Archives for July 2013

‘Anderson, 30, missed 11 games due to injury and had only one sack and 10 total tackles compared to the 10.5 sacks Williams recorded.’

‘When the agreement first happened, Anderson inked the contract which would have paid him $19.5 million over the four seasons if he saw the end of the deal. Only $7.9 million, however, was qualified as guaranteed money.’

‘The two large sporting events will take place less than a mile away from each other. The Bills training camp will start this Friday while the PGA Championship starts on August 5. The two events overlap for a week in August.’

‘I think he will accomplish what predecessors Gregg Williams, Mike Mularkey, Dick Jauron and Chan Gailey weren’t able to. But it most likely won’t happen this season, unless rookie quarterback EJ Manuel winds up having an immediate, transformative season like 2012 rookie QBs Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson did in their first NFL seasons.’

‘The Bills have some very talented young pieces on both sides of the ball and could absolutely become a contender a few years down the road. So much of that will depend on the development of E.J. Manuel (or Kolb, for that matter). In the meantime however, Buffalo will remain a below-.500 team as new coach Doug Marrone and his staff lay the groundwork.’

‘Buffalo’s new coaching staff clearly had other players they were interested in when it came to the pass rushing positions of outside linebacker and defensive end in Mike Pettine’s scheme.’

‘”We reached our goal as far as teaching the players what our tempo is,” said Marrone. “They’ve responded in a professional way, which is greatly appreciated by myself and the staff. We’re excited. That’s how it should be. We know we have a lot of hard work ahead of us, but it’s also hard work that we’re looking forward to.”‘

‘Marrone brought along seven assistant coaches from Syracuse to join him on the Bills staff including offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, running backs coach Tyrone Wheatley, tight ends coach Greg Adkins, and defensive backs coach Donnie Henderson.’

‘”I was always around the office; that was my favorite thing to do,” Nathaniel said. “I remember as a kid about 5 years old when my dad was with the 49ers, I still can smell that glue. That’s what they used when they used to actually cut and paste to make the 16-mm film. My dad would let me come in there and help cut it and paste it.”‘

‘Instead, I remain a relatively despondent fan, numb to the organization’s many failures and conditioned to expect the worst, no matter how promising things may appear.’

‘There are exceptions, but every year the dividing line between playoff teams and non-playoff teams often lands on or hovers around 24.’

‘Assuming Alonso fills the role of an every-down linebacker, the question will be who joins him when the Bills go to a nickel (five defensive backs) formation, which Pettine has hinted could essentially serve as the Bills’ base defense. The two favorites are second-year man Nigel Bradham and veteran Bryan Scott.’

‘Both incumbents, kicker Rian Lindell and punter Shawn Powell, will face serious pushes for their roster spots by sixth-round draft pick Dustin Hopkins and free agent Brian Stahovich, respectively.’

‘”I keep it really simple, it’s just spending time in the playbook,” Tuel said. “You can’t do it enough. The quicker you know it inside and out the better. I think it increases your chances of sticking around.”‘

‘The surprise of the defense could be rookie Kiko Alonso, a second round pick in this year’s draft from Oregon. Alonso impressed many during the Organized Team Activities and the minicamp with both his physical and mental skills. Alonso, who had 14 tackles for loss, four interceptions, seven passes defended and two forced fumbles his senior season, is another linebacker who can be an every down player.’