Archives for July 2009

‘”The United Football League is providing me with the opportunity to play the sport I love at a high level and for that, I am extremely grateful,” said Losman. “I am excited to get back out onto the field and represent Las Vegas during the league’s first season.”‘

‘”I have followed J.P.’s career since his early days with Buffalo, where he impressed me with his raw talent, passing accuracy and on-field competitiveness,” Fassel said. “J.P. has all the attributes of a great professional quarterback, and I am truly looking forward to working with him.”‘

‘Ralph, more than just the wins and losses or the contributions to the NFL, one of the things that makes you a Hall of Fame owner is that you were a man who really cared about everyone in the organization. In those Super Bowls we went to — all four of them — you made a point to take everyone in the organization. Flew ’em down, got ’em tickets, hotel reservations. From the cleaning ladies to the security guards … everyone. It was obvious how much you cared about everyone in the organization, more than just the outcome of the games.’

‘”T.O. certainly does a very good job of marketing himself, and it was a good fit,” Ballou said. “We have the right athlete and the right marketplace.”‘

‘”I think to get us to the playoffs we just have to take it one game at a time. We’re going to start that in New England on September the 14th and we’re going to work our butts off to go up there and get a win."’

‘"I thought they did fantastic," said Bills special teams coach Bobby April. "It was really something. They just kept getting better and better and better. We kept improving all the time. You can’t ask any more than that."’

‘”I think I impressed them,” said Betterson, a 6-foot speed receiver. “Before the workout, nobody was talking to me. By the end of the workout, I was having conversations with scouts. They were asking me to do drills over.”‘

‘No one knows for sure, and many readers of the mailbag wonder how Owens will do. Sure, the reality show will cause some headaches; you can see he can be a headache even to his closest friends and associates. Imagine how he can be with the strangers in Buffalo.’

‘Buggs has an uphill battle with the return of Alvin Bowen from injury and the presence of fifth-round pick Nic Harris. He’ll likely have to outperform them both in the preseason to have a chance at one of the final linebacker spots.’

‘The Bills’ 24 sacks tied for the fourth fewest in the NFL and were the club’s lowest total since 1979. They forced just 22 turnovers (tied for 20th in the league), including a franchise record-tying low 10 interceptions. Their turnover ratio of minus-8 was sixth-worst in the league.’

‘Niagara reveled in the publicity a professional football camp generated, and Bills officials praised Niagara for its facilities and catering services. But the players weren’t as pleased.’

‘Quite literally, this could be the first time a professional athlete breaks down on camera for not winning a game, or losing a game, or meeting their estranged father (which Owens does in this show). But for simply not being loved in the way that he wants. That’s compelling. That’s egotistic. That screams of conceitedness and vulgar vanity. That’s great television.’

‘The only real "plan" is to re-unite Owens with his ex-fiancee, who, wisely enough, kicked him to the curb when he cheated on her. Watching him sheepishly make a vague pitch for one more chance while she shakes her head and chews her lip is enough to make viewers grateful for their own camera crew-free existence. And eager for football season to start.’

‘The prime candidates include linebackers Alvin Bowen and Marcus Buggs, as well as a pair of rookies, LB Nic Harris and DB Ellis Lankster.’

‘"The biggest thing for us offensively is our quarterback. It all starts with him," offensive coordinator Turk Schonert said. "He’s another year into the league. He went through a lot of positive things, some negative things and learned. He’s still growing, but he’s already grown a lot. He’s a more confident player now, and I think his confidence permeates throughout the offense."’