Archives for September 4, 2008

‘The Buffalo Bills Television Network (BTN) announced the television airing schedule for their new line up, The Thurman Thomas Show presented by Northtown Automotive, and their revamped program, BILLS ALL ACCESS presented by Cellino & Barnes.’

‘Keith Ellison is slated to take Crowell’s place as the Bills open their 2008 regular season on Sunday by hosting the Seattle Seahawks.’

‘Crowell’s decision to have surgery this close the start of the season likely did not sit well with the Bills coaching staff, and their decision to put him on injured reserve, in what is a contract year for the linebacker, likely does not sit well with him.’

‘Bills 16, Seahawks 14.’

‘The decision was made after Crowell consulted with team doctors Thursday, a day after he practiced with the team.’

‘Jauron said it will be a scope procedure which in most cases takes anywhere from 2-4 weeks to recover. But what made the decision so surprising was there weren’t any signs that he was leaning toward surgery. “It came pretty much out of the blue and it was certainly nothing that we saw coming, but that’s kind of the way our business is,” said Jauron. “He was not in for anything other than his normal treatment.”‘

‘The Buffalo Bills have sold out nine consecutive regular season home games. The Bills have sold out 53 of 65 games since 2000 (including 36 of the last 41 games).’

‘I think from what I’ve seen around the league, the camp at Fisher is probably the best one. It’s the model for how everyone wants to run their training camp. It’s interactive games, VIP tents, autograph sessions, night practices. It’s a family day out. It’s not just going to practice and sitting out in the heat watching an NFL team work out, like what happens with many other teams.’

‘”I’ve always loved that hockey ‘C’ on the sweater,” Jauron said. “It’s got to be a special deal in our league to have that ‘C’ sitting on their shoulder.”‘

‘Gunning for silver won’t cut it, and, if this is truly a new page for Buffalo after chapters of misery, the Bills must establish the mentality that they can top all three of their regular foes. Yes, even that one.’

‘”We’re a little banged up at wide receiver,” Seattle coach Mike Holmgren said on a conference call to Buffalo on Wednesday. “I think we’ll get Engram and Branch back pretty quickly, but for the first ballgame we’ll have to go with young guys who I think are pretty talented. But they haven’t played a lot in games. It’s a concern. But I don’t allow them to use injuries as an excuse so I expect them to play well.”‘

‘Former Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett is scheduled to attend Sunday’s game and receive the George Halas Award from the Professional Football Writers of America.’

‘Here’s a look at the philosophical approaches the Bills have taken in putting together the roster since Jauron’s tenure began in 2006.’

‘”We now have the players that we need here at every position,” said safety Donte Whitner. “Last year we had to hold some things tight, whether it was we didn’t have the personnel we needed in order to execute the defense or we just didn’t know what to do.”‘

‘All concerned agree that Evans has become a victim of circumstance, that he has untapped potential to become a dominant receiver over the next several years. The trick will be coming up with a fair dollar amount after adding up what he does on the field, what he brings to the locker room and what he means to the fan base.’