Archives for September 2008

‘”I don’t think it is specifically everything I did in this offseason,” Youboty said. “I think it’s just being here, my third year. You know some guys can make the transition to the NFL faster than others and you know being here three years and being comfortable here in the system, and it’s just sinking in and making plays. Now I know what they’re looking for in certain coverages,” added Youboty. “When we press, I know what he’s thinking and what he’s trying to get accomplished. At the end of the day, I just have to do my part on the defense. The D-line is going to put pressure and we have to cover.”‘

‘Oakland is leading the league in this young season with 77 rushing attempts so far and managing a sublime 5.8 yards on average for every one of those. Super-rookie Darren McFadden, who has managed 210 yards in two games on only 30 carries, is already this year’s Adrian Peterson in a less brutal but speedier package.’

‘The Raiders haven’t had a winning season since losing Super Bowl XXXVII to Tampa Bay, a five-year drought unmatched in their storied 49- year history. Their 19-61 record since 2002 is the worst in the NFL and worse than the first five seasons of any of the last four expansion teams.’

‘”I realize that a lot of the DBs don’t like contact, so I try to use that to my advantage,” Reed said. “Get them before they get you because if we’re running a route across the middle and we don’t see them coming, what are they going to do? Take our heads off. So my attitude is I’ve got to be aggressive, get this good, stiff block on him and be a little more physical than they are.”‘

‘Lastly, what’s on the IPOD? You name it, everything under the sun from Brian McKnight to Kenny G to Norah Jones to BB King to a little classical.’

‘The Bills have the luxury of keeping him on the bench because Jabari Greer is playing well, and Ashton Youboty is displaying the talent the Bills saw when they picked him three years ago.’

‘”We have to make them one-dimensional and make them throw the football. They ran the ball very effectively against Kansas City, but as long as we can throw them some curveballs ourselves as far as the fronts we show them and different things we do with movement, we should be fine.”‘

‘1B. Edwards (Bills). He appears well on his way to becoming a solid starter for a long time. He’ll never have a Drew Bledsoe-type arm, but he already has more pocket awareness. He won’t be as durable as Favre. Who is? But he has the size and build to stay reasonably healthy. Let’s check back at midseason. It could be time to rate him alone on top, even above the 2008 Jets version of Favre.’

‘Buffalo 27, Oakland 10.’

‘”He didn’t have a lot around him, and the offense wasn’t working when he was at Stanford, especially at the end of his career,” Kiffin said. “But he’s playing extremely well. He does not look like a young guy at all with his decision-making and the way he has performed.”‘

‘”I think the Bills saw a good product and they went after it,” Walker said.’

‘”The only thing is, I feel bad for the players because they have to deal with it,” Kiffin said. “As for me, it doesn’t affect anything as I go about things. We’re just trying to keep our players focused.”‘

‘As part of the agreement, M&T Bank has renewed their five-year sponsorship as the “Official Bank of the Buffalo Bills.” M&T, a Bills marketing partner since 1985, is the only bank allowed to advertise at Ralph Wilson Stadium (RWS) and at Bills’ training camp, and the only bank permitted to use the Bills’ trademark on Buffalo Bills checks and check cards. Another term of the deal ensures that the enclosed, climate-controlled seating area in the southeast corner of RWS will continue to be named the “M&T Bank Club” for the next five years.’

‘”We certainly haven’t been as successful as Bruce’s teams were with the franchise going to four Super Bowls,” said Bills Vice President of College Scouting Tom Modrak. “In addition Bruce was the first pick overall and obviously all eyes were on him anyway all the time. Then you’re part of a great era with four Super Bowls and you get more acclaim. Those moons lined up right.”‘