Archives for September 5, 2012

‘By no means am I ready to declare this season the end of the playoff drought, but to say a team that started 5-2 last season, with its entire core back and healthy, is the fourth worst team in the league is just horrible analysis.’

‘Bringing Martin back gives the Bills five wide receivers and extra help on special teams, particularly as a gunner on the punt team.’

‘”It’s exciting to have this opportunity,” said Potter. “It’s really rare to have a kickoff specialist so it’s great to be able to help the team out, and hopefully field position will be really good for us this year.”‘

‘Martin, 30, played 14 games for the Bills last season and was used mostly on special teams. Brooks would have been a prime candidate for the gunner (wide) position on punt coverage. Martin can do that job. He tied for second on the Bills last season in special teams tackles. A seventh-year veteran, Martin filled in at WR when injuries hit late last season and caught seven passes. Martin now gives the team five true wideouts.’

‘”There’s only so long where you can just be the Old Bills, just getting beat ’round in this conference,” said receiver Stevie Johnson. “It’s time to turn it around and take over, and I think we’ve got the team that can do it this year.”‘

‘”There aren’t many times anybody has an edge over Fitzpatrick,” Beuerlein said. “That bodes well. If Ryan can stay healthy and get the support he needs – I was really surprised how well he was playing last year – I expect him to come out with something to prove.”‘

‘”Their fan base is very similar to Buffalo in terms of, it’s very blue collar. The people work hard for their money. … They live for Sundays. They live for the Lions,” said Bills assistant special teams coach Stan Kwan, who previously spent 10 years working for Detroit, most recently six seasons from 2004-09. “During that stretch when we weren’t successful, I know it was tough on us, because we’re part of that community and we wanted to show well for them. It’s their team. Hockey and football are kings over there.”‘

‘Look for a 10-6 finish and a wild-card berth.’

‘I can’t believe I said it, but they should finish 10-6.’

‘The Buffalo Bills’ schedule is set up for a fast finish. If they start out 5-4, they’re playoff-bound. Even if they start 4-5, they’re in decent shape to make the postseason. Here’s a look at the challenges ahead for the Bills the next four months…’.

‘”Every year, the guys always tease me when I say we’re going to the Super Bowl,” Norman said. “We never do. The guys just laugh.”‘

‘Brooks, who had surgery to repair a broken foot last week, will be eligible to return this season after being placed him on the NFL’s newly created IR/designated for return list.’

‘Ross spent training camp with the Bills before being released Aug. 26. He also spent the final 10 weeks of last season on Buffalo’s practice squad.’

‘Hope springs eternal after offseason led by signing of Mario Williams. Key to success is play of QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. Is he guy who cashed in after strong first half of 2011 or guy who struggled in second half?’

‘”It’s the competition. I love it. With him being arguably one of the best cornerbacks in the league, I feel like it’s an opportunity to put myself out there and let the world know that Stevie Johnson is a player in this league. It’s just a competition thing. I’ve been fortunate enough to get a few passes on him and I’m working to get the ‘W’ though.. That’s what counts most.”‘