| Newsbreakers |
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| Dwayne Wright didn't have the big game he was looking for on Thursday night as he carried the ball eight times for 11 yards. He also fumbled once. |
Our View: Rookie Xavier Omon was only slightly better rushing 12 times for 32 yards. Neither back was very impressive, though neither is expected to offer much this season anyway unless the club is beset by injuries. |
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| Dwayne Wright will need a solid effort in the Bills next preseason game if he hopes to hold onto the RB3 spot on the Bills squad, according to the Bill Official Website. |
Our View: Rookie Xavier Omon has looked good in the early going but Wright still figures to serve as the third option behind Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson in Buffalo. |
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| As the preseason winds down there are a few things to watch. One of the bigger issues is who is going to be the Bills starting quarterback. Trent Edwards will be a game-time decision tonight as the Bills take on the Detroit Lions. According to the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Edwards is still feeling the lingering effects from his bruised right quadriceps muscle. |
Our View: It looks like Edwards will be the starter if he comes back healthy but he will have little fantasy value. |
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| James Hardy indicated that his previously ailing hamstring feels fine and he is ready to play tonight in the Bills' preseason finale against the Lions, according to the Buffalo News. He said, "I just want to come in and get the feel for it heading into the regular season." |
Our View: He believes he is also ready to jump back into the rhythm of the offense and will be prepared for the regular season opener against Seattle. He has a shot to start at some point this season, if not right away, and is worth a look as a deep reserve in fantasy drafts. |
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| Bills quarterback Trent Edwards was back at practice, but did not participate in team drills as he recovers from a thigh contusion, according to BuffaloBills.com. |
Our View: It is not likely that Edwards will play in the team's final exhibition game on Thursday, either. He does not warrant much fantasy consideration, even as a backup. |
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| Rookie tight end Derek Fine had surgery on his thumb to repair damage done when he was making a tackle on special teams, according to BuffaloBills.com. He could be out a significant length of time. |
Our View: No word on exactly how long Fine will be out, but Bills coach Dick Jauron said, "It’s not going to be short." He had marginal fantasy value, as he was a backup to starter Robert Royal. |
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| Buffalo Bills starting quarterback Trent Edwards returned to practice on Tuesday after missing a week with a thigh contusion, according to the Miami Herald. |
Our View: The 24-year-old Edwards practiced with the first-team on Tuesday, and hinted after practice that he doesn't expect to play much, if at all, in Buffalo's preseason finale on Thursday against the Detroit Lions. |
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| Derek Fine will be out for a while with a very serious thumb injury, coach Dick Jauron told the Buffalo News. |
Our View: Courtney Anderson or Tim Massaquoi are now likely to make the team as a backup to Robert Royal. |
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| Buffalo wide out Lee Evans had a strong game, catching five balls for 44 yards in the Bills 20-7 preseason win over the Colts. |
Our View: Evans was disappointing last season, but certainly carries the potential to be a very good No. 2 wide receiver on fantasy teams. |
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| Bills quarterback J.P. Losman had a solid game on Sunday, completing 13-of-19 passes for 108 yards in Buffalo's 20-7 win over the Colts. |
Our View: Losman still figures to be the backup behind Trent Edwards, who completed one pass on one attempt for the evening. His fantasy value is nil because of that. |
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| Holdout left tackle Jason Peters will not be reporting to the Bills for Week 1 unless he has a new deal in place, according to ESPN.com. Peters would be losing game checks of nearly $200,000. |
Our View: As we noted, Langston Walker, Peters' replacement, left the team's preseason game early with an arm injury. Should it be serious, Peters could be hearing the phone ring soon. |
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| Bills tackle Langston Walker left the team's preseason game against the Colts with an arm injury, according to BuffaloBills.com. The x-rays taken on his arm were negative. |
Our View: Though this is bad news for the Bills, it could be good news for holdout tackle Jason Peters, because Walker was playing well in his place. If the injury is serious, it could force the team to start talks with Peters. |
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| Trent Edwards is out for Sunday's preseason contest against the Colts due to his quad contusion, according to the official team website. He was unable to practice Friday. |
Our View: JP Losman could start the game. Edwards is considered day-to-day and is not in jeopardy of losing his losing spot at quarterback. |
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| James Hardy is expected to miss the Bills' third preseason game due to his ailing hamstring, according to Bills.com. |
Our View: He was unable to practice all week due to the injury, and will miss crucial playing time in the third game, which is viewed as a primer for the regular season. He should share playing time with Josh Reed at the starting spot opposite Lee Evans at the beginning of the season, hence limiting his fantasy potential. |
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| Marcus Stroud is yet to miss a practice and has not suffered any setbacks regarding his surgically repaired ankle, according to the Buffalo News. |
Our View: Stroud looks to be healthy, and will enhance the fantasy value of Aaron Schobel and Chris Kelsay, while taking up space and absorbing blockers in the middle. |
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| Kyle Williams continues to hold off John McCargo for a starting spot at defensive tackle, according to the Buffalo News. Williams has been more consistent. |
Our View: Williams could fare well while playing alongside Marcus Stroud in the middle, but won't likely post good enough numbers to consider in standard IDP leagues. |
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| Leodis McKelvin has been unable to pass Jabari Greer on the Bills' depth chart at cornerback, and remains relegated to the nickelback spot, according to the Buffalo News. Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell said, "If you look at Leodis’ two games, he’s had two mistakes in two games. He did not contain the screen against Washington and let in a touchdown. In the Pittsburgh game, Hines Ward ran what we call a ‘Bang Eight,’ or a skinny post on him, and he turned the wrong way."
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Our View: He has a shot to emerge as a starter at some point this season, but will be brought along slowly heading into Week 1. He could hold more fantasy value as a return man, as he already returned a kick for a touchdown in the preseason. |
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| Trent Edwards suffered a quad contusion during practice on Tuesday night. "It was a pretty deep one so they took him in to treat it quickly and try to get it before it swelled," head coach Dick Jauron informs the team's official web site. "The collision was with Marshawn (Lynch). Marshawn's knee was a little bit sore, by the end of practice so we took him off too, but he finished the whole practice, but hopefully they'll be fine as we move forward." |
Our View: We'll chalk it up as a day-to-day deal for both Edwards and Lynch. They might need some more work on their handoffs. |
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| Trent Edwards hobbled off the field after taking a knee-to-knee hit on Tuesday night. Trainers were looking at his right knee, the team's official web site reports. Edwards walked off under his own power. |
Our View: We'll pass along updates as they become available. J.P. Losman would step up the depth chart if Edwards was out for a significant period. |
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| Buffalo Bills tight end Derek Schouman missed practice Sunday and is out indefinitely with a strained left knee, all but ending his chance to win the starting job out of training camp, according to SLAM Sports. |
Our View: Coach Dick Jauron said trainers informed him that it will be weeks before Schouman is expected to be cleared for practice, meaning the player likely will miss the Bills' two final pre-season games. Schouman was hurt when a teammate was knocked into him while covering a kickoff in the second quarter of Buffalo's 24-21 pre-season victory over Pittsburgh on Thursday. He limped off the field and did not return. Schouman was given the opportunity to compete for the starting job after incumbent Robert Royal missed the team's spring minicamps while recovering from knee surgery. Schouman opened training camp practising with the first-string offence and started in Buffalo's pre-season opener against Washington on August 9th. |
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| The Bills report rookie wideout James Hardy continues to battle discomfort in his hamstring, according to the team's official website. He was excused from practice today as a result and will be monitored moving forward. |
Our View: Coach Dick Jauron said the hamstring was a bit sore going into the game against Pittsburgh, but Hardy insisted on playing and, as he has all training camp long, he ran routes well and was a high point for the Bills in that game. That is one good sign for fantasy owners: The hammy is a concern, but Hardy will play hurt and put his best foot forward regardless. |
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| Much like the St. Louis Rams, the Buffalo Bills are steadfast in their negotiation tactics, saying they will not negotiate with tackle Jason Peters until he reports to camp. And he is currently losing his leverage because of the solid line play Buffalo has gotten in his absence, according to Pro Football Weekly. |
Our View: Not ironically, Peters and the Rams Steven Jackson share the same agent, Eugene Parker, who may be best served by giving his clients a new approach to negotiations. |
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| Lee Evans performed well in Thursday's exhibition against the Steelers, with three receptions for a team-high 55 yards. |
Our View: Evans has potential to be an elite fantasy receiver. The Bills just need to find consistency at quarterback. Speaking of that, Trent Edwards completed 9-of-11 passes for 104 yards with two scores (both to Robert Royal). |
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| Bills quarterback Trent Edwards threw two touchdowns in his 9-for-11 performance as the Bills took down the Steelers 24-21 in preseason action. Edwards finished with 104 yards. |
Our View: Edwards still can't be a guy trusted to fantasy teams, but this performance bodes will for the young quarterback's confidence heading into the season. |
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| A prolific return man in college, Bills first-round selection Leodis McKelvin showed that skill in tonight's preseason game against the Steelers, returning a kick 95 yards for a touchdown. |
Our View: McKelvin can be a boon for fantasy owners interested in drafting the Bills D/ST unit for their squad. It is not yet known if McKelvin will return kicks during the regular season, but it will be difficult for the Bills to ignore his talents. |
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| Buffalo offensive tackle Matt Murphy has suffered a partial tear in his left rotator cuff, but a decision regarding season ending surgery may not be made for another two weeks, according to ESPN.com. |
Our View: Agent Kevin Fitzpatrick told The Associated Press that there's a possibility the rotator cuff could heal enough to allow Murphy to play and delay surgery until the end of the season. Murphy was hurt Monday during an 11-on-11 drill during a training camp session at Saint John Fisher College in suburban Rochester. Murphy had to be taken to a local hospital to be checked out. The Bills are already down to three tackles and Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters is holding out for a new contract. |
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| Bills safety Donte Whitner returned to practice today, missing recent sessions with a bum ankle, and participated in all team activities both on and off the field, according to the team's official website. "The ankle feels good," said Whitner after practice. "There's a little bruise on there. It's just a minor injury that you play through. You just want to get healthy at this time so when the season rolls around it's not holding you back from playing your best." |
Our View: Whitner is a crucial part of this effort and will be needed if the Bills are going to compete with their division mates in the AFC East. Whitner admits there is still some discomfort, but believes he can play through it. As for his status for Thursday night the Bills strong safety wants to see how his ankle responds to the day's work, but Dick Jauron believes Whitner will suit up for the Steelers game. |
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| Bills first-round selection Leodis McKelvin will get an opportunity to return both punts and kicks in tonight's preseason contest, according to BuffaloBills.com. |
Our View: McKelvin was a dynamite returner in college, and though Buffalo has Roscoe Parrish, they need to see what McKelvin can give them. |
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| As expected, rookie linebacker Alvin Bowen has been placed on the IR after tearing the ACL in his right knee last week, according to the Buffalo News. |
Our View: Bowen had the skills to be a future starter with the Bills, but now his development will be hindered following his season-ending injury. |
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| Buffalo Bills second-round pick, wide receiver James Hardy, will play in the team's preseason game, as he has sufficiently recovered from his hamstring injury, according to BuffaloBills.com. |
Our View: Hardy will be trying to win a starting job to complement Lee Evans, so every snap is important for him. But as most fantasy players realize, rookie wide receivers do not a great selection make. |
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| Derrick Jones has signed with the Bills, according to BuffaloBills.com. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. |
Our View: Jones was released by the Falcons in June, and shouldn't crack the Bills' rotation at defensive tackle, meaning he won't hold any fantasy value. |
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| Having missed recent practices, Buffalo receiver Josh Reed is expected to miss the team's first preseason game at Washington on Saturday with minor back pain, according to SLAM Sports. |
Our View: Reed is not believed to be harboring a major injury and coaches express only slight concern in discussing his progress in practice. Unfortunately for Reed, it sounds like his major competition for a starting job, rookie James Hardy, is expected to return from a minor hamstring injury and will be playing with the first-team offense in his absence. That's an opportunity for Hardy to show and prove, and that could be trouble for Reed. |
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| The Buffalo Bills report safety Donte Whitner will miss the team's first preseason game at Washington on Saturday as he continues to nurse a sore left ankle, according to SLAM Sports. |
Our View: Whitner described his injury as minor, adding that he would be able to play if this were a regular-season game. Out since jamming his ankle in practice Saturday, Whitner said all test results show no damage. |
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| James Hardy has returned to practice after missing some time with a hamstring strain, according to Bills.com. |
Our View: Hardy still has time to beat out Josh Reed for the starting gig at receiver opposite speed demon Lee Evans. Hardy should see the field plenty either way, and could hold solid value at the bottom of your depth chart in traditional leagues this season. |
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| Josh Reed is missing practice time due to a sore back, the team's official web site reports. "I know that our doctor will be back (Wednesday) to re-check Josh," head coach Dick Jauron says. Reed underwent back surgery this offseason. |
Our View: Reed is trying to beat out rookie James Hardy for the No. 2 role, but both receivers have been dealing with ailments. The Bills may once again end up with only one usable wideout in fantasy leagues (Lee Evans). |
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| Buffalo safety Donte Whitner will undergo an MRI on his ankle after he injured it on Saturday, according to BuffaloBills.com. |
Our View: The injury is not supposed to be serious, although that will not really be known until after the MRI. Whitner is a leader on the Bills defense and the team needs to get him back ASAP. |
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| With offensive tackle Jason Peters continuing to avoid contact with the team and rumors ramping on his mental state as a result, the Bills are looking to prepare for his absence in games that matter, according to BuffaloRumblings.com. |
Our View: The Bills realize the window to find a comparable replacement for Peters is gone, thus they are looking to promote from within. Brad Butler would be moved to the outside, filling in at right tackle (where he played in college). That leaves the gamble at right guard where one of three candidates, including Jason Whittle, Christian Gaddis and Duke Preston, would fill the void. If this comes true, there will be problems and fantasy owners might want to hedge bets on rusher Marshawn Lynch and both quarterbacks Trent Edwards and J.P. Losman. We'll track the situation as it progresses, but the hope is to see Peters arrive at camp. |
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| Rookie receiver James Hardy is eager to make an immediate impact with the Bills, according to the AP. He said, "I'm trying to be Trent's best friend. Whatever I have to do, if I have to go to his house, I'll be there. I want to make a difference as soon as I can."
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Our View: Hardy has been spending extra time after practices going over plays and asking for advice from Trent Edwards and Lee Evans. He should be a first-round pick in rookie drafts, and could hold solid value at the bottom of your depth chart in traditional leagues this season. |
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| Ko Simpson returned to practice after his MRI on his ankle only showed a bone bruise, according to the Rochester Democrat. |
Our View: If healthy, Simpson projects to be the Bills' starting free safety, which would make him a favorable late-round fantasy prospect in IDP leagues. |
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| After losing rookie linebacker Alvin Bowen for the year, the Buffalo Bills signed free agent Donnie Spragan, according to TSN.com. |
Our View: Spragan made a few starts with the Dolphins last season and collected 37 tackles. He is strictly depth for Buffalo. |
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| Bills offensive tackle Jason Peters is continuing his holdout, and he is not speaking with anybody, including team officials and teammates, according to the Buffalo News. |
Our View: The team has no plans to give Peters a new deal, and with no real talks taking place, it's hard to figure when this might end. There is no doubt the team needs Peters at left tackle, however, and fantasy players sure wouldn't mind him out there blocking for Marshawn Lynch and giving QB Trent Edwards time to throw Lee Evans the ball. |
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| Updating an earlier report, Alvin Bowen's knee injury is so serious that there is growing concern that he might miss the entire season, according to Fox Sports. "It doesn't look like it's going to be a good one, but we'll wait and see, but anticipate that he's not going to be playing much football this year," HC Dick Jauron said. |
Our View: Bowen, a fifth round pick out of Iowa State, was likely battling for a backup role with the club after being a All-Big 12 performer the past two seasons. |
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| Updating an earlier report, Alvin Bowen's knee injury is so serious that there is growing concern that he might miss the entire season, according to Fox Sports. "It doesn't look like it's going to be a good one, but we'll wait and see, but anticipate that he's not going to be playing much football this year," HC Dick Jauron said. |
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| Buffalo Bills fifth-round pick Alvin Bowen was carted off the field after injuring his right knee, according to BuffaloBills.com. There is no word on the severity of the injury. |
Our View: As a fifth-round pick, Bowen was probably going to have to make the club on special teams, but he was a productive player in college at Iowa State, leading the nation with 155 tackles in 2006. |
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