Archives for May 20, 2014

‘When asked if he saw players he might like to keep around, the second-year head man admitted, “I did, I talked to Doug (Whaley, general manager) about that and I’m sure there will be an announcement coming.”‘

‘”Hey, let’s make sure that they’re conditioned enough where we don’t put them out there and put them in jeopardy of getting injured,” Marrone said. “It’s such an important time. If you do get injured, it’s very difficult to make up, especially in the beginning.”‘

‘”I know what I saw is a good football player who has had problems and I did a lot of research,” coach Doug Marrone said. “I knew exactly what we were getting. From a physical ability standpoint he’s off the charts, it’s just a matter of the structure and the discipline and doing all the right things consistently to show that he can play.”‘

‘I don’t have a problem with Johnson’s celebrations – in fact, I think the NFL’s excessive celebration rule is stupid. The receiver certainly made a few mistakes at bad times, but not many receivers can shake a defensive back like him.’

‘The Bills’ restrictive lease of Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., all but chains the franchise there until 2020. That means the Bills would have to play a minimum of five lame-duck seasons at the Ralph before bolting to Toronto. It’s practically inconceivable the NFL and its commissioner from Western New York would allow that to happen.’

‘”At the end of the day, it’s my town against your town, Cowboys against whoever we’re playing,” said Jones. “To the end that we can create more rivalries and involve larger viewing audiences, populations, that’s something that you have to look at when you get a chance to, and that’s the debate between Buffalo and Toronto.”‘

‘”Players are so happy to be there that you’ll play in any city,” said Tasker, a CBS and a radio analyst who said he’s been to about 10 additional Super Bowls in that capacity. “Friends and family members pay more attention to where it is. They’d like to play the game in the Bahamas.”‘

‘”I feel like in college, I had a lot of maturing to do, sir,” he said during a three-day rookie minicamp that ended on Monday. “But at the same time, I have no regrets. I’m happy where I’m at. I wouldn’t change it for anything, sir. I’m happy to be here in Buffalo.”‘

‘The biggest one, of course, will be about second year quarterback E.J Manuel. Can he stay healthy and play a full 16 game schedule? If he can, will Manuel make enough strides to justify the organization’s faith in him?’

‘It’s no secret that the most watched player for three days is top pick Sammy Watkins. Marrone said, “My assessment of him is he probably has better hand-eye coordination than I thought coming in, but for me the big thing is I really look forward to when the pads come on and we start playing football and really evaluating people then.” Marrone also likes the kid’s work ethic, “Somebody told me today that he was in here at 6:45 running routes on air, so those are the things that are encouraging and those are the things that you want to hear.”‘

‘”It’s going to be quick because things are going to be moving even faster as far as installing more of the defense and going against more complex concepts with the offense,” said fourth-round pick Ross Cockrell. “I’m ready to go for that. The OTAs will be a tremendous opportunity for us to show what we can do against some of the starters here.”‘

‘We finished up today and I think it was a good weekend. We’ve accomplished what we set out to do, making sure that they learn and train the players to get them ready for when the veteran players come back. Obviously this is the end of the rookie minicamp and I think next on the agenda for us obviously we’re still under phase two this week, so the players will be back in working out the next couple of days. Then really it will step up the following week. Obviously with Memorial Day players are off, then Tuesday is a travel day and then we’ll hit the OTA’s. We’re excited about that. Seeing how the rookies here today transition into those OTA’s. That’s where we are.’

‘ It was definitely what I expected. Come out here and work hard with the guys and get my footsteps in the right routes and right yardage. That’s been the hardest thing, just the transition from college to the pros and getting the right coaching. So far I see myself 10 times better just on my route running, my mechanics and working on the little things.’