Archives for July 13, 2012

‘Last year, three of seven home games were blacked out.’

‘”We are a volume-based franchise,” said Bills CEO Russ Brandon. “For us to be successful we have to keep our ticket prices low and sell a great number of tickets. At 73,000 strong, our fans create one of the best Home Field Advantages in the entire National Football League.”‘

‘Of the Bills’ last six blacked-out home games, only one reached the 85 percent threshold for nonpremium ticket sales. The other five games would have been blacked out, even under the new relaxed rule. And sales for most of those five games fell well short of the 85 percent figure.’

‘”It’s too early and to be honest with you you can ask me the third week of training camp and I’ll tell you it’s too early,” said Gailey. “We’ll know exactly where we stand. It all works itself out by the time we get to the first ball game.”‘

‘Thomas feels the Bills can really set the tone for the season in week one and even called the road opener with the AFC East rival New York Jets a “must” win. ” It almost feels like they have to go out and win this game” Thomas said. ” I think you start looking within the division. The Patriots are still the top team but if the Bills can stay healthy, with that defense. When I saw the schedule I thought 10 or 11 wins right there and squeak into the playoffs. They have to start off fast like they did last year. They have a good closing schedule.”‘

‘The Bills welcome back seven starters who were lost last year with season-ending injuries and getting everyone back into the lineup is an absolute necessity if the team is going to take a step forward and snap its 12-year playoff drought. The players include running back Fred Jackson (leg), center Eric Wood (ACL), wide receiver Donald Jones (ankle), nose tackle Kyle Williams (foot), defensive end Shawn Merriman (Achilles), cornerback Terrence McGee (knee) and kicker Rian Lindell (shoulder). The progress of Wood and Williams will be watched closely. The young leaders anchor their respective lines and depth isn’t good enough to replace them without a noticeable drop-off. Merriman, 28, is still hopeful as are the Bills that he can regain his All-Pro form from San Diego coming off even more surgery. How No. 1 wide receiver Stevie Johnson bounces back from offseason groin surgery also bears watching.’

‘The Bills’ front office showed their faith in Fitzpatrick, a career journeyman, when they bestowed on him a $59 million contract extension last October. After an encouraging 2010 campaign, Fitzpatrick had stormed into 2011 with 14 touchdown passes, just seven interceptions and a 97.8 rating to lead his team to a 5-2 record. Then his game went to pot and he wound up with an NFL-worst 23 interceptions. During Buffalo’s season-killing seven-game losing streak, Fitzpatrick’s best passer rating was 51.9, which tells the story. While hurt by injuries to his receiving corps and a rib injury he kept quiet, Fitzpatrick has to be better or he will lose his starting job sooner rather than later, now that veteran Vince Young is on board. Fitzpatrick worked with new quarterbacks coach David Lee extensively this offseason on simple mechanics, hoping to improve his accuracy. This is Young’s last and best chance to resurrect his career and he’ll be eager to pounce on the slightest opening. Will Fitzpatrick give it?’

‘"It would not have been as hard two years ago, but we are in so much more of an advanced stage now than we were two years ago. He is trying to learn what the base concepts are and how we have advanced to where we are today without the benefit of going through the baby steps."’

‘Gailey’s decision to diversify the offensive workload has been met with skepticism, but I believe the Bills are more difficult to defend with both Jackson and Spiller playing key roles. If Gailey can work out the logistics to make sure both receive enough touches to make an impact, Buffalo’s offense could become one of the league’s most difficult to defend in 2012.’