Archives for September 2010

‘Hennessey is also free to sign with any team looking to shore up its depth along the offensive line.’

‘The Buffalo Bills Alumni Foundation’s annual alumni weekend will host 16 players from the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of "Legends of the Gridiron." The three-day event features a VIP Gala at the Seneca Niagara Casino on Saturday, a tailgate party before the Bills’ home opener against Miami on Sunday and the alumni foundation’s annual Celebrity Charity Golf Classic next Monday at Hickory Stick Golf Club in Lewiston.’

‘Urbik’s acquisition was also meant to bolster a position with limited depth. Urbik was with the Steelers in 2009, but was inactive for every game. He’s a huge man at 6-foot-5 and 323 pounds. The third-round pick of the Steelers in 2009 had a ton of experience in college, starting 50 games for Wisconsin and earning All-Big Ten Conference honors in 2007 and 2008.’

‘Hardy looks like a football player and has the size and speed to be a useful NFL performer. But he always seemed to be hurt and didn’t show much when he managed to suit up in his two seasons with Buffalo.’

‘Season openers are always tough to predict, but why NOT the Bills in the opener against the Dolphins? This Bills team is more than capable of doing that in front of a revved up home crowd, and so here goes: Bills 24, Dolphins 20.’

‘The Bills also claimed Steelers guard Kraig Urbik off waivers. He was a third-round pick out of Wisconsin in 2009. Buffalo also filled in four of the eight available sports on their practice squad by signing WR Naaman Roosevelt, RB Joique Bell, T Jason Watkins and FB Rodney Ferguson.’

‘Added to the practice squad so far are WNY native WR Naaman Roosevelt, RB Joique Bell, FB Rodney Ferguson and T Jason Watkins.’

‘In other roster moves, the team claimed guard Kraig Urbik off waivers from Pittsburgh and released defensive back Dominique Harris and tight end J.P. Foschi.’

‘Martin joins Jonathan Stupar as the only other tight end on the active roster. The Bills will be without projected starter Shawn Nelson(notes), who opens the season serving an NFL-imposed four-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.’

‘The Bills were scanning the waiver wire to add to their tight end position and offensive line where their numbers were low. On Sunday both positions were addressed as the team has signed free agent TE David Martin and claimed G Kraig Urbik off waivers from the Pittsburgh Steelers.’

osh Reed would do well to re-acquaint himself with One Bills Drive. I’d also argue that if recently cut Lions tackle Jon Jansen fancies a quick jaunt through Ontario, the 34-year-old is likely a much better option than Cornell Green. Troy Smith would make cutting Brian Brohm appealing. Dolphins tight end David Martin would be a nice addition.

‘Cutting Hardy and Jackson means the Bills are going extremely young at receiver, which includes only two — Lee Evans and Roscoe Parrish — with more than 13 career receptions. Joining Evans, Parrish and Stevie Johnson are David Nelson and Donald Jones, two of five undrafted rookies to make the team. The last time the Bills kept fewer than six receivers was 2007 when five made the roster.’

‘Since Edwards still carries a “fragile” label, I would have been be surprised if Brian Brohm didn’t survived the cutdown. He showed some important skills in his time on the field, not the least of which is his quick passing release. That’s vitally important in Gailey’s passing schemes.’

‘When asked when it finally hit him, he laughed and said, “It still hasn’t, really. It probably won’t until next Sunday.”‘

‘Nelson, 6-foot-6, left Rider High School as a highly sought after recruit who committed to Notre Dame and then switched to Florida, where he collected a pair of national championship rings. Nelson made the NFL the hard way, as an undrafted receiver with no guarantees for the future.’