Archives for May 2008

‘”Everyone’s excited,” Moorman said. “The first guy I approached was my partner in crime, Lindell. Actually I asked him if he wanted to team up and do it together and he said, ‘Oh, I just want to do it myself.’ I said if you’re going to do it yourself, I’ll do it myself. Then we started talking about it around Coach April and he said he’ll do it. Now it’s just a big special teams contingent and we’re excited about that.”‘

‘The Bills are in a position where they’re trying to build their 2-year-old Tampa 2 defensive scheme into something special. In order to accomplish that feat, Crowell is a player who ought to be in the franchise’s fold for the next number of years.’

‘Selected 251st overall, Cox was a two-year starter at Pittsburgh and one of three defensive backs drafted by the Bills. He became the first of Buffalo’s 10 draft picks to sign with the team.’

‘"I appreciate this very much," Cox told Buffalobills.com. "Buffalo gave me a chance that a lot of people didn’t give me. I just thank the organization for that and I’m just ready to move forward and get better at what I have to do and make sure this organization gets where it has to get."’

‘He had surgery the day after the injury. During the procedure, doctors inserted seven screws and a metal plate to stabilize the ankle and promote healing. That was followed by several months of long and sometimes painful rehabilitation.’

‘Season-ticket sales are already up four percent from last year’s mark of 48,236, and the Bills have a chance to top the 53,004 sold in 1993. The franchise record is 57,132 in 1992. Pretty impressive for a club that has had only one winning season this decade (9-7 in 2004).’

‘Lots of bodies but not a lot of answers. That’s how the Bills will enter the season at tight end, a position they talk about improving each year but never seem to seriously address. This year’s picture is clouded even more by the fact Robert Royal, the incumbent starter, is coming off right knee surgery. The team is counting on Royal returning to full health, but he may not be able to go fully until July training camp. Meanwhile, his absence is giving more repetitions to Derek Schouman, Tim Massaquoi, rookie Derek Fine and free agents Courtney Anderson and Teyo Johnson.’

‘"I really have a lot of respect for what he’s done in the off-season. He’s gotten bigger and stronger. I don’t think he’s missed a day or maybe one of an off-season workout since they started in March. He’s in all of the meetings and he’s worked hard. And I believe it’ll show up for us." — Coach Dick Jauron on how QB Trent Edwards looks to him this off-season.’

‘”I like the challenge,” Edwards said. “I’d rather it be me be in this position than any other guy in the locker room. It’s why you play the position. I wouldn’t say you enjoy the pressure, but you grow accustomed to it. Whether you’re a 10-year veteran or a rookie, the players want to see you back up the talk, no matter how old you are.”‘

‘”We’d like to have him here, but as you all know, it’s voluntary,” Jauron said Thursday, after the Bills wrapped up a three-day minicamp. “We certainly can’t force anybody to come. We’ve had great participation and great attendance, so we’ll just keep moving.”‘

‘"A lot of it comes from being coached differently and having these new plays being called, and new concepts," said Edwards. "There are a lot of things going on out here and we’ve put a lot in and I know Turk is putting a lot of emphasis on the players understanding the concepts and installing a lot of plays too."’

‘"I think it’s difficult especially for somebody that doesn’t run mileage because it’s an endurance thing," said Moorman. "When I cross train on the bike I’m not going on 50-mile bike rides. I’m just doing intervals and maybe a 15 to 20 mile ride every so often. But that’s what’s included in the triathlon so it’s going to be interesting overall to do the whole thing."’

‘The last time the Bills had a starting rusher accumulate at least 40 catches in a season was 2002, when Pro Bowl-bound Travis Henry pulled in 43. That year, the team’s offense ranked a respectable 11th in the NFL; during the past two seasons, the Bills have possessed the league’s 30th-rated overall attack because of, among other reasons, a dearth of effective players. Lynch is clearly effective, and giving him more air time in 2008 would obviously equal more success for the offensively challenged Bills.’

‘”He did have a solid year for us,” said Bills line coach Sean Kugler. “He played good football, and with that comes confidence. Sometimes in new surroundings you have a new outlook, and he took advantage of that. He’s working hard this year. I see him getting even better this year.”‘

‘”Ashton has had some ups and downs, but we’re pleased with what he’s shown in camp right now,” said Bills defensive backs coach George Catavolos. “He sees there is some good competition out there and he knows he has to step it up. Like everyone, he’s working hard and looking for his shot.”‘