Archives for November 2009

‘”I think some of the things that Fitz does are really good,” Evans said. “When he played before, he stepped up and made some big plays. So I think it’ll help. We have a lot of confidence in him. I’m excited to see him play.”‘

‘All of those coaches would command huge salaries, perhaps $7 million a year or more. The Bills are not ruling anything out at this early stage. It’s possible they will make contact with one or more of them, in addition to Shanahan.’

‘There’s been a stunning lack of accountability in this organization. That’s why it’s hard to imagine Wilson handing real power to a big-name football man – a Mike Shanahan, say, or Bill Cowher. The new guy might actually want to hold people accountable for the Bills’ decade of failure and blow the operation sky-high.’

‘”He’s in control,” safety George Wilson said. “He made that impression just in the first few moments that he addressed the team this morning. He was very stern. You could see it in his eyes.”‘

‘”Right now it’s my job,” said Fitzpatrick. “It has been asked of me to go out there and help this team win games, so I’m going to go out there and do my best. He’s handing me the job and I’m going to try to go out there and take it.”‘

‘Schefter also listed two other potential candidates, ex-Bills linebacker Jim Haslett, and current New York Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride.’

‘To steal a political term, he looked and sounded “presidential.” Someone who could remove the “interim” from his title with the right break or two. All at a time when reports say the Bills are in the early stages of courting ex-Denver coach Mike Shanahan.’

‘”Great memories,” Fewell said of his time in Jacksonville. “I remember playing [coaching] in the ’98 playoffs and ’99 played in the AFC championship, had some really good football teams with Mark Brunell, Keenan McCardell and Fred Taylor and Tony Boselli. Loved living in the area. We were a good football team for awhile. I got my start there, so very positive memories.”‘

Ex-Jaguar Fewell becomes foe as Bills’ head coach (Florida Times Union)

CB Mathis to miss Buffalo game (Florida Times Union)

Jaguars could turn to Nelson again at cornerback (AP)

Inside slant (The Sports Xchange)

Strategy and personnel (The Sports Xchange)

Notes, quotes (The Sports Xchange)

Jaguars Sign Wide Receive Nate Swift to Practice Squad (Jaguars.com)

Defense could make the difference (Jaguars.com)

Getting to know Bryan Smith (Jaguars.com)

‘ “If winning means me not getting more interceptions, then I’d be fine with that,” he said. “It’s hard to enjoy just because of the fact that it’s a team game, not an individual game. We win and lose together.”‘

‘The Packers had an open roster spot after waiving wide receiver Jake Allen and attempted to retain Brohm by offering the same two-year deal as the Bills did. But in the end, the Packers’ second-round pick in 2008 thought it best to go to a team searching for a quarterback, not stay on one that has its long-term answer at the position in Aaron Rodgers.’

‘You knew it, quite frankly, because history says former Lions coaches — even an interim one like Jauron that might’ve deserved a longer look here — don’t become coaches elsewhere.’

‘In a move that got everyone’s attention, Fewell had his team practice in pads and outside. Such a thing was unheard of under Dick Jauron, who was fired on Tuesday after compiling a 24-33 record in just over 3 1/2 seasons.’

‘With just two healthy tight ends on the roster (Derek Schouman went on IR earlier in the season), the Bills needed to make a move, signing free agent Joe Klopfenstein. A 2006 second-round draft pick of St. Louis, Klopfenstein was cut this year coming out of training camp. The 6-foot-5, 252-pounder has 33 career catches for 386 yards and two TDs but he’ll mostly fill a blocking role for Buffalo.’