Archives for July 2014

‘”We’re throwing a lot of stuff in from the play book” Jackson said. Its not like we are focusing on one thing, one week. We pretty much have the whole offense going in right now so a lot of guys are struggling with that. It’s a lot of information to retain.”‘

‘I have to admit, it really is amazing that Jackson still has the zest for the game after so many years. He started with the Bills is 2007 getting just 58 carries. Last year, he had a career high nine touchdowns. You won’t find too many runningbacks in the NFL that make it to 33. Jackson said, “I just love to play this game. I think usually when guys get my age, they’re ready to shut it down and not come out here and get beat-up like we do here in training camp, but I wake up every day and I love it. I have an opportunity to play for a team like the Buffalo Bills and I try to take advantage of that whenever I can. The number one thing that keeps me motivated is the love for this game and I don’t want that to end anytime soon.”‘

‘For the second straight year, Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Nigel Bradham is his own worst enemy.’

‘Lightning crashed a couple of times but eventually the weather lifted enough for the Bills to take the field in front of a plucky crowd of around 75 fans. Even though he threw an interception in team drills before the rain delay, the team’s young quarterback came back refreshed and ready for the rest of practice.’

‘Jackson signed the new agreement just prior to the team’s afternoon training camp practice at St. John Fisher. The 33-year old is coming off a season in which he posted a career-high nine rushing touchdowns and led the team with 10 total scores. His 1,277 all-purpose yards was the third highest single-season total of his career. Jackson also pulled in a single-season career best 47 receptions.’

‘I want to thank Russ [Brandon], Doug [Whaley], the late, great Mr. Wilson for the opportunity to be able to play here. Every player’s dream is to be able to play with one team for their entire career, and this extension gives me the opportunity to do that. I’ve had a lot of support with me throughout the years, obviously you see my kids are here, they’re always here. My wife has done a tremendous job supporting me, doing everything she can do to make sure I’m able to come out here and compete with these young bucks, so I’m excited about it. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to continue to come out here and play and get this thing turned around. Hopefully we can do that sooner rather than later.’

‘At the outset of practices when individual position drills reached a conclusion the offensive and defensive linemen went to one end of the field and worked on the run game. There were three groups of offensive and defensive linemen stretched across the field along with linebackers and backs and tight ends. Though each lineup pitted just a couple of linemen and a tight end against a couple of linemen and a pair of linebackers the intensity of the drill was palpable.’

‘”He’s been impressive so far, but practice is different than games,” the defensive coordinator said. “There’s a different nature to being out there when there’s real action going on out there and he’s under the clock and a different offense and those things. That’s really the hallmark of a player, is what he does on game day. But he’s given us every indication that he’s ready for it.”‘

‘But, the initial bids are just an early step in what is a very complicated sale process. It is possible the Wilson estate trustees, led by his widow, Mary, and longtime chief financial officer Jeff Littman, could instruct Morgan Stanley and Proskauer Rose to re-open the bidding. The Bills are a privately-held business venture and bidding procedures can be adjusted, if the trustees so determine.’

‘”I feel it’s a mentality by the front seven,” said linebacker Nigel Bradham. “Even in the back end, by them coming up with safety support and the corners playing on the edge. It’s all about mentality. We have to come out every day with the mentality we’re going to stop the run no matter what.”‘

‘Preliminary bids were due at Morgan Stanley, the Bills’ investment banker, at 5 p.m. And while a Morgan Stanley spokeswoman did not return calls seeking comment, bidders expected to join the fray include Buffalo Sabres owner Terry Pegula, billionaire Donald Trump, a Toronto group that involves rock star Jon Bon Jovi and possibly former Sabres owner B. Thomas Golisano.’

‘Youth continues to be served on Doug Marrone’s Buffalo staff. Gone are the rocking chairs used by Dick Jauron and Chan Gailey. The Shady Rest is now a Sandals. Five-hour Energy has sacked Geritol.’

‘”It’s bearing on the location of the stadium is only insofar as it starts to narrow the pool of who prospective owners could be,” said Mayor Paul Dyster, who was named to the New Stadium Working Group formed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo last year.’

‘”You don’t even have to ask that question,” Bills fan Michael Thomas said after practice on Friday. “C’mon, it has to be Pegula. Anybody but Bon Jovi.”‘

‘… the investment bank conducting the sale of the NFL club for the trust of the late Ralph Wilson received only three bids in total, said a source closely involved in the bid process.’