Archives for June 2013

‘”I’ve said this many times before, but Brad truly is the most humble person that I have ever had the pleasure of being around. He epitomizes what every athlete, husband, father and human being should be,” Berdis said. “He’s a solid, Christian man who cares deeply about everyone. If my son grows up to be half the person Brad Smith is, then I’ve done a great job as a parent.”‘

‘Since the county owns Ralph Wilson Stadium, the family says the county is “responsible for ensuring the safety of patrons.”‘

‘”When I played in the East-West Shrine Game in 1973, I was given a plaque that read: ‘Strong legs run so that weak legs may walk,’ ” DeLamielleure said. “That saying always stuck with me. I had no idea what people went through to get prosthetics, and how costly they were.”‘

‘"I’ve always wanted to be in coaching in some manner, but after I retired my kids were still young and I never pursued it because it’s a lot of time," he said. "I didn’t want to miss my kids growing up. But now’s the right time. This is a trial run, but it might lead to something."’

‘The 62-year-old will walk 213 miles from suburban Buffalo, where he began his career with the Bills, to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton. The journey is to raise awareness and money for children in need of prosthetics.’

‘Describing the team’s utilization of Spiller as a ‘brutal crime’ second only to its long-term commitment to Fitzpatrick, the website Grantland.com points out even more telling statistics than Spiller’s yards-per-carry numbers..’.

‘Quarterback is by far the most important position in the NFL. But don’t forget, the Bills also have a rookie head coach. He’s trying to find his way, too.’

‘”It’s all about a comprehensive, consistent message across the country at all levels of football on what the proper tackling technique is,” Kelso said. “How to teach it, how to make sure kids are using it properly, and how they’re developing muscle memory to engage themselves when they’re playing in a game and don’t have time to think about it.”‘

‘”I think for any father and son, sports memories, going to sporting events, going to concerts, those are definitely the best,” said Luke. “You remember those moments. And so for me, his legacy lives on through that. It lives on through the Bills. It lives on through Springsteen. It lives on in going to baseball games.”‘

‘Manuel’s signing bonus is expected to be about $4.8 million.’

‘It’s complicated, but as the 16th overall selection this year, Manuel’s contract was likely to be worth roughly the same as last year’s 16th overall pick, defensive lineman Quinton Coples. The New York Jets gave Coples a four-year, $8.8-million deal which includes a $4.84-million signing bonus.’

‘Manuel signed a four-year deal worth $8.9 million, a day after the Bills closed a three-day mandatory minicamp – their final session before training camp opens on July 28 in suburban Rochester.’

”’Just to clarify a choice of words I used: The phrase ‘kill them’ has never been said by Coach Pet or any of my coaches/teammates,” Williams wrote. ”I said it as a figure of speech from my ‘perspective’ not literally or any actual intention.”’

‘Manuel, who went 25-6 as a starter at Florida State, was the last of Buffalo’s eight draft picks to ink his rookie deal.’

‘With Manuel, the Bills have signed all eight of the draft picks.’