| FBG Mobile Home |
| BUF - Working on deal for Jarius Byrd - |
Buffalo Bills general manager Doug Whaley said the team is still talking with FS Jairus Byrd about a long-term contract. 'First of all, we recognize Jairus as a good player, and we're in the business of collecting good players,' Whaley said. 'But we're going to continue the negotiation process. But we will also continue not negotiating in the press.'
| BUF - No talks with Brandon Moore - |
The Buffalo Bills have not expressed interest in free-agent OG Brandon Moore (Jets) at this point.
| BUF - Brad Smith will be used as WR - |
The Buffalo Bills will be using WR Brad Smith exclusively at wide receiver and as a return man. Smith has been used as a quarterback at times since joining the Bills.
Footballguys view: The Bills have an extremely athletic QB in rookie E.J. Manuel. Kevin Kolb, Tarvaris Jackson and Manuel will compete for the starting job in training camp.
| BUF - GM says EJ Manuel has chance to start - |
Buffalo Bills general manager Doug Whaley did not rule out the possibility of QB EJ Manuel being the starting quarterback this season. Whaley said the team likes Manuel's work ethic and leadership abilities but that he will have to compete for the job.
Footballguys view: Manuel may be considered the favorite to win the starting job but he'll have to beat out veteran Kevin Kolb in training camp. The rookie is an incredible athlete with a strong arm and a strong work ethic. Manuel is certainly the QB of the future in Buffalo and the future may be now in 2013.
| BUF - Doug Whaley the new GM - |
The Buffalo Bills promoted Doug Whaley to general manager.
Footballguys view: No surprise here. Whaley was being groomed to be the eventual GM behind Buddy Nix. Now that Nix has moved on from the GM position it's time for Whaley to show what he can do. The Bills have made several moves to restructure their front office and coaching staff this offseason. We'll see if it pays off in the near future.
| BUF - Doug Whaley to be named GM - |
The Buffalo Bills plan to name assistant general manager Doug Whaley as their new general manager Thursday, May 16.
Footballguys view: That is the move that was expected. Whaley has been with the team over the last three seasons and was being groomed to eventually be the GM.
| BUF - Three rotating at LG - |
Buffalo Bills OG Colin Brown, OT Sam Young and OG Chris Scott have each worked with the starting offense at left guard this week during organized team activities.
| BUF - Mark Anderson taking part in workouts - |
Buffalo Bills DE Mark Anderson (knee) has been able to participate in organized team activities after missing 11 games of the 2012 season because of a knee injury.
Footballguys view: Anderson failed to make an impact last year but still remains the best pass rusher on the team after Mario Williams. The team will monitor him closely as he comes back from this injury.
| BUF - Several working as kick returners - |
Buffalo Bills RB Tashard Choice, WR Marquise Goodwin, WR T.J. Graham and WR Brad Smith have been returning kicks during organized team activities. CB Leodis McKelvin (groin) is also expected to be a candidate for the role but has been limited to individual drills because of offseason groin surgery.
| BUF - Stevie Johnson feeling better - |
Buffalo Bills WR Stevie Johnson (back) said his strained back is getting better but that he is not sure when he will receive clearance to return to practice. Johnson has sat out the organized team activities this week because the injury but has been able to do things in the weight room.
Footballguys view: The team won't rush Johnson back from his latest injury. He should be ready to participate by the time training camp starts in August.
| BUF - Eric Wood contract update - |
The Buffalo Bills and C Eric Wood have a mutual interest in getting a new deal done, but with plenty of time and a lot of other issues for the team, Wood knows it is not a priority right now. 'There's obvious interest from both sides to get a deal done at some point,' Wood said. 'But with a GM change and a big-time free agent at safety that we'd like to get re-signed -- and this is just me speculating myself, this isn't stuff they said -- and rookies, I know I'm not top priority right now. Hopefully we can get a deal done at some point, maybe this summer.'
| BUF - Kiko Alonso signs - |
The Buffalo Bills signed second-round pick LB Kiko Alonso to a four-year deal. The deal is worth $4,300,401 with a $1,507,564 signing bonus.
Footballguys view: Alonso has elite straight line speed and can get the ball carrier in a hurry. He's got a nose for the ball and diagnoses plays quickly as they unfold in front of him. Alonso will need to play more disciplined as a pro. Too often his hyper aggressive playing style will cause him to overrun plays.
| BUF - Stevie Johnson still sidelined - |
Stevie Johnson is still sidelined with a strained back according to head coach Doug Marrone. He initially suffered the injury in the voluntary veteran minicamp last month during individual position drills.
Footballguys view: This would be more of a concern if the injury lasted into training camp. The Bills will be careful with their star WR and won't push him back until he's ready. "I feel very comfortable with what Stevie has done in the past. It's more important to get him healthy and get him well than it is to push him to get on the field," said Bills head coach Doug Marrone.
| BUF - T.J. Graham making plays in OTAs - |
Second-year WR T.J. Graham has been making plays during the Bills recent minicamp. He's getting more reps as Stevie Johnson continues to miss workouts with a strained back. "T.J. is doing really good," said QB Kevin Kolb. "He's working hard, taking it serious. Obviously with the receiving corps it's a competitive group now. I think everybody can go out there and make plays. T.J. is another special talent with his speed."
Footballguys view: Graham has the downfield speed and ball tracking ability to be a good deep threat. The position became more cramped when the Bills added both Robert Woods (USC) and Marquise Goodwin (Texas) in the 2013 NFL draft. They even added the talented Da'Rick Rogers as an undrafted free agent.
| BUF - Plan to move Mario Williams around - |
Buffalo Bills DE Mario Williams is excited to play under new defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. "If I had to guess I'll probably be all over the place, but it comes with working out and being able to just move and know whenever you're in a different position that you have to switch it up a little bit in terms of your point of attack," Williams said. "I'm just ready to get out there and go."
Footballguys view: Moving Mario around is a smart move for the Bills. They want to get their money's worth after signing Williams to a $90MM contract last offseason.
| BUF - Make roster moves - |
The Buffalo Bills claimed TE Mickey Shuler (Raiders) off waivers from the Oakland Raiders and waived WR Kevin Norrell Tuesday, May 14.
| BUF - Chris Scott working with first team - |
Buffalo Bills G Chris Scott is receiving snaps with the first team at left guard.
| BUF - May have punter competition - |
Buffalo Bills P Shawn Powell and P Brian Stahovich could compete for the punter job during offseason workouts and training camp.
| BUF - Tarvaris Jackson first up in QB rotation - |
Buffalo Bills QB Tarvaris Jackson received the first snaps during organized team activities Monday, May 13. He was followed by QB Kevin Kolb and EJ Manuel.
Footballguys view: Don't read too much into this. New Bills head coach Doug Marrone said we should expect the rotation to change daily. We'll be surprised if Jackson ends up the starter at the beginning of the regular season. Rookie E.J. Manuel is considered the favorite to win that job.
| BUF - Doug Whaley expected to become GM - |
Buffalo Bills assistant general manager Doug Whaley is expected to be named the team's new general manager.
Footballguys view: No surprise here. Whaley has been broomed as the assistant GM behind former GM Buddy Nix.
| BUF - Buddy Nix stepping down as general manager - |
Buffalo Bills general manager Buddy Nix has decided to step aside and become a special assistant to the team.
Footballguys view: This move is being painted as a voluntary one. Nix has been with the Bills as their GM over the last three seasons. Assistant GM Doug Whaley should see his role expanded upon this news.
| BUF - Rookie WR Woods to start opposite Johnson? - |
Buffalo Bills rookie WR Robert Woods may be 'firmly in the conversation' when it comes to finding a starter opposite Steve Johnson. Woods has impressed during Bills rookie minicamp and many consider him the favorite to start.
Footballguys view: We think Woods is one of the best rookie WRs in this draft class. He knows how to get open, has the speed to eat up cushions quickly, and has strong hands to be a consistent target. Woods should eventually become a favorite in the Bills passing game.
| BUF - Rookie WR Rogers has 'one shot' deal - |
Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone says undrafted rookie WR Da'Rick Rogers has a 'one-shot deal.' Marrone continued, "Either you've learned your lesson and you've grown up and you're going to go forward and mature, or you haven't learned your lesson and you're going to be out on the street. It's that simple."
Footballguys view: Rogers was one of the most talented WRs in this draft class and could have gone in the early second-round had it not been for multiple off field concerns. The Bills picked him up as an undrafted free agent and he's now trying to prove himself in camp. He's got tremendous upside if he can stay focused and stay out of trouble.
| BUF - Duke Williams spends most of time at S - |
Buffalo Bills SS Duke Williams lined up mostly at safety during practice Friday, May 10, but also saw some time as the slot cornerback. Head coach Doug Marrone has mentioned using Williams as a cornerback in some defensive subpackages.
| BUF - Marquise Goodwin contract details - |
Buffalo Bills WR Marquise Goodwin agreed to terms on a four year contract that will pay $2.85 million that includes $598,876 bonus.
| BUF - Kyle Williams recovering from surgery - |
Buffalo Bills DT Kyle D. Williams (Achilles') is recovering from Achilles' tendon surgery in February and has not been cleared to participate in any workouts at this point.
| BUF - Chris Gragg terms - |
The Buffalo Bills signed seventh-round pick TE Chris Gragg to a $2.219 million deal that includes a $59,175 bonus.
| BUF - Four picks signed - |
The Buffalo Bills signed WR Marquise Goodwin, DB Duke Williams, DB Jonathan Meeks and K Dustin Hopkins to undisclosed deals.
Footballguys view: Goodwin is the player fantasy owners need to keep an eye on here. He ran a 4.27 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine, the 2nd-fastest recorded time there since 2006 (Chris Johnson, 4.24). Goodwin impressed at the Senior Bowl earlier this year and reminded some in the scouting community of Mike Wallace (Dolphins).
| BUF - Chris Gragg signed - |
The Buffalo Bills have signed seventh-round draft choice TE Chris Gragg. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
| BUF - Coach says offense can play fast or slow - |
Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone said the team can play up-tempo offense or slow the offense down depending on the situation. 'The thing I want to make sure everyone understands is we do have the ability to huddle and the ability to slow the game down if we wanted to. If we're ahead on the scoreboard and we're in a four-minute situation and you want to slow the game down, we have the ability to do that. We practice both right now and that will continue in terms of tempo. I like playing fast. I think you have a great advantage with that,' Marrone said. Marrone said the up-tempo style will allow the team to earn more possessions during games.
Footballguys view: Marrone ran no huddle 76 percent of the time last year. The Orange averaged 7.7 yards per play out of the no huddle and 6.1 yards per play when they huddled. The design of the offense will make the Bills one of the more exciting teams to watch in 2013.
| BUF - Believe Duke Williams can play CB - |
The Buffalo Bills believe SS Duke Williams can be used at cornerback if needed.
| BUF - Marquise Goodwin expected to see time - |
Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone indicated WR Marquise Goodwin likely will be used in some capacity on offense because of the threat of his speed.
Footballguys view: Goodwin has Olympic speed. He'll be used early and often to stretch the field vertically. Goodwin is a perfect fit for the Doug Marrone system. There were some in the scouting community who compared him to Mike Wallace (Dolphins).
| BUF - Robert Woods thinks he is good fit in offense - |
Buffalo Bills WR Robert Woods said he is a good fit for the Bills offense because he played in a West Coast offense while at Southern California. 'I'd say it's a perfect fit going to that offense,' said Woods. 'We're going to have a great scheme with these coaches. Just having a history of the West Coast offense and going into this the only thing that's going to change really is the terminology. I'm looking forward to playing in it. I know it's going to be a fast offense.' Woods is expected to contribute on offense immediately.
Footballguys view: Woods can fit anywhere because of his complete skill set. He's a good route runner, has strong hands, and will be a reliable receiver for the Bills.
| BUF - Rookie QB Manuel improved his deep passing - |
QB E.J. Manuel, the Bills first-round pick, improved his deep passing numbers in 2012. He had a completion rate of 49.2% on passes 20 plus yards downfield, compared to a rate of 34.7% in 2011. Manuel had 10 more completions on such throws (30) in 2012 than he did in the previous two seasons combined (20).
Footballguys view: Downfield passing is a hallmark of the Doug Marrone system. The Bills drafted the QB with arguably the highest upside in the 2013 NFL draft. He's incredibly athletic, has a strong arm, and is known as a hard worker. We love Manuel's value in dynasty leagues and he could perform like a low end QB2 in re-draft leagues this year. He'll compete with veteran Kevin Kolb for the starting job.
| BUF - Expected to rotate QBs during workouts - |
Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone indicated QBs EJ Manuel, Kevin Kolb and Tarvaris Jackson will split reps with the first-team offense once offseason workouts begin.
Footballguys view: We'd be shocked if Manuel doesn't win the starting job outright in camp. He's more athletic and has a stronger arm than Kolb does. Manuel will be able to run the Marrone because of his natural skill set. He'll only have to get used to the speed of the game and start making quicker reads as a passer.
| BUF - Corey McIntyre unlikely to return - |
Brett Tessler, agent for free-agent FB Corey McIntyre (Bills), said the Buffalo Bills likely will not re-sign McIntyre this offseason. 'It seems pretty obvious that it's no longer the right fit for either side,' Tessler said. 'We'll be looking for work elsewhere. Corey is staying in shape and waiting for the right opportunity to come along.'
| BUF - Bad weather helped EJ Manuel? - |
Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone indicated Tuesday, April 30, that the team's research indicated they needed a strong-armed quarterback that could handle poor or wet weather conditions like the weather in Buffalo in the fall and winter. When the team worked out QB EJ Manuel in private, the weather was not cooperative. There were thunderstorms, and it was windy, in Tallahassee, but Manuel performed well. That solidified the team's feelings Manuel could do well in poor weather.
Footballguys view: Manuel has the arm to zip passes through the wind with proper velocity. He's incredibly athletic and is not afraid of competition. We wouldn't be surprised to see Manuel win the starting job over Kevin Kolb in training camp.
| BUF - Had high grade on Da'Rick Rogers - |
Buffalo Bills general manager Buddy Nix said Tuesday, April 30, that the team had a first-to-second round grade on WR Da'Rick Rogers, whom the team signed as an undrafted free agent. 'Being from Tennessee, I've known his background,' Nix said. 'He's from Calhoun, Georgia, I knew him when he was playing in high school. The guy's got tremendous talent. He's made some bad decisions. It's gotten him in trouble. Got him out of the University of Tennessee, from an All-SEC performance in his sophomore year, and he goes to Tennessee Tech where he has a so-so year. He played down to the level of competition, really. But this guy's talented. He can play. The ball's in his court. He goes by the rules, and does like he's supposed to, or he goes somewhere else.'
Footballguys view: Adding Rogers as a priority free agent is a huge move for the Bills. He had a breakout season as a sophomore with the Volunteers. In 2011 he led the SEC in catches and finishing second in both yards and TD catches. Multiple failed drug tests and issues with the coaches caused him to end up at Tennessee Tech. Rogers is a natural talent with elite level upside if he stays out of trouble now that he's a pro.
| BUF - Could potentially add Karlos Dansby - |
The Buffalo Bills addressed their linebacker need in the 2013 NFL Draft with LB Kiko Alonso, but they could still be interested in veteran free-agent LB Karlos Dansby (Dolphins), who recently visited.
| BUF - Sign 10 UDFAs - |
The Buffalo Bills have signed undrafted free-agent OG Zach Chibane (Syracuse), DE Izaan Cross (Georgia Tech), S Jordan Dangerfield (Towson), CB Kip Edwards (Missouri), FB Kendall Gaskins (Richmond), CB Vernon Kearney (Lane), WR Kevin Norrell (Stony Brook), CB Jumal Rolle (Catawba), DT Aaron Tipoti (California) and C Ryan Turnley (Pittsburgh). Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
| BUF - Four players released - |
The Buffalo Bills have released QB Aaron Corp, TE Joe Sawyer, OT Adam Grant and PK Chris Koepplin.
Footballguys view: Corp was a former USC quarterback who transferred to Richmond when he couldn't beat out Matt Barkley. His release was in the works after the team added QB of the future E.J. Manuel in the first-round of the 2013 NFL draft.
| BUF - Will not pursue Tim Tebow - |
The Buffalo Bills are not interested in signing free-agent QB Tim Tebow (Jets).
Footballguys view: Another team getting in the 'no thanks' line for Tebow. This may prompt Tebow to change his mind about which position he plays in the NFL. He would have more teams interested if he was open to a position switch.
| BUF - Jerry Hughes acquired - |
The Buffalo Bills have acquired LB Jerry Hughes from the Indianapolis Colts for LB Kelvin Sheppard.
Footballguys view: Hughes was a first-round pick by the Colts in 2010 but has only registered five sacks during his pro career. He was a bust with the Colts and needed a change of scenery. Hughes could be a part time player for the Bills if he makes the roster.
| BUF - Robert Woods likely to start - |
Buffalo Bills WR Robert Woods, selected in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft, is likely to be a starter in Week 1 alongside WR Stevie Johnson.
Footballguys view: No surprise here. Woods is a technician at the WR spot and can get open with ease. He has strong hands, good body control, and the quickness to make defenders miss in the open field.
| BUF - Da'Rick Rogers controls future - |
The Buffalo Bills are taking a low-risk, high-reward chance on WR Da'Rick Rogers, who was signed as an undrafted free agent Saturday, April 27. Rogers had the physical tools to be a draft pick, but poor off-field judgment hurt his stock and raised red flags. 'It's frustrating, but I did it to myself,' Rogers said at the NFL Scouting Combine. 'And I realize how hard I have to work now that I'm behind the 8-ball. It's going to make me work that much harder.'
Footballguys view: Rogers is as good as San Diego Chargers third-round pick Keenan Allen on film. If he can make the team, he could easily push to start by the end of the year.
| BUF - Four UDFAs brought in - |
The Buffalo Bills signed undrafted free agents WR Brandon Kaufman, LB Keith Pough, CB Nickell Robey and QB Jeff Tuel Sunday, April 28.
Footballguys view: Kaufman is a big receiver with decent speed for his size. He could be in a battle with Da'Rick Rogers for a roster spot.
| BUF - May have competition at PK - |
Buffalo Bills PK Rian Lindell may have to compete with PK Dustin Hopkins for the kicker job during training camp.
| BUF - Interest in Karlos Dansby lessens - |
Buffalo Bills general manager Buddy Nix indicated the team still has interest in free-agent LB Karlos Dansby (Dolphins) but do not need as much after they selected LB Kiko Alonso in the draft.
Footballguys view: This is the problem for free agents that remain without a team after the draft. Teams that were interested in their services before the draft might have no need for them now. Dansby and other veterans currently on the market might have to wait for training camp injuries before they get signed.
| BUF - Two UDFAs signed - |
The Buffalo Bills signed undrafted free agents WR Da'Rick Rogers (Tennessee Tech) and LB Drew Smith (Northwestern) Saturday, April 27.
| BUF - Marquise Goodwin added at No. 78 overall - |
The Buffalo Bills selected University of Texas WR Marquise Goodwin with the No. 78 overall selection in the 2013 NFL Draft.
Footballguys view: Goodwin has tremendous speed to go with raw route-running and who didn't stand out on film. At his size he might be a slot guy only and the question becomes, can he polish up his game enough to become effective at it?
