Bills

Player News - Bills

Date: Team: Pos:

Bills DT Marcell Dareus is absent from OTAs.

A reason was not provided, but it appears Dareus is simply skipping the "voluntary" workouts. The No. 3 pick of the 2011 draft graded out as the No. 11 defensive tackle in Pro Football Focus' ratings last season. He has work to do as a run stopper, but Dareus' future remains bright at age 23.
May 21 - 3:29 PM

Bills OC Nathaniel Hackett admits first-round pick E.J. Manuel needs work on "everything."

Hackett's comments come two days after Manuel said the Bills' playbook was easier to pick up than Florida State's. "He’s a young man that’s got to work on a lot of things from footwork to progressions to plays to formations, everything," Hackett said. "Defenses in the NFL are obviously a little different. He’s got to work on that too. He’s got to work on everything."
May 21 - 3:25 PM

Stevie Johnson (back) has been cleared to resume practicing, and participated in Tuesday's OTAs session.

Johnson said last week he had "no idea" when he'd be cleared to return, but it took less than seven days. "It was great to see him," OC Nathaniel Hackett said. "It was great to see him run some routes instead of being on the side. We've just got to work him back in." The Bills will take things slow with their No. 1 receiver before camp, but his back is not a long-term concern.
May 21 - 1:15 PM

Bills second-round WR Robert Woods is penciled in as the No. 2 receiver.

Woods started 38 games at USC, and he enters the NFL as a polished pro-ready receiver. He's also been hitting it off with QB E.J. Manuel, and the two connected on several passes at rookie minicamp. "[Woods] always seemed to be open and ran great routes," Manuel said. "You want to get the playmakers the ball." Woods is expected to man the Z receiver spot, while a host of others compete at the X position. Stevie Johnson will work the slot.
May 21 - 9:40 AM

Bills second-round LB Kiko Alonso is already calling out the defensive plays as he works mostly at "Mike" linebacker.

Alonso lined up mostly on the strong side during rookie minicamp, but the Bills are putting more on his plate. Per NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal, Alonso and veteran Bryan Scott were the first-team inside 'backers Tuesday, while Nigel Bradham and Arthur Moats worked with the second unit. Alonso is going to be asked to play major snaps as a rookie, and he's a three-down linebacker.
May 21 - 9:10 AM

E.J. Manuel believes the Bills offense has been easier to learn than Florida State's.

Somewhere, coach Doug Marrone is wondering if that's good or bad. "To be honest, it’s a true West Coast type progression offense and that’s really what I wanted coming through the pre-draft process where I could just go in and go 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and just check it down or run," Manuel said. "It’s that simple and I love it." Manuel should learn in the preseason that he doesn't have this NFL thing figured out just yet.
May 20 - 11:20 AM

BuffaloBills.com expects Jerry Hughes to get looks as both a strong-side linebacker and rush end.

The Bills are going to use Hughes in multiple spots as they attempt to salvage him from "bust" status. Not in line for a starting job, the majority of Hughes' snaps will likely come as a sub-package rusher.
May 20 - 10:38 AM

Bills signed second-round WR Robert Woods to a four-year contract.

Not dissimilar in play style from Stevie Johnson, Woods is an incredibly quick-footed possession type receiver who should be able to move all around the formation, playing both outside positions and in the slot. Considered NFL-ready after playing in USC's pro-style scheme, Woods shouldn't struggle to win a starting job as a rookie. He's more likely to struggle for consistent fantasy value, projecting as no more than a WR4/5 amid suspect quarterback play.
Source: ESPN.com
May 19 - 6:55 PM

Bills DL Alex Carrington averaged a pressure every 10 pass rushes last season.

Carrington was an underrated force as a rotational lineman behind Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus in the Bills' 4-3 defense, but his role in new DC Mike Pettine's system remains unclear with the addition of Alan Branch. He previously played both defensive end and outside linebacker in 3-4 packages.
May 18 - 6:31 PM

New Bills GM Doug Whaley said he's keeping an open mind about starting No. 16 overall pick E.J. Manuel as a rookie.

"Time will tell," said Whaley. "He does have the work ethic and the leadership qualities that he’ll have a chance. But we believe competition brings out the best in everybody. Between him, Kevin Kolb, Tarvaris Jackson, even Jeff Tuel, we’re excited to see who comes out on top of that position battle." In all likelihood, Manuel would have to fall flat on his face to not start Week 1.
May 17 - 1:21 PM

New Bills GM Doug Whaley was an "integral" part of drafting E.J. Manuel.

"I was the person that handled the draft process and setting up the board," Whaley said. "We think that we did enough due diligence and the information pointed us all to this point that E.J. would be the guy we feel will take the Buffalo Bills into the future." Buddy Nix's successor is setting himself up to take the credit — or blame — for Manuel's career. A major project compared to most recent first-round quarterbacks, there's no guarantee Manuel will make a positive impact as a rookie. It's entirely possible Whaley's reign as GM in Buffalo will be defined by Manuel's success or lack thereof.
May 17 - 8:29 AM

Bills named Doug Whaley their new general manager.

40-year-old Whaley was groomed for the job for the past three years, working as 73-year-old Buddy Nix's right hand man. A safety and linebacker at the University of Pittsburgh, Whaley broke into the league as a Steelers scout in 1995 and came to Buffalo highly recommended by Kevin Colbert. With the Bills, Whaley is credited with acquiring RG Kraig Urbik and TE Scott Chandler off waivers, in addition to wielding a "heavy hand" in drafting Stephon Gilmore last year, and E.J. Manuel this year. He also played a leading role in the search committee that wound up hiring Doug Marrone. With a fresh-faced coaching staff, new GM, and franchise quarterback hopeful, things appear to be looking up in Buffalo.
May 16 - 9:19 AM

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora confirms Bills assistant GM Doug Whaley is expected to replace outgoing GM Buddy Nix, and that an announcement is likely to come Thursday.

The Bills have been grooming the former Steelers executive for the job since the end of last season. Nix says he's stepping away because he "(feels) it's the right time," but USA Today's Mike Garafolo has characterized the situation as Nix being forced out in favor of Whaley, who is over 30 years Nix's junior. The Bills are remaking their organization at warp speed.
May 15 - 5:12 PM

Bills RE Mark Anderson (knee surgeries) is now participating fully at OTAs.

A predictable free-agent flop in 2012, Anderson missed all but five games in his first season with Buffalo after signing a four-year, $20 million contract. His year was primarily derailed by two knee surgeries to repair lateral meniscus damage. Anderson remains the Bills' best pass rusher beyond Mario Williams, so he's likely ticketed for a big role in Mike Pettine's new defense.
May 15 - 4:51 PM

Bills TE Scott Chandler is sitting out full-squad OTAs while continuing to rehab his torn left ACL.

Chandler suffered the injury on December 23 and his training camp status is in question. The 28-year-old's role in new coach Doug Marrone's offense is also uncertain, although Buffalo did little to upgrade tight end other than draft Chris Gragg in the seventh round. Chandler's 2013 fantasy outlook is bleak.
May 15 - 4:11 PM


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