday’s game. He is going to get an opportunity to make this team as the nickel cornerback with a few guys on the team nursing injuries. Keep an eye on Robey, who will be wearing #37.

Buffalo Bills Players Who Are On The Bubble

Bills Mafia - Training camp is the time of the year when players get a chance to show what they are worth. With 90 men at camp and only 53 spots available you have to find a way to stand out. With only a limited number of practices to look at at this point it isn’t much more than a first impression, but first impressions can be important. Although I have a fraction of a percent of the information that the coaches have, let’s look at a couple players who I think have helped or hurt their stock so far at training camp.
Stock Up: Zach Brown
Going into camp we all knew who the top two running backs were going to be. The third spot on the other hand is much more up for grabs. Tashard Choice is still the favorite to hold this spot as the depth chart shows, but Brown seems to have made quite a leap this year. He appears to be running the ball with vision, and hitting the holes hard to find yards. Brown may not edge Choice for the spot behind CJ and Fred, but his stock is certainly up!
Stock Down: Left Guards
We all knew that the left guard spot would be hard to fill after the loss of Andy Levitre to the Tennessee Titans this offseason, and that was confirmed last week at camp. Coach Marrone clearly didn’t think that the two left guards were coming along as quickly as he had hoped. He also talked about bringing in someone else at that spot to add more competition. Doug Legursky may have set himself apart some with his experience near the end of the week as he took more of the first team reps, but the group as a whole certainly has some work to do. I do expect both Legursky and Brown to make the final roster, but the starting job is still up for grabs.
Stock Even: Quarterbacks
I’ve heard multiple times over these last few days that Kolb’s fluke injury will give Manuel a hand up in the quarterback competition. Though the injury did give Manuel quite a few more reps with the first team, and the experience that goes along with that, it by no means will be any integral part in the decision of who starts week one against New England. This competition is still pretty even, especially if Kolb returns to camp in the next few days, as seems to be expected. Manuel definitely put together more highlights at the beginning of camp, but Coach Marrone admitted that Kolb had seen more difficult defensive packages. All this makes it very hard to judge exactly who is ahead and who is falling behind. We may not know the answer

Buffalo Bills QB E.J. Maneul Has A Solid Start In First NFL Scrimmage

PITTSFORD, N.Y. EJ Manuel got off to a sloppy start in the Buffalo Bills' 90-minute scrimmage Monday night. He made up for it with a big finish.
Then again, the Bills' new-look, aggressive defense had something to do with the early problems for the rookie quarterback. And they played without defensive end Mario Williams, who was held out to rest a sore left foot.
Manuel threw two interceptions on his first eight attempts, before closing with two touchdowns, and scoring another on a 1-yard run.
"I felt like I didn't start out how I wanted to, obviously," said Manuel, whose first throw was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by cornerback Leodis McKelvin. "The biggest thing for me was just to show that I could fight back, move past it. Obviously, it's not going to be the last interception I throw in my career."
The scrimmage was held 10 days into training camp in suburban Rochester, and in advance of the Bills' preseason opener at Indianapolis on Sunday.
By unofficial count, because the team did not release statistics, Manuel completed 9 of 17 attempts for 113 yards. He threw a perfectly placed 27-yard fade to T.J. Graham in the left corner of the end zone for his first touchdown. Manuel then hit Drew Smith on a 10-yard fade in just about the same spot for his second score.
The downside came on the interceptions. Manuel misread which way receiver Robert Woods was going to cut, allowing McKelvin to jump the route. On his next interception, Manuel's pass was batted at the line, and the ball fell into the hands of linebacker Arthur Moats.
Manuel appeared flustered at times by the various pass-rushing formations in new coordinator Mike Pettine's scheme. Rookie linebacker Kiko Alonso stopped Manuel for what would've been a loss, while tackles Marcell Dareus and Jay Ross were effective in stuffing the run in goal-line situations.
"I'm pleased with it," coach Doug Marrone said, assessing Manuel's performance and progress. "I was really looking to see how he bounced back from that because early on, you want to see that. I thought he bounced back well."
Marrone was most impressed with how Manuel handled himself during a 2-minute session. He orchestrated a seven-play, 75-yard drive capped by Tashard Choice's 1-yard plunge with 20 seconds remaining. Manuel hit 2 of 3 attempts, including a perfectly placed 15-yard strike to Woods' back shoulder.
Selected 16th overall out of Florida State, ee-agent addition Kevin Kolb to win the starting job out of training camp.Manuel was the only quarterback to go in the first round of this year's draft. He is competing with veteran fr
Manuel had the benefit of working exclusively with the first-team offense after Kolb was excused earlier in the day following a death in his family.
Kolb also missed practice on Sunday after he hurt his left knee slipping on a wet mat during practice a day earlier. Marrone said there was a chance Kolb would've been cleared for the scrimmage.
For Manuel, it was an inconsistent performance that served as a reminder of how much work is still ahead of him.
"I think overall, just continue to get better every day," Manuel said. "Even though you face some adversity, sometimes I feel like you could still learn from those things and still get better from them."
On the upside, McKelvin's interception continued what's been a solid camp for the sixth-year player competing for a starting job.
"Hey, it's great to have the first touchdown of the day," McKelvin said. "It is important. I'm very confident in myself, and I'm ready to go out there and make plays, and confident in myself to win this job."
Receiver Marquise Goodwin, a rookie third-round pick, made several acrobatic catches. His first came on a 45-yard pass from Jeff Tuel, when he showed off his speed to beat cornerback T.J. Heath.
Tuel, an undrafted rookie, had a solid outing against Buffalo's second- and third-string defenses. He also made a great throw across his body to hit a wide-open Da'Rick Rogers for a 48-yard catch.
NOTES: WR Stevie Johnson (left hamstring) did not scrimmage. DT Kyle Williams, coming off offseason foot surgery, was held out as a precaution. ... Undrafted rookie DT Aaron Tipoti did not return after hurting his right ankle in a goal-line drill. ... Marrone reintroduced the scrimmage to training camp after his two most recent predecessors — Chan Gailey and Dick Jauron — were against lengthy full-contact sessions.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/08/05/4216040/bills-qb-manuel-shakes-off-bad.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/08/05/4216040/bills-qb-manuel-shakes-off-bad.html#storylink=cpy

Buffalo Bills WR Stevie Johnson Hamstring Injury

The Buffalo Bills have an issue at wide receiver.

Stevie Johnson pulled up limping at practice Friday with what coach Doug Marrone labeled a hamstring injury. NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported that Johnson was getting an MRI on the hamstring.
"He's going to get evaluated, and it's always tough when those situations happen," Marrone told reporters, via the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. "It would be a major concern if we were talking about it during the season. Right now, a veteran player who has proved himself, we'll just see what the doctors say, it is what it is and we'll deal with it from there."
Hamstring injuries can be tricky -- of the nagging variety -- and we don't expect the Bills to push Johnson back too soon. He's spent most of camp assuming the Bills' slot position, with T.J. Graham and rookie Robert Woods lining up outside in three-receiver sets. In two-man alignments, Johnson has been positioned outside as the team's No. 1 target, meaning he'll see action all over the field in 2013.

It's not Johnson's first setback. He missed a handful of offseason practices with a slight fracture to his L-5 vertebra. As EJ Manuel edges closer to the starting quarterback job, the rookie passer needs Johnson and the rest of the Bills' weaponry healthy and able in time for Week 1.

Buffalo Bills "New High Octane Offense"

(AP Photo/Bill Wippert, File)

The Buffalo Bills are trying to remake their entire offensive philosophy in one season by bringing in a lot of new players, including a hopeful franchise quarterback, and new coaches. Now head coach Doug Marrone and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett get to bring the Bills offense to show some level of potency in a now offensive driven league.
Marrone and Hackett have been coaching together the past three seasons down the I-90 in Syracuse as they led a rehabilitation project for the Orange. The offense they oversaw was a hybrid concept that saw the Orange move into a no huddle pistol based formation under senior quarterback Ryan Nassib after running a primarily traditional pro set the years prior. Will the Bills run this same style of offense? That has yet to be seen, though it has been alluded too with the type of players brought in and in comments by both Marrone and Hackett. Though the important features fans should look for is not on scheme but more on concepts as the Bills open training camp on Sunday.
Tempo is a big buzz word that’s been used from the coaching staff all offseason and that decrease in time between plays has been evident in mini camps thus far. The Syracuse offense averaged 79 plays per game, which wasn’t even tops in the NCAA, but would have been in the NFL. That number beat out the New England Patriots by five plays per game if all things were equal. Some of the explanation for the extra plays can be contributed to clock stoppage after a first down rule in college. Though the total number is not the sole focus, it’s the pace at which the Orange played at. In total Syracuse average a play snapped every 22 seconds.
The comparison to the tempo of last year’s Bills can be considered laughable. Last year the Bills averaged 59 offensive plays per game, that’s a 20 play differential between the two offenses! The reality is that the Bills will not increase their offensive plays per game by those 20 plays, but a more realistic projection would be around 67-69 plays a game which is still an 8-10 play increase.
Those extra plays will have to be divided up between run and passes and again the tendency for Marrone & Hackett is to keep the ball on the ground more times than not. Syracuse called run plays 54% of the time, conversely the Chan Gailey Bills called pass plays at that same rate. If the Bills average 67 plays a game this year that would give Marrone 35 run plays to divvy up between CJ Spiller and Fred Jackson, versus Gailey and his 27 plays on the ground. Even the results of the runs were greater under Marrone’s offense as running backs averaged 5 yards per carry where as last year the Bills could only muster 4.4 ypc, and that’s with CJ Spiller averaging the NFL’s 2nd best yards per carry at 6 a run.
The upswing in statistics don’t end their either as this year’s offense should have more down field throws. Syracuse averaged 8 yards per reception compared to the Bills 6.7. With the speed receivers the Bills have brought in the past two years expect more posts and deep fly patterns rather than the slants and quick outs that were constantly called a year ago.
In total the average play the Bills hope to gain this year will average around 6 yards versus the 5.6 averaged last year. That extra half yard with the additional eight plays may not seem like much, but could amount to being the difference between a first down or a

Buffalo Bills Training Camp 2013 "Bills New Defensive End Jerry Hughes"

After the scouting combine and NFL Draft was over the Buffalo Bills made one final roster transaction by sending their former third round pick, linebacker Kelvin Sheppard, to the Indianapolis Colts for former first round pick defensive end Jerry Hughes. Some questioned why the Bills would make a move that would send a solid and productive linebacker in Sheppard for an underperforming tweener like Hughes. The answer is simple, pass rush talent.
Hughes was a first round pick because of his productivity and talent to sack the quarterback while in college at Texas Christian University. A finalist for the Bronko Nagurski award in his senior year, he lead the Horned Frogs in sacks and tackles for loss. His physical skills showed top tier talent and his game tape showed pass rush skills that few in his class had. He was considered one of the better rush linebackers for a 3-4 defense, or a slightly undersized defensive end for a 4-3. He came into the 2010 draft with over two years of noted college production. That, coupled with solid showings at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine, helped make him the 31st overall selection by the Indianapolis Colts.
What went wrong for Hughes in Indianapolis can be explained a multitude of ways. In college, Hughes was a hand-on-the-ground 4-3 end, which the Colts used him as, to spell Pro Bowlers Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis in his first two years. But it is hard to see snaps with two Pro Bowl players already in your way. That lack of playing time and his inability to hold the point of attack against the run hindered him on the field and his overall confidence.
When new coach Chuck Pagano came in, it looked to breathe life back into Hughes’ promise. Hughes could fit the speed rusher role that Pagano used Paul Kruger for in Baltimore in the new 3-4 defense Indianapolis was set to install, but again lack of playing time seemed to stunt him early. When Robert Mathis went down with an injury in week six, Hughes was then able to see the field; and with that increased playing time, he was able to total 41 tackles and four sacks to close out his most productive season in Indy.
Now Hughes looks to continue this upswing in defensive coordinator Mike Pettine’s attacking 3-4 hybrid defense. The learning curve for Hughes shouldn’t be a steep one as both Pagano and Pettine were coordinators together with the Ravens under then-coordinator Rex Ryan. In all, both Indy’s and now Buffalo’s defensive playbook should carry similar verbiage and schemes which will give Hughes that much of a leg up on his competition. Furthermore, Pettine should understand from the game tape that Hughes possesses the versatility he craves in players as he can fill the role of weakside pass rusher when in a 3-4 alignment, as well as play a traditional hand-on-the-ground end in a 4-3 alignment in 3rd and long situations. Hughes has the natural physical skills and talent to be an eight plus sack performer in the NFL.
The Bills defense is a complete blank canvas with only a few positions locked down by players. Hughes can paint his own role with the team without the prejudice of poor performances from his time in Indianapolis. If he becomes the sack artist his talent shows he can be, then Hughes can start to chip away at the draft bust label he has been given thus far.

Buffalo Bills Training Camp 2013: Day1 Offense And Defense Look Good

PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills opened training camp on Sunday evening, holding practice under the lights at Growney Stadium, on the campus of St. John Fisher College.

Following the rules of the collective bargaining agreement, players were in light shoulder pads. Full-padded practices can begin as soon as Tuesday.

Attendance report: Of the 87 players who have reported to training camp, 86 were in uniform for the session. Offensive lineman Chris Hairston, who is on the active/physically unable to perform list, was seen working out with the training staff on the sideline.

Mario Williams, Kyle Williams limited: The biggest news of the night was defensive end Mario Williams being held out of most drills with what head coach Doug Marrone called a sore foot. Marrone said after practice that Williams is being evaluated by the training staff. Meanwhile, defensive tackle Kyle Williams, who is recovering from Achilles surgery, did not take reps during 7-on-7 or 11-on-11 drills.

Chandler impressive in return: Tight end Scott Chandler, who underwent ACL surgery in January, was back on the practice field Sunday evening. Marrone said Chandler is still limited, but he drew cheers after beating his defender over the middle to make a catch during 11-on-11 work.

Kolb gets most first-team reps: Veteran Kevin Kolb saw the most action with the first-team unit at quarterback, although Marrone was quick to point out after practice that rookie EJ Manuel also took some snaps with the top unit.

As is to be expected, the results were mixed from both quarterbacks.

The good: During a drill early in practice where receivers matched up 1-on-1 against cornerbacks on deep patterns, Manuel showed good arm strength and touch, hitting receiver T.J. Graham in stride twice for would-be touchdowns. In 11-on-11's, Kolb matched Manuel with an impressive deep completion to wide receiver Marcus Easley.

The bad: Kolb was intercepted by safety Aaron Williams over the middle on his first pass of an 11-on-11 drill, while Manuel was picked off by safety Mana Silva later in the session. In 7-on-7's, safety Da'Norris Searcy snagged a tipped pass from Kolb, while in 11-on-11's, Manuel was part of a botched snap. In the 1-on-1 deep pattern drill, Manuel underthrew wide receiver DeMarco Sampson and was intercepted by cornerback Jumal Rolle.

Mixing and matching along D-line: With both Mario Williams and Kyle Williams held out of team drills, the Bills used a number of different personnel groups on their defensive line. The biggest takeaway was that Marcell Dareus saw limited action, especially with the top unit. It's unclear if he was nursing any type of injury. In his place, Alex Carrington and Jay Ross saw significant reps with top groups at linebacker and defensive back behind them. Meanwhile, Torell Troup and Alan Branch appeared to rotate at nose tackle during most drills.

Justin Rogers sees first-team action: Third-year cornerback Justin Rogers, who started just one game last season, lined up across from Stephon Gilmore with the top defensive unit during full-team drills. Ron Brooks manned the slot in sub packages, while Aaron Williams stepped in for Jairus Byrd at safety.

Brown gets nod at left guard: Despite facing competition from Doug Legursky and now Antoine Caldwell, veteran Colin Brown stepped in at left guard on Sunday evening, in place of the departed Andy Levitre. At right tackle, Erik Pears took Hairston's potential spot at right tackle, with Sam Young manning the second team. Thomas Welch took second-team reps at left tackle.

Marrone gets hands-on with O-line: It's been eight seasons since Marrone was last an offensive line coach, but he went back to his roots on Sunday evening. The Bills head coach spent significant time working hands-on with the offensive line in positional drills, coaching the unit on technique.

GOOD DAY AT THE OFFICE FOR: The safeties. Even with Byrd out, this group reeled in three interceptions.

BAD DAY AT THE OFFICE FOR: WR Robert Woods. The second-round pick dropped a well-thrown pass from Manuel during 1-on-1 drills, and had another from Kolb bounce off his hands in 11-on-11's.

WHAT'S NEXT: The Bills will be back on the practice field on Monday afternoon, from 2 to 5:10 p.m. ET.

Buffalo Bills Rookie WR Da'Rick Rogers A Favorite To Make The Bills Roster

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By Josh Sanchez - Jul 27th, 2013 at 10:28 am

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Da’Rick Rogers was a very talented wide receiver prospect in the 2013 NFL Draft class, but he fell undrafted due to some serious character issues. After the seven rounds wrapped up, the Bills and head coach Doug Marrone reached out to the 22-year-old receiver to give him one shot at showing what he can offer.
So far, so good.
According to WGR 550 Buffalo, Rogers is a “clear cut favorite” to land on the team’s 53-man roster.
That could be bad news for veteran Brad Smith and others like Chris Hogan and Marcus Easley who will be competing for the final two wide receiver spots on the roster along with Rogers.
If you had to guess who would land the final spot, you would have to give the advantage to Smith.
It is unlikely that Easley will find a home with Buffalo once the regular season rolls around, but Hogan is a candidate to make the practice squad if he were to clear waivers.
This is all part of the fun of camp battles and football being back, so let’s all relax and enjoy the competition.

Buffalo Bills 2013 Training Camp Preview

After plenty of changes in the offseason, the Buffalo Bills will take the field for the first time in training camp on Sunday. The Bills are the last team to practice this year in the AFC East.

Buffalo is a major team in transition in 2013. The Bills have a new head coach, a new offensive coordinator, a new defensive coordinator and a new quarterback. Therefore, there is plenty of work to be done.

Here are three things to watch in camp:

No. 1: QBs Kevin Kolb vs. EJ Manuel

Analysis: All eyes will be on the quarterbacks in Buffalo. The Bills are entering training camp with a high-profile competition between veteran quarterback Kevin Kolb and rookie first-round pick EJ Manuel. Kolb has been a bust in his two previous stops with the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals. This third opportunity in Buffalo is probably Kolb’s final chance to prove that he can be a franchise starter. Manuel was a surprise first-round pick but has a lot of tools, such as size, a good arm and mobility. But Manuel remains raw and will have to make immediate strides in order to win the starting job in Week 1.

No. 2: Mike Pettine’s defense

Analysis: Buffalo's defense had talent last year but grossly underperformed. Former defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt got most of the blame, and he was fired after the season. Enter former New York Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. He was hired new Bills head coach Doug Marrone to liven up Buffalo's defense. Pettine usually got the most out of his defensive players in New York, and that will be the goal in Buffalo. Players like Mario Williams, Stephon Gilmore, Kyle Williams and Jairus Byrd (whenever he signs his franchise tag) provides a good foundation on defense. But it's Pettine’s job in training camp to get everyone on the same page.

No. 3: Competition at WR

Analysis: For years, the Bills have been looking for another legit receiving threat opposite Steve Johnson. That search continues this season with an entirely new cast of receivers, many of which are rookies. The Bills drafted second-round pick Robert Woods, third-round pick Marquise Goodwin and signed top rookie free agent Da'Rick Rogers in an effort to boost depth behind Johnson. Woods, a former USC star, has been the most polished receiver thus far. He's the favorite to win the No. 2 job but must earn it in training camp. Goodwin has plenty of speed and could add a deep element to Buffalo, and Rogers also has potential to contribute if he stays out of trouble. Rogers was passed over by every team in the draft due to various off-the-field concerns

Buffalo Bills Mario Williams Talked To Holdout Safety Jairus Byrd

Mario Williams talked to Holdout Jairus Byrd

Posted by Chris Brown on July 26, 2013 – 3:09 pm

Bills DE Mario Williams checked in voluntarily at training camp today and commented on the anticipated absence of Jairus Byrd.
“He’s a great player and we definitely want to have him back as soon as possible,” said Williams. “Hopefully it works out. We still keep in touch and have communication and hopefully he comes back sooner than later.”
When asked what he discussed with Byrd, Williams said it’s Byrd’s preference to play with the Bills.
“He definitely wants to be here with us,” said Williams. “That’s a given. But as far as matters and how things are structured we don’t bring that up.”
Williams also believes that Byrd has some insight on the defense having talked to teammates this offsea

Buffalo Bills 13 Year Playoff Drought Has Destroyed Enthusiasm Of Bills Fans. Bills Will Make The Palyoffs

Corning, N.Y. —

The inner optimist in me yearns to be genuinely stoked about the 2013 NFL season.
Although it is still July, when the pigskin isn’t yet on everyone’s radar, I do recall a time when the start of training camp was reason enough to ramp up excitement for the upcoming season.
No doubt countless number of fans still do get geeked up during the dog days of July as teams prepare to open training camp.
I used to be one of them.
But as a longtime follower of the Buffalo Bills, 13 seasons of playoff-less football and one winning season during that same span has greatly sapped my enthusiasm as a fan.
Add a few significant life changes in that time (wife, two kids, house) to the mix and new responsibilities that come with, and as you may expect, my passion for everything One Bills Drive has certainly been tempered in recent years.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not, nor would I ever jump ship as a fan, at least for as long as the team remains in Western New York.
Instead, I remain a relatively despondent fan, numb to the organization’s many failures and conditioned to expect the worst, no matter how promising things may appear.
This Sunday, the Bills open training camp at St. John Fisher College, just outside of Rochester.
And yet another new chapter for the team is about to commence with new faces eager to take over in numerous key roles throughout the organization.
Russ Brandon is hardly a new face, serving as the team’s CEO since 2008 and in his 16th season overall with the organization. But Brandon will try on a notable new hat as the Bills’ president, a title that owner Ralph Wilson relinquished in January.
Although Brandon’s efforts to better expand the Bills’ regional appeal in both Rochester and Toronto have proven quite successful, how he fares as both the team’s president and CEO remains anyone’s guess. Considering Wilson didn’t exactly set the bar high as president (or owner), Brandon appears to be an improvement, if only by default. But that’s not to suggest things will change for the significantly better any time soon, if at all, under Brandon.
After Buddy Nix stepped down as general manager in the spring, Doug Whaley was appointed the new GM after serving as the Bills assistant GM/director of pro personnel since 2010. Prior to joining the Bills, Whaley worked for the Pittsburgh Steelers as the team’s pro scouting coordinator from 1999-2009.
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During that time, Whaley helped build a Pittsburgh team that won two Super Bowls. While Whaley was not calling the shots with the Steelers, you’d like to think he benefited spending a decade with one of the top organizations in pro football. But as much as I’d like to be optimistic about Whaley, Tom Donahoe’s stint in Buffalo – much ballyhooed at the time – provides a cautionary tale.
At head coach, former Syracuse boss Doug Marrone and an entire new staff will try to break the cycle – for the better – of a new coach every three years in Buffalo. Although Marrone was a surprise pick as head coach, his track record turning around a moribund program at Syracuse sold the Bills’ brain trust on the idea he could do the same in Buffalo. If nothing else, Marrone’s hire was at least a refreshing think-outside-the-box approach not seen with uninspiring retread hires like Dick Jauron and Chan Gailey. Conversely, though, the Bills also once thought they had diamonds in the rough in Mike Mularkey and Gregg Williams, but both proved to be duds like so many others.
Perhaps most fatiguing is starting anew once again at quarterback. Free-agent Kevin Kolb and first-round pick EJ Manuel will battle to become the Bills’ next starting quarterback. Obviously, the hope is that Manuel develops into the Bills’ first true franchise QB since Jim Kelly, while Kolb remains as a dependable, veteran backup. But even with some underappreciated talent at the skill positions – C.J. Spiller, Fred Jackson, Stevie Johnson – Buffalo’s quarterbacking situation in 2013 figures to be an exercise in patience.
Even in my perpetual overall pessimism to everything Bills, it’s probably safe to assume I’m among a super-majority who expects Buffalo’s streak of playoff futility to extend at least one more season.
There’s simply too much newness and inexperience in key spots throughout the operation – among other shortcomings – to expect an instant turnaround.
And while the hope is that the Whaley-Marrone-Manuel regime will turn things around over the long haul or at the very least, end the NFL’s longest current playoff drought, the organization has done little to inspire such blind optimism.

Buffalo Bills Training Camp 2013 "Plenty Of Starting Defensive Jobs Open For Rookies"

Jay Skurski - Buffalo Bills rookie Kiko Alonso (50) has a chance to be an every-down linebacker in the team's new defensive scheme. 

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There will be ample opportunities for young players to make a name for themselves on defense for the Buffalo Bills in the 2013 season.
When the team jettisoned veterans Nick Barnett, Kelvin Sheppard, George Wilson and Terrence McGee in the offseason, it lost its three leading tacklers from last season, along with 385 combined games of NFL experience.
If the inexperience of those taking their place is a concern among the team’s fans, it doesn’t seem to be one shared by new defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. At least not publicly.
“It is a lot, and that was on purpose,” Pettine said of the workload he gave his players in spring practices. “I think as a coaching staff, we’re very optimistic with how this group learns. We’ve been able to handle a lot.
“What proves it even more is the up tempo. When an offense goes no-huddle, you don’t have those 15, 20 seconds in between plays to process and recall ‘what’s my job? What are my main coaching points here?’ You’ve got to know it, and I think our guys have really taken that to heart. I’m very pleased with where we are mentally.”
Rookie second-round draft pick Kiko Alonso has the inside track heading into training camp on replacing Barnett, who led the Bills with 112 tackles last season and played about 92 percent of the defensive snaps. Both Pettine and coach Doug Marrone have been pleased with Alonso’s development.
“I think Kiko has done an outstanding job, he really has,” Marrone said. “There’s been a little bit of ups and downs, but that’s not a knock on him. That’s what happens with young players. I’m extremely excited to see him perform when the pads come on.”
Assuming Alonso fills the role of an every-down linebacker, the question will be who joins him when the Bills go to a nickel (five defensive backs) formation, which Pettine has hinted could essentially serve as the Bills’ base defense.
The two favorites are second-year man Nigel Bradham and veteran Bryan Scott.
“Nigel can run. That’s the one thing we’re going to take advantage of,” Pettine said. “He’s explosive, so there are times if he’s a little slow to diagnose, he can make up for it with his speed. We’ve been real pleased with that. He’s been real coachable. It’s not often he makes the same mistake a second time.”
Scott, 32, is on a one-year contract. His playing time last season – about 54 percent of the snaps – illustrates why Pettine expects the Bills to be in nickel quite a bit.
Two players to watch in camp who could push Bradham and Scott for playing time are Marcus Dowtin – who has experience in Pettine’s system from his time spent with the Jets last season – and Keith Pough, an undrafted free agent out of Howard University who is a tackling machine.
“I feel good. That’s a solid room,” Pettine said of his linebacker depth. “We’re pleased with where that group is.”
At outside linebacker, the Bills added veteran Manny Lawson as a free agent. He missed most of the voluntary spring practices after his wife gave birth, but is expected to challenge for a starting role opposite Mario Williams. The biggest question behind those two is how the staff uses veteran Mark Anderson – who’s returning from a knee injury – and former Colts first-round draft pick Jerry Hughes, who was acquired in a trade for Sheppard.
Free agent Jamie Blatnick, who spent time last season on Denver’s practice squad, will push both Anderson and Hughes for practice reps.
Behind the linebackers, there are several positions up for grabs at camp. The biggest unknown is the status of Pro Bowl safety Jairus Byrd. If he reports on time, he can be written into the starting lineup in pen. But if Byrd, who has yet to sign his franchise tag tender, stays away, that means both safety jobs will be contested.
Wilson’s departure opens a spot in the lineup for Da’Norris Searcy, who split time at strong safety last season, playing about 25 percent of the defensive snaps. Searcy, though, figures to be pushed by fourth-round draft pick Duke Williams. True to their word when they drafted him, the Bills used Williams in a number of different roles in the spring, including at both safety spots and cornerback.
Without Byrd, the starting free safety spot would likely come down to converted cornerback Aaron Williams, a third-year player, or rookie Jonathan Meeks.
“I’d say he’s ahead of schedule. It’s a lot to take in,” Pettine said of Williams. “It is apples and oranges. Being a safety is such a different world from being a corner. There are a lot of plays where he ends up locked on a guy where his corner instincts can take over, but for the most part, it is a lot of learning and a lot of communication. He’s ahead of schedule of where we thought he would be.”
Also in the secondary, the battle for the nickel cornerback job should be close. The three primary candidates are second-year man Ron Brooks, third-year player Justin Rogers and undrafted free agent sleeper Nickell Robey out of Southern California.
Robey, who has the right name for the job, was impressive in spring practices, but will have to answer questions about his size (5-foot-8, 165 pounds) with the pads on. It’s clear, however, that he’s made an early impression, as General Manager Doug Whaley brought him up as a candidate for the job in an interview with the team’s official website.
Rogers, 5-11, 185, held the nickel job in the first half of 2012, but was eventually replaced in the lineup when Brooks returned from a broken foot.
Brooks is the biggest and fastest of the players competing for the spot, listed at 5-11, 188 pounds and timed in the 40-yard dash at the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine in 4.37 seconds. In his rookie season, he played in nine games, making two starts and finishing with four passes defensed.
Up front, the Bills added Alan Branch to a defensive line mix that includes Kyle Williams, Marcell Dareus and Alex Carrington in traditional 3-4 looks.
The Bills rotated Dareus with Jay Ross at times during spring practices. That’s a move that has all the signs of a motivational ploy for the former third overall pick in the 2011 draft.
The list of players looking to make a favorable impression on the new coaching staff starts with Torell Troup, a former second-round draft pick who missed all of last season on injured reserve after back surgery. This is likely his last chance to make it with the Bills.
Ross will compete with Jarron Gilbert and Corbin Bryant for reserve roles along the line. Bryant, a 330-pounder, got plenty of second-team practice reps in the spring.

How Long Will Bills Safety Jarius Byrd Holdout Last?

The big question on the Jairus Byrd front - now that he and the Buffalo Bills have missed a deadline to sign a long-term contract extension this season - is whether or not he'll continue to miss team practices into training camp. Right now, the predominant theory is that agent Eugene Parker will indeed advise Byrd to skip training camp in an effort to leverage the Bills - who would clearly like Byrd in camp as soon as possible - into offering a one-year deal with a no-tag clause (or perhaps even just more money).

Tim Graham of The Buffalo News sums up the most popular guess as to how long Byrd might sit out. Long story short: this could look an awful lot like what Jason Peters did (on Parker's advice) in 2008, with the obvious difference being that Peters was under contract, while Byrd currently is not.

Buffalo Bills Should Start E.J. Maneul Over Kevin Kolb?

It's getting harder for NFL teams to sit rookie quarterbacks. It's also unreasonable for teams to expect the rookie QB results that last season's brilliant class yielded.

EJ Manuel, left, should step ahead of Kevin Kolb on the Bills depth chart. (AP Photo)

That's the biggest question the Bills face in training camp: whether it's in their best short-term interest to start first-round pick Manuel, or to sit him behind veteran newcomer Kevin Kolb.
MORE: Eagles' Vick | Cowboys' defense | Dolphins' Tannehill | Camp sites, dates

Bills camp preview | Jairus Byrd contract | Mario Williams' gaffe | Bills schedule
Manuel is an intriguing prospect because of his size, arm and athleticism. There's no doubt the raw Florida State product was taken so high because of the potential to put all that together and ride the wave of successful young athletic QBs.
In the best-case scenario, Manuel becomes a player in the mold of Colin Kaepernick. The San Francisco 49ers gave the Bills a good blueprint by spending a good season and a half grooming Kaepernick before letting him loose as the quarterback who took them to the Super Bowl.
There is a big difference: Kaepernick inherited a strong supporting cast. In addition to a powerful running game and an elite offensive line, he also benefited from a diverse, innovative passing attack.
The Bills hope new coach Doug Marrone will install such an offense to help them catch up with the NFL's better teams. But with a philosophical change, needed line adjustments and a remixed receiving corps it will be a while before a schematic transition can be successful.
Until some of those other parts are settled, the offense will revolve around running back C.J. Spiller, its best skill player and most dynamic threat. Any starting quarterback is will take his lumps when the ball isn't in Spiller's hands.
Kolb was acquired to be a serviceable veteran. What's kept him from being more is his lack of great feel for handling the pass rush and the inability to stay healthy. Because of those durability issues, there's a good chance even if Kolb is the initial starter, Manuel would be called to action.
Marrone would like to name a starter early in camp, and that's important if he's leaning toward Manuel to give his young passer valuable live-game opportunities in the preseason. The Bills should stop thinking about the remote possibilities they will contend for anything with Kolb and turn to rolling with the rookie now.
The key is being fair to Manuel, keeping him comfortable as a caretaker while at the same time helping him progress as a playmaker. There's no point grooming behind him Kolb, who contrary to what the veteran thinks, was a makeshift option.
The Bills, also unlike the 49ers, don't return a Super Bowl-caliber team, rather one that's chasing the playoffs. The faster the Bills can work to get Manuel up to speed, the better.

Buffalo Bills 2013 RB C.J. Spiller Statistical Preview

By Cory Wagner on July 16, 2013 [Updated: July 16, 2013]

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It seems as if every year about this time, hopes have reached their highest point of the season for the Buffalo Bills, and this season is no different.  Ever since the legendary Jim Kelly retired there have always been question marks at quarterback.  Names like Todd Collins, Rob Johnson, J.P. Losman, Trent Edwards, and Ryan Fitzpatrick never panned out.  The running back position is another story with the Bills, starting with Thurman Thomas, Travis Henry, Willis McGahee, Fred Jackson, and now the future star CJ Spiller.
Entering his 4th season out of Clemson, Spiller has shown sparkles of greatness since being the first running back taken in the 2010 draft (9th overall).  Up until the end of the 2012 season he played backup to an ellusive Fred Jackson.  But Spiller's game could open up even more this season with what should be an upgrade at the receiver position, and 16th overall draft pick EJ Manuel will get every opportunity to be the starting quarterback over veteran Kevin Kolb.  Manuel could be the next star dual threat quarterback...opening up the rushing game even further.
It’s no secret among the Fanstasy Football crowd that Spiller is primed to have a big year and in all likelihood will be a first round pick in every FF draft.  If he can stay healthy a lot of experts have him rated as the best running back in football this year.  On that note we decided to compare his 3 year statistics, in particular his 2012 season, to some of the current and past greats.

It's way too early to say that CJ Spiller is in Adrian Peterson company, but with over 200 attempts there was no one better on a per carry basis than these two (except for Robert Griffin III).
Let's take it a step further and look at the most elite rushing seasons on a per attempt basis since 1990:

Top 5 Yards per Carry since 1990 (min. 200 rush attempts)

Rank	Player	Team	Season	Rushing Attempts	Rushing Yards Per Attempt
1	Jamaal Charles	KC	2010	230	6.38
2	Barry Sanders	Det	1997	335	6.13
3	Adrian Peterson	Min	2012	348	6.03
4	C.J. Spiller	Buf	2012	207	6.01
5	Barry Sanders	Det	1994	331	5.69

That is some elite company to say the least. What is equally as impressive to Spiller's rushing numbers is his threat in the receiving game.  Below are the top Yards after the Catch on a per reception basis since the 1990 season.

Top 10 Runningback YAC per Reception (min. 30 catches)

Rank	Player	Team	Season	Receptions	Avg YAC per Rec
1	Lorenzo White	Hou	1992	57	13.1
2	Fred Jackson	Buf	2011	39	12.8
3	Darren Sproles	SD	2009	45	12.5
4	Craig Heyward	Atl	1994	32	12.3
5	C.J. Spiller	Buf	2012	43	12.1
6	Priest Holmes	KC	2001	62	12.1
7	Arian Foster	Hou	2011	53	12.1
8	Darren McFadden	Oak	2010	47	11.9
9	Felix Jones	Dal	2010	48	11.8
10	Craig Heyward	Atl	1995	37	11.6

At the end of the day, it's a long season and staying healthy at the runningback position is nearly impossible in the current NFL.  But no matter how the Bills' season shakes down, most of us can all agree to expect big things from CJ Spiller in 2013.

Buffalo Bills 2013 Training Camp Preview

REPORT DATES: July 22 (rookies), July 27 (veterans)
SITE: St. John Fisher College, Pittsford, NY
CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: With Ryan Fitzpatrick now in Tennessee, new Bills coach Doug Marrone's first order of business is finding a long term answer at quarterback because newcomer Kevin Kolb isn't the answer. In the end, all the Ryan Nassib talk prior to the draft was just that but Marrone had a signal- caller in mind -- Florida State's E.J. Manuel, a very raw prospect, who will be asked to hit the ground running after being selected No. 16 overall. Buffalo was able to prop up the weapons around the QB position by drafting receivers Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin in an effort to find a complement to Stevie Johnson. Woods, a USC product, was probably the best route-runner available and a player who has been in a pro-style offense for years. On the other side of the ball, Mario Williams needs to step it up and become a dominant player again while rookie linebacker Kiko Alonso, a pretty instinctive guy, will be

Buffalo Bills Project Starting Line-Up

Pro Football Focus came out with what they think the Buffalo Bills will have as their starting line-up come the start of the season.  They did not really take any major leaps on their analysis of where the Bills will be come early September. In fact, after looking at it they really played it safe.
We will start with the Offense and make our own selections and compare to PFF.  PFF said that the Bills would be in a 3 WR set and this would be their key package.  I can agree with that.  They have Kolb and Spiller in the backfield.  I agree with 50% of that.  I believe that E.J. Manuel will be accompanying Spiller in the backfield at the start of the season.

Looking at the WR, I agree with who PFF put their starters on the field, I am not completely sure I agree with where they put them.  Johnson, Woods, and Graham are the three.  They have Woods and Graham on the outside with Johnson in the slot.  I would move either Woods or Graham to the slot and move Johnson outside.  I believe that Graham or Woods have equal ability to play the slot at this point.
On the line, starting from LT to TE, PFF put Cordy Glenn, Legursky, Wood, Urbik, Hairston, and Chandler.  With limited knowledge and view on some of the o-line and most of them being on the younger side with limited experience, this is a safe play and I would agree with them as to the starting line.
Moving onto the defense.  PFF has the Bills playing a nickel as their key defense for most the year.  I don’t agree with this.  I believe that at this point the Bills are the weakest at the CB spot.  A 4-3 defense is going to be their bread and butter package at the start of the season.

PFF put Mario Williams, Kyle Williams, Marcel Dareus, and Mark Anderson as the starting line-up.  I agree with three of the four.  Mark Anderson is the only one that I am on the fence with.  Alan Branch and the rookie, Izaan Cross, I think might be competing for the job.  I believe that Cross will be a standout in camp and will start him over Anderson here.
At LB, PFF put Kiko Alonso and Nigel Bradham as the two that would start.  I like Alonso starting, but am not sure about Bradham.  Manny Lawson will be one of the OLBs as well Alonso.  Jerry Hughes will make an impact with his new team and take the MLB spot to go with the 4-3 defense they will play.

Finishing out the Defense and starting line-ups, the CBs and Safeties.  PFF is playing them in a nickel and has McKelvin, Rogers, and Gilmore as the starting CBs.  I am removing 1 CB and I believe that McKelvin is the best at this point to take the #2 spot opposite Gilmore.  At safety, PFF is playing Byrd and Searcy.  Really?!  Byrd yes, if he signs.  Look for Aaron Williams to take the other Safety spot.  If Byrd is not signed then it will be Williams and Searcy at Safety.
Where do you stand with your line-ups?

Dwight Howard Will Not Sign With The Lakers

There is very little chance of Dwight Howard re-signing with the Los Angeles Lakers this summer, according to sources close to the situation. Howard is willing to forgo the extra $30 million the Lakers can pay him to play for a coach and in a system he feels will better utilize his skill set, one source said.

More on the Lakers

The Lakers can offer Howard a five-year, $118 million contract while other teams can only pay him $88 million over four years.
Howard plans to meet with Dallas, Houston and Atlanta before meeting with the Lakers once teams are allowed to contact free agents beginning July 1, a source said. It appears that the teams will visit Howard in Los Angeles.
Howard is notoriously indecisive so the Lakers, while apparently major underdogs, should not be completely eliminated from contention. Before the 2011-2012 season, he repeatedly asked the Orlando Magic to trade him and then at midseason, he opted-in to the final year of his contract to remain in Orlando.
Howard's major problem with the Lakers is the system Coach Mike D'Antoni employs. Beyond that, he did not enjoy playing with Kobe Bryant, though he could manage to do so in a different system, a source said. Howard also does not want to be second fiddle to Bryant for several more seasons.
While many believe Houston is the Lakers' stiffest competition, sources say Howard finds Dallas just as appealing, if not more. Assuming the Mavericks are able to clear enough cap space to offer him a maximum-salaried contract, Howard is strongly considering joining Dallas. The Mavericks are trying to shed Shawn Marion's $9 million expiring contract to create the room to sign Howard, according to sources.
Howard likes the idea of being the top superstar of a franchise and with Dirk Nowitzki aging, Dallas would be viewed as Howard's team. Howard also believes the Mavericks can build a championship roster around him with the ample cap space they will have in the summer of 2014.
Some close to Howard believe signing with Houston is his best option. Howard has been in contact with Rockets players James Harden and Chandler Parsons, both of whom are heavily recruiting him.
Howard, however, has concerns about the Rockets' style of play, sources say. While he likes the idea of playing for Coach Kevin McHale, he sees that they play an up-tempo, perimeter-oriented style that does not feature post play.
To get Howard, the Rockets will have to convince him that they will play a style more conducive to his skills.
Atlanta, Howard's home town, is a long shot. As ESPN.com reported two weeks ago, Howard was willing to go to Atlanta with Clippers free agent Chris Paul. But the recent signing of Doc Rivers as the Clippers' head coach has assured that Paul will remain in Los Angeles.
Howard would love to do a sign-and-trade deal that would allow him to play with Paul and the Clippers, but neither he nor the Clippers believe the Lakers will agree to such a move, sources said.