Archives for January 2013

‘”It does (feel different), but from a player standpoint I’ve been here for six years and who knows what my future holds,” Scott said. “This city and this organization has meant so much to me and seeing the resiliency of these guys. We’ve been through a lot of ups and downs. It does kind of hit home a little bit to think, ‘Wow this might be it.’ And also there’s that disappointing feeling that if it is it you left not accomplishing what you wanted to accomplish.”‘

‘”I think Buffalo made a really good move,” Westhoff said. “Mike Pettine knows that defense exceptionally well, he took [defensive backs coach] Jimmy O’Neil with him, who helped him, as his righthand man. With that group of players that Buffalo has? I’m going to tell you what, look out on defense because he’ll be able to integrate it. I think Doug Marrone, who worked here with us, I think he made an excellent move. That football team will be a factor immediately.”‘

‘What else can Bills fans expect from Marrone and Hackett on offense? Based on their history, here are some basics…’.

‘So, what exactly stoked the ire of the football gods? What was so darn special about those final seconds in Nashville? Brace yourselves, folks. That infamous kick in the gut occurred in the final seconds of … the Fredonia years! To the great displeasure of the gridiron gods, the wizards of One Bills Drive had already planned to move summer training camp from Fredonia to Rochester … and the Buffalo Bills have ever since dwelt in Loserville.’

‘”I had a couple bad-luck years here. I know what the expectations are,” Troup said matter-of-factly last week, as the players cleaned out their lockers. “I just had to get healthy. I’m there now. I’m ready to prove myself.”‘

‘Reed has advanced to the final 10 each of the past three years.’

‘For Hackett, he practically grew up on the sidelines. Hackett’s father Paul Hackett had a 41-year coaching career that was spent exclusively on the offensive side of the ball. In fact the elder Hackett, who had many stops in his coaching career, worked for three seasons with Marrone on Herm Edwards’ New York Jets coaching staff. Hackett served as offensive coordinator and Marrone was the offensive line coach.’

‘In a release from the team, Pettine addressed the question of a 3-4 vs. 4-3 defense. “The answer is really yes to both,” Pettine said. “We’ll be a multiple front, multiple coverage defense. The trademark of our defense is we’re going to be smart, tough and relentless. How we configure it is more player-driven. I’ve always believed that you don’t fit your players to your scheme, but you fit your scheme to your players.”‘

‘”Obviously, with the coordinators, we want people that have thorough NFL experience, especially on the defensive side of the ball,” Marrone said. “Offensively, we want people with NFL experience. For our coordinators, we want to make sure they’ve been in this league.”‘

‘Fitzpatrick’s future is uncertain in Buffalo, and he’s due a $3 million roster bonus in March. General manager Buddy Nix has already said he plans to select a quarterback in the draft in April. He also hasn’t ruled out the possibility of acquiring one in free agency or through a trade.’

‘”I have worked closely with Nathaniel the past three years and the first thing that jumps out at you is his boundless enthusiasm,” said Marrone. “He has a genuine love and excitement for the game of football, offenses in particular, and that transcends into everything he does. Secondly, he has a great knowledge of offenses for someone his age.”‘

‘”He’s been surrounded by offensive-thinking football all his life and he’s absorbed it. It’s in his DNA,” Marrone said of Nathaniel. “Finally, you hear coaches speak of “everyone being on the same page?” Well Nathaniel is on the same page with me when it comes to the offense, and it’s multiple variations, that we are looking to run here in Buffalo.’

‘Pettine, who turned down a contract extension from the New York Jets early last season, could have waited things out. There are a number of teams that have yet to hire head coaches and therefore a number of staffs have yet to be built. But the 46 year old Pennsylvania native jumped on the Bills offer when Marrone called.’

‘The more significant hire – and one that will go a long way in determining Marrone’s success – was Pettine, who was the highly regarded defensive coordinator of the Jets the past four seasons. His units ranked in the top 10 each of those seasons. Now, admittedly, some of the credit for New York’s success on D belongs to the Jets defensive-minded head coach Rex Ryan. But Pettine spent 10 seasons working under Ryan (first in Baltimore and then, New York) and has learned his lessons well.’