AFC East Daily

Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor has come a long way in a year. This time in 2015, he was duking it out with two other signal-callers for the starting gig, which he earned in the preseason.

This year, he's in a much more comfortable spot, rolling through OTAs as the clear starter and preparing accordingly.

Per Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News:

You see it on the field during OTA practices. He's more vocal, literally taking over certain offensive periods whenever he feels a spark is needed. Taylor clearly is stretching his leadership legs. And he feels good about it.

"Yes," Taylor said. "I would say that definitely comes with being in this system and being the starter for a year, learning all your teammates, learning the offense and being comfortable in the offense. I definitely feel more in charge, more of a command, being able to speak up. And guys listen because they know the preparation that I put in, the preparation we put in as a unit, and they see the vision of what we want to be.

Friday, May 27, 2016

Gronk, Goodwin, Hogan among SI's Top 50 Most Fit

Sports Illustrated put together a list of the most impressive male athletes in the world, and some familiar faces from the division made the cut.

Based on six criteria — strength (or "strengh," as their infographic depicts), speed, endurance, agility, flexibility and skill in his or her respective sport — they, with the help of a large panel of trainers, coaches, experts and coaches, put together the 50 most fit male athletes.

Here are your AFC East shout-outs:

18. Marquise Goodwin - Buffalo Bills

"Some know Goodwin as an NFL wide receiver while others remember him for his track-and-field accomplishments in the long jump, including an appearance at the 2012 London Olympics. From leaping into the sand pit to squatting more than 400 pounds, Goodwin's feats in two elite professional sports speak to his impressive athletic abilities."

38. Chris Hogan - New England Patriots

"Hogan may not be one of the most notable players in the NFL, but the former college lacrosse standout and New Jersey native is training to be one of the league's top (and fittest) wide receivers. His high-intensity workouts hone balance, agility and explosiveness through exercises such as sprints and sled pushes. It's only right that he trains at a facility called 'Freak Strength.'"

46. Rob Gronkowski - New England Patriots

"Gronkowski's 6'6'', 265-pound frame is near impossible to stop on the football field thanks to his intense workouts and commitment to fitness. Now Gronk is taking his passion one step further with his new family business, Gronk Fitness Products, a line of performance fitness products built for sports facilities and home gyms."

Rex blasts Mario for 'bitching' about coaching calls

The Mario Williams saga may be over in Buffalo, but his presence in the division is still very real.

Rex Ryan went off about the former defensive end's decision to speak out about the coaching decisions Friday, comparing him to other former greats that he's coached who acted less selfish in similar situations.

Per Chris Brown of BuffaloBills.com:

"He's a good kid, but I am used to some mean motherf—ers that play out there. The Terrell Suggs, Jarrett Johnsons of the world. I screwed them, too; I had them drop [into coverage], too. Not one of them bitched.

Von Miller [dropped into coverage] in the Super Bowl. Why? Because that's what's asked of him; that’s what his job is. Your job is to play. Coaches spend a hell of a lot more time studying tape and everything else. They are trying to put the team in the best position to be successful, not an individual."

Tell us how you really feel, Rex.

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Woods hopes to capitalize on deep-ball opportunities

Robert Woods was relegated last year to what he referred to as a "blocking receiver" role.

The Buffalo Bills wideout is again ready to do what it takes for the team, but he's hoping to spend a little more time downfield this season.

Via Tyler Dunne of The Buffalo News:

After catching a myriad of passes on shorter routes in his career, averaging 12.1 yards per catch, he hopes to develop into more of a deep threat for quarterback Tyrod Taylor. He expects cornerbacks to press up closely on him, which will put his new wheels to the test.

“Now, I have my speed back as well," he said. "I can even take them up top. Tyrod has a great deep ball. So we need to capitalize on that.”

He's currently working as the team's No. 1 receiver with Sammy Watkins sidelined.

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Rex says he's not involved with team's media policy

The Buffalo Bills made some waves Tuesday, releasing some curious standards regarding media coverage during OTAs.

Per Tyler Dunne of the Buffalo News, it is now apparently "prohibited" to report on play outcomes, who plays where in the depth chart, or pretty much anything having to do with an injury -- at least until the end of July.

While the team clarified that the new standards only pertain to activities leading up to training camp, Rex Ryan was still asked about it, to which he answered, "Our media policy isn’t something that I’m involved with."

Sunday, May 22, 2016

RPT: Stephon Gilmore won't attend OTAs this week

The Buffalo Bills' top cornerback won't be in attendance Monday when the team begins organized team activities.

According to The Buffalo News, Stephon Gilmore will skip voluntary team workouts this week as his camp continues to seek a new deal with his first NFL team. He's entering the final year of his rookie contract.

Per The News:

After another off-season of cornerbacks making bank, one can see why Gilmore would train away right now. The number continues to rise at a premium position in today’s NFL.

Josh Norman inked a five-year, $75 million contract with the Washington Redskins. Janoris Jenkins signed a five-year, $62.5 million pact with the New York Giants. And a year ago, Darrelle Revis signed with the New York Jets at five years, $70 million. While the team did exercise the fifth-year option on Gilmore’s rookie deal — at $11 million — he’s scheduled to be a free agent next spring.

Monday, May 16, 2016

Bills place Dri Archer on Did Not Report list

The Buffalo Bills announced they placed running back Dri Archer on the Reserve/Did Not Report list Monday.

Last week, the team was awarded Archer, who was waived by the New York Jets prior to that.

Via the Bills' website:

The designation opens up a spot on Buffalo’s 90-man offseason roster. The Bills will retain the rights to Archer until a resolution to his status with the club takes place.

Archer, 24, was signed by the Jets as a future free agent this past January. He was waived by the Steelers last November after serving as a multi-faceted offensive weapon and kick returner.

Watkins highlights (or lowlights) Bills' injury news day

It was a somewhat painful news day for the Buffalo Bills Monday.

Hours after the team announced first round pick Shaq Lawson will undergo shoulder surgery, it was reported receiver Sammy Watkins previously broke a small bone in his foot. According to the Buffalo News, he had surgery on the injury about a month ago.

Per the News:

While the Bills are hopeful that Watkins will be ready for training camp, it's another blow to a team that just announced first-round pick Shaq Lawson would need shoulder surgery. The third-year wide receiver broke the bone in his foot, sources say, and had a screw inserted about a month ago. Injuries have dogged Watkins' promising NFL career to date and now he'll need to overcome another one. When the break occurred is unknown, though another source indicated that Watkins played through stress fractures last season.

The Bills, meanwhile, are calling the linebacker Lawson's surgery a "pre-emptive measure." A statement from the team reads:

"While he could continue to play, the Bills medical staff has determined that surgery is the best course of action for the overall health of his shoulder moving forward. He had an occurrence of the condition last week, but that would not preclude him from participating in the offseason program. Shaq is scheduled for surgery tomorrow on his shoulder with a rehabilitation program to follow. A timetable for his return is still being established."

Best team pick-ups this offseason include Gase, Lawson

Not all great offseason roster work is done at the draft.

The NFL Nation crew at ESPN compiled a list Monday of the best offseason acquisitions for each team, with only one draft pick chosen for the four teams in the AFC East — Shaq Lawson, Buffalo's No. 1 overall selection.

For the Patriots, it is the much-anticipated combination of Rob Gronkowski and newly acquired tight end Martellus Bennett, while Gang Green's value grab of offensive tackle Ryan Clady for a fifth-round draft pick filled a much needed gap after the retirement of D'Brickashaw Ferguson.

Down in South Beach, it isn't a player at all, but the hiring of coach Adam Gase and the hope of some sense of consistency returning to the sideline (and under center).

READ MORE >>

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Steward's short stint with Patriots comes to end

The New England Patriots announced Wednesday they released linebacker Tony Steward, who was signed with the team as a free agent last month.

Steward was drafted in the sixth round by the Buffalo Bills last year. He played in seven games in 2015 but finished the year on injured reserve.

Friday, May 6, 2016

Gronk's brother: I'm more intelligent than my brother

Rob Gronkowski's brother is a calmer, smarter version of the New England Patriots tight end.

At least that's what new Buffalo Bills fullback Glenn Gronkowski thinks.

"I think a lot of people have already realized that I’m not as crazy as him," Gronkowski said Friday, via The Buffalo News. "It’s not easy to be that crazy and wild but I think people are already starting to realize that. I’m a little more tame, a little more intelligent probably so I would say people are already starting to recognize that."

Per the News:

He isn't lying. "Goose" carried a 3.8 GPA at Kansas State... even if he fell for a joke about a coach's dog being able to talk. OK, Baby Gronk actually very similar to Rob Gronkowski as he detailed back during Senior Bowl Week. They've butted heads for years, back to an airborne fork thrown by Rob getting stuck in Glenn's arm. That family trip to Vegas got rowdy, too.

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Bills to host former Jets lineman Matt Slauson

Free agent offensive lineman Matt Slauson is paying a visit to the AFC East, but it's apparently not with his old team (the New York Jets).

According to ESPN, the Buffalo Bills and San Diego Chargers will host Slauson this week. The veteran was released Monday by the Chicago Bears.

Per ESPN:

The Bills view Slauson as a potential option at right tackle, a source said. Buffalo has uncertainty at the position after starting right tackle Seantrel Henderson missed the final five games of last season with an undisclosed illness. The Buffalo News reported that Henderson was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease.

Slauson saw time at center and guard last season.

Bills ink LT Cordy Glenn to five-year extension

The Buffalo Bills' offseason offensive line work continues to take steps forward.

After signing Richie Incognito to an extension in early March, the team inked 26-year-old left tackle Cordy Glenn to a five-year extension this week.

ESPN's Adam Schefter provided the contract details Tuesday:

Cordy Glenn's deal: 5 years, $65M with $36M guaranteed. $19M in 2016 and $30M in first 2 years. Per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 3, 2016

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Final draft list and grades – Buffalo Bills

Picks:

No. 19: DE Shaq Lawson, Clemson

No. 41: LB Reggie Ragland, Alabama

No. 80: DT Adolphus Washington, Ohio State

No. 139: QB Cardale Jones, Ohio State

No. 156: RB Jonathan Williams, Arkansas

No. 192: WR Kolby Listenbee, TCU

No. 218: CB Kevon Seymour, USC

---

Grades:

NFL.com: A-

Sports Illustrated: A-

CBS Sports: C

Pro Football Focus: A-

ESPN: B

RPTs: Bills won't pick up EJ Manuel's option

Quarterback EJ Manuel will likely hit the open market after this season.

Per the Buffalo News:

The Bills aren't picking up the fifth-year option on the contract Manuel signed as a rookie in 2013, according to multiple reports. That means Manuel is due to become a free agent after the 2016 season.

According to the News, the option would've cost the Bills approximately $11.4 million.

Monday, May 2, 2016

Bills part with three veterans

The Buffalo Bills released cornerback Bud Noel, center Ronald Patrick and defensive end Jarius Wynn.

Per the team's announcement:

Wynn spent two seasons with the Bills and missed the 2015 season due to an injury. Noel and Patrick spent one season in Buffalo.

Bills pick up 14 undrafted rookies

The Buffalo Bills signed 14 undrafted rookies Monday.

Among the group are two defensive linemen, two linebackers, two wide receivers, four offensive lineman, a long-snapper, a kicker, a fullback and a defensive back.

READ MORE >>

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

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Tuesday, June 7, 2016

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Tuesday, May 24, 2016

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