Archives for April 29, 2008

‘The payment to the Bills was disclosed for the first time in Rogers Communications’ 2008 first-quarter report released Tuesday. The Toronto-based company is part of a consortium that negotiated a deal with the Bills to have them play five regular-season and three preseason games, starting this year, at the downtown Rogers Centre.’

‘The three cornerbacks taken – rounded out by the aptly named Reggie Corner (114th) out of Akron, and Pittsburgh’s Kennard Cox (251st) – allowed the Bills to restock a unit after the team cut Kiwaukee Thomas and elected not to re-sign Jason Webster this offseason. It was also an indication that the Bills aren’t convinced Ashton Youboty will develop into an NFL-caliber player.’

‘Kelly, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and Sen. Vicki Schmidt today touted the state’s expansion this summer of the number of diseases for which newborns will be screened from four to 29. Funding by the 2007 Legislature made the expansion possible, at a cost of $56 per child.’

‘After taking cornerback Leodis McKelvin 11th overall in the first round, the team sat pat at 41st overall in the second round and took Indiana’s 6-foot-6 James Hardy, one of the most highly productive receivers in Big Ten history. "We were thrilled he was there, but we stayed consistent with what we were trying to do," chief operating officer Russ Brandon said. "Obviously adding a big receiver was something we’ve talked about for a long time so to bring James into our system, we’re very excited about it."’

‘Each move changed the landscape of Losman’s future. His best option now may be to play out the final year of his contract as Edwards’ backup and if he gets a chance to start, make the most of it, and improve his value as a free agent.’

‘First-round pick Leodis McKelvin grew up a Dallas Cowboys fan watching Dallas defeat the Bills in back-to-back Super Bowls in the early 1990s. His favorite player was Deion Sanders. "I grew up a Dallas Cowboys fan and now I get to play against one of their rivals that they played in the Super Bowl," he said. "Buffalo’s got a great city and I’m going to come in and give the fans what they are looking for, a great player."’

‘Rogers Communications Inc. will pay the Buffalo Bills $78 million for shifting a series of games to Toronto over the next five seasons. The company, for the first time, confirmed the cost of the deal Tuesday.’

‘In 45 career games, including 28 starts, he had 91 carries for 321 yards and three touchdowns, including two last season. Viti, who must pass a team physical, is scheduled to report to the Bills for the start of their rookie minicamp this weekend.’

‘A fullback in every sense of the word, Viti was known for his body-jolting blocks at West Point. Blessed with a low center of gravity, Viti is a very effective lead blocker through the hole. "He’s a good blocker between the tackles," said Bills Coordinator of College Scouting Doug Majeski. "He’s a classic isolation fullback that will go up there and hit somebody in line."’

‘So it begins, the process of learning how to become a professional football player and you can believe that come September, the Buffalo Bills will have an impact rookie at wide receiver and all of Fort Wayne can go along for the ride.’

‘With free agency and the draft now over, it’s likely the Bills are more or less finished patching their major holes on both sides of the ball. Offensively, they certainly improved during the draft by adding two big wideouts (Hardy and Johnson) to aid a fledgling red-zone attack, but center and tight end are still concerns entering the 2008 campaign. Though fullback remains a position of uncertainty, don’t be surprised if the Hulk-like Viti takes the position by storm during the summer and emerges next September as running back Marshawn Lynch’s lead blocker.’

‘The Ravens signed Jim Leonhard, a 5-8, 190-pound safety who spent the past three seasons with the Buffalo Bills. He is considered a special teams player.’

‘”I’ve always felt you have to have four,” Bills Vice President of College Scouting Tom Modrak said of pass rushing defensive ends. “You can live with three but four is better.”‘

‘The two have had very little contact during Bell’s life. His mother, Gloria Bell, reportedly was only 13 years old and Malone a college sophomore at Louisiana Tech when Demetrius was born. Malone might have served jail time had her family asked the district attorney to file criminal charges.’

‘"Sometimes it is better to be a free agent than a seventh-round pick just so you can choose the best situation," said Drone, a 6-foot-2, 210-pounder who was born in Evansville. "I don’t think I could be in a better position than I am now."’