Archives for May 12, 2016

'The Bills did not announce the terms of Seymour's contract, as per team policy, but the rookie wage scale takes most of the guess work out of the contract. Last year's 218th overall selection, offensive lineman Anthony Morris of the Oakland Raiders, signed a four-year deal worth $2.359 million, with a signing bonus of nearly $80,000 – the only guaranteed portion of the contract.'

'“I am just elated and delighted his number is going to be retired,” Levy said. “I know Bruce. He is smiling and will stay smiling now and all the way to that date.”'

'"The odds were against it," Levy said. "A lot of things happen with the odds against it. He had an over-impressive impression of himself at that time and how it ought to be. But he really did turn the corner and Darryl Talley had a big impact on him and I think the teammates that did keep coming in (did too). Bill Polian and I, along with Mr. Wilson, made the agreement we would bring in only players of high character onto our team. The personalities might be very different of each other. Some extroverts, some more quiet and laid back. They all eventually had a great impact on each other."'

'And to receive this news a day later, it just shows how great God is and he just continues to bless my career, the hard work, just everything surrounding my career. So, where it sits, I think it fits right at the top with being inducted into the Hall of Fame. And there’s so many other honors that have been bestowed upon me. I’m very grateful and thankful.'

'A fine way for the Bills to mitigate any perceived idolatry would have been letting some undrafted rookie wear No. 32 in training camp long ago. But this year would be an appropriate time to reintroduce it. Rookie running back Jonathan Williams, a fifth-round draft choice, wore No. 32 at Arkansas.'

'“We laugh and joke, and at the end of the day nobody takes it personal,” Smith recalled Wednesday morning during a conference call with reporters. “You know me, I like to instigate things. I looked at Jim after about the third or fourth glass of wine and I said to him, ‘How did you get your jersey retired before us? You weren’t even the best player on the team.’”'

'"The NFL itself doesn't encourage a lot of number retirements because pretty soon you run out of numbers a little bit, but it's merited and I'm just glad it's happening now," Levy said Wednesday. "Some things do take longer to occur than maybe you think they would have. I don't have any criticisms of it. I'm just elated and delighted that his number is going to be retired, and I know Bruce, he's smiling and will stay smiling between now all the way to that date."'

'"How hard he played each and every Sunday," Brandon said when asked what he would remember about Smith. "His commitment. And I remember after a game, something I'll take with me the rest of my life, it was a pretty tough defeat. I don't remember which game it was, we were pretty down the next day and Bruce came up to the office and said 'There's a 24-hour rule. This is how we've been so successful in the organization. You and everyone else needs to get over this like we do because we have to go back to work. And that was the kind of work ethic and intensity and that entire team brought each and every day. Just watching him at his craft, he was an amazing, unbelievable player and I know the numbers speak for themselves."'

'But the other in the offseason I understand he went back to Virginia Tech to finish his degree, which was good. There he met a woman counselor who put him on the right track in every respect. Boy he dropped weight with the urgings of her and Darryl. Shaped up and got ready, his principles changed. He not only turned out to be the greatest player, he married that woman, what a wife she was, his wife Carmen. So those people had great impact on him. What a change in his practice habits, his excitement about playing the game, all of those things occurred."'

'“I remember I started playing in the Denbigh Youth Football league, and ever since then the NFL has been there in my mind,” Lewis said.'

'"I didn't know exactly what I was getting into and the expectations, but I quickly learned." Smith said. "I've got to tell you, it was one of the most fulfilling experiences that God could've placed in front of me. I'm truly grateful and thankful."'

'Seymour is the first of the Bills' seven draft selections to sign with the team.'

'"Russ Brandon and I had a number of conversations and I think a month ago he informed me this was going to happen. Thank you to the Pegulas because they have reached back into the rich history of the Buffalo Bills and they're making a concerted effort when it comes to recognizing that rich history. It's why they were an excellent fit to become the next owners of the Buffalo Bills."'

'“I want I want people to remember the effort. And dedication. And commitment that I put into to playing this game,” he told reporters on a conference call Wednesday afternoon. “Trying to make the fans feel proud and give them a source of entertainment for three hours every every week, and just that will to continue, to get better, and to be a champion, and to be the best and bring that energy that was one of the missing pieces to a great and historical sports town for so many years.”'

'He was a tremendous athlete with a chiseled body and it felt like his wingspan was as long as an aircraft carrier. There's no question Darryl Talley was the heart and soul of the defense on the teams that went to four straight Super Bowls but there's also no question who the best player on those defenses was…Bruce Smith. And its not even close.'