Archives for February 2009

‘April’s group ranked first in only two of the 22 categories used to determine the league’s top unit, but were in the top five in five other categories and in the top 10 in seven others. That consistency through several areas of special teams allowed Buffalo to rise to the top.’

‘By not showing up for work, Peters hurt his team more than occasionally iffy quarterback Trent Edwards, the generally impotent passing offense and understated head coach Dick Jauron combined. In fact, he inflicted damage each of those aspects: The passer often appeared rattled in part because he knew his blind side wasn’t safe, which in turn kept him from hitting targets with regularity, which then helped the Bills stumble to 7-9. However extensive Jauron’s failings might be, he can’t be held responsible for his alleged best lineman not playing well after not practicing at all over the summer.’

‘The NFL’s 32 teams are ranked in 22 categories and assigned points according to their standing (1 for best and 32 for worst). Buffalo had a composite score of 254 (14.5 points better than No. 2 Tennessee).’

‘So how did Lindell – the kicker for the Buffalo Bills – get written into the script of a new series on Fox?’

‘For a debut performance Bills running back Marshawn Lynch did not disappoint in his first Pro Bowl Sunday as he was the game’s leading rusher with 48 yards on just six carries.’

‘The Buffalo Bills are the only AFC team without a playoff appearance this decade. Don’t blame their special teams.’

‘For as long as the Bills remain, and we hope that is far into the future, the team will have loyal fans willing to dig into their pockets in order to watch their hometown team. But there’s not that much in the average pocket these days for discretionary spending, and the Bills have made a laudable choice – both for the franchise and the region, but especially for the fans.’

‘Kicking off Highlights and lowlights from the Buffalo Bills official 2008 year-end review…’.

‘”I would expect that, at the very least, we would want to know what the level of taxpayer subsidy is being realized, if at all, and I would also want to know what the feedback is from the Bills,” said Majority Leader Richard Updegrove, R-Lockport. “I think, most importantly, we would want to have some sort of cost-benefit analysis.”‘

‘But Jackson is in a weird spot. He just finished his second NFL season, and that makes him an exclusive-rights player. He’s not really a free agent. He can re-sign only with the Bills, and all they must do to retain him is tender a one-year contract for $460,000. "I’m 28. I can’t do this forever," Jackson said from his home in Hamburg, N.Y. "I have a wife and two kids I’ve got to take care of them for the rest of my life. I know I can’t play football for the rest of my life."’

‘”The fans that for 17 weeks clicked on our helmet online and enabled the Food Bank to help as many people as possible were great,” said Hardy. “This is going to help a lot of people in the economic drought that we’re in right now.”‘

‘"12,000 cans of Campbell’s Chunky soup is an incredible donation and we are thankful that the Bills fans cared and clicked online enough to make this happen," said Food Bank of WNY marketing and public relations director, Michael Billoni. "We are happy to distribute this food to our partner agencies and continue to help the less fortunate in the Western New York community."’

‘Excitement regarding the August-based matchup separates true believers and posers, which is another reason why participating in the Hall of Fame Game is an excellent moment that can’t come soon enough. Count the months for now, and start counting the days about two months from now.’

‘The event, which marks the birthdays of Kelly and his son, Hunter James, who lost his life to Krabbe leukodystrophy in 2005, is free and open to families and children of all ages.’

‘Similar to the traveling businessman, I have this message for Wilson: Ralph, you could have still had me rooting for the Bills, purchasing items with the colors and logo, and otherwise offering moral support for your franchise. All you had to do was just remember the fans. Then again, you only had to remember me.’