Archives for May 2014

‘”The team means so much to that area. It’s been a great franchise for the league. I think most of the people in that room would like to see it remain in Buffalo.”‘

‘”Someone told me today that he was in here at like 6:45 running routes on air,” Marrone said of wide receiver Sammy Watkins at the conclusion of the Bills’ three-day rookie mini-camp. “Someone told me that and those are things that are encouraging. I think those are the things you want to hear.”‘

‘Talent isn’t hard to come by in the NFL. Talent and maturity is. Watkins is only 20 years old, but he carries himself like a 10-year veteran.’

‘Taxpayers won’t be asked to foot the entire bill – the Bills and the NFL will pay a share – but we’re going to have to pay a lot of it. Pragmatists will point out it’s a foolhardy investment considering the state of affairs in Western New York. The economy here still lags behind many other places. The Buffalo Public Schools are in disarray and failing badly. New York state has already kicked in $1 billion in cash and economic incentives to help revive the economy. How much is left in the bank for a new waterfront stadium to be used eight or 10 times a year?’

‘”The interest, from my point of view, is high,” Brandon said of potential buyers. “We will go through that process with the investment bank and transaction counsel when that’s secured.’

‘The Bills fit three criteria that could qualify them to appear on the 2014 version of the show: 1. They do not have a new head coach 2. They haven’t made the playoffs in the last two years 3. They haven’t participated in the series in the previous 10 seasons.’

‘The 6-foot-4, 200-pound native of Anchorage, Alaska spent his college career at San Francisco City College and East Central in Oklahoma. He had a school-record 970 receiving yards at East Central last season, with 55 catches and nine touchdowns.’

‘”Part of the problem is if the Bills stay in Buffalo, even in a renovated current stadium or in a new stadium, they’re going to be worth a lot less than if they move to a place like Toronto or some other city.”‘

‘After Sammy Watkins, Holley was one of the more consistent players during the team’s rookie minicamp demonstrating good separation on routes and reliable hands.’

‘”Most of the guys we took have been a part of winning program and that is a big thing we’re stressing,” said Bills Director of Player Personnel Jim Monos.’

‘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.’