Archives for July 2011

‘”To our fans, I say thank you for your patience and your understanding during these past four months,” Wilson said. “So with this great news today, it is time for all of us to focus on the 2011 season and look ahead to Training Camp. I’m excited about the direction our team is heading as we enter the upcoming season and I know our players and fans share in that excitement.”‘

‘The most popular quarterback being reported is Tyler Thigpen, who started 11 games in 2008 for coach Chan Gailey when Gailey was offensive coordinator for Kansas City Chiefs. Thigpen threw for 18 TDs for a bad Chiefs team and his mobility is appealing. Minnesota’s talented but erratic Travaris Jackson is another type of player Gailey finds appealing.’

‘”We appreciate their patience through the process and we’re excited to build upon what we started last year under Coach Gailey and Buddy Nix- that’s getting back to the playoffs and the job Coach and his staff did last year. We’re excited to get ready for football and we know our fans are as well.” — Bills CEO Russ Brandon.’

‘”We’re excited to start preparing on the field for the 2011 season,” said Bills CEO Russ Brandon. “We’ve been working hard as an organization throughout the process, but we’re looking forward to training camp at St. John Fisher to get the season underway.”‘

‘Most of the Bills’ receivers along with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick worked out together earlier in the lockout out on Arizona and resumed those sessions recently in Buffalo. “We’ve been working on our chemistry,” said Easley, who was tabbed by teammate Steve Johnson as a potential breakout player this fall. In 2009, Easley led UConn with 48 receptions for 893 yards and eight touchdowns.’

‘People can spend their money however they choose, but it would be nice if certain owners made the same commitment to winning as their fans made to them. Exhibit A: Ralph Wilson.’

‘This has been a long, arduous process for everyone. But in the end, we have a deal that is fair to both our players and the teams and, at the same time, protects the integrity of our game heading into the future.’

‘Speaking to The Associated Press by phone shortly after NFL players voted to OK a deal on Monday, Posluszny said he considers the Bills to be his “top priority.” Posluszny, however, added it would be irresponsible for him to not listen to what other opportunities are out there.’

‘Buffalo has money to spend – reportedly just south of $40 million, depending on this year’s salary cap. And don’t assume the Bills will fill their roster on the cheap. The new CBA supposedly mandates that all teams must spend virtually 90 percent of the cap figure.’

‘Hubbard spent much of the 2010 season on the team’s practice squad and was moved up to the active roster late in the year. He appeared in one game and had one catch.’

‘Whelan went over to the 2008 Dodge, smelled the odor of alcohol on Hubbard’s breath and observed his eyes to be glassy, according to a police report. He then removed Hubbard from the vehicle and handcuffed him as a possible suspect in an armed robbery in the area. Less than an hour earlier, a man reported being robbed at gunpoint near the same bar where police were responding to the fight call.’

‘The Bills tied a dubious franchise mark last season allowing eight opponents to rush for over 200 yards against them in 2010. Their lack of effectiveness forced the defensive staff to shift back and forth between 4-3 and 3-4 looks week to week depending on the opponent. While the immediate plan is for a hybrid system to continue Bills GM Buddy Nix has said the long range outlook is to primarily be a 3-4 defensive front.’

‘The incident happened at approximately 4am Sunday morning in the vicinity of Chippewa and Pearl Street.’

‘The players won on a number of fronts. They can whine about the owners trying to shove a deal down their throats. Vonnie Holliday said they were "tricked, duped, led astray, hoodwinked and bamboozled." If only the average American worker could be so bamboozled.’

‘Here’s a look at the pool of players set to become unrestricted free agents, with an emphasis on the Bills’ areas of need…’