Archives for January 2007

‘2006 started off as a team of chaos in the offseason, a new (older) GM, a returning coach who quickly resigned and more press conferences in the first month of the offseason then during the season. Dick Jauron came on board and a solid draft and sound, disciplined play gave us a team that showed tremendous growth and a respectable 7-9 finish which had the team in the playoff hunt until week 16.’

‘A third paternity suit was filed against Willis McGahee, 25, Buffalo Bills running back and former University of Miami Hurricane.’

‘The Bills still have a chance to re-sign Fletcher, assuming they still want him. But if he gets a good offer elsewhere, the team probably will let him walk.’

‘Three members of this year’s Bills squad – defensive end Chris Kelsay, middle linebacker London Fletcher and wide receiver Roscoe Parrish – were selected to the team.’

‘The Bills have an estimated $35 million of room under the league’s salary cap for next season. With defensive standouts Nate Clements and London Fletcher set to become unrestricted free agents, the excuse that the players are too costly simply won’t fly.’

‘The bottom line is that with upgraded talent via free agency and the draft and the further progression of their numerous young players, the downtrodden Bills could find themselves in the playoffs next January for the first time since the 1999-2000 season.’

‘This is a very good thing for the Buffalo Bills. Saban is a good, shrewd coach. In the long run he would have been a very formidable opponent for the Bills.’

‘”I just told him, “You’ve come a long way this year,’ ” Schonert said. “He was frustrated because he knew he could play better against that type of team. But that’s the competitor in him, and I love it. He’s got high expectations for himself, and I’ve got high expectations for him. I’m excited about him.”‘

‘There’s obvious anxiety about the Bills’ future. You hope Ralph has a plan, but he’s keeping that secret closely guarded. He could sell, transfer the team to his wife, let someone buy it from his estate, utilize tax-saving schemes; the list is endless. Since no single strategy is a front-runner, we’ll explore options.’

‘The improving Bills figure to make the Monday Night Football schedule for the first time since 2000. General manager Marv Levy says he’d prefer to have every game at 1 p.m. on Sundays but recognizes that playing on Monday nights is a pride factor for the team’s fans and a sign that the franchise is on the upgrade.’

‘Team MVP, Lee Evans.’

‘One minor drawback: The property taxes for 2006 were $80,718, according to the Multiple Listing Service. The home was built in 2003, a year after Williams signed with the Buffalo Bills for a $38 million, six-year deal, with $11.75 million guaranteed.’

‘So is that of Fletcher, who was bitter the team didn’t offer him an extension. He’s older – 32 before next season – but has never missed a game in nine pro seasons and has been a highly-productive player. He’ll get a good offer elsewhere and it’s fairly apparent the Bills won’t try to keep him. Kelsay is a Bill through-and through and won’t leave unless the team suggests he look elsewhere. The other key unrestricted free agent is cornerback Kiwaukee Thomas, who played the ‘nickel’ position and was outstanding on special teams in his first year with Buffalo. Approaching his 30th birthday, he’s expressed an interest in playing closer to his home in Georgia.’

‘The attendance mark was achieved though the Buffalo Bills suffered a league-high 6 percent drop at the gate. According to figures compiled by SportsBusiness Daily, the Bills, who finished with a 7-9 won-loss record, had 541,169 spectators pass through the turnstiles at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The per-game average was 67,646, or 91.5 percent capacity, down from 71,906 in the 2005 season.’

‘"I didn’t feel any sense of discomfort," he said. "The fact that Mike Mularkey, three days after I accepted the job and arrived on the scene, decided he was going to leave certainly made me realize that it was going to be exciting. I was planning to go down to the Senior Bowl and all of that, but instead we had to begin the coaching hunt. But I hope I never get comfortable in my position."’