Archives for April 2008

‘If cornerback or some other position is the choice, rather than their major needs, they would have to get lucky with a big wide receiver in Round Two and luckier yet with a helpful tight end in Round Three or Four considering the supposed thin outlook with that group.’

‘7-9 (11-5).’

‘The following is a look at four positions the Bills may address at some point early in the draft.’

‘If Ralph Wilson Jr. had any idea of the importance and significance of the Buffalo/Miami rivalry, he’d fight for the fans that love it so much and work the league over. Instead he’s marketing his asset to the potential suitors north of the border.’

‘Many questioned Brandon’s promotion, based only on his lack of a tradtional football background. Next Saturday – Brandon gets another chance to answer.’

‘Round Three: What have I done so far? I have gotten my corner (Sheppard) I have gotten my WR (Hardy) This pick defends on what I selected 19th in round one. Did I get a DE? Did I go with a TE? My guess is they went defense. so with my third pick I am getting a Tight End. I Like John Carlson of Notre Dame who has slipped in some mock drafts. I worry a bit about his speed. But did anyone ever put a stop watch on Pete Metzelaars?

‘Everyone on the outside can surmise, but the Bills are the only ones who can approximately determine Kelly’s true nature; if they can validate that his remarks were those of a candid player who finds underachieving infuriating, then he could be a worthwhile pick, especially if he falls as others fear drafting him.’

‘”If you see what we’ve done the last few years in the draft, we’ve had plenty of guys come in and contribute early,” Brandon says. “You saw what happened with the Giants last year, going on to the Super Bowl championship with eight draft picks that contributed. It’s a day and age in pro football where kids need to come in and play young, and we’re hoping to have the success we’ve had over the last few years.”‘

‘Earlier this week during an afternoon sports talk show on The Fan 590-AM in Toronto, a number of Canadian callers were lamenting the fact this National Football League rivalry would be played in the Rogers Center on Dec. 7. “It will resemble a Leafs’ game,” said one caller, noting the potential high cost of the tickets will allow the corporations, not football fans, to buy the seats. “There won’t be any tail-gating,” another caller mentioned, noting the lack of parking near the facility once known as SkyDome.’

‘Defensive end Chris Kelsay echoed his coach’s views. Buffalo has won seven of its last eight games against Miami and this year’s game could have playoff implications for the Bills and they better be focused on the game, not where it’s played, he said. “We don’t care who our opponent is,” Kelsay said. “We’re going up there with the intentions to win – be it a home game or an away game – whatever it may be.”‘

‘Furthermore, with just nine starts to his credit, Edwards has a lot yet to prove. If given one more chance, perhaps Losman finally fulfills the potential Buffalo saw in him when they made him the 22nd overall pick in 2004. And his presence will push Edwards. Stay tuned.’

‘With the retirement of Marv Levy as GM, former marketing head Russ Brandon has assumed the role of chief operating officer. Even though he has no experience in scouting, Brandon has been in Buffalo’s draft room for 11 years and this off-season was more involved at the scouting combine and some key player pro days. “It’s been absolutely seamless from the standpoint of how we go about our approach,” Brandon said of the draft process. “We have many voices in the room. We have debates in the room. There’s a lot of layering into the overall process and how we go about presenting the board internally. We are in that draft room right now. Fortunately, I’ve been involved in the draft process for the last decade. I’m very comfortable with how we go about our business, and I’m extremely comfortable with the man to my left (Tom Modrak.)”‘

‘Buffalo’s choice in the first round is No. 11 and Modrak emphasized, “When you’re picking at 11, there’s going to be enough guys come off the board that’s going to keep you guessing … where it’s not a slam dunk where you’re going. But there is consideration of what you can pick up (the next round) so you try to look at it not just isolated, but what’s better for us now and better for us in a little while.”‘

‘"I’m back to lifting and rehabbing. I’ve built it up slowly and I’m benching now. I’m up to 275 on the bench. Those first three or four weeks back I was weak as heck. I couldn’t even lift 135 so that was a big change for me."’