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Bills Pulse
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A Fond Farewell |
After 230 games and 14+ seasons, the time has come to an end for me in Buffalo. My first go as a GM has had its share of ups and downs. From a couple of rebuilds, to a Super Bowl appearance, to ultimately losing my job. I have learned a lot about managing a team, drafted and developed some good players, and taken some difficult lumps along the way. But the friendships and camaraderie cultivated amongst the other GMs has been the most invaluable for me.
I stumbled into this job shortly after my father died, and through several other significant losses, cross-country moves, and major injuries and personal struggles, I found solace in managing the Buffalo Bills. While I never found the success I strived for, and ultimately leave the franchise as a failed GM, there will always be a fondness for this team. For these players. And for the rivalries within the AFC East.
This end brings a new beginning, and I will hopefully take a new role leading a different franchise, and am hopeful and confident I can find the success I was never able to achieve in Buffalo. While the emotional attachment to the players and team is a bit silly, I hope it's something I can learn from and apply to my personal life.
To the new GM: good luck and I hope you can find success with this team. Selfishly it's because I want to see that I'm not completely inept at this job. Thank you Buffalo. And thank you Commish for providing me the opportunity. Go Bills!
On to a new challenge! |
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Forum Discussion
(by B_Lindgren on 10/01/2023)
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Replies - 0 :: Views - 15 |
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Bills Draft Class |
This off-season proved to be a challenging one for Bills GM Brandon Lindgren. Not only was he given a very short leash going into 2016, the ownership group informed him he needed to show massive improvement or his time in Buffalo would be over. He has been in this position before, and both times his teams bounced back, but this time around presented new challenges. With no first round pick in the draft, no franchise QB, and 22 expiring contracts, the margin for error is very slim. In a separate article, we will be discussing all the newcomers via trade and free agency, but today we want to take a closer look at the rookies joining the squad this season.
After dealing their first round pick and their early second round pick, the first pick they made was 2.26, where they selected LG Sebastian Tretola, a behemoth of a man out of Arkansas. Standing 6'5" and 334lbs, he boasts some attributes that could prove to be those of a starter on the Bills OL in the future. After preseason, he's got 60 SPD, 99 STR, 57 AWR, 68 AGI, 72 ACC, 80 PBK and 86 RBK.
With 3.21, the Bills selected a 6'5" TE from South Carolina, Jerell Adams. The last couple of seasons has had some weak tight end play. New QB AJ McCarron will need some big, fast and reliable targets, and management decided a tight end would prove beneficial long term. Adams has 81 SPD, 72 STR, 78 AGI, 82 ACC, 76 CTH and a paltry 53 RBK.
Four picks later at 3.25, Lindgren picked Matthew Juron, a 6'3" DE with 83 SPD out of Grand Valley State University. While he's an older rookie at 24, and thereby has a shorter window for success, he has some potential. He's lacking a bit on strength with a 64 STR, his athleticism of 78 AGI and 87 ACC could prove to be enough to make an impact on opposing quarterbacks.
At 4.22, C Austin Blythe was auto-selected. With two centers already on the roster, it was kind of a surprise pick, but after being mentored by Alex Mack, he could potentially be the future at the position, although it is a long shot as he is a little undersized and lacking awareness. 6'2", 291lbs with 95 STR, 52 AWR, 68 AGI, 72 ACC, 82 PBK and 81 RBK.
4.27 LG Ted Karras. 6'4", 307 lbs. 66 SPD, 95 STR, 54 AWR, 70 AGI, 77 ACC, 79 PBK, 83 RBK
5.21 QB Cody Kessler. 6'1", 224 lbs. 63 SPD, 57 AWR, 55 AGI, 69 ACC, 90 THP, 89 THA.
5.27 CB Mackensie Alexander. Surprisingly made it out of training camp, but serves as cheap roster filler. 5'10", 190 lbs. 88 SPD, 58 AWR, 96 AGI, 95 ACC, 60 CTH, 72 TAK
7.14 P Lachlan Edwards. |
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Forum Discussion
(by B_Lindgren on 07/20/2023)
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Replies - 0 :: Views - 16 |
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Bills Week 1: Loss to Broncos |
The game this week started off like Buffalo had planned, with the defense holding the dynamic Broncos offense at bay, while the offense -- with the exception of a sack on the first play -- was moving the ball well. The Broncos first three drives resulted in punts and turnovers, with interceptions by MLB Vontaze Burfict and CB Chimdi Chekwa, although they were aided by a couple of mindless Broncos penalties. The Bills offense, meanwhile, had a 76-yard touchdown scamper by Alfred Morris and a short red zone field goal on their first three drives.
So all seemed to be going well on both sides of the ball; that is until QB Andre Woodson left the game with an elbow injury and was ruled out the rest of the day. The Bills coaching staff had confidence in backup Colin Kaepernick, as he's familiar with the offense and has seen playing time with a little success. But two plays later, Kaepernick left the game with a shoulder injury that would keep him out for the rest of the game. With only two true quarterbacks on the active roster, this meant that punter Dustin Colquitt was called into action with a 10-0 lead. It was going okay as his first play was actually a completed pass, but the drive quickly stalled and Colquitt punted away. And Gronk and Waller came up with a couple big grabs to put Denver on the board before halftime.
Being up 10-7 over Denver was a small victory for this team having lost their two quarterbacks. Into the third quarter, Buffalo was treading water with a punter playing quarterback. Colquitt had a 14-yard completion for a first down and then a 9-yard scramble for another first down before needing to punt again, but there was still hope. On the ensuing drive, Denver drove the length of the field and got within the 5 yard line, but the Bills defense stood firm for six plays (after a defensive holding call) forcing Denver to tie the game.
Bills got the ball back and, after a couple of failed plays, Colquitt dropped back to pass again and was sacked but was also injured and forced out of action. Kicker Brandon Coutu was the second emergency quarterback, but saw no success in his first snaps. But with Colquitt now out, he was called into punting duties as well. His first punt was a 14-yard shank, leaving Denver in prime field position.
Denver quickly capitalized and put the ball in the end zone. But Buffalo couldn't get anything going with Coutu as QB. An interception and a three-and-out with another 3-yard shanked punt led to another touchdown and FG for Denver, and Buffalo never realistically had a chanc after losing not just one, not two, but three guys at the QB position. Fortunately none of the injuries were serious and all are expected to be back next week, but it was a sour note to start the season after such lofty expectations.
Buffalo's players of the game:
HB Alfred Morris: 15 carries, 135 yards, 1 TD
MLB Vontaze Burfict: 8 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 Int
Up next: @Pittsburgh |
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Forum Discussion
(by B_Lindgren on 04/09/2023)
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Replies - 0 :: Views - 15 |
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2015 Bills Starters |
These are the projected starters for the 2015 Buffalo Bills. The defense has just six returning starters from last year's squad, who were AFC East Champions. The offense has eight starters coming back. While some of the players lost in free agency will leave a big void to fill, the team believes it has improved from a season ago and has quality depth pretty much everywhere on the roster. There is still question as to whether the team will start rookie LOLB Matthew Wells over veteran Zak DeOssie. The team also expects to see a lot of shuffling on the defensive line, with Knighton playing both interior and on the edge, with Jarvis Jenkins coming in while Knighton is on the outside.
CB Demarcus Milliner (24 years) -- 6'1, 95 SPD, 77 AWR, 92 AGI, 99 ACC
CB Chimdi Chekwa (27 YO) -- 6', 96 SPD, 73 AWR, 91 AGI, 97 ACC
NCB Eric Wright (29 YO) -- 5'10, 95 SPD, 72 AWR, 96 AGI, 96 ACC
FS Chris Conte (25 YO) -- 6'2, 91 SPD, 76 AWR, 90 AGI, 91 ACC
SS Brodney Pool (31 YO) -- 6'1, 86 SPD, 86 AWR, 86 AGI, 86 ACC
LOLB Matthew Wells (22 YO) -- 6'2, 86 SPD, 81 STR, 85 AGI, 88 ACC
Or LOLB Zak DeOssie (30 YO) -- 6'4, 84 SPD, 80 STR, 80 AGI, 84 ACC
MLB Vontaze Burfict (26 YO) -- 6'1, 84 SPD, 81 AWR, 78 AGI, 85 ACC
ROLB KJ Wright (26 YO) -- 6'4, 86 SPD, 72 STR, 85 AGI, 83 ACC
RE Shea McClellin (25 YO) -- 6'3, 80 SPD, 73 STR, 81 AGI, 87 ACC
DT Terrance Knighton (29 YO) -- 6'3, 86 SPD, 91 STR, 82 AGI, 81 ACC
DT Stephen Paea (27 YO) -- 6'1, 95 STR, 66 AGI, 80 ACC, 82 TAK
LE Gaines Adams (31 YO) -- 6'5, 82 SPD, 78 STR, 81 AGI, 81 ACC
LT Zane Beadles (28 YO) -- 6'4, 91 STR, 70 AGI, 73 ACC, 91/94 P/RBK
LG Kyle Long (26 YO) -- 6'6, 99 STR, 69 AGI, 76 ACC, 83/85 P/RBK
C Alex Mack (29 YO) -- 6'4, 89 STR, 93 AWR, 69 AGI, 94/96 P/RBK
RG Andrew Jackson (29 YO) -- 6'5, 99 STR, 75 AGI, 78 ACC, 87/87 P/RBK
RT Lamar Holmes (26 YO) -- 6'6, 99 STR, 77 AGI, 80 ACC, 86/85 P/RBK
WR Jacoby Jones (30 YO) -- 6'4, 93 SPD, 84 AGI, 92 ACC, 90 CTH
WR Marcus Henry (30 YO) -- 6'4, 93 SPD, 82 AGI, 91 ACC, 89 CTH
WR Jason Hill (29 YO) -- 6'1, 98 SPD, 92 AGI, 99 ACC, 93 CTH
TE Jermichael Finley (29 YO) -- 6'4, 79 SPD, 72 STR, 81 ACC, 89 CTH
HB Alfred Morris (25 YO) -- 5'10, 94 SPD, 96 AGI, 97 ACC, 75 CAR
FB Javon Ringer (28 YO) -- 5'9, 82 SPD, 85 STR, 84 ACC, 85 CAR
QB Andre Woodson (29 YO) -- 6'4, 90 AWR, 59 AGI, 62 ACC, 95 THP, 90 THA |
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Forum Discussion
(by B_Lindgren on 04/05/2023)
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Replies - 0 :: Views - 12 |
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Bills Mortgage Future in Effort to Win Now |
Coming off the heels of a successful season where they exceeded everyone's expectations, the Bills management sees them further ahead in their rebuild than anticipated. But the team has not been great at putting back-to-back successful seasons together under GM Brandon Lindgren. So after their consecutive five win seasons, they really took the league by storm winning 11 games, taking the AFC East crown, and earning a first-round bye, where they fell to the Titans. Prior to last season's success, most would've predicted that Buffalo would be a bottom-dweller and they'd have a new GM at the helm. But once again he worked some magic and gained more favor with ownership that would keep him around a bit longer.
This offseason brings a new set of challenges for the franchise. While they have plenty of money to spend, they also face the reality that 20 guys from last season's squad would hit free agency. The team decided to resign ROLB KJ Wright and use their restricted free agent allotment for OG Andrew Jackson. Wright returns on a four-year extension, while the 29-year old Jackson inked a three-year deal.
The first round of free agency saw a couple of familiar faces return to Buffalo: K Brandon Coutu, DT Jarvis Jenkins, FB Javon Ringer, along with Jackson, each on a new three-year contract. They also added yet another dynamic DT in Stephen Paea.
ROLB KJ Wright: 26 YO, 85 SPD, 85 AGI, 83 ACC, 83 TAK
DT Jarvis Jenkins: 27 YO, 97 STR, 67 AGI, 74 ACC, 86 TAK
DT Stephen Paea: 27 YO, 95 STR, 66 AGI, 80 ACC, 82 TAK
FB Javon Ringer: 28 YO, 82 SPD, 78 AGI,84 ACC, 85 CAR
But where they were most active was in the trade market, where they dealt nearly all of this year's draft capital, and several future picks, for guys they feel will help finally put this team over the top. In separate deals with Tennessee, Houston, Pittsburgh, Minnesota and the NY Giants, they added:
FS Brodney Pool: 31 YO, 86 SPD, 90 AWR, 86 AGI, 86 ACC
FS Chris Conte: 25 YO, 91 SPD, 76 AWR, 90 AGI, 91 ACC
RE Shea McClellin: 25 YO, 79 SPD, 73 STR, 81 AGI, 87 ACC
LE Gaines Adams: 31 YO, 82 SPD, 78 STR, 81 AGI, 81 ACC
LT Zane Beadles: 28 YO, 91 STR, 70 AGI, 73 ACC, 91 PBK, 92 RBK
WR Jason Hill: 29 YO, 98 SPD, 92 AGI, 99 ACC, 93 CTH
WR Tavarres King: 24 YO, 92 SPD, 93 AGI, 96 ACC, 79 CTH
Comparing to what they lost in free agency, team personnel feel they've upgraded at a number of spots. And while it's going to be tough to find playing time for all of the defensive line, management is confident that Dungy and co will be able to find ways to rotate the line to get them all playing time and making for an impenetrable defensive front. They are also set for a number of years with the secondary also, as Conte arrives in Buffalo with a fresh five year deal, and Chekwa still has five years remaining on his deal. Milliner has two years left on his rookie deal, but it's expected they'll extend him in the next year.
There are still some question marks on the roster, such as backup right tackle, punter and backup QB. Even SS has questions, but rumors are that Pool may make the switch for this season. |
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Forum Discussion
(by B_Lindgren on 03/13/2023)
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Replies - 4 :: Views - 56 |
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At A Glance
| AFC East |
| RNK |
TEAM |
W-L-T |
PCT |
DIV |
| #15 |
 y-Patriots |
9-7-0 |
0.563 |
3-3 |
| #19 |
 Bills |
7-9-0 |
0.438 |
4-2 |
| #20 |
 Jets |
7-9-0 |
0.438 |
3-3 |
| #28 |
 Dolphins |
5-11-0 |
0.313 |
2-4 |
| BILLS SCHEDULE |
| Preseason |
| WK |
DATE |
OPPONENT |
SCOUT/RESULT |
| P1 |
Sat |
vs  Redskins #24 |
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| P2 |
Fri |
at  Lions #27 |
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| P3 |
Sat |
at  Buccaneers #26 |
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| P4 |
Thu |
vs  Titans #1 |
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| Regular Season |
| 1 |
Sun |
vs Dolphins #28 |
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| 2 |
Sun |
at  Packers #25 |
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| 3 |
Sun |
at Patriots #15 |
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| 4 |
Sun |
vs Jets #20 |
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| 5 |
Sun |
vs  Jaguars #22 |
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| 7 |
Sun |
at  Ravens #13 |
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| 8 |
Sun |
at  Chiefs #18 |
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| 9 |
Sun |
vs  Bears #3 |
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| 10 |
Sun |
vs Lions #27 |
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| 11 |
Sun |
at  Bengals #23 |
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| 12 |
Sun |
vs  Steelers #14 |
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| 13 |
Sun |
at  Vikings #17 |
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| 14 |
Sun |
vs  Browns #5 |
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| 15 |
Sun |
at Dolphins #28 |
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| 16 |
Sun |
vs Patriots #15 |
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| 17 |
Sun |
at Jets #20 |
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