Archives for January 2012

‘Unless you think Ryan Fitzpatrick is a complete waste of time, you have to agree that Nix has the list of off season needs down to a tee: another big time receiver to help Stevie Johnson(more on him in a moment), pass rushing help in the form of one defensive end and maybe two, another offensive tackle, a linebacker and two cornerbacks.’

‘”Next year. My expectations are that we’ll take a big step. If we get these guys back, which we think we will, that are injured and we add some to this mix that we should take a big step next year,” said Nix.’

‘Nix says he is committed to keeping good players. Tight end Scott Chandler is also looking to be re-signed. Nix says he has the go-ahead to spend to the salary cap, but adds the Bills also have leverage. “I guess my point is those guys are probably more productive and more important to us than they may be to somebody else.”‘

‘”If a guy’s there in free agency that fits what we need, we’re going to be aggressive,” Nix said when asked if drafting a pass rusher is a top priority. “We’re going to try to do whatever we can do.”‘

‘”I think our stipulations were what we put on him after the first time. He knew what the consequences were. He did it,” Nix said. “I’m convinced that he thought he’d have to pay a fine but I don’t think he’d get a penalty. I don’t think he would intentionally do something to hurt our team. I really don’t. I know him. He tries to do the right thing when he’s playing and he tries to do the right thing in practice and in the locker room. He’s not a criminal. He made a mistake. It cost us. And he paid the price.”‘

‘”There were proposals made during the season,” said Nix. “The last one we made their stance was we’d like Stevie to concentrate on the season and finish out the year and start the talks at the end of the year. There has been dialogue since the season was over and it will continue.”‘

‘”I think just in life the more caps you can wear the more valuable you are,” he said. “Whether it’s on the back end as a safety or whether it’s going to down in the nickel package as a linebacker whatever they ask me to do I’m just willing and ready to do.”‘

‘It was a veritable showcase of former Bills coaches on the opening weekend. Gregg Williams had a big day as New Orleans’ defensive coordinator as the Saints beat the Lions on Saturday (with Jabari Greer picking off two passes). Wade Phillips, who has recovered nicely from gall bladder surgery, led Houston’s dominant defense against the Bengals.’

‘The relatively modest investment in a consultant could save millions in lease terms. It could better cement the team to the town. Beyond that, any sports economist will slap down the argument, which the Bills are sure to make, that the team brings economic benefits.’

‘Here’s a capsule review of the 6-10 campaign…’.

‘Cortez, 60, served on Chan Gailey’s staff the last two seasons and has extensive CFL experience, most recently as offensive coordinator and associate head coach of Calgary from 2007-09. Cortez has been a part of four Grey Cup-winning organizations.’

‘Reed is one of three receivers on the list of 15, joined by former Vikings star Cris Carter and former Raiders star Tim Brown. Carter is a finalist for a fifth straight year. Brown is a finalist for a third straight year.’

‘It says here that what the 2012 Bills need beside good health is another good draft, particularly with that extra fourth-rounder they received for Lee Evans. The more obvious needs are a couple of pass rushers with venom in their blood and at least two wide receivers, one to replace Johnson if he insists upon remaining a juvenile.’

‘Fitzpatrick continues to battle inconsistency, and that was evident all year. At times he was razor sharp, and other times woefully inefficient.’

‘Why wouldn’t the Bills gladly give Jackson a new long-term deal? He’ll be coming off a broken leg, he’ll turn 31 years old on Feb. 20, and second-year man C.J. Spiller played very well after Jackson suffered his season-ending injury. Spiller isn’t going anywhere. He’ll be in the third year of a five-year deal worth a guaranteed $20.8 million ($37.5 million maximum value with incentive bonuses).’