Here's the Bills news of note for June 14th.
**1 - McDermott praises Taylor's leadership
**Tyrod Taylor has been the starting quarterback in Buffalo for the past two years and it is no surprise that he is in line to be again this year. With a new staff in town, new players and a new offensive scheme, it's important for the veterans to be an example and vocalize leadership.
That has been no problem for Tyrod Taylor and Sean McDermott has taken notice.
"When you look at [Tyrod Taylor], certainly this is not a new offense for him because of his familiarity with Rick Dennison from their time together in Baltimore. That said, it's a new offense because the offense he was in last year was different than what we are asking him to do this year. I've really been impressed with the leadership, the intangible qualities that are inherent or must be inherent to that quarterback position," McDermott said. "I've watched [Tyrod Taylor] develop in those areas and that's important as we look to move forward. There's leadership qualities at that quarterback position that are important to winning football games and I think he's done a nice job in that area."
Taylor was thankful that his head coach is noticing his efforts to lead.
"It means a lot," Taylor said. "Me and coach McDermott have been talking since day one as far as stretching myself and being more of a vocal leader. I've always been a lead by example guy. But third year here and seventh year in the league, guys look to veterans for vocal leadership and that's why I have to go out and display it every day, not only verbally, but in my approach to the game each and every day."
**2 - Powell, Williams look to put off the field issues in past
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Buffalo Bills wide receiver, Walter Powell, is facing a four-game suspension from the NFL for violating the league's performance enhancing substance policy. In his statement that he released immediately after, he mentions that he "mistakenly used a product that caused a positive result during testing."
Powell is allowed to participate in the offseason practices and preseason games and addressed his mistake Tuesday.
"First of all, I want to take full accountability for what happened. Like I said in my statement, just apologize. I just want to move on and focus on mini camp and training camp," Powell said.
Also commenting was Bills second-year running back, Jonathan Williams, who was recently found not guilty of a DUI charge that occurred last July in Arkansas.
"It's definitely a weight lifted off my shoulders. It's something I definitely learned from. I'm happy to put that in the past and focus on my football team and my teammates and try to win games this year." Williams said.
3 - BR says Shaq Lawson is player to watchVoluntary OTAs are wrapped up as the Bills are in the midst of their mandatory minicamp this week. Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport pointed out the player to watch as the Bills advance further in their offseason program.
Davenport pointed out DE Shaq Lawson as being the player to watch for the Bills. Lawson missed most of his rookie offseason program after he needed shoulder surgery. Now after participating in the offseason program and transitioning into a 4-3 defensive scheme, here is what Davenport had to say:
"Not only is Lawson getting badly needed reps in OTAs (and soon will in training camp), but he's getting them at a position he's much more comfortable playing. He can stop overthinking and just get after it the same way he did in college.
Also, playing alongside the likes of Jerry Hughes, Marcell Dareus and Lorenzo Alexander is a huge plus. Hughes is more proven than Lawson and will command more attention from opposing blockers.
That should mean plenty of single-teams for Lawson, which only serves to further increase the chances of a huge leap forward in 2017."
You can find the full article here.
