Archives for May 2008

‘In a team statement the organization commented, “The Buffalo Bills continue to be moved by Kevin Everett’s heart-warming story and his recovery. His progress from September 9th of last year through today is nothing short of a miracle and is a tremendous example of faith, family and hard work.’

‘While seeing talking heads put their confidence behind you is all well and good, Buffalo should realize it hasn’t been to the playoffs since the 1990s. In other words, nobody is going to hand the Bills anything at this point. If they can finally break their playoff drought, it’ll be a huge step in the right direction. But the fan base shouldn’t hold its collective breath and expect the Murphy’s Law Bills to end their eight-year skid until it actually happens.’

‘It was necessary for the tight end to be waived so he can apply for long-term disability with the league.’

‘The move is not surprising because the Bills can’t carry Everett on the active roster because of his injury. However, the decision wasn’t done just for football reasons. By being released, Everett can now pursue benefits that will ensure his financial stability.’

‘James Hardy, the former IU wide receiver just drafted by the Buffalo Bills, reportedly pulled a gun on his father during an argument, according to a police report filed Sunday with the football star’s name edited out.’

”’It’s taken me seven years to graduate, so I should probably go back.”’

‘John DiGiorgio going back to school to gain his degree is a story about what is right with the NFL, and hallelujah.’

‘"We said, ‘This is going to be a good move for you and ultimately it could be a good move for us too,’" said Bills offensive line coach Sean Kugler. "We wouldn’t move a player to a position if we didn’t think it would help the player make the team and we didn’t think it would help him benefit us as well. It was a mutual move and he was excited about it."’

‘By any statistical measure, Bruce was a Hall of Famer.’

‘As for his first NFL season, it’s anybody’s guess whether Fine will beat out Buffalo’s starting tight end, Robert Royal, for No. 1 duties; regardless, he should see a decent amount of playing time in 2008, and he’ll have opportunities to at least fill the role now-Detroit Lion Michael Gaines had in Buffalo last year. That is, Fine — who arguably has better hands than Gaines — should be able to catch around 20 passes as a rookie and bail out Edwards when necessary.’

‘Local operators paid the Bills $78 million for eight "home" games over five years and plan, naturally, to make a hefty profit over and above. They know that when it comes to such opportunities in Toronto the ozone layer is the limit. P.T. Barnum ("there’s a sucker born every minute") should have had dual citizenship.’

‘”I’ve been pursuing a coaching job in the NFL,” Reich said yesterday while attending the annual St. Paul’s Knights of Columbus golf tournament at Fairview Golf Course in Quentin. “I was in the (Indianapolis) Colts training camp last year as an internship, was just invited back for minicamp and OTAs (organized team activities), which go about a month. I’ll go there May 16, be there for a month. No guarantees after that, but hopefully it’s another step in the right direction to connecting with a job in the NFL.”‘

‘”I represent those that are already up there and all of my teammates and the fans,” he said. “I represent all of the coaches that I ever had and one in particular Ted Cottrell. He took me under his wing when he first got there and taught me how to study film. I represent Rusty Jones. He taught me the nutritional part of the game. When I got up to 310 pounds after my first season I quickly realized that I wasn’t going to become the player I wanted to become unless I had the endurance to play for four quarters and if need be overtime. Everyone played their role.”‘

‘”I heard from Ralph while I was in St. Kitts having my golf tournament,” Smith said by phone from Virginia Beach, Va. “I have an annual golf tournament there and a bunch of the guys come to it. . . . It was a blessing. To hear his voice and to know that honor will happen, I’m quite excited about it.”‘

‘The fact is, people believe in this team. Give Buffalo fans the slightest reason for hope and they’ll allow you to lead them by the hand. There’s a general perception that the Bills are building toward something. It’s a stretch, but there are parallels to the 1988 team of 20 years ago.’