Archives for April 2006

‘But when Wilson was asked if he’d received any support from other small market team owners he said, “to answer your question, No. I’m the only one.”‘

‘”You move the Bills, the fan base isn’t gonna follow. They’re gonna stay here. They’ll pick up something new. They’ll pick up the Red Wings or the Rhinos and they’ll start supporting them. They’re not gonna follow the Bills if they leave Buffalo that’s the bottom line.”‘

‘Coach Dick Jauron said Sunday he hopes Everett will be ready to participate in the next minicamp early next month. "Yeah, he was disappointed. We were disappointed," Jauron said after practice. "But as soon as he heals, he’ll be back out working."’

‘”Ralph [Wilson] could have left Buffalo a long time ago,” said Schumer. “He’s committed to Buffalo as am I and we’re committed to not only keeping the Bills in Buffalo, but making the team as strong of a team as possible,” added the senator.’

‘"The next new owner couldn’t keep the team here," Wilson told The Associated Press after the press conference with Schumer. "It could not be fair. It’s not a fair proposal. … They’re changing things on me."’

‘Schumer said he will call NFL Commissioner Tagliabue to express his concerns over what Wilson projects to be a detrimental impact on small-market teams like Buffalo. Schumer reminded the gathered reporters that he sits on the powerful Senate finance and judiciary committees, which he said have jurisdiction over some NFL interests.’

‘”The message is we are a team,” Jauron said. “Everybody that is in this business is highly competitive and the players are the most competitive of everybody. It’s hard to back them off because you don’t want to back them off too much. You don’t want a walk-through. You’ve got to practice hard to improve. There’s a fine line in there and you don’t want them to cross the line. We practice in a way that gives us the best chance to win. In order to have the best chance to win you’ve got to be disciplined. If we lose a player in a brawl or a fight on game day that’s not giving us the best chance to win. If we get penalized it’s not giving us the best chance. If we lose a player in practice it’s not giving us the best chance. The players are aware of it.”‘

‘He has made his money, your money, my money, and just about everyone else’s money over the life of the franchise. His whining, that the Bills are in financial peril, is groundless and annoying.’

‘Several Bills Alumni appeared in Buffalo Saturday with the Athletes in Action Ministry, including former Quarterback Frank Reich, who hopes the Bills will remain here for years to come. Frank Reich: "We look back and we see those close bonds not only with the fans and community and we don’t wanna forget that but at the same time we wanna keep moving forward and be inspired by it."’

‘"I’m pretty close to my top shape and now that I’m here I’ve got the whole summer to get in the best shape I’ve ever been in," said Gibson. "I’m ready to grasp that."’

‘Davis will likely have to beat out Josh Reed to earn a starting role, though players such as Sam Aiken and Roscoe Parrish are also in the mix.’

‘Gibson said the Bills were the only team he considered this offseason. The chance to play for Jauron again greatly influenced his decision. “I know what kind of coach he is and how he approaches the game,” Gibson said. “I had some success under him before, so hopefully we can have some more.”‘

‘Other than Ngata, the most popular Buffalo pick for the mock drafters is Jimmy Williams of Virginia Tech, a big, fast guy who might start at safety as a rookie and move into a corner job if Nate Clements leaves after this season. Even more admired by the scouts is Michael Huff, Texas’ big-play safety who has the speed to start at corner. Huff is expected to be gone in the first six or seven picks, but if he seems to be sliding toward No. 8, the Bills would have to think seriously about him.’

‘The Buffalo Bills have been downright frugal compared to some of their NFL brethren, with defensive tackle Larry Tripplett (five years, $18 million) being their most expensive signing.’

‘”Every new stadium costs the Buffalo Bills money,” said Wilson, one of two owners to vote against the new labor deal. “The teams that have built these new stadiums where they can charge very high prices for suites and club seats and regular seats have thrown things out of balance.”‘