Archives for August 2012

”’It’s close,” the person said Sunday, speaking on the condition of anonymity because neither team has announced the trade. The Bills are in talks with Jackson’s agent to restructure the final year of the player’s contract. He’s scheduled to make $4 million this season.’

‘Buffalo also released defensive linemen Sean Ferguson and Jay Ross, defensive backs Prince Miller and Nick Sukay, tight end Fendi Onobun, receiver Derek Session and guard Jake Vermiglio.’

‘Jackson, a former second-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in the 2006 draft, was signed to a two-year deal by Seattle as a free agent prior to the start of last season.’

‘Clowney spent his first two-plus seasons with the New York Jets before spending the latter stages of 2010 with the Carolina Panthers.’

‘”I feel really confident,” Fitzpatrick said afterward. “I don’t think preseason games are an indication of where the team is. We’re 0-3 in the preseason but we’re 0-0 in the stuff that matters and we’re looking forward to going against the Jets.”‘

‘RT Erik Pears did not play against the Steelers after missing practice time during the week. Pears underwent sport hernia surgery during the offseason and had been making progress. His status for the regular-season opener is unclear.’

‘”We got a little rattled (after that),” coach Chan Gailey said. “We have to hold our composure better than we did. That is a great lesson right there.”‘

‘Jackson’s current deal is set to pay him $4 million for the 2012 season. Jackson became trade bait due to the emergence of rookie Quarterback Russell Wilson. The Seahawks also signed Matt Flynn in the offseason to compete for the starting Quarterback job.’

‘Jackson is yet another mid-level passer, but an upgrade over Young. None of this is good news for backup Tyler Thigpen. The Bills have said all summer they’re committed to keeping versatile Brad Smith as the team’s third passer.’

‘”I would say if (Fitzpatrick) plays good, we’ll be good,” Nix said. “If he doesn’t, then we’ll be suspect.”‘

‘With Caussin going on Reserve/PUP he no longer counts toward the Bills roster total. He will be eligible to begin practicing with the club anytime between the end of Week 6 and end of Week 9 of the regular season. During that window the Bills can make the decision to add him to the active roster or place him on injured reserve effectively ending his season.’

‘I’ve been concerned with the linebackers for a few weeks now. Mostly concerned about their ability, as a group, to stop the run.’

‘It’s not the shellacking that took place in the second half, it’s the first half performances (outside of the debacle at the end of the first half) that resonate for me.’

‘”Anytime that you can step onto the field and feel confident it is a good thing,” said Moorman. “We just try to go out there and pin them down in there and sometimes we will have to play the field position game in certain games and situations, so now we just will try to build upon this momentum going into the season and try to get better each week.”‘

‘The first-team offense looked good on its second drive of the game where Buffalo went 49 yards on just five plays. Fred Jackson ripped off two long runs and Fitzpatrick threw a pretty pass to David Nelson to setup a short touchdown run by Jackson. Fitzpatrick also had a nice throw to Stevie Johnson over the middle one and a nice deep out to Donald Jones, but otherwise he was inaccurate. On the plus side the Bills had no penalties.’