Archives for April 10, 2009

‘The drama apparently will drag on awhile. Amid speculation they will unload Peters before the NFL draft to avoid another prolonged holdout, the Bills sound about as far away from trading the two-time Pro Bowler as they are from reaching accord with him.’

‘"I think you guys only got a piece of the story in what was reported," Owens said. "The guy asked me about it and I informed him that I’ve never really come to any optional or voluntary camps. That doesn’t mean I’m not going to show up. I know at some point I have to get acclimated with the system and come here and bond with some of the guys. So I think you guys only got a piece of what was reported, which is the case nine times out of 10."’

‘Unfortunately for Lynch, his cause could be hurt by Marshall getting arrested again last month for disorderly conduct in Atlanta. It was Marshall’s fourth arrest since March 2006. Because Marshall failed to stay out of trouble after getting a lesser suspension, Goodell might not be as lenient toward Lynch, who will lose about $112,000 of his $630,000 base salary if his suspension is upheld.’

‘The Dallas folks can comfort themselves with the cliche of addition by subtraction. The Bills believe Owens is a huge addition to an offense that has sputtered for years. The question with the Bills’ offense, more and more, is whether any one player could be addition enough.’

‘”I’m going to work with my receivers coach (Tyke Tolbert) and with coach (Dick) Jauron with my schedule,” Owens said. “We’re already on track … there will be days and weeks that I’ll be coming in, two or three days here, two or three days there. Even before everything was reported about me not showing up I had already talked to coach Jauron about those things, so that’s why I really wasn’t worried about anything that was reported.”‘

‘Just wait until the Bills find themselves in conflict this year. Just wait until head coach Dick Jauron does his Hamlet thing trying to figure out whether to challenge a call. Just wait until offensive co-ordinator Turk Schonert pulls the covers over his head on first-and-goal and starts to hyperventilate.’

‘It’s a doubly poor strategy to attempt in Buffalo, a famously blue-collar city full of real people working real jobs and shoveling snow in their leisure time. Not only do these people look down upon fools and pretenders, they’re already concerned about losing their Bills to Toronto. So shining them on by implying that you’re above any law or standard to which they’re routinely held? Not a good idea.’

‘Denver giving backup running backs Correll Buckhalter and J.J. Arrington four-year deals that average more than $2 million a season has set a negotiating bar for Jackson. He feels strongly enough in his case that he has chosen to stay away from the team’s voluntary offseason workout program. Jackson averaged 5.2 yards a carry in 2007 and 4.4 in 2008, numbers that better those of Lynch.’

‘The Bills’ work is far from finished, however, particularly on the offensive line. A starting left guard needs to be found after the release of Derrick Dockery, and Pro Bowl LT Jason Peters needs to be made happy with a rich new contract extension. Finding a tight end with downfield pass-catching ability to replace Robert Royal and an impact defensive end to groom behind Aaron Schobel are priority targets entering the draft.’

‘”I’m going to get myself from coach Tolbert the plays down, get the system down, the routes, the system, all of that stuff,” Owens said. “The sooner we can get that done, the better we’ll be. It’s all about communication when you’re out there on the football field, anyway. I’m looking forward to the opportunity. Get ready.”‘

‘Parrish has had trouble getting playing time in the slot due to the fact Reed has been so effective as the No. 3 wideout. Parrish caught 23 passes in 12 games last year, down from 35 the year before. Parrish, however, arguably is the top punt return man in the league. He led the NFL each of the past two seasons on punt returns, with a 16.3-yard average in 2007 and a 15.3-yard average in 2008. He has punt returns for touchdowns each of the past three seasons. The Bills are testing the market to see how much interest that return ability might prompt.’

‘McKinney, 29, is a seven-year veteran who played the last two seasons for the Cleveland Browns. He is expected to compete for the starting job at left guard, and can also serve as a backup center. McKinney has been a starter at both positions in the past.’

‘According to a source, Parrish is being shopped by the Bills in trade discussions. It is not known what the asking price is, but Parrish is available because of the team’s abundance of wide receivers.’

‘Those teams already knew how to win. The Bills still are trying to learn. Even if Owens plays like a Pro Bowler and acts like a saint, the Bills with T.O. have major hurdles to overcome, just like the Bills without T.O.’

‘In his seven-year career, McKinney has appeared in 85 games — 45 starts — for Cleveland and Miami.’