Archives for August 6, 2006

‘"I’m excited because I get to come back to the true form of a tight end. That’s all I’ve wanted to do since I’ve been in the league," Royal said following a recent practice at St. John Fisher College. "I don’t mind doing whatever it takes. If I have to go out there and block all day for Willis [McGahee], whatever it takes to get this team in the right direction, I’m all for it. But it’s always a great thrill for a tight end to go out and catch a ball."’

‘"We’re going to go back to Buffalo and have some barbecue – eat some food we don’t normally get to eat at camp," – Bills tight end Robert Royal on his plans for the team’s day off today.’

‘The full value of Whitner’s deal was not available but it’s believed to be worth in excess of $13 million in guaranteed money. It will be the second-richest rookie contract in Bills history, behind only the blockbuster contract given to tackle Mike Williams, the fourth overall pick in 2002.’

‘”When you ask me about my success on the field I’m going to tell you where my success comes from – it comes from Jesus Christ and his grace and his mercy,” Fletcher added. “It’s just me taking advantage of the opportunities he’s given me.”‘

‘”I feel I’m behind a little bit, but I’ll be meeting with my position coach today and tomorrow and learning the things (I’ve missed),” Whitner said Saturday after signing a multi-year contract to end an eight-day holdout. “I’ll come out Monday ready to go.”‘

‘”If they’re smart, they know it’s another opportunity for them to show what they have,” coach Dick Jauron said of the first full-speed contact activity of camp. “Let’s face it: Time is limited. They’re not on scholarship any more, they have to show something real fast that we can hang our hats on in a personnel meeting.”‘

‘His hometown friends have paid him training camp visits pretty much since he started coaching 21 years ago as a defensive assistant with the Bills. And when they gather for lunch with him, as they did a couple of times last week at Fisher, the talk invariably turns to Swampscott.’

‘He’ll make $12 million more than the rookie taken one pick after him (Ernie Sims of Detroit) and nearly $4 million more than the player selected two spots before him (Vernon Davis of San Francisco).’

‘”He’s kind of green,” he said. “Like all rookies, he’s a project, but he’s got some tools. … He should be a pretty good prospect.”‘

‘Price intended to sign with Miami in 2005 until he received a phone call from his former Buffalo quarterback, Drew Bledsoe, who was now in Dallas. "Drew said, ‘C’mon in, we need you. Once Bill [Parcells] sees your talent, he’s got to find somewhere to play you,’ " Price said. "But it wasn’t like that. It was like I was a rookie all over again with [Parcells]. I had to prove myself and fight for everything." Parcells cut Price in November after he caught a career-low six passes. Now Price is back in Buffalo running with the first-team offense, trying to resurrect his career. "I’ve come back down to earth a little bit," Price conceded. "Things have started working out for me here."’