Archives for July 30, 2008

‘"We’re going to do some of the things we did in Cincinnati, but it’s more just about keeping the defense off balance,” Schonert told me. "We didn’t do a lot of up tempo last year. I think they’re excited about doing a little no-huddle, and those type of things. Formation-wise, I like putting people in different spots and making the defense adjust. Not just lining up the same all the time. We’re going to move people around and be disruptive.”’

‘Brandon has said he’s open to negotiating a new contract with Peters, but only if the player begins attending team functions.’

‘Bills head coach Dick Jauron said it was a possibility and six days into training camp it’s become reality as Langston Walker has been moved from right to left tackle with holdout Jason Peters still absent.’

‘”It’s easy to step in on the team with someone like Josh,” said Steve Johnson, a rookie out of Kentucky. “He’s one of the guys that will always be cheering you. He helps out everybody on the team.”‘

‘Getting these two vital weapons signed is chief operating officer Russ Brandon’s biggest test so far. He’s done a fine job signing free agents while both plugging holes during the draft and getting every one of those picks into camp with only top choice Leodis McKelvin missing a little work. But he now needs to ensure that this is a team that can retain stars rather than get into the habit of endlessly cycling in new prominent players.’

‘It was the first of seven night practices for the Billsat St. John Fisher College. A packed house was treated to a rather sloppy prime time workout.’

‘”I’ve got no excuses this year,” McCargo said. “I’ve got to go out there and get it. I’ve got to go out there and prove why they drafted me. I’ve got to go out there and play.”‘

‘The Bills will wear their throwbacks for the home games against Oakland on Sept. 21 and San Francisco on Nov. 30.’

‘”I have a very good comfort level with Trent,” Evans said the other day following a practice at St. John Fisher College. “Obviously he is a different type of quarterback (than Losman), but we have developed a rhythm. We have done some things in the offseason to try and help that rhythm and coming out here early on we had some incomplete passes, but we are getting in a good mode.”’

‘Losman struck his hand on a helmet during practice Monday, coach Dick Jauron said, and was unable to throw effectively and without discomfort. His hand was wrapped as he stood on the field at Growney Stadium and watched his teammates practice.’

‘”Growing up, all in high school, you play under the lights,” running back Fred Jackson said after Monday’s practice. “And we have a good turnout from the fans, so it’s good to go out and give them a show.”‘

‘Already, Aiken sees a lot of similarities between Buffalo and New England in the way they approach special teams. He was coached by Bobby April with the Bills; now it’s Brad Seely calling the shots. Those are two of the best assistants in the business. Although it never seemed to be enough to get them past the Patriots – Buffalo has lost nine in a row in the series – the Bills perennially are at or near the top of the league’s special teams rankings.’

‘Filling in for Losman in the number two quarterback role was Gibran Hamdan with Matt Baker moving up to the number three role.’

‘And while that suggests the NFL wouldn’t have a problem with Ontario sports books operating while the league plays one or two dates a season in Toronto, having a team based in Toronto full-time might be a different issue. “We’re not speculating on relocation or expansion since neither are on the table for any team,” NFL spokesman Bryan McCarthy said.’

‘”I tell the guys all the time this is the biggest blessing playing in the NFL is the biggest blessing I know I had 9-5 before I got here. It keeps me humble and lets me know where I came from what I am today and it helps me appreciate it a little more.”‘