PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- Waking up in his dorm room hours before the Buffalo Bills opened training camp at St. John Fisher College, quarterback Tyrod Taylor allowed himself one brief moment to reflect back on how far hes come.A year ago, Taylor was a relative unknown in the NFL and his role uncertain on a team that thrust him in the mix of a three-way competition for the starting job. On Saturday morning, the Bills opened camp with Taylor taking the first snap under center as the teams unquestioned starter.A year went by so fast, Taylor said, recalling his thoughts upon getting out of bed.Everything up to this point has been a learning experience and Ive tried to use that to better myself as a quarterback and as a person. So Im thankful for the experience last year, he added. But thats behind me now. I cant dwell on it.Though he secured the job after a promising 8-6 record as a first-time starter last season, Taylor appreciates his work is far from done.First, theres doing his part in delivering on the growing expectations following a season in which he established himself as a dynamic dual threat with his strong arm and scrambling ability. Taylor threw 20 touchdown passes, 14 going 20 yards or longer. He set the franchise record for quarterbacks with 568 yards rushing and scored four times, including a 22-yarder.The Bills have a role to play in Taylors future, as well.Theres no guarantee hell be back in Buffalo next season because hes entering the final year of his contract. Though the two sides have held negotiations, the Bills have so far balked at making a lucrative long-term commitment to a player with a short resume -- encouraging as it might be.Its considered a calculated gamble by the Bills, who have had a revolving door at quarterback since Hall of Famer Jim Kelly retired after the 1996 season. Even if a deal isnt completed, Buffalo can retain Taylors rights by designating him their franchise player.Taylor insists his contract status is not a distraction, and says hes solely focused on football.Im out here to help the Bills as an organization win football games and help bring this community what its been waiting for for years now, Taylor said. Thats where my focus is. Thats where the teams focus is. The contract situation will handle itself.Buffalo signed Taylor in free agency after he spent his first four NFL seasons backing up Joe Flacco in Baltimore. He eventually beat out former starter EJ Manuel and veteran free-agent addition Matt Cassel two weeks before the season opener.Taylor has started to become the face of the franchise, which is reflected on the outside wall of the Bills store leading out to training camp. Wearing a team cap, Taylor is the only player pictured. On the opposite wall, Taylor is pictured in action alongside running back LeSean McCoy, defensive tackle Marcell Dareus and receiver Sammy Watkins.Taylor is even beginning to attract national attention. He was featured in a car companys commercial. He also earned mention on the HBO football-based series Ballers, in which a players agent informs his client, a receiver, that Taylor could be the franchise quarterback (the Bills) have been waiting for.After spending much of last offseason splitting practice time, Taylor began this year enjoying the benefits of working with the starters, and being familiar with the playbook. Hes also focused on establishing himself as a leader.Receiver Robert Woods noticed Taylor has become more assertive during practice and in the huddle.You always hear his voice, Woods said. Hes calling us out, wanting to make plays, pulling us to the side how he wants our routes.Taylor said he became more comfortable taking on a leadership role once he established himself as the starter last year.Theres nothing that people just give to you. You have to go out and earn respect, Taylor said. And of course, leadership comes from the quarterback position. I welcome that role and am looking forward to leading these guys.Game notes The Bills signed DT Casey Walker and cut DE Cedric Reed. Walker has two years of NFL experience and played two games with Dallas last season after splitting the 2014 season between New England and Baltimore. Overall, he has one sack in eight career games. ... 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The NRL career of Gold Coast star Greg Bird is under a cloud after revelations he is being investigated over an alleged drunken incident at a Brunswick Heads pub.The Nine Network reported on Tuesday evening that Bird was refused entry at Hotel Brunswick last weekend and had an altercation with security staff.The Titans have confirmed the governing body has begun looking into the incident, which is believed to have occurred during Titans winger Anthony Dons bucks party.The club is aware of an investigation currently underway by the NRL integrity unit regarding an alleged incident at a hotel in northern NSW last weekend, the Titans said in a statement.At this stage, those investigations are yet to be completed so the club is not in a position to comment further until the outcome has been determined.The NRL said the Titans would decidee on a course of action for their player.ddddddddddddIntegrity unit investigators will prepare a report on the incident and provide it to the Gold Coast Titans, who will determine what, if any, actions is required, a NRL spokesperson told AAP.The latest drama could be another strike on a long list of off-field indiscretions involving Bird, which includes being stripped of the Titans captaincy in 2014 for urinating beside an unmarked police car.He was also one of seven Gold Coast players charged with, but later acquitted of, possession and supply of cocaine early in 2015.Bird, 31, is contracted to the Titans until the end of 2017 however has been linked with moves in the off-season to Newcastle and Manly. 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