Archives for September 2014

‘Hey, did we have a discussion? Absolutely. I confirm that absolutely. Are we great? We talk every day, three times a day. We talk about a lot of things. We’re competitive and I couldn’t be happier with those guys, I really couldn’t. And then the thing about Jim [Monos] is great, too, because I was one of the ones that recommended Jim to come here. So there’s a lot of things in that that I think I’ll probably catch a lot of heat on from my friends because it’s just not true.’

‘There is still some doubt with Gilmore and Dixon, but less exists with the team’s first-round pick. The Bills will likely have wide receiver Sammy Watkins for the regular season opener after the rookie practiced in full for the entire week. Watkins injured his ribs during the team’s preseason finale and did not return to the game.’

‘The Bears were the number two scoring team in the league last season averaging just under 28 points per game (27.8). Chicago was also ranked sixth in red zone touchdown efficiency in 2013 finding the end zone better than 58 percent of the time. Buffalo’s red zone defense was stout in its own right ranking sixth in the league last year (47.1%). The Bills defense will need to have that kind of success Sunday holding Chicago to less than a 50 percent success rate if and when they crack Buffalo’s 20-yard line.’

‘”It’s not like I’m going out there for vacation to see my family,” said Bryant. “Of course I’ll see them after the game. Once we get there, it’s all locked in trying to get the first victory of the year.”‘

‘Bears 28-2.’

‘The Pro Football Hall of Famer underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments during the spring. Earlier tests showed no signs of cancer and follow-up biopsies in Kelly’s jaw also were negative.’

‘"There was no questions on Seantrel’s ability," Whaley said. "He’s a better player than Kouandjio. He would have been probably, maybe the second tackle taken if he didn’t have his issues."’

‘The finishing part is what we have to improve on, but we moved the ball. A lot of games, we moved the ball up and down the field, but the name of the game is scoring. We’ve got to score touchdowns to win games, so that’s a point of emphasis I’m sure the coaching staff is going to stress this week. Hopefully between the execution and the game-planning, we’ll make that happen.’

‘”I haven’t done it in a while, but I did it in the preseason. It felt good to get back out there,” Spiller said Thursday. “The biggest thing is to have ball security and to give the offense the best field possession if I have the opportunity. … I’ve done it before, so it’s nothing new to me. It’s just like second nature, really.”‘

‘Kelly’s wife, Jill, posted a message to her Facebook page of Jim calling their daughter, Erin, who is a way at college, with the results.’

‘Buffalo Bills cornerbacks Leodis McKelvin and Stephon Gilmore say they’re ready for the challenge on Sunday afternoon in the season opener at Soldier Field.’

‘”This is some of the greatest news I’ve ever gotten,” Kelly said in a prepared statement. “It’s been a long road, and I’m still not back to 100 percent, but I have a lot to be thankful for.”‘

‘On Thursday, Kelly was at Bills practice along with his teammate and fellow Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas.’

‘Tight end Lee Smith was the only player to miss practice completely. He is still dealing with a toe injury. Safety Jonathan Meeks was limited by a neck injury on Thursday.’