Archives for March 2013

‘”I feel the worse for the Buffalo Bills, because they worked real hard to convince the film company that Buffalo was the place to shoot this, and that Buffalo was America’s team.”‘

‘Gallivan wants to increase that percentage for producers willing to film outside of New York City. The amount would increase by 5 percentage points the farther the drive from New York City. It would be 35 percent in Long Island and the Lower Hudson Valley, 40 percent in the Capital region and 45 percent in Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo.’

”’I retire today not because I don’t feel I can go out there and still play the game at a very high level,” Merriman wrote. ”I am retiring because I want to retire on my own terms and leave while I know I can still physically play the game.”’

”’I don’t know,” Nix told The Associated Press, when asked if the team had reached any decisions regarding Levitre and Fitzpatrick. ”We’re still in the process of working on it.”’

‘Merriman’s career with the Bills was also plagued by injuries. He was released by the club prior to the 2012 season but Buffalo brought him back in October. Merriman had 17 tackles and one sack in 10 games last season.’

‘New offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, 33, comes to Buffalo from Syracuse, where he worked as Doug Marrone’s offensive coordinator. Hackett ran an up-tempo style of offense at Syracuse, and his first order of business will be figuring out who is quarterback – Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tarvaris Jackson or a rookie. The strength on offense is the O-line, RB C.J. Spiller and WR Stevie Johnson.’

‘The price tag will be steep. The Bills used their franchise tag on Byrd, so they must give Levitre a long-term deal or let him walk.’

‘The real trouble was, he had become a player without a position.’

‘”Now that Jairus got his franchise tag, there’s a week and a half for them to work a deal out with me. But I haven’t been offered anything yet. We’re waiting around to see if something will pop up.”‘

‘It also means that unlike defensive backs George Wilson (who has already signed with Tennessee) and Terrence McGee, linebacker Nick Barnett, and defensive end Chris Kelsay (retired), Byrd will not be an ex-Bill. At least not in 2013.’

‘Byrd isn’t required to accept the offer, and he’s also not prevented from negotiating with other teams. The Bills, however, will have the right to match any offers made to Byrd.’

‘The two-time Pro Bowl selection has started 57 of 62 games since joining the Bills as a second-round pick in the 2009 draft. He is tied for third in the NFL with 18 interceptions since 2009 and last year tied for the AFC lead with five picks.’

‘With the tag, Byrd is guaranteed a one-year salary of $6.916 million, but both he and the Bills have until July 15 to negotiate and agree to a long-term contract. If the two sides do not come to an agreement by that date, Byrd can only sign a one-year deal with the team and will then go through the whole process again in 2014.’

‘The club did not disclose whether they used the non-exclusive or exclusive franchise tag. The non-exclusive franchise tag still allows other clubs the opportunity to sign Byrd to an offer sheet and gives the Bills the right to match any offer. If Byrd is signed by another club and Buffalo chooses not to match the Bills would be awarded a pair of first round draft choices from the club that signed Byrd.’

‘It comes down to priorities, not needs. Quarterback is their biggest need, but it doesn’t mean it’s their top priority. If Nix makes the right moves, he can satisfy both and walk away satisfied that the Bills were in better shape when he left than when he arrived.’