Archives for May 2011

‘The thinking is valid. Fitzpatrick was a 3,000-yard, 23-touchdown passer last season. If Dareus and third-round linebacker Kelvin Sheppard are able to help significantly improve an atrocious run defense, Fitzpatrick can be good enough to make the Bills more competitive than they were in the 4-12 debacle of 2010.’

‘”First, I was kind of shocked,” said Hansen by phone from his North Dakota home. “And then I quickly looked down at the number and I saw the 716 phone number and then Mr. Wilson got a chuckle out of something. I said, “No, that’s Mr. Wilson. I’d recognize that laugh anywhere.”‘

‘Oddly enough, Modrak’s release comes on the heels of a draft that has been roundly praised by fans and media as the Bills selected defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, cornerback Aaron Williams and linebacker Kelvin Sheppard in the first three rounds, all players who have a chance to make an immediate impact as rookies should the 2011 season be played.’

‘”Those were the building years and where those bonds were made between those players,” Hansen said. “They accepted me when I got there, but I never really felt a part of that great group … those guys that made that team what it was by the time they got to (their first) Super Bowl. I got there for the frosting on the cake, not the first layer.”

‘"He’s a hard worker," Wilson said. "He knows the game. In the draft, there’s no question it’s a big disappointment that we haven’t had more impact players, players that make a big difference, go to the Pro Bowl. Tom does a good job, but he doesn’t make the last call. He puts the [draft] board up. We have a lot of hard-working scouts. But it comes down to making the last decision. That’s not Tom."’

‘But even if you excuse him for Maybin and Whitner, who were taken when Jauron had too much power over personnel, Modrak had too many whiffs on big picks. If he’s going to take credit for such late-round gems as Kyle Williams, Stevie Johnson and Terrence McGee, he has to own all of it. He was the head of scouting.’

‘"I think he was great on the field, and he had great character off the field," said Bills owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr. "He represented Buffalo the way it should be represented."’

‘Thomas, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, has been working with the Fuel Up to Play 60 program for two years. The program promotes in-school nutrition and physical activity and is sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the National Football League. Thomas, who moved back to Buffalo with his wife and four children in 2007, said he visits schools in the western New York region and Syracuse area to raise awareness for the program.’

‘Buffalo’s draft may not have made the biggest splash in the headlines, but its ho-hum weekend might just go a long way towards creating some exciting Sunday’s at Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘Modrak had been criticized for the team’s inconsistent drafting history in the past. However, he had the backing of team owner Ralph Wilson.’

‘”On the field, you come through a lot of adversity and then you just have to capitalize on it,” he said. “You can’t let it get away from you. Same way you go in life. You come to obstacles you have to overcome … you get knocked down on the field and you have to bounce back.”‘

‘”This is the time of year when we evaluate every element of our football operation and with the Draft now completed, we have decided to reorganize our personnel department,” said Bills GM Buddy Nix. “We have begun that process and made a decision to head in a different direction. We thank Tom for his 10 years of dedication to our organization and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”‘

‘”This is an amazing kid, now,” Nix said. “He vertical jumps 32 inches and he long jumps like 9-5 and he dunks a basketball with both hands. His body fat is not real high. He’s an exceptional athlete. We would’ve signed him as a free agent so we just drafted him and didn’t have to go after him, and we’re going to see if he can play.”‘

‘Baltimore was the only other club to pull down an A from Gosselin, but what’s new? The Ravens annually are among the best and brightest at circling the draft board. The Bills are not. At least not until now, and I’m not sure how they did it. Buffalo general manager Buddy Nix does know how, and he’s here to explain what just happened.’

‘"We really didn’t think he’d be there," Nix said. "I know everybody says that. But we’re excited."’