Archives for February 2014

‘”For me and Doug and Kelvin Fisher it’s a chance for us to hear the scouts, their take on things, especially when it comes to player background,” Monos told Buffalobills.com. “We sit in our office and evaluate tape, but we don’t know what the college scouts know about the makeup of the player.”‘

‘”They talk about the big four and we finally got the fourth one in with Andre to join me, Bruce and Thurman,” said Jim Kelly while appearing on Bills flagship station WGR Sportsradio 550 Monday. “We have James Lofton as well, and now it’s time to start working on Steve Tasker to try to get him in one of these days. He’s definitely one of the greatest to ever play his position on special teams and now we have to start working on Steve.”‘

‘”It’s been tremendously positive,” said Matt Sabuda, president of the alliance. “We ended up getting a ton of emails from people all across the country. People really want an opportunity to be empowered and get involved.”‘

‘”I’m still the same old person. Having achieved my dream hasn’t changed me a bit. I still eat McDonald’s, those fries are very good,” joked Unga, 27. “I don’t own a mansion, I don’t own an $80,000 car, and I don’t buy expensive jewelry, that’s not me. That’s not my style. I just want a normal life and I want to make my family happy.”‘

‘”The first thing I said when I heard Andre got in was, ‘Wow, we get to go back to Canton for another homecoming, another family reunion,’ ” said Bill Polian, architect of the Bills’ four Super Bowl teams.’

‘”To see Bruce and Thurman and the guys that I went to war with every single Sunday and these guys are immortalized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, to me now to be there with them, there is nothing better. Next to my kids being born, there is nothing better than this. Nothing better.”‘

‘”Oh my God, are you kidding me!” Joyce Reed-Ebling, Andre’s mother, said when contacted later. “This is one of the best things of my life. Getting married, having children, and my son getting into the Hall of Fame … I couldn’t ask for anything more. Now, I will be able to walk in there and see this happen. I was hoping it would happen while I was still around to see it.”‘

‘”Yes, I’ve waited. But my dad always told me, ‘Good things come to those who wait.’ These guys are immortalized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and for me now to be with them, next to the birth of my kids, there is nothing better.”’

‘He becomes the 10th member of the Bills inducted into the Hall’s shrine in Canton, Ohio, and the fifth player from the Bills’ Super Bowl era to be so honored.’

‘”There was definitely a lot of room for improvement, but I’m proud of what I did on the field,” he said. “It felt great to play every snap. My goal was to help the team as much as I could. Being on the field every snap, it’s something I’m proud of. I met my goal I set at the beginning of the year.”‘

‘In every year since 2007, Reed had made the cut to the 15 finalists. In the past four years, he advanced through the cutdown from 15 to 10, but did not garner enough support to get past that level.’

‘”I heard they’re raising the roof back home,” Reed said. “You know my whole family has been resilient forever. I wanted this for them. And I wanted it for the Valley. This puts a stamp on the Valley. I wanted this for them and I’m glad this is on my shoulders.”‘

‘Although Reed’s selection is sitting well with many folks in Pennsylvania and western New York, others aren’t as happy. Many feel running back Jerome Bettis, wide receiver Marvin Harrison or wide receiver Tim Brown are more qualified.’

‘Reed retired from the NFL in 2001, and has been eligible for the Hall since 2006, but has been held out for a number of years due to the logjam at the wide receiver position still trying to get their busts into Canton. Cris Carter’s induction into the Hall last year paved the way for Reed, who can now officially call himself an NFL legend.’