Archives for February 2012

‘”Beating the New England Patriots — the team the represented the AFC in the Super Bowl. I don’t really see that as anything you can look down upon,” the free agent said. “Obviously everybody can get better except the one team that actually wins the Super Bowl. I think the sky’s the limit because you can clearly see that there’s the right pieces here in place.”‘

‘”I know that’s a past chapter and now we’ve got a new chapter and I’m looking forward to it every step of the way,” he said. “Obviously I want to go to a team that I can help win. I haven’t won much in my seven years in the NFL. I just want to be on a team that I can help win and has some stability.”‘

‘”I just know at receiver you want to have some speed,” said Bicknell. “We probably need a speed guy. A guy that just can flat out run. You want to have some guys that have some ability to go up and get balls. We have guys that can win jump balls, but we want some guys that can run I’ll tell you that much.”‘

‘The 4-3 defense gives the Bills flexibility in looking for solutions. An undersized, 245-pound defensive end can serve as a situational pass rusher. Whether it’s an undersized, 245-pound defensive end, a 260-pounder who spent most of his time at linebacker in college or a 285-pounder, it doesn’t really matter. The Bills’ challenge this offseason is to find a good one (or two) and utilize him in whatever way works best — standing up or with his hand on the ground; on the line or at linebacker.’

‘”If the push to end blackouts is successful, it’s safe to say that sports fans across the country owe Buffalo fans a big thanks for being a driving force behind this social movement,” said Matt Sabuda, chairman of the Buffalo Chapter of the Sports Fans Coalition.’

‘It was last signed in 1998. It’s set to expire in July 2013.’

‘His plan is to award a contract by Feb. 24 in preparation of lease talks for the county-owned Ralph Wilson Stadium to begin after the Bills complete an architectural study of stadium needs.’

‘”Fred and I have talked,” said Nix. “We want to extend Fred. I’d like for Fred to finish his career as a Bill. He’s meant a lot to us. I’ve got great respect for him. We do want Fred back and we do intend to try to work out a deal with him. I’ve told him that. What we said is what we’re going to do.”‘

‘"Yeah, it is," he said. "It is. It is. And really, I’m at a loss for words because I’ve said as much as I could say, politically, the way I want to say it. I’m not going to go out and bash anybody. That’s not how I work. I don’t work like that."’

‘Corto, who had signed a two-year contract extension prior to the 2011 campaign, was a solid special teams contributor during his three seasons with the Bills.’

‘"I think as we continue to get better as a football team, Ryan will continue to get extremely proficient at his job," said Gailey, who has remodeled his offensive staff. "I have a great deal of confidence in Ryan and what he was going to be able to do at quarterback for us in the future. I know the statistics, you can look at statistics and you can turn them anyway you want to turn them but he’ll play just fine as we continue to be a good football team."’

‘"I’m familiar with everybody and I’m comfortable," said Lindell, who had converted 13 of 15 field-goal tries at the time of his injury. "The snap and the hold with Garrison (Sanborn) coming back and Brian (Moorman) back – they’re as good as anybody in at what they do. I like the coaches and I just like the organization."’

‘"I’m excited. It’s a lot fun and it’s a little bizarre," said Metzelaars of his return to Buffalo. "It’s been 18 years or so since I’ve really been back here so to come back it’s neat."’

‘”I thought it was going to be this year. I took a red eye out from San Diego Friday night and landed in Indianapolis Saturday morning,” said Reed. “I got to the hotel and hung out with some Giants and Patriots fans and I was with my agent and we had a good time. About 30 or 45 minutes before the announcement usually you know beforehand. It’s not just where they say it and you’re surprised. Usually you know.”‘

‘Bills safety and special teams contributor Jon Corto, who missed the entire 2011 season with a shoulder injury, saw his time with the club he rooted for as a kid come to an end Thursday as he was released by the team.’