Archives for April 10, 2006

‘No matter what the NFL owners eventually do, and I think there will be a compromise eventually struck to help the smaller market teams like Buffalo, Cincinnati, Jacksonville, New Orleans, Green Bay, Kansas City and a few others, and I also think Ralph Wilson will do whatever it takes to keep his team in Buffalo long after he can no longer own it.’

‘Schumer said that he will call Tagliabue first thing Monday morning. In addition Schumer stated that he will be in touch with senators from other states with small market teams and will also lobby support from high profile Bills fans such as Tim Russert and former Bills quarterback Jack Kemp.’

‘But when Wilson was asked if he’d received any support from other small market team owners he said, “to answer your question, No. I’m the only one.”‘

‘”You move the Bills, the fan base isn’t gonna follow. They’re gonna stay here. They’ll pick up something new. They’ll pick up the Red Wings or the Rhinos and they’ll start supporting them. They’re not gonna follow the Bills if they leave Buffalo that’s the bottom line.”‘

‘Coach Dick Jauron said Sunday he hopes Everett will be ready to participate in the next minicamp early next month. "Yeah, he was disappointed. We were disappointed," Jauron said after practice. "But as soon as he heals, he’ll be back out working."’

‘”Ralph [Wilson] could have left Buffalo a long time ago,” said Schumer. “He’s committed to Buffalo as am I and we’re committed to not only keeping the Bills in Buffalo, but making the team as strong of a team as possible,” added the senator.’

‘"The next new owner couldn’t keep the team here," Wilson told The Associated Press after the press conference with Schumer. "It could not be fair. It’s not a fair proposal. … They’re changing things on me."’

‘Schumer said he will call NFL Commissioner Tagliabue to express his concerns over what Wilson projects to be a detrimental impact on small-market teams like Buffalo. Schumer reminded the gathered reporters that he sits on the powerful Senate finance and judiciary committees, which he said have jurisdiction over some NFL interests.’