Archives for September 1, 2011

‘Expert Picks (Consensus: fourth).’

‘"This is the game where they’ve got to make their final statement," Bills coach Chan Gailey said of players fighting for spots on the 53-man roster. "There’s a lot of them that are sitting there that we’re trying to make decisions on, and special teams will have a big part in it as well as how they play offensively and defensively."’

‘Meanwhile, the Bills said only limited tickets are left for the second home game, against chief nemesis New England, on Sept. 25. The Raiders game is Sept. 18. The Eagles, with star quarterback Michael Vick and ex-Bill Jason Peters, come to Orchard Park on Oct. 9.’

‘”This is the game where they’ve got to make their final statement,” Gailey said. “There are a lot of them who are sitting there, and we’re trying to make decisions. We all need to see exactly what we have from those guys that are not the starters right now.”

‘"More so than on the field – timing and all that – the way we were able to grow as a unit, I think that was key," he says. "Just being able to have a tight-knit group, it really does matter when you’ve got to be able to trust a guy."’

‘Hangartner would like to start, but he still knows how to prepare for his new role, "It’s the same way I’ve always gotten myself ready. I’ve been a backup before and you’ve got to be prepared. I’ve been in a game where I didn’t start and four plays into the game, you’re playin’ so that’s just the way it goes. Nobody says you have to wait until the second half to get somebody hurt so prepare just like you’re going to play or if something happens, you’re going to embarrass yourself if you’re not ready."’