Archives for April 2009

‘Looking forward, this may not be the year for the Bills to think about the Lombardi trophy; what they might want to think about is a new head coach at the end of this season.’

‘But both teams are gambling that they made a good deal. The Bills better hope that whoever replaces Peters can get the job done. They also need to make the most of their nine draft choices by adding more impact players.’

‘Jason Peters’ trade to the Philadelphia Eagles means the Bills almost certainly will spend one of their first-round selections — either the 11th or 28th overall — on a college tackle. That’s not necessarily a plus for a team sorely in need of a run-stopper to pair with defensive tackle Marcus Stroud and a playmaking pass rusher.’

‘The six-episode series premieres June 23 on ABC.’

‘”He’s very athletic,” said offensive line coach Sean Kugler. “He’s kind of proven it in practice. We’re confident that he’s going to continue to grow.”‘

‘The days are winding down to the NFL draft and final decisions have or will be made as to whether certain prospects are fits for the Bills. Some of those decisions involve where a player projects in Buffalo’s scheme, whether a player can handle a jump from the lower college divisions to the NFL and whether a player is versatile enough to play more than one position.’

‘Whether you’re interviewing for a job or purchasing a new home, the negotiating phase is where you wield the most power. Once you sign on the dotted line, there’s no more opportunity to increase your take in the deal. A Buffalo interest looking to acquire the Bills must realize that the time to act is now, not when Ralph Wilson is gone. He can sell the team to whomever he pleases — thereby preventing it from landing on the open market. His wife can assume the team while he’s alive and let whomever she desires run the operations. Once Ralph passes, so, too, do those options.’

‘Owens will be paired with model Joanna Krupa when the competition gets under way in the Bahamas on June 23 (8 p.m. ABC). The eight teams will compete weekly in events including swimming, biking, running and kayaking. One team will be eliminated each week in the six-week series, leading up to the finals.’

‘The passion for the Bills and Sabres is no weaker, but the landscape has changed. Buffalo fans have lowered their standards and settled for mediocrity. I don’t remember a time quite like this, when fans simultaneously were as disgusted with both teams as they are now. But their dissatisfaction, their misery, doesn’t show up at the gate. Has my hometown grown soft?’

‘As of the moment, the projected Buffalo OL is Walker at LT, Kirk Chambers at LG, Geoff Hangartner at center, and a combination of Brad Butler, Larry, Moe and Curly on the right side.’

‘"The way I always look at it is when I get in the game I try to give them a reason not to take me out and a reason to put me back in," he said. "The first three games is definitely a plus. Anything after that, with practicing hard and playing hard and showing them what I can do, hopefully things will be pretty good from there."’

‘”I was a little bitter, then I started to understand,” Rhodes said of his most recent departure. “It is a business and that’s kind of how it goes. It was a frustrating time for me.”‘

‘”I don’t look at myself, ever, in any situation, as a backup,” he said. “My mindset is that opportunities are always there, and I compete to start. I don’t go anywhere trying to sit on the bench. That’s not my thing.”‘

‘”Always,” said Rhodes when asked if he expects to start. “I don’t even look at myself ever in any situation as a backup. My mindset is always that the opportunity is there. I compete to start. I don’t go anywhere trying to sit on the bench. That’s not my thing. I want to stay on the field and play and compete. That’s why I play this game. I feel as soon as I put on my cleats for me it’s time to go out there and compete and try to be a starter.”‘

Despite stat, Eagles like new tackle Peters (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Eagles welcome Peters to the offensive line (Philadelphia Daily News)

Peters happy for a fresh start (Burlington County Times)

Reid giddy over Eagles’ new tackle (Wilmington News Journal)

Peters completes Birds’ big-money bookends (Reading Eagle)

‘Long road’ has led Peters to the Eagles (Reading Eagle)

Reid: Newly-acquired Peters ‘the best left tackle in football’ (Press of Atlantic City)

Birds’ Peters Ready to Fill Tra’s Shoes (Comcast SportsNet)

OT Jason Peters And Head Coach Andy Reid (PhiladelphiaEagles.com)

When It Came To Peters, The Price Was Right (PhiladelphiaEagles.com)

Photo gallery (PhiladelphiaEagles.com)