Archives for March 15, 2014

‘Spikes has been one of the best run-stopping inside linebackers in the NFL the past two years. The Bills have felt his hard-hitting presence.’

‘Kelly is expected to go to a hospital in New York City on Monday to seek further treatment. His wife, Jill, and oldest daughter, Erin, have spent the past week on a trip to Jerusalem with a group from Liberty University, a Christian school in Virginia where Erin Kelly is enrolled. They were en route back to Western New York on Friday.’

‘”Gotta silence the lambs, get on my Buffalo Bill! (hashtag)51 (hashtag)BILLSMAFIA taking back the (hashtag)AFCEAST (hashtag)PoWwWwW,” Spikes tweeted.’

‘The statement says the hospital’s head and neck cancer specialists are determining a course of treatment.’

‘Spikes recorded 86 tackles in 16 games (11 starts) with New England last season. The 6-foot-2, 255-pounder has played 51 games (39 starts) in four seasons with the Patriots, totaling 284 tackles with four forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.’

‘After the Hall of Famer was diagnosed with upper jaw cancer last June, he had surgery to remove part of his jawbone and declared cancer free without having to undergo radiation or chemotherapy. But the Erie County Medical Center announced Friday that Kelly’s cancer has reappeared.’

‘According to John Wawrow of The Associated Press, it’s a one-year contract and various outlets are reporting it’s worth $3.25 million.’

‘Dixon, 26, has spent each of the past four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and turned himself into a special teams asset over that time. As a runner, he’s got 458 yards on 148 carries and eight touchdowns.’

‘Last year, Kelly was diagnosed with Squamous-cell carcinoma (cancer) of the upper jaw bone. Two weeks after treatment, Kelly said he was cancer-free. ‘

‘There were some rumblings that a deal may have already been hatched between the two sides, but that isn’t the case. At least not yet, according to ESPN’s Adam Caplan.’

‘Spikes, 26, has been a starter during all four of his seasons with the New England Patriots to begin his NFL career. Over that time, he has a total of 286 tackles in 39 starts. He’s a noted run defender that would slot in as the team’s middle linebacker if they were to strike an agreement.’

‘Spikes finished third on the New England Patriots defense in 2013 with 86 tackles (48 solo) in 16 games with 11 starts. The 6-2, 255-pound Florida product was selected by New England in the second-round (62nd overall) of the 2010 Draft and has played in 51 games (39 starts), totaling 284 tackles (173 solo) in his NFL career.’

‘Jim Kelly came to ECMC this week for continued testing related to his oral surgery. Unfortunately, it has been determined that his cancer has returned.’

‘The Bills free agent visits continued on Friday with 49ers free agent RB Anthony Dixon and New England free agent LB Brandon Spikes.’

‘In an appearance on Bills flagship station WGR Sportsradio 550 Friday morning Whaley confirmed that rumored plans to move Kiko Alonso to the weak side linebacker position this fall are now underway.’