Archives for July 20, 2014

‘There are many storylines and questions surrounding the team this summer. Here are 10 big questions going into training camp.’

‘”The cool thing about the camp is the buzz it creates,” Jeffries said. “To have an NFL team in town creates an exciting atmosphere.”‘

‘”They say the most growth you make is from year one to year two and you can see he’s definitely putting in the time to do that,” veteran running back Fred Jackson said near the end of spring OTAs. “We know we’re only going to go as far as he can take us and that’s a responsibility that he’s shouldering and he wants that opportunity. He’s putting in the work in the film room, spending extra time with the coaches, and that’s all we can ask of him as a teammate.”‘

‘”That’s nothing new,” said Bills safety Aaron Williams. “It’s every year. Everybody just thinks we’re the same old Bills, and that’s fine with me. I completely understand that they think we’re the same old Bills that every year everybody gets hyped up for an incredible season and then people get let down with a six-win season. To me, I’m getting tired of it, as well. It’s a new attitude I’m bringing to the table. We’re going to be a winning team, and we’re going to come out here with a new attitude and be aggressive and bring this city more wins.”‘

‘McKelvin was limited in spring practices after undergoing offseason hip surgery. The Bills conducted conditioning tests on the field Saturday, and the veteran starting cornerback afterward was ruled good to participate in camp.’

‘As a young girl, I was thrilled to see my dad jump in the air cheering as he watched the Bills take it in for a touchdown; or seeing him yelling at the TV in frustration and calling out plays that would have countered the interception or fumble we just saw. At “The Ralph,” I would (and still do) cling to my dad’s hand as we walked around the field while the players warmed up, in awe of how monstrous they look up close.’

‘Until Saturday’s report, it had been uncertain whether the group wanted to relocate the team.’

‘”At the end of the day we just have to go out and play ball,” said defensive end Mario Williams. “It’s still us, and we have to execute and go out and do our jobs.”‘

‘”We haven’t done anything; we’ve got a lot to prove,” Whaley said. “Like Russ (Brandon) said, we won’t hide from it. We haven’t been in the playoffs in a long time and we owe it to the fans, our late Hall of Fame owner, and everybody in this business to show that we’re not the Bills anymore. We want to be a playoff team. We’re planning to be a playoff team, and that’s our goal.”‘

‘The Bills have to hope that a full offseason with the coaches, and learning the playbook, will offset some of the lost playing time. Manuel is confident that will be the case, but he still has to go out there and prove it. If he goes down, the Bills are not good in the backup positions. Lewis is serviceable, but he’s not taking this team to the playoffs. If Tuel and Dixon have to play, Bills fans can start thinking about 2015.’

‘”If (Watkins) can come in and be a leader in that room, that’s great. I think we’re all taking that position. We’re not putting it on Mike (Williams) or Woody (Robert Woods). We’re not putting it on anyone. As a whole we’re trying to support each other and do things as a team.”‘

‘Either way, Dareus won’t be practicing with the team until he’s cleared by the medical staff, and neither will Unga. No reason was given for why the two were placed on the NFI list, but the Bills did conduct conditioning tests this morning at St. John Fisher College.’

‘QMI Agency has been reliably informed by multiple sources that the sole Toronto group bidding on the NFL team is now telling people, and will tell the trust overseeing the sale of the Buffalo Bills, that it is committed to keeping the NFL franchise in Western New York.’

‘According to a well-placed source, prospective bidders not only have until 5 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, July 29 to inform investment bank Morgan Stanley of their intention to bid, they must submit an indicative bid by then.’

‘”At first, it was difficult,” Rodriguez said. “But the more I went, the more I knew I had to stick with it. I felt relieved and free. Since I started the sessions, I haven’t been drinking. I’ve had no incidents.”‘