Archives for July 2012

‘While the cheap seats in the 500 level are only 4 per cent cheaper at $48, field level seats have dropped by 49 per cent to the $85 range. Overall, the price of tickets are 35 per cent lower than last year. Anyone who bought tickets as part of a package will receive a discount.’

‘”It was huge,” Barnett said. “I was disappointed in the fact that I was released, and definitely wanted to go out and show them as well as show myself and anybody else who doubted me that I’m still who I am. I’m still here to play football. I still love to play the game. I’m still going to run to the ball, make plays and have fun. The plays are not always there, but I was blessed to have the type of year I had. It was fun as far as the individual stats. I was just out there proving it to myself and proving it to anybody else.”‘

”’This is a significant step in the right direction to help us re-engage with our fans who attend our games at Rogers Centre,” Bills executive vice president Mary Owen said. ”Last year’s shutout victory over the Redskins featured our best gameday atmosphere to date at Rogers Centre. Our goal is to build on last year’s momentum and provide an exciting Bills gameday experience.”’

‘Every ticket price in every section has been reduced, with ticket price reductions ranging from 4 per cent to 51 per cent. Ticket pricing begins at $48 for Level 500 seating up to the maximum $225 for Field Level VIP seating. Fifty-eight per cent of tickets are less than $100, while 88 per cent of tickets are less than $150.’

‘Based on performance history and name recognition, which unfortunately carries just as much weight as production sometimes in Pro Bowl voting, there are a few leading candidates on this team that could be selected to next year’s AFC roster.’

”’The flak he took after the play is undeniably ridiculous,” said Beebe, who stresses to his players to ”always try on a play and you can live with yourself. We’ve all lived [Lett’s] path, too. We all make mistakes. It’s what you do with it.”’

‘”You don’t want to do too much when they’re both in there because if you lose one of them then you’re without a big part of your package,” said Gailey. “So you’re trying to construct enough to create problems for the defense, but not so much that you’re relying totally on having both of them at the same time. That’s a fine line that you walk creating offenses to be able to take advantage of both good players.”‘

‘Rookies lost negotiating power because the CBA’s rookie wage scale essentially slots players into the previous year’s financial terms. Contract lengths aren’t to be haggled over either. All players drafted from the second round and later get four-year deals. First-round picks can have a fifth-year team option. But the first 12 picks of last year’s third round proved to be out of whack money-wise, and this year has required a market correction.’

‘This book may not clear up every aspect of Cookie’s legacy, but it does a good job of giving his side of the story and is an entertaining part of local history.’

‘Graham was selected in the third round, 69th overall, in April, when the Bills traded up two spots to draft the North Carolina State product. He’s a speedy receiver who is expected to compete for a regular spot on a Bills offense that’s lacked a downfield threat to complement starter Stevie Johnson.’

‘I think Dareus will be eating up opposing offensive linemen and quarterbacks and spitting them out during the 2012 campaign.’

‘Contract Issue Looming In 2013: Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Bills signed Fitzpatrick to a six-year, $59 million extension last October. By the end of the 2012 season, $21 million of that will have been paid out. If Fitzpatrick has another season in which his interception total nearly matches his touchdown total, and his passer rating is once again in the 80.0 range, the Bills will have to make a decision on his contract — which includes a $3 million roster bonus (partially guaranteed, for injury only) that comes due on the second day of the 2013 league year and has cap numbers that will swell from $6 million this season to $10.4 million or higher from 2013 through 2015.’

‘Rookies can report to the team facility to work out on their own beginning today (July 9th) provided they are under contract and that served as added motivation for Graham to get his deal done.’

‘Crucial, vital, essential, necessary are just a few of the words that describe indispensable. Buffalo’s defense has made some critical additions that should raise the level of play on that side of the ball. Their depth is also appreciably better in some areas, but injuries have compromised promising Bills’ seasons before. And as hard as GM Buddy Nix has tried to make his roster complete there are still a few areas where if a starter goes down it will be hard to maintain the same level of play. Here are the candidates on defense that the Bills can least afford to lose.’

‘”It’s tough for a rookie to come in here. Our offense you need to know all four (receiver) positions,” said Fitzpatrick. “It’s a lot more difficult than going somewhere and playing one position all the time. That being said he’s made big time strides in the OTAs and we’re throwing everything at him.”‘