Archives for April 2009

‘"It’s hard to say when and where it will happen, but over time we hope there’ll be more games here and Buffalo (ownership) hopes there’ll be more games here," Lind said.’

‘As a versatile player adept both as a receiver and blocker, Pettigrew would seem to fit in nicely with a team that got little production from the tight end spot last season, and let its 2008 starter, Robert Royal, go to the Cleveland Browns via free agency. "[Pettigrew is] a catch-and-block candidate, which is hard to find," Modrak said. "A big, rangy guy who will improve his route running and he’ll block which isn’t always the case." But Pettigrew was arrested in January for assaulting a police officer – an incident that is gaining considerable attention given Bills players other off-season troubles. Modrak, however, looked flustered when pressed on the issue of Pettigrew’s off-field conduct. And when asked pointedly if the Bills would avoid Pettigrew because of this factor Modrak responded: "No, he’s not off the board."’

‘One customer, holding six tickets in the 500 level for Buffalo’s Dec. 3 game against the New York Jets at Rogers Centre, received an e-mail Thursday announcing he was eligible for a cash rebate of about $450. The company offered the choice of a merchandise credit – of about $680 in food, beverages and apparel – or a gift card redeemable for a slightly more than $560 in Rogers-related products.’

‘If the Bills can complement a pass-rushing end with a force at outside linebacker, it will be a very good first day. The team needs an upgrade over Keith Ellison on the weak side. They need speed and size from the position. Fast-rising Cincinnati DE/OLB Connor Barwin — who ran a sub-4.50 time at this pro day — is an intriguing prospect but he could be gone when Buffalo selects in round 2 (42nd overall).’

‘But despite his great explosiveness, Parrish has been unable to become a consistent contributor at wide receiver, partly due to his slight size (5-9, 168 pounds) and partly due to lack of imagination by Buffalo’s offensive coordinators.’

‘WR Terrell Owens, who made headlines for skipping the start of Buffalo’s offseason conditioning program, did arrive in town for a few days of work and socializing with his new teammates. It was reported that Owens would not take part in any voluntary work with the Bills, but he said he never said that. “I think you guys only got a piece of the story,” Owens told a crowded news conference. “When I was asked about it, I told the (reporter) I’ve never really come to any optional or voluntary camps, but 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 the guys so I think you guys only got a piece of what was reported, which is the case nine times out of 10.”‘

‘Jackson’s agent, Jerry Douglas, has exchanged proposals with the Bills and feels they are still far apart in terms of getting a long term deal done.’

‘”If you look over the history, (ignoring character is) not true. We did hit a couple in a row and that’s not good, but we look at everything hard. Every year we repeat it and we (don’t) back off of any of it.”‘

‘Finding players isn’t the problem for the Buffalo Bills. Winning with them is.’

‘All the Bills had to do to retain Jackson’s rights was tender him a one-year offer for $460,000. That is a bargain for one of the NFL’s best No. 2 running backs, but not a desirable deal for either Jackson or the Bills. If he were to sign his tender, he would be playing for a pittance. But he also would become a restricted free agent in 2010, and the Bills could lose him.’

‘”We find the organization’s comments regarding the importance of character very interesting given their position on Fred Jackson,” said Douglas, who is based in New Jersey. “I think it’s a fair statement to say that during his three years with the Bills, Fred has demonstrated his high character and that he is second to none in that department, to say nothing of his on-the-field contributions. Yet the organization is not making a concerted effort to lock in Fred as part of the team’s long-term future. Public statements are great as long as you mean what you say.”‘

‘”This award is really a statement of achievement by the Buffalo Bills organization, and it is a great honor to have an opportunity to represent the Buffalo Bills through this award,” April said.’

‘”I think some part of it is where people go,” said Bills Vice President of College Scouting Tom Modrak. “Somebody might take a defensive end that plays a different kind of scheme or they might have talent already and he doesn’t get on the field because they have talent at the position. How many have the capability (is) very hard to say. There’s probably a couple in that group eventually, but it’s not as easy as some might think. There are not a lot of guys that get to be stars their first year, even at defensive end. There are a couple that are capable.”‘

‘"Just for today my name is going to be Buffalo," she said. "It’s pretty cool that I get to meet my first NFL player."’

‘”We’re in a different day from the standpoint of Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and blogs and camera phones and all the different things we talk about,” said Brandon, who acknowledged that the pro athletes are held to a higher standard. “The fact of the matter is simply this: When something goes awry like we’ve had in the past month, it’s on Page One. But we all know our community service and all the different things that our guys do on that front, you’re lucky to get a story on.”‘