Archives for April 2014

‘The Buffalo Sabres have used variable pricing for games since 2004. This is the first year in which the NFL is allowing all teams to put variable pricing on tickets. The Bills raised the price on season tickets this year for the first time since 2010.’

‘”I think it’s something that can help young people play the game safely,” Kelso said. “Football is a unique game, I think. You can develop certain things from a character standpoint that I think that are difficult to develop in other sports. We have to allow kids the opportunity to play the game safely, to develop those character traits but not have the potential long term negative health effects.”‘

‘The legal waters indeed can be choppy, so here’s a Q&A to explain yet another such obstacle, and to update where things stand with the New Stadium Working Group as well as the sale of the Bills…’.

‘The Bills released individual ticket prices based on the new variable pricing plan this season. The Patriots and Dolphins’ games are listed at the “gold” level, with a top price of $130.’

”The variable ticket pricing tiers have been announced for the 2014 season, including two gold games, four silver games, two bronze games and the preseason.’

‘But Whaley quickly added, “This does not preclude us from taking a wide receiver and it doesn’t preclude us from doing anything else. It’s just another weapon that we gave EJ (Manuel, second-year quarterback), another piece of the puzzle that will help get us to where we need to go.”‘

‘But, much as the last-resort, $400-million punitive-damages penalty in the non-relocation agreement had been grossly misunderstood and misreported until QMI Agency set the record straight last month, so the prohibition of selling the team to a carpet-bagger of sorts has been disregarded until now.’

‘Exactly what “close” means is uncertain. If he meant close to escaping the AFC East basement, well, that was true, if you believe finishing at 6-10, two games behind the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets, who tied for second at 8-8, qualifies. Like most GMs, Whaley seems to have an inflated sense of the viability of his roster.’

‘There are rumors the Bills might try to move up to perhaps the top pick in the draft so they can select South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney. When asked for his thoughts, Whaley discussed a potential front line on defense of Clowney, Mario Williams, Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus which might make many Bills fans ecstatic.’

‘”We can go with any position [with our first round pick],” Whaley said. “So that makes our job a lot easier. We can stack the board without having a pressing need. When you have a pressing need, guys tend to get pushed up the board. When you push guys up the board that is when you have a greater chance of making mistakes. When you have it set the way we do this year, we have a less chance of making a mistake and we’re excited about that.”‘

‘Last year, Whaley got his quarterback. This year, he intends to get him more help. A lot of people, including some prospective owners, will be watching very closely next fall to see if he actually gets results.’

‘Here, unedited, are some of the strangest rules (see the full document below)…’.

‘To help solve that first part, Texas A&M’s Jake Matthews would be an ideal pick. Matthews – the son of Hall of Fame lineman Bruce Matthews – isn’t the strongest lineman in the draft, but he’s a very balanced technician who uses his footwork, tenacity and length to keep defenders at bay. He played left tackle as a senior but also has experience on the right side.’

‘We had to purchase Jills calendars from our coach – 10 a month – which was $100 that we had to pay her and if we were unable to sell these calendars, then we lost out on that money. If these girls weren’t able to front the money every month for these calendars, then they were benched for the next game. That really made us realize that there was some sketchy stuff going on here.’