Archives for December 2012

‘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.’

‘Compare that with Kansas City, where taxpayers spent $250 million to renovate Arrowhead Stadium.’

‘Fans can expect to see the renovations begin soon and they will include new technology in the stadium such as video boards in the east end. There will be a new store, enhanced gate entries, creation of a new west end plaza, and upgrades to concessions and restrooms.’

‘”I will note right now that the Bills could leave for $2 million,” Erie County Executive Mark Polancraz said. “Last year, they could have left this community for $2 million based on the prior lease. If they wanted to leave, they could have left for peanuts but [The Bills] have been committed to this community.”‘

‘”It’s going to update the technology of the building where we’re a state of the art franchise in terms of the technology elements we provide our fan base,” said Brandon. “It’s going to update restrooms, update concessions and provide new options for concessions.”‘

‘”The Buffalo Bills are a central part of the cultural, economic, and of the entire Western part of New York State, and the state has never wavered in our commitment to keeping the Bills a thriving part of the Buffalo community,” Governor Cuomo said. “With a fan-base as diverse, passionate, and energetic as any professional sports team in the nation, the Buffalo Bills account for hundreds of millions of dollars in economic impact as well as hundreds of jobs in Western New York, and today is a major victory for our entire state. This agreement ensures the Bills stay where they belong right here in New York, while also protecting tax payer dollars and putting in place a longer-term vision for the team’s continued presence in Buffalo. I commend the Bills leadership, our NFL partners, the ownership of the Stadium, and the County officials for their hard work in reaching this major agreement.”‘

‘Buffalo got lucky in the first meeting with the Dolphins holding on for a 19-14 victory after settling for four field goals on four red zone possessions in the first matchup between the two teams. That lack of success inside the 20-yard line is unlikely to produce another victory on the road at Miami.’

‘Russell Wilson, Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin have proven that the right rookie quarterback can win immediately. It’s up to Nix – and Gailey, if he’s still around – to draft and develop the right player.’

‘What motivates the 25-year-old Ross to remain optimistic is a financial promise he made to his late mother, Janice Woodberry, and a vow to make something of himself. "Everything I told her I would do, I am continuing to try and do it,” he said. "But there also was a time I was doing it for myself. Now what keeps me going is to do it for my family members.”’

‘Byrd, with 116,761 votes, finished second to Ravens S Ed Reed atop the AFC safeties list. He tied for the AFC lead with five interceptions, and has also forced three fumbles with six pass breakups in 2012. His 18 picks since entering the NFL in 2009 are tied for third-most overall.’

‘”That’s the sign of a good quarterback that has a chance to be a great quarterback.”‘