Archives for January 2011

‘”We believe he should make a full recovery and be healthy,” said general manager Buddy Nix, who was with the Chargers when they drafted Merriman in the first round in 2005. “There’s risk involved in anything. Drafting any of these 20-year-olds has risks involved. We had been working on it and we agreed on it and got everything signed this morning. I know he’s a leader. He’s been a Pro Bowler. He’s only 26-years old and if he’s healthy he’ll make plays for us and help us win games.”‘

‘So the Bills’ path to the No. 2 pick goes like this: Denver beats San Diego; and either Cincinnati beats Baltimore or the Bengals lose to the Ravens while Indianapolis beats Tennessee, Jacksonville loses to Houston and Kansas City loses to Oakland. A Bengals loss coupled with those other results would give the Bills and Bengals a strength-of-schedule tie and force a coin flip to decide who gets the earlier pick.’

‘The Jets might treat this like a preseason game; the Bills won’t. Bills, 20-16.’

‘Merriman is only 26 years old. The Bills think committing to him is a risk worth taking, given what he has done on the field when he has been fully healthy.’

‘My initial reaction was why. Why would Merriman sign with the Bills when he was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent, with the right to peddle his services to all 32 teams? Why rush into this deal and eliminate a precious opportunity to test the waters for the highest bidder?’

‘The problem is that the depth chart at quarterback when the college draft nears may be no deeper than it was last spring when it began and ended with Sam Bradford. He gave St. Louis, to its delight, its own escape from mediocrity. The only other quarterback selected in the first round was Tim Tebow, whom many scouts decreed was more likely to become a tight end. Tebow began to look like a true quarterback only last week.’

From Turmoil, Revis Learns to Take Care of Business (New York Times)

Jets’ goals vs. Bills: Keep Sanchez sharp – and everyone healthy (New York Post)

Rex, Jets should keep priorities in order (New York Post)

Rookie Trufant, 28, finally has arrived (New York Post)

Dixon hopes sack is ‘first of many’ (New York Post)

Rex Ryan won’t risk core players for long vs. Buffalo Bills as bigger prize awaits Jets in playoffs (New York Daily News)

Jets’ Rex Ryan, tripped up by controversy, needs to put foot down and rest QB Mark Sanchez vs. Bills (New York Daily News)

Rex Ryan’s big talk started a season of embarrassment for Jets, so Gang Green better finish strong (New York Daily News)

Jets vow to keep focus in meaningless finale (New York Newsday)

It took time, but lineman Wayne Hunter is finally paying off for Jets (Newark Star Ledger)

Spotlight is on Rex Ryan as he ushers team into playoffs (Newark Star Ledger)

Should Jets rest guys for the playoffs? (Bergen Record)

The matchup: Bills at Jets (Bergen Record)

‘”This is a game for us to be remembered,” running back Fred Jackson(notes) said of Gailey’s message to the team. “How we want to finish the season, do we want to go in and throw in the towel? I don’t think anybody in that locker room wants to just say there’s no significance in this game. I don’t think you’re going to get that out of anybody in the locker room.”‘

‘New York Jets 20, Buffalo 9.’

‘”We had been working on it and we agreed on it and got everything signed this morning,” Bills GM Buddy Nix told Buffalobills.com. “I know he’s a leader. He’s been a Pro Bowler. He’s only 26-years old and if he’s healthy he’ll make plays for us and help us win games.”‘

‘The Bills announced the signing in a text message sent to the media on Saturday, a day before Buffalo (4-11) closes its season at the New York Jets.’

‘Turns out that Merriman may be one of those few in the league with a sense of allegiance, or that no one else wants him. The Chargers linebacker Tweeted this early New Year’s Day.’

‘For the season, the Maryland product posted just six tackles in three games.’

‘Shawne Merriman has signed a two-year contract to remain with the Buffalo Bills, general manager Buddy Nix confirmed on Saturday.’

‘"No matter what happens, I’ll be ready to go," Brohm said. "If it’s to go in and start, I’ll be ready for that. If I have to go in during the course of the game, I’ll be ready for that also."’