Archives for August 2008

‘The Bills, playing their preseason opener, did not fare as well with starter Trent Edwards, who was 1-for-5 for 18 yards. Buffalo’s offense opened the game at Washington’s 30 after a fumbled kickoff, but Edwards’ throw on third and 5 at the 8 sailed mysteriously into an area where no receiver was to be found because second-round draft pick James Hardy had lined up in the wrong spot. The Bills had to settle for a field goal.’

‘J.P. Losman threw for 73 yards and one score on seven-of-nine passing for the Bills, who host Pittsburgh on Thursday. James Hardy’s lone reception resulted in a TD and Rian Lindell made two-of-three field-goal attempts for Buffalo.’

‘In my experience trying out these kid activities, I learned that I should probably stick to writing and leave the football to the Buffalo Bills, who I saw practicing on my way out. Despite the humbling experience kicking, I still – and will always – be mad at Norwood.’

‘Crowell told the kids that being able to read and have an education was an important part of being a football player in the NFL. He described the large playbook that he has to read and understand for his position on the team. "Without an education, I never would have gotten this far," stated Crowell. "I went to the University of Virginia and worked hard at school and was fortunate to get my education and play ball."’

‘"We’ll get through some different looks, just in terms of some different formations and shifts that you didn’t see last year," said Edwards. "We might mix in some things that you won’t see a lot of. We’ll be able to see more on Saturday, once we get it going."’

‘"There will be no tolerance for unofficial tailgating," warns Toronto Police Superintendent Hugh Ferguson, who heads the 52 Division responsible for patrolling around the Rogers Centre.’

‘”I’m interested to see how everything is going to work out for us,” left guard Derrick Dockery said. “The offense has been working extremely hard, implementing the plan that Turk has given us. So we’re excited to go out and see how far we’ve come. We know [the Redskins] have a tough defense with a lot of veteran leadership, so it will be a good test for us.”‘

‘”I’ve been dreaming of playing in the NFL all my life, and now I get a chance,” the Bills’ first-round pick said. “I know it’s only a preseason game, but I’m looking forward to walking on that field as a Buffalo Bill for the first time.”‘

‘"I’m getting pretty excited," Edwards said the other day, thinking ahead to the game. "We’re going against the same defense over and over these days, and they’re kind of ready to hit someone new, and I think that’s the way the rest of the offense feels, too."’

‘The Aug. 9 contest will be the first Bills preseason game ever broadcast in high definition.’

‘Schonert, who takes over for the departed Steve Fairchild (now head coach at Colorado State), will be seeking to breathe some life into an offense that ranked just 25th in the league in rushing and 29th in passing a year ago.’

‘"I think he’s getting guys the ball in different positions, in different areas of the field to give guys a chance to run after the catch," said Evans of Schonert’s approach. "Ultimately that’s what you’re going to need to make big plays. You’re not always going to get long bombs so you’ll have to get yards running after the catch. Moving and spreading guys around certainly helps."’

‘No, the sigh of disappointment you heard after the trade went down came from western New York, where the Buffalo Bills are clearly on the rise, with enough talent to sneak into the playoffs as a sleeper team in 2008. But their chances of breaking an eight-year playoff drought got a whole lot slimmer when Favre joined Gang Green.’

‘As for the starters, they’ll be making a little more than a token appearance, enough to give Bills fans a first glimpse of a revamped defense that added defensive tackle Marcus Stroud and linebacker Kawika Mitchell and welcomes back middle linebacker Paul Posluszny and free safety Ko Simpson from injury-wrecked seasons.’

‘”I’m getting pretty excited,” said Bills quarterback Trent Edwards. “We’re going against the same defense over and over these days, and they’re kind of ready to hit someone new, and I think that’s the way the rest of the offense feels.”‘