Archives for April 24, 2010

‘The fact of the matter is, the Bills have had no more than two reliable quarterbacks in the 14 seasons since Jim Kelly has retired, and even that’s a stretch. Doug Flutie got the Bills to the playoffs the last time they went in 1999, and Drew Bledsoe almost got them in in his first year under center. Both were quarterbacks who had varrying success for the Bills, but neither was what you would call great. Which is apparently something Bills’ owner Ralph Wilson is hell bent on keeping out of Buffalo.’

‘”Denver panicked,” Wilson said. “He’s a good player but we had no interest in taking Tebow. We were not moving up to take Tebow.”‘

‘He wasn’t a high-publicity guy but impressed the Bills. “It’s a great feeling. I don’t get much publicity,” he said. “I don’t play a glory position. So sometimes guys at my position get overlooked and I feel like I was a bit overlooked this year. For the Bills to grab me at the beginning of the second round is a great feeling and that tells me that somebody is paying attention to all the hard work that I’m putting in and my great work ethic.”‘

‘”I think he’s got a great future ahead of him, and for several reasons,” Roberts said. “Number one, the quality of person that he is – you can’t say enough about his character, his work ethic and his care and concern for others. Number two, he has the physical ability to be successful at that level – the size, speed and strength and just his overall will to win.”‘

‘Nix is tired of looking at game films of the Bills getting pushed around physically; the Bills were one of the worst teams against the run in the NFL, and Nix wants that to change and change right now.’

‘”It’s a great offense and Coach Gailey knows how to use his guys so I’m excited,” Spiller said. “They have two great running backs there so I’m just looking forward to learning from those guys and learning what my role is.”‘

‘Ferguson and Mendenhall, who weighs 223 pounds, could also fill the role of a blocking or short-yardage back. They give the coaching staff some flexibility other than fullback Corey McIntyre (258 pounds) in that role and may be better options as pass receivers.’

‘If you can believe new GM Buddy Nix, the Jets acquisition of WR Santonio Holmes from Pittsburgh and the Dolphins acquiring WR Brandon Marshall from Denver didn’t send shivers through One Bills Drive. Staying the course, not reacting to moves by other teams, is Nix’s style. “I really am not concerned with what other folks do,” he said. “We know the division, obviously, but what they do doesn’t affect us. I’ve got all I can to do without worrying about Miami and the Jets and the trades they make.”‘

‘The 6-5, 280-pound end was projected by some scouting services as the sixth-best player at his position available in this year’s draft (60th overall) and was projected to come off the board in round two. That, of course, didn’t happen, but no matter his position in the draft, Carrington is excited to prove what he can do in the professional ranks.’

‘Entering the 2010 draft, Troup said he was told by scouts he could go as high as the second round and as low as the fourth depending on team needs. He spent the past month doing individual workouts with a long list of teams. National analysts, however, identified Troup as a likely third to fifth round selection.’

‘Though Troup played in a 4-3 system at Central Florida, he’s ready to make the switch in Buffalo. “I have no problem with that at all,” Troup said. “I’m not a selfish player. I’m going to do all the things they ask me to do.”‘