Archives for April 2012

‘”We’ve said this before and said it before we started this preparation, we’d like to take two corners in this draft,” General Manager Buddy Nix said. “So we got one of them.”‘

‘”It’s a great feeling to be a Buffalo Bill,” said Gilmore, a seemingly quiet kid who hails from Rock Hill, S.C. “I’m happy to play for them. I went on a visit to the Bills, visited the city, they believe in my talent and I’m looking forward to helping their defense out.”‘

‘What did Bills GM Buddy Nix back in Buffalo tell him on the phone? “He’s happy with the decision,” Gilmore said. “I’m happy they picked me and believed in my talent. I’ll just keep working hard, like I’ve always done. It don’t stop here – this is the beginning. So I’m looking forward to it.”‘

‘Also a standout defensive back in high school, he started all 40 games of his college career at corner. Then he left school a year early and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds at the NFL combine – third-fastest among defensive backs, and a major development for the 6-1 Gilmore.’

‘”Stephon Gilmore is one of my favorite players in this draft,” he said. “He started 40 straight games in the SEC. No injuries. No issues. This is a kid that’s going to step in on day one. Remember the division they’re in. In order to win this division, they have to play Tom Brady and the New England Patriots twice a year. They have the wide receivers and the tight end. You can’t get enough good cover guys in this division. This is their answer.”‘

‘Gilmore, who attended South Carolina, didn’t display much emotion when he crossed the stage at Radio City Music Hall to greet NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. That’s not unusual for the stoic Gilmore, who has always impressed others with his maturity. “Stephon’s going to be fine wherever he goes,” Drummond said. “He just wants to play, he doesn’t care where. He’s just such a competitor, that he’s going to be fine wherever he goes.”‘

‘The 6-foot, 193-pound Gilmore was a three-year starter and left college after his junior season. He’s got considerable speed after being timed at running the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds. And he’s regarded as an explosive hitter.’

‘With Gilmore available Nix didn’t want to pass on it, “We talked about adding corners with size and adding speed and I think we did both with this guy. He’s been a 40 game starter in a pretty good league. He was high on our draft board from the start. I really thought when corners starting going he might not be there, but we were fortunate to get him.”‘

‘”I don’t think you could ever have enough good corners in the NFL,” said Bills head coach Chan Gailey. “More so today than I believe 10 to 15 years ago and it’s even more so today I believe. You have to have good corners.”‘

‘Gilmore did visit Buffalo before the draft and thinks he can fill that role. “They have a great defense and they are just looking for a piece to help them be an even better defense. 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.”‘

‘nice scenario seemed to be taking place as Carolina had the ninth pick, setting up a short drive for Gilmore from his native Rock Hill. But the Panthers chose Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly with that selection, allowing the Bills to pounce on Gilmore.’

‘”We talked about needing a corner with size and adding speed to our team and I think we did both with this guy,” Nix said. “This guy has been a 40-game starter in a pretty good league. He’s got good ball skills and he’s got great speed. He’s a good tackler. He was high on our draft board from the start. When the corners started going I thought there might be a chance he wouldn’t be there. We were fortunate I think to get him and he’ll help our football team.”‘

‘”We talked about needing a corner with size and adding speed to our team and I think we did both with this guy,” said Bills GM Buddy Nix. “This guy has been a 40-game starter in a pretty good league. He’s got good ball skills and he’s got great speed. He’s a good tackler. He was high on our draft board from the start. When the corners started going I thought there might be a chance he wouldn’t be there. We were fortunate I think to get him and he’ll help our football team.”‘

‘I went on a visit to the Bills and got to visit the city a little bit. It is a great feeling. They believe in my talent. I am looking forward to playing for them. Like I said they have great fans and I am looking forward to helping that defense out.’

‘When Philadelphia lost former Buffalo Pro Bowl left tackle, Jason Peters, to a ruptured Achilles tendon, the Eagles quickly signed free agent Denetrius Bell, the former Bill. That merely heightened the Buffalo’s concern at that position. Then, too, re-signing No. 1 wideout Stevie Johnson didn’t solve the hole at the No. 2 spot where, after Evans was traded, heirs apparent Marcus Easley (heart condition) and Donald Jones (ankle) missed all and part of last season, respectively, on injured reserve.’