The Facts: New HC Sean McDermott spoke on the phone with Taylor Thursday and met with the quarterback for a few minutes before his introductory press conference Friday at One Bills Drive. "Fine young man," McDermott said. "I remember going against Tyrod a little bit in the preseason, I've watched him in crossover tape, so I know the skill set, I know what he brings to the table." But the compliments ended there.

Diehards Line: McDermott offered no commitment to Taylor as a franchise quarterback in his first comments ahead of Taylor's impending contract decision this offseason. "When you look at quarterback play in this league, it’s critical," McDermott said. "Really at this point, whether it’s Tyrod’s situation or any other position, let’s not get ahead of ourselves right now in terms of those positions. ..." Taylor had hernia surgery after the season and has been rehabbing at the Bills' facility. His contract option would pay him $27.5 million next season with a cap hit of about $16 million, which would rank in the lower half of the league for quarterbacks. McDermott said it was "premature to expand any further" on his evaluation of Taylor. ... It's a situation we'll continue to watch closely in coming weeks.