Archives for August 1, 2014

‘”My whole thing has been about opportunity,” he said. “Once I get it I’m going to be able to make plays and do things. I’m very confident in my ability to do that when the opportunity is given.”‘

‘Gragg and Jones are the only healthy tight ends on the Bills’ roster after Lee Smith joined Scott Chandler and Tony Moeaki on the sidelines for Thursday’s practice at St. John Fisher College. Smith has a lower-body injury, coach Doug Marrone said afterward, while Chandler has been out since Sunday with a groin injury and Moeaki is sidelined by a hamstring problem.’

‘Coach Doug Marrone said a decision on how much the starters will play in Sunday’s preseason opener against the New York Giants won’t be made until after practice tonight, when Marrone sees who is healthy enough to play.’

‘”I told Mr. Ralph Wilson at the time when we took Andre in the fourth round that he was better than Chris Burkett,” said Elbert Dubenion, the former great Bills receiver who scouted Reed for Buffalo. “It was good to be right.”‘

‘In 21 playoff games, Reed caught 85 passes for 1,229 yards.’

‘”I’m sure it was part of the motivation for Jim,” Jill said. “Certainly, he’s motivated by his faith, his girls and his family, the things he holds very close to him. But every time Andre went to visit Jim, they talked about that.’

‘”He’s done a nice job,” said coach Doug Marrone. “It’s very early to maybe label him or put ceilings on him; let’s see where he goes.”‘

‘Thursday, Lee Smith sat out practice with what coach Doug Marrone termed a “lower body injury,” thus joining Scott Chandler and Tony Moeaki on the sidelines. That means the top three guys on the depth chart were down, and the only available tight ends were Chris Gragg and newcomer Dominque Jones.’

‘The next stage of the process involves the bidders meeting with Morgan Stanley, the banking firm in charge of the sale on behalf of late owner Ralph Wilson’s estate. At that meeting, bidders will receive financial information, and Bills president Russ Brandon is expected to give a presentation, according to the Associated Press. After that, formal bids will be due.’

‘The connection runs a bit deeper than that, though. Coughlin has been a mentor for Marrone. “I have a lot of respect for him. I’ve always followed him, always admired the work that he’s done, and like I said before, we used to meet once a year,” Marrone said. “I’d go and talk to him and he helped me out quite a bit.”‘

‘”Those guys have done a great job, especially this week,” Manuel said. “Picking up defenses blitzes, their looks. They’re communicating very well at the line of scrimmage. That allows us to really pick it up.’

‘Clarity was not immediately forthcoming.’

‘Are the Canadians going to win the auction? It does not look promising.’