Archives for March 2014

‘There were some rumblings that a deal may have already been hatched between the two sides, but that isn’t the case. At least not yet, according to ESPN’s Adam Caplan.’

‘Spikes, 26, has been a starter during all four of his seasons with the New England Patriots to begin his NFL career. Over that time, he has a total of 286 tackles in 39 starts. He’s a noted run defender that would slot in as the team’s middle linebacker if they were to strike an agreement.’

‘Spikes finished third on the New England Patriots defense in 2013 with 86 tackles (48 solo) in 16 games with 11 starts. The 6-2, 255-pound Florida product was selected by New England in the second-round (62nd overall) of the 2010 Draft and has played in 51 games (39 starts), totaling 284 tackles (173 solo) in his NFL career.’

‘Jim Kelly came to ECMC this week for continued testing related to his oral surgery. Unfortunately, it has been determined that his cancer has returned.’

‘The Bills free agent visits continued on Friday with 49ers free agent RB Anthony Dixon and New England free agent LB Brandon Spikes.’

‘In an appearance on Bills flagship station WGR Sportsradio 550 Friday morning Whaley confirmed that rumored plans to move Kiko Alonso to the weak side linebacker position this fall are now underway.’

‘”I wanted to be a Bill,” he said. “As a player you don’t always have as much control as you’d like. I mean, you do have control, but you hire people to advise you, so you listen. It’s so hard, because you have to look at it from a business perspective, a player perspective and a family perspective. And I wanted to be a Bill.”‘

‘”They did their thing,” Graham said of the contract talks between the Bills and his Indianapolis-based representative, Buddy Baker. “Then my agent called me, and I was in my hotel room, and I was getting ready to go to dinner with Washington.”‘

‘Robert A. Hopkins, 29, of Buffalo, had been due in court Thursday before Town Justice Edward A. Pace, but the case was adjourned to April 10. Hopkins has added another attorney, Patrick J. Brown, who will work with Jeffrey Bochiechio, according to court officials.’

‘”My wife and I love the city of Buffalo, we love everything about Buffalo,” Chandler said then. “It means a lot to me to have the bull on my helmet and play for the city of Buffalo. I appreciate everything here. It’s hard to imagine anything else.”‘

‘Corey Graham’s desire to play for his hometown Buffalo Bills was so strong, the free agent cornerback never let the Washington Redskins finish making their pitch.’

‘Chandler’s return solidifies a spot that lacked experienced depth.’

‘Chandler is coming off a 2013 season in which he set career bests with 53 catches and 655 receiving yards while scoring a pair of touchdowns. The 6- foot-7 Iowa product has recorded 134 receptions totaling 1,615 yards with 14 touchdowns over the past three campaigns.’

‘He has caught a pass in 32 consecutive games, most in franchise history among tight ends.’