Archives for August 30, 2006

‘"Some of them are up for grabs and really tight," said Jauron. "They’ve made it tight by competing hard."’

‘A 10-year veteran, Holcomb started eight games last year for the Bills. The former Cleveland Browns starter has three years remaining on a $6.6 million contract that came with a $2 million bonus.’

‘"We could have waited until after this game," Jauron said. "We kind of agreed on it. We felt pretty much the same way. It was fairly clear to see. We wondered why there was any reason not to say it if we all thought it. Get him used to it and get the team used to hearing it."’

‘Thursday night’s game in Detroit might confirm previous suspicions about personnel, but for the most part Bills coach Dick Jauron and his assistants already have formed their opinions. There’s no ignoring the fact Wilson has caught virtually every pass thrown his way this summer. All he can do now is play one more game and wait.’

‘Bills coach Dick Jauron said yesterday he wants to give plenty of playing time to free agent quarterback Craig Nall, who is looking to unseat incumbent Kelly Holcomb as the second stringer.’

‘It’s been 10 years since Kelly played his final game at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Since then, the Bills are 66-78, a decade-long identity crisis that’s most pronounced at the three most important roles in any franchise – quarterback, head coach and general manager. This is no time for a book-length narrative, so we’ll focus today on quarterback, where the Bills have tried to replace Kelly with (sing along with me now) Todd Collins, Alex Van Pelt, Doug Flutie, Rob Johnson, Drew Bledsoe, Kelly Holcomb, and, now, Losman, each with about as much success as a National Fuel Gas meter reader has getting someone to buy him a cup of coffee these days.’

‘”I may be dumb but I’m not stupid,” said Nall after Jauron broke the news to all three quarterbacks. “He’s been getting most of the reps so I understand. I’ve been expecting this to happen.”‘

‘Tuesday’s announcement was the only one that made sense, the only one that gives the Bills a chance to see what they have at the most important position on the field.’

‘Salverio Rocca, a star kicker with the Kangaroos of the Australian Football League, has his sights set on America, and in particular, the Buffalo Bills.’

‘The Bills, who are expected to struggle badly, are 0-3 in pre-season play heading into the exhibition finale tomorrow in Detroit against the Lions. Buffalo opens the season with tough road games against the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins. If the Bills plan to do anything other than lose, Losman will have to continue to make positive strides.’

‘The move was a foregone conclusion and Losman had a reasonably good summer.’

‘For Buffalo, one thing’s for sure: The new Ryan Denney is miles ahead of the guy who averaged less than three sacks per year for his opening four pro seasons.’

‘But Losman has impressed the new coaching staff with his mobility and arm strength in the preseason. "I was able to do it this year and be the guy right now as far as Week One is concerned," Losman said. "But it’s not time to get comfortable or to slack off. It’s time to really get going."’

‘Even so, seven cornerbacks remain on the roster, and an equal number of safeties, with only 10 or 11 to survive. And the most interesting player in that mix is rookie, third-round draft choice Ashton Youboty, who has missed numerous practices due to injury and the death of his mother. He’s looked good in limited action and the Bills know if they cut him, he’ll be snapped up immediately.’