Archives for March 29, 2009

‘Saban alienated Bills Owner Ralph Wilson Jr. by quitting twice and he has never been added to the team’s Wall of Fame.’

‘Saban’s coaching career also included stints at numerous colleges, Northwestern, Western Illinois, Maryland, Miami, Army and Central Florida.’

‘"He has been my friend and mentor for over 50 years, and one of the people who helped shape my life. Lou was tough and disciplined, and he earned all the respect and recognition that came his way. He spent a lifetime leading, teaching and inspiring, and took great satisfaction in making the lives around him better."’

‘Saban died around 4 a.m. Sunday at his home, his wife, Joyce, said. He had heart problems for years and recently suffered a fall that required hospitalization, she said.’

‘Professionally, Saban was the original coach of the American Football League’s Boston (now New England) Patriots. He later coached the Buffalo Bills and the Denver Broncos. After the AFL merged with the NFL, he returned to Buffalo for five years from 1972 to 1976.’

‘Since 2009 marks the 50th season of the Buffalo Bills, the breakfast celebrated the milestone with a forum of players representing each decade of the Bills history. NFL Hall of Famers Billy Shaw, Joe DeLamielleure and Jim Kelly represented the 1960s, ’70s and ’90s respectively. Jerry Butler represented the 1980s and Brad Butler the current Bills teams. The group traded stories about team owner Ralph Wilson, reminisced about the Super Bowl years and imparted advice and wisdom to youngsters in the audience. “There will be times when things will not go the way you want them to go. It’s what you do about it that counts,” Kelly said.’

‘There is little doubt Thomas is going to win the vote, and I have no big problem with it. My vote, however, was cast for Simpson, because I think he was a greater pure talent. He was bigger, faster and more explosive. Simpson was part of the Southern California track relay team that set the world record in the 4×100 event. That’s the kind of world-class speed he possessed.’

‘It was, of course, the professional media that finally squashed it. No news stations or papers in the area were duped. But that didn’t stop people (myself included) from rushing to speculation – and text messaging. Funny how I would never have put a note on the paper’s Web site about a rumor, but I felt just fine text messaging it to friends.’

‘Jauron told the skeptical reporters that things will be different for T.O. in Buffalo. "We’re not planning on this going the way you’re saying it’s going to go," Jauron said. "We’re planning on it working." Nobody will be surprised if it doesn’t.’