Tag: Sean McDermott

What Bills’ Sean McDermott, Brandon Beane like about Curtis Samuel

What #Bills’ Sean McDermott, Brandon Beane like about Curtis Samuel:

The Buffalo Bills are feeling good about landing wide receiver Curtis Samuel.

Samuel, 27, agreed to a three-year deal in Buffalo. The wideout arrived after the team lost Gabe Davis in free agency.

Davis was a deep-ball target. Samuel is not. That was something that was appealing to the Bills.

“I like the addition of Curtis [Samuel], the speed element. The numbers of different guys we got in there, but you can certainly add [tight ends] Dalton [Kincaid] and Dawson [Knox] to that room with those guys,” Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott said at the NFL Annual Meetings.

For general manager Brandon Beane, it was something different. The speed helps, but the versatility Samuel brings in along with his quickness could be a problem for opposing defenses the Bills will face in 2024.

Beane’s full thoughts can be found in the WKBW-TV clip below:

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This Bills proposed resolution was passed by the NFL

This #Bills proposed resolution was passed by the NFL:

The NFL has made a change to one of their policies, and it came by way of a proposal by the Buffalo Bills.

While a new kickoff rule change and the removal of the hip-drop tackle were the headlining changes by the league At the NFL annual meetings, one of the Bills’ proposed resolutions was passed as well.

That proposal was “to make the injury reporting rules for players who do not travel with their clubs to games away from their home city competitively fairer.”

The team also submitted a second proposal, which didn’t get passed as written but the Competition Committee presented their own version that was approved. As Bills head coach Sean McDermott now serves on that committee and with the purpose of the resolution being more what it was meant to solve, it getting passed was considered a success.

“The end of the day, it’s what’s best for the overall league, not just what’s best for the Bills,” McDermott said to the press. “So, sometimes you have to kind of hit a middle ground on things and then reassess from there.”

That Committee’s version of the second proposal by Buffalo was meant “to expand the Standard Elevation rules to permit clubs to elevate a bona fide Quarterback an unlimited number of times from its practice squad to its Active List to be its Emergency Third Quarterback.”

With the passing of this new rule, an emergency third quarterback will now count as one of the two standard elevations. Meanwhile, the Bills’ version of the proposal was that an emergency third quarterback would be in addition to the two elevations.

NFL teams, coaches, and even top players have been instrumental in the past in submitting meaningful rule change proposals and resolutions.

The Bills have been one of those teams in recent years and McDermott having been appointed to the Competition Committee is a reflection of how his role and impact is viewed and embraced by the league in the perspective he brings.

The same can be said of Buffalo’s front office at large in their involvement and participation in looking at ways to improve the game, player safety, and league policies.

The Bills have had chances to experience the impact of unpredictable situations ranging from canceled games due to player injury, to game relocations due to weather, flaws in the compensatory draft pick awarding system, and more.

That in addition to the many things they encounter over the course of the regular season gives them plenty of opportunity for insight as a modern franchise, which could lead to more proposals in the future.

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This Bills proposed resolution was passed by the NFL

This #Bills proposed resolution was passed by the NFL:

The NFL has made a change to one of their policies, and it came by way of a proposal by the Buffalo Bills.

While a new kickoff rule change and the removal of the hip-drop tackle were the headlining changes by the league At the NFL annual meetings, one of the Bills’ proposed resolutions was passed as well.

That proposal was “to make the injury reporting rules for players who do not travel with their clubs to games away from their home city competitively fairer.”

The team also submitted a second proposal, which didn’t get passed as written but the Competition Committee presented their own version that was approved. As Bills head coach Sean McDermott now serves on that committee and with the purpose of the resolution being more what it was meant to solve, it getting passed was considered a success.

“The end of the day, it’s what’s best for the overall league, not just what’s best for the Bills,” McDermott said to the press. “So, sometimes you have to kind of hit a middle ground on things and then reassess from there.”

That Committee’s version of the second proposal by Buffalo was meant “to expand the Standard Elevation rules to permit clubs to elevate a bona fide Quarterback an unlimited number of times from its practice squad to its Active List to be its Emergency Third Quarterback.”

With the passing of this new rule, an emergency third quarterback will now count as one of the two standard elevations. Meanwhile, the Bills’ version of the proposal was that an emergency third quarterback would be in addition to the two elevations.

NFL teams, coaches, and even top players have been instrumental in the past in submitting meaningful rule change proposals and resolutions.

The Bills have been one of those teams in recent years and McDermott having been appointed to the Competition Committee is a reflection of how his role and impact is viewed and embraced by the league in the perspective he brings.

The same can be said of Buffalo’s front office at large in their involvement and participation in looking at ways to improve the game, player safety, and league policies.

The Bills have had chances to experience the impact of unpredictable situations ranging from canceled games due to player injury, to game relocations due to weather, flaws in the compensatory draft pick awarding system, and more.

That in addition to the many things they encounter over the course of the regular season gives them plenty of opportunity for insight as a modern franchise, which could lead to more proposals in the future.

Check out Bills’ Sean McDermott in the yearly NFL head coaches photo

Check out #Bills’ Sean McDermott in the yearly NFL head coaches photo:

The annual NFL owners meetings are going on in Orlando, Florida, this week.

There, coaches and general managers will meet with the media. Owners and other league reps will talk about potential changes to the NFL that could come as early as the 2024 season. 

One item on the agenda is the annual photo the head coaches sit down for. The attire and general appearance of some of the coaches catch the eye.

Sean McDermott managed to find his way into it once again.

Situated in the front row, McDermott is between the Los Angeles Rams’ Sean McVay and the Baltimore Ravens’ John Harbaugh.

A few missing from the photo include Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh Steelers), Sean Payton (Denver Broncos), Mike McCarthy (Dallas Cowboys), Nick Sirianni (Philadelphia Eagles) and Matt Eberflus (Chicago Bears).

Check out the 2024 coaches photo below:

Photo via ESPN’s Adam Schefter

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Sean McDermott even ‘can’t believe’ Tre’Davious White’s time with Bills is over

Sean McDermott even ‘can’t believe’ Tre’Davious White’s time with #Bills is over:

The Buffalo Bills front office has always shown a fondness for cornerback Tre’Davious White.

With the dust settled on some salary cap moves early on in free agency and White officially being released by the Bills, emotions poured out from the team at the NFL owners meetings.

The team do not want to release talented and fan favorite players like White. But the 29-year-old being cut helped Buffalo get under the 2024 salary cap. On top of that, injuries add up too.

“That’s the hard part about this job,” general manager Brandon Beane said. “There are a lot of hard things, but it doesn’t get harder than saying goodbye to so many of those guys who have meant so much.”

Taking the heartfelt comments even further was Sean McDermott. From the event down in Orlando, the Bills head coach noted how he even “can’t believe” White is no longer n the roster.

“Emotional, right?” McDermott said. “You can’t believe what we’re discussing. You know eventually it’s going to come because of the lifespan of an NFL player, but it came way too early in my mind.”

McDermott’s full commentary can be found in the WKBW-TV clip below:

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PFF grades the Bills’ work in free agency

PFF grades the #Bills’ work in free agency:

The Bills have been active in the first wave of NFL free agency, addressing roster needs with players who can be valuable contributors and rotation players in all three phases.

Similarly, letting some players walk in free agency while releasing and trading others has created cap relief and added draft capital while freeing up money to add cost-efficient talent.

Headlined by the additions of WR Curtis Samuel and LB Nicholas Morrow, a mix of new and familiar faces have been signed and re-signed.

While it’s worth noting that additional signings have taken place, including DE Casey Toohill and S Mike Edwards, with more potential moves on the way as the team has reportedly met with S Julian Blackmon and DE Austin Johnson on free agency visits, and still have a number of their own free agents available as well.

Had they been factored in, Toohill, who’s had solid numbers as a depth and rotation player, and Edwards, who has the second most defensive TDs in the NFL since 2021 (5) and two Super Bowl championships with Tampa and Kansas City to his name, may have affected the grade.

Nonetheless, here is the Bills 2024 free agency grade prior to those additions, according to Pro Football Focus…

BUFFALO BILLS

Epenesa has two straight seasons with strong production as a pass rusher, notching pressure rates above 10% and pass-rush grades above 70.0. He’s a big edge who has gotten faster off the ball as he’s developed, and he’ll still be just 25 in Week 1 of 2024, so there could be more improvement ahead.

Jones came out of the gates of the 2023 season on fire as an interior pass rusher, and the continued growth of Ed Oliver has enabled the two to work off each other and weaponize twists and stunts on the interior more effectively. Oliver still has a quick get-off and a bursty second step in his 30s, and Buffalo needed to add more defensive linemen, so why not retain a player you know is a fit as a three- to five-technique?

Buffalo looks ready to move on from the dynamic duo of Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde, who had an incredible run as the starting safety tandem for years. Rapp is a good box defender, and the Bills structured this deal in a way that they can approach it year to year while also buying out two additional years from Rapp.

PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE: B-

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What WR guru said about Bills signing of Curtis Samuel

What WR guru said about #Bills signing of Curtis Samuel:

Count Yahoo football analyst Matt Harmon as one of the most excited enthusiasts of the Bills signing free agent WR Curtis Samuel.

During a podcast with Dalton Del Don, the duo capped the end of their airtime with the announcement.

“Final piece of news, as we are taping this,” Harmon proclaimed. “The biggest news, the biggest signing in the NFL has happened. Because, according to Adam Schefter as we were taping this, former Commanders wide receiver Curtis Samuel is signing a three-year, $24 million deal with the Buffalo Bills.”

Harmon created the Reception Perception methodology of evaluation which charts a receiver’s performance on every route run during a multi-game sample to map an understanding of how they perform beyond box score and independent of the influence of outside factors in a variety of ways. 

That evaluation includes…

  • How good of a route-runner is this receiver and on which patterns does he create the most separation?
  • Where does this receiver “win” on the field and what are his best attributes?
  • Where are they best deployed?
  • What quarterback of offense would they best gel with?
  • What kind of coverage foils this wideout and is there a role he best fits in?
  • Is this receiver capable of excelling or breakout if tasked with a greater target workload?

That the creator of such a deep-dive analytic method of evaluation has been and is bullish on Samuel in his career as a pro receiver is certainly positive. That he is authentically so excited at the Bills signing him may also be a good sign.

“I mean, I’m alive. I’m alive, bro. I’m alive. This is awesome. I’m completely thrilled,” Harmon expressed when asked for an immediate reaction during the podcast.

He and Del Don even went as far as to comment on their belief that the Bills got better at the receiver position, stating that Samuel was a clear upgrade.

“This is awesome. What an upgrade over Gabe Davis! You get Curtis Samuel out there? That is really interesting to me.”

He echoed the same sentiment that multiple media analysts have noted that the Samuel signing does not preclude Buffalo from adding a receiver in the draft to replace Davis’s deep-threat abilities while noting Samuel had his best season under Bills OC Joe Brady when he was in Carolina.

“Oh baby, I mean… Curtis Samuel had his best season in the NFL in Joe Brady’s offense. In 2020, he had 1,000 total yards. Over 800 receiving yards. Over 200 rushing yards. He was awesome. I think that he can be used in more true receiver ways and I think he can probably be deployed more as a flanker… I love this signing for the Bills. I love this signing for my guy, Curtis Samuel. I mean, this is absolutely electric. What a time. What a freaking time to be alive.”

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Bills’ Curtis Samuel on offensive coordinator Joe Brady: ‘A good leader’

#Bills’ Curtis Samuel on offensive coordinator Joe Brady: ‘A good leader’

The Buffalo Bills made their first big signing of the NFL free agency period by inking WR Curtis Samuel to a three-year deal.

And his previous playing under Joe Brady during his last pro stint as an offensive coordinator played a key role in landing the receiver.

“I was super-excited when the opportunity came, having some experience with Joe Brady and Carolina definitely influenced me a lot,” Samuel said during his introductory media availability.

“He (Brady) definitely feels like he’s a good leader, somebody you can put your trust in just because I’ve seen it, I’ve seen him put a lot of guys in great situations,” Samuel said. “He gets the most out of his players. I feel like that’s a testament of who he is, about how much guys respect him, and they lean on him, and they trust him.”

The addition of Samuel, whom Bills GM Brandon Beane helped draft while with Carolina’s front office, includes explosive playmaking potential. 

He achieved career-high numbers in his last season together with Brady in 2020 (77 catches for 851 yards receiving and over 1,000 total yards.)

“When I get the ball in my hands, I feel like I’m dynamic,” Samuel said. “That’s what I’m here to bring, just some explosive plays and be a team player. Whatever they need me to be, whatever they need me to do, whether it’s block, catch the ball. Whatever it needs to be, I’m here to be that team guy and help us make plays.”

As an offensive weapon, Samuel’s versatility will allow him to line up in the slot, outside, and from the backfield in the run game as well.

“It’s a little tougher for defenders because I got multiple ways I can go,” Samuel said. “You know, a lot of DBs can use the sideline as their best friend. But in the slot, there’s a whole bunch of room.”

He brings an elite burst with yards-after-catch potential to QB Josh Allen, whom he’s excited to connect with on the field.

“After I signed, he definitely reached out and I spoke to him,” Samuel said about Allen. “I’m definitely excited, I’ve watched him last year when I didn’t have games or when the games were on TV, I watched him. Exciting quarterback, tough, hard-nosed. But, you know, my job is just to make the game as easy as possible for him and I feel like that’s just trying to get open as fast as I can and make the game easier for him.”

After spending his last several seasons with Washington amidst their years as a franchise in transition, the appeal of Buffalo as a competitor with a dedicated fan base holds high appeal to one of the newest Bills.

“It’s a winning organization,” Samuel said. “I just was excited. The fan base was insane. I’ve been to a lot of other places, I’m always grateful for every stop that I took along my journey. I wouldn’t be who I am today without all those people and all the support that I get.

“But I definitely be excited to play in front of these fans.”

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The sky is not falling on the Buffalo Bills

The sky is not falling on the Buffalo Bills (via @JBaileyNFL):

Alright, everyone take a deep breath and listen up.

It was a bleak day at One Bills Drive in Buffalo. Several long-term stars, including center Mitch Morse, cornerback Tre’Davious White, and safety Jordan Poyer were all released as Buffalo continues to gear toward getting back under the cap. However, the reactions that followed made it seem as if the sky was falling on the Bills.

Talks of “well, it looks like the Bills’ Super Bowl window has closed” or “Buffalo is officially rebuilding” started making the rounds on the app formerly known as Twitter.

Mind you, this all stems from Buffalo releasing a 33 year-old safety, a 32 year old center (whom they may actually try to bring back on a cheaper deal) and a 29 year old cornerback who has missed 24 of the team’s last 34 regular season games. That is what has everyone sticking a fork in the Buffalo Bills? That is what their window is hinged upon? Folks, if you have Josh Allen, your window is never closed. You’re never rebuilding, you’re reloading.

Now, in terms of a fan perspective, the sentimental wound is very real, and I can respect that. Poyer and White helped end the playoff drought in 2017, and Morse has been a focal point of the team’s offensive line since 2019. These are guys that have built relationships with the fans and the community, so of course it hurts seeing them go if you are a Bills fan. However, in terms of the on-field impact, the Bills are more than capable to retooling.

And if there is one group that Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott consistently knock out of the park, it’s defensive backs. Poyer and Micah Hyde are prime examples of that, They took two cast-offs and made them the best safety duo in football for half a decade. They turned seventh-round pick Dane Jackson into a reliable rotational cornerback. They got the absolute most out of Rasul Douglas after acquiring him ahead of the trade deadline.

On top of that, according to Spotrac, if the Bills do a full base salary and roster bonus conversion to signing bonus to Josh Allen’s deal, they can free up $22.7 million in cap space, which would make them cap compliant.

The day was filled with hard goodbyes for fans, but the Buffalo Bills are fine. They’ll need to address the secondary in free agency and the draft, as well as wide receiver, but this is far from Armageddon.

Article via NFL Wire’s Jarrett Bailey.