Archives for October 25, 2006

‘"We believe it’s a chance for the NFL to expand its brand," said Jeffrey Littmann, Bills’ treasurer and representative of owner Ralph Wilson at the league meetings in New Orleans.’

‘"He’s been very steady," said head coach Dick Jauron. "What Rian has done speaks for itself. The kicks have not been easy. There haven’t been a lot of chip shots, so he’s been exceptional for us."’

‘”It’s been very difficult because I’ve never gone through anything like this,” said the four-year pro, whose slide is coinciding with Buffalo’s current three-game losing streak. “It seems week after week you’re going through the same stuff. The doubt has to start to creep in a little bit because you usually just shake stuff off.”‘

‘The Heineken Combine has taken place at One Bills Drive three years in a row gaining exposure and enthusiastic contestants each year. Participants receive a complimentary Bills throwback jersey and the opportunity to compete in four skills stations accumulating points for catching punts, passing for accuracy, punting for distance and throwing for distance. The top three contestants based on total points kick a field goal to increase their score and attempt to surpass the leader.’

‘”I feel good about it,” Peters said. “Coach called me up last night and told me. I think I have the quickness and the ability to handle the blind side. I’ve just got to work on my techniques and get better this week.”‘

‘It took Drew Brees 28 starts to look great. Jake Delhomme needed 22, and fumbled 15 times his first full year as a starter. Matt Hasselbeck, 29 starts after appearing in 32 games as Brett Favre’s back-up (Favre, coincidentally, regressed after a break-out first year to toss 24 picks his second season. Should’ve played Ty Detmer, or brought back Don Majkowski, huh), Steve McNair, Jake Plummer, even, to some extent, the Manning boys. David Carr is putting it together this year. After SIXTY starts. More than one pick was spent to get this kid, so let’s give him at least the year, huh?’

‘Green played for the NFL for seven years in the 1970s, most famously as part of the Bills’ formidable offensive line that helped O.J. Simpson run a record-breaking 2,000 yards in a season. He and his fellow linemen were dubbed the Electric Company because they “turned the Juice loose.” But that was long ago, before Green’s gait slowed and his brawn softened. Before family troubles. Before drugs.’

‘When Buffalo’s regular season concludes on Dec. 31, there’s a very good chance all five of the abovementioned players will see their careers end with the team. Quite frankly, that might be the best move the Bills can make. Moving on without deadweight veterans is usually a wise way to conduct business in pro football. Just ask the Patriots.’

‘The Bills, though – who we already wasted $63 million on back in 1997 – represent a poor investment in the vitality of the area economy. The economy would not miss the Bills were they gone.’

‘The Buffalo staff had apparently been contemplating the changes for at least a week but decided to wait until the bye to enact them. The Bills’ offense statistically ranks 30th in the league, and the passing offense is No. 29.’

‘"Monte Carlo, Monaco. The reason why is because I’ve been dreaming about going there because they’ve got all the luxury. They love the epic life of luxury over there. They got the Bentley’s, the Ferraris, the Phantoms, the Rolls Royse, the Bugattis. I heard that when you step over there in one of the hotels, all those cars are parked outside and it’s supposed to be one of the richestet cities in the world." Peerless Price said.’