Archives for August 2009

””His preparation during the week was impeccable,” Cottrell said during his introduction of Smith at Saturday night’s Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Canton’s Fawcett Stadium. “After the games, about 8 a.m. on Monday morning, the coaching staff, we’re just beginning to read film from the previous day, watch the tape. There’s a knock on my door … It’s him."’

””So Bills fans, now’s the time that we’ve all been waiting for … now’s the time,” said Cottrell. “Let’s get this noise level up in here … come on now. You know how to do it. Come on, you know how to do this. Show the world.”‘

‘Coach Dick Jauron would only say Owens was excused from the session, but declined to provide further details until after the Bills’ night practice.’

‘Buffalo made a few roster moves in the wake of Sunday night’s preseason opener against Tennessee. The Bills waived center Marvin Philip and defensive end Jermaine McGhee. Both were waived/injured. Philip suffered what appeared to be a right knee injury in practice last Friday and did not dress for Sunday night’s Hall of Fame game. Philip had been running as the third team center. McGhee did play in the preseason opener in Canton, but also appeared to suffer a knee injury during the game and did not return. McGhee had been a third team defensive end.’

‘”I think it definitely changes things,” said Kawika Mitchell of giving up an early score. “Our job as a defense, if they don’t score, they can’t win. If they score on the first drive and they’re up we’re failing from the start. It definitely makes a big difference.”‘

‘"When you know the offense and you’re skinnier, obviously you run a little bit faster," Omon said after the game. "I lost 10 pounds, so I feel lighter on my feet. And knowing the offense a lot better, I feel like I red-shirted last year. I feel a lot better this year."’

‘"You feel like you’re being lied to, it’s just disappointing," Owens said. "I think he knows what he did. We had a conversation earlier, when I first got there, and he had some story he had told me. And all I can say is, ‘Jerry, you ran for the woods.’ "’

‘"You could just tell by the vibe I was getting from everyone in the office and all the coaches that they really wanted me," Tinoisamoa said. "It was good to feel wanted because I was just leaving a place where I wasn’t wanted (St. Louis). Buffalo showed me respect. I could tell how important it was to get me there."’

‘In two possessions Bills’ defensive coordinator Perry Fewell’s starters were abused for 107 yards on 18 snaps, including a 73-yard, 11-play touchdown drive that looked awfully easy.’

‘The only somewhat surprise starter on the Bills’ defense was Bryan Scott at strong safety with Whitner playing the free spot.’

‘Ralph Wilson and Bruce Smith being inducted into the Hall of Fame was obviously the focal point, but there was so much more to it than that. This was about Buffalo as a community celebrating a sport as part of its tradition and culture. The turnout was awesome. It’s a quick four hour trip from Buffalo to Canton, but it’s pretty obvious many would have been willing to travel a whole lot further.’

‘”It’s given me more chances, and I’m hoping the more I do, the more I show I’m prepared, they’re going to play me more. So we’ll see what happens next time,” Omon said. “It’s a gift for me, and it’s an opportunity for me, and I have to try to take advantage of it. So any chance the coaches give me, I have to show them I can go out there and play.”‘

‘The Bills’ offense ran the no-huddle attack the entire game.’

‘It’s incompatible with Jauron’s basic coaching philosophy, which is to sit back and wait for the opposition to make the first mistake. Jauron employing a no-huddle? It’s like Rush Limbaugh advocating higher taxes.’

‘”He’s raising the level of the guys around us,” quarterback Trent Edwards said. “I like the way Lee [Evans] is running now, I like the way Josh [Reed] and Roscoe [Parrish] are running well, and I think a lot of that has to do with the way Terrell plays. He brings that style that can raise every guy’s game, and I think he’s doing that so far.”‘