Archives for August 3, 2006

‘”The run game is crucial,” he said during training camp in suburban Rochester. “(Martz) is very, very aggressive and really stretches the field. I felt that was good to be exposed to that. But we’re not trying to emulate the St. Louis Rams. “We play in the AFC East, outdoors,” Fairchild added. “It’s just different.”‘

‘Every year a handful of NFL officials spend a couple of days at Bills training camp and with every other team in the league. They arrived this morning and were out on the field for the walk-through. This evening we can expect to see some commentary between the defensive players and the officials as they debate the judgment calls that will be made tonight. The back judge already called Nate Clements over after a particularly aggressive jam on Sam Aiken coming off the line. “He was telling me about the jam and I thought we had five yards,” said Clements with a smirk. “You know how it goes.”‘

‘In 2004 the Bills were second in yards allowed and eighth in points allowed. Last year the Bills dropped to 24th in points allowed and 29th in yards. “It just happened, I really can’t explain it because I wasn’t there too much,” Linebacker Takeo Spikes said “It’s the little things, it’s the details. We’re just going back to the basics this year.”‘

‘”The situation here is great,” Williams said. “We are going to play a rotation, according to the coaches, and we want everybody to go out there and play as hard as you possibly can. It’s a great situation, a great team to be a part of, and I’m just going to go out there and do my best.”‘

‘The Bills could be left with two simple questions: Is Clements the cornerback he thinks he is? If not, who’s going to replace him?’

‘The Bills are offering Whitner more than the $12.1 million guaranteed money that linebacker Ernie Sims, the ninth pick, got from Detroit. But the Bills’ proposal apparently is not satisfactory to agent Jonathan Hurst, who has declined comment on the negotiations.’

‘”I learned from coach (Tony) Dungy that you have to put things in perspective,” Tripplett said Wednesday morning, sweat pouring down his face moments after the Bills’ practice at steamy St. John Fisher College was mercifully complete. “You have to know that the world is a whole lot bigger than just football.”‘

‘While the Bills claimed to be bargaining in good faith, it appears Whitner’s agent – who has declined comment – feels his client is being low-balled.’

‘”The question around here is ‘Why isn’t he in camp?’ But it’s a business,” Nixon said. “You don’t know how long you’re going to last in the NFL. You have to try and get as much as you can right away. He could come in and break his leg the first day of practice. You never know. For me, I was on top of the world playing, leading the NFL in interceptions when I got a knee injury and it was the beginning of the end of my career. You never know. You’ve got to be lucky out there, too.”‘

‘"I always play with a chip on my shoulder, but I just want to show people that given the opportuntity, I can make plays," says Price. "If I get the opportunity and don’t make plays, then its time to hang it up."’

‘Yet, despite what would seem to be a formidable challenge from third-year safety Rashad Baker, veteran Troy Vincent appears certain to start Sept. 10 when the Bills open at New England. “Troy’s got the most experience,” defensive backs coach George Catavolos said Monday. “The guy’s played for 15 years. He’s been a very productive player. He’s smart and he’s a good athlete. He’s our leader.”‘

‘"What happens, happens. I’ve waited my whole life to get this opportunity," said Barth, a 6-foot-3, 275-pound tight end and three-time Empire 8 All-Conference selection at Utica. "I’ll do the best I can do. If I don’t make it? Hey, it was an honor regardless."’

‘If Losman ends up winning the top job in Buffalo, it won’t be arm strength and mobility, but demeanor that will be the most important factor. He’ll have to ditch his happy-footed game of last season to take the job from Holcomb, who was the Bills’ primary quarterback in the second half of ’05.’

‘"You know this is one of those days where you have to grind and push through. We had a decent practice," said Evans. "You know, it’s good to get out here and get acclimated to stuff like this because we have that second game down in Miami and this is what it’s going to be like."’