Archives for December 22, 2012

‘Even by NFL standards, that’s significant. Consider, for perspective: Forbes’ most recent valuation of the Bills priced the franchise at just north of $800 million.’

Upgrade at tight end is likely priority for Miami Dolphins (Miami Herald)

Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill showing improvement in last four games (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Dolphins place Dan Carpenter on IR, sign Nate Kaeding (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Dolphins-Bills: Who has the edge? (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Five reasons to pick Dolphins 20, Bills 13 (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Key matchup: Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Sean Smith (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Banged-up Miami Dolphins put kicker Dan Carpenter on IR, sign Nate Kaeding (Palm Beach Post)

K Kaeding signs with Miami; Carpenter placed on IR (AP)

Dolphins place K Carpenter on IR (The Sports Network)

Dolphins Game Preview vs. Bills (CBS Sports)

Dansby, Wake among ‘Phins eyeing Pro Bowl (Fox Sports Florida)

Miami Seeks To Even The Season Series Against Buffalo In Its Final Home Game Of The Year (WFOR-TV)

Dolphins Sign Kicker Nate Kaeding (WFOR-TV)

Dolphins Sign Kaeding; Place Carpenter On IR (MiamiDolphins.com)

Carpenter And Kaeding Reverse Roles; Other Notes (MiamiDolphins.com)

Ten Memorable Home Finales (MiamiDolphins.com)

Final Dolphins-Bills Injury Report, 12/21 (MiamiDolphins.com)

”’You never know what’s going to happen from this year to the next,” Johnson said. ”You’ve got to get the picture fast and I definitely did. I can’t say I (immediately) did with the shenanigans that I had going on early in my career. I’m here now and I have to be able to hold it for as long as I can.”’

”’This is a monumental day for us,” he added. ”The Buffalo Bills are right here in western New York, where we’re going to be for many decades to come.”’

‘The renovations will be centered around improving the fan experience, including new video display boards on the stadium’s east end and the creation of a new west end plaza.’

‘The lease also allows the Bills to play one preseason game every other year and one regular-season game each year in Toronto, the newspaper reported.’

‘These two teams have gone in opposite directions since their meeting in Week 11, which the Bills won 19-14. In that game, the Bills handled the Dolphins for the most part due to rookie QB Ryan Tannehill’s struggles. Since then, the Bills have lost three of four games and are coming off a 50-17 blowout loss to the Seattle Seahawks.’

‘Lingering questions about an NFL team — or two — in Los Angeles have been a thorn in the side for Bills fans for many years. Is this deal enough to keep the Bills from moving to L.A.? For the next seven years, that certainly appears to be the case. After that? It remains up in the air.’

‘”Me, I like the deal,” WR Steve Johnson said. “I know I’m here for another five. So I’m happy about it. I like the area, that’s why I re-signed. I think that’s just comforting for the fans outside, to know that we’ll be here for another seven.”‘

‘However, the fact that an opt-out clause after the seventh year for a paltry (by NFL standards) $28,363,500 was worked in, and that it was mentioned briefly at best during the press conference, it should be a tiny cause of concern to Bills fans looking for long-term security for their favorite football team.’

‘The keys to me are twofold. First, there is a new Stadium Advisory Group that will be formed to explore the potential for construction of a new stadium within Erie County. Beginning in the 6th year of the lease, up to one half of the capital improvement fund can be used to conduct studies related to a new stadium location, design and development. At that point, the stadium here in Orchard Park will be close to 50 years old. Who knows what the economic climate will be or the climate in the NFL. Second, there will be a $130-million capital investment. The Bills pay $35,455,000, Erie County pays $40,654,000 and New York State pays $53,891,000. Working Capital Payments shared by the county and the state will be $3-million in 2013 and the shared money for game day expenses start at $1,818,000 in 2013.’

‘”I’m just happy for the people. Players, we’re gonna come and go out of this business. For this community, it’s awesome for them to keep us here for at least seven years that we know for sure, and hopefully for the remaining ten. I was definitely excited to see that they were able to get it done, because I know that was a big question mark that was over our organization, so for both sides to come to an agreement, I’m glad to see they were able to get it done.”‘

‘Chris White and Marcus Easley are not working out. We already know Easley will not play Sunday in MIami. Chan Gailey said after practice that White’s out too. Gailey said Kirk Morrison and Greg Llyod are slated to see a lot of special teams play in Miami.’

‘Chan Gailey enters Sunday’s game at Miami with a 15-31 record as Bills Head Coach. To put things into a scary perspective, Gailey needs to win the remaining 2 games just to move into a tie with Gregg Williams who had a 17-31 record in his 3 uninspiring seasons in Orchard Park. If Gailey wins the last 2 games, he’d still be 4 games behind the even more uninspiring Dick Jauron.’

‘The agreement to keep the Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium calls for $130 million in upgrades to the aging, county-owned stadium that first opened in 1973. The Bills will chip in $35 million toward renovations, the state will contribute $54 million and the county will cover the remaining $41 million.’