Category: PostSports

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Long, athletic, and ball-hawk are the words national draft analysts use to describe USC safety Calen Bullock. He had nine interceptions over three seasons with the Trojans including two touchdowns.

At the combine, he wanted to show teams that his football IQ is also a strength. 

“They see that I’m a very smart player, they see I’m very diverse when they watch the film,” Bullock said. “Then they make me learn one of their plays and see that I pick up easy playbooks and that I learn fast.”

One of those teams was the Bills. Bullock met formally with the staff in Indianapolis.

“Talking with the Bills, it was great. They wanted to see what type of the player they would be getting. They pulled up bad plays of me to see how I would react, testing me, but it went good,” Bullock said.

Bullock is 6-foot-2, so he’s got ideal length, but he’ll need to get stronger and develop as a run-stopper and that’s something he’s aware of.

“I pride myself the most being safety, very diverse skill set, knowing I can do every single thing when it comes to being safety,” he said. “Me being a skinnier guy than most safeties, I know I have to go out there with that chip on my shoulder so I can show that I can do everything these guys can do.”

Calen Bullock is projected to be a second or third round draft pick.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Impersonal as it might seem to have their dynamic on-field relationship end with an exchange of phone texts, Bills quarterback Josh Allen made it clear on Thursday how much receiver Stefon Diggs meant to him during their four seasons together in Buffalo.

Allen made no mention of Diggs’ mercurial temperament or the occasional sideline flare-ups by expressing only praise in his first opportunity to discuss his now-former teammate being traded to the Houston Texans earlier this month.

“Just thanking him for everything that he did for me, and (I’ll) always have a spot in my heart for him. I’ll always love that guy like a brother. And I wish him nothing but the best,” Allen said, in disclosing what he texted to Diggs. “My lasting memory of Stef will be the receiver that helped me become the quarterback that I am today.”

Brought together in March 2020, when Buffalo gave up a first-round draft pick to acquire Diggs in a trade with Minnesota, the duo went on to re-write many of Buffalo’s single-season passing and scoring records, and lead the team to four straight AFC East titles.

Diggs, now 30, also brought an inescapable sense of drama with him in raising questions about his commitment to the Bills and whether his tight relationship with Allen had soured.

A day before being traded, Diggs posted a message, “You sure?” on the social media platform X in response to someone suggesting he wasn’t essential to Allen’s success.

Whatever hard feelings, if any, lingered as Buffalo opened its voluntary workout sessions this week were not apparent from Allen or coach Sean McDermott, who also addressed reporters for the first time since Diggs was traded.

“Stef’s a great player, really enjoyed our time together. Won a lot of games and he was a huge factor in winning those games. We’ll miss him,” McDermott said. “You never replace a player like Stef Diggs, and we wish him well.”

Allen turned his focus to the future and a Bills team that spent much of the offseason retooling an aging and expensive roster.

Aside from trading Diggs, salary cap restrictions led to Buffalo cutting respected center Mitch Morse, the breakup of a veteran secondary that had been together since 2017, and the team unable to afford re-signing No. 2 receiver Gabe Davis.

“I don’t think it’s a wrong thing or a bad thing to get younger,” said Allen, entering his seventh NFL season. “I think it’s an opportunity for myself to grow as a leader. And to bring along some of these young guys and new guys that we’ve brought in to our team. And that’s an opportunity, frankly, that I’m very excited about.”

Despite the departures, the Bills offense is not exactly lacking even though general manager Brandon Beane is expected to target selecting a receiver with his first pick — currently 28th overall — in the draft next week.

Receiver Khalil Shakir enters his third year and tight end Dalton Kincaid enter his second following promising seasons. Buffalo also added veteran experience in signing free agent receiver Curtis Samuel and Mack Hollins.

While Beane acknowledged the Bills lack a true No. 1 receiver, he noted there’s less urgency to fill that spot now than in 2020 because of how much the offense has developed under Allen.

“Now that Josh has ascended to the player he is, is that a requirement? I don’t think so,” Beane said.

Diggs’ role also began diminishing in the second half of last season, which coincided with Joe Brady replacing Ken Dorsey as offensive coordinator. Brady placed an emphasis on adding balance to a pass-heavy attack and getting more receivers involved, which led to an uptick in production for Shakir and Kincaid.

While Diggs’ numbers dropped, Buffalo’s win total increased.

With the Bills at 6-6, Diggs ranked third in the NFL with 83 catches, seventh with 969 yards and tied for third with eight TDs receiving. Buffalo then closed the season with five straight wins in which Diggs combined for 24 catches for 214 yards and no scores.

”(Diggs) meant a lot. You look at the statistics, they don’t lie,” Allen said, in referring to Diggs topping 100 catches and 1,000 yards in each of his four seasons in Buffalo. “I don’t get paid to make changes on the team. I get paid to be the best quarterback that I can be and try to lead the guys on this team.”

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Bills began offseason workouts this week without Micah Hyde, a mainstay in the defensive secondary over the past seven years. Still uncertain about his NFL future, Hyde remains committed to playing ball in Buffalo.

Hyde confirmed his charity softball event will go on as planned May 19 at Sahlen Field in a social media post Thursday.

“Although I’m currently not with the team, I want you all to know how special this game is to not only myself, but my whole family,” Hyde stated. “Your relentless energy has elevated this game to the next level, and I’m forever grateful to have your unwavering support. While my future is still unknown, I do know this — I can’t wait to be reunited with you all on May 19th!”

Bills quarterback Josh Allen said he is looking forward to attending the softball game, which sold out Buffalo’s downtown ballpark last spring. Allen won the home run derby two years ago.

“Micah Hyde is one of the premier humans on this planet,” Allen said. “His heart is always in the right place. He’s meant so much to me in my career here. Just being someone I can lean on, someone I can talk to, someone I can vent to. And I hope he would say the same about me and I cherish our friendship as much as I cherish anybody’s friendship.

“It’s very cool that he still feels like he’s tied to Buffalo and he can come and do this and I’m sure the support that he’s going to garnish there is well deserved one, but two, it’s for the right reasons and that’s why I love playing in his softball tournament.”

Hyde announced Thursday that a portion of proceeds from the event will be donated to teammate foundations. “We will work together as a team to lift up the ocmmunity we love in various ways,” he wrote.

Following the release of veteran defensive backs Jordan Poyer and Tre’Davious White, along with the signing of safeties Taylor Rapp and Mike Edwards, the Bills appear to be moving forward without Hyde, a defensive captain who has started 104 games for the Bills, including playoffs. At age 33 and having dealt with neck injuries over the past two seasons, Hyde could be contemplating retirement.

But general manager Brandon Beane did not close the door on bringing Hyde back when he spoke at the owners meetings following the first wave of free agency. Beane told reporters on Thursday that he recently spoke with Hyde on a video call from California.

“Can’t get enough of Micah Hyde,” the GM said. “Just his energy. You forget when you’re away from someone, but just he’s got that infectious smile. Some people see the world half glass empty. He sees it not half full, he sees it a hundred percent full and just I wish I woke up every day with the perspective he’s got. He’s just such a good dude, can see everything, mature beyond most players years. And so we had a great conversation about life and things like that.

“I don’t think he has totally made a 100% decision either way. I didn’t get into him, ‘Hey, are you 95% leaning one way or the other. Didn’t push it. Just checking on him. He’s checking on how things, I know he talked about his softball deal. He’s gonna be here. He’s excited to come back next month after the draft and be around the guys and he was pumped about that. But I can’t tell you if he’s gonna play again or not. I don’t have that concrete answer.”

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — One day, Brandon Beane joked the Buffalo Bills are going to select a receiver in each of the seven rounds of the NFL draft. The next, the Bills general manager saying there’s no lock he’s drafting a receiver in the first round.

Don’t be fooled.

Hard as Beane has been working at trying to keep everyone guessing in the wake of trading Stefon Diggs to Houston, it would be difficult to imagine the Bills passing up on filling what stands as their biggest need — and in a draft class projected to be deep at receiver.

While Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. will most assuredly be gone by Buffalo’s scheduled pick at No. 28, the Texas junior tandem of Adonai Mitchell and Xavier Worthy, or perhaps Georgia’s Ladd McConkey, could be available.

Leave it to Beane to hedge his bets.

“If all our first-round receivers are gone and the next guy is well into the second round, but we have other positions, we’re going to take the other position,” Beane said. “You still gotta take good football players. And even if we don’t get the player that everyone is looking for in April, it doesn’t mean there’s not other ways to do it.”

Receiver was already a need before Diggs’ departure, with Buffalo losing Gabe Davis to free agency. Minus Diggs, who topped 1,000 yards and 100 catches in each of his four seasons in Buffalo, the Bills are down to Khalil Shakir, coming off a promising second season, and free-agent additions Curtis Samuel and Mack Hollins.

And don’t forget tight end Dalton Kincaid, the rookie who finished second on the team with 73 catches and third with 673 yards receiving.

A bulging payroll left Beane no choice but to hit the reset button for the four-time defending AFC East champions. The salary-cap purge included Buffalo cutting center Mitch Morse, and the breakup of a veteran secondary that had been together since 2017. Cornerback Tre’Davious White and safety Jordan Poyer were cut, and safety Micah Hyde is contemplating retirement.

Though safety is an unlikely first-round target, adding a pass rusher is always an option — UCLA’s Laiatu Latu or Missouri’s Darius Robinson are potential candidates — especially with Von Miller turning 35.

Beane’s expectations aren’t diminished.

“This organization and our fanbase needs to trust that we are going to trot out a damn good team come September,” Beane said.

MOVE UP?

Beane hasn’t been afraid of making moves on draft day. Buffalo currently has 10 selections, though only two (28 and 60) in the first three rounds. Buffalo, however, did land a 2025 second-round pick in the trade with Houston, which could be put into play should Beane deem it necessary.

ON THE RECEIVING END

Buffalo hasn’t selected a receiver in the first round since Beane’s predecessor, Doug Whaley, made the ill-fated decision to move up five spots in the order to select Sammy Watkins at No. 4 in 2014. Watkins topped 1,000 yards just once in three seasons before Beane traded him to the L.A. Rams in 2017. The Bills have selected a WR only seven times in the draft, and three times in the past 40 years (Watkins, Eric Moulds at No. 24 in 1996 and Lee Evans 13th in 2004).

MORE SALARY CAP SAVINGS

The Bills will have $6 million in cap space to play with by designating White as a post-June 1 cut, which is why Beane didn’t rule out adding an experienced receiver by either trade or free agency before the season opens.

NEEDS

Wide receiver, defensive back, edge rusher, defensive line, offensive line and linebacker.

DON’T NEED

QB, running back or tight end.

PICK ’EM

Barring a trade up, the Bills will be selecting outside of the top 20 for a fifth consecutive year.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The ultimate defensive chess piece is the best way to describe Cooper DeJean out of Iowa.

He is one of the top defensive backs in the draft and his versatility is a big reason why. DeJean played on the outside and inside for the Hawkeyes— proving he can do both at a superior level. At the combine some teams also talked to him about playing safety at the next level. The consensus All-American can do it all in the defensive back field. 

“Playing inside is a lot different than playing outside you have more room to work with you have to know where your help is at all times so i think being able to play multiple positions definitely helps me become a better player in general and I feel like Iowa has prepared me for that,” DeJean said.

DeJean grew up in a small Iowa town of about 900 people and embraces all that comes with it.

“I take a lot of pride in that having this opportunity being on this stage having the opportunity to play on the highest level being an inspiration for those kids back home who may look up to me just showing them that this is possible that if you put the work in day in and day out you can create opportunities like this for yourself,” DeJean said.

The small town Iowa kid is projected to be a first round selection.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Canisius University named Penn State assistant Tiffany Swoffard as the 11th women’s basketball coach in program history, the school announced Wednesday.

Swoffard brings 14 years of experience as a Division I assistant coach to Canisius. Prior to spending last season on the Nittany Lions staff, she spent four seasons at Miami (Ohio), four seasons at Toledo and five seasons at Mercer.

“I am extremely thankful and excited to be named the head women’s basketball coach at Canisius University,” Swoffard said in a statement. “I want to thank President Steve Stoute, athletic director Bill Maher and deputy athletic director Lisa Liotta for trusting me with this tremendous opportunity.

“I chose to become a college coach with the belief that I can add value to young women’s lives through the game of basketball. I am passionate about people, academic excellence, service to the local community and winning. I will work tirelessly to elevate the Canisius program and I cannot wait to get started.”

Last season, she helped lead Penn State to a 22-13 record and a berth in the WBIT semifinals. She also coached St. Mary’s Lancaster graduate Shay Ciezki, who was a freshman on the Nittany Lions.

Swoffard replaces Sahar Nusseibeh, who left Canisius in late March to take the head coaching job at Eastern Michigan. Swoffard and Nusseibeh’s paths crossed when they spent two seasons together as assistant coaches at Miami (Ohio) from 2019-2021.

“Tiffany has spent 19 years preparing to be a head coach and she shared a compelling vision to continue the ascent of our women’s basketball program in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC),” Canisius athletic director Bill Maher said in a statement. “I am thrilled that her first head coaching opportunity will come at Canisius, and I look forward to working with her to reach our championship goals.”

Swoffard will be formally introduced as the Griffs’ head coach during a press conference on April 24.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams gave an emphatic endorsement of ownership and team president Terry Pegula in his season-ending remarks Tuesday.

“I get this every time I do a press conference,” Adams said with defiance. “Terry Pegula is as engaged as he’s ever been.”

Adams noted that while he made the final decision to fire coach Don Granato, regular communication with the team owner and president was part of the process.

“Terry Pegula watches closely, talks to me every day, has strong opinions on what he sees,” Adams said. “And we have great conversations.

Visible ownership presence at Buffalo’s KeyBank Center has diminished over the past two seasons after Kim Pegula had a cardiac event in 2022, and Terry Pegula has not spoken publicly about the Sabres in several years.

“Do not take the lack of necessarily you seeing him in the press box as a sign of anything,” Adams said. “He is dealing with personal matters. Ok? That’s important to know.

“He is engaged. He wants this team to win. He wants to have success. And he’s willing to do whatever it takes to win. And that has never changed from the moment I met Terry Pegula. He’s given me every possible resource that he has to help this team and help this city by the way. And I can’t say enough about the dedication that he’s continued to show this organization, this city, the players. And that’s not changing.”

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Tykee Smith had a very productive college career which started at West Virginia where he played cornerback for two seasons.

Smith transferred to Georgia after the 2020 season where he played multiple spots in the Bulldogs defense. Smith’s primary spot was safety, but he also played in the slot as well. His knowledge of several positions on the back end mixed with his athletic ability will be useful at the next level. 

“Just me being able to tackle set edges and play multiple positions if they need me to play high, come down also I played dime linebacker on some third and long packages me being able to help the team the best way possible,” Smith said.

Smith suffered a knee injury during the 2021 season and didn’t feel completely comfortable until last season when he had 70 tackles, four interceptions and was named to the All-SEC second team.

“Dedicating that 2023 offseason to becoming the best version of myself and be in the best shape of my life,” Smith said. “A good offseason led to good spring ball, carried over to the summertime and went into fall camp and being able to show the fans and family that still believed in me that I’m still the same player that I was when I transferred and the opportunity that coach smart gave me to be that guy and live up the expectation.”

Smith is projected to be a fourth or fifth round pick.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – The NFL Draft is just over a week away. Who might the Bills add to the team?

The Buffalo Kickoff Live crew will hold their annual mock draft Wednesday afternoon and offer possible selections for the Bills. You can watch live on this page at 2 p.m.

Mock drafters this year include News 4’s Heather Prusak and Thad Brown from our sister station in Rochester, Tim Graham from The Athletic, Sal Capaccio from WGR 550, and Matt Parrino from Syracuse.com.

No trades are allowed in the mock draft, so the picks will show who the Bills might have available at their slotted position, 28th overall. Picks will be made for each team ahead of the Bills, and then each selector will make a pick for Buffalo.

The Bills currently hold 11 total picks in the draft, though only two in rounds 1-3.

Bills 2024 draft picks

(Round-overall selection)

1-28

2-60

4-128

4-133 (compensatory)

5-144 (from Chicago)

5-160 (from Green Bay)

5-163

6-189 (from Denver via LA Rams)

6-200 (from Dallas via Houston)

6-204

7-248

The Bills’ third-round pick was traded to Green Bay in the deal for CB Rasul Douglas.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Buffalo Sabres are once again head coach-less.

Don Granato became the seventh head coach to be fired by the Sabres during the team’s NHL-record 13-season playoff drought on Tuesday, leaving a vacancy behind Buffalo’s bench once again. Granato finished with a 122-125-27 record over three seasons with the Sabres.

The new hire is undoubtedly an important one for general manager Kevyn Adams, who said Tuesday that his next bench boss having previous NHL head coaching experience and pedigree is “important.” Here are four names that the Sabres could consider in their search that fit Adams’ description.

Lindy Ruff

Sometimes, in order to move forward, you need to go back.

Ruff is likely one of the most popular names among Sabres fans as his 16-year stint with Buffalo from the late 1990s to early 2010s was full of memories and a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 1999. He also happens to be available after he was fired as head coach of the New Jersey Devils in March, going 128-125-28 over four seasons with one playoff appearance.

While Ruff, 64, brings plenty of playoff experience and a passion for Buffalo, his last season behind the bench in New Jersey was met with harsh criticism from fans and was a major letdown following a 52-22-8 season in 2022-23. Still, if the offer is there, it’s tough to imagine him turning down Buffalo.

Craig Berube

Berube boasts a Stanley Cup on his resume and is also looking for work after the Blues fired him in December.

The 58-year-old made the playoffs during his first four seasons in St. Louis, which started out on a high with a championship in 2018-19. He totaled a 206-132-44 record with the Blues, and also finished with a winning record during a two-season stint as the Flyers head coach from 2013-2015.

His teams are notoriously aggressive and difficult to play against, and he is known to demand a lot from his players. This current Sabres roster does not necessarily fit that mould, however, if Adams is serious about an experienced coach that would shake up the locker room, Berube checks the boxes.

Gerard Gallant

Best known for leading the expansion Vegas Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Final in their first year of existence, Gallant last coached the Rangers in 2022-23 and was fired after a first-round exit in the playoffs.

Gallant’s NHL head coaching career spans three decades, first starting in Columbus in 2003 and also leading the Florida Panthers in the mid-2010s. He has an all-time record of 369-262-4 and has qualified for the playoffs in his last five full seasons.

The 60-year-old is hailed as a players’ coach, which may not be what Adams is looking for after just firing a similar-style leader in Granato. But, Gallant has the experience and playoff pedigree that could help end the Sabres’ drought.

Dean Evason

The former Minnesota Wild head coach was fired in November due to a slow start but made the playoffs in his four prior seasons at the helm, totalling a 147-77-27 record.

During his three full seasons with the Wild, his teams averaged 3.29 goals per game and ranked towards the top of the league in goals for percentage in that span, according to Evolving-Hockey. However, his firing early this season stemmed from woes similar to what the Sabres suffered: poor special teams and a lack of production from star players.

Evason may not be the most notable name out there, but his postseason track record with teams that didn’t possess much star power may entice Adams.

Honorable Mentions

It might be a pipe dream, but Rod Brind’Amour is out of contract with the Carolina Hurricanes after this season and has a history with Adams, as the two won a Stanley Cup together in Carolina as players. If he is open to leaving the Hurricanes, Adams and Sabres brass should be calling with a hefty offer.

Seth Appert doesn’t have NHL coaching experience but has done a phenomenal job as a developmental head coach with Rochester Americans. Bruce Boudreau has never won a Cup, but has over 1,000 NHL games as a head coach under his belt. Jay Woodcroft is more of an up-and-coming option at age 47, having coached Edmonton to two playoff appearances before being fired earlier this season.