Archives for February 2009

‘At any rate, when Ralph stands up to the podium at Canton this summer, I doubt that he’ll have much to say about the fact that Erie County taxpayers are subsidizing the Bills to the tune of roughly $7.35 million in 2009. He probably won’t even say thank you.’

‘Rock Hill prosecutor Chris Barton told The Herald that Simpson likely will be accepted into the pretrial intervention program because he has a clean record and the charge is a misdemeanor. The program includes a requirement of at least 50 hours of community service.’

‘It’s not to say that Evans will ever match Reed’s totally, utterly Hall of Fame-worthy career numbers of 951 catches or 13,198 yards. And it’s also not to say that he would match Reed’s accomplishments even if he did so, especially as the league does everything possible to favor offenses. But it’s fair to note that, despite suffering on a squad that’s often been more Coy and Vance than Bo and Luke, Evans’ numbers offer a promising resemblance to Reed’s.’

‘"We’re obviously very excited and thrilled for him and we are planning some kind of celebration," said Steve Vannelli, who, with partner Bob Farris, purchased the 48-employee insurance agency from Wilson in the 1990s. "We were honored he allowed us to keep the name."’

‘Buffalo Bills safety and Rock Hill native Ko Simpson hopes to avoid a blot on his criminal record through a pretrial intervention program, according to the prosecutor in the case.’

‘”I took an x-ray to make sure that the gap between the bones didn’t get any wider and it didn’t get any wider in the past two months,” Schobel told Buffalobills.com. “The MRI showed that most of the bone bruising was gone and by the ligament there was scar tissue forming around it, which is what we wanted because it will help stabilize everything. So I won’t have to do anything.”‘

‘”It may sound silly, it’s not Buffalo, but say it 1,000 times and it starts to roll off the tongue,” Fitzgerald said.’

‘The notation next to his bust should read “Founded the Bills; owned them; didn’t move them."’

‘Bruce Smith was a shoo-in. Ralph C. Wilson Jr. was a delight.’

‘The reason why is Buffalo’s scouting staff like all the others in the NFL strictly scout the seniors in the fall. They don’t have time to waste writing up reports on a junior that may or may not declare for the draft.’

‘The one thing Ralph has vowed not to do is mortgage the team’s future by overspending on signing bonuses which can be spread out into the coming years. But that’s merely being economical in one of the league’s three smallest markets with a dying economy and shrinking population.’

‘For someone known to be one of the most terrifying football players ever, seeing Bruce Smith cry might seem strange.’

‘"I think it would be very damaging, speaking just for Buffalo now, to move that team," Wilson said. "I think it would be crushing to the fans if they didn’t have that team, win or lose. I think as long as a team is not losing a lot of money … if ownership can’t afford to stay, then they should move. But if they can get some help from the residents, the taxpayers and other people, they should stay. So I have voted against all relocations. All. Because I don’t think it was right."’

‘It’s no surprise, but it still needed to happen: If former Buffalo Bill Bruce Smith wasn’t elected on the very first ballot, they may as well have shuttered the Pro Football Hall of Fame.’