Archives for March 22, 2012

‘Buffalo is headed in the right direction with the 10th overall pick in the upcoming draft. They might want to solidify the wide receiver spot or the offensive tackle and grab another defensive end to shore up the other side of the line.’

‘"We’ve got a new pass rusher added to our defense," Nix beamed. "It really is a big deal for us and an exciting time. We think this made us a lot better. This guy’s about as productive as anybody around for the number of snaps he played. He’s been in rotation some but he’s a pass rusher."’

‘Thomas’ daughters were even more emphatic. “Omg my dad @thurmanthomas is NOT RUNNING FOR CONGRESS! what the hell,” said his daughter, Olivia.’

‘All of a sudden a team that recorded a paltry 29 sacks in 2011 has assembled, at least on paper, one of the most dynamic defensive lines in the league.’

‘The Pats weren’t going to compete with that deal, not for a guy who wasn’t an every-down player.’

‘”We didn’t really have a set bounty system in Buffalo, like the one they had in New Orleans,” he said. “It was totally different. It was … unlike anything I had every experienced in college. Looking back at it, we definitely took things too far. We had a skewed perception of how the game should be played.”‘

‘The move was announced Wednesday and comes less than a week after the Bills signed Mario Williams to a six-year contract potentially worth $100 million. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds, Anderson has 35-1/2 sacks in six seasons, including 10 last year with the New England Patriots.’

‘Selected by Atlanta in the second-round of the 2003 draft, the Penn State product spent his first three seasons with the Falcons and also played a year in New Orleans before signing with Buffalo in 2007.’

‘Thomas is a Republican who has been politically active in recent years.’

‘”I think I’m going to have a pretty good opportunity,” Anderson said. “Just the chance to be on this defense, there are a lot of guys on this defense that can play ball that I’ve seen in my time in the league.”‘

‘Anderson, most recently of the New England Patriots, had 10 sacks for the AFC Champions in limited time on the field. He was a consistent force for New England all season long, and proved to be a menace in the playoffs as well. He had 2.5 sacks in three post-season games.’

‘”I really am on cloud nine,” Scott told WGR via telephone Wednesday afternoon. “Like I had said before in our exit meetings my heart and my head was in Buffalo. I’m just glad everything worked out and I’m able to wear a Bills uniform for the upcoming season.”‘

‘Set to turn 29 in May, Anderson is a former teammate of Mario Williams as both played for the Houston Texans in 2010. Both along with Bills DT Kyle Williams are members of the 2006 draft class.’

‘”He played a big part,” said Anderson of Williams recruiting role. “I knew Mario from Houston and knew what type of guy he was. He played a big part. The whole defensive line played a big part. The whole coaching staff, the team, I saw how hard this team worked last year. They started off good, but had a few injuries along the way, but now it seems like everyone is back and ready to go. I’m just happy to be a part of this organization.”‘

‘It was just maturing. I had to grow up as a player. My role changed as the year progressed. I had to learn the game more. Coming in as a rookie I was out there going off of pure talent and athleticism. As the years went along I matured along the way. I had great coaches break down different responsibilities to me and different situations that I would be put in as a defensive end. Like I said, as the years went along I matured and I was able to adapt and understand what works and what doesn’t work in this league and what’s best for me as a pass rusher.’