Archives for December 2008

‘”I sympathize with them completely. Nine years without a playoff team and three years in a row at 7-9, that’s frustrating. It’s frustrating for us, and it’s got to be more frustrating for the fans, because (at least) we have a say in it. We’re doing it.” — LB Paul Posluszny.’

‘Although it’s suggested but not spelled out in Wilson’s statement, a league source said Jauron’s contract gives him complete hiring-and-firing control over his staff and that no changes are expected.’

‘”I’m very excited that Dick Jauron is going to be my head coach moving forward,” said offensive lineman Brad Butler. “He’s is the best leader I have ever worked under not only in football, but in any job I’ve ever had.”‘

‘What muddies the answer is that the Bills, by all accounts, signed him to a 3-year extension back when the team was 5-1 and the talk of the NFL. After that, Buffalo lost 8-of-10 and each successive loss made it harder and harder for the front office to announce the new contract … which it still hasn’t.’

‘”I believe in the last few years we have gotten close personnel wise and look forward to another strong draft, more assertive veteran leadership and continued improvement from our young quarterback,” Wilson said.’

‘While acknowledging the fans’ dissatisfaction, Wilson said the “team played hard all year long and there are many positives to build on.”‘

‘Dick Jauron has been retained as head coach by the Buffalo Bills for the 2009 season. This disclosure was made today by Bills owner, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.’

‘Buffalo Bills punter Brian Moorman was presented with the prestigious Buffalo Bills/NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year award at the Monday Quarterback Club’s (MQC) annual Player Awards luncheon held at the Millenium Hotel in Cheektowaga.’

‘Before leaving for the airport, Jauron met with Bills chief operating officer Russ Brandon at the team’s Orchard Park headquarters, a person familiar with the meeting told The Associated Press. Jauron and Brandon then flew together to Detroit, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss it.’

‘Ralph Wilson is 90 and stuck in his ways, so it may not come as a surprise he runs the organization the way he does, but the time has come for him to take a step back and trust other people to push the buttons.’

‘The “Steve Tasker Special Teams” award (George Wilson), “Special Teams Kick Coverage” award (Jon Corto), “Eddie Abramoski Unsung Hero” award (Fred Jackson), “Rookie of the Year” award (Leodis McKelvin) and “Man of the Year” award (Brian Moorman) were handed out along with a caricature drawing of their likeness from John Riordan.’

‘The Bills averaged 68,996 fans for their eight home games – seven at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park and one at Rogers Centre in Toronto.’

‘”This is very difficult for me to evaluate the entire season,” Edwards said. “I haven’t really had time to settle in, look it over and tell you guys my honest opinion of the entire season. Obviously, we started off the way we wanted to and we didn’t finish the way we wanted.”‘

‘With special thanks to team statistician Mike Haim, here are some of the more notable record-breaking accomplishments from the 2008 season.’

‘"He said he doesn’t have any hard feelings," said Crowell, a free agent. "He knows that I’m not a quitter. He knows the work I’ve put in and he feels good about me. That’s the main thing I wanted to make sure, is that me being put on IR wasn’t done out of anger. He said it was just a timing situation."’