Archives for May 2014

‘”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.’

‘”It means the world to me, man. … I’ve never been more nervous than that day. Every time my phone rang or I got a text, my heart kind of dropped a little bit,” he said. “I was a little disappointed, but more disappointed at myself. Once the Bills did call me, it was just like a big relief, you know what I’m saying? Like everything’s going to be OK. I most definitely appreciate the whole coaching staff, the owner, the GM, everybody that believed in me. That actually still wanted me to come here and be a part of their team.”‘

‘And, apparently, judging from my emails, those seven selections didn’t exactly scintillate the Bills’ faithful.’

‘”This could not be a better situation for Sammy,” Swinney said following Watkins’ selection by the Bills. “The first thing I said to Sammy’s mother is that he could not have a better mentor than C.J. Spiller. He’ll show Sammy the ropes.”‘

‘”First of all, I was totally shocked,” Miller told The News. “I never expected this. Mary Wilson called me to congratulate me and she told me how thrilled she was. And she said Ralph would be very happy this happened. I’m honored.”‘

‘”I can’t remember the last time I had 140 throws especially within 30 or 45 minutes of a practice,” Guiton told Buffalobills.com. “I can’t remember the last time I’ve done it and it’s taken a toll on me, but at the same time it’s a great opportunity and I’m trying to take advantage of it.”‘

‘It’s impossible to calculate the impact Van Miller had on my broadcast career. Working by his side, I had a front row seat for Hall of Fame caliber play by play. I learned how important it was to be upbeat and enthusiastic about the game. I learned how significant each of the sixteen games in an NFL schedule is, and how much they mean to the listeners. And I discovered how critical it was to keep everything in perspective.’

‘”Anybody throwing the ball, my job is to run the route, have the proper yardage, have the proper depth … and catch the ball,” Watkins said. “Wherever the ball’s at, if my hand touches it, I’ve got to catch it.”‘