Archives for June 5, 2009

‘he El Paso Generals were excited to announce that offensive lineman, Polo Gutierrez, has been acquired by the Buffalo Bills. Gutierrez (6’3", 290 lbs.) has been a stand out offensive lineman this season for the El Paso Generals and became a key factor in protection of stand out quarterback Tommy Jones. Gutierrez was signed to the Buffalo Bills on Wednesday, June 3 and he will join the Bills in about two weeks.’

‘One of the financial strengths of the Bills’ franchise is it is carrying no debt load. So none of the team’s revenues goes toward paying off loans. Further, the advantage of building a new stadium to NFL teams is the ability to charge much higher prices for luxury suites and personal-seat licenses.’

‘Injuries could force Bills starting cornerbacks Terrence McGee(notes) and Leodis McKelvin(notes) to miss the remainder of the team’s spring minicamp practices.’

‘”We’ve been very unlucky at that position with injuries,” said head coach Dick Jauron. “Only James (Hardy) was serious, but they’ve all been nagging and they can’t work so we had four guys today and they did a great job. They got a lot of work. We controlled the practice and backed it off when we had to, but they did a nice job of working through it.”‘

‘Last year, the event raised $3,000 for Moorman’s PUNT Foundation. The money goes towards Brian’s Game Day, a program which allows western New York children affected by cancer and their families to attend a Bills home game in a private suite.’

‘”I don’t think it was right,” Whitner said. “Sometimes, people take advantage of your fear of not making the team. So you’re reluctant to say ‘no’ to people in authority, even if you know you’re right and they’re wrong.”‘

‘That’s because people around here know Owens is misunderstood. Let he who has not done an interview with Playboy and hinted that Jeff Garcia likes men cast the first stone.’

‘None of this, though, has assured Parrish’s future with Buffalo or made him content. He wants more opportunities to display his skills as a wide receiver, but that’s not likely to occur on a team whose pecking order is clearly defined at the position.’

‘Lynch isn’t sure yet if he will be able to maintain his new bulk especially when summer training camp begins. But he’s learning about what works for him. He’s an avid swimmer and swimming he said made his shoulders bigger. "I don’t think you put on weight to add years to your career, but it was something different for me," he said. "During the season, during training camp, it will be pretty hot, so it probably won’t stay on."’

‘Coach Dick Jauron, an NFL defensive back in the 1970s, played in an era when players worked out on their own in the offseason or "worked if you had a job." Today, salaries are such that players don’t have to worry about a real job. The trade off with owners is giving up large chunks of their off-season to practice. Coaches now work year-round, too. But they also make a lot more money. "It’s an interesting time of year," Jauron said. "A lot of work gets done, it’s not mandatory and we have great participation from our squad. We have great work going on off the field, too, both in the classrooms and in the strength and conditioning area and in our nutrition area, so it’s very valuable for us. It’s so different from when I played the game, so significantly different. We’re so far ahead of where we were. Of course in those days training camp was unbelievably long, so you had time I guess to catch up. But it’s much better today than it was then."’

‘The selection of Berman on Thursday means all six members of the Class of 2009 now has a presenter. It also leaves the Hall of Fame without an master of ceremonies for enshrinement night. Berman has served that role since 1999.’

‘Wilson commented on his choice of Berman as his presenter by saying, “Chris has been a friend of mine for many years and I thought he would be a great person to introduce me, if he would do so. He acknowledged that he would and I thank him very much and he will be in Canton with me. Chris really embodies the Bills fans, who have played such an important role in my career in professional football. Professional football is all about the fans and having Chris as my presenter follows that thought.”‘

‘It’s been a long road back, but Ashton Youboty is closer than ever to a full return to football as he participated in individual position drills with his teammates at OTAs Thursday. Youboty has been out of action since Week 5 of last season after suffering plantar fasciitis in both feet.’