Archives for April 2006

‘So Thursday, Senator Schumer is expected to meet with NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue in Washington to discuss concerns about the Bills financial future. Buffalo native and television newsman Tim Russert is also expected to attend this meeting.’

‘Although there is a salary cap (a record $102 million this year), teams usually spend many millions above it – cash out of pocket in bonuses – to sign players. Forbes magazine projects revenue of more than $180 million per NFL team in 2006, but the Bills say all of their operating costs will exceed their own undisclosed revenue. Not everybody is convinced.’

‘Without question, there is a lot of offensive guard talent early on in the upcoming draft, so the Bills don’t have any excuses for not getting one. Veteran Bennie Anderson is still penciled in as the Bills’ starter, but look for him to be released during the summer months. Preston might be able to step in, but the Bills haven’t at all given him a vote of confidence. Their three best bets are Joseph, Lutui and Spencer. Whether or not they nab one of them will be found out in just nine days. If not, Reyes could be the answer.’

‘That combine experience led to him being signed with the San Diego Chargers in 2005, and then to the Buffalo Bills, where he has had the chance to show them what type of player he can be by showcasing his skills in the NFL Europe League.’

‘In addition offensive tackle Jason Peters, who originally signed as an undrafted tight end, made the practice squad that year. Peters, who is expected to be one of the team’s starting tackles in 2006, has heard the political games that coaching staffs around the league can play. “Most of the time in the league with a draft pick it’s given to them,” said Peters. “He can make a couple of mistakes and its okay because the staff just says, ‘He’ll develop.’ But if a free agent does the same thing they’ll be saying, ‘We’re going to get rid of him.’ You get a look here.”‘

‘The Erie County Legislature, in its next meeting, is expected to support Buffalo Bills owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr. in pressing for a change to the National Football League’s collective bargaining agreement.’

‘Congratulations to the Buffalo Sabres on their 52 win, 110 point season! They have captured the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs and will be hosting the Philadelphia Flyers in Round 1. Make sure you keep up to date on their quest for the Stanley cup at The Sabres Report and discuss the games on the message boards!’

‘Defensive Tackle Haloti Ngata spent the day in Orchard Park, meeting with Bills coaches and scouts. He’s considered one of the top defensive linemen availabie in the draft. Ngata–six-four, 337-pounds–is a junior leaving the University of Oregon early to enter the draft. The Bills have the eighth pick in the first round on April 29th.’

‘Raise Bills ticket prices, invest those dollars in the team, get the team to the playoffs and watch everyone line up to buy future season tickets. Markets work; Bills owner Ralph Wilson should let them.’

‘Back to Weld. If Wilson tries to take Weld’s suddenly beloved Bills out of Buffalo, he and they are going to have to get past Bill Weld the one-man steel curtain.’

‘With the draft just 10 days away, the Bills have plenty of decisions to make, but if Ngata is available when they pick, it should be a no-brainer.’

‘The Oregon defensive tackle did visit with the coaching staff and front office people today but, Ngata may not be a good fit with the club’s new defensive scheme.’

‘"By the time we get out of these minicamps there shouldn’t be any question about protections, lining up, what will get us in and out of running plays, reads in the passing game, what we’re looking to attack and what will scare us away from a play," said Van Pelt. "That should all be understood by the summer."’

‘Russert said he will take part in the meeting "as a son of Buffalo, not as a journalist."’

‘Thomas underwent surgery to repair a broken bone in his right knee last spring, then aggravated the injury before training camp. He was forced to have surgery a second time last September, and was never activated after beginning the year on the physically unable to perform list.’