Archives for January 2007

‘”Clearly you don’t draft anybody that you don’t think is pretty good,” Jauron said. “I’m really encouraged by that group and where we think they’re going. It takes a while, sometimes a number of years, to see who developed and who was a good pick and who wasn’t. Our class has had to play quickly. A lot of them have had to go in there and play.”‘

‘With free agency and the draft (Buffalo has the 12th overall pick) headlining the NFL’s lengthy offseason, the Bills can take solace in the fact that plenty of positives will roll over from last season into next. No doubt, had the team not gone on its late-season run of relevance, few non-desperate unrestricted free agents would have wanted anything to do with Buffalo. Now, as long as owner Ralph Wilson is willing to go the extra mile and general manager Marv Levy continues going about each process correctly, the Bills could find themselves hosting plenty of big-time UFAs in an offseason that features plenty.’

‘But Fletcher-Baker’s words were a clear reminder that more personnel change is imminent. Even if the Bills were to ask him back and offer him a deal, Fletcher-Baker indicated he’d have to think hard about it.’

‘"It’s definitely going to be curious to see what’s out there," said Clements, who had a strong second half of the season, turning in several game-changing plays. "I’ve always said that this is where I’ve started my career and I’d love to be a Buffalo Bill, but we all understand that this is a business we’re in and right now, as I said earlier, I have to put my family first in whatever decision I make."’

‘WR Lee Evans on the season: “We’ve had our ups and downs, but we’ve been fairly consistent after the bye week. We’ve had a few losses but we’re moving in the right direction. I think as we … head into next year, we’ll start at a much higher platform than we did this year (and that will help).”‘

‘Crowell said Buffalo’s medical staff declared the injury “90 to 95 percent healed.” “They said I could do anything as long as there is no discomfort,” Crowell said. “So I can start my cardio. It’s nice to be pain free.”‘

‘They asked Bona for his favorite team. He said, “The Buffalo Bills, otherwise known as America’s Team.”‘

‘From a very funny training camp story in Willis McGahee’s rookie season to the quiet demeanor of Buffalo Bills head coach Dick Jauron, Bills players McGahee and Nate Clements gave local fans plenty of laughs and insight on Tuesday night during the taping of the Nate Clements Show in Lockport. It’s the first of two television programs in which Ghostline Productions out of Rochester will bring not only our beloved Buffalo Bills and Sabres into our living rooms, but to our Lockport front door steps as well.’

‘During his lengthy career of playing football in college and the NFL, Losman has been perceived as a cocky player. This past season, however, he proved otherwise, breaking through as a gritty, up-and-coming field general.’

‘”A lot of people told me that I couldn’t come back. And it was tough, man. I had no earthly idea how tough it was going to be,” he said. “Even though statistically I didn’t have what I wanted to have, the comeback was official. I finished the season.”‘

‘"Coach Saban is familiar with the college system and the way you can recruit and get the guys that you want to come play for you and buy into the system," said Royal "So I figured it would go in the direction it has."’

The Dolphins have two possible candidates on their current staff in Dom Capers and Mike Mularkey, who were the head coaches in Houston and Buffalo, respectively, in 2004 before joining Saban’s staff.

‘Although the Bills wound up 18th in the 32-team NFL in total defense and 28th against the run, Whitner and Simpson helped the team finish No. 7 versus the pass.’

‘On the flip side, as Fewell pointed out, there were some things the Bills didn’t do too well. “There are some key areas that we have to get better in,” he said. Fewell didn’t even hesitate when asked where the most improvement has to come from: run defense. The Bills ranked 28th in the league by allowing 140.9 yards per game and 4.7 per attempt.’

‘Show co-host, Dave Yates of Rochester, Clements, a Bills defensive back; and McGahee, the star running back, were greeted by more than 100 enthusiastic local Bills fans of all shapes and sizes at Attitudes. The taping began at 7 p.m. and lasted about an hour.’