Archives for May 4, 2008

‘"Yes, on paper," Fewell said during the Bills three-day rookie minicamp this weekend. "On paper, we’ve done some things to enhance the defense. Now, can we execute it when the pads go on? That’ll be the big thing."’

‘"We weren’t disappointed with the way anybody looked be it the invited free agents and certainly not our draft picks," said Jauron. "Now we just have to get them back as quickly as we can when they can officially come back and get them into our OTAs, our classroom and our offseason program. The quicker we can do that the better for us and for them."’

‘”It’s still a difficult adjustment for a corner because of the speed of the game and more coverages they’re doing,” said Tom Modrak, Bills vice president of college scouting. “However, they know in advance pretty much what the coverage is going to be and where they’re going. Whereas on the other side of the ball [at receiver], you may be adjusting on the move a little bit more. So there are just more variables in the receiver’s progress.”‘

‘So if they plan to reach the cap, as Wilson promises, they have a lot of work to do. For starters, they need to sign receiver Lee Evans to an extension. Evans can be a free agent after this season. Linebacker Angelo Crowell, too. Jason Peters signed a five-year extension last year, but his value soared when he made the Pro Bowl. He won’t be content to be the third-highest paid member of the offensive line for long.’

‘By October there could be five or six changes from the 2007 starting defensive lineup, maybe two or three areas where the starting lineup depends upon what defensive plan will be used against a specific opponent. Buffalo may have the depth and experienced talent to do that even earlier than Columbus Day.’

‘The event is expected to attract a number of star athletes and celebrities, including Hall of Fame Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly.’

‘His father wasn’t around to see any of that, but that shouldn’t be Bell’s problem. He’s a good kid — unselfish, level headed, hard working — who just wants to start his life after college. Hopefully, that will be a little easier now.’

‘Critics, though, view it as preferential treatment. Neither the Naval nor Air Force academies have a similar program, and their athletic directors believe it gives West Point an unfair advantage in recruiting athletes.’

‘Viti’s signing and the drafting of Army safety Caleb Campbell by the Detroit Lions has sparked a national debate this week about the merits of the program. The Army hopes the pair provide positive press. Instead of getting two good officers, the hope is 200 more become interested in military academies after learning about Campbell, Viti and those who follow them.’

‘”It’s hard to project on to the next level, but he’s a guy that we’re very pleased with,” coach Dick Jauron said, noting it’s difficult to overlook Omon’s ability to score, even if it might have been at the Division II program. “He’s scored a lot. He knows what it’s like to score. It’s not unusual for him. … And we’re going to find out if he can do it at this level because we need it.”‘