Archives for August 2006

‘Former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly will serve as Grand Marshall and give the command to start engines for the Crown Royal 200 Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series race at Watkins Glen International, the track announced Tuesday.’

‘I actually do have a degree in journalism from the University of Iowa, so I think I’m pretty good at this stuff, at least until this gets edited. I know this, if I were a fan, I would want to know what actually goes on up in Rochester.’

‘Their completion percentage was relatively the same, but Kelly Holcomb had a rough night at quarterback. Despite going 16-22 passing Holcomb threw three interceptions on the night, was sacked twice, had a fumbled snap and a dead ball play where the quarterback is forced to eat the ball.’

‘On what he feels contributes to the inconsistency of the offense: The last couple of years? I think we’re coming along pretty good. It’s obviously a different offense. It’s a different offense for me. I’ve been in the same offense for the past eight or nine years, so it’s different for me coming into this situation. We’ve got guys that can make plays. Coach (Steve) Fairchild is definitely not scared to put guys out there and let them make plays. I think we’re coming together. I think everybody is ready to get on the preseason game. I really do.’

‘On Kelly Holcomb’s admittedly poor performance: I understand why he said it, and it’s good that he said it about himself. The entire practice there were a couple specific plays which end up really killing you in a ballgame and they happened in critical parts, so he was really down on himself about those plays. Quite frankly he should be and he was, so hopefully it won’t happen again.’

.’His rough 2005 behind him, Losman quite clearly has found his touch on deep patterns. He steps back in the pocket with confidence and lets it fly. However, though he found his targets with regularity on short and intermediate routes, Losman hesitated and looked far less comfortable in those situations. “Throw the ball!” was a common refrain during the course of the practice. Losman tossed one ball that was nearly picked over the middle by rookie Ashton Youboty, and when that play was immediately called again, Losman was intercepted by James Bethea.’

‘At the moment, he still must leap over veteran Matt Bowen in the starting lineup. Look for that to take place in the team’s four preseason games and the rest of training camp.’

‘”I mean, are you kidding me?” special teams coach Bobby April said. “You’ve got cold, you’ve got wind, but boy, is he mentally tough. He takes it as a challenge. … To be a Pro Bowl punter out of Buffalo is tougher than being the Pro Bowl punter out of some places.”‘

‘”High character was critically important to me, and I heard nothing but great things about Steve,” Jauron said. “He has a background in running the football – that’s critical and important to me offensively. You’ve got to run the football to be effective, and then he had the background throwing the ball and moving it a number of different ways – pushing the ball downfield and with the controlled passing game.”‘

‘Posey had only four sacks the past two years. Jauron said the Bills considered using him at defensive end but decided “it was not anything that was going to happen here.” By cutting Posey early in camp, the Bills are giving him a better chance to hook on with another team. Posey was in the last year of his contract. He will count $437,500 against the salary cap.’

‘There’s a new piece of headwear that has become all the rage with the Bills’ coaching staff.’

‘Indeed, when Preston was drafted in the fourth round (122nd overall), he was tabbed the Bills “center of the future.” Apparently it’s the distant future. The Bills signed Melvin Fowler from the Minnesota Vikings to play center and again have Preston lining up at right guard. “He played center most of his career, but we’re giving him a lot of reps at right guard,” offensive line coach Jim McNally said. “Chris Villarrial (the starter at right guard) has played 10, 11, 12 years, whatever it is (it’s 11), so we want to be able to give him a little rest now and then.”‘

‘Given jersey No. 36, Whitner went looking for a trade. Well, more like a purchase. Running back Shaud Williams was the seller, giving up No. 20 in exchange for No. 36 and a tiny percentage of the reported $13.5million that Whitner will earn from the Buffalo Bills over the next five years. The parties agreed to keep the exact terms of the sale private.’

‘While the Greater Rochester Visitors Association does not compile figures that show the camp’s economic impact locally, president Ed Hall has little problem saying there is “no question” the area benefits.’