Here's the Bills news of note for September 9th.* *
1 - How Hurricane Irma is impacting one Bills player
Bills offensive lineman, Vladimir Ducasse, spent the first 14 years of his life in Haiti. The small island country is located on the Caribbean Sea, where Irma was doing unprecedented damage late this week. The impoverished country is still recovering from the devastation of a hurricane from October 2016.
Ducasse's father, Delinois, sent Vlad and his brother to the USA to pursue better educational opportunities. Delinois remains in Haiti to this day.
"I mean if there was a problem he would usually shoot me a text or call, but he didn't really say anything so I'm guessing they're fine," Ducasse said.
Ducasse's optimism is based on the size and concrete structure of his father's home and where it's located on the island.
Our prayers are with Vlad, his family, and everyone else dealing with this horrific storm.
2 - Matthews feels healthy heading into Sunday
With Sammy Watkins no longer an option, Jordan Matthews will immediately step into his role as the number one wide receiver for the Bills. Since training camp he has had a nagging chest injury leaving him limited for much of the time leading up to Sunday's opener. Come Wednesday however, Matthews was a full participant in practice and is convinced he'll be ready for his Bills debut.
"I'll be fine, trust me. Once I get into a football game, I'm locked into the ball, I play the game within the game. My whole job is to go out there, get open and catch the ball," Matthews said.
Matthews was acquired by the Bills via trade from the Philadelphia Eagles. He's entering his fourth season in the NFL, if this season is anything like his first three, it should be quite productive.
Matthews is one of just five players in NFL history to record at least 65 receptions and 800 receiving yards in each of their first three seasons in the NFL. He's with some elite company, joining Randy Moss, A.J. Green, Mike Evans, and Odell Beckham Jr.
The 6-3, 212-pound receiver will be a viable option for Tyrod Taylor on Sunday.
3 - Zay Jones eager for home opener
Jones' eagerness to play football comes as no surprise. He was exceptionally good at the NCAA level. He has the most receptions (399) of any wide receiver in FBS history. That proven production has him prepared for the New York Jets on Sunday.
"It will be different, first NFL game, but it's football. I've been doing this since I was little, I have a great group of guys around me that'll help me prepare me, a great group of coaches, so it's exciting at the same time… I'm ready to enjoy it," Jones said.
The second-round pick recorded 399 receptions for 4,279 yards and 23 touchdowns in his 49 games at East Carolina University. You'll see the rookie lining up on the outside quite often. His 4.45 speed will make him the go-to guy for the deep ball.
"Zay [Jones] right now. He's one of our deep throw guys… Zay is a fast guy, can definitely take the top off when we need," said Tyrod Taylor.
With a whole new corps of receivers we'll see how Taylor spreads the wealth with Jones on game day.
SOCIAL MEDIA POST OF THE DAY
From the NFL Instagram account, fans can support Harvey & Irma relief by texting REDCROSS to 90999 for a $10 donation or visiting RedCross.org/NFL.
