Archives for April 2006

‘It’s the first time Buffalo has started a season with two straight road games since 1998.’

‘”We are excited about this year’s schedule and the opportunity it gives us to make an impact in our division early in the season,” Bills head coach Dick Jauron said. “Our team is looking forward to opening our home schedule in week three against the Jets in front of our supportive fans. At the same time, we are disappointed that we are not initially scheduled to play a primetime game this season and that is something that we will work towards in the future.”‘

Sep 10 @New England 1:00pm

Sep 17 @Miami 1:00pm

Sep 24 N.Y. Jets 1:00pm

Oct 1 Minnesota 1:00pm

Oct 8 @Chicago 1:00pm

Oct 15 @Detroit 1:00pm

Oct 22 New England 1:00pm

Week 8 BYE

Nov 5 Green Bay 1:00pm

Nov 12 @Indianapolis 1:00pm

Nov 19 @Houston 1:00pm

Nov 26 Jacksonville 1:00pm

Dec 3 San Diego 1:00pm

Dec 10 @N.Y. Jets 1:00pm

Dec 17 Miami 1:00pm

Dec 24 Tennessee 1:00pm

Dec 31 @Baltimore 1:00pm

‘At left guard will be Bennie Anderson at the outset, but he figures to get strong competition from second-year man Duke Preston. "He’s capable of playing both guard spots, so we’ll see how things pan out," McNally said of Preston. In the pivot free agent pickup Melvin Fowler has been penciled in as the starter. Preston is still a consideration there as well, but figures to see more work at guard for the interim. "Fowler is a mobile center with starting experience," said McNally. "We’ve got a good read on him because assistant offensive line coach Larry Zierlein coached him in Cleveland."’

‘Giambra will then hold a news conference on Friday at 2:30 pm from his office to discuss the conversation and his views on the issue.’

‘"It’s an issue I haven’t thought a lot about, but certainly as part of the Buffalo community now, I’d be very interested in seeing what’s happening and seeing if maybe there’s a possibility that I’d play a role. Maybe not as an owner, but maybe in some other way. How I’d get involved has not been determined yet," said Golisano, who three years ago bought the Sabres when the franchise was in bankruptcy.’

‘The Buffalo Bills signed four low-profile free agents with NFL experience on Wednesday. The most noteworthy were cornerback Kiwaukee Thomas and offensive guard Aaron Gibson.’

‘”I’m concerned about the Buffalo Bills. I don’t want them to leave this community,” Golisano told The Buffalo News after watching his Sabres beat Ottawa in HSBC Arena. “They’re a big asset to this community, just like this team is.”‘

‘Golisano said the Bills were an “asset to the community,” and that anything that threatens their existence in Buffalo is of concern to him.’

‘Although he lives in suburban Rochester, Golisano has paid close attention to Buffalo-related economic issues since purchasing the Sabres. “The Buffalo Bills are a huge asset to this community and anything that imperils their ability to stay here and be fruitful is a big concern,” Golisano said. “The community’s got a big investment in the team mentally and I’d hate to have anything happen to that relationship.”‘

‘O’Rourke said the agreement allows for no wiggle room. Small market teams have to sell out each week. Ideally, he said, the Bills would have more luxury boxes that they could sell at $100,000 to $200,000 like larger markets do. Trouble is, he says, there are so few Fortune 500 companies around that could afford the higher-priced luxury boxes.’

‘NFL.com National Editor Vic Carucci say the Bills could be gone from the area if they don’t build a new stadium or get more money from the state. Owner Ralph Wilson said the long term viability of the Buffalo Bills in Western New York is in serious doubt. Carucci says the Bills will always be mentioned in conversations for Los Angeles until that market has a team.’

‘Buffalo businessman Drew Cerza said, "Western New York cannot afford to lose the Bills, but I think it comes down to this question: can we afford to keep them?"’

‘Thomas, a six-year vet out of Georgia Southern, has played in 85 games over the course of his career. A fifth-round draft choice by Jacksonville in 2000, Thomas spent five years with the Jaguars where he played in 75 games and started 11. Last year, Thomas was with the Dolphins and played in 10 games.’

‘Gibson, drafted 27th overall in 1999 by the Detroit Lions, has 34 starts in 38 career games. He spent last year out of football after spending two seasons with Chicago, including 2003 where he played under new Bills coach Dick Jauron.’