Archives for May 22, 2009

‘”The biggest challenge is more about athleticism and speed. When you’re inside, it’s more about power and strength,” he said. “It’s going to take some time to get used to that, but what’s great is that I’ve got (Chris) Kelsay to go against every day, and he practices hard, and ultimately the way I’ll make the conversion to tackle is by working hard in practice. And he’s going to expect that out of me every day, and I’m going to expect that of him.”‘

‘It is not fine for the Buffalo mayor to give Owens a key to the city. The mayor said it was an attempt to promote the city. Promote it as what? A place where the city leaders have lost all sense of perspective?’

‘"The overall plan," said Russ Brandon, the team’s chief operating officer, at this week’s NFL owners’ meetings, "is to build cohesiveness up front for years to come."’

‘The Bills kicked off 11 days of organized team activities — workouts without pads or much intensity — but as expected it was a media circus. It spoke to Owens’ stature as an athlete that transcends his sport. With these kinds of athletes, it’s not always about the team or the game as much as the man.’

‘Cornerback Ashton Youboty, who has the talent to compete for the nickel cornerback job, may miss all of the team’s organized team activities and mandatory minicamp due to the same foot injury that sidelined him the second half of last season. Youboty has a condition called plantar fasciitis that is very painful in the heel area. Coach Dick Jauron said Youboty is making steady progress but the medical staff is being cautious with him so that he’s ready for training camp. But lost practice reps are always a concern.’

‘No. 1 pick Aaron Maybin, a defensive end out of Penn State, didn’t sound overwhelmed practicing with Bills veterans for the first time. Things are faster, though. "A little bit, nothing too serious," he said. "Football is football, we’re all just out here having fun and trying to get better."’

‘When pro scouts drooled over him early on during his career at Furman, Lamb had to temper their enthusiasm. “You may come back here one day, but he has a long way to go,” he’d say. But each year, Bell got a little bit bigger, a little bit wiser and a little bit closer to the NFL. By his senior year, he was named the best blocker in the Southern Conference.’