Archives for April 11, 2006

‘The NFL Draft might be just 18 days away, but the Bills haven’t shifted much focus away from the free agent market. A day after signing wide receiver Peerless Price, the Bills hosted Carolina free agent guard Tutan Reyes and Houston free agent running back Jonathan Wells.’

‘2005 Team: Houston Texans.’

‘2005 Team: Carolina Panthers.’

‘"He’s a big guy that’s strong than can sit in there and take those double teams on," said Bills defensive line coach Bill Kollar. "The nose tackle is going to get doubled teamed a lot more than the three-technique does. You want a little bit quicker guy at the three, so we definitely see him more suited at the nose than the three."’

‘At this point, one of the biggest mysteries on the Buffalo Bills’ roster centers around who will start at receiver opposite Evans. By signing Price, the Bills have perhaps answered that question.’

‘"I guess like myself he’s come full circle in his career, McGee said. "When I told him what I was trying to do he kind of chuckled because I don’t think he took me that seriously. Things heated up last week to where we got to the point where we got a deal done. He’s very excited about coming back to Buffalo. He’s a young talented player with a lot more to give."’

‘”I spoke with Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and emphasized the importance of keeping the Bills in Buffalo and protecting small-market teams. He said he wants to do both of those things,” said Schumer, D-N.Y.’

‘The move fits a pattern the Bills have established this off-season: Signing low-profile players under the age of 30 whose careers they feel are ready to take off or they feel can benefit from a change of scenery. Or in Price’s case, the same scenery.’

‘On whether he can get more out of Losman: “J.P. has some talent. Obviously, he was a first-round pick and he showed arm strength and all sorts of good things, but that’s just a little piece of being a good quarterback. Putting it together and producing on the field, all the arm strength and athletic ability in the world doesn’t guarantee that you’ll produce as a quarterback. But there are a lot of tools that look good, a lot of positive things. Maybe a fresh start will be good for him.”‘

‘The league’s reputation was built in places like Green Bay and Buffalo. Those connections must not be broken.’

‘Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown says he will offer his assistance to the Bills anyway he can. Brown does not want to see the team go, but did say Buffalo would survive if the team picked up and left.’

‘However, Price was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in 2003 after making exorbitant salary demands. In two seasons with Atlanta, Price managed 109 catches for 1,413 yards and six touchdowns before being released for salary-cap purposes. Price signed with the Dallas Cowboys last season and caught just six passes for 96 yards in seven games before being released again.’

Moulds set to help Texans struggling offense (AP)

Welcome party (HoustonTexans.com)

‘Sam Hoyt (D-State Assembly) said, "I think that economically, the Bills do make an impact. They do have a great impact. They bring in lots of money from Southern Ontario. They bring in money from border states and obviously with players salaries and much much more. They have a very serious impact, a very positive economic impact."’

‘Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said, "If we are going to be able to preserve small-market teams like our beloved Bills here in buffalo, [then] something needs to be done in terms of the collective bargaining agreement."’