Archives for December 14, 2011

‘”I think a lot of the credit goes to the coaching,” Byrd told Buffalobills.com. “I think being in this defense for the second year and being a little more comfortable and having (secondary) coach (George) Catavolos stay on me about the little things. Sometimes it gets annoying and you don’t like it when things are harped on, but his consistency in coaching me up has been big.”‘

‘The Bills’ red-zone efficiency has plummeted during the team’s six-game losing streak. After reaching the end zone on 68 percent (17 of 25) of their trips inside their opponents’ 20-yard line during a 5-2 start, the Bills have scored on just 33 percent during their six-game slide. As concerning, the Bills have just 15 trips inside the red zone in that time, scoring five touchdowns.’

‘”Money is tight all over,” Cuomo continued. “It’s tight at the kitchen table. It’s tight in Albany. It’s tight on the county level, but I look forward to working together to come up with the best plan possible to keep the Bills here.”‘

‘Johnson will become an unrestricted free agent after this season. It will be interesting to see what the Bills will do: Overpay him with a new contract or use the franchise tag to keep him for around $9.5 million for one more season.’

‘Pears is a seven-year NFL veteran who is in his first full season with the Bills. He’s started 13 games at right tackle this season, and is part of a line that’s allowed a league-low 17 sacks. He’s provided stability to a position that had been in flux before he signed with Buffalo as a free agent last December.’

‘The Bills signed the Colorado State product in 2010, and the 29-year-old won a starting spot in training camp this season and has not looked back.’

‘”I can’t thank this organization enough for believing in me and giving me a real opportunity,” Pears told Buffalobills.com. “I look forward to building on what I’ve done and continuing to get better.”‘