Buffalo Bills news, 4/30: Kelvin Sheppard traded for Jerry Hughes

Inside The Bills | Hughes trade another versatility move

"Versatility is something we’re looking for and we’d like our linebackers to at least be able to play both outside spots and we’d like our middle backer to have the ability to play WILL or MIKE so that was enticing about Jerry," said Bills GM Buddy Nix.

Inside The Bills | Pettine’s defense puts premium on versatility
Inside The Bills | Hughes coming off his best year with Indy
Inside The Bills | Hughes: "A new opportunity"

2013 NFL Draft - Peter King - SI.com

Great stuff about Doug Marrone and Nassib/Manuel. Here's my favorite from Marron'e Senior Bowl notebook on Manuel:

"Met at Senior Bowl,'' he began. "Wow. That was impressive. Didn't seem schooled-up. Genuine. Bright-eyed. Willing. If he was in a room, he'd be the kind of guy you'd want to go up and talk to. Yes-sir, no-sir guy. Seemed to be raised correctly. Will follow up to make sure he wasn't schooled-up ...'' and so on. "Very impressive person,'' said Marrone.

Sheppard for Hughes

Bills trade LB Sheppard to Colts for LB Hughes - BuffaloBills.com
"Hughes (6’2" 254) played defensive end in college at TCU and started his pro career with the Colts as a defensive end in their previous 4-3 system. When the Colts switched to a 3-4 system under new head coach Chuck Pagano he moved to outside linebacker and was a subpackage rush player."

Bills swap LBs with Colts for versatility - The Buffalo News
"For sure, we think he can fit at the rush and at Sam linebacker," Nix said. "We think he can swing two positions there and then be a rusher in sub packages. Again, versatility is something we’re looking for. We want our linebackers to at least be able to play both outside spots. We’d like our middle backers to have the ability to play Will or Mike. So that really was enticing about Jerry."

Colts Trade Jerry Hughes To Bills, Cementing 2010 Draft Class As An Abject Failure - Stampede Blue
So the folks over at Stampede Blue really dislike Jerry Hughes.

More clicks

Manuel excited about his fit in Bills offense - BuffaloBills.com
An interesting story on the dynamic of Manuel's pre-draft workout with Nathaniel Hackett.

Bills agree to terms with 16 undrafteds, cut four - BuffaloBills.com
"The Bills agreed to terms with 16 undrafted rookie free agents and cut four players from the roster on Monday. Below, Buffalobills.com provides you with a short note on each UFAs college career along with expert analysis of them as players from the Bills scouting staff."

2013 Draft profile: Wide Receiver Da'Rick Rogers, Tennessee Tech - VIDEO - BuffaloBills.com
"A look at the college highlights of Tennessee Tech wide receiver Da'Rick Rogers."

Da'Rick Rogers: 'Tell Bills fans they got the steal of the draft' - Press Coverage | The Buffalo News
"I'm ready to come work. I'm ready to come grind," Rogers said. "Tell the Bills fans they got the steal of the draft. I won't let them down."

Leo Roth: Buffalo Bills add the 'wow' in draft | Democrat and Chronicle
"I do know this: the Buffalo Bills just got a lot more entertaining with the potential to be better with the selection of a big, fast quarterback, two really fast wide receivers, a linebacker and two safeties to fortify the middle of their defense and a couple guys with a rap sheet to assist with any attitude adjustment new coach Doug Marrone has in mind."

Chip Kelly, Doug Marrone passed on their college players | ProFootballTalk
"In fact, the Eagles didn’t draft anyone from Oregon, and the Bills didn’t draft anyone from Syracuse. The familiarity that the coaches had with their old college players didn’t translate to reaching for them in the NFL draft."

WGR 550 SportsRadio - The Bills Make Me Wanna...
"I don't mind telling you, I'm excited about this. Heck, I can't wait for the first practice. Seriously. I'm already looking forward to the first preseason game." More from Bulldog here.

Manuel excited to earn trust of new teammates - Olean Times Herald
Chuck Pollack says Manuel has all the tools to develop into the leader the Bills need.