Here is the Bills news of note for June 23rd.
1 -Terry Pegula states no preference for a new stadium locationLess than a day after his co-owner of the Bills, and wife, Kim Pegula was quoted by the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle as saying that the organization is in the very early fact-finding stages concerning a new stadium for their football team, Terry Pegula was asked about the same subject on Bills flagship station WGR Sportsradio 550.* *
"We're looking and we're not going to make any hasty decisions," said Pegula. "But we're evaluating."
Naturally there is much speculation as to where a new stadium for the Bills will ultimately be located, but Pegula explained that at this point such a decision is far down the road.
"It's so early in our ownership that none of that has been heavily weighed in terms of preference here or there," he said. "I don't have a preference."
Now five years into his ownership of the Sabres and going on two years with the Bills, Pegula was asked what the priorities are over the next five years.
"I think priority one is winning a championship or championships in either league or both," said Pegula. "That would be nice. You saw what happened in Cleveland. That's why our fans have to have faith. We're trying to pull in the same direction and crazy stuff can happen."
2 - Rex will still call playsHe's got a defensive coordinator in Dennis Thurman and an Assistant head coach/Defense in his brother Rob Ryan, but when it comes to making play calls on game days, head coach Rex Ryan will still be sending them in.
Ryan was asked how all the responsibilities would be delegated between himself, his brother Rob and Thurman not only in terms of calling plays, but in handling different aspects of the defense.
"I think it's pretty well established what we're doing," said Ryan. "We don't need to broadcast everybody's specific things, it might even be a competitive reason. Make no mistake, it's a collaborative effort and not just with my brother and Dennis. Obviously Dennis and I will be the primary focus, but it's all of our coaches. Everybody will have input. When it comes to making a call, I'll make the calls."
If there is one area where Rob Ryan's presence should help Rex Ryan directly, it'll be in providing an overseer of sorts on the defensive side of the ball week to week. That should allow Rex to take more of a big picture approach as head coach.
3 - Dareus with some contract negotiation advice for GilmoreLast year around this time Marcell Dareus was awaiting a long-term contract extension after the Bills picked up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. There were some tense moments, but ultimately a blockbuster deal was reached to keep the Pro Bowl defensive tackle in the fold for the foreseeable future. Now Dareus' teammate Stephon Gilmore is in the very same situation.
Gilmore chose to attend mandatory minicamp, but did not participate saying he reached an agreement with the coaching staff. Some interpreted it as an indication from Gilmore that a long term extension needs to be reached sooner rather than later.
Dareus, who made an appearance on Sirius XM NFL Radio this week, has some advice for Gilmore as there is no sign of an agreement being imminently reached.
"He's got to understand that it's a business and you've got to be patient," said Dareus of Gilmore. "You can't just be like this or like that. You still have a job. Just do your job and be patient and let things fall as they may.
"My little differences with the team, the back and forth, I had them talk with my agent. I just wanted to be out at practice. I just want to do my thing. Keep me out of the middle of it and only come talk to me when we really have to talk about something. Other than that I was on time, I was working out and getting in shape. I didn't want any outside distractions. I'm a pro now. I don't need that. I have an agent. I have a lawyer. When they need to say something to me, they'll say something to me."
Gilmore said even absent an agreement he'll report to training camp, but he did not definitively say he would be there for the report date on July 30th.
4 - Mario Butler gives backBills cornerback Mario Butler was back in his native Jacksonville giving back to his hometown community. Butler staged his third annual charity basketball game in which 30 current and former NFL players participated.
"A lot of times kids in the inner city don't get enough credit," Butler told News 4 Jacksonville at his event. "I was one of those kids that went against the grain but was able to come out positive. Now I want to be a positive impact on my community."
Butler is also hosting a football and cheer camp this weekend at the Stanton College Preparatory school.
All of the proceeds from these events will provide funding for the Mario Butler Foundation, with a portion going towards their STEM Initiative program.
5 - Ryan brothers on a tandem bike?Rex and Rob Ryan have probably done crazier things than ride a tandem bike, but the visual is one for the ages. The Bills head coach and assistant head coach rode tandem on a two-seater bicycle during a shooting for Tops Friendly Markets. Here's a sneak peek.
6 - LB Kevin Reddick holds 3rd annual football campIn his native New Bern, North Carolina, Bills LB Kevin Reddick set up shop for his third annual football camp. Free to kids ages six to 18, Reddick along with a handful of former college teammates who play in the NFL (Quinton Coples, Kareem Martin, Jonathan Cooper among them) taught kids about the game.
"It's big to have another year to do this. It's a blessing and I am happy that God allowed me to be able to come back and do it again," Reddick told the New Bern Sun Journal. "It's fun and competitive and the kids can come out here and get better. You see kids out here from different cities, different schools having fun."
