Archives for May 2009

‘”Versatility is a big thing, and I think I can really help this team out and hopefully we’ll make it to the Super Bowl this year,” he said. “I’m not coming in here to be a backup.”‘

‘”We really like this player, like his demeanor, like his toughness, like his intelligence,” said Bills coach Dick Jauron of the second of Buffalo’s two first-round picks, No. 28 overall, which came via the Jason Peters trade.’

‘”I would say that the number one thing for any skilled pass rusher in the National Football League is you have to have a counter,” Bills coach Dick Jauron said. “You can’t depend on one thing to beat the tackles here because they’ll adjust if that’s all you have. So, what he has is he has that good first step, the quickness off the edge, and the speed off the edge. And those are things you can’t teach, so he’s gifted that way.”‘

‘"For a guy like me, I think that the opportunity to come in and have this great organization put their faith in us that we can come in and be a few pieces of the puzzle that can help win games, that’s an extreme honor. I’m just excited to get out there and start working."’

‘OL Demetrius Bell didn’t quite have the strength to compete at the NFL level as a rookie. But the 2008 seventh-round pick from Northwestern State has been turning heads in the weight room for the last year and he has suddenly become a viable candidate to eventually start at left tackle for the Bills. That’s because Bell, 6-5, 303, not only has size but he has footwork far exceeding the average NFL big man, team sources say. It makes sense. Bell’s father is former NBA great Karl Malone, who was never part of his life, but did pass on his athletic genes. Bell may still be a year away, but he’s someone to watch.’

‘"I think the Bills got the steal of the draft," Arrington said. "Obviously I do have a lot of history with him. But I think he’s a phenomenal individual first, who will bring a lot of value to the community as a person. And his talent level is pretty phenomenal. He’s explosive. He’s very deceptively strong as well. He’s built for what the Bills have brought him here to do."’

‘"Before we both knew it we both were looking out the window, trying not to make eye contact with each other because we were both crying," Aaron Maybin said. "He spent a lot of time relaying how badly he wanted to see his son be successful."”

‘"I try not to read any of the press. At the end of the day, all you’re going to do is get yourself worked up over nothing," Maybin said, addressing the critics, who wondered whether he was either a one-year wonder or a one-dimensional pass-rusher. "Obviously, people are going to speak on what they think they know and what they see. Until my play starts to speak for itself, I’ll let people say what they will."’

‘”I’m happy to be able to get up here and get going,” said Bills top pick Aaron Maybin. “I’ve been anticipating this time for so long that the fact that it’s finally here makes me really happy.”‘

‘Listed at 6-foot-7 and 318 pounds, Bell was a three-year starter in college and projected to be a late-round pick in last weekend’s NFL Draft.’

‘The Buffalo Bills officially announced in an e-mail today that they have signed 10 undrafted college free agents.’

‘The opportunity is limited, but it’s one that most NFL hopefuls don’t pass up. The Bills invited 30 free agent players in for a three-day weekend tryout. The prospects will practice with Buffalo’s new draft class, 2008 practice squad players and undrafted rookie free agents that were signed this week.’

‘Here’s a quick look at the prospects that were added after the draft was over with some expert comment on their abilities from the Bills scouting department.’

‘There are no more excuses. Edwards has two quality receivers now in Owens and Lee Evans. Josh Reed is in his prime and one of the best slot receivers in the sport. They’re deep at No. 4. The Bills drafted Shawn Nelson, a tight end who can stretch the field. They have three running backs who can catch the ball.’

‘"He really has an instinct for attacking the line of scrimmage and he’s got really good speed and all of the things that premier pass rushers have. It’s very apparent that he can disrupt a game by himself."’