Archives for May 2014

‘Kouandjio will be asked to make the transition to right tackle in the Buffalo offense. The 20-year-old enters the NFL with questions surrounding the soundness of his left knee after surgery.’

‘”I’m always ready to compete and I do have respect for the guys that are already here,” he said. “But I’m going to compete.”‘

‘On a tour highlighting renovation progress at Ralph Wilson Stadium, the Bills announced they’ve hit 44,000 in season ticket sales, surpassing their total in each of the past five years. With three months left to go in the season ticket purchasing window – which ends at the first home preseason game – this is the highest total since 2009.’

”The Bills signed the Gannon University product, who also played in the Arena league, earlier this offseason. Mostly a defensive lineman, Buffalo tried to make him an offensive guard.’

‘”Obviously being a young guy sometimes you would look past somebody in a progression when you could’ve just held on a half second longer and he may have come open,” said Manuel. “So just going through my own film study this offseason is something I noticed.”‘

‘”This is the day I had circled on the calendar for a long time,” Bills coach Doug Marrone said after the team went through a two-hour practice without pads. “I couldn’t be more excited, more pumped up to be out there with them knowing that we all have a lot of work ahead of us.”‘

‘The contract is worth an average of $5 million a year. It’s worth a total value of $19.9 million, according to a league source. Watkins, the fourth overall pick in the draft, will get a signing bonus of about $12 million. The top rookie deals are fully guaranteed in the NFL.’

‘While emphasizing the preliminary nature of any plans for a stadium, the Syracuse native and former Syracuse University lineman remains committed to a major redevelopment of the former Seneca Mall. He unveiled plans for a mixed-use, public-private mega-project with two hotels, residential apartments, office buildings, retail, a theater, community facilities featuring twin hockey rinks and vast underground parking.’

‘”I kind of prepared myself for it happening,” Kouandjio said of his fall from the first round. “I had an issue with my knee, so I thought it might be a possibility, but I thought it was slim. But it happened, and it was a tough and humbling experience for me.”‘

‘”I feel like I’m on the straight and narrow,” Dareus said. “Things happen; young, dumb. You’ve got to correct it and just work through it.”‘

‘Buffalo is counting on Watkins to immediately step into the starting lineup for a team that has not been to the playoffs since 1999, the NFL’s longest current drought.’

‘The person added that Golisano’s proposal will include building a new football stadium south of Buffalo. The land belongs to Pyramid Management Group, which is owned by Robert Congel, Scott’s father. The Syracuse-based company is one of the largest shopping mall developers in the northeast.’

‘Financial terms have yet to come available, though the former Clemson All- American is expected to receive slightly more than the four-year, $18.7 million contract No. 5 overall pick Khalil Mack signed with the Oakland Raiders.’

‘The Bills traded wide receiver Stevie Johnson one day after selecting Watkins, clearing the way for Watkins to be the Bills’ top receiver this season.’