Archives for February 2009

‘”It’ll be a couple of weeks after Ralph Wilson and Bruce Smith are inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” said Tasker. “That’s big. It’s going to be an enormous season for everyone and it’s going to kick off with a huge bit of fireworks. It gives me chills to think about it, it really does.”‘

‘As part of the announcement the team introduced a classic 50th Season logo. The logo incorporates the number "50" in a dark navy blue with the red, standing Buffalo logo, the charging Buffalo logo, the years 1960 and 2009 and the Tops logo – all outlined in gold.’

‘Exceptional tight ends do exist; it’s just that teams must spend a high, and perhaps their highest, pick on them. On the other hand, there’s Buffalo: Waiting to draft a tight end until 132nd overall last April as they did with Fine was a wishy-washy move that fixed nothing.’

‘”We did not have a lot of sacks and we had some pressures and we had a lot of balls on the turf that we did not capture,” said Fewell. “We did not take advantage of that opportunity to get the ball. That’s definitely going to be an emphasis for us. I’ve said often times to my staff in the offseason that we need to add more playmakers to our defense.”‘

‘Greer’s contract is up, and The News reported Saturday that he is expected to hit the free agent market. It still would be a bit of a surprise if the Bills were able to strike a deal, given the market for cornerbacks in the NFL. However, both sides have agreed to keep talking this week, sources said. Greer repeatedly has stated how much he likes playing in Buffalo and apparently is willing to give the Bills every opportunity to strike a deal.’

‘Defensive end is a position for the Bills to consider with the 11th overall pick in the NFL draft because they are not likely to fill their pass rushing need in free agency. The Bills ranked tied for 28th in sacks in 2008, and there aren’t any prime speed rushers available on the list of free agents who will become available Friday.’

‘Bills chief operating office Russ Brandon and football administration chief Jim Overdorf met here with Greer’s agent, Mark Bloom, on Saturday and are expected this week to make another proposal, an NFL source informed me.’

‘”I’ve been told a wide range, so I have no idea,” Gronkowski said about his draft expectations. “I’ve heard stuff from the third round all the way to free agency. So I have pretty good film, especially blocking. I’ve shown I’m a really good blocker. What really matters is the next couple days. I’ve got to show them that I’m fast and I can get downfield, make plays downfield and that I have good hands.”‘

‘”I think it is a good core,” Modrak said. “In my mind, we are better than we’ve shown. Now we have to do it and prove it. I can say it all I want, but we have to show it with W’s."’

‘"Dick taking all the heat, he’s taking it for me and [vice president of pro personnel] John Guy and everybody else that does the personnel work because we’ve got to get more players," Modrak said Saturday afternoon at the NFL scouting combine in Lucas Oil Stadium. "If you start thinking it’s a one-man operation, then I think you make a mistake. The personnel’s got to be good enough to do it in all areas, and I think we’re pretty good, but we have to be better. If you won a Super Bowl we’d be having the same conversation. You still have to get better."’

‘The linebacker then transferred to Iowa State where he became fast friends with Bowen, who had also been a transfer from community college the year before. But that wasn’t all the two young linebackers had in common. “We’re kind of from the same background because his parents are from Jamaica and so are mine,” said Bowen. “So we kind of clicked while we were at Iowa State together.”‘

‘Bills Vice President of College Scouting Tom Modrak believes the defensive end class for a 4-3 defense is good, though he and his staff are still addressing what players are truly fits for their scheme. “I think there are some good players there,” said Modrak. “I know a lot of people have all the answers, but we don’t at this point. I think there are some candidates for that (position). We want to see how they are here and learn a little more about some of them because they’re underclassmen, but we think it’ll be okay.”‘

‘The Bills have long prided themselves on drafting players of high character. In two short seasons, running back Marshawn Lynch has single-handedly ruined that reputation.’

‘Tender offers for restricted free agents have soared in recent years to compensation levels of $2.8 million, $2.2 million, $1.545 million and $1.01 million this year. In the case of players like DiGiorgio and Jenkins, who made the Bills roster as undrafted rookies, a more affordable option is to sign these types of players outright to modest long-term deals. It means no other teams can talk to the players. For the player, it means some security.’

‘The Bills top brass and coaches are in Indianapolis for the annual scouting combine. High on their list are defensive end prospects, including Texas’ Brian Orakpo, Florida State’s Everette Brown, LSU’s Tyson Jackson and Penn State’s Aaron Maybin. Each would project as good value with the 11th overall pick with Maybin moving up a lot of draft boards.’