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Bills Links, 5/19: Remembering Bills DE Ben Williams

Plus, Gov. Cuomo encourages the Bills to plan on reopening

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In today’s edition of the Buffalo Bills daily links, we take a look back on the life of former Pro Bowl defensive end Ben Williams, a talented pass rusher who died from natural causes on Monday at the age of 65. We also hear from New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is encouraging the Bills and the state’s other major sports teams to plan on reopening, get the latest news on Ed Oliver and how his arrest is impacting the team’s virtual offseason program, and examine a juicy rumor about how quarterback Josh Allen could have been selected No. 1 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft if the Seattle Seahawks had pulled off a trade with the Cleveland Browns.


Former Bills defensive end Ben Williams passes away - BuffaloBills.com
The former Pro Bowl defensive end in the 1970s and 80s died from natural causes on Monday.

Former Bills, Ole Miss lineman Ben Williams dies at 65 - ESPN.com
Robert Jerry “Ben” Williams Jr., former Buffalo Bills defensive end and the first African American player to appear in a game at Mississippi, died Monday. He was 65.

Ben Williams former Buffalo Bills defensive end passes away - Democrat & Chronicle
Ben Williams, a third-round draft of the Bills in 1976 who played ten seasons with the team, passed away Monday.

Bills teammates remember Ben Williams as ‘once-in-a-lifetime guy’ – The Buffalo News
Before Bruce Smith established himself as one of the greatest players in NFL history, he was a rookie defensive end who learned plenty from veteran Ben Williams.

‘Gentle’ Ben Williams, who played 10 years with Buffalo Bills, dies at age 65 - newyorkupstate.com
Williams was the first African American to appear in a game at Mississippi.

Bills Today | Gov. Cuomo on what’s next for Bills, pro sports in New York - BuffaloBills.com
Here are three things to know about the Bills for Tuesday, May 19.

Cuomo urges major sports teams to play without fans in stands – The Buffalo News
If they can economically have games with no fans and the numbers work for them, the economics work, because the TV revenue is enough without the fan revenue.

Cuomo encourages major sports teams to plan reopenings | WGR 550 SportsRadio
New York state governor Andrew Cuomo is encouraging major sports teams in the state to plan reopening as Western New York begins Phase 1 of reopening the economy on Tuesday.

Gov. Cuomo encouraging NY teams to plan reopening: ‘I want to watch the Buffalo Bills’ - newyorkupstate.com
Cuomo also said sports teams should plan to open without fans in the stands.

Source: Ed Oliver will remain a part of Bills' virtual offseason program following arrest - ESPN.com
Buffalo Bills defensive end Ed Oliver will remain a part of the team's virtual offseason program despite his weekend arrest.

Ed Oliver awaiting court date, still taking part in Bills’ virtual offseason – The Buffalo News
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver is awaiting a court date after being arrested over the weekend on charges of driving while intoxicated and unlawfully carrying a weapon.

Buffalo Bills DT Ed Oliver taking part in virtual offseason program following arrest - newyorkupstate.com
Oliver was arrested on Saturday night.

Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen reportedly would have gone No. 1 in 2018 draft had this trade occurred - newyorkupstate.com
It’s interesting to think about which QB would have ultimately landed in Buffalo had a trade between the Seahawks and Browns taken place.

How to watch "Buffalo Bills: Embedded" on May 20, 2020 - BuffaloBills.com
“Buffalo Bills: Embedded” returns this Wednesday, May 20, at 7 p.m. ET to deliver an action-packed episode. Here is everything you need to know.

Metric ranks Stefon Diggs as third best pass-catcher in NFL | WGR 550 SportsRadio
An NFL.com metric ranked Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs the third best pass-catcher of 2019.

Stefon Diggs and A.J. Epenesa infused talent into an already deep Bills roster - BuffaloBills.com
John Murphy breaks down where the roster stands and what to watch for moving forward as the Bills prepare for the 2020 season.

Patience is a virtue: Bills will see if Cody Ford rewards their faith in year two – The Buffalo News
“When you only have one year of experience as a tackle in college, it takes time to acclimate,” said Greg Gabriel, former Chicago Bears college scouting chief.

2020 Fantasy Football ADP: Evaluating Top Running Backs | WGR 550 SportsRadio
When should Devin Singletary, rookie Zack Moss be drafted in your fantasy football drafts?

Horse to be renamed ‘Pancho Power’ nears harness racing debut – The Buffalo News
Local harness horse owner Jim Reuther has submitted paperwork to the U.S. Trotting Association to change the name of his horse, Bee True Hanover, to Pancho Power in honor of Pancho Billa.

Bills trivia challenge: All-2010s edition – The Athletic
We turned back the clock on last week’s Bills quiz. For those who want to test their recent knowledge, we present the 2010s version. (Subscription required).

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“Buffalo Bills: Embedded” returns this Thurday for season 3 - Buffalo Rumblings
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The 1980 Buffalo Bills: An underdog story - Buffalo Rumblings
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Sammy Watkins partied his way to failure with Buffalo Bills, he says in recent interview - Buffalo Rumblings
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Longtime Buffalo Bills defensive end Ben Williams passes away at age 65 - Buffalo Rumblings
"Gentle Ben" played all ten seasons of his NFL career in Buffalo.

Billieve Podcast: Best Bills players from the playoff drought - Buffalo Rumblings
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Power ranking the five huge games on Buffalo Bills’ 2020 schedule - Buffalo Rumblings
Whether due to the stage, the team, or the situation, these games are my most anticipated of the season.

Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane values game tape over testing numbers - Buffalo Rumblings
A bit out of the book of the late, great Bill Walsh.

Buffalo Bills Q&A: Ed Oliver arrest, Lorenzo Alexander return, Josh Allen’s deep ball - Buffalo Rumblings
Lots to cover this week.

91 Buffalo Bills scouting reports in 91 days: Offensive lineman Ryan Bates - Buffalo Rumblings
Buffalo’s most versatile piece along the line went from longshot to rostered in a matter of weeks.