Archives for August 28, 2008

‘”If you make plays, you may not be good enough to play for the team you’re on, just because of their depth at certain positions,” said Jauron. “But if you make enough plays and you’re good enough to play in the league, people will find you.”‘

‘Evans’ ability to handle prompt throws is going to be an even more indispensable skill with a wobbly tight end group now enduring severe injury tremors. Rookie Derek Fine’s busted thumb and ensuing surgery is apparently going to relegate him to the sidelines for some time, meaning a thin tight end platoon is now threadbare; in the meantime, even the team’s most prestigious catcher will have to pitch in on outlets.’

‘”I’m going to have to wait and see,” Edwards said. “I really haven’t been told anything as of right now. I’m going to take it and see how it goes. I’m trying to get better. I’m trying to get healthy. I’m very concerned about our game a week from Sunday, and that’s all I’m worried about.”‘

‘”You look at it as a huge opportunity, but you can’t be overwhelmed by it,” Dickinson said. “It’s a chance to find a home and hopefully last somewhere.”‘

‘It would seem to make sense that Edwards play at least a half in this game so that he can get some rhythm going with the offense, but Jauron appeared to be leaning toward not playing Edwards, or perhaps using him only sparingly to avoid risking further injury.’

‘”After a luke-warm reception for the pre-season game … no expanded (Bills) coverage (this year),” said Toronto Sun sports editor Dave Fuller. “(It’s) status quo, just like last year. The Argos are going to get a bigger billing (than the Bills).”‘

‘The presence of the 6-foot-5 Hardy as a red-zone weapon and the promise of more creative play calling by Schonert, who doesn’t have big shoes to fill for the departed Steve Fairchild, is reason for rampant optimism because on a paper the Bills boast some strong young talent in Edwards, Marshawn Lynch and Lee Evans. “There’s a real buzz around the team,” Evans said. “We feel we have what it takes to make it to the playoffs now. Now we’ve got to go and prove it. We came through a lot last year and that gives everyone that buzz.”‘

‘FS John Wendling – The Bills spent a sixth-round pick last season on the former University of Wyoming athletic freak and it’s paying dividends. Wendling, who has a great feel for the game, complementing his jumping ability, led the team in special teams coverage tackles with 24 as a rookie. He continued to show off that valuable head-hunting skill all during the preseason and intercepted a pass in a preseason game victory over Indianapolis. While still green, he continues to give the coaches reasons to put him on the field in more and more situations.’

‘One player who really needed a good game in the preseason to help his confidence was DE Chris Kelsay. He registered a sack, two quarterback hits and three tackles against the Colts. Last year, after signing a four-year, $23 million contract, Kelsay went out and registered just 2.5 sacks. What wasn’t published all that much was that he was playing virtually on one ankle. He had no explosiveness and eventually popped the tendon, requiring surgery in the off-season. “The big contract didn’t change anything,” said Kelsay when asked if he felt pressure to perform after getting a big raise. “It’s not like you give a guy a ton of money and all of sudden he’s going to have 15 sacks. They realize that and they know what they’re going to get out of me every snap.”‘

‘”I had a guy come up from NFL Madden, and he told me I was their lowest-rated player,” Bell said this week. “And I was like, `That’s nothing to me.’ It makes me feel even better because this time next year, I want to see what my rating is.”‘

‘The Buffalo Bills and USA Football, the sport’s national governing body on youth and amateur levels, will host 2,500 youth football players from the Western New York Amateur Football Alliance, Pop Warner of Western New York, and the Buffalo Bills/NFL Junior Player Development Program on August 28th to celebrate the “Play Football … it’s more than a game” campaign.’