Archives for January 2014

‘In an NFL world where contracts aren’t guaranteed, it makes parting ways with certain players under contract that much easier, with only slight monetary ramifications for most. When you see long-term deals signed, usually two or three years into the contract you’ll see large roster bonuses that spur action for the teams. It’s usually a case of either cutting your losses right then and there if a team didn’t get the desired production, or they move on with that player on the roster.’

‘”I think we have some good young players that we need to really develop,” said Marrone. “We added some players onto the roster. I think they have potential to be starting-type players in the NFL, but again, that process needs to start now for them, (after) they rest their body, get in shape and work on their own. I’ve said it before, with the new CBA, I believe there is more accountability today on the NFL player. From now until when we report in April, we all have to be working to get better.”‘

‘The difference between the two games, though, was how rapidly Buffalo scored, as opposed to Indianapolis. The Bills put up four touchdowns in a span of just under seven minutes, three of them Reich passes, two to Andre Reed and the other to Don Beebe.’

‘”Team-wise, I feel like we improved from last year, but at the same time we didn’t make the playoffs,” Williams said. “But we have improved in numbers, and we’re definitely going in the right direction.”‘

‘”I think right now, he’s done a nice job, he’s progressed when he’s gotten a couple of games in a row,” said Bills offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. “When it’s just coming off that injury, that’s when he’s kind of not been what we wanted. But it’s a difficult thing, especially for a rookie to come off that stuff.”‘

‘Manuel did show poise, and he had occasional flashes that made you think he could become a star, but he has a long way to go.’

‘Marrone had to be thinking he could’ve been Chudzinski, dealing with dysfunction in Cleveland that far exceeds anything Buffalo has conjured during its long playoff drought.’

‘Including Byrd, there are nine players set to become unrestricted free agents when the 2014 NFL league year begins at 4 p.m. March 11. They are…’.

‘While the source would not say who called the meeting and why, nor what is on the agenda, it is more than possible — probably likely — that the purpose is to discuss the future of the disappointing series, which sees the Bills annually relocate one of their eight regular-season home games to Toronto’s Rogers Centre.’

‘The Bills had four players that took every single snap this season: Kiko Alonso, Cordy Glenn, Eric Wood and Erik Pears. How was the rest of the playing time divvied up?’

‘”I feel like I’m in a position where I can influence people and touch a lot of lives,” Moats said. “My family and I understand the spot we’re in and want to help people out and let everyone know that we’re in Buffalo to be a part of the community.”‘

‘”One of the things that we have to establish is a core,” he said. “I think Marcus Easley stepped up big for us. He would be a core-type player. Our goal is to have six of those type of players. Duke Williams has played well at times, Ty Powell has played well at times. When you have about six core special teams players that are playing on three to four teams for you, now you have the ability to perform at a high level.”‘

‘Williams and Erin Marzouki released a joint statement Thursday saying they have reached a settlement agreement regarding the ring. Terms were not disclosed.’

‘Marzouki said she regretted the release by her lawyer of text messages between her and Williams that seemed to indicate the player was quite despondent over their breakup and possibly contemplated suicide. Williams later said he was never suicidal and the text messages were blown out of proportion.’

‘”You’d like to be a part of the solution in a place like Buffalo where there have been a lot of hard times,” said Chandler. “You don’t want to be a part of the problem. You want to be a part of the solution. That’s what I want to be.”‘