Archives for October 26, 2011

‘The Auburn product latched on with the New York Giants where he had been serving on the team’s practice squad until Buffalo came calling with a spot on their active roster.’

‘”We’re all capable at this level,” he said. “I pretty much buy in to what my coach teaches me and learn formations and being more familiar with anything mentally that gives me the edge over someone. Injuries are a part of the game. I know Kyle (Williams) and I know my coaches don’t think they’re taking a step back with me in there. I just have to fill the void and keep going.”‘

‘Part of the problem is, there has never been a huge procession of Western New Yorkers streaming across the international bridges to fill the stands. Some Bills fans just can’t warm to the idea of a home game in Toronto.’

‘"That’s probably going to be the way it ends up for game time," coach Chan Gailey said, indicating the Bills aren’t counting on having Demetrius Bell available.’

‘Merriman has been paid $6.95 million by the Bills – $3.2 million last year after he was claimed off waivers from the San Diego Chargers, and another $3.75 million this year. For that, he finishes his season – and quite possibly his career in Buffalo – with just one sack and nine tackles in five games.’

‘There are still tickets available for Sunday although Silvio D’Addario, vice-president of events, said Tuesday demand that is up: “We’re definitely doing better than last year at this time.”‘

‘In some ways, it’s Toronto’s hockey team and Washington’s football squad that have more in common. They are either the most valuable franchise in their respective sport or among the top two or three, depending on who is doing the valuations, yet that immense wealth and local popularity hasn’t translated into meaningful competitive success in a long, long time.’

‘According to organizers, there will be extended efforts to give the Rogers Centre a better home-field atmosphere, including more Bills banners everywhere and blue end zones to match those at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Outside the Rogers Centre will be the largest tailgate festival of the series yet in size and number of activities before the 4:05 p.m. (EDT) game.’

‘”We have so many guys who are unselfish, have a positive team-first attitude and have a great work ethic,” Wilson said. “When you have guys who don’t care who gets the credit and buy into the team concept, the sky is the limit.”‘

‘I think undeniably there is a large appetite for NFL football. We’ve seen that in the last couple of weeks, as tickets have soared since the Bills have been doing so well. The interesting thing is that those tickets are coming from Southern Ontario, not south of the border.’

‘”We’re ambassadors for the game, helping to globalize the sport, and so it’s a great opportunity for us to showcase what our team is capable of doing this season,” he said. “I’m just looking at bigger picture. A large percentage of our fan base comes from Canada, so we have to keep that in mind as well, and just grow the sport into a brand. Just looking at the bigger picture, I think it’s still worth it.”‘

‘He finishes the season with nine tackles and one sack in five games.’

‘The Bills tried to bring Merriman back slowly. He participated in just 15 plays during the preseason and the hope was to steadily bring him back up to a full-scale regimen. But the inflamed Achilles resurfaced and never calmed down.’

‘The Bills now have a vacant roster spot to fill before the team’s next game against the Washington Redskins.’

‘”Due to the fact that I have recently been experiencing excessive aggravation in my Achilles tendon, which is a limitation that I have been dealing with for well over two years now, I sought the opinions of multiple medical specialists. After much consideration and unanimous professional recommendations stating that my Achilles is in danger of rupturing, I have been advised that it would be in my best interest to undergo surgery as soon as possible in order to prevent a major injury. I would like to thank all of my fans for their continued support on my road to a full recovery and am looking forward to getting back out on the field.”‘