Archives for June 2008

‘Those looking to attend 2008 Bills games will have to bookmark StubHub soon: The franchise recently announced that it has sold over 52,000 season tickets for 2008. That’s compared to 48,236 last year; with about a thousand more purchases, they’ll reach levels they haven’t seen since the Super Bowl years, specifically when they went over 53,000 in 1993. Considering they haven’t played at even a wild-card level as of late, that’s a remarkable pace.’

‘The cost for Peters figures to be higher. A lot higher. Peters is better than Dockery and plays a more important position on the offensive line, protecting the quarterback’s blind side.’

‘However, the Bills can’t let this thing drag into training camp. What might have happened with Hardy and Lynch was out of the Bills’ control. But they can determine how long Peters is out.’

‘Rauch cut center Al Bemiller, and traded defensive end Ron McDole to Washington, where he became a star player. Rauch bad-mouthed McDole and retired punter Paul Maguire. Bills owner Ralph Wilson didn’t appreciate Rauch’s comments about the players and he fired the coach on the first day of training camp in 1971.’

‘”I expect [Bills players] to be cooperative and truthful,” Clark said. “If I get any indication that they are anything less than cooperative and truthful, I will go to the grand jury, which will compel them to testify.”‘

‘The 26-year-old, who signed with Buffalo as an undrafted free agent tight end in 2004 before being converted to left tackle, gave indication at that time that he was displeased with the five-year contract he was given in 2006 that pays him a base salary of $3.3 million this year.’

‘Shockey is an outspoken and fiery player. He’d bring enthusiasm, talent and star power to the Bills. He’d like to make at least 75 catches per season and Buffalo has been lacking a tight end like that for a long time.’

‘"(Levy’s) teams were always the smartest teams, the toughest teams, the most prepared teams and the most physical teams," Trestman said. "It’s great to have him out here. He can talk a little bit about his history with the Alouettes … and maybe set the tone for where we want to go as a team and organization. He’s that powerful a speaker."’

‘In the 1990s Mitch Frerotte helped anchor the offensive line that protected Buffalo Bills star quarterback and East Brady native, Jim Kelly, in multiple Super Bowls. Wednesday night Kittanning Police confirmed Frerotte died in his hometown. The Armstrong County Coroner has not released the official cause of death at this time. However Frerotte’s family reportedly told investigators that the 43-year-old had flu-like symptoms earlier this week.’

‘"As an offensive line, we’re going out there," says Walker. "We’re here. We’re focusing on ourselves. Jason has to do what he has to do. I don’t think anybody is upset at that."’

‘"I thought we started off well," said Edwards. "I thought the first couple of periods of the day we were pretty sharp and then at the end we were giving up some plays that we hadn’t given up before. But they get paid to play defense just like we get paid to play offense. So they’re going to make some plays and we’re going to make some plays, so we’ll come back tomorrow and hopefully make more plays than we did today."’

‘Many have speculated Peters’ absence is due to a dissatisfaction with his contract, but that has not been confirmed by the Bills or Peters.’

‘”Part of the reason I came down was to tell him what it was like for me,” said Levy, who resigned as general manager of the Bills in January. “I learned a lot from our players, believe it or not, during that period. Listen to them. Don’t feel you have to be an autocrat when you come in, although I won’t tell someone to coach different than what their personality might be. Just come on in and stay alert, learn, work well with others in the organization. That’s what sustained me in the early times.”‘

‘Jauron declined to say whether he or anyone in the Bills’ front office had spoken with Peters, who also was the only Bills player to miss all 13 of the team’s voluntary sessions over the past month.’

‘”Jason is not here so he will be fined,” said head coach Dick Jauron. “I am surprised by it. I thought Jason would be at our mandatory minicamp, but it’s a decision he’s made and he’ll be fined.”‘