Archives for July 2011

‘Levy didn’t hold back. He had Smith wiping his eyes with tears of laughter as his former coach recalled how it didn’t take him long to realize why Smith’s initials were B.S.’

Smith, Guaranteed Bigger Role, Leaves Jets for Bills (New York Times)

Jets lose multi-purpose threat Brad Smith to the Buffalo Bills (New York Daily News)

Triple-threat lured away by Gailey (New York Post)

Jets lose Brad Smith while waiting for Nnamdi Asomugha (Newark Star Ledger)

Ex-Jet Brad Smith signs with Buffalo Bills (Staten Island Advance)

Brad Smith jettisons Jets for Buffalo Bills (Bergen Record)

Source: Brad Smith jumps to Bills (ESPN)

‘A busy Thursday for Buffalo’s front office got a whole lot busier come the early evening hours as they came to terms with fourth-round pick Chris Hairston, sixth-round pick Chris White and seventh-round pick Justin Rogers. The signings came just hours after seventh-round pick Mike Jasper was the first Buffalo draft choice to sign.’

‘Above all else, Brad Smith is a winner and a "team guy". He’s an exciting player who doesn’t bring attention to himself, which is a refreshing change. Bills fans will love him once they see him play.’

‘Smith’s versatility as a receiver, rusher and ability to take snaps out of the quarterback spot in wildcat formations complements Bills coach Chan Gailey’s wide-open offensive philosophy. A four-year NFL player, Smith also has vast special teams experience as a punt-returner and on coverage units.’

‘”Things happened faster than we had thought they would,” Florence told the station, referring to how quickly negotiations developed. “The Bills stepped up and got the deal done and I’m ready to go.”‘

‘Here is a brief thumbnail sketch on each of the rookie additions…’.

‘”He’s an exceptional athlete,” said Bills GM Buddy Nix. “We would’ve signed him as a free agent so we just drafted him and we’re going to see if he can play.”‘

‘Harris, who holds several passing records at Edinboro, signed the same kind of contract last year with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but was released during the final round of cuts.’

‘And, better still, there is a new program that will provide lifetime health insurance for all players when their playing days are over. And although each player will have to contribute to the program, there are plenty of uninsured Americans who would love this part of the deal.’

‘"It’s going to take some adjustment, but everybody in the league will have to adjust because most of these head coaches have been in the league for quite a while. Everybody’s going to go through this period of adjustment."’

‘Switzer, a 6-foot-5, 293-pound left guard, was one of four co-captains for the Cardinals in 2010. He made the All-Mid-American Conference Third Team during his senior season and started all 51 games in which he played over his four seasons at Ball State.’

‘”We’re all excited,” former Greene County and current Oglethorpe County coach Larry Milligan said. “Josh called us and said he’s in Buffalo, N.Y., and we’re waiting to find out for sure. He hasn’t signed anything yet, but he’s expecting to sign a free agent contract pretty soon.”‘

‘"When the guys go out and practice I’ll be right there with them," he said. "I’ll be able to go out and do everything. There’s going to be certain days where they’re going to say, OK, let’s scale it back a little bit and amp it up for the next practice, or whatever it is. But I’m ready."’

‘The deal was important for Buffalo’s defense, particularly in the wake of Tuesday’s defection by linebacker Paul Posluszny to Jacksonville.’