Archives for May 16, 2014

‘This is indeed a fascinating, pivotal time in Bills history. The team could have a new owner before the season is over. Commissioner Roger Goodell has said the Bills’ long-term viability in Western New York is dependent on the construction of a new stadium, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo has expedited plans to identify sites for it. The coming season could be a make-or-break campaign, not only for Manuel but for Coach Doug Marrone and Whaley, perhaps even for Brandon.’

‘Kelly has eight more radiation treatments to receive and one more course of chemotherapy treatment. After this month, the plan is to wait a couple of months to see how well the treatments have worked in battling sinus cancer.’

‘Hawley said his letter to Mrs. Wilson was a follow-up to two he’d previously sent to Mr. Wilson. Hawley’s first letter to Mr. Wilson was mailed out in the early 1990s, when Hawley was a Genesee County legislator and the Bills were in the middle of their glory years, with four consecutive Super Bowl appearances.’

‘The Bills argue they should not be included in the lawsuit because the team long ago relinquished the rights to employing and managing the Buffalo Jills’ cheerleading squad to private companies.’

‘The signings were announced on Thursday, and were made before Buffalo opens a three-day rookie minicamp on Saturday.’

‘As for the Bills, Kelly remains interested in joining a prospective ownership group to buy the team. Kelly’s brother, Dan, said he’s had several conversations with at least one candidate, New York City developer Donald Trump.’

‘Even when there’s an event at a small venue like Artpark, the Grand Island bridges can get backed up. Dyster said, “That’s why we have experts, we’ve got the world’s largest architecture and engineering firm in AECOM and I’m assuming if you’re going to build a stadium and it’s going to cost you a billion bucks, throwing a few million in there for infrastructure probably isn’t a deal breaker.’

‘However, there’s some doubt on just how well Watkins’ game will translate to the NFL.’

‘The club signed fourth-round pick Ross Cockrell and seventh-round selections Randell Johnson and Seantrel Henderson.’

‘Carter finished his Minnesota career in 2012, playing in all 13 games during his senior campaign recording 49 tackles while helping the Gophers to a Meineke Car Care Bowl berth. The 5-11, 189 pound Minnesota product played in 37 games during his collegiate career.’

‘Buffalo’s pass rush figures to be formidable and Cleveland is expected to be a heavy run team to help Johnny Manziel on offense. It is Manziel’s improvisation that will be the matchup to watch against a top 10 Bills defense at Ralph Wilson Stadium at the end of November.’

‘I picked up the phone and it was the GM, Mr. Doug Whaley. He asked me how I was doing and I said, “I’m good. I’m doing a lot better now that you called me.” He asked me how I felt about being a Buffalo Bill because they were going to take me with their next pick. I told him I would love to be up there. Then they went through the process of getting my information and they had me on a conference call with some of the media folks, so I was probably on the call for 15 or 20 minutes.”‘