Archives for April 2012

‘”I would go work out in my backyard,” he said. “I didn’t mind watching my sisters and brother. I have a great family. They’ve always been there for me. A real close family.”‘

‘Corp has good size — at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds — a decent arm and good straight-ahead speed. What he did not have was much good fortune after joining Southern Cal as a five-star recruit in 2007. Corp picked the Trojans over Arizona, Arizona State, California, Colorado, Nebraska and Oregon. After red-shirting for a season, Corp sat behind Mark Sanchez in 2008.’

‘The whole draft hinges on Georgia’s Cordy Glenn. If he develops into a better-than-average left tackle, this is an A-plus, because CB Stephon Gilmore is going to be good, and the Bills got quality depth in corner Ron Brooks and linebackers Nigel Bradham and Tank Carder. It would be nice if at least one of those two LBs develops into a good starter. It’s up to the coaches to develop WR T.J. Graham into a useful pro, but wideouts take time.’

‘First-rounder Stephon Gilmore, labeled the most complete cornerback in the draft, could grab a starting spot from Drayton Florence or Terrence McGee and the door is wide open at left tackle for second-rounder Cordy Glenn. Wide receiver T.J. Graham fills a need for deep speed in the mix of prospects opposite Stevie Johnson, but will need time.’

‘LB Reggie Torbor has spent parts of the past two years on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. He’s a sound backup when healthy but he’s not a priority for the Bills.’

‘Playing in the AFC East vs. good quarterbacks, led by Tom Brady, the Bills set out to replenish their cornerback talent and did so in taking Stephon Gilmore (South Carolina) in the first round and Ron Brooks (LSU) in the fourth. Can Gilmore, selected 10th overall, challenge for a starting job as a rookie? "No question about it. No question, yes," coach Chan Gailey said. Gilmore is the latest piece in Buffalo overhauling a defense that ranked 30th in points allowed. Stud defensive ends Mario Williams and Mark Anderson were taken in free agency. "They have a great defense and they are just looking for a piece to help them be an even better defense," Gilmore said. "I hope I am that piece and I am going to come in and work hard, like I said, and make plays to help my team win."’

‘Corp began his college career at USC but broke his leg in 2009, paving the way for Matt Barkley to take the starting job. After backing Barkley up for the rest of that season, Corp transferred to Richmond in 2010 where he started 16 games over two seasons. Over the course of his collegiate career, he’s completed 61.6% of his passes and thrown 21 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.’

‘Now before we all get too giddy we need to see these players on the field, but it’s looking like they might have actually done pretty well here and dare I say……is it really true….could the Buffalo Bills FINALLY be on their way back?’

‘This site is in the heart of downtown, a block from the Metro line and directly across Exchange Street from the current, very modest Amtrak train station. The Buffalo Niagara Gateway Center could transform this location into the focal point of transportation downtown, the gateway to Western New York.’

‘Complicating the issue is an expiring 15-year lease and the mortality of the team’s 93-year-old owner. Ralph Wilson reportedly has no contingency plan to keep the team here after he is gone. The Bills-valued at $792 million-presumably would go to the highest bidder, who probably won’t be from around here. A likely landing spot is Los Angeles, an NFL-covetous mega-market with wannabe owner Phillip Anschutz eager to launch a stadium project.’

‘”These linemen are huge, and we got some good speed at the skill positions,” Nix said.’

‘Bradham, FSU’s defensive captain, led the Seminoles defense in tackles each of the last three seasons but caught the Bills attention for other reasons, too. At 6-foot-1, 240 pounds, he’s bigger than what’s become the prototypical college linebacker as schools go smaller and quicker to combat spread offenses. Also, Bradham considers special teams no less vital than his play on defense.’

‘ But after all that, I am optimistic. Wary, yes, but impressed enough to think the Bills will be at least a .500 team next season. If they stay healthy, and some of these draft picks hit big, they can challenge for the playoffs.’

‘”After that I saw myself on ESPN for the first time and that was kind of when it clicked that I could maybe play at the next level,” Carder said. “Up until that point it was just football. It’s still just football, but as far as going on to the next level, it never really clicked until 2009 which was my first year to start.”‘

‘”We got bigger and we got faster, I just hope it was in the right spots, and I think it was,” said Nix. “You’ve got to feel like these guys are going to do what they’re expected to do, they’re the right kind of people and they’re good enough to play.”‘