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.

READ MORE >>

Bills DBs coach thinks he has league's best CB tandem

The Buffalo Bills have used two top picks the past four drafts on a cornerback.

It's paid off.

Despite his injury issues, 25-year-old Stephon Gilmore has proven to be one of the stronger No. 1 corners in the league in three years with Buffalo. Ronald Darby, the team's first pick in last year's draft, finished his rookie year fifth in pass deflections among all defenders.

The duo's performance has prompted Bills defensive backs coach Tim McDonald to make some bold statements about his squad, via BuffaloBills.com:

"I think those guys have the opportunity to be the best tandem of cornerbacks in the league," he said. "Those guys can do it all."

READ MORE >>

Gilmore says groin issues more mental than physical

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

When cornerback Stephon Gilmore was announced as a scratch in Chicago last Sunday, a collective groan rolled through the fanbase of the Buffalo Bills.

A first-round draft pick, Gilmore put forth an impressive rookie season in 2012 before heading into the 2013 regular season with a wrist fracture. The injury restricted Gilmore to only 11 games last year and forced him to play bandaged and without the use of his hand for a portion of that time.

The soon-to-be 24-year-old seems to be rehabbing well from his most recent groin injury, however, telling reporters Wednesday he felt good after fully participating at practice, and that his limitations at this point are not of the physical nature.

Bills' Gilmore glad to be back to his physical self

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

The Buffalo Bills drafted Stephon Gilmore not only for his speed, but for the physical prowess he likes to impose on opposing wideouts.

After some ailment-induced downtime, that physicality is apparently back.

Coming off a sophomore campaign where he lost part of the season to rehabbing a hand injury and subsequently played a few games with a club-like cast, the third-year cornerback entered training camp this season fully healthy. That’s allowed the former Gamecock to get back to what he loves doing most — disrupting passing routes any way he can.

Yoga makes Bills' Gilmore 'feel like a new person'

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

Talking with Chris Brown of BuffaloBills.com recently, cornerback Stephon Gilmore said his ailing wrist from last season is "back to normal."

It seems he's added at least one workout regimen other than the gym to ensure it stays that way. According to Brown, the 23-year-old has taken up yoga to help with his rehabilitation, among other things.

"You just feel more loose," he said. "It’s hard to explain, but your shoulders and your legs, you just feel like a new person.

Gilmore plans to use physicality to shut down Wallace

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

In Week 7, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mike Wallace hauled in five catches for 76 yards but was kept out of the end zone in the team's loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Since then, he's has tallied two 100-yard performances and, more importantly, converted four touchdowns in the past three games while his team makes a run at the playoffs.

Buffalo cornerback Stephon Gilmore believes that production can be quelled.

Gilmore felt like himself without club on hand

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Stephon Gilmore didn't go clubbing this weekend, and it was everything he thought it would be.

For the first time this season, the Buffalo Bills' No. 1 cornerback played without the club-like wrap that he was forced to wear the last couple weeks following wrist surgery.

Instead, Gilmore sported a wrist guard in the Bills' loss to the New Orleans Saints Sunday, and it didn't take long for Gilmore to get comfortable.

Bills' secondary re-aligning to its original self

BY NICK ST. DENIS

With safety Jairus Byrd and cornerback Stephon Gilmore another week into their return to game action, the Buffalo Bills' secondary is starting to take on its original shape.

Aaron Williams, who lined up primarily at cornerback the last few games despite entering the season as a safety, is transitioning back to centerfield as the perimeter of the defense gets healthier.

Williams lined up next to Byrd in practice Wednesday with Gilmore and Leodis McKelvin on the outside, according to WGR550's Joe Buscaglia. BuffaloBills.com's Chris Brown also noted the shift.

Gilmore: Cast bringing game to another level

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

Playing one-handed certainly isn't cornerback Stephon Gilmore's preferred method of covering No. 1 receivers. But he thinks the end result will be far more positive than the present struggle.

Gilmore's participation increased in Sunday's win against the Miami Dolphins, as the sophomore corner played 25 percent more snaps than in his first week back from injury.

With that increase came more exposure in the passing game, which Ryan Tannehill and the Dolphins did their best to exploit.

Gilmore expected to play one-handed Sunday

BY NICK ST. DENIS

The Buffalo Bills are expected to get back their top cover man Sunday when they host the Cincinnati Bengals, but it will come at a price.

The price of a hand.

According to Chris Brown of BuffaloBills.com, cornerback Stephon Gilmore's left hand, which has kept the second-year defensive back off the field for the first five games of the regular season, will be heavily wrapped into a club this weekend, making his fingers unavailable for use.

Bills' Gilmore: Injury the result of 'friendly fire'

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

Losing your prized cornerback for potentially half the season is one thing. Losing him because of a collision with his own teammate? That's like twisting the knife once it's in your side.

Buffalo fans are feeling a bit of that pain Wednesday, as Stephon Gilmore provided some details about his broken wrist.

"Actually it was friendly fire," Gilmore told reporters. "Aaron (Williams) was coming in for a tackle and I was going in for a tackle and he hit my hand. It is part of the game, it happened and I had to get surgery. I’m getting better and better every day."

Injury Report: Byrd listed as doubtful

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Jairus Byrd will likely be a no-go when his Buffalo Bills open the regular season.

The Bills' star/drama-stirring safety is officially listed as doubtful for Sunday's bout with the New England Patriots, according to the NFL's official injury report. Byrd has been limited in practice this week with a foot ailment.

Cornerback Stephon Gilmore (wrist), kicker Dustin Hopkins (groin) and offensive lineman Doug Legursky (knee) were placed in the "out" column, as expected. All three were non-participants in practice Friday.

Gilmore injury throws wrench into Bills' plans

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

Mike Pettine's defense relies its players being interchangeable, not only to cause confusion but to also fill in for those inevitable injuries. Problem is, not just anyone can replace the key pieces to the puzzle.

Such is the case with the Buffalo Bills' No. 1 cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who fractured his wrist during the team's third preseason game against the Washington Redskins Saturday. The injury puts Gilmore on the sidelines for an estimated six to eight weeks.

Moreover, it throws a bit of a wrench into the core of Pettine's game plan, which relies on strong corner play to be able to handle man coverage during various blitzes.

Marrone 'satisfied' with Bills' depth at cornerback

BY NICK ST. DENIS

In a Buffalo Bills defense that is expected to improve under new coordinator Mike Pettine, cornerback remains a question.

New Bills coach Doug Marrone is confident there will be answers sooner than later. (photo: Angelina Purpura, Flickr)

“I am (satisfied) with the depth there,” Marrone recently told Buffalobills.com. ”I think we have competition there. I think Stephon Gilmore had a great spring camp. He’s done a really nice job. I’m looking forward to seeing who that third or fourth corner is."

McKelvin set to compete for starting cornerback job

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

Leodis McKelvin is confident he can be a defensive starter in the NFL. So is his new head coach.

The Buffalo Bills held a press conference Monday to officially announce McKelvin’s re-signing, and coach Doug Marrone made sure to pass along his vote of confidence for the playmaking special teamer and defensive back.

“We’re excited that Leodis remains on our roster,” Marrone said in a statement, via buffalobills.com. “Obviously, he is one of the most exciting kick returners in the game today, but we’re also counting on him to be very competitive for the starting corner position opposite Stephon Gilmore. We feel he could play an important role in our defense moving forward.” (photo: Angelina Purpura, Flickr)

Bills GM Nix: McKelvin a priority in free agency

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

Buffalo Bills cornerback/return man Leodis McKelvin certainly made some waves this year as the core of the special teams squad. Apparently, waves that big reach all the way up to the front office.

When speaking with Tim Graham of the Buffalo News on Thursday, Bills general manager Buddy Nix mentioned McKelvin as a must-have from the team’s free agent pool, seeing him as not only a key playmaker on returns but in the defensive backfield, as well.

"Leodis has got to have some help, but he's a big-time returner,” Nix said. “I think Leodis will be a candidate for that spot." (photo: Matt Britt, Flickr)

Bills' defense shows up, Dolphins' offense doesn't

BY SEAN DONOVAN

If only for one night, the Buffalo Bills' defense looked like it was supposed to going into the season.

It stopped the run, was effective against the pass and forced turnovers to lead Buffalo to a 19-14 victory over the Miami Dolphins Thursday night.

Buffalo's defensive unit, led by coordinator and former Dolphins' head coach Dave Wannstedt, was expected to make vast improvements after an offseason spending spree. Instead, the group was among the league's worst in many areas.

But it would live up to it's billing on this night.

Gailey on pass D: 'I don't want to say dilemma, but...'

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

Despite losing two key starters on Sunday, the Buffalo Bills' offense still may have taken less of a beating from the New York Jets than their pass defense.

After being lit up all afternoon by Mark Sanchez, who went 19 for 27 with three touchdowns, coach Chan Gailey expressed his frustration with the secondary Monday.

“I think we are in much more of a coverage, I do not want to say dilemma, but we need to tighten up our coverage which will help our pass rush,” Gailey told the media, according to the team's website. “If you let them get it out in rhythm they will. The key is to not let them get it out in rhythm. We have to tighten things up and if we tighten things up I think the pass rush will be much more in play.”

"Rhythm" was the key word for Sanchez and the Jets' offense on Sunday. Sanchez completed just over 70 percent of his passes for more than 250 yards, earning him a passer rating of more than 120. The Bills' defense was only able to muster one turnover against New York, a gimme interception after tight end Jeff Cumberland bobbled a shovel pass by Sanchez on the first drive of the game.

Bills agree to terms with first-rounder CB Gilmore

BY NICK ST. DENIS

The Bills took another step in an offseason of progress Thursday, signing first-round draft pick Stephon Gilmore.

According to Albert Breer of the NFL Network, the former South Carolina cornerback will make "about $12.1 million" over four years.

“I love playing football and that’s the main reason I play, so I wasn’t going to let (the contract) be a distraction,” Gilmore told BuffaloBills.com. “I wasn’t really worried about it. I knew Buffalo was going to come through."

The Bills selected Gilmore at No. 10 overall before releasing veteran cornerback Drayton Florence, making Gilmore a likely starter when the 2012 season rolls around.

"Now I can just focus on football and do what I do," Gilmore said.

Gilmore on rookie camp: 'I felt like I got a lot better'

BY NICK ST. DENIS

The Bills selected cornerback Stephon Gilmore 10th overall in the 2012 draft before dropping cornerback Drayton Florence, making Gilmore a likely starter when the 2012 season starts.

Gilmore got his first chance to prove to Buffalo that it made the right decision this weekend during the Bills' rookie minicamp.

By all accounts, the former South Carolina Gamecock didn't disappoint. According to Chris Brown of BuffaloBills.com, Gilmore grabbed three interceptions and defended a "countless" number passes.

“It was a great experience I learned a lot,” Gilmore said, according to the team's website. “I learned a lot from (secondary) coach (George) Catavolos. He’s trying to teach me the plays and playing with good technique and I had a great camp.

“... I felt like I got a lot better and if I just keep working on my technique I can improve even more. I feel like it helped me out and I got better every day and I’m looking forward to the future.”