Archives for August 2010

‘”We’re checking out everything,” Gailey said. “We’ll look at everyone who’s available.”‘

‘The Bills will be under the cap in terms of cash for a third straight year. (They were slightly over the cap in cash spending in 2007). In 2008, they were about $15 million under the cap with cash spending of about $100 million, according to News figures. In 2009 they were at about $116.5 million in cash spending, again according to News figures. That was roughly $11 million under the cap.’

‘Bills starting outside linebacker Reggie Torbor is out for about three weeks due to an injury suffered in Thursday’s game in Toronto. Coach Chan Gailey was not specific on the injury. That probably puts Torbor out for the season opener against Miami, which is 21 days away. Chris Ellis took Torbor’s spot with the starters in Saturday’s practice. Torbor has been playing on all first downs and "normal" down-and-distance situations. When the Bills go to an extra defensive back, then Aaron Maybin comes on the field.’

‘That’s smart coaching. So was Gailey’s selection of the type of passes both Brohm and Edwards threw. The Bills’ young offensive line, together in a game for the first time this season, is more likely to succeed on the ground than it would with a bunch of pass plays which take a long time to execute. Except for Edwards’ long touchdown pass to Lee Evans, the emphasis on pass play selections was quick execution without over-burdening the young blockers.’

‘I know we’re not supposed to worry about it, but it’s pressure outside of the team. Previous years, I was a seventh round draft pick. I’m still a seventh round draft pick but I’ve got a bigger role now. It’s like big shoes to fill, not necessarily with Z spot in past years, but as far as playing on the side opposite Lee Evans, that’s the main difference.’

‘Nelson said he’d spend his month away from the team training down in Orlando with a professional trainer. He intends to speak with coach Gailey about his playing time when he returns from the suspension.’

‘With Michael Matthews and Jonathan Stupar the only healthy tight ends on the roster, general manager Buddy Nix is exploring all options when it comes to adding another tight end, Gailey said.’

‘”To my team, my family, my church family, the great city of Buffalo, and my fans I want to apologize,” Nelson said Nelson after practice. “It’s nothing bad; nothing illegal that happened. There are rumors that it was dealing with some different types of things that myself is not involved in.”‘

‘”In certain coverages, there are certain routes that teams have to run against those coverages. You can tend to look for those things, and some of the defensive plays, you can jump some of those routes,” said Whitner, who had a pass break up Thursday night against Indianapolis along with three tackles. “That’s why I’m excited. I’m excited to see what happens with this new defense, it’s going to be a good thing.”‘

‘"Overall, it went pretty well," Brohm said. "There are always some things we can work on. Overall I feel good about what happened when I was out there. We moved the ball. But we definitely need to put more points on the board."’

‘Nelson was scheduled to make $395,000 in salary this season. The suspension will cost him $92,941.’

‘The National Football League has suspended Buffalo Bills tight end Shawn Nelson four games without pay for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.’

‘Nelson had 17 catches for 156 yards and a touchdown in 12 games as a rookie out of Southern Mississippi last season.’

‘Nelson’s suspension begins on Saturday, Sept. 4. He will be eligible to return to the Bills’ active roster on Monday, October 4 following the team’s Oct. 3 game against the New York Jets. Nelson is eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games.’

‘"We’re really confident with the group we have. I think we run probably seven or eight deep where we’re really confident with people stepping in,” Wood said. “That’s kind of where we ran into issues last year. We had people get hurt and we had a lot of lapses throughout the offensive line. We’re all working to get better and that’s all we can do right now."’