Archives for March 17, 2009

‘NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed in an e-mail to The Associated Press on Tuesday that the meeting took place earlier in the day. Aiello provided no details of the meeting or timetable for when Goodell will make a ruling.’

‘”Marshawn met with the Commissioner today as part of the review process relating to the recent incident,” said Bills Vice President of Communications Scott Berchtold.’

‘”Angelo is in the building today and meeting with individuals,” said Bills Vice President of Communications Scott Berchtold.’

‘Because it is Lynch’s second brush with the legal system in two years, it is considered likely he will get some type of sanction from the NFL … a suspension of one to four games.’

‘The Bills should not have allowed cornerback Jabari Greer test free agency. Greer was not the team’s top cornerback, but he had 17 passes defended and four interceptions the last two seasons. He emerged as a bona fide NFL starter last season, returning two interceptions for touchdowns. Not only did the Bills lose a good player — he signed with the Saints — but they left themselves with little leverage in negotiations next offseason when No. 1 corner Terrence McGee’s contract comes up. The team has no choice but to match his asking price, and McGee and his agent surely know it.’

‘Right now Buffalo has nine offensive linemen on the roster with six of them primarily tackles. Hangartner, Brad Butler and 2008 practice squad player Brandon Rodd are the only true interior linemen currently on the squad.’

‘Hardy may be saying all the right things about the misappropriation, but that’s a reflection of him, not the distasteful situation; besides, he doesn’t have the clout to whine even if he wants or deserves to. Flipping to 18 would have been a way for Owens to respect the roster he’s joining, not to mention that it would have specifically demonstrated regard for a younger player. But he went the other way and initiated his first bit of commotion. Yeah, it’s just the first.’

‘At 245 pounds, Crowell would give the Bills considerably more stoutness at the strong-side linebacker spot than they had last season, when Keith Ellison manned the position. Ellison is listed at 229 pounds. Crowell also has the versatility to play both the strong and weak-side spots.’

‘I believe Owens is going to help the Bills in every aspect of their business – from merchandise sales to corporate dollars to relevance in the NFL to what matters most, improvement on the field.’

‘The expectation is that Lynch will be suspended, with persons close to the situation anticipating that Goodell probably punishes him for one but no more than two regular-season games.’