Archives for August 2009

‘None of the Bills’ second-string linebackers have ever made a tackle on defense in a regular-season NFL game. Linebacker depth is one of the big worries on the team.’

‘Cutler is expected to play into the second quarter, Bears coach Lovie Smith said this week.’

‘Last year, Buffalo’s opponents scored on their first offensive possession nine times, including seven touchdowns, and the Bills were outscored in the first quarter 108-46.’

‘Mort’s bus is equipped with Direct TV, Wi-Fi, dual sets of bunk beds, a shower, bathroom, refrigerator and three flat-screen TVs. Climbing up the four stairs leading into the bus’s cabin, pizza boxes, a coffee maker and empty water and Red Bull bottles line the tables, essentials on Mort’s great American road trip. A chart of visited training camp sites with team helmets and host cities is posted along a wall and the back of the bus has a map of all the completed visits, plus a team sticker that’s been placed on the bus by an NFL player.’

‘"I know that when you’re on defense facing the no-huddle, it’s hard to get your calls in, hard to catch your breath and hard to get your personnel substitutions exactly right," said safety Donte Whitner. "Now you throw a player like T.O. in the mix and, hey, we have some really good players at receiver like Lee Evans, Roscoe Parrish and Josh Reed, so I think this no-huddle is going to be a handful for the defenses we face."’

‘”Any edge that we can get is going to be good for us,” running back Marshawn Lynch(notes) said. “When you’re out there and get into a flow, the defense starts guessing on where you’re going to be. And that’s when you can come and hit them with something they’re not expecting.”‘

‘While Edwards barked out the play calls, rock and heavy-metal music cranked through the speakers around the stadium. Bills practice was part football, part concert. It made for a winning evening. We’ll see if that translates into winning on Sundays.’

‘For my money, it’s been left guard Eric Wood, the Bills’ second of two first-round draft choices. The 6-4, 315-pound red-head from the University of Louisville has looked terrific. Plus, the Cincinnati native has a bit of an edge to him and a ton of personality.’

‘Town Tavern is set to open next week at 200 N. Tryon St., site of the old Brick & Barrel, which closed last month. New owner (and St. Bonaventure University alum) Andrew Reid is teaming with Bar Management Co. to make it a hot spot for former Buffalo residents. The new tavern will be a two-story sports bar.’

‘”I’m going full speed,” said Hardy. “I’m making sure I’m getting my stride length that I had before the injury. It’s coming along, there will be times where I get fatigued every now and then, but I’m just trying to get consistency.”‘

‘”Yeah, I am very excited,” Edwards said about Saturday’s second preseason game. “The frustrating thing about the preseason is you get warmed up for the game, and you go through your pre-game rituals and then you get out there and you are out before you know it. That is the same thing that happened Sunday night and it is probably the same thing that is going to happen Saturday night.”‘

‘"I just enjoy what I do," Lynch said. "I’m blessed. I’m blessed every day I wake up. So I just try to maximize every day to the fullest."’

‘That didn’t stop the pulses of anxious Bills fans from racing over rumors on Internet chatrooms and on Twitter accounts that Vick was about to don the blue, red and white of the Bills.’

‘Another full house in the 4,000 range watched the Bills’ final night practice at St. John Fisher. With a preseason game just two days away, the Bills worked in pads for individual drills but then took the shoulder pads off for 11-on-11 work. There was a lengthy special teams session. Rian Lindell bounced a 57-yard kick off the crossbar. The offense worked on two-minute drills. Trent Edwards had a good completion on time to Derek Schouman. Terrance McGee had good coverage deep on Lee Evans. Ryan Fitzpatrick hit a fourth-down throw down the seam to Derek Fine for 20 yards and scrambled to convert a third-and-long play.’

‘It’s hard enough in the NFL to revamp an offensive line, but the Bills have made the project as difficult as it could possibly be as every position is being manned by someone who wasn’t in that spot for the Bills in 2008. They have two holdover starters changing roles at tackle, two rookies are being groomed to start at the guard spots, and Hangartner was brought in to be the new anchor in the middle.’