Archives for August 25, 2006

‘The Bills are 0-2 in the preseason; opposing defenses have scored three touchdowns against them in two games. They’ll look to Willis McGahee in the running game and use Cleveland native and speedburner Lee Evans in the passing game to test the Browns’ injury-depleted cornerbacking crew. The Browns held Lions starting running back Kevin Jones to 7 yards on 6 carries last week.’

‘"It’s going to be a game time decision," said Jauron. "We’ll keep looking at it and talking about it. We’ll keep it open right up until game time and see how he feels and how we feel and go from there."’

‘Spikes then reiterated what he’s said throughout training camp: he doesn’t need a preseason game to prove he’s ready for the regular-season opener against New England on Sept. 10. The Bills, however, think otherwise. Coach Jauron suggested earlier this week it would be important to see Spikes play this preseason — however briefly — for him to get accustomed to game speed.’

‘Also of intrigue for the Bills on Saturday night will be the receiver situation, as five wideouts – Sam Aiken (5 receptions in the preseason), Jonathan Smith (3 receptions), Andre’ Davis (2 receptions), Martin Nance and Chris Denney (2 receptions) – are believed to be fighting for at most two backup jobs.’

‘And if he is not an opening day starter? “Even during the season there could be a change, so I’m going to prepare and I’m going to be ready,” he said.’

‘”The time here is so critical, particularly for a team that’s got a lot of question marks. So in a lot of ways, you kind of wish you had another month to get ready,” he said.’

‘On testing the starters versus Cleveland: It is (a test). We anticipate playing most of our starters, not all of them, but most of them through the first half and on into the second and they’ll come out and certainly start the third quarter. We’re looking forward to it from a lot of perspectives, performance wise and conditioning wise, we’ll get a sense of where they are. Though you work awfully hard in practice, it’s never like a game. It’ll be a good one.’

‘On Spikes and the coaches weighing the positive and negatives of him playing: There’s a little bit of both on both ends. Like I’ve said, I don’t need a preseason game to determine whether or not I’ll be ready for the season. I said it now, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.’

‘On playing the Browns this weekend: It’s a great feeling, growing up in Cleveland watching the browns growing up. Actually my DB coach at Ohio State is now coaching there, and I have talked to him. I’m looking forward to seeing him on Saturday so it’s going to be fun. I’m going to go out there and play hard, the Browns are going to go out there and play hard, and I hope we win.’

‘On Donte Whitner: He’s a work in progress. He’s making great strides as much as you can give him. Donte is working through his inexperience on game day, just a lack of playing time on Sunday. The more reps he’s getting, the better he’s getting and we’re seeing progress every day. He’s going to make me a better ball player and I’m going to make him a better ball player.’

‘On getting more snaps this week: I got a few more than I did last week, I’m 100% healthy now, and I think that has something to do with it. (Coach) has talked about me playing a little bit more this week, and getting a couple of extra reps so I can be prepared for that.’

‘On camp being over and where the team is at: I think we’ve gotten better from day one. We keep taking baby steps every day and at the end of the day it’s a big step. I’m confident with this group and everybody’s feeling really good about themselves right now.’

‘”The value [of training camp] is you’re away from all distractions and you’re together. You go through some hard times; you can’t just go home. This is your team, this is where you’re staying and you have to pull through it. In that aspect, it’s real good.”‘

‘But training camp is over, and a lot of things were revealed about the Bills over the past four weeks. Here’s a rundown…’.

‘”Our goal is to make our fans in Rochester feel like it’s not the Buffalo Bills but ‘our Bills,'” said Russ Brandon, executive vice president of business operations. “That was the foundation of our plan when we came here seven years ago.”‘