Bills Owner Terry Pegula Says, Acknowledges Failed Fan Expectations

Mike Florio -The Bills had a bad season. But not bad enough to make big changes.
That’s the meaning of the message conveyed in a statement issued Wednesday afternoon by owner Terry Pegula.
“As our first full season as owners of the Buffalo Bills draws to a close, management, coaches, players, and fans all feel that our expectations were not met,” Pegula said. “Kim [Pegula], Russ [Brandon] and I look forward to working and collaborating with Doug Whaley and Rex Ryan in forming a winning future for the organization.  Our management team and coaching staff are very capable and work well together.  This stable foundation is necessary to achieve long-term success in the NFL.”
Pegula is right about the importance of stability. He’s possibly not right about Whaley and Ryan working well together. Someone (presumably from the coaching staff) leaked that Whaley “went rogue” when abruptly cutting running back Fred Jackson in late August. Also, the carousel at backup quarterback was odd at times, with 2013 first-round quarterback (and Whaley selection) EJ Manuel getting more favorable treatment than Ryan-era arrival Matt Cassel.
At one point this year, it seemed as if Ryan would be inclined to make a power play aimed at getting control of the football operations. Ultimately, however, he didn’t win enough games to give him the juice necessary to take charge. And if Whaley were to be run off in the aftermath of a disappointing season, Ryan could have found himself in another John Idzik scenario, with a new G.M. more intent on hiring his own coach than making it work with the one he inherited.
So Whaley and Ryan will continue to work together. They’ll truly work well together if Pegula’s public message was accompanied with a private message informing them that, if one is ever fired, both will be fired.

Buffalo Bills Players Are Asking For Gifts From The Steelers

While Mike Tomlin said he won't talk to Rex Ryan this week, there's plenty of dialect taking place this week between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills' players.
At 9-6 and just outside of the AFC playoff picture, the Steelers need a win over the Browns and a Bills' victory over the Jets to have a chance at making the playoffs for the second straight year. Buffalo is aware of they will have extra support from the Black and Gold this weekend, as Pittsburgh linebacker Vince Williams has recently spoken with his brother, Bills running back Karlos Williams.
Speaking in a playful tone, Vince Wiliams said that his brother and the rest of his Buffalo teammates are asking for bribes from the Steelers this week, as Pittsburgh's players may look to give the Bills an added incentive to win Sunday's game in Buffalo. Steelers fans will surely be paying close attention to both games, which both start at 1:00p.m. ET.
While Buffalo's players are having fun with the Steelers, don't expect their coach to be in a playful mood this week. Ryan, who was fired by the Jets at the conclusion of the 2014, would surely love nothing more than to knock his former team out of the playoffs during the final game of the regular season

Tyrod Taylor Future With The Buffalo Bills

Orchard Park, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills are hopeful that they have their quarterback of the future in Tyrod Taylor.
At least that's what general manager Doug Whlaey said on WGR 550 Tuesday morning when discussing the disappointment of the 2015 season.
"If you strip the 16 seasons away and the logo off the helmet, you have a team with the possibility and I stress possibility of the quarterback in the future."
Rex Ryan has called Taylor "legit" while wide receiver Sammy Watkins has continually expressed confidence in his quarterback. Whaley has been encouraged by what he's seen but is ready to see him take the next step.
"The next step he has to do, is we have to open things up where we design some things for him to have those inside-the-numbers throws," Whaley said. "But the biggest thing for him is he has to take that next step and that next step is the end-of-the-game situations where we can count on him like he did in Tennessee. To get that consistency in the end of game situations where we can depend on him and basically throw the game on his back and have him come through and deliver."
In order to do that, Whaley said Taylor needs to attack the middle of the field more often. That's something he expects to happen more when defenses start playing Taylor differently.
"That's how you're going to defend a young, athletic quarterback. You're going to take away those easy throws and you're going to clog up the middle of the field if he runs. I look at it as a positive because the harder throws are the throws outside the hash. If he can make those throws consistently as well as those throws down the field, those slants, those curls, those hitches, those are the things that are easy. So when the defenses start loosening up and try to defend the outside-the-number throws — because they didn't think he could make it — then it's going to open up the inside of the field. But there's always going to spies there so the middle of the field is going to be cluttered at times because of his ability to scramble and make plays with his feet."
While the Bills are trying to determine what exactly they have in Taylor, he's shown plenty of promise in his first season starting in the NFL. He's thrown 20 touchdowns to just six interceptions and rushed for a single-season franchise record 517 yards this season. He also has three rushing touchdowns and is averaging over eight yards per passing attempt.
Taylor has already triggered a contract incentive in which he voids the third season of his contract by playing 50 percent of snaps for the Bills this season. He's on track to play 80 percent of the team's snaps and will earn a $1 million bonus for that, according to Field Yates of ESPN.
The bigger question, though, is whether the Bills will extend his contract this offseason or let him play the final season of his deal in 2016. The answer to that question hinges on how much development the Bills expect from Taylor.
"I think it can be done," Whaley said. "I think it's going to be a maturation process where he starts moving around, as we say 'pocket presence,' to move around in the pocket and find those open throwing lanes because there are throwing lanes. A lot of times with those younger quarterbacks, they have that flight feel. Instead of moving around the pocket and buying time, they want to fly out of the pocket. So I think that'll come with more reps and more game experience."
Rex Ryan and center Eric Wood have both mentioned that they would like Taylor to protect himself a bit more when he runs. If he's going to be the Bills' franchise quarterback, they need him healthy more than anything.
While there are still questions, those at One Bills Drive have plenty of faith in Taylor. The real show of faith will come with a new contract, and if he cleans up the areas Whaley mentioned, that will be a top priority for Buffalo.

Rex Ryan Regrets Opening His Big Mouth With The Buffalo Bills

Rex Ryan, humbled? Say it ain't so!
With Ryan's Bills 7-8 and out of the playoff race, and with the team he had coached for the previous six seasons—Your New York Jets—rolling into Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sunday with a chance to clinch a postseason berth, Ryan is eating crow.
Somebody get the guy a bib. This is remarkable stuff.
"I think we got a great thing going here," Ryan told WGR radio in Buffalo on Monday, via ESPN.com's Mike Rodak. "We just didn't produce the wins I thought we would.
"The thing that kind of gives this team a black eye when we're looking at it is that I let my mouth get ahead of everything. And I think if I would have come in there and just said, 'Hey, we're gonna compete,' and do all that stuff, maybe we wouldn't have such a bad feeling about this team.
"This team doesn't deserve that. This team has fought, and they've played extremely hard. We've had a lot of things happen this year where we've felt, where we've came up short. There's no question about it. But I think I could have handled it differently."
ALSO: Bowles says there's 'no pressure' on Jets
Ryan had missed the playoffs in his last four seasons with the Jets, but he came sweeping into Buffalo this year much the way he did with the Jets in 2009: By making bold promises. At his introductory press conference back in January, Ryan declared, in no uncertain terms, that the Bills would go back to the playoffs this year for the first time since 1999.
In a scene had to look familiar to Jets fans, Ryan's bluster had the entire Western New York region eating out of the palm of his hand this offseason. But where Ryan once had the credibility of two AFC Championship Game runs in his first two seasons with the Jets, he had no such track record in his second act with the Bills. And after Ryan failed to deliver this year—with a team that went 9-7 and had a terrific defense last season—the fans and the media there began to turn on him.

MORE: Jets playoff scenarios heading into Week 17

And now Ryan might have to stand there and watch the franchise that fired him one year ago this week wrap up its first playoff spot in five seasons—in his own house, no less. Has to hurt. You better believe it. And things.

Evander Kane Legal Team Doing There Own Investigation

BUFFALO - Evander Kane is busy doing his job, playing hockey for the Buffalo Sabres. The young forward was back on the ice this morning for a team practice at the First Niagara Center.
And Kane's legal team, led by noted Buffalo defense attorney Paul Cambria is doing their job. That is, doing an independent investigation of sexual assault allegation against Kane.
Cambria disclosed the existence of the investigation in a brief e-mail to Channel 2.
The e-mail reads in part, "We are doing our own investigation. We employ top notch investigators including former federal agents."
This means there are parallel teams of investigators working this case. One for Kane's defense team. The other is by Buffalo Police detectives.
The accusation against Kane surfaced Sunday. The Buffalo News reported today that Kane has said that a sexual encounter with a 20-year-old woman at the Harbor Center Marriott was consensual. The Buffalo Police department has not public corroborated that.

Paul Cambria says his firm will do its own investigation into the accusation against his client, Evander kane. (Photo: WGRZ)

Cambria declined to comment on that point saying, "I do not comment on the merits of a case."

New Details On Pat Kane Rape Investigation

New details are emerging about the time that Patrick Kane spent in a downtown Buffalo nightclub last weekend and the allegations made by a woman who claims that Kane raped her after meeting her in the club and taking her to his Town of Hamburg waterfront home.
Sources with knowledge of the investigation said that the young woman who has accused the hockey superstar of rape had bite marks on her shoulders and a scratch on her leg after the alleged attack.
The woman alleges that Kane invited her and a female friend to his home for a private party after they met him last Saturday night at SkyBar, a popular nightclub on Franklin Street, the sources said.
Shortly after she and her friend arrived at Kane’s home on Old Lakeshore Road, the accuser alleges that she went by herself into another room, where Kane followed her, overpowered her and raped her, the sources said.
The woman left Kane’s home with her friend and used a cellphone to call a relative immediately after the alleged attack. She then went to a local hospital for examination, and police were called afterward, the sources said.
The alleged attack occurred about 4 a.m. last Sunday, about an hour after Kane was seen leaving SkyBar.
A person who knows the woman described her as frantic and traumatized when she called her relative to report what happened.

Buffalo Bills QB Battle Intensify In Training Camp

The Buffalo Bills' carousel of quarterback disappointment extended into Saturday's scrimmage, with one fan openly pining for the return of Kyle Orton.
Although EJ Manuel was the consensus scrimmage "winner," WKBW's Joe Buscaglia described the offense's showing as "mostly putrid."
Manuel completed five-of-11 passes for 105 yards and the lone touchdown, coming after all three of the quarterbacks had taken turns with the first-, second- and third-team offenses.
Matt Cassel was just two of six for 27 yards. The play-calling concentrated on establishing the run when he was under center with the first-team offense.
Tyrod Taylor showed glimpses of talent, going eight of 13 for 83 yards and another 31 rushing yards. Coach Rex Ryan was disappointed, however, that Taylor missed a few throws.
Although Ryan noted that it's normal for the defense to be ahead of the offense early in camp, he acknowledged he was hoping for a stronger showing from his quarterbacks.
"I was hoping to see something else pop through there, but it didn't," Ryan said.
Yet to impress his new team going back to offseason practices, Cassel is still likely to be afforded veteran deference in the preseason opener.

"We'll probably start Cassel in the first game against Carolina and we'll just go from there," Ryan said. "Obviously we'll rotate guys who get a shot to start."

Here's what else we learned in Saturday's scrimmages:

Buffalo Bills 2015 Training Camp Preview "Players To Watch"

The Buffalo Bills open training camp on July 31 at St. John Fisher College in Pittsford, New York. Here’s a closer look at the Bills' camp, which wraps up on Aug. 25:
Top storyline: You can ask any fan in the bleachers, any reporter on the sideline, any parking attendant, or anyone selling hot dogs during Bills training camp this August, and they'll tell you the same thing: the team's top storyline is its quarterback competition. The seemingly endless debate throughout the spring and summer has been if EJ Manuel, Matt Cassel or Tyrod Taylor -- whoever wins the starting QB job this preseason -- can be good enough to put the Bills into the playoffs. In truth, nobody knows if the Bills will be able to get by with what they have at quarterback -- not coach Rex Ryan, not general manager Doug Whaley and not anyone else around the team. The team's goal this offseason was to build around that position and use managed, controlled performances from their QBs to win games. There's really no way to tell if that strategy will pay off until the regular season, no matter who wins the competition this summer.
Position battles to watch: Beyond the obvious quarterback battle, the Bills have few starting jobs up for grabs this August. Second-year right tackle Cyrus Kouandjio slid onto the first team this spring but will need to hold off Seantrel Henderson in training camp, while Duke Williams will need to fend off veterans Corey Graham and Bacarri Rambo at safety. There should also be some intriguing battles for playing time at wide receiver between incumbent No. 2 receiver Robert Woods and free-agent signing Percy Harvin, as well as at tight end behind pricey offseason pickup Charles Clay.

Veterans to watch: Running back LeSean McCoy considers himself a star and he'll have to live up to that billing if the Bills' offense is to be playoff worthy this season. Fans outside Buffalo probably considered Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller a top-notch duo at running back, but that pairing underperformed last season, with the Bills finishing 26th in rushing average (3.69 yards per rush). McCoy is also coming off a "down" year in which his rushing average dropped from 5.1 yards in 2013 to 4.2 yards last season. He's still one of the best at his job in the NFL, and all eyes will be on McCoy as the Bills feed him the ball relentlessly this fall.
Rookies to watch: The Bills had a small, six-man rookie class that was without a first-round selection because of last year's trade for Sammy Watkins. Of that group, Louisville's John Miller, a third-round pick, is the most likely to start on opening day. He'll slide into a right guard spot that was a disaster last season, and it won't be easy for Miller. He'll be tasked with blocking Miami's Ndamukong Suh twice this season, as well as a potent New York Jets defensive line that includes Leonard Williams, Sheldon Richardson and Mo Wilkerson. Outside of quarterback, the Bills' Achilles' heel last season was their offensive line, and the team is counting on Miller to help turn that around.
Bubble watch: Would the Bills really cut Cassel? I believe there is a possibility that it could happen, especially if Cassel's cringe-worthy spring performance continues into training camp. Cassel is due a $4.15 million base salary this season, a payment that the Bills can avoid paying if they cut the veteran before the regular season and opt to roll with Manuel and Taylor as their quarterbacks. Elsewhere, 2013 third-round pick Marquise Goodwin is fighting for his roster spot at wide receiver following the addition of Harvin.
Kromer conundrum: Rarely is an NFL coach arrested, especially so soon before the start of training camp, but the Bills found themselves in a tight spot when offensive line coach Aaron Kromer was charged with misdemeanor battery as part of an altercation over beach chairs in Florida earlier this month. Kromer was placed on indefinite paid administrative leave two days later and won't appear in court until Aug. 12. The team has yet to announce how it will replace Kromer, a veteran NFL coach who has experience as an interim head coach for the New Orleans Saints and as an offensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears. Assistant offensive line coach Kurt Anderson will have a lot on his plate if he is tapped to fill in for Kromer.

2015 NFL Buffalo Bills Blitz Final Mock Draft

Rampant trade talk and a pick-your-flavor class of prospects will make the first NFL Draft held in the city of Chicago a memorable one.

While most are focusing on what the Tennessee Titans will do with the No. 2 overall pick, the action could really get interesting a pick later, as most anticipate quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota will, indeed, be the first two picks off board. Rather than pick between defensive linemen Leonard Williams and Dante Fowler, Jr. the Jaguars may instead elect to take a player on offense for the sixth consecutive year.

Sparking the offense (and fan base) could be decision that helps Jacksonville become relevant and sparks a crazy first day of the 2015 NFL Draft.
***** Final Update *****
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State: Though questions still remain about Winston's maturity, from a purely football perspective, he is an excellent match in Tampa Bay as he possesses the awareness, accuracy, and arm strength to take full advantage of the Bucs' massive pass-catchers. Winston has Pro Bowl talent and makes Tampa Bay instantly competitive in a very winnable NFC South.

2. Tennessee Titans - Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon: Whether the Titans select Mariota or trade this pick to another team (the Browns or Eagles appear most likely), sources throughout the league expect the reigning Heisman Trophy winner to come off the board at No. 2. Mariota isn't as pro-ready as Winston but he has possesses all of the traits to be a franchise quarterback.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama: Giving second-year quarterback Blake Bortles the most pro-ready receiver in the draft helps Jacksonville more than adding another pass rusher to a squad that already finished sixth in the NFL in sacks a season ago.

4. Oakland Raiders - Leonard Williams, DT, Southern Cal: Arguably the best defender in the draft fell into the Raiders' lap a year ago with Khalil Mack. Williams has said he'd like to play for the Raiders and would complement Mack, giving Oakland its' first fearsome defensive front in a long time.

5. Washington Redskins -- Dante Fowler, DE/OLB, Florida: With the draft's most pro-ready pass rusher still available, Washington is able to quickly replace free agent departure Brian Orakpo - who the club attempted to keep.

6. New York Jets - Kevin White, WR, West Virginia: New general manager Mike Macaggnan and head coach Todd Bowles have no ties to incumbent quarterback Geno Smith and could make a bold play for Mariota. If standing pat, adding arguably the most gifted receiver in the draft could give Smith the trio of receivers (along with Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker) necessary to knock the CB-needy Patriots off their perch in the AFC East.

7. Chicago Bears - Danny Shelton, DT, Washington: Any debate as to the direction of Chicago's pick could be answered if both of the top receivers are off the board. John Fox's allegiance lies on the defensive line anyway and he and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio may see Shelton as the ideal building block at nose guard.

8. Atlanta Falcons - Vic Beasley, DE, Clemson: The Falcons brought in former Seahawks' defensive coordinator Dan Quinn as head coach to bring some intensity and pass rush to Atlanta. Pound for pound, Beasley is the most explosive edge rusher in the draft.

9. New York Giants - Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa: The Giants could be intrigued by some of the edge rushers still on the board but if Scherff - the draft's best offensive lineman - is available, he'd make too much sense to pass up.

10. St. Louis Rams - Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami: The Rams developed a fearsome defensive line with the picks gained in the 2012 Robert Griffin III trade but reinforcements are still needed on the opposite side. Like last year's No. 2 overall pick Greg Robinson, Flowers is a mauler in the running game.

11. Minnesota Vikings - Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State: Given the receivers Minnesota faces each year in the NFC North, it wouldn't be a surprise to see defensive-minded head coach Mike Zimmer push for another long-lanky corner for his scheme, especially should the top talent at the position fall in his lap.

12. Cleveland Browns -- Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida: If the Browns are unable (or unwilling) to trade up for Mariota, filling holes at wide receiver and along the line of scrimmage would become the priority. Perriman has the explosiveness to replace Josh Gordon as a vertical threat and could emerge as a true No. 1 target if he eliminated some of the drops. Watch out for this pick (or No. 19 overall) going to Philadelphia in a deal for veteran quarterback Sam Bradford.

13. New Orleans Saints - Alvin "Bud" Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky: With two first round picks but multiple needs after jettisoning Jimmy Graham, Kenny Stills and Ben Grubbs, the Saints could go in a variety of directions here. Providing defensive coordinator Rob Ryan with an explosive rusher like Dupree could provide the greatest immediate impact.

14. Miami Dolphins - Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia: With his surgically-repaired knee reportedly earning positive reviews from NFL doctors during the Combine re-check April 17, Gurley is likely to get a late bump up draft boards. By already investigating a trade into the top 10 for a receiver, Miami appears committed to making a big splash on draft day, similar to the aggressive move made in free agency with the signing of Ndamukong Suh.

15. San Francisco 49ers - Marcus Peters, CB, Washington: Patrick Willis and Chris Borland retiring has shifted the attention in San Francisco to inside linebacker but replacing starting cornerback Chris Culliver is also a concern. Peters comes with obvious character concerns after getting kicked off the team at Washington but the Oakland native would have local support here and plays with the physicality to handle playing in the rough and tumble NFC West.

16. Houston Texans - DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville: The addition of veterans Cecil Shorts and Nate Washington may not equal what the Texans lost with Andre Johnson heading to divisional rival Indianapolis. Parker's gliding gait and wide catch radius could complement the toughness and physicality that DeAndre Hopkins already brings to the field.

17. San Diego Chargers - Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin: If unable to swing a deal for Mariota, the Chargers may take the more conventional route of boosting its offense by investing a first round pick in a runner - the same route that landed the club LaDainian Tomlinson and Ryan Matthews, the only two backs to rush for over 1,000 yards for San Diego this century.

18. Kansas City Chiefs - D.J. Humphries, OT, Florida: Under general manager John Dorsey, the Chiefs have consistently drafted with an eye towards the future. As such, a defensive back makes sense. Don't put it past head coach Andy Reid (a former offensive line coach) to ignore a talent like Humphries, who possesses the light feet to handle left tackle, allowing former No. 1 overall pick Eric Fisher to remain at his more natural right tackle position.

19. Cleveland Browns (from Buffalo) - Arik Armstead, DL, Oregon: The Browns finished dead last in the NFL in run defense a year ago and have allowed over 2,000 rushing yards in 14 of the past 16 seasons - a recipe for disaster in the black and blue AFC North. If standing pat, it is hard to imagine defensive-minded head coach Mike Pettine not pushing for help along the line of scrimmage and Armstead has the raw tools to develop.

20. Philadelphia Eagles - Cameron Erving, OL, Florida State: The Eagles may very well wind up trading out of this pick but with concerns along the offensive line and Chip Kelly's preference for versatile and highly athletic blockers, Erving could be a perfect match.

21. Cincinnati Bengals - Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford: The Bengals have two solid tackles in Andrew Whitworth and Andre Smith but each will be entering the final year of their respective contracts in 2015. The notoriously frugal Bengals may already be looking ahead to the future, especially if a talent like Peat falls into their lap.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers - Randy Gregory, OLB/DE, Nebraska: With a once-proud defense aging, Steelers' general manager Kevin Colbert may be a little bit more willing to roll the dice on a player with character red flags. Cornerback is the team's greatest need by edge rushers with Gregory's length and agility don't come around very often outside of the top 20 picks.

23. Detroit Lions - Malcom Brown, DT, Texas: The loss of Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley in free agency makes defensive tackle an obvious area of concern for the Lions. Brown is a quick-twitch penetrating defensive tackle whose blue-collar work ethic might be especially appreciated in Detroit after Suh took the money and ran and Fairley failed to live up to expectations.

24. Arizona Cardinals - Shane Ray, DE/OLB, Missouri: A citation for marijuana possession this week and a less-than-spectacular Pro Day has Ray's stock slipping but for an Arizona squad looking for edge rushers, the reigning SEC sack king could fit perfectly. Ray has an electric first step to beat pass blockers off the edge and if inserted into a defense as talented as Arizona's, he could quickly prove a steal.

25. Carolina Panthers - Jake Fisher, OT, Oregon: The addition of veterans Michael Oher and Jonathan Martin sound good on paper but reinforcements along the offensive line are needed. Fisher, a former tight end with experience at both left and right tackle, has the athleticism and grit to contribute immediately.

26. Baltimore Ravens - Nelson Agholor, WR, Southern Cal: Despite owner Steve Bisciotti claiming that the Ravens don't need help at receiver, the loss of deep threat Torrey Smith to free agency and advancing age of Steve Smith begs to differ. Agholor starred in a pro-ready offense and has the agility and speed to take full advantage of Joe Flacco's big arm.

27. Dallas Cowboys - Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest: Cornerback is one of the few areas of concern on an otherwise stacked roster in Dallas. Johnson, a four year starter, has terrific agility and speed but some question his ability to handle the physicality of the NFL at 6-0, 188 pounds, which could allow him to drop into Dallas' lap.

28. Denver Broncos -Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M: Gary Kubiak's beloved West Coast Offense calls for athletic offensive linemen. They don't come much more athletic than Ogbuehi, who was viewed as a possible top 10 pick entering the year. Ogbuehi is still recovering from a torn ACL but his upside is exciting and Kubiak (and his staff) will know him well following their time in Houston.

29. Indianapolis Colts - Damarious Randall, FS, Arizona State: No player has flown up the board faster over the past few months than Randall, whose agility and instincts in coverage make him better suited to handing today's pass-happy offenses than Alabama's Landon Collins. For a club needing help at safety and hoping to vault past Denver and New England as the elite team in the AFC, Randall makes sense.

30. Green Bay Packers - Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA: The Packers may have been a dropped onside kick from playing in the Super Bowl but allowing 157 rushing yards to Marshawn Lynch in the NFC Championship didn't help. It also wasn't a one game issue, as the Packers finished the regular season ranked 23rd in the league in run defense and have since released inside linebackers AJ Hawk and Brad Jones. Kendricks lacks the bulk of a traditional 3-4 inside linebacker but his instincts, speed and ball-skills could be the quick fix GM Ted Thompson is looking for.

31. New Orleans Saints (from Seattle Seahawks) - Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut: With the addition of a pass rusher at No. 13, the Saints can take advantage of the depth of this year's cornerback class with Jones, whose athleticism would serve as an ideal complement to Keenan Lewis.

32. New England Patriots -Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State: Don't be surprised if the Patriots trade out of this pick, as teams will want to take advantage of the five-year contract options allowed to first round picks, making the No. 32 overall selection much more valuable than No. 33. If standing pat, Goldman's size and strength could make him an ideal replacement for longtime nose guard Vince Wilfork.

Second Round:

33. Tennessee Titans - Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State: Strong isn't as dynamic as his Combine workout suggests but he's the reliable pass-catcher needed to help Tennessee's offense grow.

34. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Preston Smith, DE, Mississippi State: Releasing Michael Johnson opens up a big need for defensive ends in Tampa.

35. Oakland Raiders -- Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami: The need for speed lives on in Oakland.

36. Jacksonville Jaguars -- Eli Harold, DE, Virginia: The Jaguars continue to reinforce the pass rush, adding a more traditional LEO edge rusher with Harold.

37. New York Jets -- Eric Rowe, CB, Utah: Concerns at corner and safety could be alleviated with Rowe, who starred at both positions while with the Utes.

38. Washington Redskins -- Laken Tomlinson, OG, Duke: Adding toughness and physicality along the offensive line will be a priority in Washington.

39. Chicago Bears -- Landon Collins, S, Alabama: Collins could slip due to concerns about his agility in coverage but he's a terrific in-the-box enforcer who could give the Bears' some much-needed teeth in the secondary.

40. New York Giants -- Mario Edwards, Jr., DE, Florida State: The Giants are often willing to gamble on edge rushers and Edwards has created a lot of buzz for himself with terrific workouts.

41. St. Louis Rams -- Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma: Despite plenty of focus on the position, the Rams still are lacking a true No. 1 receiver. The club has been willing to gamble on character concerns in the past and will know the talented but troubled Missouri-transfer very well.

42. Atlanta Falcons -- Donovan Smith, OT, Penn State: Adding size and physicality along the line of scrimmage will be the priority for the Falcons.

43. Cleveland Browns -- Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE, UCLA: The Browns gambled on traits with the selection of Barkevious Mingo two years ago and could be similarly intrigued with Odighizuwa.

44. New Orleans Saints -- Stephone Anthony, ILB, Clemson: The ultra-physical Anthony was built to star in defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's scheme.

45. Minnesota Vikings -- A.J. Cann, OL, South Carolina: Cann's physicality makes him an easy fit in Norv Turner's drive-blocking scheme.

46. San Francisco 49ers -- Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State: The surprise retirements of Patrick Willis and Chris Borland makes ILB a huge concern.

47. Miami Dolphins -- Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington: Scouts are split on whether Thompson fits best in the NFL as a linebacker or safety but there is no denying that he's a playmaker.

48. San Diego Chargers - Carl Davis, DT, Iowa: Powerful enough to handle nose guard or defensive end duties in the 3-4, Davis could provide the Chargers lots of flexibility.

49. Kansas City Chiefs -- Denzel Perryman, ILB, Miami: With Derrick Johnson coming off a ruptured Achilles tendon at the age of 32, the Chiefs might want to consider the future.

50. Buffalo Bills -- T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh: Medical red-flags have Clemmings' stock slipping as the draft approaches but at this point, he might offer too much ability for the Bills to ignore.

51. Houston Texans - Jalen Collins, CB, LSU: Resigning Kareem Jackson was critical but depth behind he and fellow starter Johnathan Joseph is lacking and Collins has exciting tools to develop.

52. Philadelphia Eagles -- Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State: Despite what Chip Kelly might say, the Eagles missed DeSean Jackson's homerun threat. Smith could provide that.

53. Cincinnati Bengals -- Grady Jarrett, DT, Clemson: Geno Atkins hasn't looked the same since tearing his ACL. Jarrett possesses many of the same attributes, including power, quickness and a terrific motor.

54. Detroit Lions - Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska: The Lions may see the dynamic Abdullah as an ideal complement to underrated big back Joique Bell.

55. Arizona Cardinals - Duke Johnson, RB, Miami: The Cardinals investigated DeMarco Murray and could see similar lead-back characteristics in Johnson, who blends great vision, balance and burst.

56. Pittsburgh Steelers - Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota: The Steelers re-signed Matt Spaeth to a two-year deal so tight end may not be a critical need with longtime starter Heath Miller entering the final year of his deal. At this point in the draft, though, Williams' upside (and fit in this scheme) may be too much to pass up.

57. Carolina Panthers -- Ronald Darby, CB, Florida State: The Panthers consistently bet heavy on unique traits and Darby has speed to burn.

58. Baltimore Ravens -- P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State: Ozzie Newsome has bolstered his Hall of Fame resume by nabbing good players who slip due to character red flags. Williams fills a need and is certainly worthy of second round consideration.

59. Denver Broncos - Garrett Grayson, QB, Colorado State: The local favorite has the blend of athleticism and accuracy on the move to be a nice developmental option behind Manning in Kubiak's West Coast Offense.

60. Dallas Cowboys - Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana: The Cowboys aren't likely to wait long on draft day to supplement a running backs corps that currently is led by Darren McFadden.

61. Indianapolis Colts - Nate Orchard, DE/OLB, Utah: Orchard isn't a flashy athlete but he might just be the savviest pass rusher in the draft.

62. Green Bay Packers - Jordan Phillips, NT, Oklahoma: Phillips has first round traits but concerns about the long-term health of his back could push him down the board. At this point, he could be seen as a steal.

63. Seattle Seahawks -- Tre Jackson, OG, Florida State: Jackson isn't a flashy athlete but he's powerful and reliable, making him a potential replacement for free agent defection James Carpenter at left guard.

64. New England Patriots -- Quinten Rollins, CB, Miami (Ohio): Given the turnover at cornerback for the Patriots, an athletic cover corner with Rollins' ball-skills would likely fetch plenty of interest.

Topics: 2015 NFL Draft, NFLDRAFT

Buffalo Bills Want Byrce Petty With 50th Overall Draft Pick

New Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan might be feeling a little deja vu at the moment. Like his time in the Big Apple, Ryan is coaching a team with an impressive defense. The Bills led the league in sacks last season with 54 and finished with the fourth overall ranked defense (312.2 yards allowed per game). However, the offense is another story. Buffalo finished 18^th in passing yards (225.9) and 25^th in rushing yards (92.6) last year. EJ Manuel was benched after just four games for Kyle Orton who retired earlier this offseason. That leaves Ryan and the Bills without a lot of options at quarterback.

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Definitely starting to sound familiar, right?
As a result, ESPN NFL Draft Insider Mel Kiper Jr. projects the Bills to select Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty with the 50^th overall pick.
"This is one I really struggled with," Kiper wrote. "On one hand, I don't think Petty is ready to start NFL games in his first season. On the other hand, a couple of the biggest needs I have (guard, inside linebacker) are at positions at which you can find starters into Day 3. When Stephone Anthony went off the board at No. 49, I decided to roll the dice on Petty and add a developmental piece to a roster that is, outside of the giant question mark at QB, in decent shape."
Matt Cassel has proven serviceable under center in the past and he will likely begin the season as Buffalo's starter. The hope for the Bills is that the improved offensive talent (LeSean McCoy, Sammy Watkins, Percy Harvin, Charles Clay) will help to mask some of the quarterback deficiencies that are present. Petty will likely compete with Manuel for the primary back up gig.
Bills fans shouldn't expect to find their QB savior in this draft, especially without a first-round pick. Petty is a nice player, but there's a reason he is still available in the second-round in this mock draft.

Buffalo Sabres Saviour Jack Eichel Will Lead The Sabres To A Stanley Cup

Jack Eichel will represent the U.S. at the 2015 World Championship. (USATSI)

After tearing up the college hockey ranks as an 18-year-old freshman at Boston University, top NHL Draft prospect Jack Eichel is going to try his hand against the pros. No, he didn't announce that he's officially leaving BU ahead of the 2015-16 campaign (though that appears at least likely). He accepted an invitation to play for Team USA at the 2015 IIHF World Championship.
Eichel will go head-to-head against NHL players and pros from leagues around the world at the IIHF's annual tournament. It should be an interesting window to Eichel's readiness for professional hockey as he goes up against players he hopes will soon be his peers.
The North Chelmsford, Massachusetts native is the consensus No. 2 pick for the upcoming NHL Entry Draft. He will find out his likely destination Saturday night as the NHL holds its lottery to determine the first 14 slots in the NHL Entry Draft for 2015.
Eichel won the Hobey Baker Memorial Award as college hockey's top player after posting 71 points in 40 games this past season. He is just the second freshman ever to win the Hobey in the history of the award. The talented center also helped lead BU to the national championship game, where the Terriers ended up getting upset by conference rival Providence College just a week ago.
The U.S. roster is light on NHL stars this year as USA Hockey is bringing in a lot of younger players, including four other collegiate players. Also on the roster from the NCAA ranks will be Nashville Predators prospect and Hobey Baker finalist Jimmy Vesey. He led the NCAA in goals this year while playing for Harvard University. Also on the club are Michigan freshman Dylan Larkin, a first-round pick of the Detroit Red Wings, and University of Minnesota defenseman Mike Reilly (Columbus Blue Jackets) and Yale University goaltender Alex Lyon.
Among the NHLers on the roster, two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Los Angeles Kings Trevor Lewis, U.S. Olympian and Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Justin Faulk, Toronto Maple Leafs blueliner Jake Gardiner, Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug, Arizona Coyotes forward Mark Arcobello, Edmonton Oilers forward Matt Hendricks, Coyotes defenseman John Moore, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Jeremy Morin, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Zach Redmond, San Jose Sharks forward Ben Smith, Coyotes defenseman Connor Murphy and KHL forwards Dan Sexton and Steve Moses, who was just signed by the Predators as a free agent.
It's not the most stacked lineup, so Eichel should end up playing a prominent role as he tests his mettle in a difficult tournament featuring many NHL players. It should be a great opportunity for the 18-year-old to get some pro reps as he prepares to embark on his NHL career, if he decides to leave BU.
The 2015 IIHF World Championship runs May 1-17 in Ostrava and Prague, Czech Republic. All of Team USA's games are to air on NBC Sports Network either live or on tape delay. The Americans open tournament play May 1 against Finland.

 

Ronda Rousey And Cris Cyborg Are Ready For Superfight

USA TODAY Sports

Both Ronda Rousey and Cris Cyborg are fighting this weekend in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, it will not be against each other. Heck, it won’t even be in the same promotion. Cris Cyborg is fighting Charmaine Tweet for the Invicta 145 pound belt on Friday while Rousey defends her 135 pound belt the next day against Cat Zingano in the UFC.
You’d think 10 pounds wouldn’t be much of an impediment in setting up the biggest fight in WMMA history since Cyborg battered Gina Carano out of the sport in 2009. But you’d be wrong on that one. At first it seemed like the UFC was stalling to establish their women’s division before letting their champ fight at a weightclass they don’t even have. But it turns out that Ronda is dead set on fighting Cyborg at 135 pounds and only 135 pounds. Via MMA Junkie:

“[The fight] is already set up,” Rousey said at UFC 184’s open workouts. “I’m here. She’s the one that left the company. She’s the one that ran off. I’m still the champion of the division. I’m still here and she can come fight me or not. But it’s been her decision to not come here.”
…
“She can make 135 (pounds),” Rousey said. “She definitely can. The thing is, someone that cheats and makes things easier for themselves is always going to try and make things easier for themselves. That girl needs to learn that you’re not always going to get advantages put in your favor. You need to learn a lesson that you need to do exactly what the other girls do. Stop taking f*cking steroids and make weight.”
“People take steroids because they’re insecure. I don’t think her insecurity has gone away.”

Rousey may have a point about Cyborg’s confidence. 2014 was not the greatest year for Cris with her only fight being a one sided decision loss in kickboxing to Jorina Baars. Her MMA record since coming back from a steroid suspension in 2011 is still 2-0, but injuries aborted her plans to make it down to bantamweight and she doesn’t sound any closer to making 135 now than she did a couple of years ago:

“I’m now 15 pounds from 145, the water. And I walk 175 and normally I was 168, 165 pounds for drop to 145. Yeah, you know. Hard, hard. The day I tired, cut the weight I know it’s hard time, tough time. And the one time I cut between 145 and 135. But it’s okay. No problem, no problem. It’s for about heart. I try my the best.”

So it seems like what we have here is an unstoppable moral stance vs immovable weight class situation. What will happen? Hopefully something more than a whole lot of nothing.

Bills Should Bench E.J. Manuel After 23-17 Loss To Texans

It wasn’t merely a play that lost a game. This was the kind that costs a season, both current and long-term.

What the Bills’ 23-17 loss to the Texans did, on Sunday afternoon at NRG Stadium, was quiet the last few defenders of E.J. Manuel ... including yours truly.
Those of us who maintained that he still might be Buffalo’s franchise quarterback, only 14 games into his NFL career, were shown otherwise in dramatic fashion at Houston.
Coach Doug Marrone’s post-game contention that “it wasn’t just a one player thing” aside ... it was.
Oh, there were some drops and even the offensive coaches — especially play-calling — were also part of it.
But, ultimately, this loss was on Manuel, first, last and always.
It’s not as if the Bills were playing Seattle, or Denver, or New England.
This was an eminently winnable game against a now 3-1 team whose record was forged against not a single team with a winning record after the first quarter of the season.
If you’re wondering how Buffalo beat the Bears in Chicago to open the season ... me too.
To this point in the season, with the Bills heading into Texas with an encouraging 2-1 record, Manuel’s numbers were a bit of a siren song.
In the first three games he was completing 63 percent of his passes with three touchdowns an interception and a solid 90.8 passer rating.
But that was also fool’s gold.
Over half of his 55 completions were checkdowns to running backs (21) or underneath routes to the tight ends (8).
Winning the first two games, he was a functional game manager. But, a week ago, when the Bills needed him to step up, Manuel came up small at home in a loss to San Diego.
And against the Texans ... ugh!
That game-changing, season-changing, potential job-changing play?
As anybody who watched the game knows, it was J.J. Watt’s 80-yard interception return for a score.
At the time, Buffalo was up 10-7 and facing a  3rd-and-3 at the Houston 12-yard line. A touchdown was a possibility ... a field goal a virtual certainty.
In any case, the Bills would be up by either six or 10 points, except...
On the fateful play, Manuel looked right and floated a pass toward running back Fred Jackson, who seemed set to at least get the first down.
Unfortunately for Buffalo, Watt was running up between the passer and receiver, caught the ball in stride and, as the cliche goes, “took it to the house.”
That swing of either 10 or 14 points ultimately decided the game, and probably the season, for the Bills, now 1-2 in the conference.
Oh, Buffalo had one final possession with a chance to win.
Taking over at its own 29 with 1:42 to play and no timeouts, it drove to the Texans’ 41 when, on first down, Manuel overthrew Robert Woods and was intercepted by reserve cornerback Darryl Morris.
And so it ended with more than a little irony.
Texans’ quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, the former Bill, was admittedly unspectacular.
He played a game Buffalo fans saw often during his 4-year Western New York career: 25-of-37 for 268 yards with a touchdown, a pair of interceptions and a 75.0 passer rating while running for a couple of first downs.
Fitzpatrick also didn’t do anything to lose the game.
Manuel, meanwhile, was 21-of-44 passing for 225 yards with two TD passes, those two fateful picks and a 59.0 passer rating.
And while, statistically, his 80-yard touchdown connection with Mike Williams offset Watt’s heroics, realistically, it didn’t.
That interception was demoralizing, no matter what his teammates said in the post-game lockerroom. The difference between a 6-, or 10-point lead and a 4-point deficit is devastating,
But it wasn’t that one play.
The game-deciding interception came as a forced throw ... on first down with over a minute to go.
Manuel also wasted all three first-half timeouts, which might well have helped produce at least a field goal, to clear up play calls, though one or more of those might have been on coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.
However, what’s totally on Manuel is his inaccuracy. Some passes, to open receivers, he just missed. Others, as they say in baseball, were “wild in the strike zone,” in other words on some catches the ball wasn’t thrown in the right place for the receiver to maximize yardage.
In all added up to a loss in a game against a pedestrian foe that was there for the taking ... especially on a day the defense gave up fewer yards that the Bills gained and surrendered only one touchdown.
Afterward, Marrone was asked whether he considered replacing Manuel with high-priced reserve Kyle Orton.
He emphatically said, “No ... not at all.”
Maybe Marrone should have. And with the specter of new ownership in the offing, he might very well do it this week, even if it means benching a first-round draft choice on which the Bills’ front office had staked its future.

NFL Will Help Support Domestic Violence Victims Nationwide

If not for the video of running back Ray Rice punching his fiancée, the National Football League would have moved on. Most of us already had.
In fact, this editorial wouldn’t have been written.
But the visual evidence galvanized the nation. It wasn’t the first incidence of domestic violence involving an NFL player. It wasn’t even the most violent.
Two years ago, Jovan Belcher of the Kansas City Chiefs murdered his girlfriend and committed suicide, leaving behind a 3-month-old baby. But there was no video of the nine bullets pumped into Kasandra Perkins. No video of Belcher shooting himself.
The day after this tragedy, the Chiefs played a home game. The public address announcer didn’t mention the incident, except to call for a moment of silence. The Chiefs vanquished their foe, and the issue of domestic violence receded.
On Friday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that the league intends to stop fumbling this issue. In football parlance, his back was against the wall. Nevertheless, the league has a loud megaphone, so it has the opportunity to do a lot of good.
Sports fans are moved by statistics, so here are some related to domestic violence, courtesy of the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence website: From 1997 to 2013, 710 people died in domestic violence-related incidents in the state, 46 of them in Spokane County.
The National Network to End Domestic Violence conducted a one-day survey of domestic violence program providers Sept. 17, 2013. On that day, 1,649 respondents from across the country reported serving 66,581 people. More than half of the domestic violence victims and their children found safety in shelters and other temporary housing. A total of 9,641 requests for services were not met. The biggest hole in the safety net is affordable housing.
Behind the numbers are fear, hopelessness and shattered lives. To make matters worse, some people feel compelled to blame the victims: “If only they would leave.”
That’s more difficult than it sounds. Victims face substantial economic barriers. Many have children to feed, clothe and house, often with the only breadwinner being the abuser. Rather than blame the victim, we need to establish a stronger support network to make it easier to leave.
For now, a good place for victims to start is the YWCA. Regina Malveaux, the director of the Spokane chapter, is a passionate advocate for domestic violence victims. The YWCA has an Alternatives to Domestic Violence Program and safe shelter. A shelter recently opened in Spokane Valley, too. The Y also has services to help women enter or re-enter the workforce.
The issue of domestic violence is no longer on the sidelines, so let’s shift the focus from the athletes to the victims. We can all do our part to carry the banner and restore hope.

Bills VS.Chargers Preview

Few teams in the NFL are as hot as the Buffalo Bills and San Diego Chargers, who will meet Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

The Bills are off to a surprising 2-0 start and sit alone atop the AFC East. They've turned the ball over just once and have limited opposing offenses to less than 16 points per game. Add in strong special-teams contributions -- Buffalo players won AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after both games this season -- and the Bills have found a recipe for winning.

Meanwhile, the Chargers (1-1) are hanging tough in the AFC West. With their 30-21 victory last week, they became one of just four teams to take down the Seattle Seahawks since the start of last season. Quarterback Philip Rivers and tight end Antonio Gates are still the centerpiece of a dangerous offensive attack.

ESPN Bills reporter Mike Rodak and ESPN Chargers reporter Eric D. Williams preview the game:

Rodak: The Chargers seem to be riding high after knocking off the defending Super Bowl champions. What was the key to their victory and how do you see their performance carrying forward?

---

Total time in minutes and seconds the Bills have trailed in games this season, fourth-lowest in the NFL.

Williams:Ccoach Mike McCoy devised an excellent game plan for defeating Seattle. Rivers used the short passing game to control the tempo, and in the red zone, the Chargers got one-on-one matchups with Gates against linebackers or strong safety Kam Chancellor. And for the most part, Gates won. Defensively, the Chargers did a nice job of swarm-tackling Marshawn Lynch and Percy Harvin in the run game, and they forced Russell Wilson to make plays from inside the pocket. Lastly, San Diego won the turnover battle. It’s a good recipe for winning games on a weekly basis in the NFL, but in order to win on the road, the Chargers will need to run the ball more consistently.

The Bills are 2-0 at the start of the season for the first time since 2011. Can this team break the NFL’s longest playoff drought by making the postseason for the first time since 1999?

Rodak: They have the potential to do it. The Bills might have the AFC East's most talented roster. There are 12 first-round picks and five second-round picks, part of an overall mixture of homegrown talent and pieces added from the outside. The Bills have arguably the NFL's best defensive line -- three players went to the Pro Bowl last season -- and a strong group of offensive weapons surrounding EJ Manuel.

The question has always been about the quarterback, and through two weeks, I'm not sure the concerns about Manuel have been alleviated. The Bills have limited Manuel's pass attempts; he has 48 through two games, the second-fewest in the NFL. They're also 29th in red zone touchdown efficiency, a problem that has been masked by strong defense and special-teams play. The Bills have proven they can win games with that approach, but I still think we'll need to see more out of Manuel before the Bills are considered a strong playoff contender.

The Chargers have no shortage of weapons on offense, yet they often don't get the same attention as some of the NFL's better offenses. Where would you place Rivers among his peers at quarterback and how would you rate his receivers?

Williams: Rivers is a top-five quarterback in the NFL, in my opinion. He is accurate, smart and still possesses plenty of zip in his arm to make every throw on the field. And at 32 years old, he's in his prime. Last season, Rivers led the league in completion percentage (69.5 percent) and finished fourth in passing touchdowns (32) and passer rating (105.5). However, he does not get as much attention as some of the other elite quarterbacks because he doesn't have a Super Bowl ring, and that's how we judge the best quarterbacks in the game.

I also believe San Diego has an above-average group of receivers, led by Keenan Allen, and perhaps the best tight end tandem in the NFL in Gates and Ladarius Green. Add Danny Woodhead and Donald Brown at running back, and Rivers has plenty of playmakers at his disposal to take advantage of specific matchups each week.

Manuel struggled during exhibition play but has been a steady performer during the first two games of the regular season. Manuel has completed 67 percent of his passes, has been sacked only once and has a 95.4 passer rating in helping lead the Bills to two victories. What has been the difference?

Rodak: There is a marked difference at wide receiver that has helped boost Manuel's play this season. Last season, Manuel and top wideout Stevie Johnson never seemed to be on the same page, plus Johnson had some lingering injury problems. Second-round pick Robert Woods was a rookie and third receiver T.J. Graham had a limited skill set that didn't do Manuel many favors. Manuel's leading receiver was tight end Scott Chandler (53 catches, 655 yards), but Chandler has just two catches in two games this season.

Instead, Manuel has fired away at top pick Sammy Watkins. Watkins has 15 targets, the most on the team. In addition, Woods came up with a pair of impressive catches in Week 1 that bailed out Manuel on some less-than-accurate throws. Manuel certainly deserves credit for better decision-making in his second season, but the Bills wanted to improve his group of receivers, and the difference has been noticeable.

The Chargers' defense ranks 30th in yards allowed per play (6.58) and opponent yards per rush (5.56) but has allowed only 19.5 points per game, which is 12th-best in the NFL. Is run defense a problem for San Diego and if so, how have they covered it up?

Williams: The Chargers struggled against the run last season but did a better job against a pretty good running offense (Seattle) Sunday. The key for San Diego's defense is actually how much the offense controls tempo. The Chargers are No. 2 on offense in the NFL in time of possession (35:13), so the defense isn't on the field for long periods of time. San Diego also forced three turnovers in two games -- along with a blocked punt -- and only has one turnover on offense. So the Chargers do a good job of stealing a few possessions each game. Those things help hide other deficiencies San Diego has on defense.

Watkins had a breakout performance against Miami, finishing with eight catches for 117 yards and a touchdown. We know that Buffalo leans on the run game with C.J. Spiller, Fred Jackson and Anthony Dixon, but how has Watkins added another dimension to the offense?

Rodak: We didn't see too much of Watkins in the season opener; he had three catches in the first half and Manuel overthrew Watkins on his only target in the second half. Things changed in Week 2. He brings a clear advantage over most other receivers: Watkins has speed that allows him to be a deep threat, sure hands and a large catch radius that allows him to haul in off-target passes, and some shiftiness that makes him dangerous after the catch. The Bills had speed at receiver last season but lacked the route-running and pass-catching ability that Watkins brings to the table. Chargers 27-Bills 20

NFL PLAYERS DON'T WANT TO PLAY FOR THE BUFFALO BILLS

Cary Edmondson / USA TODAY Sports

The Raiders received 23 percent of the vote.

Most NFL players apparently want nothing to do with the Silver and Black.
ESPN polled 82 current NFLers on which team they would least like to play for, posing the question as: "The only way I'd play for (team name) is if they doubled my salary."
The Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills each pulled in more than 15 percent of the vote, but the team receiving more thumbs down (23 percent) than any other was the Oakland Raiders -- a fact that isn't particularly surprising.
The once-dominant Raiders have been AFC West doormats for more than a decade now, going without a playoff appearance or winning record since losing the Super Bowl after the 2002 season. It also doesn't help that they play in what's widely regarded as one of the worst stadiums in American professional sports, or that they've had 16 different quarterbacks start at least one game over the last 10 seasons -- a number that will grow to 17 when new acquisition Matt Schaub makes his regular-season Raiders debut.
Current Oakland players don't necessarily agree with the rest of the league's assessment, though.
"I've never heard anybody that said they didn't want to play for the Raiders, so that's pretty shocking," cornerback Charles Woodson said. "I think you've got to take the attitude that if you didn't want to come here, it doesn't matter anyway. Over the years, I've known and talked to countless players that said, 'Man, I would love to come play in the Silver and Black.' So I think that poll might be kind of skewed."
The Bills ranked second in the poll with 19 percent of the vote, followed by the Browns (16 percent), Jacksonville Jaguars (9 percent) and Green Bay Packers (6 percent).

Biils WR Sammy Watkins best Player in Training Camp

Sammy Watkins came to Buffalo with high expectations padded by the usual understanding that rookie wide receivers take a little while to mature. Few first year receivers establish themselves as their team’s top option right from the get-go. Then again, few receivers possess the talent and temerity of Sammy Watkins.

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“I told Andre Reed, ‘You’re going in (the Hall of Fame), so just pass the torch to Sammy before you do,’” Bills general manager Doug Whaley told FOX Sports after another training camp practice in which Watkins took veteran cornerback Leodis McKelvin to school. Per the article:

During Monday’s practice, Watkins showed that ability to grow bigger than his frame when he went up to grab a pass between three defenders. They all pinballed off him and fell to the ground. Watkins did as well, but only because he’d been poked in the eye. He staggered off to the cheers and then returned to practice, intent on further honing his route-running on this muggy, mid-June day.

“I’ve got the playbook down already,” Watkins said. “It’s just being consistent, knowing the little details to things and just really working against the defense, seeing things faster and doing the right things when you’re tired. When you get tired, that’s when you stop thinking, but once I get in shape, really know defenses and really start watching film, it’ll be better for me.”
Watkins entered the 2014 NFL draft as the top skill player available and the top player overall on Buffalo’s board. They put their money where their mouth was when they traded two picks in the 2015 draft and their own top pick in the 2014 draft for the right to draft Sammy Watkins. Many panned the move as a desperate overpayment by a club 14 years removed from the playoffs. Early results have indicated that GM Doug Whaley may have been onto something.
“We firmly believe he plays bigger than his size,” Whaley concluded. “We’re comfortable with that and we think he’ll steadily improve and by Day 1 will be ‘The Guy’.”
Expect Watkins to slot in as the first wide receiver on the team by Week 1 of the NFL season. From there, it’s up to him and EJ Manuel to lead this offense back to prominence.

Marcell Dareus Enters NFL Substance Abuse Program

Pittsford, N.Y. — Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus agreed to enter an NFL substance abuse program in a bid to have felony drug charges in Alabama dismissed, his attorney said on Monday.
Rod Giddens wrote in an email to The Associated Press that Dareus was allowed to enter the program during a hearing at Calhoun County Court in Alabama earlier in the day. Dareus attended the hearing while being excused from training camp in suburban Rochester.
Buffalo's WKBW-TV first reported the agreement.
Dareus, who is from Alabama and played for the Crimson Tide, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia after being stopped by a state trooper on May 5.
The charges will be dismissed and potentially expunged should the 2011 first-round draft pick successfully complete the program.
Giddens referred to Dareus as "a humble, gentle giant of a young man, who needs some mentors."
This marks the first positive step during what's been a troubled offseason for Dareus.
Four weeks after being arrested in Alabama, Dareus was allegedly racing teammate Jerry Hughes when he crashed his 2012 Jaguar into a tree near a busy intersection not far from Ralph Wilson Stadium.
Dareus was charged with reckless endangerment and ticketed for several traffic violations, including drag racing.
Dareus is still attempting to resolve those charges after failing to accept a plea deal earlier this month. He is next scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 9.
The NFL could potentially discipline Dareus with a fine or suspension.
» Photos from Monday's practice
Dareus also faces an immediate on-field challenge.
After reporting to camp on Friday, Dareus was placed on the active/non-football injury list after failing a conditioning test on Saturday. Dareus must pass the test before he can be cleared for practice.
Coach Doug Marrone said Dareus was scheduled to return to camp on Monday night, and was expected to be working out on the sideline during practice Tuesday morning.
Marrone didn't provide a timetable of how long it might take Dareus to be tested again, except to say "when our weight coaches feel that he's ready."
Dareus has already missed the first two days of practice.

The Buffalo Bills Will Finish Last In AFC East And Reasons Why!

I love reading the comments on Buffalo websites as optimism reigns supreme at this time of year.  Every football team is 0-0 and the atmosphere, even in Buffalo, smells of playoff football.

That is just it. Every year we have done the same thing for well over ten years.  The people of Western New York are tough.  We do not have time for thinking the worst is about to happen or maybe the economy is so bad; we have to think positive thoughts about our beloved sports teams.
I know I sit on the other side of the pond and do not have an “insider’s look” at what is happening in the NFL, but everything points to a rough season in Buffalo.   Last week’s news of Kiko Alonso did not help the situation, but even before his injury the Buffalo Bills were not going to be any better than a .500 team.
Not only do they have to attempt to fill Kiko’s shoes, but they never filled Jairus Byrd’s shoes, never addressed the back-up QB position (we need to pray for a healthy Manuel), they are banking on a resurgence at tight end, and what is going to happen with Marcell Dareus? But it is not just what the Bills didn’t address; it is what the other division teams did to get better that keeps me in a realistic mindset.
I do not want to be a Buzz Killington on the season and I certainly hope that I am wrong, but there are good men in Vegas putting their livelihood on the line that the Buffalo Bills are not going to win seven games.  I will wait until this team is sold and see the new owner.  Will he keep Doug Marrone and Doug Whaley?  Will a new owner bring the stability to the franchise to lure top-tier free agents?  Once things settle in ownership and the front office, maybe then my lack of optimism will be justified.
What do you think Buffalo? Am I way off base?  Prove to me that we are better than the Jets or even the Dolphins?  Show me that we didn’t trade away a top ten pick in the 2015 draft.   Please give me some hope!

Buffalo Bills Have Ownership Canidates Ready To Move The Bills

Mike Florio - Even before word emerged that former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer intends to buy the L.A. Clippers for $2 billion, interest had been expressed by potential buyers of the Bills who would acquire the asset with the intent of relocating.
“Truthfully, there are parties that are interested in buying the team and moving it,” Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz told WGR 550 on Thursday, via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com. “We are trying to do what we can on our part to show that this community is moving forward to at least explore everything and all the options that are necessary, in the case the situation comes that we have a new owner that says, ‘I own the Bills. I’m fine with Ralph Wilson Stadium for the next five or six years, but I want out and I want to be somewhere different then.’”
That could be the clearest acknowledgement yet that the current lease for the Bills to play at the stadium named for the team’s late owner buys only time.  Specifically, the lease provides a minimum of six seasons (when a limited window opens to bolt) and a maximum of nine seasons (when the lease expires).
Ballmer’s bid for the Clippers could be the clearest reminder that, if the family of Ralph Wilson chooses to sell to the highest bidder, the highest bid may have gotten a lot higher.  And if the Wilson family opts to maximize the return without regard for whether the Bills may leave and never return, a bid that reflects the team’s value not in Buffalo but in Los Angeles could be the easy winner.
“I’ve spoken to [Bills CEO Russ] Brandon, I’ve spoken to [Bills CFO Jeffrey Littmann],” Poloncarz separately told WBEN in Buffalo.  “They know my request, which is to pick the owner that’s going to keep the team in Buffalo. But I don’t know if that’s going to be the decision that the trustees will end up doing.  If they end up getting a bid that’s so much higher than anybody else, I don’t know if they can turn it down.  They may have the fiduciary duty to accept it.”
And there it is.  The specific recognition that has long been suspected to be true.  If the mandate for the “trustees” (a vague group of no-names who give plausible deniability to current owner Mary Wilson) is to find the highest bidder, it won’t matter if that bidder wants to move the team.
So is that the standard?
“That’s a good question,” Russ Brandon recently told WGR 550, via Rodak.  “I’m not at liberty to talk about those things. I can’t talk about that.”
Which brings us back to Ballmer’s $2 billion.  If the NBA’s B-team in the L.A. market has that value, how much value would an NFL team in Los Angeles instantly acquire?
“We were expecting the Bills would sell somewhere in the vicinity of $800 million to potentially a billion dollars. Maybe it will go higher now,” Poloncarz told WBEN on Friday, via Rodak. “I don’t think it will go for $2 billion because this is not the Los Angeles media market, but it certainly could go above a billion dollars if this precedent in regards to recent NBA sales is any indication.  We’ll just have to keep an eye on it.”
It may not go for $2 billion in Buffalo, but it could go for $2 billion or more if the buyer is intent on dog-paddling through six seasons in Buffalo before moving to the Los Angeles media market.
While the other 31 owners would want a hefty relocation fee if they approve the purchase and eventual move (there’s a chance that, for political reasons, they won’t), an owner who believes that the Bills would be worth $3 billion or $4 billion in L.A. could be willing to outbid the other potential buyers and then further line the pockets of the 31 partners for the privilege of ultimately buying low, if the Clippers are indeed worth $2 billion.
Then again, any asset ultimately is worth what someone will pay for it.  And it would be a surprise if someone with an eye on the L.A. market isn’t willing to pay at least as much as Ballmer is paying for the Clippers in order to buy the Bills.