Archives for May 8, 2009

‘”Everything is real encouraging just going out there and running and going out there and working on some of my pass drops,” he said. “There’s still a little hitch in my gait when I’m running so I’m trying to work that out. Everything structurally looks good and the doctor said everything looks good. Time will heal it and I’ll be ready for training camp most likely.”‘

‘I’m told the team has already sold 50,000 season tickets and is ahead of last year’s pace, when it sold 56,011. That was the second-most season tickets in history, behind the 1992 season. Apparently, disgust over the team’s second-half collapse and disdain for Dick Jauron didn’t drive many people away.’

‘Although Kemp was a California native who really lived in Maryland, his strong connection to Buffalo reflects well on this area. Any sports fan will tell you that;Kemp, a 203rd pick in a pro football draft, used his smarts and sheer force of will to quarterback the Buffalo Bills to American Football League championships. But political fans will tell you that, too;Kemp was the congressman from the Buffalo area who quarterbacked economic policies and a tax-cutting ideology that helped form the Republican Party into the popular force it became nationwide in the Reagan administration years.’

‘The Bills are likely to open the season with two rookie guards on their offensive line, but these aren’t just any two rookies.’

‘The Bills are deeply impressed with first-round draft pick Aaron Maybin’s raw speed off the edge as a pass rusher. But speed alone won’t get it done against large, nimble, experienced tackles in the NFL like it did in college where Mabin registered 12 sacks last fall in his only full season of play. Coaches have already begun the process of teaching Maybin counter-moves and strategies to consider in getting to the quarterback, like using teammates to his advantage. Of course, at 249 pounds, Maybin also has to show he can play the run. Otherwise, he’ll be restricted to playing on obvious passing downs, making him a one-dimensional player.’

‘Ko Simpson, a fourth-round pick in 2006, has started the past three years but has just two interceptions and five pass breakups in 33 career games. The Bills want more range and production out of their center fielder, and are willing to give Byrd every chance to earn the job. "They want to start me out there and just let me go," said Byrd, who took part in the Bills’ rookie minicamp and will return on May 18 when organized team activities begin. "I think it’s great. I’m just looking for however I can to help the team win games, so I’m excited."’

‘I’m not willing to extend the benefit of the doubt to counting on Langston Walker to protect the blind side of a still growing Trent Edwards against the weekly lineup of pass rushers who’ll be coming his way. There are still several veteran left tackles out there who are still unsigned, and while all of them admittedly have some flaws or else they’d have new homes by now, it’s hard to accept there isn’t a better option somewhere.’