Archives for August 2009

‘After taking part in a full-team, autograph-signing session before Monday night’s practice, Owens took the field in full gear and began stretching with his teammates. A buzz quickly circulated through the stands as fans noticed No. 81 at the Bills’ training camp facility.’

‘”I think (they) kind of lie,” he said of his stats. “There were a couple of sacks in there that I could’ve gotten rid of the ball and I could’ve taken a couple of incompletions to save those sacks because they were both on me. (But) for the most part the O-line blocked well, the receivers were where they were supposed to be, the backs ran well and we were pretty accurate with the football.”‘

‘The Bills’ got a pair of interceptions by rookie second-round draft choice Ellis Lankster, both returned deep into Bears territory and leading to Buffalo’s clinching touchdowns. Then, rookie free agent Lydell Sargeant ended the Bears’ final possession with a pick.’

‘The Bills hope he can compete for a starting job this season.’

‘Byrd was taken off the non-football injury list Monday morning. He had been placed on that list after signing his contract with the club on July 29. The Oregon product was coming off of a minor surgery and was not ready to participate in practice.’

‘”Anybody you draft has a legitimate chance to make the team,” said Dick Jauron, Buffalo head coach. “We liked Lankster’s toughness, and he likes to play the game. He hits hard, and he knows how to play. (Nelson) is a great weapon for us. When you have a guy like that, he is going to create a lot of matchup problems. Not many players can defend a guy who is (6-foot-6) on the goal line.”‘

‘”Ryan’s doing a great job right now,” said Trent Edwards. “He’s communicating very well with me when I’m on the sideline and then when he’s going in there he’s doing a great job of running the offense and that’s a credit to the type of player that he is. He’s picking up this offense very fast, and that’s just- he’s a smart football player, that’s why we brought him in here.”‘

‘"I was a seventh-round pick, so I was just working hard in the offseason and just trying to make the team," Lankster said.’

‘"Ellis in the OTA’s (organized team activities) and in camp, he’s leading all the DB’s (defensive backs) in picks," McKelvin said. "Play, perform and put that on the field, that’s what he’s doing."’

‘”He has been making a lot of plays in camp and does a great job of getting his nose on the ball,” teammate Leodis McKelvin said.’

‘It would appear Edwards is taking strides toward that goal through two exhibition games.In 14 pass attempts thus far, he has yet to have a ball hit the ground. He is 13-for-14 for 133 yards, the only blemish being an interception tossed against the Tennessee Titans during the Hall of Fame game.’

‘You can add Joanna Krupa to the list of former teammates scorned by Buffalo Bills star Terrell Owens.’

‘"A lot of people thought he was coming here," wide receiver Lee Evans said of Vick. "A lot of people were saying that he was here (already). Obviously, it didn’t work out like that. I think a lot of people are just excited to see him back in the league, though, and to see what he is going to look like when he comes back."’

‘Copeland Bryan vs. Chris Ellis at backup defensive end. With No. 1 pick Aaron Maybin still holding out, the young veterans are getting a lot of repetitions. Bryan had a sack/forced fumble against the Bears that Ellis recovered. Both are high-motor players who should make the final roster.’

‘Buffalo’s offense continued to show promise in the no-huddle mode in Saturday’s 27-20 preseason win over Chicago. Starting QB Trent Edwards and backup Ryan Fitzpatrick each ran the hurry-up exclusively, and did it well. Edwards was 10 of 10 passing for 79 yards in three possessions. Fitzpatrick went 13 of 16 for 143 yards, producing 10 points. "I thought we caught them off guard again like we did last week (vs. Tennessee), and I think we need to continue to try to do that, to try to get ourselves into shape where we can run that during the regular season, too," Edwards said.’