Archives for August 2010

‘”Now I’m the next guy in line to try to step up into those big shoes and try to fill them for this preseason,” Spiller said. “I’m going to try to do my best.”‘

‘”The decision came down to whether I wanted to play,” he said. “I didn’t really feel like I wanted to do it. A lot of people probably think I’m crazy, but whenever you feel like it’s time, it’s time.”‘

‘”I want to be done with it. I’m going to leave it as is. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to play, anyway. I’m going to be 33 in two weeks, and I’m leaving the game on my terms and nobody else’s. I’m just going to leave it alone and retire.”‘

‘”By no means did I ever try to get out of Buffalo,” he said. “That’s not what it was about. I just didn’t know if I wanted to play. (Playing again) was something I did not want to do, but financially should I do it? That’s where I was at for the most part. I was scared that I would regret it if I didn’t do it, but ultimately I decided I didn’t want to do it.”‘

‘Jackson hopes to be ready for the Sept. 12 opener against Miami. That would put him right on schedule for his return.’

‘Anderson had 2,009 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns at Tulane. Rhea had 1,811 yards receiving and 19 touchdowns at Stephen F. Austin. Rhea initially signed with Minnesota in April before being released last month.’

‘With their top two running backs out for the foreseeable future after suffering injuries in the preseason opener last Friday, and the receiving corps sustaining three losses just prior to last week’s game with Washington, the Bills addressed both positions Monday signing RB Andre Anderson and WR Aaron Rhea.’

‘Torbor views his role with the Bills not only as a vocal leader on the field, but taking an active role in mentoring the next crop of contributors on the team. He is trying to set a similar example to what was set for him by his veteran teammates in New York early in his career.’

‘"He’s played in this game," said Gailey. "He is a very intelligent football player. He’s a tough guy, which is what you always want, a good athlete. But he coaches. He’s a coach on the field, almost. He knows what we’re trying to get done, and that’s been a real plus for our football team."’

‘Bills coach Chan Gailey said after the 42-17 loss that Jackson would definitely miss the rest of the preseason. But the regular-season opener is very much in doubt after tests revealed the break in his hand.’

‘"Honestly, I’ve thought about what that moment would feel like. When I got in the end zone I really just looked up at the scoreboard and thought we needed to score a lot more (the Bills trailed 35-17 at the time). After the game, it kind of hit me. I think my teammates were more excited than me at the time," Bell said.’

‘The Bills believe their new 3-4 defense is going to be solid, though it certainly didn’t get off to a good start. It better be, because it appears the offense is going to have a real difficult time putting drives together and scoring points.’

‘Stupar is the wild-card because it seems like he’s not as good a receiver as Nelson, not as versatile as Schouman, or as good a blocker as Matthews. Yet there he was, on the field with the first-string.’

‘But no matter how much they change, the more things seem to stay the same, at least when it comes to injuries. The Bills finished last year with 21 players on the injured reserve list, which is an unofficial team record. And less than 25 minutes into their first preseason game, the Bills lost their top two running backs, Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch.’

‘"You just have to be ready to go," he said. "You never know when your number is going to be called."’