Archives for January 2013

‘”We try to figure out the player’s trajectory given his age, the position he plays, his performance trajectory given his first few years in the league his body of work and how long will he stay at that level in the league and you try to structure a contract that captures all of his best years and creates a flexible contract in the years he might start to decline.”

‘Dan Mason, Rochester Red Wings GM, said, “Failure is not an option for Russ. I’m so happy, there’s not doubt he’s going to turn things around and he will do well. He doesn’t stop working until things are going the way he wants it to.”‘

‘”We go way back. We won some Super Bowls together so I have high regard for his coaching acumen,” said Whaley. “Personally I know him and we’ll see what happens. I know he’s got a lot of opportunities. We haven’t decided. We still have to figure out what we’re going to do, but I can provide some insight on how he performed when I was with him.”‘

‘As Cardinals defensive coordinator, Horton led a unit that finished 12th in the NFL in total defense, third against the pass, third in third down defense, fifth in sacks per play and 16th in points allowed. Considering the Cardinals had the lowest-ranked offense in the NFL it stands to reason that Arizona’s defense could’ve ranked even higher knowing how often they were on the field this season. The Cardinals offense finished 24th in time of possession.’

‘Buffalo began their rally with a one-yard run by Kenneth Davis and when Christie recovered the ensuing onside kick, Reich took over the show. He calmly directed the offense as he connected first with Don Beebe and then hooked up with Andre Reed for three more touchdowns. The Bills’ flurry put them ahead 38-35 with just under 3 minutes to play. With seconds left in regulation, the Oilers’ Al Del Greco tied the score with a 26-yard field goal kick to send the game into overtime.’

‘I was living on the West Side back then, and the traffic stopped the streets. Grant Street was at a dead stop, Metro busses and all. Everyone was whooping and hollering! People were hanging out of bus windows, and everyone was singing the Bills Shout Song! I remember calling my brother in Antioch, Illinois and we were both hollering over the phone! It was a great day in Buffalo and a great day in Buffalo Bills history!’

‘"I feel like this is Buffalo," Johnson said after the final autograph had been signed. "As a Bill we play in Buffalo, and so you see a lot of people around every other week or so. Coming up here to Hornell, it seems like we play here in Hornell. It’s like another home."’

‘Football goes in cycles, and the Bills may have a chance to turn things around. However, it was those early days in the AFL that rocketed football to the top, and Wilson should never be forgotten for his role.’

‘The best part from Tuesday’s announcement is the seemingly genuine anger from Brandon about the state of the team. For too long Wilson and the Bills seemed to almost shrug their shoulders at the team’s failures and be helpless in knowing how to fix it. Brandon admitted he is not happy with the criticism leveled at the Bills – nor should he be – and made a lot of big promises. The problem is now Brandon has to deliver in a big way.’

‘Brandon spoke with great respect for Nix and his ability to scout and find players. But a skywriter about the stadium would only be slightly less subtle than the overriding impression that Whaley is set to take over sooner rather than later. I like Brandon’s willingness to incorporate a version of moneyball to football. But in football there is a still a very big place for scouting and watching players in both college and the pros. If Nix is willing to go back to that role, I think he could have a valuable place for the franchise. If not, it’s my opinion, they will find another "football man" that will.’

‘Excuse my skepticism, but this smacks of same-old, same-old.’

‘Chief Financial Officer Jeff Littman and CEO Russ Brandon are money and marketing guys, respectively. Their expertise doesn’t involve knowing the best GM or head-coaching candidates. And even if they did, there’s still the matter of getting a coveted, high-profile coach to come to Buffalo.’

‘”He told me he was passing the torch to run this franchise in totality,” Brandon said. “He has granted me full authority to run this franchise with zero restrictions and zero limitations. Obviously, I’m honored and humbled in his confidence in me to lead this organization into a new era and provide a clear direction and winning pathway into the future,” Brandon said.’

‘”Right now I accepted a challenge when I took this position, to get this franchise back to where we know it should be, and that’s my focus,” Whaley said. “I’m a competitor. … There’s nothing been promised to me, but to give me the resources to do my job to help those guys [Brandon and Nix] put this franchise on the right track. I love a challenge. That’s what I signed up for, and I hope to be here long enough to see it completed.”‘