Archives for August 2013

‘”Our coach said that we are the most talented group on the field after the defensive line,” said Bills second-year receiver T.J. Graham after Friday’s training camp practice at St. John Fisher College in Rochester. “We feel the same way, and we are going to play our part this year.”‘

‘Bills coach Doug Marrone said after practice that he did not know the severity of the injury and that Johnson will be evaluated by Buffalo’s doctors.’

‘In addition, tight end Mike Caussin departed practice early due to a sore hip.’

‘”Most successful quarterbacks have that ‘it’ factor. He has that ‘it’ factor,” Whaley told XM NFL Radio. “When he walks into a room, there’s a presence and people take notice. He’s going to be the face of our franchise, and it’s not too big for him.”‘

‘”He’s going to get evaluated, and it’s always tough when those situations happen,” Marrone said after practice. “It would be a major concern if we were talking about it during the season. Right now, a veteran player who has proved himself, we’ll just see what the doctors say, it is what it is and we’ll deal with it from there.”‘

‘For the first time, it seemed as though the defense were the ones being caught off-guard by their teammates on the opposite side of the ball. While it wasn’t a giant leap forward for the unit, it’s still a day the offense can look to and build from.’

‘That was, until top wide receiver Stevie Johnson went to break his route over the middle of the field, and immediately pulled up lame and grabbed at his left hamstring. The wideout took a few more hobbling steps before falling to the grass in the back of the end zone.’

‘This is not to say that Manuel is close to being a finished product. He’s still a work in progress, and there will be growing pains along the way that will result in foolish interceptions and sacks and fumbles. But I’d rather see the kid get out there and learn the ropes in real time than go through another season of watching a retread playing QB.’

‘It was the best day the offense has had in training camp and it took a kick in the pants for it to happen.’

‘It’s good. We’re very, very pleased. As far as the pass attempts, Kevin (Kolb) has maybe 20 or 30 more at this time, so we’ve been monitoring that and keeping that close. I was happy. Came in with a bad play late and then made a big play at the end. You just see it. You see the little things that he has to work on. Getting the ball down a little bit. In the red zone, a little too high. Kevin made some really good plays. I think that’s a part of the experience, what he’s doing. Those guys are battling out and that’s a heck of a battle right now.’

‘I feel great. I think I’ve done well. The biggest thing for me like I said last week is continuing to be consistent, continue to build on what we did as a team these last five days in practice. Each day is a new day for me, and continue to get better.’

‘”Obviously everyone saw Stevie at the end with a hamstring,” said Marrone. “He’s going to get evaluated. It’s always tough when those situations happen with the players.”‘

‘One big difference from the 4-3 front run last year by coordinator Dave Wannstedt is the three down linemen all essentially are defensive tackles. Starting are 331-pound Marcell Dareus, 303-pound Kyle Williams and 301-pound Alex Carrington.’

‘”All the time,” Jackson said. “I know what I’m still capable of doing. I’m sure that the ‘He’s too old’ thing will be out there. ‘Is he at the end of his career?’ Which is all the more reason to go out and prove people wrong.”‘

‘”I think really in this day and age because it’s now a business, you have one bad year, you have one bad preseason, whatever it is, things start to happen,” he said. “So everybody is competing every day. You can ask anybody, even midseason practice, you’re still competing.”‘