Archives for October 2008

‘Uh-oh, not another survey or article that beats up on Buffalo, its sports teams or their fans. How about two such articles?’

Bolts taking games one continent at a time (San Diego Union Tribune)

Deadline deal for Raiders running back falls through (San Diego Union Tribune)

Scouting report: Buffalo Bills (San Diego Union Tribune)

Chargers scouting report: Buffalo Bills (North County Times)

Gameday: Chargers vs Bills (Chargers.com)

‘As a former 26th overall selection, McCargo can’t be considered a Walt Patulski- or Mike Williams-style bust on account of the fact that he wasn’t a single-digit pick, but he absolutely inhabits the same territory as Erik Flowers, a player the Bills chose in the same spot during the 2000 draft. Flowers spent two forgettable years as a Bill compared to McCargo’s two years and change-long insignificant stint; now, there are now two examples of utterly disappointing late-first-round defensive linemen this decade for Buffalo’s fans to painfully cite.’

‘"It’s like we’ve said from Day One, you’ve got to really want to play," Kollar told The Buffalo News. "It’s real easy to go and talk about it. But what you have to do is work and get better on the practice field and take it into the game."’

‘Kansas City President and General Manager Carl Peterson is to the NFL what Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier is to the NHL. Their trade talks go something like this: Here’s what I’m asking, let me know when you’ll pay it. They have a perceived value in their head and they refuse to deviate.’

‘The Bills traded up on draft day to grab the North Carolina State product, but McCargo has largely disappointed thus far and was unable to lock down a starting role with Buffalo. Appearing in 25 games over two seasons, McCargo has 29 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks. In four games this season, he has failed to register a tackle.’

‘McCargo had 35 tackles and 2.5 sacks during 21 games as a Bill. He was the team’s 26th overall pick in 2006.’

‘The second of Buffalo’s two 2006 first-round draft picks, McCargo had difficulty gaining a regular role in the team’s defensive line rotation and had dropped to fourth on the Bills’ depth chart behind Spencer Johnson.’

‘One self-admitted laggard is the Buffalo Bills, a team that has struggled to control some of the worst-behaving fans in all of sports. The Bills are aware of the Eagles text-messaging system and would like to have it, but they simply haven’t budgeted for it. Buffalo has relied, instead, on old-fashioned shame: publishing the names of those arrested at Bills games in the local paper. But that often isn’t enough to keep fans from getting plastered.’

‘The Bills made a trade before the NFL deadline Tuesday afternoon, it just wasn’t the one everyone was expecting. Instead of adding a player Buffalo made a subtraction sending defensive tackle John McCargo to the Indianapolis Colts for an undisclosed draft pick.’

‘Bills 34, Chargers 23.’

‘Buffalo Bills wide receiver James Hardy, tight end Robert Royal, and safeties Donte Whitner and George Wilson will join forces with United Way to celebrate the tenth annual Hometown Huddle at Southside Elementary School in Buffalo at 3:30 p.m. today.’

‘”George directs the meeting, but (Donte) is providing direction during the meeting without being the coach,” said defensive coordinator Perry Fewell.’

‘”Everything right now is looking pretty good,” he said. “I’ll be full go on Wednesday and we’ll see from there. I feel pretty good about Sunday. I have a real good chance."’

‘Stroud doesn’t play evenhandedly: He’s too fast for his size, and he’s what every team wants and what a mobile defense like Buffalo needed. It’s not to take anything away from anyone else, but the core reason why competitors like Posluszny or Donte Whitner have been able to reach the highest level of effectiveness is that Stroud is drawing two blockers so consistently.’