Archives for September 2015

'Ryan inherited 70 players: 52 from the active roster (with Orton’s retirement), 10 from the practice squad and eight from various injured lists. Only 43 remain.'

'How do you sell 60,117 season seats to a fan base whose team hasn’t made the playoffs in 15 years? Hire a coach who says the postseason isn’t merely the goal … it’s the expectation.'

'The man, who police say was middle-aged and from Western New York, died on the scene, and an investigation determined the gunshot wound to be self-inflicted.'

'And that’s why quarterback is not the biggest key to success for Buffalo this season. It’s the offensive line. If Buffalo can get it together up front and simply give a quarterback some time to look downfield, it makes average talent good and good talent great.'

'And yet, he’s not a mystery to everyone. Those close to Taylor – from Hampton, Va., to Blacksburg, Va., to Baltimore to Phoenix – are hopeful, no, borderline convinced that Taylor will excel in the NFL. They use words like “special” and “charisma” and “maestro.” Just wait, they promise, just wait.'

'Ryan said he’s excited for the opportunity. The guy loves a challenge and has a history of being prepared for openers. His Jets teams were 5-1 on Opening Day; his defenses allowed an average of 16.5 points in those games.'

'Tyrod Taylor does his best work throwing rather than running.'

'Bills 27, Colts 20.'

'If I wasn't playing football, I'd be coaching or something. When I was out of college, I worked at Target in the electronics department. That was fun, but it's not something I want to do. I want to be active. My major in college was Youth Studies, so working with kids. Anything coaching or working with kids.'

'The statue gives fans the chance to shake the outstretched hands of Wilson, who is wearing a sport jacket, National Football League Hall of Fame tie, slacks and New Balance tennis shoes.'

'But for most of the last 30 years, nobody associated with Buffalo quite knew who Kemper was. His voice was famous, but he was anonymous. And until a few days before this impromptu performance in his basement, Kemper had no idea – not a clue – of the power his voice, and that song, holds in Buffalo.'

'Orchard Park Police were not releasing the man’s name, but said he was middle-aged and from Western New York.'

'When he walks onto the field at Ralph Wilson Stadium, the 53-year-old Ryan will do so as a veritable demigod following an eight-month honeymoon that included eating wings and drinking beer with Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas; driving around town in a truck decorated with the Bills' red, white, and blue logo; jumping out of airplanes; throwing out first pitches in both Buffalo and Rochester; shaking hands, slapping backs, and kissing babies; showing off his knowledge of Bills history with lovable references to Cookie Gilchrist; reveling in taking digs at Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and the despised Patriots; and picking Tyrod Taylor to be his starting quarterback.'

'Is the Bills' offensive line any better than it was last year? One thing we know for sure, it can't be any worse. '

'"It's a team effort," Altomore said. "There's a whole team of us that get together and we look and see what the fans will like and what's moving in the restaurant scene in the Buffalo area and see what we can introduce from other areas. It's a lengthy process, it takes a couple months of testing recipes, then we have tastings with clients and then it's ready to go.'