Archives for September 2009

‘With Simpson gone, the next two safeties on the roster are George Wilson and John Wendling.’

‘”But we are extremely happy with the ratings both in Buffalo and nationwide,” e-mailed Calderone. “The great thing about the ratings, besides the premieres, is that the repeats are holding up well too.”‘

‘”Nothing that we had planned on obviously, nothing that was enjoyable in any way, shape, or form, but that’s what occurred,” Jauron said.’

‘Here is a position-by-position look at the team, and a guesstimate on who will make the team, and who won’t.’

Lions acquire safety from Bills (Detroit News)

Lions acquire Bills safety Ko Simpson (Detroit Free Press)

Lions trade for Buffalo safety Ko Simpson (Booth Newspapers)

Lions Acquire S Ko Simpson Via Trade with Buffalo (DetroitLions.com)

Lions get S Simpson from Bills (The Sports Network)

‘As it is, our lingering memory of the Bills’ starting offense is a touchdown-less pre-season that produced under 200 yards in the equivalent of a game-and-a-half.’

‘The Buffalo defense opened the game with the entire second unit: ends Aaron Maybin and Chris Ellis, tackles John McCargo and Corey Mace; linebackers Marcius Buggs (middle) and Nic Harris and Ashlee Palmer outside; cornerbacks Reggie Corner and Ashton Youboty and safeties Ko Simpson (free) and George Wilson (strong).’

‘Simpson played all 16 games last season and had 64 tackles. He missed most of 2007 with a leg injury he suffered in the season opener. Detroit is thin at his position after placing Daniel Bullocks(notes) on injured reserve and had just four safeties available Thursday night.’

‘The Detroit Lions announced today that they have acquired S Ko Simpson from the Buffalo Bills in exchange for an undisclosed 2010 draft choice. The trade is pending Simpson passing a physical.’

‘Schonert, a former backup quarterback who played mainly for Cincinnati, was Buffalo’s quarterbacks coach in 2006 and 2007 before being elevated to the offensive coordinator’s position. He was also the team’s QB coach from 1998-2000 and has also been the quarterbacks coach for Tampa Bay, Carolina, the Giants and New Orleans.’

‘”It didn’t seem like we were progressing,” Jauron said, adding he consulted with team owner Ralph Wilson earlier in the day. Jauron said Wilson told him it was up to him. “It was a decision I needed to make and I did it.”‘

‘"We’ve removed Turk Schonert and relieved him of his responsibilities as offensive coordinator," said Jauron. "We’ll move forward as quickly and as well as we possibly can from here. It’s nothing that we had planned on and was nothing enjoyable in any way shape or form. But that’s what occurred."’

‘”For us, the lights turn on this week,” Hamdan said. “We’re going to have all the big guns out there and we’ll be prepared.”‘

‘Schonert oversaw an offense that sputtered throughout the preseason and couldn’t score a touchdown in the last two exhibitions. The first-team didn’t score a touchdown at all, failing to reach the end zone on 16 possessions (nine punts, three interceptions, two fumbles, one field goal and halftime). The Bills’ first unit ran 78 plays for 269 net yards.’

‘Jauron will address the media in a news conference Friday at 1:30 ET.’