Archives for March 18, 2011

‘Buffalo’s Ryan Fitzpatrick isn’t my idea of a "franchise quarterback," but I’d prefer him over any of the NFL quarterbacks likely to be free agents or trade bait this offseason.’

‘Fairley has been our choice for the Browns at No. 6 through three mock drafts. But if the Bills don’t take a quarterback, we now believe they will favor the last highly rated defensive lineman over any other defensive player. Their run defense is awful.’

‘Brandon has reached out to Bills fans and season-ticket holders, expressing in a long statement that he shared "our fans’ disappointment with the news on Friday (March 11) that the NFLPA has filed for decertification and a work stoppage has begun. We remain hopeful that a new and fair agreement can be reached in time to avoid any significant disruption to our preparations for the 2011 season. We believe that the quickest way to a fair agreement for everyone – players, teams and fans – is through negotiations facilitated by the mediator and not through litigation."’

‘The Bills are content with Ryan Fitzpatrick as their starter but need some longer range planning. Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert or Auburn’s Cam Newton are on their radar.’

‘"We’d have a team party on Tuesday nights downtown at a place called Mr. Anthony’s on Delaware," Bills longtime punter Paul Maguire said. "There was a meeting room upstairs, and it was kind of neat those years we were winning. We’d get after it and look at the film. Then we’d separate and go over it by position. Jack never missed coming to one of those parties. He didn’t drink, but he was there. Through all his life, through his political career, Jack was a team player. And the one thing in his mind that every one of the guys who played with him will remember is there’s nobody who wanted to win more than Jack Kemp." The three-hour long conversation was taped and will be donated to the Library of Congress.’