Archives for January 3, 2013

‘”To be completely honest with you I was pretty discourage when we were in Arizona going through what I went through last year and how it was playing out four or five games into the year, I was pretty discouraged, so I definitely feel lucky and pretty blessed I was able to make it through the year. A lot of it had to do with the way our trainers, coach Gailey and the way everybody handled me, just trying to get me to Sunday with the way things were.”‘

‘In speaking with the media, Horton admitted to having already interviewed with the Cleveland Browns and the Cardinals for their head coaching vacancies, adding that the Bills were the last ones scheduled to this point in time. He also said he has an offensive coaching staff ready to go if hired.’

‘”We try to figure out the player’s trajectory given his age, the position he plays, his performance trajectory given his first few years in the league his body of work and how long will he stay at that level in the league and you try to structure a contract that captures all of his best years and creates a flexible contract in the years he might start to decline.”

‘Dan Mason, Rochester Red Wings GM, said, “Failure is not an option for Russ. I’m so happy, there’s not doubt he’s going to turn things around and he will do well. He doesn’t stop working until things are going the way he wants it to.”‘

‘”We go way back. We won some Super Bowls together so I have high regard for his coaching acumen,” said Whaley. “Personally I know him and we’ll see what happens. I know he’s got a lot of opportunities. We haven’t decided. We still have to figure out what we’re going to do, but I can provide some insight on how he performed when I was with him.”‘

‘As Cardinals defensive coordinator, Horton led a unit that finished 12th in the NFL in total defense, third against the pass, third in third down defense, fifth in sacks per play and 16th in points allowed. Considering the Cardinals had the lowest-ranked offense in the NFL it stands to reason that Arizona’s defense could’ve ranked even higher knowing how often they were on the field this season. The Cardinals offense finished 24th in time of possession.’

‘Buffalo began their rally with a one-yard run by Kenneth Davis and when Christie recovered the ensuing onside kick, Reich took over the show. He calmly directed the offense as he connected first with Don Beebe and then hooked up with Andre Reed for three more touchdowns. The Bills’ flurry put them ahead 38-35 with just under 3 minutes to play. With seconds left in regulation, the Oilers’ Al Del Greco tied the score with a 26-yard field goal kick to send the game into overtime.’

‘I was living on the West Side back then, and the traffic stopped the streets. Grant Street was at a dead stop, Metro busses and all. Everyone was whooping and hollering! People were hanging out of bus windows, and everyone was singing the Bills Shout Song! I remember calling my brother in Antioch, Illinois and we were both hollering over the phone! It was a great day in Buffalo and a great day in Buffalo Bills history!’

‘"I feel like this is Buffalo," Johnson said after the final autograph had been signed. "As a Bill we play in Buffalo, and so you see a lot of people around every other week or so. Coming up here to Hornell, it seems like we play here in Hornell. It’s like another home."’