Archives for October 2011

‘Just to review the applicable numbers one more time: Kansas City’s Matt Cassel ranks 16th in QB pay at $9.67 million a year. New Orleans’ Drew Brees is 15th, but he’s expected to sign an extension at some point this year that moves him way up. Arizona’s Kevin Kolb is No. 10, playing under a free-agent contract worth an average of $12.4 million.’

‘Late in his career the NFL asked all of its players to contribute what they could to the Historic Black College Fund. Hull, a son of Mississippi born and bred, wrote a check for $10,000. I asked what moved him to make such a large contribution. "Education," he answered. "I think education is the answer to just about everything."’

‘”There’s no doubt about it,” Bell said. “He loved hunting and fishing. Kent was a good man. He loved his family. He loved Mississippi State. He loved playing in Buffalo. He also loved hunting and fishing. He was great friend and we had some good times together. I will miss him — for sure.”‘

‘”I know that we believe that in this locker room,” Fitzpatrick said. “I don’t think we take satisfaction in the fact that we’re better than people thought we were, because, in our minds, we’re better than 4-2 right now. We’ve got to come out and show it.”‘

‘Marc Ganis: “The fact that there was some contribution by the state is an argument that Erie County can make to the state, saying ‘you need to treat us here in Western New York and our citizens here as well as you treat the citizens of downstate New York and New York City.’ So that creates a very strong argument for Erie County for at least some (state) participation.”‘

‘"Patience is very key for anybody," Spiller said. "I think I have great patience. I know my number will get called eventually. I can’t have a self pity-party and pout, because that’s not going to change anything. I have to come to work every day like a professional and get that job done. This is an opportunity that came my way and I just have to take advantage of it."’

‘Fitzpatrick is currently in the final season of a three-year, $6.9-million contract that pays him a base salary of $3.1 million this season. Now he’s about to cash in.’

‘Also fined was Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson. He was docked $7,500 for grabbing and twisting Corey Webster’s face mask as the Giants’ cornerback made a game-changing interception. Despite having his head spun, Webster held on, setting up the Giants’ game-winning score. The 15-yard penalty on Johnson gave the Giants the ball at their own 19-yard line instead of the 4.’

‘”It seemed like Kent was a silent guy you could always count on,” former Bills receiver Andre Reed said. “The thing that really stuck out to me, personally, was whenever there was a big play that needed to be made, he would look at me straight in the eye and say, ‘Cool, we need one.’ He called me ‘Cool.’ I’ll never forget that.”‘

‘Steve Tasker joins Norton in the Morning to give his thoughts on the passing of Kent Hull. He tells some great stories of the former Pro Bowler and Wall of Famer. ‘

‘Jim tells Norton in the Morning about his best friend, Kent Hull, who died Tuesday and shares some great stories of the late Bills’ Wall of Famer.’

‘Fitzpatrick is the least sacked quarterback – six in six games – in the NFL. The Bills have allowed the fewest sacks per pass attempt in the league. The Bills haven’t ranked in the top 10 in that category since 1999, Doug Flutie’s last season as the starting QB.’

‘According to an NFL.com report, the sides are moving toward agreement on a multiyear deal that will pay Fitzpatrick about $10 million per season. According to the report, the two sides have been talking in earnest since the Sept. 25 win over New England and had hoped to reach a deal this week, but with the Bills on a bye, the players out of town and their facility seemingly closed for the weekend, it appears the earliest it would be announced would be Monday.’

‘The Bills hired Populous, an architectural firm based in Kansas City, Mo., to conduct an exhaustive study of Ralph Wilson Stadium’s infrastructure. The study will determine how much necessary improvements will cost.’

‘Even in a bye week, the Buffalo Bills have hit the pause button on contract talks with Ryan Fitzpatrick but sources say he could be soon saying hello to a new contract that will secure him as the team’s starting quarterback beyond 2011.’