Archives for April 2012

‘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.”‘

‘Asper went to Buffalo in the sixth round. He’ll compete as a snapper with the Bills, after playing some center at a postseason all-star game.’

‘”I got the call from the head coach literally right before the pick. He said ‘you’re our selection.’ I had a few of my friends run downstairs to see it on TV. I didn’t see it. I was in shock.”‘

‘Potter likely won’t be doing much more tackling, but the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Grand Haven native will have a chance to play on Sundays in the National Football League as Buffalo selected him in the seventh round and 251st overall in this year’s draft.’

‘Selected 124th overall, Brooks was mostly used as a reserve in a star-studded Tigers’ defensive secondary.’

‘Listed at 6-foot-5 and 308 pounds, Sanders was selected with the 144th overall pick. He predominantly played at right tackle with the Seminoles, but did see playing time on the left side in 53 career games, including 50 starts.’

‘Selected 147th overall, Carder is a two-time Mountain West Conference defensive player of the year, and was the defensive MVP in the 2011 Rose Bowl. Carder played a key role in securing TCU’s 21-19 win over Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl by breaking up a potential game-tying two-point conversion with 2 minutes left.’

”’I’m just excited to be at the point I’m at right now and just make the best of out of every opportunity,” said Carder, a former world and national BMX champion, referring to a past that’s as colorful as his first name. ”I kind of live life in the moment. I don’t dwell on the past.”’

‘Listed at 6-foot-7 and 325 pounds, Asper was picked 178th overall. He was a three-year starter, splitting time at both guard and tackle. He was part of a Ducks offense that ranked third in the nation in scoring and fifth in rushing last year. He becomes the third offensive linemen the Bills have drafted after selecting tackles Cordy Glenn in the second round and Zebrie Sanders in the fifth round.’

‘Selected 251st overall, Potter completed his four-year career with 333 points, to set a school record among kickers. Though he missed all three field-goal attempts from beyond 50 yards, the Bills were particularly impressed with how he consistently strong he was on kickoffs.’