Archives for March 2008

‘Maybe it’s the ideal situation after all for Buffalo: Two quarterbacks — one promising young starter and a backup with something to prove.’

‘Stamer played in 70 games in five seasons in Buffalo. Last year, he played in all 16 games and ranked second on the team with 15 special teams tackles.’

‘"It feels good to be out here actually doing some football work," said Simpson. "I’ve been rehabbing and that went well, so I’m ready to be back out here."’

‘Jefferson, who had been a restricted free agent, completed his third season with Buffalo, registering 20 tackles while appearing in a career-high 11 games. The Bills also re-signed cornerback Dustin Fox and receiver Scott Mayle, who were both exclusive-rights free agents and spent time on Buffalo’s practice squad last season.’

‘Bills restricted free agent Jason Jefferson is officially under contract after signing his one-year tender offer from the club Tuesday. Up until that time Jefferson could have entertained offers from other clubs while Buffalo had the right of first refusal.’

‘Why shift Whitner closer to center field? Giving him the chance to rove is appealing and could lead to him doling out bigger collisions, but the tradeoff is that, with more room to range, he’ll also start off farther away. It would be best to let a player with Whitner’s nose for action and direction keep on creeping up to the snap, at least as much as this defense permits. Stick with what works, namely by leaving Whitner alone so he can traumatize offenses in the same way he has in his first seasons.’

‘”This is a must year,” said safety Donte Whitner. “If you go back and watch the past two seasons, we had a lot of close football games. Everybody was talking about this being a young team. My third year being here, we’re not a young team anymore. . . . With the new acquisitions that we have and new guys coming in, guys that have experience, guys that have been drafted high, this is the year to make the playoffs. We’re not shooting for anything less than the playoffs and a great playoff push.”‘

‘Linebacker Paul Posluszny on the defense’s comfort level: "I think with the new guys we brought in, this being the third year our coaches have been in this system, everyone is more comfortable, everything will be more fluid, when we’re on the field we’ll know a lot more and I think with the new talent that we have our defense is going to be a lot better. We’ve got great playmakers now, we’re going to more comfortable with our scheme so I think everything will be better off."’

‘”Sitting at home in January, watching the playoffs, watching these quarterbacks lead their teams, kind of motivated me a little bit more,” Edwards said Tuesday. “I’m feeling good. I’m ready to go.”‘

‘"The philosophy is basically two-fold," said Bills strength and conditioning coordinator John Allaire. "Number one, enhance their performance whatever that may be based on their position. Number two is keeping them healthy."’

‘James, 28, has played in 68 NFL games with the Eagles and New York Giants and has tallied six career interceptions but has struggled with chronic back problems.’

‘"It’s a good opportunity and it’s a good fit," said James. "I like where the whole organization is headed."’

‘If you want to compete in a division that includes defending AFC champion and three-time Super Bowl winner New England, risks are sometimes necessary.’

‘”Being a UB alumnus, I would like to end my career where I started it,” McNally said.’

‘For the first time in the history of both the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Buffalo Bills, the two teams are close to a joint marketing partnership to strengthen each other’s grasp in their respective markets.’