Here are the top items in the world of the Bills for Tuesday, May 17th, 2016
1 - Goodwin sets 2016 best in long jump
Bills WR Marquise Goodwin's odds of making the 2016 US Olympic team for the Rio games appear to be getting better and better. Goodwin posted a career-best jump of 27-feet eight and three-quarter inches in the Meeting Region Guadeloupe over the weekend to win the meet.
The jump was also the best in the world for the 2016 calendar year eclipsing the previous mark of 27-feet and four inches held by Ruswhal Samaai of South Africa.
The U.S. Olympic Track and Field Qualifiers will be held July 1st through the 10th in Eugene, Oregon.
2 - Darby and Watkins pegged as 2016 Pro BowlersFOXSports.com put together a list of 11 players who they believe will make it to their first career Pro Bowl come the end of the 2016 season. Two Bills made the list.
Cornerback Ronald Darby and Wide receiver Sammy Watkins were selected. Here’s what was written about their 2016 prospects.
*Ronald Darby, CB, Buffalo Bills
It was a huge letdown that Darby didn't make the Pro Bowl last season. Not only was he a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate, but he was a top cornerback in the league. His 23 total passes defensed were fifth in the NFL, more than the likes of Richard Sherman, Patrick Peterson and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. He certainly deserved to be in Hawaii last season, but his limited number of interceptions (two) probably kept him out. With a year of experience under his belt, Darby is set to emerge as a perennial Pro Bowler.*
*Sammy Watkins, WR, Buffalo Bills
It's somewhat surprising that Watkins has never made a Pro Bowl. The former No. 4 overall pick hasn't been completely dominant in the NFL, but in two seasons, he's recorded more than 2,000 yards receiving and has 15 career touchdowns. Injuries likely prevented Watkins from making it last season, but if he can stay healthy, he'll be there this season. In just 13 games, he had 1,047 yards and nine touchdowns. He and Tyrod Taylor will build on their growing chemistry with another year together in Buffalo.*
3 - Why the odds for rookie RB Jonathan Williams look goodWhile he possesses a quality all-around skill set and proven production at the college level, there might be other factors at work when it comes to predicting rookie fifth-round pick Jonathan Williams future success with the Bills.
The fifth round of the NFL draft has been awfully kind to the Bills in terms of providing quality contributors, especially when their last name is Williams. In their 57-year history Buffalo has drafted just three players with the surname of Williams in round five of the NFL draft and the two who have played for Buffalo so far look like hits.
Kyle Williams was the first pick in round five in the 2005 draft and is a four-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman, and a team leader.
Karlos Williams was the team's fifth-round pick last year and tied Sammy Watkins for the team lead in touchdowns with nine despite missing five games last season.
Will Jonathan Williams, Buffalo's fifth-round pick this year, be able to sustain the positive trend? We like his odds.
4 - Thurman and 'The Kid'Bills Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas celebrated his 50th birthday on Monday. The team's all-time leading rusher celebrated internationally with family and friends in Mexico. Naturally many of his former Bills teammates were on hand including fellow Hall of Famers Jim Kelly and Bruce Smith. Among the friends was a Major League Baseball Hall of Famer as well in Ken Griffey Jr.
The two all-time greats live near one another in Orlando, Florida some years back and have remained close friends.
