Archives for August 2009

‘To some extent, Edwards and the Bills must’ve known what to expect when they signed Owens to a one-year, $6.5-million deal. The Twitter celebrity turned reality show star – who’s also a six-time Pro Bowler – had an unpleasant split from his last team, the Cowboys, and quarterback Tony Romo. It was the latest in the 35-year-old’s laundry list of major conflicts.’

‘”Since I didn’t find the right spot in free agency, I decided to try something new,” Losman said. “I really haven’t played that much in the last two years, so [if I signed as an NFL backup] now we’re talking 3-4 years with nothing really to show, no game tape, nothing. I’m trying to be proactive as much as I can in getting back into a [NFL] starting position.”‘

‘”When you look back, everything gets rosier,” says Stratton, 68, a retired insurance agent. “But I know we had an excellent, just excellent defense.”‘

‘And when Rich Eisen tried to tell some jokes about Rod Woodson and heard crickets, he should have just pumped his fist into the air and screamed “Buffalo!” Then he would have gotten a response. A big one.’

‘Smith had an NFL-record 200 sacks over a 19-year career and was a two-time NFL defensive player of the year. He was the No. 1 draft pick out of Virginia Tech, and part of a speedy Bills defense that helped the team win four consecutive AFC titles in the early 1990s.’

‘”I have come full circle,” Smith said. “By the grace of God I stand before you today. This induction into the Hall of Fame marks my passage into football’s immortality.”‘

‘He drew chuckles when he said that he always loved the game of football without ever playing the game. “I was a tennis player,” he said. “In tennis you can throw the ball up and take your backswing without worrying about Bruce Smith coming at you,” Wilson joked.’

‘Drawing a loud cheer from a crowd full of Bills fans, Wilson was honored to be inducted. He then discussed his lifelong passion for football, which led the Detroit-based businessman to found the Bills.’

‘"I think if you look at our first preseason game last year versus this year, they are entirely different," quarterback Trent Edwards said. "We have some new players in here, we are on a national stage, we are the only people playing and we have our owner and a great defensive end going into the Hall of Fame that played for the Bills. I think guys will be ready. I think guys will be a little more anxious and excited about it. I know I will be."’

‘Backup QBs Ryan Fitzpatrick and Gibran Hamdan should take the bulk of the snaps for Buffalo in the contest.’

‘The game will be part of a distinctly Buffalo-flavored weekend, played a day after Wilson and former Bills defensive end Bruce Smith were inducted into the Hall. It’s a game between two original American Football League franchises, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the league’s founding. The Titans, who relocated from Houston, will wear throwback Oilers uniforms.’

‘Here’s hoping the Bills’ only owner, who has long deserved a place in Canton, doesn’t talk about the failing economy and declining population in Western New York or the have-and-have-not league the NFL has become.’

‘”Obviously people are excited to see football and when the game starts you’ll be seeing football,” said Gaudelli in a conference call. “But it will be a little bit of a weave throughout the night with the inductees and the story of the league than the game itself. [The game] is not that important to the telecast.”‘

‘”Once we took a look at it, we said, ‘Absolutely,’ ” Burakowski said. “He has every single program for every game, home and away, from the very first exhibition game in 1960.”‘

‘"I’m just looking forward to the game, and being able to hit somebody other than your other Bills’ teammates," said Wood, the 6-foot-4, 314-pounder out of Louisville who is trying to win the starting right guard spot on the rebuilt offensive line, which could feature three new starters.’