Archives for January 2017

'"I guess there's been a perception we're inaccessible," he said. "But I've been consistent from Day 1 when I bought the Sabres and then with the Bills. By owning these teams, it's about the players and coaches. We didn't buy teams to be visible in the media. We bought teams to keep them in the area and to flourish with them. I let the coaches and the players be out front and be the story."'

'Let's see if the Bills fit the equation (players + winning = winning).'

'Lynn became known for quickly establishing the Bills as one of the NFL's best running teams this season, orienting the team's offense around the skill set of LeSean McCoy. Armed with Melvin Gordon and a strong run-blocking offensive line, it's fair to expect a similar system in Los Angeles, but before the Lynn hire, La Canfora reported that offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt and the majority of his staff was expected to be retained by whoever was brought aboard.'

'“One thing that’s very clear about Anthony Lynn is he’s a leader. He’s a natural-born leader,” Chargers president of football operations John Spanos told the team’s website. “As you can tell, I am very excited about the leadership qualities he’s going to bring to our team."'

'"Doug has control of the 53. We've talked going through the process with the Pegulas. I'm very comfortable with this situation," McDermott stated. Bills General Manager Doug Whaley added, "This is a team effort. We're working together to get this franchise to where we know it should be."'

'"He is a smart, decisive, faith-based winning," Bills Owner Terry Pegula said.'

'"It's who is your leaders in the locker room," Kelly said. "Who are the guys who are going to pulling everyone together to buy in to what the new coach is coming in here to do."'

'McDermott said that it would be "premature" to make any determination at this point about Taylor and that there is still plenty of evaluating to be done on his roster.'

'7 Eyewitness News Reporter Ed Reilly went to three popular fan spots near the stadium (Buffalo Sports Garden, O'Neil's, Big Tree Inn) to see what fans thought of the new coach after they watched the news conference.'

'There wasn’t a dull moment with Ryan. There may be plenty of them with the intense, but low-key McDermott. And boring might be what the Bills need after Rex’s three-ring circus. Unlike his predecessor who wasted no time taking shots at the New England Patriots and boasted how he was going to build a bully, McDermott, 42, came across focused and businesslike.'

'For one, even though it’s a “copycat league,” there’s no franchise (save for maybe the Browns) that is looking to steal intel from the Buffalo Bills. But secondly, this is an opportunity to release boilerplate traits — “commitment to winning, attention to detail, leader of men, blah blah blah” — instead of going all CIA on the reporter. But that’s Terry’s business.'

'Driven, disciplined, dedicated. All of them are words that have been used to describe Bills new head coach Sean McDermott. There were others too as he was introduced as the 20th head coach in team history Friday, by owner Terry Pegula. Words like thorough, smart, decisive and faith-based winner. It all sounds great, but McDermott knows as well as anyone that results are what count in the NFL.'

'“I know what I’m looking for,” McDermott said. “I know what a winner looks like, I know what it tastes like. I’ve been around a winner and that’s what I plan on bringing here."'

'Babich comes to Buffalo after spending 2016 with the San Diego Chargers coaching the team’s linebackers. A 14-year NFL coaching veteran, Babich’s NFL coaching career includes stops with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2013-2015), Chicago Bears (2004-2012) and St. Louis Rams (2003) in addition to the Chargers.'

'“Sean is a smart guy that works extremely hard and has all the intangibles lined up for him. He’s really going to be a tremendous head coach. I think the Buffalo Bills made the right decision there. He’ll come in, and what they saw in the interview process will be exactly what they see on the field, and how he carries himself in the community as well as amongst his players – high, high integrity, extremely hard working and very intelligent. I’m proud of him. He’s earned this opportunity.”'