Archives for June 2006

‘”I just try to fly around and make plays and make things happen,” said DiGiorgio. “There are a lot of great linebackers here that I’m trying to get tips from, but I’m basically just going all out trying to make plays.”‘

‘Now that Price is back in his comfort zone, don’t be stunned if he experiences a career renaissance. After all, it’s not as though Price lost his speed or his ability to catch a football. All he lost was his confidence, which isn’t a hard thing to do when you’re trying to catch passes from Vick, arguably the worst passer in today’s league.’

‘Here are six reasons to stay away from the Bills’ quarterback come draft day, whether head coach Dick Jauron picks J.P. Losman, Kelly Holcomb or Craig Nall to get the ball Sept. 10 at New England.’

‘Johnny Holland never had time to unpack his suitcase when he joined the Buffalo Bills in January. Two days into his tenure as Buffalo’s linebackers coach, Holland received the call he and his family had been waiting for.’

‘Since retiring in 2000, Thomas doesn’t keep a very close eye on what’s going on in the National Football League, choosing instead to focus on his family first and foremost. That doesn’t mean when fans ask that Thomas won’t happily answer questions about the game in which he excelled at for so many years. “I don’t mind talking about football, if someone wants to talk about it I’ll be more then happy to share my thoughts and my experiences,” Thomas said. “I just don’t watch much of the NFL anymore. That’s not who I am. I had my time as a player, now I want to focus on other things in life.”‘

‘In the meantime he’s rehabilitating and studying the new playbook brought in by head coach Dick Jauron. New plays, new terminology and a new position are in his future. McFarland figures to play both guard and tackle when training camp opens. “The more you can do, the better chance of sticking around you have,” he said. “Our offensive line the last couple of years has struggled a little bit, so there are some new faces this year. There are three or four guys that will be around for sure. After that it’s wide open.”‘

‘When Levy cut disappointing right tackle Mike Williams, one of the biggest busts in NFL history, early on, a strong message was sent that he and new coach Dick Jauron were going to seek players with strong work ethics and character and not overpay underachievers. It may take time, but Levy and Jauron have a plan and they’re sticking to it.’

‘"I talked to the coaches during the off-season and they’ve assured me this defense is very simple," Clements said. "I feel with my ability I can fit into any scheme. I’m not limited to cover 2 or zone, I feel I can play it all. Cover one, fire zone, blitz, whatever."’

‘After scrimmaging the Browns or Packers during the past several training camps, the Bills will be keeping to themselves this summer. New coach Dick Jauron isn’t a fan of traveling beyond the two scheduled road preseason games during camp and scrimmaging usually takes a reciprocal agreement. "Camp compared to what it was years ago is relatively short," Jauron said. "I like the fact of keeping our guys together in one spot and staying focused on ourselves. You really don’t mind sometimes when another team comes to you but I’m not inclined to go visit anyone else and it’s hard to find that kind of relationship every year. I’m comfortable with just keeping our guys and working our own stuff to get ready."’

‘Although RB Willis McGahee has two years to go on his rookie deal, the team and McGahee’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, have had some talks about a contract extension. The talks are merely preliminary at this stage, but the team knows how important McGahee is to its future. The organization believes his best days are ahead of him and it hopes the early contract talks will lead to further discussions that result in a long-term deal.’

‘The Buffalo Bills invite you to audition on Tuesday June 27, 2006 at 3:00 PM. for the opportunity to sing the National Anthem at a home game during the 2006 National Football League Season.’

‘"Sometimes the situation calls for that and I’d like to think that I do it at the right times as opposed to the wrong times," said Losman. "I hope more often than not that I can see that it’s going to be a tight throw if I throw it there, and have the presence of mind to realize it would be so much easier to go over here with the ball. If I do throw it in a tight spot it should be because that’s my only option and the only chance I have to make the play successful. As long as I approach it that way I’m going to take that chance."’

‘Anderson said he talked to Levy once or twice during minicamp, but has really taken a liking to Jauron, whose 35-46 career record includes a 13-3 campaign in 2001, when he was named Associated Press Coach of the Year. "He expects a lot out of you, but he’ll do a lot for you," Anderson said of Jauron, whom he described as a player’s coach. In general, Anderson is optimistic about the coming year — and he doesn’t think he’s the only one. "I’m pretty excited," he said. "I like the new coaching staff. I like the new defensive philosophy. I think the guys are buying into the new defensive system."’

‘”There are always going to be some people that sit back amazed as if to say, ‘There’s Thurman Thomas,'” Thomas said. “Mostly what I remember from last year was how respectful everyone was. They were happy to have me here and really welcomed me into their hometown.”‘

‘What would you tell concerned Bills fans who are worried about you regaining form? Spikes: I’m not, so why would you!? I was born to make a difference in this game.’