Archives for September 2, 2013

‘So brace yourself, Bills fans, for another sub-par won-lost record. I know that’s going to be difficult to swallow, but try to focus on the progress of the young guys. The experiences of this season could lay the foundation for a playoff run in 2014.’

‘”We were excited about it, but I don’t want to give the wrong impression,” Marrone said of Manuel’s participation Sunday. “Two or three days from now, I don’t want to be communicating, ‘but wait a minute, he looked good, you led us on to believe that he’s doing that.’ I don’t try to play any games.’

‘”I understand that it is a tragic event that took place and it’s going to take a while to cope with it, but at the same time, I can’t forget the task and the goal and the dreams that we have as a team and as an organization,” he said. “I want to be a part of that, and I’ll do everything I can to make sure that I’m ready to go.”‘

‘Coach Doug Marrone said following his team’s preseason finale that if Manuel could get back on the practice field by Wednesday, he’d have an opportunity to start against the Patriots — over fellow rookie, Jeff Tuel, who was undrafted out of Washington State.’

‘Nathaniel Hackett followed Marrone from Syracuse to Buffalo this offseason, and the NFL’s second-youngest offensive coordinator will bring a speed-based offense to the Bills. Hackett wants to ramp up the tempo, getting plays off with 20-25 seconds left on the play clock. He has weapons on offense to play with. In addition to holdovers C.J. Spiller and Steve Johnson, the Bills selected a pair of receivers high in April’s draft. The reality, though, is that Hackett may need to temper expectations on offense as he develops Manuel at quarterback. There’s big-play potential from this offense, but a heavy dose of Spiller may be the best bet initially.’

‘Manuel participated in warm-ups and individual drills during the portion of practice open to the media. He moved well and did not appear to show any effects from the injury. He was wearing a small brace on his left knee underneath his black spandex.’

‘Burton gives the Bills some depth at cornerback. The Bills are without top corner Stephon Gilmore for 6-8 weeks due to a broken wrist and have little experience at the position behind Gilmore.’

‘Burton, a fifth round pick of the Vikings in the 2011 draft, played in 14 games in two seasons. He played collegiately at Utah.’

‘”He’s still working his way back in. Doing a couple of team things, but still working his way back in to get him into a position where he can help us.”‘

‘Burton has played in 14 games with Vikings from 2011-12. One of those games was a start. The Utah product entered the NFL as a fifth-round draft selection of Minnesota in 2011.’

‘EJ Manuel was back on the field Sunday and did everything during the 15 minutes the media was allowed to watch practice.’

‘Asper re-joins the Bills after being selected by the team in the sixth-round of the 2012 Draft. The 6-7, 325-pound Oregon product spent portions of his rookie season on the 53-man rosters of the Minnesota Vikings and the Jacksonville Jaguars. He will wear No. 62.’

‘Manuel underwent an unspecified minor surgical procedure on his left knee two days after that game. Since then, he’s slowly been working through rehab-throwing from a stationary position with trainers and running on the treadmill.’

‘Burton was Minnesota’s fifth round draft pick in 2011 from Utah. He played in four games in his rookie season, with one start. Burton did not start a game in 2012 for the Vikings, but saw action in ten games.’

‘Buffalo brought back late cuts LB Jamie Blatnick, DL Izaan Cross, and QB Thad Lewis, who each spent time on the roster under the new coaching staff, along with OL Mark Asper, Buffalo’s sixth-round draft pick in 2012, and WR Tommy Streeter.’