1. Cody Ford's blindside block fine reduced
Cody Ford was flagged for a illegal blindside block during overtime in the Bills playoff loss to the Texans and was fined for it after the game.
Ford ended up being fined $28,075 for the infraction in the following days. The penalty has been hotly debated since.
Ford appealed the fine and it was reduced to just over $4,000 the rookie announced on Twitter. Bills fans raised $3,870 on GoFundMe to help pay his original fine, which Ford says has been donated to charity. Still, Ford feels the penalty shouldn't have been called.
2. Jordan Phillips named one of the best available pass rushers by NFL Network
The breakout star of the 2019 Buffalo Bills defense is finally earning the respect he deserves as a dominating force on the inside of the defensive line. NFL Network analyst Willie McGinest named Phillips to NFL.com's list of 10 pass rushers worth pursuing in free agency and the 2020 draft.
Phillips had a breakout campaign in his first full season with Sean McDermott and the Buffalo Bills. The 6-6, 341-pound defensive tackle had a career-high 9.5 sacks (second among DTs) -- his previous high was 2.0 in 2017 and 2015. His big frame makes him incredibly hard to move. Plus, his explosiveness and violent hands give his opponents fits. Phillips is what my colleague Bucky Brooks would call a dancing bear as a big guy who has great footwork.
Phillips has earned the right to test the free agent market and general manager Brandon Beane understands that will be the case for Bills scheduled to hit free agency in March.
"That happens a lot," Beane said. "It doesn't mean if they go all the way to March and we haven't got him signed that we won't get it done. Sometimes guys truly have to get a feel for what their market is before they want to make a decision."
But Beane hasn't ruled out re-signing players before the market opens as well.
"Some of these guys we've had preliminary discussions with their agents," Beane said earlier in the offseason. "If we come up with something that they feel, doing their research is at their market value or greater then I'm sure they would sign up beforehand."
3. Jim Kelly to sign autographs before St. Bonaventure basketball game
Buffalo Bills legend Jim Kelly will visit St. Bonaventure University on Saturday before the Bonnies men's basketball team takes on Richmond.
Kelly will sign autographs beginning at 4:45 p.m. in the atrium of the Swan Business Center on the southwest side of campus. University officials stated no one will be allowed in line after 5:15 p.m. to ensure Kelly can accommodate as many people as possible. Fans were asked to bring only one item for Kelly to autograph.
Kelly will serve as an honorary captain for the game, which tips off at 6:30 p.m.
