Archives for September 2014

‘But for months it was Pegula has been the front runner. His process has been the most organized with the fewest leaks, and he had plenty of money to work with. While Bon Jovi and his Toronto group tried to fend off public perception that they would move the team, Pegula has shown his commitment to Buffalo and had the full support of the Bills’ fan base.’

‘”I’m excited, especially with Keith (Rivers) day-to-day now and you get Nigel back,” Marrone said. “With the way he was playing, I’m excited about him being back. I really am. I think he was playing extremely well before and we’re looking forward to him being consistent and playing well when we start playing again.”‘

‘”Am I happy that the NFL is taking a harder stance?” Marrone asked. “Yes.”‘

‘Two critical factors beyond money — both long speculated as playing a role — indeed are among the Ralph Wilson trust’s expressed selection criteria. QMI Agency has confirmed that “certainty of NFL approval” is one, and the ability to close the deal immediately is the other.’

‘A newly reconstituted Toronto bidding group once fronted by rocker Jon Bon Jovi also submitted a bid. It is thought the group, which includes the owner of the Toronto Raptors and Maple Leafs, would seek to move the team to Canada once the stadium lease allows.’

‘”We’re undefeated,” wide receiver Mike Williams said. “It feels good. Like Wood said yesterday, we’re better than half the teams in the league right now. It feels good. We have a lot of confidence going into the week.”‘

‘The other groups submitting bids were led by New York City real estate mogul Donald Trump, and a Toronto group led by rocker Jon Bon Jovi. The bids were submitted to Morgan Stanley, the banking firm overseeing the sale process on behalf of late owner Ralph Wilson’s estate.’

‘With Bradham set to return, the franchise made room for him on the roster on Monday with the release of defensive end Jacquies Smith. Smith made the team initially as the fifth defensive end on the depth chart and the ninth of nine total defensive linemen. He still has practice squad eligibility remaining.’

‘Williams suffered concussion-like symptoms against the Bears and will be subjected to the National Football League’s protocol for that injury. The safety would be able to return this week if symptoms subside and he is cleared by the team’s medical staff.’

‘”I just went back home to Bakersfield, California, lived back in my high school room, unemployed and just had time to focus on all the stuff that they told me for the next eight months until I went back to San Francisco,” Schmidt said, in reference to being re-signed by the 49ers in January. “I pretty much did the same thing, knowing that there was a good chance I was going to get released once more.”‘

‘”I was on the sideline with my mouth wide open,” Spikes said. “I couldn’t believe it, man — it was just a determination play. It was definitely a win I’ll remember forever. There was something different about it, honestly.”‘

‘Filling the roster vacancy is LB Nigel Bradham, who was removed from the Reserve/Suspended list and added to the active roster.’

‘”The thing I’m proud of is we hit adversity at the end and, a couple of things didn’t go our way. All of a sudden it’s easy to get down … but I didn’t see any of that from this team. It was like, ‘We’re gonna get this thing done. We’re gonna go out and stop them, we’re gonna get the ball back and we’re gonna score.”‘

‘All four have similarities, but enough differences that they create matchup problems for defenses. Brown showed off his speed in the preseason. Dixon is a power guy. Spiller is someone who can kill you in the running and passing attacks. And Jackson is a model of consistency. When you need a big run, he almost always delivers.’

‘One criticism: The Bills got a little conservative with their play calling late in the fourth. Instead of attacking and going for a touchdown, they seemed to settle for a field goal. It worked out in the end, but it’s something to watch out for. Don’t be afraid to take some shots. Show some faith in your quarterback. You have plenty of weapons to choose from. Use them.’