Archives for September 2008

‘The 11th annual Fan Food Drive will be held today at Ralph Wilson Stadium prior to the Bills’ season opener against the Seattle Seahawks. Mary Wilson, wife of Bills owner Ralph Wilson, is the chairwoman of the event.’

‘”When the pads came on and the team really started to form, you could see that guys were really physically flying around and knowing what to do at the same time. If you have guys that know what to do, they’re athletically gifted, and fearless, then you can win football games, and I do think that we have that in this locker room.”‘

‘”Every level I’ve ever been at, the team has said that (I’m the man) and I have to rise to the occasion. That’s the type of player I am and I’m going to do everything in my power to live up to the expectations.”‘

‘The third-round pick from Stanford may not be the athlete that Johnson and Losman were. Nor do his decent, but hardly spectacular, rookie stats (1,630 yards, 7 touchdowns, 8 interceptions and a 5-4 record as a starter) engender thoughts of future greatness. But Edwards appears to have the intangibles that many of his Bills predecessors lacked. He is extremely intelligent, able to assimilate information rapidly and make decisions quickly on the football field. Edwards is such a quick read that new offensive coordinator Turk Schonert, who served as the team’s quarterbacks coach in recent seasons, is going to give him the freedom of audibility – a freedom not entrusted to the more experienced but more skittish Losman.’

‘Bills spotlight: LT Langston Walker

The big guy had a pretty decent first season with the Bills after signing a five-year, $25 million contract. That was at right tackle. Today, he has to play left tackle in place of Jason Peters, and the light will be shining brightly, especially if the Seahawks flip-flop Kerney from side to side to challenge Walker. Walker is a mauler who excels in run blocking, he’s not much of finesse guy, and he has to prove that he can handle a speed rush from the outside. If he holds his own, Edwards should have time to get through his read progression and make plays downfield.’

‘”Part of our decision to move in this direction was because of customer demand. The market has changed. With the digital age, there’s so many opportunities for people to sell anything, not just tickets,” said Mark Honan, the team’s senior vice president of marketing and broadcasting.’

‘”He still has more improvement and a ways to go,” defensive coordinator Perry Fewell said during training camp, noting McKelvin needs to work on his press coverage and learn to anticipate what receivers can do at the NFL level. “But he is progressing very nicely for us.”‘

‘”I think they brought some players in that can make plays, I think you need guys who can make plays, not opposed to good players, but you need players that can make plays, that can pick that fumble up and run it 60 yards rather then flop on it,” Scudder added. “You have to score when you can score and that’s what they used to do in the glory days. You took advantage of situations, you made plays, blocked punts, ran back kicks, you made interceptions, they made plays and that’s what it’s all about.”‘

‘”It’s been amazing, everybody with their support and prayers and everything. I can’t thank them enough,” Everett said. “Any time I get a chance I want to thank the area for all of their support and everybody across the nation who reached out.”‘

Seahawks looking to solve road woes (Seattle Times)

With veterans out, flash and dash of Nate Burleson becomes pass option No. 1 (Seattle Times)

Shaun Alexander struggling at home to find work (Seattle Times)

What to look for as Seahawks get started (Tacoma News Tribune)

It’s now or never for Burleson (Tacoma News Tribune)

+Opener is big … but not that big (Everett Herald)

Wait is over for Morris (Everett Herald)

Hawks 2008 Campaign Begins in Buffalo (Seahawks.com)

Holmgren Excited About 2008 (Seahawks.com)

‘”It’s hard to find guys who understand that job description,” said Studesville, now the Bills running backs coach. “It’s not a pretty job and it takes a certain mentality and attitude. You’re not getting the ball, and you’re going to get pounded and hit. But that’s why Darian’s here. We’re committed to running the ball. And Darian plays at one speed, all the time. And he does not shy away from contact.”‘

‘”I feel we’ve had a great offense one year, a great defense one year and great special teams a couple of years, but we never have clicked all in the same year,” Schobel said in a telephone interview. “I feel like this year we’ve got a chance with everybody we’ve got. I don’t see why it couldn’t happen. But that’s on paper. Now, let’s see what happens.”‘

‘”You don’t see the Patriots, you don’t see the Jets or the Giants, you don’t see the Cincinnati Bengals or the Cleveland Browns (in Toronto),” said Burris. “You see a team that hasn’t won in a long time, and they’re starting to struggle at home. If the Bills were winning, we wouldn’t have to worry about anything. They would be playing right there at home. There’s a reason they were selling tickets at over $400; they were trying to make up some revenue.”]

‘The Bills kickoff the season tomorrow Sunday afternoon but the tailgating is already underway at the Ralph.’