Archives for December 2009

‘Interim coach Perry Fewell said he hadn’t spoken with Schobel about him possibly retiring; Fewell doesn’t know his own future. But he quipped: “No, we haven’t discussed it and no, he can’t.”‘

‘”He’s a tough kid and he was struggling to make plays,” interim coach and defensive coordinator Perry Fewell said. “He was just getting worse, so we had to make a decision to get him fixed. He wants to be on the field, he’s a competitor, he’s a young guy that thinks he can contribute to wins. But he felt he couldn’t anymore the way he was struggling. He didn’t take it well but he understands his body.”‘

‘A second-round pick in the 2009 draft after a standout collegiate career at Oregon, Byrd becomes the record 18th Bills player to be placed on injured reserve this season. The previous mark was 17 in 2007.’

‘”Obviously it’s not the ideal situation, but at the same time this would be a great opportunity for me,” said Brohm. “You can’t make any excuses you’ve got to get ready to play. I just need to take advantage of it.”‘

‘Brohm spent a majority of practice working with the first-team offense, ahead of Gibran Hamdan, who re-signed with Buffalo on Tuesday.’

‘Whoever starts at quarterback will have no chance of leading Buffalo to the postseason. The Bills were eliminated from contention Sunday and missed the playoffs for the 10th straight year, tying Detroit for the longest active drought in the league.’

‘”He aggravated it in the (last) ballgame,” said interim head coach Perry Fewell. “He’s been limited in practice for several weeks now. He’s a tough kid. He was struggling to make plays. He was just getting worse. He wasn’t getting healthier so we had to make the decision to get it fixed.”‘

‘”I don’t know my future really, what I’m going to do,” Schobel told two reporters, including The Associated Press, following practice Wednesday. Signed through 2013, Schobel’s 75 career sacks rank second on the team list behind Bruce Smith.’

‘Byrd, who leads the NFL with nine interceptions, has been placed on injured reserve by the Bills. He has been bothered by a groin injury related to surgery he had to repair a sports hernia last summer.’

‘The magical rookie season for Jairus Byrd has come to a premature close. Playing with a nagging groin injury for the past two months, the free safety’s body has finally forced him to shut things down with two games left in the season.’

‘”It’s something I’m aware of,” Jackson admitted. “My brother more than anybody keeps me updated on how close I am. It would be a good way to finish the season. With us not being able to go to the playoffs that’s definitely something that’s in striking distance.”‘

‘There are three other teams – the Bears, Seahawks and Raiders – tied with the Bills at 5-9, which is the seventh-worst record in the league.’

‘McGee suffered a shoulder injury during Sunday’s 17-10 loss to New England and might require surgery. He recorded 48 tackles and one interception in 11 games, and becomes the 17th player to land on IR this season, tying the team high set in 2007.’

‘”Even though we’re out of the playoff hunt,” he said, “there’s still so much to play for; this team, our town, our families, our teammates. Getting fired up to play an NFL game, it’s never difficult. There’s always so much motivation each week because (even though) we’re out of the playoffs, we still have an opportunity to play this game … to go out and play NFL football at our best.”‘

‘”It has been really a tough couple weeks, but you move on,” Moss said. “That is the nature of the game. I am happy that we got this victory and I appreciate all the support from my true fans, the players, the coaches, my family, and loved ones. I have been in this league 12 years and I have been through a lot,” continued Moss. “These shoulders, I have on my body, you could put the Earth on it. Just to let you know, I’ll bounce back. I appreciate it.”‘