Here's the Bills news of note for May 15th.
**1 - Tyrod Taylor welcomes rookies
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As rookie minicamp began last Friday, it was the first time that the rookies came to the facility to put some work in with their new team. For most of them, it was the first time they were in an NFL setting.
Although Tyrod Taylor may not have been able to welcome every single rookie, he made it a point to reach out to second-round pick WR Zay Jones.
"He texted me as soon as I got drafted. He told me he couldn't wait to work with me. I met him (Friday) in person in the locker room," said Jones. "He seems like an unbelievable guy. Family oriented, just loves his teammates. He embraced me. That tells you what type of man he is. He didn't have to do that. So glad to play for someone like that and I can't wait to develop with him."
Jones predicts to be an immediate contributor to the Bills offense and it's an encouraging sign to see the starting quarterback reach out to him. Since it is rookie minicamp, Taylor and Jones have not been able to throw with each other yet.
As the quarterback, Tyrod Taylor is one of the leaders of the Bills team and him reaching out to Zay Jones has already made it more comfortable for the rookie to adjust to NFL life. Will this help Jones and Taylor to develop chemistry on the field faster?
RELATED: ROOKIE MINICAMP NOTES
**2 - Coach encouraged by the work of his staff
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Whenever a new head coach hires his own staff, you aren't sure how it will all fit. There is no way of telling whether or not everyone will work well together, but Sean McDermott expressed his gratitude for the work that his team has been doing to this point.
"I've been very impressed with this staff so far," said McDermott. "It's always a little bit of a crapshoot at times to use a word. I haven't worked with all these men, but I've kept a list over the years and certainly admired their work.
"I wanted to have a good blend of experience, energy and then guys we can have in the pipeline who are learning. We've worked well together so far. That's a big part of building this culture; it's the culture that happens with the coaching staff. I'm pleased so far.
"I like to take the approach of iron sharpens iron. They make me better, I make them better and no one has an ego. We're all selfless and trying to do this thing the right way."
3 - Former Bills LB Takeo Spikes joins Alabama Hall of Fame
Takeo Spikes played linebacker for the Buffalo Bills from 2003-2006. In his 15-year NFL career, Spikes amassed over 1000 tackles, 29.0 sacks, 11 forced fumbles and 19 interceptions.
The linebacker played some of his best football with the Bills organization. Spikes earned two Pro Bowl nods with the Bills in 2003 and 2004. He also was recognized as a first team All-Pro in 2004.
While it is safe to say that Spikes had a phenomenal NFL career, here is what WBRC had to say about the honor given to him:
Takeo Spikes will be honored this weekend in the Magic City as a member of the 2017 Alabama Sports Hall of Fame class of 2017.
Spikes played in more NFL games than any other position player from Auburn. The inside linebacker played in 215 games with the Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers and San Diego Chargers from 1998 through 2012 and piled up more than 1,500 tackles.
Spikes was a two-time Pro Bowler and a first-team All-Pro in 2004 for Buffalo. He joined the NFL as the 13th player picked in the 1998 NFL Draft after making 136 tackles and leading Auburn to the SEC Championship Game in 1997.
Spikes has now turned his attention to author and photographer. One of his big hobbies is still photography and he recently wrote his first book.
