Archives for March 2012

‘”The moment u’ve all been waiting for … Gr8 to have @StevieJohnson13 back!” tweeted Bills CEO Russ Brandon on Monday morning.’

‘The Bills didn’t disclose terms of the agreement, but a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter that Johnson received a five-year, $36.25 million deal that includes $19.5 million guaranteed and over $24 million in the contract’s first three years.’

‘”To be completely honest, everybody in this league wants to see what’s going to happen in free agency but I know where i wanted to be. It wouldn’t have made any sense…what’s the point of looking if you know where you want to be?”‘

‘”I want to thank the city of Buffalo because I represent you guys,” Johnson started off. “The way you look out for me I want you to look out for my teammates also. We represent you guys. A big thank you to you guys. You guys started this.”‘

‘County Executive Poloncarz: “I feel very confident that a lease is going to get done, my goal is to get it done by the beginning of training camp (this summer) and we’re going to try and get the longest lease we possibly can.”‘

‘This is where I started, in Buffalo. They took a chance on me. I’m not doing them any favors. They did me a favor by picking me. I want to remain loyal to them like they did with me because there could have been times where they could have let me go. This group is the only group I’ve known since I’ve been in the NFL. Why leave now when you’ve got guys turning that corner and who knows? We may get things back this next year and if not this year the year after. There’s a lot of promise here and I love working with these guys. Just waking up in the morning, even on the cold days out here and just coming to Buffalo and being around my teammates. That’s what it’s about. I’ve always wanted to be here.’

‘You know Stevie’s the big Twitter, text and all that stuff, but we were both in Indianapolis for the Super Bowl and I talked to him a lot out there. There have been a lot of texts and just different forms of communication. Some of it has been has been not necessarily you need to be back and that kind of stuff; a lot of the conversations lately have been just talking through the process. He’s a teammate and obviously someone I want back and he’s a friend.’

‘Over the past two seasons 25 percent of Fitzpatrick’s completions have gone to Johnson. Almost 30 percent of his passing yards the past two years have been accumulated by Johnson. And more than a third of the team’s passing touchdowns the last two seasons have been made by Fitzpatrick and Johnson (36%).’

‘”Yes I would characterize our approach this time around as more aggressive,” Bills GM Buddy Nix told Buffalobills.com. “Our philosophy since we got here was build through the draft and then plug in mid-range guys in free agency. Wait until the first week has passed and the fanfare and overspending happens is probably over in the first three or four days. We’ve waited in the past.’

‘The two sides spent much of Sunday negotiating and are aiming to wrap up the deal Monday, the source said.’

‘Monday is the last day that NFL teams can use the tag on free agent players. General Manager Buddy Nix has said that it’s an option for the team in their talks with Buffalo’s leading receiver.’

‘Three other defensive players from that era, speaking to The News on condition of anonymity, confirmed that a bounty system existed during Williams’ time with the Bills. Two of those players said cash bonuses were paid for “knockout shots” that sent opponents out of games.’

‘”It’s really tough for people to understand,” former Bills offensive lineman Ruben Brown said Saturday. “In one aspect, football is a highly testosterone-driven activity. At the other end, we’re supposed to be civil here, respect one another and say all the right things. What Gregg Williams is being accused of, does it fall under the category of motivation? I think everybody is overblowing this thing.”‘

‘A 2001 Miami High graduate, Parrish joined the Bills in 2005 after a successful career at the University of Miami. Parrish caught the attention of college scouts following his accomplishments at Miami High, where he played receiver and also took snaps as the Stingarees’ quarterback.’

‘Four players, including one who went on the record, safety Coy Wire, told the Buffalo News that a bounty system existed while Williams was head coach of the Bills from 2001-03.’