Archives for June 2010

‘"I think I have a lot left to show still," Torbor said Tuesday after his first Bills practice. "That’s always something to keep the edge as you go on in your career. So you kind of come to work with a little chip on your shoulder, something to prove."’

‘Listed at 6-foot-6, 323 pounds, Calloway had 37 starts in 39 games at Iowa and was a second-team Big 10 Conference selection in each of the past two seasons. He was selected 216th overall in the NFL draft in April.’

‘”It’s awesome,” Calloway told Buffalobills.com moments after signing. “It’s a relief to finally actually feel a part of the team when I signed that contract. It’s a relief. I’m thankful. Thirty-two teams had a chance to draft me and Buffalo did and I’m glad that they had enough faith in me that I could help the team in whatever way they need me to.”‘

‘”Injuries are a hard thing to deal with,” said Schouman, who confirmed that Tuesday was his first day of team work. “You feel alienated a little bit, but the good thing about the guys we’ve got is there’s a real strong sense of team and I saw that (Tuesday). It made me feel good I guess just to know that I’m still part of the team and we’re all here for the same purpose.”‘

‘Torbor is calling it “useless” to bring up the recent past after being cut by the Dolphins last month.’

‘Next year will be the 25th anniversary of the tournament, and Kelly’s already booked it for a return to Terry Hills, Rotondo said. "He’s going all out next year with some big stars," Rotondo said.’

‘About one month ago, Byrd came up with a novel concept. Instead of using the social network twitter to tell fans he was taking a jog, or eating, or posting his activity at some other interval in his day, he decided to use the forum to encourage the spread of random acts of kindness. Byrd’s page, ‘Louder Than Words,’ has done just that, bringing people from all over the world closer by way of sharing good deeds that they have done or witnessed.’

‘Regarding the Bills, he was not impressed with the hiring of Chan Gailey as coach. "I wouldn’t have hired someone no one really knows," he said. "When you’re playing against [New England’s] Bill Belichick, who’s making $10 million a year, I’m not putting Chan Gailey in there. I’m not putting a cat against a lion. … The difference now because of the salary cap is quarterback and coach. I have to have a game plan, and I need a guy smart enough to execute that game plan. Otherwise, I’m dead."’

‘"Chan is not going to approach this like (his predecessor, Dick) Jauron," the source said. "He’s not going to handle things the way Dick did with Jason Peters (the offensive tackle the Bills eventually traded to the Philadelphia Eagles after he held out in a contract dispute). Lynch is going to get on board with his program, period."’

‘”I’m coming from a 3-4 and basically everything I know about a 3-4 George taught me,” said Torbor. “So I think that’s really going to help me, especially since I’m missed so much to this point.”‘

‘Andre Reed, Steve Tasker, Fred Smerles, Will Wolford, Joe Delamielleure and Mark Kelso were some of the former Bills on hand. Bill Polian, the architect of the Bills Super Bowl teams of the early 90s who has now turned the Indianapolis Colts into perennial Super Bowl contenders, also took part. Sabres coach Lindy Ruff and legendary Sabres Rick Martin and Rob Ray were also on hand, as were broadcaster Chris Berman and actors Jamie Farr and Chris McDonald.’

‘"I honestly don’t worry about what is going on," Ellison said after a recent practice. "I just come out here, work hard and do whatever the coaches ask of me and do it the best way I can. I can’t get caught up into worrying about whether I’m going to be here or not be here. It’s counterproductive. All it’s about is doing the best you can while you’re out here. Everything else will take care of itself."’

‘"You meet Jim and Jill, and you quickly understand where their hearts are at and the dedication they put behind the foundation," said Clarence’s Pat Sheridan, director of operations for Wilson Farms. "You know every dollar is going to be put to good use. … If you could stand in a room one time with Jim, Jill and Hunter – as I did – and have them tell you that this was preventable, that moment right there brought it all true for me."’

‘”It’s an adjustment because it’s something I haven’t played before,” Stroud told reporters of the 3-4. “The angles and techniques are different. Everything happens a lot quicker. You have to have your eyes in the proper place and you have more responsibility. I was used to just having to shoot a gap. Now I have to worry about defeating your man and conquering two gaps. It’s a work in progress, but I think I’ll be fine.”‘

‘In Buffalo, the backfield is crowded with Fred Jackson and rookie C.J. Spiller. Coach Chan Gailey said it “is strange” that he has yet to meet with Lynch. “I’m more worried about the guys that are here than the ones that aren’t here,” said Gailey.’