Archives for January 2015

‘”Well, I’m not concerned at all,” Ryan said. “Right now, we’re obviously in an evaluating process right now, in particular about the quarterback position and other positions as well, so we’re just getting on the job. I can’t tell you who that quarterback’s going to be right now but when you surround a quarterback with outstanding players, it’s not just about one man. It’s about every man. Not just one man, and I think that’s where our focus is going to be. Do we want to develop a quarterback, not just a franchise quarterback? Of course, but we’ll take steps.”‘

‘He said he the report that the Bills were his third choice was “definitely false.”‘

‘There are reports that Doug Marrone interviewed for job as offensive coordinator in Jacksonville. How the mighty average have fallen.’

‘”I also like the fact that we now have an offensive coordinator joining the team from San Francisco,” she added, referring to Greg Roman. “I think between the two of them it’s the right formula we need.”‘

‘The Bills are going to the playoffs for the first time in 15 years. “I am not going to let our fans down. Get ready. We are going to the playoffs. We’re going.”‘

‘He said Manuel “was somebody that we looked at when he came out (of college).” He added that he would like to see Manuel use his legs more.’

‘”Well, you’ve got to believe that,” the running back said Wednesday. “We feel like we got better at the head coaching position. Obviously you hate to see things unfold the way that they did, but you’ve got to look at the best side of it. We have a coach coming in here who wants to win, who’s proven himself as a coach that can win. You’ve got to feel like you’ve gotten better.”‘

‘Even with Marrone’s unexpected departure, what this team needed was a chance to keep growing and improving and some serious attention to fixable offensive challenges. Instead, what we have gotten is another full blown demolition project.’

‘What Ryan will do to help complete the Bills’ turnaround won’t be known until the team returns to action in September. But one thing is clear: Ryan brings a new attitude to the franchise. He’s committed to winning, not rebuilding or taking steps back. He aims to be the best and asks for nothing less from his players.’

‘Ryan might already be the most charismatic Bills coach since Lou Saban, but let’s be honest. It’s a pretty low bar around here.’

‘”Where does the most snow fall in the area? I want to live there,” Ryan proclaimed.’

‘If you thought Ryan would be a humbled man after a flame-out finish to his once-promising six-year run as head coach of the New York Jets, you thought wrong. If anything, Ryan cranked it.’

‘This is why Pegula is excited about his new coach. The Bills and Sabres owner, like the rest of this area, is sick and tired of being the butt of national jokes. About the weather. About wide right. About a depressed economy. About a football team that has not reached the playoffs in 15 years, a dry spell Ryan promised will come to an end.’

‘Ryan’s loyalty to his quarterback is lauded. The result of that loyalty is not. McElroy, Tebow, Sanchez, Michael Vick, Geno Smith. Ryan never finds a way to win with any of them. Now he goes to another team without a proven quarterback and where he has to hope that EJ Manuel turns out to be more than a pretty face on a tattoo.’

‘It’s at times like these that we’re reminded of an essential truth of pro sports: Being a head coach or GM is a lot like being a salesman. And Ryan, as his five-year contract worth $27 million (U.S.) might suggest, happens to be one of the sporting world’s best.’