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Go To: FlashUpdate / August Update Main Page
| Buffalo Bills | |
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Go To: Off-season Team Review
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| Most Recent News Updates: | |
| BUF -- Cook Ready To Emerge As A Star In Buffalo? (8/31/12:50 CT) | |
| BUF -- Bills Release RB Evans (8/29/08:22 CT) | |
| BUF -- Bills Release TE Sternberger (8/27/09:58 CT) | |
| BUF -- Josh Allen, Starters Get In Tune In Win Over Bears (8/26/18:40 CT) | |
| BUF -- Allen, Starters Will See Action In Exhibition Finale (8/24/13:08 CT) | |
| BUF -- Backup QB Situation A Concern For Bills (8/22/16:16 CT) | |
| BUF -- Diggs Shoots Down Report He Wants Out Of Buffalo (8/22/10:17 CT) | |
| BUF -- Bill To Sign FA RB Ty Johnson (8/21/13:30 CT) | |
| BUF -- Shakir Falling Behind Sherfield, Harty... And Kincaid (8/20/12:03 CT) | |
| BUF -- Allen, STarters Will Play Vs. Steelers This Week (8/17/09:28 CT) | |
| BUF -- Kincaid, Knox On The Field Together Often To Start Preseason (8/15/00:08 CT) | |
| BUF -- Allen, Diggs Won't Play In The Opener (8/10/09:08 CT) | |
| BUF -- Damien Harris Nicked Up; Kincaid Winning Over Josh Allen (8/09/10:28 CT) | |
| BUF -- Harris Getting Most Of The Snaps Behind Cook (8/08/00:41 CT) | |
| BUF -- Allen's Elbow Causes Brief -- And Apparently Unfounded -- Concern (8/08/00:23 CT) | |
| BUF -- Backup QB Situation Remains Unclear (8/08/00:01 CT) | |
| BUF -- Initial Issues And Injuries Of Note (8/08/00:00 CT) | |
Current News Updates
8/31 According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, we shouldn't be surprised if RB James Cook becomes a star in this offense. ... Graziano went on to explain the Bills were 20th in rushing attempts last season (430), but they were second in yards per rush (5.2). And you're saying, "Yeah, but that's because of Josh Allen." But the Buffalo's running backs were actually tied for first in yards per rush last year at 4.9 yards per carry, and Cook averaged 5.7. ... Graziano continued, second-year offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey knows he needs to tweak the approach. And even if they don't run more, Cook is a really good pass-catcher and can contribute there. He has drawn rave reviews throughout training camp. Cook was the 63rd pick in the 2022 draft, well ahead of Rachaad White and Dameon Pierce -- two players I know you're more fired up about drafting in fantasy than you are about Cook. But the last time the Bills rook a running back that high was C.J. Spiller in 2010, and before that, it was Marshawn Lynch in 2007. Buffalo has all kinds of incentive to get Cook the ball and let him showcase his big-play ability.8/29 According to Jeremy Fowler, the Bills have released RB Darrynton Evans. ... We'll be posting complete moves as they're reported through today's 4 p.m. ET deadline on our NFL Roster Cuts page. 8/27 The Bills released TE Jace Sternberger, a source tells NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. 8/26 As NFL.com's Eric Edholm suggested, "Josh Allen and the Bills' first-team offense needed that. ..." Edholm went on to explain that after last week's egg laying at Pittsburgh, Buffalo's starting offense was given a chance to atone Saturday at Chicago -- and it delivered in their win over the Bears. The opening 12-play drive had a little of everything: three third-down conversions, catches by three different receivers, four James Cook runs and a Damien Harris touchdown. The Bills were helped by a Bears holding penalty and Josh Allen's pass protection was a little spotty, but it was far better than last week. That was enough for Sean McDermott, as Kyle Allen and the reserves took over after one drive. “I thought coach did a good job of getting plays in quick for us and allowing us to see things going on and guys were in the right spots and again,” Josh Allen said. “We kind of rehearsed some of the first third downs. ...” The opening series wasn't perfect, but it had to make the Bills feel better heading into the massive Week 1 opener at the Jets in prime time. ... You can access complete stats for Saturday's Week 3 exhibition finale via our exclusive Fantasy BoxScore. 8/24 The Bills’ first units will get a little more work before the season begins. HC Sean McDermott said on Thursday that Buffalo’s starters will play in Saturday’s preseason finale against Chicago. But McDermott added that he doesn’t have a set amount of time they’ll be in the game. “It’s just what I feel like is best for the team right now,” McDermott said (via Profootballtalk.com). “Every preseason is a little bit different based on where guys are and where the team is. So, they’re going to play this week. I feel like it’s best for where we’re at right now. ...” While the first unit didn’t play in the preseason opener, quarterback Josh Allen was on the field for 16 snaps in last week’s matchup with the Steelers. Allen finished 7-of-10 passing for 64 yards. The Bills punted on each of the three possessions, going three-and-out on two of them. After Saturday’s matchup, the Bills won’t play until Sept. 11 when they take on the Jets for Monday Night Football to cap Week 1. BUF -- Backup QB Situation A Concern For Bills (8/22/16:16 CT) 8/22 The Bills have an open competition for No. 2 quarterback. On Saturday night in Pittsburgh, veteran Matt Barkley might have slammed the door in his own face with a performance that Profootballtalk.com suggests, "Conjures memories of Nathan Peterman’s misadventures against the Chargers. ..." Barkley had three interceptions in 12 throws against the Steelers. Barkley also had a fumble, which Pittsburgh recovered. The hit that knocked the ball loose resulted in an elbow injury for Barkley. In the first preseason game, Barkley played better than newcomer Kyle Allen. In the second game, Allen performed better than Barkley, completing 12 of 15 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown. Neither candidate to back up Josh Allen has seized the job. It’s hard not to wonder whether the Bills are considering other options for the No. 2 job. If either Barkley or Allen win the No. 2 spot on the roster, the question then becomes whether the Bills will carry a third quarterback on the 53-man roster. In order to dress a third quarterback on game day, a team must have three on the active roster. 8/22 Bills receiver Stefon Diggs usually posts cryptic tweets. According to Profootballtalk.com, there was nothing cryptic about the tweet he posted last night. “100% not true,” Diggs said. “I don’t know who the source is but I thought i nip this sh-t in the bud already.” Diggs undoubtedly was responding to a Monday claim from Stephen A. Smith of ESPN from Monday’s First Take: “Brother wants out, by the way. I’m just telling you what I know know. I got my own sources. Brother wants out. He don’t wanna be in Buffalo no more. I’m telling you right now. I have my sources. Stefon Diggs got to be there, but he would prefer to be gone. ...” Smith later explained that Diggs believes there was a window of opportunity the Bills might have missed. As PFT's Mike Florio suggests, it’s not surprising that Diggs denied it. He really has no other choice. He has no other move. For this season, he needs to love the one he’s with. He needs to give it one more try. And if things don’t end up any better than they did in 2021 or 2022, maybe Diggs will post a not-so-cryptic tweet in March that results in another trade, like the one that sent him out of Minnesota after he apparently decided that the Vikings wouldn’t win a Super Bowl with Kirk Cousins at quarterback. 8/21 According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Buffalo will sign RB Ty Johnson. ... Johnson, a Lions sixth-round pick in 2019, had re-signed with the Jets in March after appearing in all 17 games for the club last season. But he suffered a torn pectoral muscle while working out during the offseason. He was released with a non-football injury designation in April. But, per Fowler, Johnson has been medically cleared. Johnson played 42 percent of special teams snaps and 16 percent of offensive snaps last year. He rushed for 160 yards with a touchdown and caught 12 passes for 88 yards. In 2021, Johnson caught 34 passes for 372 yards with two touchdowns in 16 games. He also rushed for 238 yards with two TDs. As Profootballtalk.com notes, with Nyheim Hines out for the season, the Bills have been on the hunt for a third-down back and Johnson could potentially fill that role. 8/20 The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia believes Khalil Shakir has fallen to fifth on the Bills’ receiver depth chart. As Rotoworld notes, the second-year pro entered camp as the favorite for slot duties between Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis but has instead tumbled behind Trent Sherfield and Deonte Harty. Buffalo News staffer Mark Gaughn, appearing with the FootballDieahards on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio last Thursday, said the same. Gaughn also added to the chorus of observers who contend rookie TE Dalton Kincaid will be asked to make an impact from the slot. ... Worth noting, as Rotoworld pointed out: Harty was the primary slot man in Saturday’s preseason game against the Steelers. 8/17 Josh Allen didn’t play in last week’s preseason opener, but he’ll get a chance to knock off some rust this week. Head coach Sean McDermott said on Thursday that Allen and the rest of the team’s starters will be in the lineup against the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Saturday evening. McDermott said that the first-teamers will play about a quarter and a half before giving way to the team’s reserves. “Simply put, it’s to get them ready for the season,” McDermott said, via Jonathan Acosta of WGRZ. The Bills wrap up the preseason against the Bears on August 26, but Allen and the first string may be on to Week One after they get their reps in this weekend. 8/15 According to NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal, no team played in 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends) on fewer snaps in 2022 than Buffalo. That makes it more notable that they opened their preseason game with tight ends Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid on the field together for their first two plays. Kincaid, Buffalo's first-round pick in April, is shaping up to be the team's No. 3 target as a rookie. ... Also worth noting, while Stefon Diggs didn't play, Gabe Davis manned his usual spot in the starting lineup and it was interesting to see who opened the game in the other receiver spot: Trent Sherfield. The offseason addition appears to be Diggs' backup and the next man up for snaps in the wideout room. 8/10 According to NBC Sports, the Bills will not play Josh Allen or Stefon Diggs in the preseason opener on Saturday. 8/09 According to The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia, RB Damien Harris is dealing with a knee injury. Harris, who has missed a combined 14 regular season games over the last three years due to injuries, was walking carefully around the sidelines at training camp on Monday with his helmet in his hands while not taking any repetitions in team drills due to a right knee injury. It allowed Latavius Murray to operate as the second RB. Harris and Murray are currently competing for the short-yardage/goal-line role in Buffalo's backfield behind starter James Cook. ... In addition, Bascaglia reports reports Josh Allen has “complete trust” in TE Dalton Kincaid. “Almost every day, Kincaid is making himself available through excellent route running and movement skills for his size, and then capitalizing with effortless receptions while turning up field looking for more,” Buscaglia wrote (via Rotoworld). “Allen has shown complete trust in Kincaid when on the field together, and there was no better example of that evolution than on Allen’s final throw of Monday,” when Kincaid got open in the middle of the field and caught an intentionally low-and-away pass from Allen for a long gain. ... Rotoworld went on to note the Bills are widely expected to use more two tight end sets in 2023, potentially meaning consistent snaps and routes for Kincaid, who is being taken as the 11th tight end off fantasy draft boards. 8/08 The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia reports (via Rotoworld.com) that Damien Harris “has consistently been the second back to get snaps behind [James] Cook throughout camp. ...” While James Cook appears to have the top spot in the backfield rotation locked up, the competition between Harris and Latavius Murray seems to be favoring Harris early on. Both Harris and Murray could earn short-yardage and goal-line opportunities for the Bills this offseason, alleviating some of the wear and tear Josh Allen has taken in recent years. 8/08 According to ESPN.com's Alaina Getzenberg, quarterback Josh Allen left the field briefly with head athletic trainer Nate Breske early in practice Monday (8/7) with attention seemingly focused on his right arm/elbow, the same arm that he had a UCL injury last year. After a minor absence, Allen returned and participated fully with no obvious issues. His day included a two-minute drill near the end of practice that ended with an impressive touchdown throw to wide receiver Trent Sherfield in the corner of the end zone. Sherfield dove for the touchdown and kicked the ball towards the goal posts in celebration. Tight end Dalton Kincaid also had an impressive one-handed catch as he fell to the ground during practice, in addition to wide receiver KeeSean Johnson finishing practice with a couple of eye-catching plays, including a one-handed catch. 8/08 The Bills will go as far as Josh Allen can take them. But as Profootballtalk.com suggests, they need to be ready for the possibility of dog paddling for a couple of weeks without him. This year, the well-traveled Kyle Allen joined the Buffalo depth chart behind Josh Allen, along with veteran Matt Barkley. Given Kyle Allen’s flashes of excellent in the past, the move was met with optimism. His performance in the team’s Friday scrimmage was met with pessimism. Consider this, from Ryan Talbot of NYup.com: “Kyle Allen struggled mightily at Highmark Stadium on Friday night and much of it had to do with botched snaps. He had around four mishandled snaps at Friday’s scrimmage and wasn’t particularly sharp passing the ball. He had one nice touchdown pass to Trent Sherfield, but the play had been whistled and stopped by the official in the backfield. Kyle Allen seemed like a fine No. 2 quarterback option at the time of his signing, but he has left much to be desired.” The broader question is whether the Bills will keep three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster. It’s required, in order to take advantage of the new rule allowing a third quarterback to dress on game day. And if they plan to keep three, will Kyle Allen be one of them? There’s still a long way to go, but his performance in the scrimmage raises the stakes for his looming preseason efforts. 8/08 Whatever tension there was between the Bills and Stefon Diggs (which seemed to extend to a beef with Josh Allen as well) had disapated as camp opened. Diggs seems to be just fine and wrote the kerfluffle off as family feuding. It's a good reminder that stories we're focused on in the summer aren't the stories we'll be focused on when September rolls around. ... Meanwhile, James Cook was seeing heavy work in the passing game through the first week of training camp and The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia is predicting that Cook is in line to see at least half of the Bills' offensive snaps if he continues to play well in camp.
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 Team Review
Fantasy Grade: A-
In recent years. the Bills have become one of the most prolific and dangerous offenses in the league. Last year, only the Kansas City Chiefs tallied more yards and points per game. And there's no reason to believe that Buffalo wont be an offensive powerhouse again. The maestro for that symphony of destruction is Josh Allen, who was the No. 1 fantasy quarterback last year in terms of fantasy points per game. The 27-year-old raised some eyebrows in fantasy circles recently when he told reporters that he realizes at some point he's going to need to dial back the running that makes him such a dangerous fantasy asset. -"I've always had the mindset of, I've been a football player first and a quarterback second," Allen told reporters. At some point that is going to have to switch. When that point is, I don't know. I guess III let my body tell me_ It sounds crazy, but I'm getting older. I know I caret continue to do this. I know when I'm using my youth, I feel like I can, but over the course of my career, I'm going to have to learn to adapt and change" The Bills may have already taken some steps to lessen Allert's rushing load, signing running back Damien Harris in free agency. Head coach Sen McDermott talked up what Harris brings to the Buffalo ground game_ The biggest thing is the speed element,' McDermott said of Harris. 'We felt like we needed a slightly bigger back, but not a 250-pound cloud of dust type of guy. So, to find a player with some size, with some power, but also has the speed element to go along with it, I think that's hard to defend. Not only can you run inside, but you can get to the edge from time to time. An 8-yard run can go to 18 or 80. That element is dangerous and can put a little bit of fear into defensive coordinators." The Bills still have James Cook on the roster as well and added veteran Latavius Murray, so this has the makings of a committee attack — and one that could rob Allen of some carries. The Bills' passing game is led by Stefan Diggs, who was unhappy with how the 2022 season ended and BUFFALO BILLS skipped voluntary workouts. That displeasure is at least marginally concerning, but there's little reason to think that when Week 1 rolls around Diggs won't once again be one of the NFL's most targeted receivers. Gabe Davis will have a big game now and then and rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid has some allure in dynasty formats. But Diggs had almost as many targets as Davis and Isaiah McKenzie combined in 2022. | |
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2023 Off-Season News & Views
Click here for Complete set of News & Views
Click here for earlier off-season items |
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