Latest news with #Benford
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bills Shooting For Deja Vu With New Rookie Defensive Additions
Is deja vu hitting the Buffalo Bills all over again? In 2022, the Bills drafted cornerback Kaiir Elam in the first round, and Christian Benford in one of the final rounds of the same draft. No one believed Benford would turn into a star, while many expected Elam to be an immediate impact player. Advertisement The opposite happened. Benford has become one of the top players at his posiiton, while Elam has been shipped to the Dallas Cowboys. It might be happening again too. Buffalo drafted Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston in the first round and Virginia Tech corner Dorian Strong in the sixth round of the 2025 draft - almost the exact same spots they took Elam and Benford four years ago. No, no, nobody is talking about shipping away Max. But what about a later-round same-position guy again jumping up? Kyle Crabbs of the 33rd Team even believes Strong will be a solid role piece for the Bills. 'He is missing the ideal mass to play in the nickel, and his lack of involvement and refinements in defending the run create more of a projection if charging him with playing matchups inside," Crabbs said. "Strong is at his best playing zone coverage with his eyes in the backfield, where he can leverage multiple routes simultaneously as a deep third defender.' Advertisement We have a long way to go before we end up seeing truly if the Bills have done the same thing they did a few years ago. It is unlikely that lightning struck the same place twice in this regard. It's still an interesting thing to think about as the Bills continue through their offseason workouts, though. Related: Bills Sign Rookie With Maxx Crosby Role Model Goal Related: Bills 'Lethal Pairing' Key To Super Bowl Success?
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Yahoo
Man arrested in Dollar General parking lot after domestic incident, police say
LAGRANGE, Ga. () — A man was arrested Sunday afternoon after a domestic incident, LaGrange police say. Police say Detavio Benford has been charged with aggravated assault with a Family Violence Act factor and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. According to LPD, on April 27 at 2:35 p.m. officers responded to the Popeye's at 1511 Lafayette Parkway for a domestic incident where Benford was pointing a gun at the victim, Tamara Hardnett. Upon arriving, the police did not find either party and began searching for the car they left in. Shortly after, police were notified that Benford and Hardnett were nearly five miles away at the Dollar General at 3836 Greenville Road. After initial investigation, it was determined Benford had been the perpetrator in this incident and was arrested and charged. Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact Detective C. Brown at 706-883-2690. Information can also be shared anonymously through Troup County CrimeStoppers by calling 706-812-1000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bills' $76 Million Decision is Turning Heads Amid Free Agency
Every year, it seems as if the Buffalo Bills think it will be their year to win that elusive Super Bowl title, only to experience heartbreak at some point in January. This past season, they were outstanding throughout the regular season and got an MVP season from Josh Allen, only to fall in the AFC Championship Game to their own personal slab of kryptonite known as the Kansas City Chiefs. Advertisement This offseason, the Bills have retained key linebacker Matt Milano and brought in veteran pass rusher Joey Bosa, and on Saturday, they agreed to terms with Christian Benford, one of their starting cornerbacks. He is reportedly staying in town on a four-year, $76 million contract. Some fans on X don't exactly seem very excited. "Horrible decision, Bills," one fan said. "$76M for a cornerback who's barely a starter? "This is how you ruin a team." "It looks like an overblown contract for a CB who has yet to prove himself as one of the best in the league," another fan said. "I gotta check his stats because idk who this is," a third fan wrote. Advertisement "Worst decision of the offseason," a fourth fan wrote. "Bills just made themselves the biggest joke in the NFL." "Wow 76m for a mid CB Buffalo are gonna be the new saints soon with how much they overpay," a fifth fan said. "Madden 24 franchise legend," a sixth fan said. Benford has emerged as a stud on a team that is a perennial contender in the AFC. In 2024, he logged 10 passes defended, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, three tackles for loss and 64 total tackles (50 solo). Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford.© Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The Bills' defense had been rock solid in recent years, but it took a step back last season. Buffalo ranked just 11th in points allowed and 17th in total yards allowed, and the Bills could use more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Advertisement But with Benford continuing to grow, the Buffalo secondary can at least apply some resistance and give the Bills a shot at finally going all the way this coming fall and winter. Related: Chiefs Predicted to Land 1,900-Yard WR For Patrick Mahomes
USA Today
11-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Christian Benford likes the idea of Rasul Douglas returning to the Bills
Christian Benford likes the idea of Rasul Douglas returning to the Bills Christian Benford is sticking around with the Buffalo Bills and he'd like his "brother" to do the same. Benford signed a long-term extension in Buffalo this offseason. When discussing his new deal, Douglas was brought up. Douglas remains a free agent but Benford likes the idea of Douglas coming back to Buffalo. "It would be cool to play with my brother again," Benford said. Douglas was steady for Buffalo's defense in 2024 but did not fare well in Pro Football Focus' metrics. His 53.9 overall grade was considered one of the worst for cornerbacks in the NFL last season. Regardless, general manager Brandon Beane did not take the idea of Douglas returning to the Bills when he chatted during the recent NFL owners meetings. However, with the 2025 NFL draft two weeks away, Douglas returning likely wouldn't happen until after that. Benford's full thoughts on Douglas can be found below:
USA Today
05-04-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Christian Benford on extension with Bills: 'All it takes is one person to believe in you'
Christian Benford on extension with Bills: 'All it takes is one person to believe in you' The Buffalo Bills and cornerback Christian Benford recently agreed to a four-year contract extension with a base value of $69 million. The Bills' number one corner is now under contract until 2029. The team was relieved to be able to lock down a cornerstone of their defense, and Benford was thrilled to be able to stay in Buffalo long term. "It's a life-changing moment, let's be for real," Benford said in his post-extension press conference. "All it takes is one person to believe in you... it means a lot." After signing a long-term extension, Benford's goals that he has set out to accomplish in the league remain the same. 'This is probably just something else that I just put in the bucket,' Benford said. '... My drive... to be the best in the league. It don't change nothing. I don't feel different. My mindset is still the same. Get to the Super Bowl... be the best in the league.' Benford, a sixth-round pick in 2022, has made the most of his opportunities on the field. He has started 34 games over his first three seasons, intercepting five passes and recording 25 passes defensed. In 2024, Benford allowed just .51 yards per coverage snap, which ranked number one in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus. Now, he'll reap the benefits of his consistency and drive with a flashy new contract. It's a win-win for the player and the franchise. It's life-changing money for the 25-year-old, yet it's still below market value for top cornerbacks around the league. Benford's new contract averages $17.25 million annually, which makes him the 19th-highest paid corner in the NFL according to Over the Cap. The extension came just weeks after the Panthers' Jaycee Horn ($25M per year) and the Texans' Derek Stingley Jr. ($30M per year) reset the growing cornerback contract market with massive extensions. Benford's cap hits over the next five years will be: 2025, $2.6M; 2026, $7.4M; 2027, $19.4M; 2028, $20.1M; 2029, $20.4M. Bills general manager Brandon Beane was able to retain one of his own draft picks and do it by getting ahead of the curve. The contracts for cornerbacks will continue to go up and Benford's contract is already looking team-friendly even before the market spikes again. "Glad to get Christian done," Beane said following the extension. "... Came to a place that both sides thought was fair, and so excited to extend him with all the other guys that we've been able to get done." Benford was seemingly the last big piece of the pie to be taken care of this offseason for Beane, who has been a busy man. He signed four other Bills players to long-term contract extensions this offseason, including Josh Allen, Khalil Shakir, Greg Rousseau, and Terrel Bernard. With CB1 taken care of, the Bills can now look to address other areas of the roster. "Once we got Benford done, I don't see us doing any deals anytime soon," Beane said. "We're gonna focus on the draft and getting our cap in order."
