Here is the Bills news of note for May 1st.
**1 - Jon Gruden excited about Peterman
**
The Buffalo Bills selected quarterback Nathan Peterman from the University of Pittsburgh in the fifth round of the NFL draft (No. 171 overall). Peterman originally attended the University of Tennessee before transferring to Pitt for two years.
Peterman led a high-scoring offense for Pittsburgh where he had some great moments as a starting quarterback. One of the more recognized games he played in was when he led Pittsburgh to the upset of future national champions, Clemson, with a score of 43-42. He threw for 308 yards and five touchdowns that game, which were both career highs for him.
Former Super Bowl-winning head coach, Jon Gruden, spoke about Peterman in a recent conference call. Gruden now does broadcasting with ESPN and runs his 'Gruden's QB Camp' which puts incoming quarterback prospects through the paces.
"He is sharp. He is in the channel, I think, of success. I think he's going to be a real good pro quarterback," Gruden said of Peterman. "I think any team in the league, you can cater your offense for Peterman. He's a lot more athletic than people think. And he can handle an extensive amount of football, so the teams that are really ambitious with deep, thick playbooks, those are the teams that Peterman would fit in with. But I hope he gets with one of those guys that can really stretch him and challenge him."
Later in the conference call Gruden was asked if he was coaching again and he had to start with one of the quarterbacks from the 2017 draft class, which would he choose. Again he pointed to Peterman.
"I like the kid at Pitt." Gruden said.
While the Bills currently have five quarterbacks on the roster, Peterman is a name to follow as he has received high praise from around the league for the pick. He will most likely try and compete for the No. 2 job behind Tyrod Taylor this upcoming season.
**2 - New Bills QB Peterman has a lot to celebrate
**
The Bills selected quarterback Nathan Peterman in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft (No. 171 overall). Oddly enough, Peterman and his wife celebrated their one-year anniversary on April 30th . . . The day after being selected by the Buffalo Bills.
When asked if the wedding date was strategically planned knowing he would be part of the 2017 NFL draft pool the following year, Peterman said it was pure coincidence.
"We did not," Peterman said chuckling. "Last year I think it helped that we knew going in that it would (be after the draft), but it was just a Saturday that worked for us last year. Thank God the timing is pretty awesome. It's something that I've seen throughout my years and now. So just pretty humbled and blessed to have the opportunity I do (with the Bills)."
3 - Tre'Davious White's unfitting nickname.
The Buffalo Bills first-round cornerback Tre'Davious White brings a lot to this football team. He has been known for his versatility on the field, his strong character and his grades in the classroom but there is another interesting fact about him.
"When I was growing up, I was known as 'Baby Shaq,'" White says. "My dad, everybody thinks that he looks like Shaquille O'Neal. So they call me Baby Shaq, so that was the deal."
White's father David White was at his son's introductory press conference when he made the comment, and he does bear a resemblance to the NBA Hall of Famer.
Tre'Davious White is obviously much shorter than Shaquille O'Neal. When he got to LSU his nickname was mercifully changed to just Tre'.
