Archives for August 2006

‘”The situation here is great,” Williams said. “We are going to play a rotation, according to the coaches, and we want everybody to go out there and play as hard as you possibly can. It’s a great situation, a great team to be a part of, and I’m just going to go out there and do my best.”‘

‘The Bills could be left with two simple questions: Is Clements the cornerback he thinks he is? If not, who’s going to replace him?’

‘The Bills are offering Whitner more than the $12.1 million guaranteed money that linebacker Ernie Sims, the ninth pick, got from Detroit. But the Bills’ proposal apparently is not satisfactory to agent Jonathan Hurst, who has declined comment on the negotiations.’

‘”I learned from coach (Tony) Dungy that you have to put things in perspective,” Tripplett said Wednesday morning, sweat pouring down his face moments after the Bills’ practice at steamy St. John Fisher College was mercifully complete. “You have to know that the world is a whole lot bigger than just football.”‘

‘While the Bills claimed to be bargaining in good faith, it appears Whitner’s agent – who has declined comment – feels his client is being low-balled.’

‘”The question around here is ‘Why isn’t he in camp?’ But it’s a business,” Nixon said. “You don’t know how long you’re going to last in the NFL. You have to try and get as much as you can right away. He could come in and break his leg the first day of practice. You never know. For me, I was on top of the world playing, leading the NFL in interceptions when I got a knee injury and it was the beginning of the end of my career. You never know. You’ve got to be lucky out there, too.”‘

‘"I always play with a chip on my shoulder, but I just want to show people that given the opportuntity, I can make plays," says Price. "If I get the opportunity and don’t make plays, then its time to hang it up."’

‘Yet, despite what would seem to be a formidable challenge from third-year safety Rashad Baker, veteran Troy Vincent appears certain to start Sept. 10 when the Bills open at New England. “Troy’s got the most experience,” defensive backs coach George Catavolos said Monday. “The guy’s played for 15 years. He’s been a very productive player. He’s smart and he’s a good athlete. He’s our leader.”‘

‘"What happens, happens. I’ve waited my whole life to get this opportunity," said Barth, a 6-foot-3, 275-pound tight end and three-time Empire 8 All-Conference selection at Utica. "I’ll do the best I can do. If I don’t make it? Hey, it was an honor regardless."’

‘If Losman ends up winning the top job in Buffalo, it won’t be arm strength and mobility, but demeanor that will be the most important factor. He’ll have to ditch his happy-footed game of last season to take the job from Holcomb, who was the Bills’ primary quarterback in the second half of ’05.’

‘"You know this is one of those days where you have to grind and push through. We had a decent practice," said Evans. "You know, it’s good to get out here and get acclimated to stuff like this because we have that second game down in Miami and this is what it’s going to be like."’

‘It was hot, and it was pretty good. It was a little bit sloppy, I told them after practice that it tends to get sloppy early, particularly as the weather gets hotter, and we need to work through it. We did a lot of good things and some bad things. We put the ball on the ground too much, jumping offside, things that happen when you get hot and tired. It was a good day of practice and we’ll move forward.’

‘The Bills’ last offer to the player included $12.9 million guaranteed on a five-year deal, while Whitner is seeking closer to $14 million, a person familiar with the negotiations told The AP. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because talks are ongoing.’

‘"He calls me every night to see what we have installed," said Bills third round pick Ashton Youboty. "He asked me what we’ve done and what we’ve been missing and I just tell him."’

‘Levy said he finally had a chance to speak with Whitner, who is working out at Ohio State, his alma mater. Levy said no deal was imminent but the Bills and Whitner’s agent were expected to talk again today. The two sides are believed to be several million dollars apart in guaranteed money over the length of the proposed contract.’