Archives for June 2014

‘Despite all of the rave reviews of Sammy Watkins from OTAs and minicamp in June, we have yet to see the rookie WR in true game action. How quickly he is able to fit into the offense and connect with EJ Manuel will likely be a key factor in how successful the Bills will be this season. The more opportunities he gets to become comfortable with Manuel’s passes and Nathaniel Hackett’s scheme, the better.’

‘”The state would do its part; the county would do its part, but only if you really need a new stadium, which, frankly, I am not convinced of,” he said. “It would be more a function of what the new buyer and the NFL say is the condition to keep it here. We have to see how it develops down the road.”‘

‘Trump made the proclamation at about 12:30 p.m. in between other tweets he has sent out about his hotel properties, his hair and today’s political primary races.’

‘”It’s always fun to come out and meet with the fans,” Spiller said before signing autographs. “Especially with our training camp being at St. John Fisher makes it even more special considering that it’s right around the corner. We’re going to have a fun time tonight – sign a couple autographs, meet some new people, have dinner with some lucky fans, so I’m excited about it.”‘

‘”From our perspective, it’s business as usual,” team President and CEO Russ Brandon said. “We have a football team to prepare, and Coach Marrone will continue on the path of doing that.”‘

‘I believe if Brandon stays, Whaley stays. Brandon considers Whaley a star, and he’s his star. But before all that, would Pegula and Brandon choose each other? Brandon has loads of experience, much of which has been in softening fans’ concerns about the team’s future. Upon the sale, presumably, all that goes away.’

‘Getting a true evaluation of their players might begin to deteriorate for the coaching staff with players more capable of anticipating what’s coming from their teammates on the other side of the ball. Practicing and scrimmaging against Pittsburgh removes that built-in familiarity that develops in the training camp setting.’

‘Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller will sign autographs from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the main court at Eastview Mall.’

‘Bruce Smith, one of several of Reed’s former Bills teammates who came in for the tournament, also had some words of advice. “Pace yourself because the whole process is long and the anxiety builds up,” Smith, a 2009 Hall of Fame inductee, said. “It’s easy to get a little impatient waiting for that moment to finally get here. It’s quite an experience and it can be overwhelming, but you have to enjoy the moment.”‘

‘His title might sound vague, but Marrone has a pretty specialized role for Senior Offensive Assistant Jim Hostler. He’ll be reducing the planning burden on Hackett by essentially acting as an advance planner for future opponents. When the balance of the offensive staff will be prepping for a Wednesday game week practice installation, Hostler will already be putting together the nuts and bolts of the Thursday practice.’

‘”If you look at us last year, that right there is going to extend so many more drives,” he said. “We have to continue to be better at that, and it’s something I’ve really challenged the guys with. Third down and red zone situations, that’s what we need to work on and that’s what’s going to get us more plays.”‘

‘Kremer also interviews Stephanie Mateczun, the president of Stejon Productions, which manages the cheerleaders. Mateczun maintains that “these girls were never made to do anything they never have wanted to do. We were creating a team of just well-rounded young ladies and they could have resigned at any time.”‘

‘The Bills made it a point to add “core special teams players” in the off season in an effort to better their performance in 2014. Crossman called Corey Graham an “elite” special teams player. Anthony Dixon was a four phase player in San Francisco and the Bills are hoping Keith Rivers will provide a boost along with key teams returnees like Marcus Easley and Ty Powell. Easley led the NFL in solo special teams tackles last season and Powell was fifth on the Bills in teams tackles despite being active in just five games.’