Archives for April 2006

‘"I guess like myself he’s come full circle in his career, McGee said. "When I told him what I was trying to do he kind of chuckled because I don’t think he took me that seriously. Things heated up last week to where we got to the point where we got a deal done. He’s very excited about coming back to Buffalo. He’s a young talented player with a lot more to give."’

‘”I spoke with Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and emphasized the importance of keeping the Bills in Buffalo and protecting small-market teams. He said he wants to do both of those things,” said Schumer, D-N.Y.’

‘The move fits a pattern the Bills have established this off-season: Signing low-profile players under the age of 30 whose careers they feel are ready to take off or they feel can benefit from a change of scenery. Or in Price’s case, the same scenery.’

‘On whether he can get more out of Losman: “J.P. has some talent. Obviously, he was a first-round pick and he showed arm strength and all sorts of good things, but that’s just a little piece of being a good quarterback. Putting it together and producing on the field, all the arm strength and athletic ability in the world doesn’t guarantee that you’ll produce as a quarterback. But there are a lot of tools that look good, a lot of positive things. Maybe a fresh start will be good for him.”‘

‘The league’s reputation was built in places like Green Bay and Buffalo. Those connections must not be broken.’

‘Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown says he will offer his assistance to the Bills anyway he can. Brown does not want to see the team go, but did say Buffalo would survive if the team picked up and left.’

‘However, Price was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in 2003 after making exorbitant salary demands. In two seasons with Atlanta, Price managed 109 catches for 1,413 yards and six touchdowns before being released for salary-cap purposes. Price signed with the Dallas Cowboys last season and caught just six passes for 96 yards in seven games before being released again.’

Moulds set to help Texans struggling offense (AP)

Welcome party (HoustonTexans.com)

‘Sam Hoyt (D-State Assembly) said, "I think that economically, the Bills do make an impact. They do have a great impact. They bring in lots of money from Southern Ontario. They bring in money from border states and obviously with players salaries and much much more. They have a very serious impact, a very positive economic impact."’

‘Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said, "If we are going to be able to preserve small-market teams like our beloved Bills here in buffalo, [then] something needs to be done in terms of the collective bargaining agreement."’

‘”It’s a lot more responsibility, a lot more accountability being thrown your way so you got to be able to handle it,” Evans explained during the Bills recently completed mini-camp. “You got to be able to handle things on and off the field. Teammates come to look at you as more of a leader so you got to be able to handle a lot of those things and still work hard and make plays.”‘

‘Senator Schumer says he believes other lawmakers would join in the fight because "the financial ramifications of this arrangement was not clear at the time people voted. In other words, it’s very complicated and they voted very quickly. And I think when the smaller market teams start looking at the actual financial impact, they’re going to get upset," said Schumer.’

‘The freshman congressman sits in the House Government Reform Committee, which last year held high-profile hearings on steroid use in professional baseball. Higgins said he would ask the committee to hold a hearing on the impact of the NFL’s new deal on smaller teams like Buffalo and the Jacksonville Jaguars.’

‘Price’s agent, Tim McGee, said Moulds’ departure led him to contact the Bills last week, believing the team could use an established receiver and his client could regain his spark in a familiar environment. "Very seldom do you see all the things fall in place in this business, but I thought it was one of those situations where it was a no-brainer," said McGee. "When I called him and told him what I wanted to do, he probably thought that I was a little crazy. … But I thought it was a win-win situation."’

‘In 103 games, including 83 starts, Price has 347 receptions for 4,811 yards and 28 touchdowns. However, last season with the Cowboys he was limited to seven games, only one start, and managed only six receptions for 96 yards.’