Archives for July 2006

‘I feel blessed to be a part of this team. We are acquiring more and more men with strong character, who truly love to play this game. It’s tough to put a group of guys together who understand the value of chemistry and camaraderie, and to have our general manager, Marv Levy, making efforts to bring in men with character and substance is a blessing. We will benefit greatly from the changes being made within our organization and I’m thankful to have the opportunity to be a part of it.’

‘Tickets are free, but there are a limited number of seats available for each session. All practice sessions are held at Saint John Fisher College.’

‘”Our safeties are a good group,” he said. “And every last one of us has a good chance to play.”‘

‘For the 2006 season, Clements, McGee, Whitner and 35-year-old free safety Troy Vincent are expected to hold the fort down. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills’ trio of youngsters will learn and play sparingly. Soon enough, they’ll be ready to make impacts, while Clements finds that his true land of opportunity is elsewhere.’

‘One of the theories as to why Bills tickets are selling well has to do with the success of the Sabres. A year ago many hockey experts predicted the Sabres wouldn’t do very well. The Sabres proved them wrong by going deep into the playoffs. So now many people are perhaps hoping the Bills can do the same thing.’

‘The bottom line is Jauron and his staff has made the backup job one that will be hotly contested. Thomas is likely the favorite going in because he is proven and his best seasons took place right in front of Jauron’s eyes. But Buffalo’s head coach is known for being open-minded so everyone will have an opportunity to impress.’

‘”They should know better than to underestimate a man who took over a Bills team that had won a total of eight games from 1984 to ’86 and turned it into a team that reached five AFC title games, winning four conference crowns.”‘

‘A two-year starter at Oregon State, Ellison finished second on the team with 99 tackles in 2005. He began his college career as a safety at San Diego State and transferred to El Camino (Calif.) Junior College for his sophomore year before joining the Beavers.’

‘Despite missing the playoffs for six consecutive seasons, the Bills continue to be a hot ticket. The team has sold out 23 of its last 24 home games, and last year every game sold out in time to beat the local TV blackout. It was only the fourth time in the team’s history that had occurred since the NFL put the rule into effect in 1973.’

‘Because Posey isn’t the kind of playmaker the Bills need to complete a great triumvirate at linebacker, the door should be opened for Crowell.’

‘Several members of the Pats’ faithful, with whom I’ve become friends over the years, offered me the same thought last week. They couldn’t wait for 9 a.m. this past Saturday. That’s when they were going to go on the Buffalo Bills’ web site and try to buy tickets for the Pats’ game, Oct. 22, at “The Ralph.”‘

‘The Bills Monday announced that only single seats remain for Bills home dates against the NY Jets (9/24), Minnesota Vikings (10/1), New England Patriots (10/22) and Green Bay Packers (11/5) after the team opened its sale of individual game tickets over the weekend.’

‘The Buffalo Bills have signed their second rookie from their 2006 Draft class.’

‘Ellison, a two-year starter at Oregon State, finished second on the team with 99 tackles in 2005. He was also an All-Pac 10 Conference first-team choice.’

‘"I missed a lot of work at all those OTAs so it was important to get my contract done," said Ellison. "I need to be at training camp on time."’