Archives for March 16, 2012

‘No longer can the Bills be satisfied with progress. Buckle up Bills fans, this team should have playoffs on the brain.’

‘The Buffalo Bills and Mario Williams are a match made in football heaven, one that immediately gives the Bills legitimacy in the pass rush and at the box office, while providing a potentially game-changing buzz around the league that is already being compared to Green Bay’s landmark signing of Reggie White.’

‘My primary concern has always been that he doesn’t have the Alpha mindset that most great football players have. Players who possess that mindset tend to live and die with their football performance as it defines them. Mario isn’t that guy, and I’m not a fan of paying out of the nose for players who aren’t consumed by football.’

‘”I think the number one thing was coming here and seeing them embrace me and definitely the comfort level of everybody that surrounded me when I got here,” said Williams “This is what people bleed, breathe and live, so I am really happy for the opportunity to be part of it. I had to duck and dodge a little bit because there were a lot of people out there and I did not want to get run over by anybody, but that is great. That’s what you want and you want a fan base like that. This great city definitely offers that.”‘

‘The Bills paid a huge price to get this guy – $50 million guaranteed and a potential $100 million if he plays out his contract. But they had to do something to turn around the losing culture around One Bills Drive.’

‘Many Bills fans felt that the signing brought vindication for all of the trite and even nasty comments the city has absorbed from major league athletes over the last few years.’

‘Thank God we’ve had a string of those bluebird days, the kind when the sun shines and the sky is clear and it’s so warm people break out the shorts. Imagine what he would have thought if he arrived during one of those miserable March weeks when the snow crusts up on the street curbs.’

‘"I am ecstatic," said the 27-year-old Williams. "I feel like this is a great opportunity for me, the team and for us to succeed and get better. This city is looking for that and looking for the Bills to be where we need to be at for the fans of this great city."’

‘”I feel OK. I feel better today than I did yesterday, I’ll tell you,” Wilson said with his characteristic big laugh.’

‘The deal is a milestone in the 52-year history of the Bills. In the 20 years the NFL has used an unrestricted free-agent system, the biggest Buffalo signing was a $7 million-a-year deal given to guard Derrick Dockery in 2007. That move flamed out, as Dockery lasted only two seasons in Buffalo. Williams comes to the Bills with a far superior pedigree and track record.’

‘”You don’t get many chances and opportunities to come in here and be the guy to help the team get across the hump,” Williams said. “That’s definitely what I’m here for. It’s a great opportunity for myself and the team to get better. This city is looking for the Bills to be where we need to be at. I’m ecstatic. I can’t wait to get out there and make things happen.”‘

‘”I know everywhere else, I’ve been everywhere else. I played here I think it was three years ago and pretty much all I saw was (the stadium). So I’ve seen a little bit of it, but I’ve been to other cities that were interested so like I said football is 50 percent of it, but you’ve got to be comfortable with the other 50 if you don’t know anything about a city. I had to come here first.”‘

‘Before Thursday, the main asset of the Bills was the 1-2 running back punch of Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller. Now the top asset is the defensive line. It might be the NFL’s best this season. The front four will take some pressure off the linebackers and the secondary. The offensive line is improving. Special teams are way above average.’

‘The arrival of Williams could mean more to the Bills off the field than on the field in terms of credibility and relevancy in this region and throughout the NFL nation, proving that owner Ralph Wilson still is serious about providing a competitive product, encouraging fans to buy season tickets, and suggesting that that Buffalo is not necessarily the Siberia of the NFL.’