Archives for April 29, 2012

‘Corp began his college career at USC but broke his leg in 2009, paving the way for Matt Barkley to take the starting job. After backing Barkley up for the rest of that season, Corp transferred to Richmond in 2010 where he started 16 games over two seasons. Over the course of his collegiate career, he’s completed 61.6% of his passes and thrown 21 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.’

‘Now before we all get too giddy we need to see these players on the field, but it’s looking like they might have actually done pretty well here and dare I say……is it really true….could the Buffalo Bills FINALLY be on their way back?’

‘This site is in the heart of downtown, a block from the Metro line and directly across Exchange Street from the current, very modest Amtrak train station. The Buffalo Niagara Gateway Center could transform this location into the focal point of transportation downtown, the gateway to Western New York.’

‘Complicating the issue is an expiring 15-year lease and the mortality of the team’s 93-year-old owner. Ralph Wilson reportedly has no contingency plan to keep the team here after he is gone. The Bills-valued at $792 million-presumably would go to the highest bidder, who probably won’t be from around here. A likely landing spot is Los Angeles, an NFL-covetous mega-market with wannabe owner Phillip Anschutz eager to launch a stadium project.’

‘”These linemen are huge, and we got some good speed at the skill positions,” Nix said.’

‘Bradham, FSU’s defensive captain, led the Seminoles defense in tackles each of the last three seasons but caught the Bills attention for other reasons, too. At 6-foot-1, 240 pounds, he’s bigger than what’s become the prototypical college linebacker as schools go smaller and quicker to combat spread offenses. Also, Bradham considers special teams no less vital than his play on defense.’

‘ But after all that, I am optimistic. Wary, yes, but impressed enough to think the Bills will be at least a .500 team next season. If they stay healthy, and some of these draft picks hit big, they can challenge for the playoffs.’

‘”After that I saw myself on ESPN for the first time and that was kind of when it clicked that I could maybe play at the next level,” Carder said. “Up until that point it was just football. It’s still just football, but as far as going on to the next level, it never really clicked until 2009 which was my first year to start.”‘

‘”We got bigger and we got faster, I just hope it was in the right spots, and I think it was,” said Nix. “You’ve got to feel like these guys are going to do what they’re expected to do, they’re the right kind of people and they’re good enough to play.”‘

‘I like that Nix has a plan and he’s sticking with it, building through the draft, grabbing free agents that make sense, and recently sending out word to everyone at One Bills Drive that it’s time the franchise became “relevant” again. After all, 12 years in a row missing the NFL playoffs is enough.’

‘Bradham, who was rated a five-star prospect coming out of high school, was extremely productive on the college level. He led FSU in tackles as a sophomore, junior and senior, becoming the first Seminole to accomplish that feat since Marvin Jones in the early 1990s.’

‘”He finds ways to get on the field, and when he’s on the field, he makes plays,” said Buffalo scout Shawn Heinlen. “You never hear him complain about anything. He goes out, minds his business, works every day in practice and in games, and when he gets to play, he’s productive.”‘

‘”If he goes to just about any other school in the country, he’s a starting corner and he’s been there for a couple years,” Bills scout Shawn Heinlen said of Brooks. “But because he’s at LSU, he’s competing with the best of the best on a daily basis. They may not have enough time to get him snaps in games. There are just not enough positions.”‘

‘”I see the fifth round as an opportunity,” Sanders said. “I feel like it’s going to give me a fair shot. I feel like I have to go up there and earn my respect. I can’t wait to get up there and have a shot.”‘

‘”He asked me if I wanted to be a Bill and said get ready to come up there and play some football,” Carder said. “I was excited as could be, man. I couldn’t even hold my emotions in. It was the most awesome experience I have ever been a part of to this point.”‘